Champs League

[Darkzzz_]

I think we both know that's not what I'm saying.

Yeah but with the honourable exception of Chelsea and Liverpool most England vs England ties are fairly boring affairs. Some of the best matches I can remember in recent years were against foreign teams.

Chelsea vs Monaco at the hands of Fernando Morientes? Chelsea against Valencia, David Silva's screamer? The Arsenal vs Barca final? The Liverpool vs AC Milan final? Porto's clashes with Man Utd? (It was Man Utd's tedious defensive display that spoiled the last game)

They're just a few that spring to mind.

Shut up finners, English teams are not defensive.

Idiot.

[C-man]

UEFA could relax the 'teams from the same country can't face each other until xxxx-round in the competiton' rule, so English teams would face each other in the group stage or last 16. At least we'd get more chance to see teams from other countries that way.

[Koke]

I don't really care. I only watch it for entertainment purposes. It will never affect me or Leicester City anyway, so it's not worth getting annoyed about it all.

The system was set up to make the rich even more richer. All they cater for is the big clubs & their armchair fans. The big boys in suit get a lot of money out of it and in return the big clubs get a big slice of the monopoly, so both the football governing body and the big European clubs have a pot to piss in and a sandwich to munch. Everybody is a winner.

[Edmund]

Stereotyped.... Yet again.

Ok, the Italian sides are lacking that bit of class at the moment, domestically bar Inter running away with it, Serie A has been a joy to watch. Chelsea defended for their lives against Juve recently and Arsenal just scrapped past Roma in a dull affair.

If you watched the league more you would probably see that Serie A is more attacking than ever, goals galore in fact. I am not saying you have to love it, but I just hate this sterotypical comment regarding Italy, I am sure you won't be complaining if an Italian manger leads England to world cup glory.

I am not saying it is as strong as the Premier League, before the mob start coming out with their stupidity, but it isn't boring, well not from the games I watch anyway. But what do I know. Eh?

I do watch quite a bit of serie a actually and yes it has been an entertaining season but were talking champions league here. All im saying is the entertainment factor from the Liverpool against Chelsea match provided more than the man united game against inter, arsenal against roma etc.

Yes it is wrong to stereotype but basing on tactics used by the majority of Italian teams, Roma being one they do set out defensively and wether you like it or not it's fact.

Yeah but with the honourable exception of Chelsea and Liverpool most England vs England ties are fairly boring affairs. Some of the best matches I can remember in recent years were against foreign teams.

Chelsea vs Monaco at the hands of Fernando Morientes? Chelsea against Valencia, David Silva's screamer? The Arsenal vs Barca final? The Liverpool vs AC Milan final? Porto's clashes with Man Utd? (It was Man Utd's tedious defensive display that spoiled the last game)

They're just a few that spring to mind.

Again your just assuming, I never ever mentioned french, spanish teams. If you look at a few posts back when you stated the champions league is boring because the lack of minnows I pointed out to you that finals like the liverpool versus ac milan game were far from boring.

[Sparky]

English teams boring ??

This thread is getting twice as bad .

My View in a nutshell

Id prefer the English clubs to do well as i watch a lot of Prem action and would prefer to be down the pub final night watching a side i see a lot of .

Of course the English dominance in the last 2 years has not got a great deal to do with English players. The top 4 are massivley influenced by superb foreign talent but for me as a England fan its good to see the 1 or 2 players we have got doing well , or is that wrong also

Prem vs La Liga vs Seria A

After discussions on here ive watched a fair few games this season other than the Prem . La Liga has been good and Seria A is not the boring league it was in the mid 90s . I PERSONALLY prefer to watch the Prem every time but each to thier own and im certainly not gonna get in anymore bloody arguments on here to why i prefer Bolton Vs Fulham to Barca vs Valencia.

Style of football

This bit is more of a question .

Does everybody have to enjoy the same styles of football ?

Im not such a Football purist , the Arsenal side a couple of years ago used to frustrate the hell out of me . Superb pass and move football but they always tried to score the perfect goal . Good for the neutral perhaps but id be tearing my hair out if i was a fan . Adebayor has been the ruthless streak the gunners needed

I like the tactical side of things . Sometimes i love to see a "lesser" team go to Old Trafford come up with a gameplan of soaking up pressure and couter attacking and nicking a result .

I used to love the style O Neill had here . During his spell we always had a Roberts or a Marshall or a Heskey or a Elliott as one of our strikers . That does not mean we couldnt knock it about. Lennon Izzet and Parker played some cracking stuff but having a big man gives you a lot more options when your under a lot of pressure and from wide positions , i may be in the minority here but i dont mind being a tad direct when its required.

But hey im sure after the semis if Barca win i suppose its Hahaha fook the English or if Chelsea win its the old English clubs rule the world etc etc , be nice to find a middle ground every now and again

I don't really care. I only watch it for entertainment purposes. It will never affect me or Leicester City anyway, so it's not worth getting annoyed about it all.

The system was set up to make the rich even more richer. All they cater for is the big clubs & their armchair fans. The big boys in suit get a lot of money out of it and in return the big clubs get a big slice of the monopoly, so both the football governing body and the big European clubs have a pot to piss in and a sandwich to munch. Everybody is a winner.

That is pretty much nail on the head for me also

[Darkzzz_]

I do watch quite a bit of serie a actually and yes it has been an entertaining season but were talking champions league here. All im saying is the entertainment factor from the Liverpool against Chelsea match provided more than the man united game against inter, arsenal against roma etc.

Yes it is wrong to stereotype but basing on tactics used by the majority of Italian teams, Roma being one they do set out defensively and wether you like it or not it's fact.

Yes I have to agree, the Liverpool v Chelsea game was great. Never disputed that, bout time really though, It was like two teams exploding at the drab affairs played out by them in recent years (Although last years was ok)

Italians have been known for the tactics, Yes, but it has certainly proved to be a winning formula for them without mentioning they are the most successful European nation in world football , Milan being the second most successful side in the CL history. Now though it is like roles reversed, the Italian sides know how to attack better now where as the English know how to defend better. It is great for the game of course and the Serie A is playing catch up, even though it started these huge transfer fees.

Money talks and the premiership is a huge business. Billionaires playground, the champions league is a toy. A good toy though.

[Finnegan]

I never suggested there should be more minnows in the Champions League. I said there should be less teams ranked third or fourth in their respective leagues.

If that means making the tournament smaller or altering the format then I wouldn't be especially against it?

All I'm saying - really ALL I am saying (so please don't put words in my mouth) is that I personally find I have enough opportunities to watch English domestic football in the average season and that I relish the Champions League because I get to see teams I'm familiar with playing against foreign sides with different players, different styles of football and different footballing cultures.

That's what fascinates me about the competition. Liverpool play exciting enough games as it is, their recent demolition of Man Utd in the league was a great game to watch! But I can watch that in the league.

I'm not ACTUALLY campaigining for the format of the Champions League to change, I just think it's a bit disappointing that there's been so many English teams in the last stages of late as I PERSONALLY find that more boring.

[Darkzzz_]

Also have to say that Sparky has a fair comment up there, I do agree with that, but it does work both ways. If someone comes on here giving it out they have to take opinions back, which some can't for some reason.

I have also seen some people get worked up about Liverpool and Chelsea more than I have seen them with Leicester, which I find bizarre.

The argument will never die because we have different opinions, I think all leagues has it's strengths and weaknesses.

A debate is healthy, but whilst I respect those that have a different view and talk sense, I don't respect the idiots at all.

[Sparky]

Also have to say that Sparky has a fair comment up there, I do agree with that, but it does work both ways. If someone comes on here giving it out they have to take opinions back, which some can't for some reason.

I have also seen some people get worked up about Liverpool and Chelsea more than I have seen them with Leicester, which I find bizarre.

The argument will never die because we have different opinions, I think all leagues has it's strengths and weaknesses.

A debate is healthy, but whilst I respect those that have a different view and talk sense, I don't respect the idiots at all.

Spot on

[lavrentis]

Gutted Panathinaikos went out.

[Uncle Albert]

How the hell is it boring that English teams get to the latter stages? Sorry its not Haverfordwest scrapping it out in the Semi's.

People are saying they are boring matches... Liverpool beat Arsenal 5-4 last season, Chelsea beat Liverpool 4-3 last season, Chelsea beat Liverpool 7-5 this season, Liverpool beat Real Madrid 5-0 this season, United Porto at Old Trafford was class, Arsenal last night was entertaining. The Final between Chelsea and United was pretty entertaining for 1-1 and the penalty shootout was pretty good aswell. And we have Arsenal United in the Semi's this year, could well be a thriller.

Why should English Football have to be restricted in having four teams just because as a Country we are the most sucessful in it? Load of nonesense.

If people find the Champions League boring then why do they watch it? Seriously?

This years competition has been great, the standard of football from teams this year has been unreal. Barca, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Bayern, United, Villareal, Porto and others have been a joy to watch. But to say the English teams in the latter stages make the competition more boring is a very stupid thing to say, when quite clearly there not.

[Finnegan]

Think you sort of missed the point. I wouldn't want to see a Madrid vs Barca final, either. Or a Milan vs Inter one. Or a Llanelli vs TNS one, for that matter.

I'm saying I want two things out of the Champions League:

1. Teams from different countries playing each other.

2. Teams I know (Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and I guess Celtic?) pitting it out against teams like Barca, Milan, Bayern and co' that I can't watch them playing any other Saturday on Sky Sports twenty odd times per season domestically?

[Uncle Albert]

Sorry but I think United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea had played 8 matches against teams from different countries, if thats not enough for you bloody hell. Arsenal have played 10 matches against teams from around Europe. Not enough?

What do you expect to see in the latter stages if the English sides are good enough to progress?

[Finnegan]

Sorry but I think United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea had played 8 matches against teams from different countries, if thats not enough for you bloody hell. Arsenal have played 10 matches against teams from around Europe. Not enough?

What do you expect to see in the latter stages if the English sides are good enough to progress?

I appreciate you can't really help the situation where by the English teams are just generally stronger than the rest, hence why I just think there should be less entrants per nation anyway.

Even without the issue I have with the domestic dominance I find it a little weird that you can finish fourth in the Premiership some twenty odd points behind the eventual league winners and then go on to the Champions League final.

[C-man]

Personally, if I was a fan of a big four club, I'd want to be playing European teams in the latter stages. Essentially, it's almost becoming a glorified FA Cup.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd, Everton compared to Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd, Barca.

[Finnegan]

Essentially, it's almost becoming a glorified FA Cup.

Same.

Your point about seeding was fair. If anything it'd almost be better to see the English teams (and Spanish teams and Italian teams, etc) have to play each other in the earlier stages for the right to go on.

[Uncle Albert]

I appreciate you can't really help the situation where by the English teams are just generally stronger than the rest, hence why I just think there should be less entrants per nation anyway.

Even without the issue I have with the domestic dominance I find it a little weird that you can finish fourth in the Premiership some twenty odd points behind the eventual league winners and then go on to the Champions League final.

Why am I not helping the situation, you just banged on about that you would prefer to see English teams playing more of our European counterparts, then I told you that the English teams do play enough of them.

Its the same in Spain about finishing 20 points behing the the eventual league winners and getting a place in the Champions League, if we are lucky enough to have 4 teams getting into the Champions League then we should count ourselves lucky as a nation, so we can see our representives doing well and showing how strong our National league is in England. And if a team does finish 4th and then goes onto win the competition the next year, then fairplay to them. They have had to have played 15 matches to have won it.

[Bert]

How the hell is it boring that English teams get to the latter stages? Sorry its not Haverfordwest scrapping it out in the Semi's.

People are saying they are boring matches... Liverpool beat Arsenal 5-4 last season, Chelsea beat Liverpool 4-3 last season, Chelsea beat Liverpool 7-5 this season, Liverpool beat Real Madrid 5-0 this season, United Porto at Old Trafford was class, Arsenal last night was entertaining. The Final between Chelsea and United was pretty entertaining for 1-1 and the penalty shootout was pretty good aswell. And we have Arsenal United in the Semi's this year, could well be a thriller.

Why should English Football have to be restricted in having four teams just because as a Country we are the most sucessful in it? Load of nonesense.

If people find the Champions League boring then why do they watch it? Seriously?

This years competition has been great, the standard of football from teams this year has been unreal. Barca, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Bayern, United, Villareal, Porto and others have been a joy to watch. But to say the English teams in the latter stages make the competition more boring is a very stupid thing to say, when quite clearly there not.

Well said.

Think you sort of missed the point. I wouldn't want to see a Madrid vs Barca final, either. Or a Milan vs Inter one. Or a Llanelli vs TNS one, for that matter.

I'm saying I want two things out of the Champions League:

1. Teams from different countries playing each other.

2. Teams I know (Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and I guess Celtic?) pitting it out against teams like Barca, Milan, Bayern and co' that I can't watch them playing any other Saturday on Sky Sports twenty odd times per season domestically?

If they beat the other teams from Europe, (which they have done) then at the end of the day they're bound to draw one another at somepoint.

[C-man]

I think the group stage is wank anyway. You can pretty much pick two teams from each group that WILL progress, so why not just have a knockout competition... Oh wait, I think I know

[Finnegan]

Why am I not helping the situation

Erm. That was "you" as in the general term...? I can start saying "One does not" and "One cannot" if you want me to sound like a real upper-class, patronizing twat but I just assumed you weren't thick enough for me to need to?

Its the same in Spain about finishing 20 points behing the the eventual league winners and getting a place in the Champions League

And I'm not saying that's great either?

I'm well aware the reputation I have on this forum and the assumptions people probably jump to when I post. A lot of that is probably fairly accurate, too, I'm well aware when I'm being a **** becuase a lot of the time I'm doing it intentionally to cause an argument (sad, I know.)

But in this instance I really don't see why you're struggling to understand me or making what I'm saying into an issue worthy of this many replies. I'm just repeating myself over and over?

I'm just saying I get to watch the 'Big Four' play each other plenty in enough competitions domestically already (four in all, though the Community Shield is a bit of a joke) and I like to get a bit more variation in the CL - so personally I'm a tad disappointed when 3 of the last 4 teams in it are English?

You're usually the first to go on about how it's "just my opinion!" - what's so hard about accepting mine? (And Nathan's and C-Man's?)

[C-man]

Its the same in Spain about finishing 20 points behing the the eventual league winners and getting a place in the Champions League, if we are lucky enough to have 4 teams getting into the Champions League then we should count ourselves lucky as a nation, so we can see our representives doing well and showing how strong our National league is in England. And if a team does finish 4th and then goes onto win the competition the next year, then fairplay to them. They have had to have played 15 matches to have won it.

How about we win a World Cup, then we can show how strong our nation is.

Liverpool - 2 home nations players

Chelsea - 3 home nations players

Man Utd - 5/6 home nations players

Arsenal - 1/2 home nations players

That's barely a team between them. Personally, I don't think it's anything to boast about.

[Uncle Albert]

Erm. That was "you" as in the general term...? I can start saying "One does not" and "One cannot" if you want me to sound like a real upper-class, patronizing twat but I just assumed you weren't thick enough for me to need to?

And I'm not saying that's great either?

I'm well aware the reputation I have on this forum and the assumptions people probably jump to when I post. A lot of that is probably fairly accurate, too, I'm well aware when I'm being a **** becuase a lot of the time I'm doing it intentionally to cause an argument (sad, I know.)

But in this instance I really don't see why you're struggling to understand me or making what I'm saying into an issue worthy of this many replies. I'm just repeating myself over and over?

I'm just saying I get to watch the 'Big Four' play each other plenty in enough competitions domestically already (four in all, though the Community Shield is a bit of a joke) and I like to get a bit more variation in the CL - so personally I'm a tad disappointed when 3 of the last 4 teams in it are English?

You're usually the first to go on about how it's "just my opinion!" - what's so hard about accepting mine? (And Nathan's and C-Man's?)

I respect Nathan's opinion but yours? Nah not happening.

How about we win a World Cup, then we can show how strong our nation is.

Liverpool - 2 home nations players

Chelsea - 3 home nations players

Man Utd - 5/6 home nations players

Arsenal - 1/2 home nations players

That's barely a team between them. Personally, I don't think it's anything to boast about.

Well we arent talking about English players representing England in the Champions League, thats a totally different topic.

[Finnegan]

I respect Nathan's opinion but yours? Nah not happening.

Well we arent talking about English players representing England in the Champions League, thats a totally different topic.

Do you actually understand your own point?

[Tommeh]

I don't see the "big 4" as representing our Country or any of the other 88 football league teams in any shape or form.

[Uncle Albert]

Do you actually understand your own point?

What because I proved you wrong?

Bert seems to agree with me, I'm not going to continue bitching with you as you are jealous that England has 4 teams and your little nation has 1 is it? Awww unlucky man.