The FoxesTalk UEFA Champions League Tournament - Luck of the Draw Edition

[Beliall]

ill post something up later

[Stadt]

Xen, what did you use to make that line up?

[dogadug]

Jones and Jones at centre back?

Default squad for Monaco please Des.

 

Ha! Smalling I meant

[Xen]

Xen, what did you use to make that line up?

I didn't.. Haha. Had no idea about Romas squad so found a page which showed that as their best 11, and copied the image. It's why the image has dodo at lb, and I've specified I want cole there instead

[Stadt]

I didn't.. Haha. Had no idea about Romas squad so found a page which showed that as their best 11, and copied the image. It's why the image has dodo at lb, and I've specified I want cole there instead

Oh right haha

[fox123]

 

Subs:

1. Caballero

2. Sagna

3. Richards

4. Fernandinho

5. Lampard

6. Navas

7. Jovetic

[Des.]

Reminder you have until 10:00pm tonight to choose your squad. If you wish to leave your team as default then also let me know.

@Wookie @Dan LCFC @SomalianFox15 @Carlos88LCFC @AKCJ @One Legged Beaver @aaron0072002uk @ballsdeep @foxfanazer @Finnaldo

[ballsdeep]

I'm happy to go with default for Dortmund please Des.

[Des.]

Key Men - Group A

     

Arsenal - The Gunners managed to end a 9 year drought for a trophy after claiming the FA Cup last season but recruitment this summer has been of high order & fans will be expecting them to challenge for the big silverware this campaign. The signing of Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona caught many fans eyes and if Arsenal are to put up a firm challenge in the Champions League the Chilean forward could be the catalyst for any success.

Everton - Chelsea didn't seem to be willing to accommodate the young Belgian forward known as Romelu Lukaku but is clear he is very much at home in the blue end of Merseyside. The Toffee's will be a ranked outsider going into their group stage but with a bit of quality and luck you never know what might happen. Lukaku now a permanent member for Everton, will be a huge part in hopefully bagging the goals his side needs to cause an upset.

FC Porto - Throughout the years Porto have been deemed a selling club, they have produced some of the finest football talents on the planet from the likes of Joao Moutinho & Hulk but a mass exodus over the years has left there fans wanting. There incredible success in the Champions League under then newcomer Jose Mourinho has long been forgotten & times have never really been the same. Porto have a few good youngsters on their books at present but will be resting there hopes on Colombian front man Jackson Martinez to score the goals this campaign.

Juventus - The Italian giant known as Juventus has slowly risen over the years after coming back from a tedious situation which included being stripped of titles and relegation. Juve fans will now have that in the back of their minds as they have dominated the domestic scene in Italy for years now. That success can be partly down to their Captain Andrea Pirlo, who continues to improve with age. Pirlo has proven to be one of the finest passers in football and will no doubt be a huge factor in any success for Juventus in the Champions League this campaign.

[Des.]

Key Men - Group B

     

AC Milan - Only one man takes center stage when Milan are involved and that of course is Mario Balotelli. Call him what you will but Super Mario can help you make or break a game with moments of unbound quality or reckless stupidity. There will be no doubt in Milan fan's eyes that wish to only see the good in Balotelli this campaign after what has been a dismal few years for the Rossoneri.

Borussia Dortmund - Dortmund have had an interesting few years, they have managed to pip rivals Bayern to a title and also fought there way valiantly to a Champions League Final a few years ago but things have changed since then. The decision to sell 2 of their biggest players to the very side they are trying to overturn could be seen as crazy in many fans eyes but Dortmund continue to plow on & with Marco Reus still in the side they could very much provide an upset or two still.

Galatasaray - Wesley Sneijder will now have to take the reigns for the Turkish giants who have lost Didier Drogba in the transfer window to his former employer. Sneijder had a fine World Cup for the Netherlands and will be raring to prove himself on the European stage, his invention and drive will be key to providing and scoring goals that no doubt Galatasaray will need in order to progress.

Napoli - It could be argued that Napoli are another side going through a transition period, they lost key players like Edinson Cavani & Ezequiel Lavezzi over the last few years but they found themselves a goalscorer in Gonzalo Higuain. The former Real Madrid man knows what it is like to score Champions League goals and his combination play with the likes of Marek Hamsik & Dries Mertens give Napoli a very promising counter attacking line up.

[Des.]

Key Men - Group C

     

Athletic Bilbao - It has always been tricky to predict what a side like Bilbao can, many of us have seen them give some of the big guns a real run for there money and even produce a footballing masterclass against the likes of Manchester United a number of years ago. They possess a small yet tight bunch of players who work hard and can produce some superb pieces of play, Iker Muniain stands out for Bilbao in that regard and it could take a little bit of genius from him to help this Spanish side on there way.

Barcelona - Lets all be honest, it would of been extremely easy to name one of 10 players from this Barcelona line up. The likes of Messi, Xavi, Iniesta and Neymar all have proven reputations and will all no doubt be huge players for this club, however Luis Suarez will have a big part to play as he finally has the chance to experience Champions League football for the first time in many years. The controversial Uruguayan will be itching to let his football do the talking as he looks to stand out in this team full of superstars.

Fenerbahce SK - One of the biggest clubs in Turkey but a side that have never really made it on that European Stage, they have some interesting players who could very easily make the difference. They have strong and pacey strikers like Emenike and Kuyt but I see a new recruit taking the reigns for this side. Diego joined from Atletico Madrid and he will no doubt have to be a catalyst for his side if they wish to make a mark in this competition.

Inter Milan - The other Milan giant in Italy has also struggled to find its feet over the last few years, a side that were again once one of the most dominant in Europe and a club who have had recent success in the biggest European competition in football. However a decline has rooted itself at the San Siro, players have moved on or retired and the gaps are becoming difficult to plug. A new signing in Nemanja Vidic could be pivotal, the Serbian will prove to be a key leader in the squad and should help Inter reorganize there defense.
 

[Des.]

Key Men - Group D

     

Ajax - Like many other smaller clubs around Europe, Ajax have been forced into selling there key stars in order to stay afloat and keep the place happy. Some big players have left down the years from the likes of Ibrahimovic, Suarez and Christian Eriksen, it is now time for a new generation to try and make its mark. Lasse Schone is an outstanding young talent and it could be down to his involvement in the Dutch sides midfield that could prove pivotal this campaign.

AS Monaco - Monaco are looking to rebuild themselves as one of the biggest sides in France, they have spent bumper loads of cash bringing the likes of Radamel Falcao and a recently departing James Rodriguez. Falcao himself will be the figurehead in the Monaco attack, the Colombian missed the World Cup but will be no doubt raring to go in the Champions League. Goals win you games and if there is one thing Falcao can give you, it is goals!

Atletico Madrid - Diego Costa's decision to leave Atletico for the Premier League left there fans wondering just where they would go from here. Big attacking options have left them over the years from Sergio Aguero, Radamel Falcao, David Villa and now Costa but the have recruited well and will go into this Champions League as beaten finalists and defending Spanish Champions. They managed to sign Mario Mandzukic from Bayern Munich and with his goalscoring ability they could very well challenge once again this season.
 

Manchester United - A new look Red Devils will take to the field this season, experienced faces are slowly leaving and it will be down to the remaining players to take the reigns. Newly appointed Captain Wayne Rooney will have a pivotal role in his sides success this campaign as he looks to provide and score the goals his club need for aspiring glory.

[Des.]

Key Men - Group E

     

AS Roma - Francesco Totti has continued to age like a fine wine and has been one of the most influential players in Roma's history. Totti will no doubt be needed to pull the strings again for his side as he looks to guide his club to Champions League glory. The experience factor is key but blended with a good choice of pace & ability in the side Roma could have an outside chance of progressing through from there group.

Chelsea - Jose Mourinho has made some big acquisitions this summer with the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Didier Drogba. However one man stands out and that is Diego Costa, who had an amazing goalscoring campaign last season, guiding Atletico Madrid to a Spanish title and a Champions League Final. Costa will be the perfect target man for Chelsea providing the much needed height to compliment the pacey wingers the blues have at their disposal.

Shakhtar Donetsk - The Ukrainian side are not fancied by many to make an impact in this seasons tournament, however on there day they can provide an upset or two. A young up and coming Brazilian called Bernard could blossom in this years competition as he looks to bolster the Shakhtar attack alongside Luiz Adriano and Eduardo da Silva.

Zenit St. Petersburg - The Russian outfit have some very good players at there disposal, a good blend of strength, pace and ability but only one player represents all 3 of those attributes and that is Hulk. With a storming left foot, bounds of strength and speed the Brazilian winger will need to play a huge role in trying to push Zenit on through to the next stages of this competition.

[Des.]

Key Men - Group F

     

Bayern Munich - Despite the huge signing of Robert Lewandowski from rivals Dortmund it would appear that the focus for Bayern will once again be on Arjen Robben. Robben had a stunning World Cup for the Netherlands and was unfortunate not to help them earn there way to glory on that stage, however on the Champions League stage Robben comes alive scoring winners in Semi Finals and more importantly Finals. No doubt he will prove a driving force in Bayern's attempt to regain the European trophy.

Besiktas - This Turkish side go into the Champions League looking to do there best to stay in it, however difficult it will prove to be. Demba Ba will stand out in there attack after the former Chelsea man agreed a deal in the summer. Ba has scored some important goals in this competition before and Besiktas will hope he can find the same chances falling his way this year.

Liverpool - Finally back on the European stage, Liverpool venture into a tough group hoping to put there plethora of new signings to the test in the biggest competition in football. Losing Luis Suarez would of no doubt hurt but the Reds have bought well and could have a very exciting tournament ahead of them. The main man again for the Reds will have to be Steven Gerrard, he has been there and done it all before & has the ability to change a game with a swing of his right foot.

PSV Eindhoven - Another Dutch side with a big history will be looking to spring a few upsets, they have some very good young players at their disposal but the strength in depth leaves something to be desired. Memphis Depay will be a stand out man for PSV, the in demand winger is blessed with bags of pace and could be a key provider for target man Ola Toivonen.

[Stadt]

Narrow 4231 please Des

Casillas

Marcelo

Varane

Ramos

Caraval

Kroos

Khedira(Alonso if he leaves soon)

Di Maria

Rodriguez

Bale

Ronaldo;

[Des.]

Key Men - Group G

     

Fiorentina - One of the lower ranked Italian sides taking part in this years tournament, however Fiorentina have a number of players that could cause a problem or two. Giuseppe Rossi stands out as the key man for Viola as his ability and creativity may be required to overcome some tight odds in this Group. He will be hoping to prove goals for experience striker Mario Gomez and  in the process book his sides qualification.

Paris Saint-Germain - One man writes the headlines for PSG and that is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, not much can be said about this charismatic Swede that hasn't already been said. He is strong, has a ton of technical ability and can change a game on the turn of hat, PSG will no doubt be hoping that Zlatan has his shooting boots packed for this seasons Champions League.

Schalke 04 - A very much underrated German side Schalke have some very good players who on there day can cause a major upset. The likes of Jefferson Farfan and Julian Draxler stand out but they key man should be goalscorer Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. The Dutchman has incredible finishing ability which he has demonstrated throughout his career, he will be hoping for the service from his team mates and if he gets it, the goals will flow.

SL Benfica - Fans of the Portuguese Champions must not go into European tournaments with hope anymore as they continue to experience the so called "curse" put on them in the 1950's. They lost Oscar Cardozo in the transfer window and will have to hope new signing Bebe helps bolster their attack. However the man pulling the strings will be Nicolas Gaitan, a very talented midfielder with a knack for goals and producing a pass, fans will hope he can shine in the Champions League.

[Des.]

Key Men - Group H

     

Manchester City - When you have millions to spend, you would rightly expect to have the quality to show for it and the man mountain known as Yaya Toure has proven to be a stunning bit of business. The Ivorian really came into his own after leaving Barcelona for the Premier League and has really branced out as an all round midfielder, a proven goalscorer and provider. This time round Toure will be looking to prove his point on the European stage and catapult City to glory.

Real Madrid - You don't need to be a rocket scientist to know who will take the plaudits for Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo has been one of the most consistent goalscorers in football history and it is hard to see any defense being able to keep him quiet. Madrid have a plethora of talent from the likes of Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez & many others but Ronaldo is the one to watch.

Tottenham Hotspur - Spurs were heavily criticized last season for blowing £100 million on average players which led to a mediocre campaign. Tottenham have battled hard to try and prove they belong in the Champions League but since the departures of Harry Redknapp & Gareth Bale things have not quite worked out. The best signing for Tottenham many will agree was Christian Eriksen, a clearly very creative midfielder who fans expect to pull the strings & provide the goals for the Spurs front men.

Valencia - Not a name many associate as a big club anymore but Valencia down the years have been a strong outfit and will be looking to catch teams napping in this years tournament. Andres Guardado stands out as the key man for Valencia, his pace and ability could easily open up a defense and fans will hope he can help provide some goals in what will be a tough ask for their club this campaign.

[Des.]

[One Legged Beaver]

Just the default squad for me please

[ScouseFox]

oh yeah default me up des ta 

[Des.]

Matches are underway

[Finnaldo]

Yes you choose from the real life players that Arsenal currently have or you can just go with the default squad already chosen in game

Can I go with the default squad?

[Des.]

Can I go with the default squad?

That's fine mate

[AKCJ]

ST -LEWANDOWSKI

LW -RIBERY

AM -GOTZE

RW -ROBBEN

DM -SCHWEINSTEIGER

DM -LAHM

LB -ALABA

CB -DANTE

CB -BOATENG

RB -RAFINHA

GK -NEUER

SUB -REINA

SUB -BADSTUBER

SUB -THIAGO

SUB -MARTINEZ

SUB -SHAQIRI

SUB -PIZARRO

SUB -MULLER

[Des.]

@GLC @purpleronnie