[Calcio]

Brugges 1-0 up now. Birmingham all but out

[il_diavolo_mtl]

UDINESE GO THROUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[X-Offender]

Nice to see both Lazio and Udine making it through. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[CHU-LIP]

Nice to see both Lazio and Udine making it through. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Maybe Udinese could win it. Who knows... yet again they are strong, and unlike other Italians teams over the past seasons they seem to take this serious.

I can see Udinese beating United who may not take it fully serious anyway. City would be tougher I guess, depending on how serious they take this they are favourites at least on paper.

[Milan Are Brilli...]

I can see Udinese beating United who may not take it fully serious anyway. City would be tougher I guess, depending on how serious they take this they are favourites at least on paper.

Yeah, I don't think Fergie will be that bothered at all. The board might be as it's more funding for the debt given to the club by the Glaziers. I would expect a fairly young, inexperienced team though showing for United.

City will care about it more.

[Calcio]

Yeah, I don't think Fergie will be that bothered at all. The board might be as it's more funding for the debt given to the club by the Glaziers. I would expect a fairly young, inexperienced team though showing for United.

City will care about it more.

Depends on the Premier League I think

If Fergie sees that slipping away Europa League could there only hope of a trophy with them drawing City in the FA Cup as well. Similar Mancini might want to concentrate on the domestic treble rather than waste time on it

[kurtsimonw]

Could do with an Italian team at least reaching the Final to boost the co-efficient back up a bit.

[Calcio]

Could do with an Italian team at least reaching the Final to boost the co-efficient back up a bit.

Not going to be easy. Lazio and Udinese both finished 2nd in the group so there guaranteed to get Champions League drop outs

[Milan Are Brilli...]

Can see what you're saying.

Though United's expectations would have been to challenge for the CL, I just can't see Fergie paying that much attention to the Europa League. In turn using it as a chance to rest his key players and keep them fresh for the league, something he hasn't been able to do in years. I'm not saying he's going to throw his youth team out there, but I fail to see people like Rooney playing consistently on a Thursday night.

City still have only won the FA Cup, winning the Europa League would still be a big, big deal for them and their owners. Plus their squad depth is so good that even if they don't play their complete first XI their squad has more than enough to prove stiff competition in this tournament.

After Monday the league is anyone's guess again, suddenly City have lost, they aren't that unbeatable side anymore. United have the ability to rest key players in European games and Fergie will probably use the CL debacle as fuel for the rest of the year. They still only went out to one goal in the competition at the end of the day, sure they should have got through, with ease. Though I can't see Fergie allowing them to self-destruct.

[Calcio]

Can see what you're saying.

Though United's expectations would have been to challenge for the CL, I just can't see Fergie paying that much attention to the Europa League. In turn using it as a chance to rest his key players and keep them fresh for the league, something he hasn't been able to do in years. I'm not saying he's going to throw his youth team out there, but I fail to see people like Rooney playing consistently on a Thursday night.

City still have only won the FA Cup, winning the Europa League would still be a big, big deal for them and their owners. Plus their squad depth is so good that even if they don't play their complete first XI their squad has more than enough to prove stiff competition in this tournament.

After Monday the league is anyone's guess again, suddenly City have lost, they aren't that unbeatable side anymore. United have the ability to rest key players in European games and Fergie will probably use the CL debacle as fuel for the rest of the year. They still only went out to one goal in the competition at the end of the day, sure they should have got through, with ease. Though I can't see Fergie allowing them to self-destruct.

Yeah true

When is the next round played is it sometime after Christmas? If that defeat for City was only a blip we'll know about by the time the games are played. If United are say 10 points behind maybe they'll change there philosophy. Although saying that Fergie has went through trophyless seasons before and it's never bothered him even if it's bothered the fans, that was under the old board though with the Glaziers who knows what he's promised them this season

[Milan Are Brilli...]

Yeah true

When is the next round played is it sometime after Christmas? If that defeat for City was only a blip we'll know about by the time the games are played. If United are say 10 points behind maybe they'll change there philosophy. Although saying that Fergie has went through trophyless seasons before and it's never bothered him even if it's bothered the fans, that was under the old board though with the Glaziers who knows what he's promised them this season

Believe the next round, 1st leg is 16th February. Not 100% sure when the draw is for that though.

Agreed about the Glazier's that was my only doubt, because of the debt that they bought to the club and winning, or advancing in the Europa League would obviously help financially.

[Calcio]

LAZIO v ATLETICO MADRID

AZ ALKMAAR v ANDERLECHT

RUBIN KAZAN v OLYMPIAKOS

STOKE CITY v VALENCIA

SALZBURG V METALIST KHARKIV

LOKOMOTIV MOSCOW v ATHLETIC BILBAO

AJAX v MANCHESTER UNITED

PORTO v MANCHESTER CITY

LEGIA WARSAW v SPORTING LISBON

HANNOVER v BURGGE

TRABZONSPOR v PSV EINDHOVEN

UDINESE v PAOK

BRAGA V BESIKTAS

WISLA KRAKOW v STANDARD LIEGE

VIKTORIA PLZEN v SCHALKE

STEAUA BUCHAREST v TWENTE

LAST 16 DRAW

STOKE CITY/VALENCIA v TRABZONSPOR/PSV EINDHOVEN

WISLA KRAKOW/STANDARD LIEGE v HANNOVER/BRUGGE

STEAUA BUCHAREST/TWENTE v VIKTORIA PLZEN/SCHALKE

LEGIA WARSAW /SPORTING LISBON v PORTO/MANCHESTER CITY

SALZBURG/METALIST KHARKIV v RUBIN KAZAN/OLYMPIAKOS

AJAX/MANCHESTER UNITED v LOKOMOTIV MOSCOW/ATHLETIC BILBAO

LAZIO/ATLETICO MADRID v BRAGA/BESIKTAS

AZ ALKMAAR/ANDERLECHT v UDINESE/PAOK

This post has been edited by Calcio: Dec 16 2011, 01:44 PM

[acid911]

Holy molly! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) Now, who's to say these draws aren't fixed. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sleep.gif) Both United and City getting decent enough teams to make it worth their while. Speaking in €€€ and $$$ and ₤₤₤, of course. Still should make both match watchable.

[CrazyMilanFan]

Excellent draw for Udinese

[Milan Are Brilli...]

Holy molly! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) Now, who's to say these draws aren't fixed. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sleep.gif) Both United and City getting decent enough teams to make it worth their while. Speaking in €€€ and $$$ and ₤₤₤, of course. Still should make both match watchable.

I think both teams would have preferred easier ties, I'm sure you get a lot more money from advancing through the competition than just playing 2 games.