Milan Are Brilliant
Jun 17 2011, 11:28 AM
QUOTE
HOLDERS: Barcelona (Spanish)
UEFA Champions League/European Cup Recent Winners (Since '92):
92/93 Marseille
93/94 AC Milan
94/95 Ajax
95/96 Juventus
96/97 Borussia Dortmund
97/98 Real Madrid
98/99 Manchester United
99/00 Real Madrid
00/01 Bayern Munich
01/02 Real Madrid
02/03 AC Milan
03/04 Porto
04/05 Liverpool
05/06 Barcelona
06/07 AC Milan
07/08 Manchester United
08/09 Barcelona
09/10 Inter Milan
10/11 Barcelona
Some stats:
-Milan stays the only city that won the tournament with two different teams. London and Madrid were near, with Atletico, Arsenal and Chelsea as runners-up.
-Milan leads the Italian clubs list with most CL seasons (15). Juventus (12) and Inter (11) follow up.
-Milan players with more then 100 appearances: Paolo Maldini (140), Andriy Shevchenko, Clarence Seedorf and David Beckham.
-The tournaments top scorers are: Raúl (71), Ruud van Nistelrooy (56), Thierry Henry (51), Andriy Shevchenko (48), Filippo Inzaghi (46).
-All European top scorers: Raúl (73) and Filippo Inzaghi (70).
-------------------------------------------
GROUP STAGES
Group A:
Bayern Munich
Villarreal
Manchester City
Napoli
Group B:
Inter Milan
CSKA Moscow
Lille
Trabzonspor
Group C:
Manchester United
Benfica
Basle
Otelul Galati
Group D:
Real Madrid
Lyon
Ajax
Dinamo Zagreb
Group E:
Chelsea
Valencia
Bayer Leverkusen
Genk
Group F:
Arsenal
Marseille
Olympiakos
Borussia Dortmund
Group G:
Porto
Shakhtar Donetsk
Zenit St Petersburg
Apoel FC
Group H:
Barcelona
AC Milan
BATE Borisov
Viktoria Plzen
Danny
Jun 17 2011, 06:33 PM
Can't see past Barcelona for this again. The only 2 sides who could stop them are a resurgent us as long as we make the right signings, and, imo, a Hiddink-managed Chelsea.
But even then, they just seem to be beyond imperious and absolutely unstoppable.
Certainly the best football team of the last...30 years?
kurtsimonw
Jun 17 2011, 06:48 PM
The first time I read that through, I honestly thought you meant Rangers when you said 'us'.
Jack Bauer
Jun 17 2011, 06:50 PM
QUOTE (Danny @ Jun 17 2011, 08:33 PM)
Certainly the best football team of the last...30 years?
Milan of late 80's - early 90's was a better team IMO, though less hyped.
acid911
Jun 17 2011, 07:12 PM
QUOTE (Danny @ Jun 17 2011, 10:33 PM)
Certainly the best football team of the last...30 years?
I personally consider the legendary Barcelona of 1994 (managed by Johan Cruyff) to be better than this one.
And Milan's Invincibles gave them a nice beating in that final. You don't go not letting a goal for 929 minutes, or not losing for close to 60 matches for nothing. They really were the number one!
I am sure you may have seen videos and read about that Milan squad, but really they had the best defense of all time, Boban, Lentini, Savićević and that Dutch goal scoring master, Marco van Basten.
Plus other legends who are better pound-for-pound than some current Barca players. This Barcelona squad has had it far too easy, not just in the league, but with UEFA favors and a bit of a dirty play mixed into their game. No surprises, as their current coach was a tough nut in the midfield back in the days. And got beat in the 1994 CL final, as I mentioned.
Even if you think they are the best right now, or the last 30 years, they still are not the "Best Football Team". Best club team I can understand, but I can count a dozen NT teams that could eat this Barcelona alive.
Starting with the 2002 World Cup Winning Brazil, or in case of beautiful football, the 70s Brazil Dream Team.
QUOTE (Jack Bauer @ Jun 17 2011, 10:50 PM)
Milan of late 80's - early 90's was a better team IMO, though less hyped.
Or this.
Agreed.
Danny
Jun 17 2011, 07:22 PM
QUOTE (kurtsimonw @ Jun 17 2011, 06:48 PM)
The first time I read that through, I honestly thought you meant Rangers when you said 'us'.
Rangers have as much chance of winning the CL as Villa
Last 16 would be very jolly, I'd be bloody happy with that.
mishie
Jun 17 2011, 07:34 PM
because i'm old i was fortunate to witness *Il Grande Milan" and not being biased this current edition of the Barca side aren't as good as them, simple reasons as Jack and acid stated the defence. The best back 4 ever in the greatest team ever (as voted by UEFA) so if Barca buy a defence and be the 1st team in the C.L era to retain the trophy then they have a case...until then they're still 2nd best in the all time list but on top of the pile currently
Fillipo Simone
Jun 17 2011, 07:35 PM
I hope Milan will win it, but be aware of the two Portuguese coaches lurking for a CL trophy.
LaPalma
Jun 17 2011, 07:59 PM
This Barca is certainly the best team since Sacchis Milan. How they dominated this years final...that was impressive. United never had a chance. I have to admit that they're the best team of the 21st century.
Danny
Jun 17 2011, 08:09 PM
I didn't get into Milan till Channel 4 started showing Football Italia following Gazza's move to Italy, so I think I missed out on Sacchi's era.
One question I'd ask - yes, the Barca defence is not outstanding in the way that Milan's team seemingly was. But did Sacchi's men play as good football as this Catalan lot do? Did their players tear defences to shreds? Did they dominate midfield? Did they have anyone who could score goals at will like Messi?
mishie
Jun 17 2011, 08:21 PM
QUOTE (Danny @ Jun 17 2011, 08:09 PM)
I didn't get into Milan till Channel 4 started showing Football Italia following Gazza's move to Italy, so I think I missed out on Sacchi's era.
One question I'd ask - yes, the Barca defence is not outstanding in the way that Milan's team seemingly was. But did Sacchi's men play as good football as this Catalan lot do? Did their players tear defences to shreds? Did they dominate midfield? Did they have anyone who could score goals at will like Messi?
At the time their football was a class above the rest, the midfield dominated everyone, Desailly, Albetini, Rikjaard etc the best midfield for a generation. Goals at will is a bold statement but they had Marco Van Basten i think thats all that needs to be said. Add to the mix Gullit, Boban, Donadoni i think there'd be more than a match
Fillipo Simone
Jun 17 2011, 08:29 PM
Mostly - yes. It was a different time back then, players like Davids or Gattuso didn't exactly exist in the modern sense of football - an even under such circumstances, Milan presented players like Rijkaard or later on Desailly, along with classical midfielders of the era, like Colombo or Ancelotti.
The game was played differently and a comparison is therefore hard.
But, I think mostly the answer is yes. In Marco van Basten Milan found a player who's both decisive and creative, so he could carry the teams attack. They had Gullit, a media built superstar who was in some ways a prototype of the modern day arrogant star who the media adore, but in the end, his fame wasn't long lasting.
Did we dominate in midfield? In a different, more traditional way, yes. Donadoni was a special RM, who had many qualities other then the obvious - his passing was very accurate, he had a certain vision and feel, a nice touch and could turn into a hard worker and runner. With players like Evani or Galli on the bench we had more depth then most of the teams back then. A few years in the Sacchi era we also had a highly talented and promising Marco Simone, who's career does not always reflect the talent and capability he had, but who nevertheless played a long-term important role with Milan. Massaro, was in some ways the proto-Pedro. He wasn't as talented as Gullit, van Basten, or later Papin and Savečević, but he was a good integrative factor in the team, a player valuable in some tactical aspects.
The defense - well, there's nothing to say really, other then the best I've seen in my entire life.
Milan Are Brilliant
Jun 20 2011, 11:25 AM
Draw in a bit for this and the Europa League.
Heard that Wembley have got the CL final again in 2013, seems slightly unfair for other nations.
Fillipo Simone
Jun 20 2011, 11:34 AM
It's totally unfair and without any presedan. Why did that happen?
Milan Are Brilliant
Jun 20 2011, 11:41 AM
QUOTE (Fillipo Simone @ Jun 20 2011, 11:34 AM)
It's totally unfair and without any presedan. Why did that happen?
QUOTE
Champions League final returns to Wembley in 2013
Published: Thursday 16 June 2011, 18.30CET
Wembley's reward for the spectacular success of last month's final is to host the event again in 2013, the record seventh time the showpiece will have been staged at London venue.
Never before has a stadium been awarded Europe's premier club fixture twice in three years but hosting the 2013 UEFA Champions League final is Wembley's reward for the spectacular success of last month's event. It also marks the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the Football Association (FA).
The decision was taken by the UEFA Executive Committee in Nyon and means the fixture returns to Wembley for a record seventh time, the second since the stadium was rebuilt. "Given the exceptional nature of this historic moment in our beautiful game, and the fact that we will also celebrate 150 years of the Laws of the Game, we felt it was our duty at UEFA to help the FA celebrate in some special way," UEFA President Michel Platini explained.
London will also stage the 2013 UEFA Women's Champions League final and Champions Festival, which this year were at Fulham FC's Craven Cottage and Hyde Park. The XXXVII Ordinary UEFA Congress will also be held in London in the days leading up to the final.
FA chairman David Bernstein said: "UEFA viewed the 2011 Champions League final at Wembley as a major success and today they have paid us the ultimate compliment by announcing that they will return to our national stadium in 2013, the year of the FA's 150th anniversary.
"It will be a major celebration of football in this country during a landmark year for our organisation and is an acknowledgment of Wembley's status as one of the very best football stadiums in the world."
After the previous stadium was closed in 2001, the famous twin towers made way for an iconic arch over what is now one of the most breathtaking arenas in the world. Boasting a seated capacity of 90,000, the new Wembley opened its doors in 2007 and is once again home to the England national side, as well as host to the nation's premier domestic cup finals.
Located in north London, Wembley not only staged a record six European Champion Clubs' Cup deciders but also two UEFA Cup Winners' Cup finals. Wembley was the venue for the 1966 FIFA World Cup and EURO '96 finals and having been the main stadium for the 1948 Olympic Games will welcome the football finals in 2012.
The original Wembley Stadium was known as the Empire Stadium, and was built as the centrepiece of a British Empire Exhibition at the end of the First World War. Though not officially opened by King George V until 23 April 1924, the stadium hosted its first FA Cup final the previous year, when an estimated 200,000 people crammed in to watch Bolton Wanderers FC defeat West Ham United FC 2-0. That match famously became known as the White Horse final, as a mounted policeman took to the pitch to keep fans at bay.
The 2012 UEFA Champions League final will be on 19 May at Fußball Arena München.
UEFA.com - Source
Fillipo Simone
Jun 20 2011, 11:43 AM
Well, I can live with it, but it isn't fair.
Milan Are Brilliant
Jun 20 2011, 12:00 PM
I agree Filippo.
1st & 2nd round qualifying draws have been made, original post in this topic has been updated with them.
LaPalma
Jun 20 2011, 12:38 PM
Hmm....I don't like that decision either but I can understand it. Wembley is, in the end, the best football stadium in the world and the most iconic one in Europe.
Danny
Jun 20 2011, 01:30 PM
QUOTE (LaPalma @ Jun 20 2011, 12:38 PM)
Hmm....I don't like that decision either but I can understand it. Wembley is, in the end, the best football stadium in the world and the most iconic one in Europe.
Iconic. Yes. Best. No.
dst
Jun 20 2011, 02:39 PM
Isn't it obvious why that happened?
Kazdoodle
Jun 20 2011, 02:47 PM
QUOTE (dst @ Jun 20 2011, 02:39 PM)
Isn't it obvious why that happened?
cmon it fifa
Milan Are Brilliant
Jun 20 2011, 02:55 PM
QUOTE (dst @ Jun 20 2011, 02:39 PM)
Isn't it obvious why that happened?
We're hardly Qatar in terms of our country and our footballing history, that's why it doesn't make much sense.
LaPalma
Jun 20 2011, 04:37 PM
On what basis do you guys suggest that corruption was involved? Besides random accusations of course.
Milan Are Brilliant
Jun 20 2011, 04:41 PM
QUOTE (LaPalma @ Jun 20 2011, 04:37 PM)
On what basis do you guys suggest that corruption was involved? Besides random accusations of course.
Agreed. That's why I said that wouldn't make much sense.
kurtsimonw
Jun 20 2011, 04:48 PM
QUOTE (Danny @ Jun 20 2011, 01:30 PM)
Iconic. Yes. Best. No.
I've been 5 times and each time I am amazed by how amazing it is. When something still takes your breath away after you've seen it so many times, it shows it's a truly special stadium. I've sat in completely different areas for the 5 games too and each time the view was outstanding. It's designed perfectly.
QUOTE (Milan Are Brilliant @ Jun 20 2011, 04:41 PM)
Agreed. That's why I said that wouldn't make much sense.
Yeah, it's not like we'd really gain from hosting. It's not like hosting a full competition where the country will make millions and millions on it.
acid911
Jun 20 2011, 05:09 PM
What, were they dead a couple of years back?
Absolutely stupid decision, if ever there was one. Not this decision (there are no better places to celebrate 150 years of FA than this stadium), but holding it in Wembley this year, when they knew the anniversary was just around the corner.
This is the sort of thing that makes no logical sense, but you can't say no to it. Still, the schmucks should have known!
dst
Jun 20 2011, 09:03 PM
QUOTE (Danny @ Jun 20 2011, 03:30 PM)
Iconic. Yes. Best. No.
So which is better? Maybe it's not fair to say it's the best but I doubt there are any better.
QUOTE (LaPalma @ Jun 20 2011, 06:37 PM)
On what basis do you guys suggest that corruption was involved? Besides random accusations of course.
That's certainly not what I'm suggesting... I thought more people would think the way I do; I'm pretty sure this is a gift from FIFA to the FA with which they're on worst terms... surely it can't be that they loved it there this season so much, I'm sure it must have been great but nothing's that great!
Rossoneri7
Jun 20 2011, 09:30 PM
QUOTE (LaPalma @ Jun 20 2011, 02:38 PM)
Hmm....I don't like that decision either but I can understand it. Wembley is, in the end, the best football stadium in the world and the most iconic one in Europe.
It is one of the most spectacular stadiums in the world .. At the same time I believe a CL final in Germany is deserved, as you too have amazing stadiums
Fillipo Simone
Jun 20 2011, 09:45 PM
QUOTE
So which is better? Maybe it's not fair to say it's the best but I doubt there are any better.
Well, I don't think stadiums can be labeled as better or worse. Not in a precise matter.
I never went to a game played on Wembly, so I can't tell. The stadiums I rate highly are Vincente Calderon, San Siro, Ernst Happel and Parken.
LaPalma
Jun 21 2011, 08:39 AM
QUOTE (Rossoneri7 @ Jun 20 2011, 10:30 PM)
It is one of the most spectacular stadiums in the world .. At the same time I believe a CL final in Germany is deserved, as you too have amazing stadiums
Allianz Arena hosts the 2012 CL-final. Well deserved as it's an amazing stadium, especially from the outsight. Though I prefer the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund and the Olympic stadium in Berlin. They're more...alive...have a soul (as much as a stadium can have a soul).
Danny
Jun 21 2011, 01:03 PM
I don't think there's a best stadium, but my personal favourites, in no order are, San Siro, Camp Nou, Emirates, Ibrox. In saying that I don't deny Wembley's not bad either.
Rossoneri7
Jun 21 2011, 07:11 PM
I'm excited by the idea of Napoli in the CL .. With that in mind, I have changed my mind on wanting Hamsik in Milan this summer .. I want a strong Napoli representing Italian football in Europe this season!
X-Offender
Jun 22 2011, 12:33 AM
QUOTE (Rossoneri7 @ Jun 21 2011, 08:11 PM)
I'm excited by the idea of Napoli in the CL .. With that in mind, I have changed my mind on wanting Hamsik in Milan this summer .. I want a strong Napoli representing Italian football in Europe this season!
+1
MizNelson
Jun 22 2011, 03:28 AM
QUOTE (Fillipo Simone @ Jun 20 2011, 03:34 AM)
It's totally unfair and without any presedan. Why did that happen?
*precedent
Danny
Jul 25 2011, 04:25 PM
Rangers take on Swedish champions Malmo in the 3rd qualifying round of the CL tomorrow.
We're trying to push through Doran Goiano, a 800k signing from Palermo by the CL deadline so he's eligible.
While I'm on here, anyone able to shed light on this guy given he plays in Serie A? 37 caps for Romania or so, I think he's about 29. I know nothing else. Anyone seen him play?
kurtsimonw
Jul 25 2011, 05:13 PM
He scored against Milan, other than that I know nothing. 37 caps for a decent side like Romania suggests he can't be that bad though, especially since they have some decent centre backs.
Danny
Jul 26 2011, 12:16 PM
QUOTE (kurtsimonw @ Jul 25 2011, 05:13 PM)
He scored against Milan, other than that I know nothing. 37 caps for a decent side like Romania suggests he can't be that bad though, especially since they have some decent centre backs.
I've heard he'll suck up aerial balls all day, but not so cultured with the ball at his feet.
kurtsimonw
Jul 26 2011, 10:40 PM
Saw the Rangers game and I'm struggling to believe that Naismith can possibly be this bad. I would say it was a one off as he won your Player of the Year award last season, but he was equally shite against Hearts - even if he did score. If it weren't for him, you'd probably be taking a lead into the 2nd leg.
Danny
Jul 27 2011, 12:55 PM
QUOTE (kurtsimonw @ Jul 26 2011, 10:40 PM)
Saw the Rangers game and I'm struggling to believe that Naismith can possibly be this bad. I would say it was a one off as he won your Player of the Year award last season, but he was equally shite against Hearts - even if he did score. If it weren't for him, you'd probably be taking a lead into the 2nd leg.
Naismith has had a terrible start to the season - he was terrific last year. But this season he's been agony.
You could equally say if it wasn't for McGregor we'd be taking a bigger deficit into the 2nd leg.
Quite a horrific night all round to tell the truth.
Ally's really struggling.
Milan Are Brilliant
Aug 3 2011, 08:28 PM
So Rangers crash out to Malmo...
Too early for McCoist to feel the pressure? I mean losing out in this fashion is ridiculous. The finance that comes with it, the players that would join because of it let alone getting to play Europe's elite.
Danny
Aug 4 2011, 12:15 PM
We played very last night, but we shot ourselves in the foot with awful discipline. I have no blame for the manager, he set us up well, but a stupid red card for that moron Whittaker for throwing the ball at a floored opponent was the first in a long line of dumb moments.
Jelavic also missed a glorious chance to tie up the win.
We beat ourselves last night.
kurtsimonw
Aug 4 2011, 12:19 PM
Is Whittaker the defender that keeps complaining about him not playing enough and wanting to leave or is that someone else?
CrazyMilanFan
Aug 5 2011, 12:31 PM
Udinese play arsenal in UCL qualifier.. having lost sanchez, inler and zapata i dont think there is much hope for Udinese
kurtsimonw
Aug 5 2011, 02:21 PM
Them finishing in a CL spot was disaster for Serie A.
Maybe the loss of a CL spot will be a blessing in disguise for a while. The teams that do now qualify will likely be teams that can be very competitive in the CL and there will be no weak link. If all do well and the 2nd tier teams do okay in the Europa League then the 4th CL spot could come back to Italy in the not so distant future.
il_diavolo_mtl
Aug 5 2011, 02:24 PM
QUOTE (CrazyMilanFan @ Aug 5 2011, 07:31 AM)
Udinese play arsenal in UCL qualifier.. having lost sanchez, inler and zapata i dont think there is much hope for Udinese
well i saw their game vs that spanish second league team, and Guidolin has them all in sync! the only question about their squad is who will be the secondary scoring forward? Floro Flores and Denis have been ok, but one of them will have to step up for the Zebrette to convert Armero & Isla crosses.
X-Offender
Aug 5 2011, 03:52 PM
I had no idea Zapata had signed for Villareal. That's a huge loss for them defensively. Not to mention Sanchez's and Inler's departures...
Fillipo Simone
Aug 5 2011, 03:55 PM
What about their mercato? Sure they plan to replace at least one of them, don't they?
Fillipo Simone
Aug 5 2011, 03:56 PM
QUOTE (X-Offender @ Aug 5 2011, 04:52 PM)
I had no idea Zapata had signed for Villareal. That's a huge loss for them defensively. Not to mention Sanchez's and Inler's departures...
Me neither...it seems it somehow missed the internet pages we browse.
X-Offender
Aug 5 2011, 03:59 PM
QUOTE (Fillipo Simone @ Aug 5 2011, 04:55 PM)
What about their mercato? Sure they plan to replace at least one of them, don't they?
They've called Barretto back from Bari, he should be replacing Sanchez. Floro Flores is also back from Genoa.
Fillipo Simone
Aug 5 2011, 04:00 PM
QUOTE (X-Offender @ Aug 5 2011, 04:59 PM)
They've called Barretto back from Bari, he should be replacing Sanchez. Floro Flores is also back from Genoa.
You think that's enough?
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