Champions League Quarterfinals Draw

Czar Jake · 03-10-2006, 05:15 AM

It was just conducted live on Sky (European TV is great), here are the results as far as I can remember:

1. Arsenal - Juventus
2. Olympique Lyon - AC Milan
3. Inter or Ajax - Villareal
4. Benfica - Barcellona

If I remember right, then the winner of #1 gets the winner of #3, and 2 gets 4...

So, wanna predict? I think Inter will beat Ajax. Then you may be surprised but I think Arsenal gets past Juve, Lyon defeats Milan, Inter beats Villareal, and Barcellona beats Benfica:

meaning

Arsenal - Inter
Lyon - Barcellona

My finals prediction:

Arsenal - Barcellona

Barcellona destroys Arsenal.

prk166 · 03-10-2006, 07:17 AM

Milan is a tough draw for Lyon. I'd like to see Lyon nab the CL this year. It'd be nice to see Coupet get some more recognition before his career is over. But Milan will be a tough opponent Shave is always a threat and Super Pippo is hot right now, too. And AC Milan has been a good team, especially in the CL the last couple years.

I agree that it's hard to see Benifica getting past Barca. I don't think they have the defense to contain Messi, Eto and that jar-jar look alike. And I don't think they're going to be able to muster enough creativity to overcome Barca on the other end.

Juve didn't look too convincing in the last round. But they're a good team with plenty of experience that knows how to find a way to get things done even when they're not playing well. Given Arse's defense and midfield issue (depth / youth), I'd still epect Juve to get Arsenal in the end.

AreliusIII · 03-10-2006, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Czar Jake

It was just conducted live on Sky (European TV is great), here are the results as far as I can remember:

1. Arsenal - Juventus
2. Olympique Lyon - AC Milan
3. Inter or Ajax - Villareal
4. Benfica - Barcellona

If I remember right, then the winner of #1 gets the winner of #3, and 2 gets 4...

So, wanna predict? I think Inter will beat Ajax. Then you may be surprised but I think Arsenal gets past Juve, Lyon defeats Milan, Inter beats Villareal, and Barcellona beats Benfica:

meaning

Arsenal - Inter
Lyon - Barcellona

My finals prediction:

Arsenal - Barcellona

Barcellona destroys Arsenal.

There is no way The Arse is beating Juve.

And Lyon will certainly not beat Milan.

The Inter/Villareal match-up looks tasty.

Barca have a good chance to take it all.

The Barca/Milan semi looks interesting.

RSLfrontrowfan · 03-10-2006, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prk166

Milan is a tough draw for Lyon. I'd like to see Lyon nab the CL this year. It'd be nice to see Coupet get some more recognition before his career is over. But Milan will be a tough opponent Shave is always a threat and Super Pippo is hot right now, too. And AC Milan has been a good team, especially in the CL the last couple years.

FORZA MILAN!

Quote:

Originally Posted by prk166

I agree that it's hard to see Benifica getting past Barca. I don't think they have the defense to contain Messi.

They don't need to worry about Messi as he wont be playing in the quarter-finals. He'll be out with a torn muscle.

Quote:

Originally Posted by prk166

Juve didn't look too convincing in the last round. But they're a good team with plenty of experience that knows how to find a way to get things done even when they're not playing well. Given Arse's defense and midfield issue (depth / youth), I'd still epect Juve to get Arsenal in the end.

My money is on Juve. Juve have probably had Milan on their minds for some time now in advance of their showdown this coming Sunday. Especially considering Milan is the only team in serie A to beat them this year.

RSLfrontrowfan · 03-10-2006, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AreliusIII

There is no way The Arse is beating Juve.

And Lyon will certainly not beat Milan.

The Inter/Villareal match-up looks tasty.

Barca have a good chance to take it all.

The Barca/Milan semi looks interesting.

Could we see another all Italian final? It's set up for the possibilty.

Semi-finals draw (April 18/19 and 25/26)

Arsenal or Juventus v Inter Milan/Ajax Amsterdam or Villarreal

Lyon or AC Milan v Benfica or Barcelona

Czar Jake · 03-10-2006, 10:34 AM

I really think Lyon is an underrated team. I think they can take Milan, who in my opinion still haven't shaken the ghosts of last year's final.

The reason I think Juve will lose to Arsenal is the disappearance of Ibrahimovic. They are a strong team all around, but the machine that makes it run is Ibrahimovic, and he has been terrible lately. Juve has looked tired recently, they have no fans at their stadium, and they had all kinds of problems getting past Werder Bremen, who would have knocked them out if it weren't for a gaffe by their keeper.

Still Arsenal is a long-shot, I am just picking the long-shot.