Arsenal - Liverpool
Fernebache - Chelsea
Shalke 04 - Barcelona
Roma - Man United
Fog’s analysis: There was a post to the Liverpool Echo board, I think it was, 90 minutes before the game that correctly predicted the draw. The odds of that are apparently 191-1 I think I read. So immediately everyone went nuts saying that the draw was rigged. I’m not usually one for the black helicopter theories and the draw is held in a pretty visible manner, so I’m going to say that the poster was lucky.
I DO think, however, that UEFA is embarrassed that Liverpool keep reaching the finals when they have to qualify in each year. The year they won their 5th (2005), they almost weren’t in the next year’s tournament at all. I think UEFA would prefer that Liverpool go away. I also think that UEFA would prefer that English clubs go away, what with their reputation of traveling supporters being what it is. That said, I wasn’t surprised that Liverpool was hooked up with another English side. They want them to disappear. And I know that I just told you that I don’t think it’s rigged. I just wasn’t surprised is all.
Arsenal are top of the table and playing like a well oiled machine. You have to hand it to Arsene Wegner–the man knows his football. He reloads and comes back year in and year out. Who’s Henry again? Now here’s the silly opinionated part: I don’t fear them so much. I just don’t. Liverpool have, since I’ve been watching, a way of beating the stuffing out of Arsenal on certain days when it matters. Not ever time mind you, but often. Some teams have other teams’ numbers. Recall the FA Cup final when Owen destroyed them in 9 minutes flat. Now I’m not going to say it’s going to be a blowout or easy or anything–but the matches with Inter Milan sure were. To quote the Duke of Wellington on the Battle of Waterloo: “…it was a close run thing”. And it will be a close run thing–this is the UCL-Quarters!
Here’s the rest of my predictions: These are aggregate Home-Away predictions. Also my thoughts on the rest of it: Chelsea has the easiest run there through Fernebache, the Turkish side. Shouldn’t be a problem for all that Russian oil money. If they need firing up, I’m sure Hank Steinbrenner could give them a toughguy pep talk.
Shalke 04, pronounced: [Shawl-ku, null fear] is currently 5th in the Bundesliga and faces Barca who is 2nd in La Liga. You have to think that Barca is the stronger club and will go through.
Roma is 2nd in the Seria A (not sure if they are buying refs there as in past years) but it makes you think when you see Inter Milan in the top spot and Liverpool had their number. Look, even though it is a home and away knock out tournament, any team has a puncher’s chance to score and then sit on it. Those 90 minutes drain away awful fast when leaving Europe is in the balance. Certainly Roma can beat Man United, but will they? I wouldn’t bet on it.
In fact, if I had to bet on a team to win this thing to save my life, I’d take Man United. They are the strongest team with the most weapons and the fewest weaknesses. For the last 20 years they’ve been getting it done more often than any other team and they scare me, frankly. I want no part of them. Now for my Reds, Liverpool. Their path very likely will be to have to beat Arsenal, beat Chelsea in the semis (which they have done in 2 of the last 3 years–motivation, anyone?) and then beat Man United in the finals. Was it rigged? You tell me. YNWA.
Arsenal (1) - Liverpool (3)
Fernebache (1) - Chelsea (5)
Shalke 04 (3) - Barcelona (4)
Roma (2) - Man United (5)
