Italian Hotshot said:
I'm bursting to watch the Champ League matches this week - on Wednesday I'll watch the match and then rush to my Orientation day at UWS!
Inter v Porto will be an interesting clash as both teams have completely different line ups since they played in Europe last season. From some of the matches I've seen Inter play this season I've been really disappointed that Davids has had so little game time in a midfield that does have depth.
If we start with a 4-3-3 formation with Adriano, Vieri and Recoba in attack (Martins is injured) that the results will be electric!
I can't wait for the round to start, mainly to see Chelsea's quadruple die a painful death, but even without Terry they're an excellent defensive unit who can nick goals so Barca have to be on their game.
For the other matches:
Real Madrid-Juventus
Tough one to pick, both teams look solid right now but Juve are so hard to crack I might give them slight favouritism at this stage. I reckon Madrid are due a shocking defensive performance sometime soon.
Liverpool-Leverkusen
Liverpool would be very disappointed if they didn't come through this one, although with the way Rafa has them playing and the shortness in their squad I don't know if theyre up to it. They should go through, Leverkusen are nothing compared to the team that made the final a few years back.
PSV-Monaco
Don't really care about this one, Monaco being the finalists from last season should start favourites but I don't think Deschamps has done well with his squad, on papaer it's far weaker without Giuly and Morientes and Flavio Roma is a bit of a clown in goal. I'm hoping the Dutchies go through but this one will be close.
Bayern-Arsenal
Last time around Bayern outclassed us at the Olympic Stadium and got a lucky draw at Highbury. I reckon it'll be something similar this time around. If Arsenal can get a positive result in Munich we can go through but at the end of the day Arsenal have been woeful defending set-pieces this season and Bayern are the most clinical set-piece team I've ever seen.
I'm tipping the Germans here unless Henry fires. If he does then Kuffour, Sagnol and Rau(if he plays) would worry me if I was a Bayern fan. Makaay getting a hattrick against Dortmund yesterday scares me a bit since Sol is out. Cygan is due a big performance anyway
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Porto-Internazionale
Porto still work very well as a cohesive team but they're nothing compared to the Deco inspired team we saw lat year. Maniche,Diego, Quaresma,Postiga and McCarthy are all excellent players but Inter should be favourties despite being the Italian equivalent of Spurs.
Man. United-Milan
This should be awesome. Both teams packed full of quality, but Sheva out, Ruud back in and the way Manyoo are playing at the moment makes me think they'll nick it. And seeing Brocchi play ahead of Dhorasoo and Ambrosini, both of whom are class makes me wonder a bit about Carlo's sanity. United just in this one.
Bremen-Lyon
Lyon are my dark horses for the tournament, they were stunning in the group stages 17 goals and only one loss in 26 games in France. They're attack looks pretty awesome with Juninho Pernambucano, Sylvain Wiltord, Frau, Govou and Essien, plus Coupet's an excellent keeper who marshalls his defence well. Lyon should go through, but as always German teams always hang in there so it should be good.
