The stage has been set for an Epic battle between 2 English teams and another English team and those pesky Italians. Chelsea, coming off there last minute victory over a luckless Valencia side, will play 2005 Champions Liverpool FC, coming off a convincing 4-0 aggregate victory over a reduced PSV side that never really looked great in the tie. This will be the rematch from the 2005 Semi-Finals where Luis Garcia scored in the 4th minute of the second leg to send Liverpool to the Final they eventually won. This will be the marquee match of the tournament. My prediction is Liverpool win 3-2 on aggregate. Liverpool, contrary to popular belief by people who don't even follow football, have had Chelsea's number in big matches for the past 3 years. While i am not counting Chelsea out, one has to realize that they are fighting on 2 other fronts, including the FA and the league. Something will have to give for a side that has to comeback in the league and faces a sterner opposition in the FA cup. Advantage Liverpool in this one.The second Semi-Final will see Manchester United, who won 7-1 on Tuesday night, face 2005 Finalists AC Milan. This match-up will be fantastic, though not as mouth watering as the other Semi-Final match. AC Milan won 2-0 and 4-2 on aggregate on Wednesday to advance to this stage will United lost the first leg 2-1 only to win 7-1 in the second. While this display on dominance will look frightening to some, it really isn't. winning 1-0 or 7-1 makes no difference, in football it is very rare to get these types of wins. Milan are a much better side then Roma as well, though their league form wouldn't show this, but you have to remember that Milan started with -7 points at the start of the year. I'm going to give Milan the edge here, based on previous Champions league performances and that fact that like Chelsea, Manchester United are fighting on two other fronts. They are losing their grasp on the league, and for United, the league is more important then winning the Champions League. The FA cup is also very important for them too and they will be in tough against an inspired Watford team. My prediction is 4-2 for Milan on aggregate.
It seems that fate and history will be on the side of Milan and Liverpool, and this would set up a great rematch between the 2005 final opponents. If it gets that far I predict another win for Liverpool, their form is peaking at the right moment and they are putting together clutch performances when they need them. Could it be 6 Times next month? I can only hope...
45 comments:
"While i am not counting Chelsea out, one has to realize that they are fighting on 2 other fronts, including the FA and the league. Something will have to give for a side that has to comeback in the league and faces a sterner opposition in the FA cup. Advantage Liverpool in this one."
Is this not a contradictory statement? The reason why Liverpool isn't contending in the Premiership is because they haven't played well enough this year. Chelsea, meanwhile, has played well enough to contend, which suggests that Chelsea is the better team.
Ergo, the advantage should clearly be with Chelsea and Frank "The Rum Gunner" Lampard.
I have to side with Brad on this one, Liverpool is a trash team of has-beens. Now step aside and let the real athletes do their job. (Gerrard is crap)
Jon, ill reply to this one, because insulting in an argument ruins any argument and it's validity. Calling Liverpool a Team of has-beens is ridiculous consider we have most all you players, you forget to realize that Gerrard is only 25 still.
And saying the European and FA cup champions are a trash team is ill-advised, obviously your knowledge of soccer and you inability to cheer for any other team but the one that wins gets in the way here. Cheering for the best shows nothing about your character, all it shows is your fear of losing and taking it like a man.
And saying Gerrard is crap when players in the premier league voted him player of the year last year, is foolish. You seem to like to hit out at players that are extremely good, you have no basis for this, but still you continue to make yourself look stupid. Congrats.
Even if we lose to Chelsea when its all said and done, I will be proud of the team i support. Because unlike you, i am a fan, and a supporter or a team that I've loved for years, and i rather have that then cheering for the latest and greatest like you.
Alright lets look at that statement
And saying Gerrard is crap when players in the premier league voted him player of the year last year, is foolish. You seem to like to hit out at players that are extremely good, you have no basis for this, but still you continue to make yourself look stupid. Congrats.
Hmmm... who is the player you say is bad? Drogba? The best goal scorer in the Premiership (in your opinion the highest level of soccer in the world) and therefore the best goal scorer in the world. Now, you say I'm making myself look stupid by insulting a mediocre player when you yourself insult the best player in the world? Tis indeed a foolish argument. You should try and avoid hypocrasy.
Johan
Ahh but just because i don't like a player doesn't mean he isn't good. I will openly admit that Drogba is a good goal scorer. But a good footballer, no. He dives, he cannot play another other position but striker. He is a one-track player with the ability to score, which is fine. Gerrard on the other hand is much different, he plays every where, hes the captain of his club and vice captain of his country.
So yeah, i have no problem with Drogba the goal scorer, i have a problem with Drogba the footballer though.
Diving is a part of soccer, face it. It's a skill that is practiced. The fact that Drogba is good at it is simply another skill that he can use.
Whether diving SHOULD be a part of soccer is a whole other question.
So what your saying is he can use a "skill" that is looked down upon greatly by Fifa and Uefa and the FA, to make you a better player? Not a chance. Diving is wrong whether you can use it or not, its unfair and is considered cheating in the sport.
And if diving and shooting the ball when it is perfectly passed to him from another player is all he has, then he wouldn't cut it on a team with not as good players.
Brett Hull made a pretty good career out of shooting the puck well when it was perfectly passed to him and lacking any real other skills.
Scott, Drogba plays his position, he does not drift about aimlessly like Gerrard I'll give you that. Drogba gets the job done, probably why Chelsea is in second and Liverpool is in a distant third.
"he does not drift about aimlessly like Gerrard I'll give you that"
fell out of my seat laughing at this part. brilliant!
O.K. a couple of things here. One: Gerrard is also a diver. There are plenty of You Tube tributes to this fact. Two: What's up with him trying for goal today from 50 yards. He's no Beckam. Three: 7-1 is way different than 1-0. 7-1 = ass-kicking. 1-0 = win.
7-1 has Romans going home ashamed, defeated, dejected. It has opposition coaches and players going....whaaaaaaa....
1-0 = whatever. Especially against PSV. No fear struck there.
Four: There is nothing that keeps a team positive and in focus like winning. It is a plus, not a negative if a team is active and winning on several levels. I think that the Bin Dippers would rather be beating a team 7-1 in the Champions League than just having another training day. I think their dull performance today is evidence of that.
Mike
Interesting vid. of your idol Scott, wanna give me an explanation?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkNAMBBw2Qc
Jonathan
One, they just won the Champions League. Two that was alot faster in real life, and three it is customary, actually happens quite a bit in soccer in alot of countries, its wierd to us, but normal for them. Dont ask me, it doesnt make him Gay considering he has a pretty Hot wife and 2 kids lol. I love how you go out of your way to find these videos, don't you have anything better to do? Go outside Jon, its a whole new world out here.
LOL!!!
It's the ear nibble that makes it flamingly gay.
I think its funny how people get on the #1 midfielder in the world. Just because your team doesn't have them you must criticize a player who has been given the distinction of priceless when it comes to Sell Value. Even the Rich Chelski couldn't afford Gerrard. Hes been rated to be worth more then Ronaldinho in a transfer, but i guess that tells you nothing.
This just goes to show the ignorance of most people when it comes to a non-American sport. And the ignorance of people that pick a player who has scored the most goals this year, just because he appears to be the best. Picking the best player and the best team just goes to show that neither are you a fan of the game or even the team. Your a drifter, a band-wagon jumper, and you have no real intent to cheer for any team unless they are winning. Thats alright though, your petty attempts to label Gerrard as anything less then world class fall on deaf ears here.
Educated people that know enough about football will realize that Gerrard is an amazing talent. The uneducated, like yourself Jon, will think he is bad because he isn't on your team. But ill reiterate what i just said above, comments like yours fall on deaf ears to people who aren't ignorant and stupid.
I think you guys should come to a compromise. How about, "Gerrard is the best Gay midfielder in the world". There, is everyone happy now?
MIke
I guess to be fair Jon should have posted this video of the worlds best Gay striker.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4ImFGJRRoE
Mike
lol, difference is Gerrard is married with 2 kids. His wife is also quite hot.
So is Tom cruise.
It's pretty obvious that the 2 kids and wife are a smokescreen to distract the public away from Gerrard's raging gayness. I mean, I can accept a little man on man kiss in the heat of celebration, but an ear nibble???? When I saw that my gaydar started going nuts.
Hot women LOOOOVE money and I'm sure Gerrard, being the best gay midfielder in the world, has a lot to throw at a girl to pretend to be his wife.
Brad
lol you should see the list of his ex girlfriends too then. And both Tom Cruise' Wives were and are ugly. And his kids are Aliens.
could i also make the assertion that you and Jon could be gay and proud considering you dont seem to have Women in your lives and thus are evening making an effort to cover it up.
you could just watch last nights highlights of the game to see how world class Gerrard is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSx8GZmVNXI
I'm not saying Gerrard is a bad soccer player....I'm just saying that he loves the cock.
Brad
Hahaha, maybe I should find a video of Gerrard trying to score from 50 yards out and missing over and over. Hes obviously just a Beckham wannabe. Wow, that ear nibble is terribly gay.
Jonathan
"could i also make the assertion that you and Jon could be gay and proud considering you dont seem to have Women in your lives and thus are evening making an effort to cover it up."
There is a distinct difference between being gay and being a nerd.
Brad
"There is a distinct difference between being gay and being a nerd."
Funny, i dont see it.
And Jon, unlike Brad, your comments are very witty or even funny at all, they are lame attempts at trying to label a World Class player something he obviously isn't, nice try, but most people with half a brain know whats right.
Oh and Jon explain why Drogba was grabbing that guys wang....
Some say Gerrard loves the cock, but theres no evidence, but you can see Drogba obviously does.
Scott, thats customary among the French.
And Jon, unlike Brad, your comments "are very witty" or even funny at all, they are lame attempts at trying to label a World Class player something he obviously isn't, nice try, but most people with half a brain know whats right.
Thanks for the compliment, kinda rough on Brad though. Maybe Drogba and Gerrard should build a spaceship eh Scott? (you know what I'm talking about) By the way, if you want to see some completed goals from far out you should watch some videos of Beckham on Youtube he's very good.
Jonathan
"they are lame attempts at trying to label a World Class player something he obviously isn't"
I hate to be the grammar police, but I believe you missed a comma in this sentence, Scott.
"they are lame attempts at trying to label a World Class player, something he obviously isn't"
There...I think that reads properly now!
I guess immaturity reigns on my blog, you have one person that knows nothing about soccer and cheers for only the best team at that moment, and another person only here to fuel the first fools fire. Like i said, immaturity.
After rewatching the Gerrard manlove porno that Jon posted, I think its key to watch Xabi's mouth as he pulls away from nibbling on Gerrard's ear...its clearly sticking out, making a distinct flicking motion that clearly has sexual connotations. I'm now leaning towards not a nibble, but full on sticking his tongue in Gerrard's ear and giving it a good swirl.
Brad
Ok this thread is done, it's getting a little out of hand, and a little blown out of proportion. Any posts after this will be deleted. Thank you.
Like I said, retarded comments made by people with peanuts for brains will be deleted in the future. Saying stupid things for no reason will get removed so don't waste your time.
Its not a opposite view, its a retarded view that serves only the purpose of antagonizing.
Oh and I deleted your post because you obviously cannot read.
Scott, just took a look at the PFA awards you've been ranting about. These awards are what you use to argue that Gerrard is the best mid fielder in the world. While looking over it i noticed that eight of the eleven players were from Man U. and Drogba was one of the strikers. Using your very form of argument I can easily suggest that Drogba is the best striker in the world and that Manchester United is the best team in the world (oh the revelations) All things that are apparent if you look at team standings and goals scored. Hopefully you will not delete this post.
Johan
I wont delete this because Gerrard is in the starting Eleven lol. So i dont know what you are trying to say?
Drogba is in the starting eleven in a English team starting elevenm, no doubt about it, if this was all of Europe, however, then he wouldn't be in there because there are the likes of Eto'o and Ronaldo and Torres and the list goes on and on. Gerrard would still be in the starting eleven, just look at Uefa's team of the year. That gives a more accurate perspective of who's the best in Europe.
As far as the Man U players in that team go, thats fine. They are having a good year, Kudos to them. They haven't won anything yet this year however, and they could possibly have this great year and still end up with nothing to show for it, so we will see.
I love how you try to attack me with facts you borrow from your father. I was going to delete this but i figured i would beat you with my superior knowledge on soccer. You have to realize Jon it is not you who determines who is the best in the world, its other people. Its not even me, but the players and coaches don't lie, they know who is the best midfielder in the world, and i much rather trust their opinion then yours.
Maybe you should go back too the drawing board before you comment on here anymore. Your one-off facts you get from your dad, and the comments about players being gay and soccer being gay just sour what could be a good debate between two people. Before you comment again, make sure it doesn't include any insults or gay jokes or anything, otherwise it will be deleted. I'm not here to debate or talk about that. And im not here to listen to your immaturity and pointless comments.
Oh and if anything, this just goes to show how much the FA respects Gerrard, hes having a mediocre season and yet he is still picked in the starting eleven. I think this solidifies my point that Gerrard is the best. What other players do you know of that can have an average year and still be voted into a starting eleven? So your myth's are debunked i guess now.
All I'm saying is that if you're going to use this as proof that Gerrard is the best mid-fielder in the world you must admit that Drogba is the best striker in the world.
Plus there are better mid-fielders, lets see... Ronaldinho comes readily to mind. And don't claim that because you beat them that Gerrard is better, Ronaldinho destroys Gerrard.
Jonathan
I wont, Ronaldinho is a striker. Like i said Jon, go back to the drawing board lol. He players either in a two or three prong attack with Samuel Eto'o and/or Gudjohnnson.
Here you go with Gerrard being worse then Ronaldinho, well that is not true, considering Gerrard destroyed, to use your lingo, Ronaldinho during their Champions League matches.
AS for drgoba, not the best in the world. On Uefa's list, Henry and Eto'o were miles ahead of drogba. Henry is a much better strike, Eto'o keeps beating out Drogba for African player of the year.
Jon learn your facts, you know nothing about soccer, stop trying to pretend. It's like betting into pocket aces with 2 more aces on the board, you cant win lol.
The facts dont lie, Gerrard made Europes Starting XI, He made Englands Starting Eleven. Pretty sure he made the World Cup starting Eleven team. Hes PFA player of the year, hes a Champions league winner, a captain. Vice Captain for his country, and the list goes on.
Your next post better have some facts or something worth posting otherwise it wont be on here for long.
Post a Comment