ethicalstrategy

What a chance for Cole! And what a sh*t effort.

Well we didn't really have a youth system when Jose was here. But I think you did miss the point. I was just saying that he has several good, young players in his team at Madrid. Ozil at €15m was probably buy of the summer given his age.

Not a chance.

It wasn't boring, but is was incredibly frustrating. We created a hatful of chances but the finishing was awful. I am still not a fan of the flat 4 in midfield. There is far too much space for players to drop in to. We will pay for it against better teams. Tevez will have a field day.

Brilliant.

I fancy Madrid to do a number on Spurs. Inter should beat Schalke. Barca will have a tough time against Shaktar but ought to get through. I really fancy our chances against Utd. They have been flattered by their results all season and if we play anywhere like our best we will win. Inter would be dangerous as semi final opponents, but without Jose at the helm I'd fancy our chances a lot more. So the big question really is do we prefer Barca or Madrid in the Final? :) Barca are the better team but I don't fancy Carlo up against Jose any more than I did last season. Beating Barca with a late offside goal after being under the cosh for 90 minutes would be nice.

It does, but we will still have a game in hand and can overtake them. They will be cautious but if we get to the last twenty with the scores level then they are the ones who will have to force it.

Redknapp "Madrid not in same league as Barca" Err, I think they are Jamie!!

Butch on SSN "I take Chelsea over Man U over 2 legs"

Can't face Madrid or Barca until final.

As good a draw as we could possibly have got

Madrid/Spurs v. Barca/Shaktar

Inter/Schalke v. Chelsea v. Man U

Now for the semis. Very important for us as we will beat Utd!!

so Inter v. Schalke

Barca v. Shaktar

Chelsea v. Man U

Madrid v. Spurs

Here we go then

Watching this on Sky News. Looks like it's going to be an eternity before we get to the actual draw!! Just showing a piece about the final at Wembley. Featuring Lineker very strongly. Forgotten what a good player he actually was. 80 England caps, 48 goals.

I've noticed he is struggling with those old timers Ozil, Khadira, Di Maria, Benzema.

Some big decisions for Carlo. I hope we don't persist with this 4-4-2. I think we look very vulnerable set up like that. Torres will play. Carlo has already said so. I would like to see the following team (assuming that Torres does start - personally, I'd go for Drogba): Cech Ivanovic Terry Luiz Cole Essien Lampard Ramires Malouda Torres Anelka The key for me is not to get caught with the fullbacks both stuck upfield. One or the other. A draw is a better result for us than them so the onus will be for them to force things. They don't like to do that and it will give us a bit more space. We have to be patient and avoid giving them an early goal to hang on to.

A little premature I think. Let's just get through and then we'll see.

5 match ban for Fergie. Seems the FA have shown some teeth at last!

Really enjoyed the Bayern Inter match. How Bayern managed to lose it, I'll never know. The wasted so many opportunities. Inter were poor in the first half but did play better in the second when Leonardo changed things and got Sneijder on the ball more. Eto'o still looks very dangerous and very quick over a short distance. Not sure why Robben came off. I hope it was an injury otherwise it was a very poor decision by Van Gaal. Gomez took his first goal really well but will be kicking himself that he didn't finish things off (well he would probably miskick himself to be honest) Neither side looked good defensively but Bayern ran rings around the Inter defence. Maicon looked completely pout of his depth trying to cope with Ribery. Fair play to Inter though. They stuck at it and have players with the quality to take the chances when they come along.