21 minutes ago, The Rising Sun said:

Tbh , I would prefer we weren't in this competition.. When we actually won it and became World Club Champions, I don't recall any dancing in the streets or open top bus parade either. In fact, I didn't even watch it.  

If we're in it, we might as well try to win it. Nice to have another trinket in our trophy cuupboard 

Hard to take it seriously really. Inter Miami shouldn't be going at all, but because Messi plays for them, they will be invovled. Forcing him in before he retires and will likely give everything his way to keep them in the competition as long as possible.

5 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

Hard to take it seriously really. Inter Miami shouldn't be going at all, but because Messi plays for them, they will be invovled. Forcing him in before he retires and will likely give everything his way to keep them in the competition as long as possible.

Plenty to be serious about. The prize money has supposedly increased from $16M in 2023 to $2.65B across participants in 2025. Staggering really - the winners can pocket more than the champions league. Whether we like it or not, 3-4 weeks of football could account for ~20% of annual revenue, let alone benefits from exposure. 

I’m also biased with it on the doorstep for me! Just hope they lay some decent pitches - normally they’re crap. 

Who is the weakest team in Pot 1?

PSG?

1 hour ago, OneTommyLangley said:

Who is the weakest team in Pot 1?

PSG?

River Plate

Watching the draw. I've watched some tacky draws over the years but this is by far the tackiest. Goodness knows how many people they have on the stage to carry out the draw.

15 hours ago, PhilH930 said:

Plenty to be serious about. The prize money has supposedly increased from $16M in 2023 to $2.65B across participants in 2025. Staggering really - the winners can pocket more than the champions league. Whether we like it or not, 3-4 weeks of football could account for ~20% of annual revenue, let alone benefits from exposure. 

I’m also biased with it on the doorstep for me! Just hope they lay some decent pitches - normally they’re crap. 

Just because it's offering a lot of money, it doesn't mean it's a respectable competition. The entire competition seems motivated by money, not about competition and the love of football.

5 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

Just because it's offering a lot of money, it doesn't mean it's a respectable competition. The entire competition seems motivated by money, not about competition and the love of football.

That’s the world over. Can’t think of a single competition outside of Sunday league football that doesn’t revolve around money. It’s an ugly truth. 

Interesting thought though if the completion was strictly qualification, not invitation. 

I think theres still time for them to get a few more people on stage.

15 hours ago, PhilH930 said:

Plenty to be serious about. The prize money has supposedly increased from $16M in 2023 to $2.65B across participants in 2025. Staggering really - the winners can pocket more than the champions league. Whether we like it or not, 3-4 weeks of football could account for ~20% of annual revenue, let alone benefits from exposure. 

I’m also biased with it on the doorstep for me! Just hope they lay some decent pitches - normally they’re crap. 

Just seen that each team are promised 50 million dollars just to participate!

 

 

I can't take much more of watching the draw. I'm going down to the pub. Will leave the pub at about 10pm and I suspect the draw will still be taking place.

We draw Flamengo. 

Got lucky there. 

26 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

Just because it's offering a lot of money, it doesn't mean it's a respectable competition. The entire competition seems motivated by money, not about competition and the love of football.

 

18 minutes ago, PhilH930 said:

That’s the world over. Can’t think of a single competition outside of Sunday league football that doesn’t revolve around money. It’s an ugly truth. 

Interesting thought though if the completion was strictly qualification, not invitation. 

Yep. Football is now bent as a nine bob note. I'm showing my age there. When watching a FIFA/UEFA draw I'm reminded of that great quote: "I'd rather stick needles in my eyes."

9 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

We draw Flamengo. 

Got lucky there. 

Chelsea

Flamengo

Leon

30 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

Just because it's offering a lot of money, it doesn't mean it's a respectable competition. The entire competition seems motivated by money, not about competition and the love of football.

And the prize money will count for f**k all if one of our top players ends up injured.

Btw , do you know what TV company are showing it ?

dazn free apparently

 

Edited December 5, 20241 yr by OneTommyLangley

5 minutes ago, Boyne said:

 

Yep. Football is now bent as a nine bob note. I'm showing my age there. When watching a FIFA/UEFA draw I'm reminded of that great quote: "I'd rather stick needles in my eyes."

The FA cup draw is the best, no farting about for hours. The pissed up Rod Stewart's Scottish Cup draw was hilarious !

DAZN are showing every game free to air….

18 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

We draw Flamengo. 

Got lucky there. 

They are a more than decent side

2 minutes ago, 19seventyone said:

DAZN are showing every game free to air….

Do you have to subscribe to DAZN first  ? 

 

Hopefully draw Inter Miami as our last opponent.

In a way, it's good that we are in the conference league and not the champions league this season. If we had the champions league, Maresca would struggle to manage the players minutes as well as he currently has, which would have been a nightmare going into this competition.

Just now, The Rising Sun said:

Do you have to subscribe to DAZN first  ? 

 

No.

Jim White was talking about it this morning and apparently the games are able to be viewed without a subscription. I’m quoting him rather than checking if what he said was true.

14 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Chelsea

Flamengo

Leon

Chelsea

Flamengo

Leon

Esperance

We are in Group D with Flamengo, Leon (MX), and Sport Tunisia