Dec 15
Arsenal were today drawn against Dutch side PSV Eindhoven for the next phase of the Champions League, the first knock out round.
The Gunners will travel to Eindhoven on February 20th, with the return leg taking place @ the Grove on March 7th.
The draw in full:
Porto v Chelski
Celtic v AC Milan
PSV Eindhoven v Arsenal
Lille v ManUre
Roma v Lyon
Barcelona v Liverpool
Real Madrid v Bayern Munich
Inter Milan v Valencia
11 Responses to “Champions League 1st Knock Out Round Draw:”
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December 15th, 2006 at 9:08 am
Couldn’t ask for a better draw. Glad to avoid the big guns. Our recent track record against PSV had been pretty good. PSV are top of their league and are doing much better than Arsenal domestically. They have only conceded 6 goals this season in their league after 16 games - very impressive defensive record. We will definitely need Henry back in full flight if we want to breach that defence.
Looking forward to this weekend’s tricky clash against Portsmouth and 2 ex-Arsenal stalwarts.
December 15th, 2006 at 9:11 am
predicted winner in caps, based on current form - but who knows when feburary comes around?
Porto v CHELSKI - Porto is stronger this year than in 2004 when they won the CL, but can’t see them winning over two ties. If Porto don’t conceed at home for a scoreless draw they might have a slight chance to play for a 1-1 draw at the Bridge, but unlikely.
Celtic v AC MILAN - Based on their european form, can’t see Celtic getting an away result, so they’ll likely have to win BIG at home. Possible but not likely.
PSV Eindhoven v ARSENAL - Arsenal will need to attack hard during the first away leg and get a result without conceeding, then shut the door at home. Sounds a bit negative but how we often concedes the first goal at home concerns me - especially when away goals provides a tie break. I expect the same 4-5-1 or 4-1-4-1 formation that Wenger now lives and dies by, so it would be a 1-0 or at most 2-0 under that formation. More goals might come if we play 4-4-2.
Lille v MANURE - Lille whooped Manure’s ass last season in the group stage, but I don’t see such a result over two legs. The mancs might likely make things hard for themselves by drawing or even losing the first away leg, but most likely will give a good home performance to win the tie.
Roma v LYON - Can be interesting given Roma has been playing well recently, but over two legs Lyon will edge out relatively comfortably.
BARCELONA v Liverpool - Condolensces to pool fans, the key is not to lose big at Nou Camp and not concede at Anfield to stand a chance. It’s the most exciting match in the round. But I’m hoping for an upset….
Real Madrid v BAYERN MUNICH - Should be a close one, both team not doing well domesticaly this season, but defensively over two legs I’d have to go with Bayern. But I do hope Real will go thru so they can draw Manure next round and give fergie a taste of his own medicine with RVN knocking his former club out…
Inter Milan v VALENCIA - Another close one, but Valencia should edge out as long as they don’t concede at home. Inter might be leading the Serie A but they haven’t been the most attacking of teams thus far, so goals are not coming by enough to win over two legs.
December 15th, 2006 at 9:47 am
the only downside I can see to the draw is Koeman - an astute tactician.
December 15th, 2006 at 9:58 am
Scoring first in this tie will be huge. If we can go to Eindhoven and get a goal before they do we’ll be in much better shape; as others have hinted PSV has continued to do so well because of their tactical strength even though their squad has thinned slightly.
I watched them take it to Ajax in Amsterdam recently, and it had me a little concerned about us being paired with them in the draw. We should have the quality and strength needed to get past them, and at least there’s the Ajax match to serve as a ready warning against ‘attractive’ football played outside the attacking third.
I’m just a little sad that the best outcome of this tie means that all Dutch teams are out of the competition. Makes things more interesting out here.
December 15th, 2006 at 10:06 am
There is no “easy” drawer at this point…
but you’d have to think we have a GOOD chance to progress to the next round.
No complaints or excuses if we don’t. We have the 2nd leg at home… PSV are beatable… and we have the talent to do so.
December 15th, 2006 at 10:55 am
Phew! I am ABSOLOUTELY releived by this draw, we avioded ALL of the big teams. I would say we got the best possible draw (well, maybe besides Lille). The key is to figure out our best defensive line for the matchup in February, PSV are very tactical as others have said, and they don't like to give up the ball very much…Which could lead towards a deadly counter-attacking style by us. I am sure that Ars? will gameplan over the next two months to perfect our lineup.
Just looking at the other matchups, the 2nd knockout round will be void of some of the bigger names, no matter who comes out on top. I will break down the other matchups:
Porto v. CHELSKI- The first leg at Porto could be tricky for Brian Boytono I mean Jose COUGHgarinhoCOUGH, but it is his former team - and I can't wait to see him make a fool of himself and take a spill when he tries a triple sow cow on the sidelines. Although Porto are tough to beat at home, I don't see them beating Chelski in aggregate.
Celtic v. AC MILAN- Kak? will win this one by himself, Celtic lacks the fire power to stick with Milan for two games, and moreover someone who can stick with the Brazilian. I am expecting A LOT of goals from Milan in this one, but if the games lack goals, I like Celtic's chances, they are gold in close games. But the only way I see them winning is with a little help from the Refs (a la ManUre in the group stages).
PSV Eindhoven v. ARSENAL- I don't think anyone could see another outcome. Arsenal have too much talent for PSV, I think we will just outclass our opponents, the Gunners are too hungry from last year to stop at this stage, they want Bar?a, I forsee a load of throughballs to Henry - and we all know what happens when Henry is 1v1…
Lille v. MANURE- Simply, Lille were lucky to go through, ManUre will win BIG, they are in top form and I don't see the train stopping in Lille, especially since Lille were lucky just to get into the 1st Knockout.
Roma v. LYON- This matchup should be better than most think. Roma have been playing very well in competition, however the French Giants are just too strong- they haven't been tested all season, but this should be their hardest yet. I think Govu and Totti will amaze in this round. Coupet is going to have to be on top of his game because Roma love to put the ball on net. I just see one result and one result only, Lyon advance, but not a big margin.
BARCENLONA v. Liverpool- Although Bar?a haven't beat Liverpool in the Camp Nou since 1976 in European competition, I think the streak will end with the first match. Messi and Eto'o return for this match, meaning that Bar?a have another level to hit, I don't think the liverpool defense is strong enough to handle the onslaught from R10 and the others. This is the matchup of the round, but I just think Riijard's boys are too fast, and skilled to be beaten by a team like Liverpool.
REAL MADRID v. Baeryn Munich- With Ronaldo returning to form (apparnetly he put down the chicken wings and fries after the World Cup) and VanNeistroy, Robinho & company lighting things up, I forsee A LOT of goals in these games, simply put Munich don't have the finishing ability of Real Madrid, Makkay can't do things by himself. Verdict: Munich miss Ballack more than they thought before. I see los merengues winning BIG.
Inter Milan v. VALENCIA- The only image that comes into my mind is David Villa chopping up the Inter defense. Adriano should provide for a few “oohs” and “ahhs” but Inter don't have the speed or chemistry to keep up with last years 3rd place team from la liga. I cannot wait to see the fans at Mestalla, simply Valencia GOES NUTS for European football, ESPECIALLY in the spring. Los ches by more than 2 goals in aggregate.
That's my opinon…say what you'd like
December 15th, 2006 at 12:36 pm
We should go through here but I also have reservations because of fat-head Ronald Koeman. He seems to be the european Sam Allardyce and knows how to unsettle our play. However, that was only the case with the predictable European Arsenal team led by Patrick Vieira, this current Arsenal side should be able to deal with any tactical plans that Koeman tries to russle up. Hleb and Fabregas can unlock anyone in the champions league.
December 15th, 2006 at 3:44 pm
Should be 3 ex-stalwarts. Was thinking of Kanu and Campbell. Forgot about Tony Adams.
December 15th, 2006 at 5:26 pm
It might be just 1 ex-arsenal stalwarts if Campbell plays like crap and gifts us two goals in the first half - because he’ll then gets substituted and he’ll leave fratton park and head over to belgium (albeit a little less convenient to do this in london than in portsmouth where I don’t think Eurostar reaches).
I still can’t understand why Wenger let him go for free - even had Campbell said he wanted to play overseas (which he lied) we should still have gotten a transfer fee for him…
December 16th, 2006 at 7:35 am
Does someone knows Spanish here?
If someone knows, can you translate this from youtube.com, here is the link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoYL4Jnn6Mw
It’s about Fran Merida and at the end it looks like Fernando Torres has given autographed shirt to Cesc, but he is giving the shirt to Merida. I really want to know what is Torres saying. Hope he will end up as a GUNNER
December 19th, 2006 at 2:12 am
This is just an interview about Cesc going to visit Fernando’s house during the summer (I’m assuming it’s last summer because of the jersey [its Atletico's 2006/07 Home jersey], after the world cup).
Cesc talks about growing up near Barcelona (He was born in Catalyuna - near Barcelona, and speaks more of a Catal?n dialect therefore it’s harder for me to understand). But he is talking about his early years of football.
Fernando then talks about his daily routine (He was born in Madrid, and speaks Castellano it’s much easier for me to understand: Basically he says, he gets up, showers, eats breakfast, and goes to English classes three days a week. I’m assuming its durning the summer. And says that his house (or apaprtment) in Madrid isn’t too big, but sufficient enough for him. When he isn’t playing soccer or doing those things he plays playstation.
Then the reporter asks him about Cesc. Fernando says that he tries to pay attention to his friends, but mostly its what they tell him when they call, he says that he thinks Cesc is doing quite well, little by little he is working his way into the team, he also consides football is a different game in England, its faster and more fernetic. So he is proud of Cesc for adapting.
Cesc then gives Fernando the signed Jersey with the message on it…The video isn’t clear enough but it looks like its just a good luck wish…The Entrevista (Interview or Magazine) appears to be a weekly show or something, I can’t tell exactly…
Basically I wouldn’t read into it too much, its just about their friendship, and it appears that Atletico is going to hold on to Torres for dear life with the transfer period approaching…
Sorry that I’m not completely sufficient with my translation, but there is nothing about Fernando wanting to join Arsenal or anything of that Nature. Although I found the “MICHIGAN” shirt that Cesc was wearing to be a little disheartening, I should send him a good ole’ green and white tee!
About the transfer deadline! I hear that “ARSENAL WILL SHOCK THE WORLD” and that they are working on a deal to land a “WORLD CUP STAR” at least thats what the internet reports are saying…
I don’t know if the Star is:
1. Eric Abidal - he already proclaimed his hopes and wishes of Arsenal, and a reported ?10M deal is on the works for January. Arsenal need to fill their hole at left back and Abidal has been shining for Lyon this season.
2. Fernando Torres - Maybe you are right, but it is highly doubtful, I would expect at least ?20M-?30M from Arsenal for the transfer, and I don’t think Ars? is willing to cough up the transfer fee.
3. Zinedine Zidane - he is not under contract, and reports are that he has been talking with Ars?, Thierry, and Gallas about coming to the Gunners. This wouldn’t require a transfer fee, since he is not under contract, simply a signing bonus, and salary. Most likely this would be a deal for the second half of the year, and he would only play a handful of games…COUGH”championsleague”COUGH…In order to get Henry (and Arsenal) their frist true European crown.
4. Franck Ribery - He was linked to Arsenal over the summer but after the Ashley Cole debacle, everything fell apart. Monaco would want between ?7M-?10M for the flashy midfielder.
5. Shaun Wright-Phillips - Chelsea haven’t found room for him much this year…And he appears to be unhappy…Will he move north?
6. G?khan Zan - The fan’s choice for tidying up the defense…No word is to how much the Turkish giants would want for him…
Thats about all the rumors I have heard…Could you imagine Zidane? Out of them all I would say Abidal is the most likely, that way we could have our Champions League Dream Lineup:
Defense:
LWB- Eric Abidal
LCB- William Gallas
RCB- Kolo Tour?
RWB- Lauren
Midfield:
LWM- Cesc Fabregas
LCM- Gilberto
RCM- Julio Baptista
RWM- Alexsander Hleb
CAM- T?mas R?sicky
Forward:
ST- Thierry Henry