[quote author=RedZeppelin link=topic=47832.msg1440146#msg1440146 date=1323326509]
Is Platini getting what he wanted ? He's wanted to dilute the hold the major clubs have had on the comp for a while now . He changed the playoff rules so league winners from so called weaker leagues would play each other and not the big 3rd or 4th place team from a major league . So i'd say he's happy enough with the way a fair few unexpected teams are in the knock out stage . Makes for a few uninspiring games i reckon, well unless you're a total football junkie.
Guess you can't look past Barca , Real and maybe Bayern to win it .
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Hard to judge Bayern on last nights performance given they'd qualified. Prior to that they looked impeccable and I still think they're the team to beat.
Quick question but did anyone notice Valencia's approach in the first 25 minutes against Chelsea? They were defending in Chelsea's penalty area, harrassing them and hounding them relentlessly. It looked like Barca on steroids. I know they ended up with something like 70% of possession but couldn't help wondering if they'd tired themselves out by midway through the 2nd half. They really looked spent.
Is Platini getting what he wanted ? He's wanted to dilute the hold the major clubs have had on the comp for a while now . He changed the playoff rules so league winners from so called weaker leagues would play each other and not the big 3rd or 4th place team from a major league . So i'd say he's happy enough with the way a fair few unexpected teams are in the knock out stage . Makes for a few uninspiring games i reckon, well unless you're a total football junkie.
Guess you can't look past Barca , Real and maybe Bayern to win it .
[/quote]
Hard to judge Bayern on last nights performance given they'd qualified. Prior to that they looked impeccable and I still think they're the team to beat.
Quick question but did anyone notice Valencia's approach in the first 25 minutes against Chelsea? They were defending in Chelsea's penalty area, harrassing them and hounding them relentlessly. It looked like Barca on steroids. I know they ended up with something like 70% of possession but couldn't help wondering if they'd tired themselves out by midway through the 2nd half. They really looked spent.
