Re: Champions League play-off

by Lex Wed Aug 07, 2013 8:55 pm

Wouldn't mind steering clear of Fenerbahce too. We would make Dirk Kuyt look like Bergkamp circa 1998

by urbaNRoots Wed Aug 07, 2013 9:38 pm

PSV progress to play off round with a 0-3 win against Zulte Waregem.

Another possible opponent for us.

by halamadrid2 Wed Aug 07, 2013 9:39 pm

you should hope for Celtic

they are crap. They have lost a couple of good players though

by urbaNRoots Wed Aug 07, 2013 9:47 pm

We can't face Celtic or another "Champion".

Real Sociedad
Pacos
Fenerbahce
Metalist
PSV

These are our possible opponents.

Best would be if we face Pacos or Fenerbahce. Pacos because I believe we'll easily win and Fenerbahce because we might qualify even if we lose... their European ban has been only temporarily lifted Laughing

by halamadrid2 Wed Aug 07, 2013 9:51 pm

ahh a damn Shame you could have played your B team and still won.

out of that list metalist and pacos are obviously teams you should hope for although I can see you going through against all of them.

by Sri Fri Aug 09, 2013 11:04 am

Fenerbahce.

by Sri Fri Aug 09, 2013 11:06 am

GNK Dinamo v Austria Vienna
PFC Ludogorets Razgrad v FC Basel
FC Viktoria Plzen v Maribor
FC Shakhter Karagandy v Celtic
Steaua Bucharest v Legia Warsaw

Olympiqye Lyonnais v Real Sociedad
FC Schalke 04 v Metalist Kharkiv
FC Pacos de Ferreira v Zenit St Petersburg
PSV Eindhoven v AC Milan
Fenerbahce v Arsenal

by Jay29 Fri Aug 09, 2013 11:08 am

Fenerbahce's participation is pending a hearing, apparently. So we might luck out and get a by or end up facing a lower placed Turkish team instead.

by Sri Fri Aug 09, 2013 11:12 am

GoonerJay29 wrote:Fenerbahce's participation is pending a hearing, apparently. So we might luck out and get a by or end up facing a lower placed Turkish team instead.

Taking luck out of the equation, we will have to face a good Turkish team over two legs. I don't expect the home game to be a problem, away would be a daunting task. I think we have the quality to get past them, but it will be tricky. And the fatigue will impact the league fixtures right after the qualifier games.

Shit.

by REWB Fri Aug 09, 2013 11:20 am

so how comes teams like celtic get to draw easy teams but we draw hard teams? either way with everyone fit this will be an easy win for us imo, we'll finish them off at the emirates.

by sportsczy Fri Aug 09, 2013 11:30 am

Fenerbahce will be anything but easy. Players they have that are recognized:

Kuyt, Sow, Bruno Alves, Krasic, Webo, Meireles`

Good turkish players:

Gokhan, Topal, Emre (he's getting old), etc.

Not easy at all especially since they are a nightmare at their place. Arsenal will need their A game. Should win, but it's going to be close.

by Jay29 Fri Aug 09, 2013 11:31 am

Celtic go through the "Champions" path, so they get drawn against other Champions who have to go through qualifying. We're on a different path.

It's basically UEFA's way of ensuring that some of the smaller clubs can get in and have a go.

by Sri Fri Aug 09, 2013 11:53 am

Completely agree with Sports. Spot on.

by abirking Fri Aug 09, 2013 12:15 pm

Fenerbache will be tough especially the away match. A scored draw will be an acceptable result given that bigger teams have failed in the hostile conditions of turkish stadiums and fans.
This might be the season we do not make the champions league.

by Raptorgunner Fri Aug 09, 2013 1:31 pm

Good news we haven't lost to a Turkish side since last weekend. cheers

by S Fri Aug 09, 2013 1:48 pm

sportsczy wrote:Fenerbahce will be anything but easy. Players they have that are recognized:

Kuyt, Sow, Bruno Alves, Krasic, Webo, Meireles`

Good turkish players:

Gokhan, Topal, Emre (he's getting old), etc.

Not easy at all especially since they are a nightmare at their place. Arsenal will need their A game. Should win, but it's going to be close.

They signed Emenike from Spartak and you can add Cardozo to the list too possibly whose transfer is close to be confirmed.

by Raptorgunner Fri Aug 09, 2013 1:54 pm

IMO Turkey arguably toughest place to play in Europe, I hope Wenger has the team ready and I dont want to hear Jaded again this year.

by Art Morte Fri Aug 09, 2013 2:07 pm

Kuyt to come back to haunt you :bow:

by RealGunner Fri Aug 09, 2013 2:07 pm

Egh did not want them.

Will be a tricky fixture but if we can't beat them, then we don't deserve to be in the CL.

by REWB Fri Aug 09, 2013 2:48 pm

they are going to be kicked out anyway lol, its basically a pre season friendly

by Tomwin Lannister Fri Aug 09, 2013 4:26 pm

I said in the Milan thread they'd be better off getting Sociedad instead of Fener

Well, somebody had to get them.

They have a very good team, won't be anything less than difficult for Arsenal.