General Football (soccer) Discussion

[trademark0013]

Can someone explain to me the difference between these two? It seems to me like the Champions League is the best teams in Europe and Russia (no I dont consider Russia EU) and the Euro Cup is just the ones who dont make it into the CL but arent complete scrubs. But they seem to happen at the same time so how can someone explain to me how the qualifying process works?

Also, predictions on this years tourney?

 

[~N9NE~]

Champions League is for the supposedly elite European teams, and the Europa League is just a step down. The Champions League is the biggest European football cup to win.

In the Premiership here in England, the teams that finish in the top four qualify for the Champions League. Fifth qualifies for the Europa League. I'm not exactly how sure it works in other countries but it's a similar principle. Smaller nations with smaller leagues have smaller representation.

Once they qualify for the Champions League they play group stages, same with Europa League. Top two from each group qualify for the knock out rounds, which will be starting soon. Third in the Champions League group gets to play in the knock out stages of the Europa League. Each then play QF'S SF'S then the Final.

Barcelona are favourites for the Champions League but knock out football isn't that straightforward. Liverpool and Juventus are probably the favourites for the Europa League but again, it's not that simple.

Questions?

 

[trademark0013]

Barcelona's my fav team internationally and my pick as well.

Why would u say its not that str8 forward? Upsets and whatnot that happen in every sport?

Thnx for the breakdown btw. I understand it now.

 

[~N9NE~]

Yeah upsets happen in every sport. But over the two legged knock out stages in the Champions League the games often come down to the fine details, since usually the top teams are often a match for each other.

One moment usually defines the game, be it a refereeing decision..etc. The best team doesn't always win.

Also, no team have succesfully defended the Champions League since 1990. So although Barca are the favourites, it's just not that easy to win this thing lol.

 

[Rici]

In the Netherlands it kinda differs from season to season but I remember this was the setting one year:
In the "Eredivisie" the numbers 1 + 2 would go to Champions League(sometimes the number 2 would have to do qualification round) and the numbers 3 + 4 would go to Europa Cup.

So basically, the Champions League are for the "Champions" and Europa Cup is for the next best teams after those.

 

[trademark0013]

aight then. thnx guys.

barney who u going for?

 

[Marauder]

I was hoping for a general Football thread. Well at least we can use this to talk about both competitions.

I'm rooting for Arsenal for UCL and Juventus for Europa League.

N9NE knows his stuff. Who do you support?

 

[~N9NE~]

I support Liverpool.

sigh... lol

Arsenal had a poor result. Great result for Man United.

 

[Marauder]

I'm sorry for the hardships you're going through over there on Merseyside lol

The refs were atrocious on Wednesday night imo. He was marking Sol for that second goal. wtf?

Great result for Man Utd as you said. That tie is as good as done.

 

[trademark0013]

wasnt the goalie playing for arsenal a backup?

it seemed like arsenal didnt get a few calls, but thats no excuse for the goalies ef ups

I'm going for juventus in the europa cup also

 

[Marauder]

Yeah the GK was our back up and that shouldn't excuse his errors. But I think that ref should've at least given us a chance to build a wall for that indirect free kick.

 

[trademark0013]

Idk the rules too well, but when there's that much time between the penalty and the free kick, shouldnt a wall be automatic?

 

[~N9NE~]

1. Fabianski shouldn't have picked it up in the first place.

2. Fabianski shouldn't have given the ball to the ref, he should have held on it until Arsenal, allowing the defenders to have time to set up a wall.

3. Campbell should have stood in front of the ball and stopped the free kick being taken, instead of holding his hips.

4. The other Arsenal defenders shouldn't have been doing anything but instead running to defend.

5. The ref shouldn't have got in Campbell's way.

6. The ref should have allowed Arsenal time to defend in such situations. It's not a quick free kick near the centre circle, it's in the **** penalty box.

7. The ref shouldn't have given the ball to Porto.

8. Man United - Milan isn't necessary all over. Milan just have to beat them by two. Not impossible...

9. Liverpool played like **** yesterday.

 

[Marauder]

Arsenal need a freaking keeper. Almunia and Fabianski are useless. Mannone is ok but he hasn't really been put to the test as of yet. I'd wanna buy Neuer, Lloris or Akinfeev but knowing Wenger....

You make some good points. The officiating was poor but I guess Arsenal called it upon themselves. They weren't cohesive in the least during the match. Oh well at least we have an away goal to take back to the Emirates.

Winning by two goals @ Old Trafford isn't exactly an easy task lol. Not impossible but still quite daunting.

At least your Liverpool team won :/

 

[Rici]

Well, I WAS rooting for Ajax, even though I never expected them to win it. I couldn't watch the game because I had to work, but from what I understand, Ajax was actually better than Juventus most of the time.

 

[Marauder]

If only Juve could win ugly in the Serie A

 

[Dre89]

Ok this isn't really about UEFA, but I remember someone said something about making this a general discussion thread for football(soccer) so here goes-

In professional football teams generally play a flat back four. In Australia, when amateur level teams play a back four, they always use the sweeper stopper formation.

I was wondering if amateur teams in other countries did this too, because frankly I think this is the worst defensive formation and teams only get away with it because amateur strikers aren't smart enough to exploit it.

Discuss.

 

[trademark0013]

I wish i knew how to change the name of this thread or I def would.
Dre, idk enuff about football to comment on that
i'll look it up tmrw/later today

 

[~N9NE~]

Click edit in the first post, then you can change the title.

Dre what's better than the flat back four? Nearly every team I can think of operates with a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3. The flat back four allows for the full backs to get involved in attacking play adding two more players to the attack. Provides suitable cover across the pitch. Allows centre backs to dictate play....

 

[Dre89]

Click edit in the first post, then you can change the title.

Dre what's better than the flat back four? Nearly every team I can think of operates with a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3. The flat back four allows for the full backs to get involved in attacking play adding two more players to the attack. Provides suitable cover across the pitch. Allows centre backs to dictate play....

No I'm advocating the flat back four.

What I think is bad is a back four with the stopper-sweeper formation, which is mostly used in amateur football.

 

[~N9NE~]

So Man United win the Carling Cup...played better overall, but Vidic should've been sent off.

Chelsea got destroyed at home. Wayne Bridge is a legend.

 

[Fuelbi]

What is this? This is nonesense.

I don't get or care for sports. Its boring watching sweaty guys running around a field when you can just go outside and do it yourself...

 

[Marauder]

What is this? This is nonesense.

I don't get or care for sports. Its boring watching sweaty guys running around a field when you can just go outside and do it yourself...

If you don't like the concept then get out of the thread. No need for animosity.

I'm extremely pleased with the Arsenal victory yesterday. 3 goals for Bendtner is a massive plus. Congratulations to United as well on their Carling Cup triumph and for their victory over Milan.

 

[trademark0013]

both games yesterday were blowouts. happy for MNU

also the game btwn fiorentina and munich was really good. so close.

i still havent figured out how to chagne the name of the thread

 

[Marauder]

Edit the original post you made and you'll see the name of the thread at the top of the editing section. You can make your changes there.

 

[~ Gheb ~]

Glad to see that Real got its ugly *** kicked. Shows that the whole team is worth a lot more than a bunch of expensive individuals. Thanks to France for that.

Can't wait for the Chelsea vs Internationale showdown.

 

[trademark0013]

ok finally got it. thnx. i wasnt hitting "go advanced" b4

 

[~N9NE~]

Liverpool... smh.

 

[trademark0013]

i thought they won 1-0

 

[~N9NE~]

Lost to Wigan 1-0 on Monday in the Premiership, and lost to Lille 1-0 in the Europa League on Thursday.

 

[trademark0013]

ouch. bad week for the reds

 

[Marauder]

Meanwhile in London...

Its been a great week for Arsenal

 

[Tamoo]

Hmm, a lotta prem talk, which of u guys live in the UK?

I support newcastle myself, and woulda won 800 quid today in the accumulator if they coulda just done their thing gainst middlesborough today

And hoping for a lyon win in the euros haha, my first european melee tournament was there so kinda got an affection for the place

 

[Mota]

Woot World Cup, can't wait.

 

[~N9NE~]

I'm from London.

''Wait why do you support Liverpool?''

Entire immediate family do. Just tradition.

 

[Marauder]

Nothing wrong with supporting Liverpool. Even though they've been bad this season, they're still one of the four biggest clubs in England. They deserve a little respect.

And I live in Jamaica.

 

[~N9NE~]

Mourinho >>>

 

[Marauder]

Mourinho >>>

Still undefeated at the Bridge lololololol

 

[~N9NE~]

What a result for Fulham beating Juventus 4-1 having trailed 3-1 from the first leg.

 

[~N9NE~]

Apologies for double post but

Arsenal vs Barcelona.

****