23/24 Champions League.

[eagleboy]

Group F looks to me the toughest group.

Group A: Bayern Munich, Man Utd, Copenhagen, Galatasaray
Group B: Sevilla, Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven, Lens
Group C: Napoli, Real Madrid, Braga, Union Berlin
Group D: Benfica, Inter Milan, Salzburg, Real Sociedad
Group E: Feynoord, Atletico Madrid, Lazio, Celtic
Group F: PSG, Borussia Dortmund, Milan, Newcastle
Group G: Man City, RB Leipzig, Crvena zvezda, Young Boys
Group H: Barcelona, Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Antwerp

[predrag]

The Magpies are in a shockingly strong group ,not playing in Champions League for around 20 years will make it extremely hard.

[thebeautifulgame]

The Magpies are in a shockingly strong group ,not playing in Champions League for around 20 years will make it extremely hard.

Yes, very tough for them- they spent a net 221 MILLION UK POUNDS last year on players! They are in with the big boys so it should be tough. Have a thought for the clubs with lesser money, can't think of many clubs that have got more financial clout at the minute- perhaps a few but not that many.

Personally, I like to see the big clubs with 'loads of money' fall flat on their faces and the underdogs punch above their weight.
IMO, in general the money is ruining the game, not enhancing it.

[N5 1BH]

You do get the irony of posting that knowing celtic only qualify every year because of their vast wealth relative to the other clubs in the SPL

[Nice One Cyril]

You do get the irony of posting that knowing celtic only qualify every year because of their vast wealth relative to the other clubs in the SPL

You could have just said "whoosh".

[thebeautifulgame]

You do get the irony of posting that knowing celtic only qualify every year because of their vast wealth relative to the other clubs in the SPL

I agree 100% - it's not irony, it's just the facts. Celtic have a monopoly in Scotland and that's where it ends unfortunately, but I would rather have it that way rather than selling our souls to the devil. ie. sell out to the super rich Americans, Saudis etc. I genuinely want it to be more competitive in Scotland but you can't blame Celtic for that. Celtic know the market they are dealing in and the model works well- buying young players with promise, nurturing them and selling on for a large profit.

The major gripe with my club is that they are very good at publishing how much money they have generated but continue to sell their fans short in Europe by dealing in the bargain basement regarding transfers. That said if I was a seasoned professional of any standing the last place I would wish to spend a large chunk of my career would be in 'sunny' Scotland. The people are great and there are some fantastic things to do and see but the weather is rather uninspiring- much like Celtic's woeful record in the Champions League.

[homer]

Surely Ten Haag close to the door

[eagleboy]

Surely Ten Haag close to the door

Loosing at home to a side like that.

[Nice One Cyril]

How did the Goons get on?

[Mentality Monster]

Super result for NUFC, considering some of the players are local lads, and "left over" from the Bruce era.
Can't argue with the job Howe and the new owners are doing.
Going to be scary what they can do in the transfer market, once the Adidas deal kicks in next season, and the revenue income, allows far more spending - especially if they make the UCL again.

[ozzie owl]

Dortmund fans holding up a banner, throwing fake gold bars and money while also singing anti-UEFA chants against reforms due to take place in the Champions League next season.

[thebeautifulgame]

Dortmund fans holding up a banner, throwing fake gold bars and money while also singing anti-UEFA chants against reforms due to take place in the Champions League next season.

Well done the Dortmund fans- more need to protest about the current state of play.
The dark side of Capitalism (greed and corruption) raises its ugly head once more! UEFA are the kings, the players are the princes and the fans are the paupers.
No surprises there.

[Yellow Fever]

Pfft. Dortmund shouldn't be playing in it this season.

[Fountains Of Wayne]

How did manchester united go? Asking for a friend.

[eagleboy]

Round of 16 fixtures First leg Second leg
Porto vs. Arsenal Feb. 21 March 12
Napoli vs. Barcelona Feb. 21 March 12
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Real Sociedad Feb. 14 March 5
Inter vs. Atletico Madrid Feb. 20 March 13
PSV vs. Borussia Dortmund Feb. 20 March 13
Lazio vs. Bayern Munich Feb. 14 March 5
Copenhagen vs. Manchester City Feb. 13 March 6
RB Leipzig vs. Real Madrid Feb. 13 March 6

[Miyuki]

It's actually København.

[eagleboy]

Normally in a Arsenal VFC Bayern match I would pick Bayern but at the moment Bayern has fallen off a cliff.
Arsenal will win well and go through. Madrid and City should be a ripping contest. The other 2 matches tomorrow are just sideshows.
The CL winner will come from Real, City or Arsenal. Real for me.

[haywood djablowme]

Absolute BS last minute decision this morning. Clear as day pen not given

[Nice One Cyril]

Absolute BS last minute decision this morning. Clear as day pen not given

Never a pen in a million years, Saka clearly seeks the contact, throws his right leg out and dives, if anything he should have been booked for simulation.

The clearest pen not given was for Gabriel's handball in the box. Would have been cheap, but handball is handball.

Goons were very lucky to escape with a draw.

[haywood djablowme]

Absolute BS last minute decision this morning. Clear as day pen not given

Never a pen in a million years, Saka clearly seeks the contact, throws his right leg out and dives, if anything he should have been booked for simulation.

The clearest pen not given was for Gabriel's handball in the box. Would have been cheap, but handball is handball.

Goons were very lucky to escape with a draw.

Harry / Salah have made their career out of the exact same action! Don't hide behind Harry now Cyril.

Bayern are a very experienced side playing at that level, we matched them throughout. Great learning experience for our lads.

Lucky to escape you say.. two shots on target two goals for Bayern. Both of those from defensive mistakes.. what Raya was doing?? Who knows!

[Nice One Cyril]

Absolute BS last minute decision this morning. Clear as day pen not given

Never a pen in a million years, Saka clearly seeks the contact, throws his right leg out and dives, if anything he should have been booked for simulation.

The clearest pen not given was for Gabriel's handball in the box. Would have been cheap, but handball is handball.

Goons were very lucky to escape with a draw.

Harry / Salah have made their career out of the exact same action! Don't hide behind Harry now Cyril.

Bayern are a very experienced side playing at that level, we matched them throughout. Great learning experience for our lads.

Lucky to escape you say.. two shots on target two goals for Bayern. Both of those from defensive mistakes.. what Raya was doing?? Who knows!

I notice you glossed over Gabriel's handball without comment A mistake for sure, but the whistle had gone and as soon as someone kicks or throws the ball (Raya) it's technically in play.

[haywood djablowme]

You also glanced over the elbow from Harry on Gabriel & you forgot to mention that if Saka stayed on his feet after Neuer making contact with him, he would have passed the ball in to the back of an empty net.

26secs it took VAR to make that decision, laughable!!

[Nice One Cyril]

You also glanced over the elbow from Harry on Gabriel & you forgot to mention that if Saka stayed on his feet after Neuer making contact with him, he would have passed the ball in to the back of an empty net.

26secs it took VAR to make that decision, laughable!!

Harry put his arm out to protect himself because he knows how dirty Gabriel is. His elbow never went above his armpit so unless Harry is 7ft tall, who knows why Gabriel ducked into it, probably on purpose to try and get him sent off.

I will be cheering for Saka come the Euros, but that was out and out cheating and he should have been booked, he kicked Neuer, not the other way around.

You can see the Goons are under pressure and about to choke, they're resorting to the underhand tactics I'd expect from the Woolwich Wanderers.