UCL Draw Thread

[Sidzeret 2,257]

Courtois CAN play, here's the UEFA's statement (not sure whether it has been posted or not yet).

www.uefa.org/about-uefa/administration/news/newsid=2088774.html

What the fuck! What about the contract? They have no right to interfere in a contract.

[Strike 6,960]

it's sad that the whole thibaut courtois stuff is making the headlines instead of the semifinal game. hopefully, there is a decision soon on that

[Hutcho 8,443]

In an ideal world Courtois plays. He does really well, but we win.

But this is a very tough game, despite it is probably the best draw we could have hoped for. And i wonder if the people saying it would be wrong for us to not try and enforce the no play (well for money anyway) clause in his contract would still be saying that if it goes to penalties. Because to be perfectly honest i think Courtois > Cech at saving pens.

IMO, its simple. We want the best chance of getting to the final. And regardless of how you rate Courtois and Cech, Courtois is a lot better than their number 2 and we want to try and get as big of an edge as possible. No point looking at this as Courtois being a chelsea player so we should let him play because its fair or whatever as at the end of the day he won't be wearing a chelsea shirt in the semi finals.

But anyway It's looking like its irrelevant as UEFA has stepped in.

[Hutcho 8,443]

Also he shouldn't play because its a major conflict of interest.

And that goes both ways, not just if he makes some crucial saves to put us out. But what if he makes an error in the 92nd min to put us through or something. Talk about the controversy and uproar.

[Toli 977]

Two superstitions clashing in this tie

We are going to win this CL because we are the only English team left and last year's final was in England.

But Atletico too is going to win this CL because last 5 teams that beat Barcelona went on to win the whole thing.

Let's see which one is stronger

It's a good draw just for the fact that the press circus will be tolerable, imagine the hoopla about Mourinho vs Real or Mourinho va Pep? It would have overshadowed everything going on on the pitch. At least with Atletico everyone can concentrate on football itself.

And they can be beaten. They are good in attack - but PSG was good too. But their defense is suspect.

actually, its the opposite. their defense is their strength. godin is awesome, filipe luis ist awesome, juanfran is playing great and miranda is also doing a good job. gabi, koke and thiago also do a very good job and we dont need to talk about Courtois. Futhermore their pressing is incredible.

[Muzchap 8,966]

Here's the UEFA Statement - I have added my comments underneath.

In response to media reports referring to the situation of Club Atlético de Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, UEFA would like to reiterate its position.

ME: Go for it - nothing like grabbing a bit of publicity

The integrity of sporting competition is a fundamental principle for UEFA.

ME: Yeah, pull the other one...

Both the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations contain clear provisions which strictly forbid any club to exert, or attempt to exert, any influence whatsoever over the players that another club may (or may not) field in a match.

ME: Well to enforce that - they would need to be privvy to 'loan' discussions. This statement is ridiculous and basically could be easily challenged by anybody who is fielding a 'loaned' player in a UEFA competition. This is not enforceable - it's jut their rhetoric

It follows that any provision in a private contract between clubs which might function in such a way as to influence who a club fields in a match is null, void and unenforceable so far as UEFA is concerned.

ME: LOL - as far as UEFA is concerned... Meaningless..

Furthermore, any attempt to enforce such a provision would be a clear violation of both the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations and would therefore be sanctioned accordingly.

ME: Really? This is such rubbish - there's no 'existing' provision that they have which applies to this scenario. UEFA are ridiculous - they should just say 'Loaned Players' cannot play against the Loaning Team. What happens if we beat AM - and then they say the GK threw the game - where's the provisions to stop that? This whole scenario is a mess and UEFA are incompetent fucking idiots.

[Ainsley Harriott 2,732]

Fuck, I really didn't want to face them. Hoping for the best but it will be a dog fight.

And surprise surprise, UEFA trying to fuck us

[Amblève. 4,995]

I think you people don't understand... in every jurisdiction there's a private autonomy which allows members of this jurisdiction to freely decide on certain contents of a contract but if these contents (in this case a fee that Atletico apparently would have to pay so that Courtois could play) exceed the autonomy they're simply invalid. If anything it's embarrassing that our board didn't know about this.

[Mohammed Seif 1,451]

Just a question. Seriously what difference will it have on Chelsea if the kid plays or not? Yeah I would love them to pay the price in the agreement for it. But let us assume they can't? What impact with him playing have on our game and chances of advancing to the final?

[Yeboii 1,844]

Just a question. Seriously what difference will it have on Chelsea if the kid plays or not? Yeah I would love them to pay the price in the agreement for it. But let us assume they can't? What impact with him playing have on our game and chances of advancing to the final?

He might pull out one of his wonder saves when we desperately need a goal to go to the final...

[Mohammed Seif 1,451]

He might pull out one of his wonder saves when we desperately need a goal to go to the final...

Sure, he might. But seriously if we can't beat them because of A GOAL KEEPER, we have no chance if we face a team like Bayern who has THE BEST GOAL KEEPER (not to mention the rest of their players). You want to be the best, you beat the best. It is that simple. This is an 11 vs 11 game. I would have more confidence in my team. We just destroyed one of the most expensive teams with talented players. We made the like of Ibra and Cavani look overrated and regular players. We SHOULD be able to score against Courtois or Neuer.

[Roquila 1,335]

Wow, we will be Champions of Europe for the third time in a row..... Chelsea Crisis? Mourinho failed?.....

I actually believe we are going to win it again.

[Azpinator 2,325]

If only it was this easy:

#BringBackKalouda

[Special Juan 27,099]

Course it won't be easy, no team we drew would be, but like I kept saying....away first is huge. They have had a tremendous season in La Liga, DS has got them playing quite a brilliant system by using both pressing and sheer power to overcome even the best teams in the league. But in all this they are facing us, not just us but our mental strength to dig deep and and never give in, lets roll up our sleeves and have this.

Jose will be ready, the lads will be and the fans too.

Courtois or no Courtois, bring on Atletico.

[darrus 422]

actually, its the opposite. their defense is their strength. godin is awesome, filipe luis ist awesome, juanfran is playing great and miranda is also doing a good job. gabi, koke and thiago also do a very good job and we dont need to talk about Courtois. Futhermore their pressing is incredible.

They're looking good in La Liga which is not surprising but in CL they've got found out various times already which is one of the reasons Courtois' playing quality is standing out. They let teams counterattack, they tire quickly if they have to defend constantly (see their last match with Real, the team was almost dead 15 minutes before the end and it cost them points). There were enough matches where Costa and Courtois bailed them out, but even Barcelona managed to constantly get through their defense on Wednesday, and we certainly will be able to do it too.

[communicate 2,703]

They're looking good in La Liga which is not surprising but in CL they've got found out various times already which is one of the reasons Courtois' playing quality is standing out. They let teams counterattack, they tire quickly if they have to defend constantly (see their last match with Real, the team was almost dead 15 minutes before the end and it cost them points). There were enough matches where Costa and Courtois bailed them out, but even Barcelona managed to constantly get through their defense on Wednesday, and we certainly will be able to do it too.

But they should have won against real n barca much sooner. Costa missed easy chances and the same thing against barca, villa missed easy chances.

They are hard nossed team that we don't like playing against, we are much better playing furnish team

[Alan Partridge 1,124]

The lad has to come back to Chelsea at some point, you don't wanna piss off your own player.

He deserves it

[Strike 6,960]

If only it was this easy:

Kalou missed an open-goal as well