UCL Draw Thread

[SmileBam 4]

They sound like a bunch of incredibly deluded idiots. Would probably get on quite well with this lot for that reason

Don't believe erything he says,most Staua fans are down to earth.There's no way Jose we could get first place in this group.Third is realistically obtainable and with a very good perfomance,i'll say second is in our grasp.

[Jase 43,479]

Favourable Draw for Chelsea in Champions League

[Barbara 15,149]

a nice summarization of the English clubs' groups.

I understand why they're whining. Moping is for free though

[Jase 43,479]

Have merged the CL group stage draw thread with this one previously used to discuss the Super Cup game. So anything related to Chelsea in Europe, discuss it in here.

24 Sun 13:30 West Ham Utd Chelsea PREM Sky

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26 Tue 7:45 Basel Chelsea UCL

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December 2013

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Date KO Home Team H A Away Team Comp Att/TV Info 1 Sun 16:00 Chelsea Southampton

My question: Is there a chance the game against Southamptoon at home will move??

It has already been changed. Originally to be played on Saturday, now move to Sunday as stated there.

Premier League ‏@premierleague

21h

FIXTURE CHANGE Chelsea v Southampton will now take place on Sunday 1 December, kick-off 1610 BST #CHESOU

[bushman 2,043]

To face those Romanians, it could be a hoot. There is no better fan, than a Romanian one.

High hopes & all. Once the reality sets in, what´s left to say ?

[Jase 43,479]

He won't be cup-tied.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/24032010/58/champions-league-uefa-relax-rules-cup-tied-players.html

Gianni Infantino: "From next season, if a player's club is eliminated and he signs for a new club by the end of the summer transfer window on September 1 he can play for his new club in either competition. If he is not signed by the end of the summer window, he can move in the January window."

Alex, KPB is cup-tied and can't face us for Schalke. This is from that same link you posted.

The executive committee has agreed that a player who appears for a club in any of the preliminary rounds of the Champions League or Europa League can play for another team in the competition proper, so long as his original team is eliminated in the preliminary competition.

He played for Milan in the play-offs and they qualified for the group stage, remember?

[Kish9 50]

Am feeling quite confident we will top the group, i feelsorry for celtic though

[haranr 485]

Have merged the CL group stage draw thread with this one previously used to discuss the Super Cup game. So anything related to Chelsea in Europe, discuss it in here.

It has already been changed. Originally to be played on Saturday, now move to Sunday as stated there.

Ok fantastic! thanks!

[Billy. 2,742]

this is our squad for Europe dunno how true it is

Goalkeepers - Petr Cech, Mark Schwarzer, Jamal Blackman (B list)

Defenders - Branislav Ivanovic, Cesar Azpilicueta, Ashley Cole, Ryan Bertrand, John Terry, David Luiz, Gary Cahill

Midfielders - Ramires, Willian, Oscar, John Obi Mikel, Marco van Ginkel, Kevin De Bruyne, Frank Lampard, Eden Hazard

Forwards - Fernando Torres, Demba Ba, Juan Mata, Andre Schurrle, Samuel Eto'o

Michael Essien was the odd man out, a surprising decision considering the amount that he played for Real Madrid last season. I think most assumed that he'd play a good deal this season, but he hasn't featured for the Blues yet and now won't take part in any of the group stage games.

http://www.weaintgotnohistory.com/2013/9/4/4693294/chelsea-name-champions-league-squad-michael-essien-not-included

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

Champions League roster

Goalkeepers

Petr Cech

Mark Schwarzer

Jamal Blackman

Defenders

Ashley Cole

Brana Ivanovic

John Terry

Gary Cahill

Cesar Azpilicueta

David Luiz

Ryan Bertrand

Midfielders

Ramires

Oscar

Lampard

Van Ginkel

Mikel

Hazard

Willian

DeBruyne

Forwards

Mata

Schurrle

Ba

Torres

Eto'o

No Essien but who do you leave out to get him in?

[The Skipper 20,593]

Solid.

[English Freak 456]

Champions League roster

No Essien but who do you leave out to get him in?

Ba.

[-Kaplan- 410]

What is it with people on this forum underestimating every team, only to come back livid when the result is not a win.

Did everyone forget that Schalke reached the semi-finals in 2011?

Yeah, I think we're a better team, but don't get carried away so much.

[sutro 1,026]

What is it with people on this forum underestimating every team, only to come back livid when the result is not a win.

Did everyone forget that Schalke reached the semi-finals in 2011?

Yeah, I think we're a better team, but don't get carried away so much.

We are not underestimating them, we are just better than them.....

[Jase 43,479]

What is it with people on this forum underestimating every team, only to come back livid when the result is not a win.

Did everyone forget that Schalke reached the semi-finals in 2011?

Yeah, I think we're a better team, but don't get carried away so much.

Don't think anyone is really underestimating the other teams or getting carried away. It's just that we are all happy that we got a kinder group this time after the nightmarish one last season with Juventus and Shakhtar Donetsk. If you look at the pot seedings during the draw, the 3 teams that we got were arguably the weakest in each of those pot as compared to the other teams in it.

However, do agree with the point you are alluding to in not taking them lightly. Think everyone will be aware of the threat they each pose even if they are not the toughest of opponents. Like you said, Schalke after all did reach the semi finals in 2011 and they last season took 4 points off Arsenal in the group, won at the Emirates and finished top ahead of Arsenal. Though it should be pointed out that they now have a different manager at the helm. And Basel too is a trick opponent. Despite that we saw them off nicely last in the Europa League, one should remember they took 4 points off Man United in the group stage. They came from 2-0 down at OT and led 3-2 till the dying minutes and drew 3-3 before beating them 2-1 in Switzerland which knock them out. They also beat Bayern in the same place later on (though got thrashed 7-0 IIRC in Munich) and not forgetting them eliminating Spurs last season in the Europa League too, even though it was on penalties in the end.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

Don't think anyone is really underestimating the other teams or getting carried away. It's just that we are all happy that we got a kinder group this time after the nightmarish one last season with Juventus and Shakhtar Donetsk. If you look at the pot seedings during the draw, the 3 teams that we got were arguably the weakest in each of those pot as compared to the other teams in it.

However, do agree with the point you are alluding to in not taking them lightly. Think everyone will be aware of the threat they each pose even if they are not the toughest of opponents. Like you said, Schalke after all did reach the semi finals in 2011 and they last season took 4 points off Arsenal in the group, won at the Emirates and finished top ahead of Arsenal. Though it should be pointed out that they now have a different manager at the helm. And Basel too is a trick opponent. Despite that we saw them off nicely last in the Europa League, one should remember they took 4 points off Man United in the group stage. They came from 2-0 down at OT and led 3-2 till the dying minutes and drew 3-3 before beating them 2-1 in Switzerland which knock them out. They also beat Bayern in the same place later on (though got thrashed 7-0 IIRC in Munich) and not forgetting them eliminating Spurs last season in the Europa League too, even though it was on penalties in the end.

We can take them lightly because I doubt Jose will. Thats the difference. I have full confidence in the fact that Jose will treat each and every one of these games as though they are the most important fixtures we have... I've never seen Jose take it easy in the Champions League.

[petre.ispirescu 4,928]

Head Coach of Steaua, today: "Este foarte important primul joc, atât pentru club, cât şi pentru moralul jucătorilor. Eu ştiu ce jucători am la îndemână şi sunt sigur că vom reuşi să câştigăm şi în acest fel vom demonstra că suntem o echipă puternică. Asta e mentalitatea pe care trebuie să o ai dacă vrei să câştigi ceva în fotbal. Nu pot să îmi propun locul 2! Cum să îmi propun locul 2? Îmi doresc foarte mult să câştigăm primul loc! Noi plecăm la drum de la ideea că vom câştiga grupa."

"The 1st game is very important (against Schalke), for both club and players morale. I know what kind of players I have at my disposal and I'm sure we will win the three points and we will prove we are a strong team. This is the kind of mentality you have to have if you want to win trophies. I can't think of finishing this group in the 2nd place! How can I think about finishing in the 2nd place? I want the 1st place! Our goal is to finish 1st in this group."

[edetarod 2,155]

Tuesday : Galatasaray- Real Madrid

Wednesday: Napoli-Dortmund

is what i'm going to watch

our group is really boring