There is also the small matter of losing one CL place. I'm not sure on the rules here, but does that 4th CL get turned into an EL slot or do the EL slot shuffle one place, thereby making it [slightly - he wrote with characteristic understatement] harder to qualify for. Doing well in the CL pushes that threat away. Btw, I'm sure you know [but just in case you don't] City won 2-1 in the end.
Apparently it's not just about winning the CL: if we have a repeat of last year, when no English (or Italian) club made it to the quarter finals, we will lose that 4th spot. It's all down to the coefficients, made up by the "points" scored by every club representing their country in either the UCL or the Europa League. So it will be partly down to Southampton's dismal showing as well! It's all explained here: http://www.skysports.com/football/n...ampions-league-spot-under-threat-from-serie-a
I don't think we will this year as I can't see Juventus reaching the final again. The problem actually might come in the Italian EL sides outperforming ours.
Some of us old ones will recall the legendary Benfica side of the early 60s when they disposed of Real Madrid as the European Kings. Good to see them topping their group with a 100% record thus far, and to be honest I would much rather Benfica win the tournament than any of the so-called "giants". It won't happen but my dream final would be Manchester City and Benfica.
Half Time: Arsenal 0-0 Bayern Munich Dynamo Kiev 0-0 Chelsea Are any of the English teams going to get out of their groups? I hope so.
He is commentating on the Arsenal vs Bayern game, he talks so much I doubt he even breathes. It got annoying after the first half.
Blimey! Bayer Leverkusen 4-4 Roma. Have the defenders taken the day off? Good one to watch for the neutral.
Would like Arsenal and City to progress, not fussed about Untied and would love Chavs to completely mess up due to their arrogant and plastic fans!! Lovely to go to work in your Southampton office and see the miserable of a Chav supporter who is born and bred in Hampshire and only supports them because he is a glory hunter.
Can you understand him? Apparently he struggles with English....at least that was the excuse he gave to the FA.
What a game that was last night between Arsenal & Bayern, fair play to them for setting up differently and executing it perfectly. Thought Ozil was great seeing as Arsenal fans always accuse him of going missing in big games. Was good to see the 5th official make a decision as well! The first time I've ever seen one do so, how long they been around now ?
think I agree with Shaun from Bristol: Question: Why have English teams begun to struggle so much in Europe? Answer: Loss of British identity (I.e. Foreign managers choosing fewer home grown players resulting in a lack of heart, history and pride. It's blindingly obvious to me. Shaun, Bristol
