So who do we want? Draw coming up today and now it's qtrs, it's starting to get a little serious. Normally I hate having English sides but perhaps getting the toon wouldn't be a bad draw as it would save on travel for the away leg during a very busy fixture list. Other than that, maybe Basel? Not too far to travel and beatable. Is Benfica the toughest draw left now Inter and Zenit have fallen?
I hope we get Basel in the quarters and then you guys in the semis(if we both get there). I think we'll end up getting another tough draw though, Benfica in the quarters maybe.
So Rubin it is. Not a bad draw save for the travel element which is a bitch. Spurs got the best draw and Newcastle the worst. As long as we avoided Benfica and Spurs I was happy. Shame all the other big sides effectively kept apart meaning tough semis if we progress. Presume home leg second as we were drawn out first?? Have to say, nice to just be involved in a european draw. Something United, Liverpool, Arsenal and City can't say.
Rubin Kazan it is. Game will be played in Moscow for the away leg. It's one of the easier ties tbh and if we can say stuff them 3-0 or 4-0 at the Bridge it will be fine.Remember the players will travel first class and it doesn't take too long so they'll be just fine! Spurs also got a nice draw. Newcastle have a top away trip to look forward to. 3 English teams in the semi finals?
Can't say I know much about Kazan but it is always difficult playing out there. Hopefully we can do the business at home first.
I dont know too much about them either, but they've come on a bundle over the last few years in Russia! They must be taken very seriously!
In our last 4 matches against Russian opposition we have won all 4 of them! Won 2 at home and 2 away. Lets hope we keep it up!
I have to say I know very little of Kazan - I imagine they'll probably be tough at home. Need to get a solid start in there and prevent any away goals.
Kazan comfortably beat Atletico who ripped us to pieces, obviously we're different now but don't take them lightly or underestimate them, they're a good team and we have struggled so far in Europa.
Kazan are average enough, they are probably the 4th best Russian side at the moment. Spartak, Anzi and CSKA are all better than them. They have a few quality players and have recently signed M'Villa from Rennes. But we should be beating them.
But Kazan only just scraped past Levante... I hope we do them so we are guaranteed a top away tie in Europe for the semi finals!
They aren't that exciting but are well organized and will be difficult to break down. As shown by then knocking out Atletico they are no mugs.
This. No doubt, fans from those teams will diss the Europa, but I have to say that I'd be well chuffed if we get to the final, and over-joyed if we won it!
In our case it would add the final Euro title to our cabinet, CL,CWCx2 and the Europa. Not too many teams have won all 3 and with the CWC defunct no one but us can now join the elite in winning all 3. (hope to **** that this is our last chance though )
Two European trophies in a row... yes please However, not feeling confident. We have Spurs a few days after playing in Russia too. They're a strong side are Kazan. Salamon Rondon and M'Vila are good. Ex Chelsea player Gokhan Tore also plays for them
Got to admit there are two surprise teams in the Europa quarters - Newcastle who must have one of the best defensive records of the teams left and ........... your team Chelsea for being there when they should have been participating in the CL quarters!! Not sure how happy you are going all the way to Russia for this tie but suspect your fans are happy to avoid running skirmishes with the ultras of Lazio and Fenebache who have the delight of hosting each other and probably make West Ham fans look angelic in comparison. Good luck and I hope one of yourselves or Spurs or Newcastle make it to the final against Benfica. I'm sure the "Old Skool" fans amongst you remember when Benfica ruled the "roost" in Europe.
English clubs do so crap in this competition so it would be great if one out of the three teams can lift it, especially as there is no body left in the cl now. If chelsea get knocked out i will certainly be supporting spurs and newcastle if they progress.
