Champions League draw: It’s Lyon
By: Isaiah | December 19th, 2008
So it’s official: Us vs. Benzema. Err, something like that. Me vs. Inara. I relish the challenge of taking on such a worthy competitor.
It’s not going to be a cakewalk because it never is and my anxiety will heighten until the day of the first game (February 24) and maybe through the second leg (March 11).* Color me nervous, sure, whatever. There are no gimmes at this stage (except Liverpool’s draw — zing!) and not taking a team as talented as Lyon seriously would be a huge mistake. I know we match up well against them (from our perspective we match up well, anyway), but that doesn’t mean they can’t give us trouble.
Obviously, much more when its preview time. For now, if you’re in the US, enjoy your ice and snow storms. I’m just hoping not to get stuck at work with a layer of ice on the roads since I work at the top of a big hill. Nice.
—–
*That we’ll be playing on Feb 24 probably means the Espanyol game scheduled for Sun Feb 22 will be moved to Sat Feb 21. Depending on Copa del Rey matches (and whether or not we get beyond Atleti in the round of 16 there) we could see some other league games shifted between Saturday and Sunday.
Category: 
Subscribe
|
Print
|
Share
      |
Comments
-
I’m starting to think more and more that this will be our year…
Posted from
United States
-
the second part of the henry interview is up, as good as the 1st
http://fcbtransfers.blogspot.com/2008/12/henry-i-find-peace-in-guadeloupe.htmlPosted from
Switzerland -
the only thing i worry about is maybe Lyon is less of a motivating force than the other potential opponents would have been. juninho is a wild card.
but better to put this on the back burner – we wont play for two months!
Posted from
United States -
I believe (not know) that some fixtures are as good as decided;
FC Barcelona beat Olympique Lyonnais
Villarreal beat Panathinaikos
Bayern Munich beat Sporting
Atlético Madrid beat Porto
Liverpool whoop Real Madrid’s assthe following may be slightly more unpredictable;
Arsenal v Roma
Roma and Arsenal are both inconsistant. on paper the naive might pick arsenal right away, but lets not forget that Totti is, well, Totti. Im almost counting on a 0-0 at the Stadio Olympico. So it will all come down to the match at the Emirates, which i think Roma have just as much a chance at winning as Arsenal do.
Chelsea FC v Juventus
I dont see Chelsea scoring too many here. They have more centermidfielders than they know what to do with, but no one who can put the chances away (remind anyone of ‘07′08Barca?) I think anelka sucks BTW. I predict set pieces will be important. DelPi and Deco (no not lampard!) are always threats, and in corners both squads have some massive players.
Inter v ManU
I really hope that Inter win. I personally would throw Adriano beside Ibra, as his size and pace can disgruntle Ferdinand and Vidic enough to give Ibra that little bit of room he needs. Oh and if we can count on two things is that 1) Materazzi LOVES to make disgusting tackles and get red cards 2) CRonaldo loves to lay on the floor. I hope both facilitate their desires.
Posted from
United States -
I don’t think any OL fan would dispute the fact that Lyon’s prospects look dim, so I’m just going to hope we make things as difficult as possible for you guys, and maybe, just maybe, Juninho might perform a miracle.
Barca was the team I wanted to avoid the most though.
Posted from
United States -
Does anyone think goal.com is lame, i mean look at the headline in which messi talks about lyon.
http://www.goal.com/en/teams/spain/125/barcelona-news
Posted from
Germany -
talk about bad puns…
and Inara…the last team we met you guys..the match in Lyon was pretty tough though the fixture at the Camp Nou was a cakewalk…
i remember Henry scoring in that one…Posted from
India -
And just to point out isaiah, league matches are not scheduled until about 10 days before the match. The sunday u see is just the default date for matches not yet scheduled.
Posted from
United States -
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Porto steal it from Atletico. I mean, it’s Atletico after all. They go out of their way to fail when it counts. And I also doubt Villarreal is a shew-win. Villarreal have a knack for the spectacular. Big wins, Big losses. We’ll see which they opt for.
The only matches I think are already reasonably decided are Bayern and Barcelona. I’m tempted (as much as it pains me) to add Liverpool to that list, but since they’re currently competing for the Premiership title, I doubt if they’ll be as potent as usual in the CL.
Following up on a comment I made in the last post, I’m growing more cynical about the Primera’s strength as a league. I’m usually a stalwart defender of La Liga being the highest level of competition in the world, but my faith’s beginning to ebb. I’m still hoping Isaiah works his stat-magic and does a break down of the top leagues one we reach the halfway mark.
Posted from
United States -
I am so conflicted. Lyon is by far my favorite club, Henry my favorite player. I detest the rest of the barca squad (except Abidal, former Lyonnais). I want lyon to win but Henry to put in two man of the match preformances. Jason, you don’t know what you’re talking about.
Posted from
United States -
“Detest” is a pretty strong word, Aaron.
But look on the up side. Your lads are a couple of Juninho free kicks at the Camp Nou away from maybe stealing the tie.
We have two months. I think the matches are going to be good, unless Steamroller Barca shows up. Then, my the gods be with Lyon.
I would also expect some mojo from Benzema, Inara. The fundamental problem, however, for you all and everyone else is….wait for it….
Here it comes….
YAYA!
Can’t wait. France is my international side, but Barca is my club side, and my heart, beating under the bronze club crest that fledgling socis get.
Posted from
United States -
Kevin, if the gods are with Lyon, does that include the Chocolate God?
Posted from
United States -
No. The Chocolate God is with Barca. But it always is.
Posted from
United States -
Lyon drew Barcelona, clear example that the soccer Gods are not watching over them.
Posted from
United States -
The dynamics/confidence levels/playing styles of teams can change big time in two months time.. so making predictions right now is probably not a good idea
Posted from
United States -
Hey Aaron;
in response to your quote: “Jason, you don’t know what you’re talking about”
i do believe i put a disclaimer at the begining of my post that said “I believe (not know)”, i actually cannot think of a combination of words in english to verbalize that any clearer.
or you can point out which part specifically you didnt agree with, so that i may inform you why i feel that way, and an intelligent argument can arise, and reson prevail.
or you can continue in your appearant pattern of jackassery. Now i hope we slaughter Lyon, and that Henry stay on the bench cuz iniesta is by far better than he is.
(sorry Henry, i didnt mean to offend you, you were collateral damage here)
Posted from
United States
Comments are closed
Home 
