2011/2012 UEFA Champions League

[stokeriño]

The most common prediction I've seen from Chelsea fans for the first leg is 2-2. Not sure why.

If Ivanovic is fit (and he apparently is), the line-up of the back five writes itself:

Cech

Bane - Luiz - Terry - Cole

The ex-Benfica players surely have to play...hence Luiz, and hence again Ramires. RDM favours him on the right of attack rather than central midfield, but that's probably more sensible in the 4-2-3-1 formation RDM likes because the two central midfielders have to restrain themselves a bit and Ramires/Rami/Rambo has his strength in running all over the damn place. He's not as effective as he is in a 4-3-3 but he's still needed on the pitch for his energy.

Mikel - Lampard

Ramires - Mata - Sturridge

Torres

Midfield gets a little shiftier but if neither Meireles and Essien are involved in it I should be happy. Perhaps Mikel and Lampard is the most sensible thing. Torres has to start - I can only hope he was rotated against Spurs to ensure that he's fresh for this game. Never quite sure if Sturridge will start under RDM as he might play Malouda instead. And of course, Mata to play 'in the hole'...

[Colly]

Or Ramrez as Newcastles stadium announcer bizarrely called him last season.

[stokeriño]

I usually shorten his name to 'Mires when I'm muttering to myself in the crowd (pronounced Mi-res, obviously). Rami seems to be the one they actually use at the club, but changing my habit is hard...

[Colly]

I tend to say Ramires in a sinister way akin to Clancy Brown talking to Sean Connery in Highlander. That's probably just me mind.

[Adam]

Or Ramrez as Newcastles stadium announcer bizarrely called him last season.

Newcastle's stadium announcer seems to have real problems with names...at the Everton game in November I distinctly heard him describe the Everton centre back as " Phil Jazenelka", whoever he is.

[GoN_]

Is Drogba injured? I hope Torres has a bad night, because Garay is injured and I don't trust our defense right now.

We should play with something like:

Artur

Maxi Pereira - Luisão - Jardel - Emerson

Javi Garcia

Axel Witsel - Pablo Aimar

Gaitan ---------------------- Nolito

Oscar Cardozo

It won't be too different from this except it might be Rodrigo instead of Nolito.

[DavidMarrio]

Anything with a Mick McCarthy gif automatically gets a +1 from me.

I think it'll be a close game but I can see Chelsea sneaking away with a 1-0 win or a 1-1 draw. Benfica certainly aren't pushovers and will give Chelsea some scares but I just think the quality of the Chelsea squad will be too much in the end.

[stokeriño]

Drogba's not injured, no. When I said "Torres has to start", I meant "he had bloody well better".

[GoN_]

Drogba's not injured, no. When I said "Torres has to start", I meant "he had bloody well better".

I just found it odd, because our sports newspapers are also placing Torres in the probable starting eleven.

Well, if you beat us in the aggregate, just beat us 4-0 tonight so our coach just fucking concentrates in the league. The guy just rested some of our most important players last Friday and ended up drawing a relegation team, in one of our worst games this season. I prefer being champion to beating Chelsea now and ending getting squashed by Barcelona in the semis.

[stokeriño]

Actual line-up:

Cech

Ferreira - Luiz - Terry - Cole

Mikel - Meireles

Ramires - Mata - Kalou

Torres

Hmm.

[DavidMarrio]

Madrid best had win 8-0....I wanna win 500 quid.

That or a 7-0 win will do for 200 quid

[GoN_]

Not bad. Except for Emerson.

[GoN_]

Yeh, that was a penalty.

[Dan]

Fucking Madrid.

[Asuka's Gonna Kill You]

Nice from Torres to help put Chelsea a goal up, deserved.

[DavidMarrio]

Just need them to get 3 more and I'll win 15 quid. If they aren't gonna get 3 more I hate them

[GoN_]

Now I can understand why Chelsea are fifth at the EPL. We will not go through but Barcelona will decimate this team.

[Baddar]

According to BBC's stats, Apoel didn't have a shot in the entire game.

[Colly]

One more Madrid goal for 40 quid. Aargh.

[DavidMarrio]

I feel your pain Colly....I had a quid on 4-0 up to 8-0