Schalke are a very good side. Their reputation is just poor. I'd be surprised if they beat Man Utd at Old Trafford (or even scored for that matter), but I'd definitely put money on them to win in Germany.

Agreed. I still think Man U will beat Schalke but I don't think it will be easy.

I wonder when Spurs are going to be bringing out the commerative DVD of their Champions League experience? :D

 

Spurs fans should treasure it, if they don't get Champions League football this season then it will be a long time before they next do. 'National Treasure' Harry looks like he's going to be adding Spurs to the list of clubs he's managed, and then shortly after it's all gone to pot!

I for one am taking Schalke very seriously... they're a dangerous side and we'll have to play even better to get past them...

 

I don't think we're an 'awful side' at all either, we're not the best squad at the moment but we've hit form bang on the right time. The quality is there, it just hasn't shown alot this season for some reason.

Jesus, that Messi total is unbelievable.

 

If Chelsea had come out and played a first half last week like they did tonight, it would have been a completely different story. They ran out of ideas in the end, it would give me great satisfaction to see Mourinho sink United in the final but he'll need to catch Barcelona on at least one off day.

Messi has scored so many because Barca create so many chances. I think any top striker in the world would have 48 goals if they had the same amount of chances as Messi has. The amount of times I've watched a Barcelona game and he's had 7 or 8 chances inside the box, he only ever gets one or two.

It won't be a walk in the park for Man Utd against Schalke. They could upset United

 

Real Madrid v Barcelona what a match that is going to be.

I can't see Schalke beating United at all, personally. Sure, they breezed past Inter Milan - but from what I watched, Inter Milan are really poor right now.

 

Man United, as much as it pains me to ever say anything positive about them, are hitting form at just the right time - and I can't see Schalke being troubling enough personally. However, I think they'll give Manchester United a better game than Chelsea gave them (though judging my Tuesday night, that shouldn't be too difficult).

I can't see Schalke beating United at all, personally. Sure, they breezed past Inter Milan - but from what I watched, Inter Milan are really poor right now.

 

Man United, as much as it pains me to ever say anything positive about them, are hitting form at just the right time - and I can't see Schalke being troubling enough personally. However, I think they'll give Manchester United a better game than Chelsea gave them (though judging my Tuesday night, that shouldn't be too difficult).

 

Am I the only one who thought Chelsea bossed United in the first half? Everyone seems to be claiming it was a dreadful performance, they certainly had a lot of possession.

Am I the only one who thought Chelsea bossed United in the first half? Everyone seems to be claiming it was a dreadful performance, they certainly had a lot of possession.

 

They did. But they never ever looked like scoring. Lampard fluffed a HUGE chance, and Torres was ineffective. Ancelotti/Abhramovic got their tactics wrong. Drogba should have started instead of Torres. Cost them getting back into the game imo. Ancelotti is definitely a dead man walking now.

 

I don't think Inter Milan are that bad a team either. I just don't think Leonardo plays them to their strengths. Their front 4 have absolutely ZERO defensive responsibilites and their midfield is aged. They're not very good at closing teams down. Schalke are a very good team though. I don't know how they are as low in the Bundesliga as they currently are. I'd be suprirsed if they beat Manchester United, but Liverpool were severe underdogs in 2005 and 2007 and look what happened there...

 

I'd enjoy the Barcelona vs Real Madrid match much more if I knew that the winner would not be facing Manchester United. In an ideal world it would eb Schalke vs Real Madrid and Raul scores the winner :D

It seems that the Schalke who turned up tonight are the side that is in mid table in the Bundesliga rather than the side that won 5-2 in Milan and had won all their home games in the Champions League before now.

They've let Giggs and Carrick boss them in midfield all night - they're better than this, but no chance of going through now. Man Utd vs Barca/Real Madrid then.

 

Oh, and Ryan Giggs is a physical freak.

A fairly strong hint from Ferguson tonight that he might be checking whether the deal is done between Bayern Munich and Neuer. If there's any chance of getting him to Old Trafford them Utd would be mad to let it go. The same applies to Arsenal and Chelsea.

Dominated.

 

Neuer really is fantastic though, he was the only difference between a potential 4 or 5-0 scoreline. Would love us to be able to sign him but I can't see it :(

I was very impressed with Neuer in the World Cup last year. He would be a great buy for a top club. After all, he's only 25 so potentially has a good 10 years at the top to come.

Neuer won't leave Germany, no chance. Pretty sure Man Utd have got that Spanish keeper lined up anyway?

Looks like another Man U - Barca final then?? obviously wouldn't write off Schalke or Real Madrid..bring on next week!!

 

I hope Ferguson can bring Neuer to Old Trafford..Would be a brilliant replacement for Van Der Sar..won't happen tho!!

Real Madrid have no chance. I actually thought Mourinho got his tactics spot on, but a team like Real Madrid (at the Bernabau as well) could never play purposely boring football. You could see the frustration in the players, and the crowd, to which Barcelona definitely played up to. If Pepe hadn't of got sent off, then I could of seen them winning 1-0 perhaps, but alas wasn't to happen. Despite that muppet Townsend on ITV it WAS a red card. High challeneg, should have been a red.

 

The game itself was farcical though. They're two both brilliant teams, but they seriously give football a bad name. Rolling about clutching your face when you get shoulder barged - its not on. Barcelona were trying to get Real Madrid players sent off, really don't like to see that. It's not sporting at all. Pedro and Alves definitely the worst culprits, probably rivaling Nani was for the biggest fanny in football. Glad Messi won the game though. Really says something when the best player on the pitch was the one who cheated the least.

 

Man Utd-Barca final though - Man Utd will get destroyed again unless they play the same tactics as Madrid and try and close the midfield down at every ocassion. I think Iniesta will have a field day.

Never thought I'd say this but I really hope Man Utd win it. I can't stand Barca, El Classico is always so hyped up and it's always terrible, especially now Mourinho is there. He's probably the best equipped coach to beat them, but as you said above, it's not a team that can play to those strengths like Inter could last year. Barca have some of the most unlikeable characters in sport; Busquets, Mascherano, and especially Alves.

The thing is, I don't particularly like Barcelona's style of football. What Mourinho did last night was probably the only way you can beat Barcelona. Rarely do they get beaten when a team comes to play football against them. If Fergie sets his team up to play football they'll get highly embarrassed again as that's what Barcelona want. Their whole game is based on the opposition team commiting players to closing them down so there's space for the midfield.

 

Thought Mourinho was a bit of a fanny with his whiney comments. Future Man Utd manager in the making. Wearing Arsene Wenger's tinited glasses last night.

God I f***ing hate the English media. Fergie is keeping players 'refereshed' why Rafa was always 'rotating'. It's a well-known fact players cannot play 40+ games a year or else they get burned out - take Manchester United. Think it's clear that the Man Utd players are feeling the effect of a long season and it's affecting them. Is a good idea to rest the key players tonight (although you'd hope they don't get complacent) as they do have a f***ing huge game coming up at the weekend.

Barcelona vs. Man Utd final then.. Unless Schalke can somehow make a comeback tonight