Official FIFA Football thread

Arsenal advanced to the FA cup semifinals with a 1-0 win over Bolton today.

Let's see how Man Utd does...

....Man Utd Whooped Southamptons ass! It could be a tasty final between Man U and Arsenal, bearing in mind its the only thing each have realistic hopes of winning!

I am still holding out hopes of a Chelsea collapse in the EPL.

You and many other people Luther, i just cant see it happening though, they are too far ahead. I think the gap will close a little bit from now to the end, remember Chelsea have yet to play Man U at Old Trafford, and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, but those games look like the only ones in which a loss looks even remotely possible.

How about Diego Forlan? A failure at Manchester United the past three seasons, the Uruguayian now has 17 goals for Villareal in Spain this season, 2nd most behind only Barcelona's Eto'o. I always knew he was a good striker, I guess all he needed was a change of scenery,

Yeah, sometimes players, particularly South Americans find it difficult to adapt in Britain, but find it easier in Europe. Its probably a combination of many things, more Spanish or Portuguese speakers, similair cultures and interests, etc. It was clear Forlan always had the potential, he just never really got a long run in the team to show what he can do. He is getting a game every week now at Villareal and is banging them in! Good for him, and if Villareal continue their form till the end of the season, they could sneak a Champions league spot.
As for the league in Spain, its all but over with Real losing at Getafe last night!

Champions League Draw!

The first legs of the quarter finals ties will be played on April 5 and 6, with the returns a week later on April 12 and 13.

Quarter final draw:
Liverpool v Juventus
Milan v Inter
Lyon v PSV
Chelsea v Bayern Munich

The semi-finals will take place on April 26 and 27, with the second legs on May 3 and 4.

Semi-final draw:
Chelsea/Bayern v Liverpool/Juventus
Milan/Inter v Lyon/PSV


A nice draw for my Dark Horses Lyon! Dont count them out!

A safe prediction would be a Chelsea V Milan Final.

I am disappointed with this draw.

Chelsea will have an easy time with Bayern as compared to Barcelona. I was hoping that they drew Juventus.

I was hoping that Liverpool got an "easy" draw against Lyon or PSV, but they got Juventus, of all teams.

The Milan derby should be exciting. The same thing happened in the CL two years ago, when AC and Inter met in the semifinals. AC Milan always wins these derbies.

PSV and Lyon, the two worst teams left in the competition get drawn against each other, how lucky. One of them gets a pass to the semifinals.

Your right that AC usually pull through in the Milan derby, but Inter are way overdue a good result against them so i can see them maybe sneaking through.

I dont think Bayern will be push overs for Chelsea, but yeah, i think Chelsea will advance.

I would say Juventus was probably the hardest opponent for Liverpool to get(By the way, are you a Liverpool fan Luther?). They are rock steady at the back, and all over the pitch. I think it will be too hard for Liverpool, and Juve will progress(Bye-Bye Gerrard when this happens)

I think Lyon will go through in the other tie and on to the semis... dont rule them out

I like Liverpool, as well as Manchester United and Arsenal. Have to believe, I know. If Liverpool beats Everton this weekend they will only be 4 points back for the last CL spot. If that happens, Gerrard probably has a 25% chance of staying. I really think he should stay. Benitez is a great manager in my opinion and Liverpool are definitely going to be improving over the next 5 years.


I hope Newcastle wins the UEFA Cup. Shearer deserves to go out with a title. It has been a long enough wait for him and Newcastle.

Yeah, i hope Newcastle win something too. They drew Sporting Lisbon in the next round of the UEFA cup, probably the other best team left in the compitition. I think if they can get past them they will have a great chance of winning! And they are only 2 games away from winning the F.A. Cup too.

As for Gerrard, i think it was going to need to be this season that would convince him to stay, not plans for future seasons. Im pretty sure he will leave, just not very sure where he will go. If he makes himself available of course Chelsea will enquire, but im sure Man United will dive in with an offer for him too! He would probably get more money at Chelsea, but Man United have the historical appeal, and the appeal of playing in front of 70,000 every week.

Essien is still better, younger, and probably cheaper. Forza Lyons!!!!

Yeah, maybe true. But I think Alex Ferguson may be a little hesitant to buy another foreign player for the middle of his midfield, He thought he had great players in Veron, Djembe-Djembe and Kleberson, neither delivered. If he goes for Gerrard he knows Exactly what he is getting! I do believe Essien would be a success though, and he seems very keen on moving to Man Utd.

beckham has finally said a summer move is a possiblility..what do you think his choices are? do you really think the rumors were true a while back about newcastle being his top choice and if so think that could make shearer rethink it and stay another year (only if he doesn't win silverware this year or else hes gone no matter what).
i can't imagine beckham going somewhere like chelsea and having to fight for his place in the squad

Milan's ferocious midfielder Gennero Gattuso recently said that he dreams of playing for Manchester United. His game does not have as many dimensions as Keane or Gerrard, but he is the absolute best at what he does. He could definitely fill the hole left by Keane.

He can't see Gerrard ever playing for Manchester United. Liverpool to Manchester United, can you imagine the kind of death threats he would get?

I don't think adding David Beckham really increases Newcastle's chances of winning a trophy that much. This is Newcastle's best chance - the UEFA Cup. If they can't beat the mediocre teams left in the competition then they don't really deserve a trophy. They still have an outside shot at the FA Cup, but they will have to beat Arsenal and Manchester United.

Liverpool to Man Utd would not please many Liverpool fans for sure. But such moves have happened before and will continue to happed. Denis Law was and is a Man Utd legend, even though he played for Man City towards the end of his career and scored a goal to relegate Utd. If it did happen, there would be anger at first, but it would die down quick enough. However, i cant see him going to Man Utd.

As for Gattuso, he would be a great buy! A similar player to Makalele of Chelsea, like a sweeper playing in front of the defence. Gattuse would be far more likely to move to Man Utd.

free live football over the internet (really!)

in case anyone's not aware of this, the link below (if you have a decent broadband connection) shows live football matches usually all the Premier league ones from the UK:

http://www.freelivefootball.co.uk/

it cost me a $1 or 1 quid to join, I forget which, and at the beginning it wasn't that good, but now they've implemented some upgrades and I've seen Man City v ManUre and Spurs v City live and with a fairly decent 2" x 2" picture on my laptop.

Re: free live football over the internet (really!)

Over the summer I paid to join www.soccerstreams.com to watch Euro 2004, but all of the links as shit now and they never work.

ManUre, Ha Ha Ha! You must be a fan from the blue part of Manchester for sure!

Arsenal and Manchester United won today, but so did Chelsea. They are showing no signs of slowing down.

Liverpool beat Everton today. They are now close enough to overtake them for the last CL spot.

Liverpool played well to win, and were by far the better side. However they had to replace 3 players in the first half through injury, and Luis Garcia had to play on in the second half with an injury too. So Liverpool may be a little short on first team players in the next couple of matches, something they really didnt need. Bolton Wanderers are making a late push for fourth place too, Liverpool play them next.

I hope Liverpool bring in Valencia midfielder Pablo Aimar for next season. He has said that he would like to play for Benitez at Liverpool. Perhaps a player of that quality could give Gerrard reason to stay.

Yeah, Aimar was unhappy earlier in the season as Ranieiri was not playing him. He has been playing well the last couple of weeks though, and played well in Valencias last match. If he is going to be getting games every week for Valencia, it would be hard to convince him to leave. But Benetiz is very well respected, so he could well go.
Liverpool can be a very good side next season, remember Cisse will be back, and is going to a great player, he is Henry-like. Put him up front with Morientes or Baros, and that is a great strike force
They are a bit lacking in midfield, and need another couple defenders maybe, but things are looking bright.