Looking like we are gonna get a hard group! Worst could be Madrid, Dortmund & inter Milan. Let’s hope we have a bit of luck on our side
That Pot 3 has plenty of big names in it. Suppose whatever we end up in will be "the group of death", although personally I think one of the worst case scenarios could be ending in a group with Shakhtar Donetsk, Lokomotiv Moscow, and Viktoria Plzen or Red Star Belgrade. Lads would be in snow for half the campaign.
Travel and weather obviously not ideal but we qualify easy out of that group. I would happily take the first 2 teams and then anyone in pool 3 apart from probably inter
I'm not sure if the rules have changed but can only assume that Russian and Ukrainian teams are still kept apart.
It's a mad rule that, what happens should they both reach the semis or final? If it's safe to take place in a semi final it should be safe at any stage or vice versa.
Yeah they were for the qualifiers anyway with Dynamo Kiev and Spartak put on different tracks that meant they couldn't meet, so it will certainly be the case for the groups. Definitely want Locomotiv. Want to avoid Roma after the trouble outside Anfield earlier this year and really don't want any Spanish team.
Strangely the team that I would most like to avoid in the top pool is Athletico, they're so bloody hard to play against and obviously have a lot of quality too, I'd rather Real again than them to be honest. There obvious best team to get is Lokomotiv but after that they'll all be very difficult games, they won't be thankful of getting us as a round 3 pick. I think no matter what way the group pans out because we'll be going in as a round 3 team it's going to be a tough group for all involved.
I would love Real again. They are a team in flux, we owe them one and, imo, we can take them. Can we draw a UK team? If so, i would rather avoid City & Spurs. I think Ed is on the money. For me Athleti are the team to avoid at this point. Other than that, I wouldn't be afraid of anyone and, as I say, I'd love a pop at Madrid.
Cheers Lionel, That limits the draw considerably. My uninformed analysis is as follows!! Pot 1: I'd prefer to avoid Athleti & possible Barca. Other than that, bring it on! Would love Real or PSG - make a statement!! There is no-one in Pot 2 that I would fear. If pushed, go for Benfica or Porto. Pot 3: Us. Pot 4: Prefer to avoid Galatasary for logistical reasons. I would be quite sure that all of the teams in Pots 1 & 2 will be nervous when Pot 3 is drawn and will be very keen to avoid us. Group of death? To use the Breaking Bad quote, "We are the ones who knock"!!!
I'd love to get Munich from Pot 1. Really want a trip there. From Pot 2 hope we get one of the Portuguese teams. From Pot 4 Brugge would be ideal from a travel perspective. Anybody know when exactly the fixtures will be announced? Want to get on booking flights to Munich ASAP!
Ideal Scenario Probably 1. Moscow. 1. Ath Madrid 2. Napoli. 2. Dortmund 3. Brugge. 3. Inter Anyway can’t wait for champions league nites! Does a group from IK usually travel to all matches?
Did 3 mock ups using that link from Rocco. Got us in with Juve and Dortmund every time! On the up side I got Utd in with Barca, Schalke and Inter.