If we want to win the CL we need to face Real, Barca, Bayern or Athletico sooner or later. Makes no difference if its in the last 16 or last 8 or the 1/4s or the semi's or the finals......we will meet one or more of them at least.
So does it really matter when ??
For a financial point of view topping the group will give us more of a chance to progress and get more money, BUT as a fan I want to see us play Real, Barca etc even if it seems we will get thrashed....I will still pray and hope we will win the game.....As a fan I say it makes no difference if its the next round or not..........I relish the clashes.....
We played Liverpool, Spurs and Everton in the FA cup last season. They are obviously not in the same league as the Euro Big guns but for the FA cup they are probably 3 of the 6 we would want to avoid (Man C, Chelsea and Man U being the other 3). But we played them and won the tournament.
We played far better against them then we did against Wigan and Hull....
Look at 2006, the teams we played to get to the final were tough, Real Madrid and then Barca in the final......only 13 minutes and an Henry miss kept us from winning the tournament......and that was with 10 men and a makeshift defence.........
I dont care if we finish 2nd....as long as we qualify......
Winning the CL group is not essential
posted on 6/11/14
comment by b10 (U18580)
posted 11 seconds ago
Finishing top of the group is absolutely essential! This has been established ages ago. The last 4 seasons in the champions league have proved that as we always play the finalist or eventual winner.
These big games in February can also be emotionally draining for the players and manager and going out also has a direct impact on domestic results! Us and United in recent years have suffered for those reasons.
At times I think finishing 4th and exiting Europe in the group stages is better for your domestic season than finishing second and having to play the top 3 sides in world football.
What makes it worse this season is there is a real possibility that Liverpool and City won't exit the group stages meaning we are even more likely tower Bayern or Real.
The good thing is Barca will be second meaning at least Chelsea will have a tough draw.
Wouldn't mind Real that much, but I have a sneaky feeling we will finally get PSG
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The lucky buggers would still get drawn against Leverkusen or Benfica no doubt
You can't underestimate how essential it is to have an easier draw in the 2nd round
posted on 6/11/14
The group winners usually win the tournament.
Only us, Porto, Inter, Dortmund and Liverpool as runners up, and Real finished runners up in the second group stage once when they won it.
Make of that what you will.
posted on 6/11/14
Finishing top of the group is absolutely essential! This has been established ages ago. The last 4 seasons in the champions league have proved that as we always play the finalist or eventual winner.
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We topped the group during that period, making your statement null and void.
posted on 6/11/14
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 6/11/14
These big games in February can also be emotionally draining for the players and manager and going out also has a direct impact on domestic results! Us and United in recent years have suffered for those reasons.
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When did we struggle for those reasons?
posted on 6/11/14
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 6/11/14
The season City overcame a 7 point lead with 4 games left to win the league was after you had exited Europe. I can think of other examples but not right now.
posted on 6/11/14
No it didn't. We went out of Europe in March and won our next four games in the league before we played Wigan.
What are the other examples in recent seasons?
posted on 6/11/14
Whoever Arsenal plays, they will get dumped out, as sure as night follows day, so it doesn`t really matter where they finish in the group.
posted on 6/11/14
comment by sandy`s dad (U20025)
posted 49 minutes ago
Whoever Arsenal plays, they will get dumped out, as sure as night follows day, so it doesn`t really matter where they finish in the group.
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Whatever position Spurs get in the league they will always be behind Arsenal, as sure as night follows day, so it doesn`t really matter where they finish in the League.