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So what happens if Fenerbahce get kicked from the competition due to their suspension that will be negotiated later on?

bursaspor goes to champions league

El Turco wrote:bursaspor goes to champions league

But that would be kinda unfair for Salzburg?

not really, they had their shot. while bursa would've been an easier opponent for them, it is no guarantee they would've advanced in that case either.

i think idea is to keep country allocations in tact, uefa's plan was to replace fenerbahce with bursa from get go.

Paços de Ferreira will be probably destroyed.

Milan, Arsenal, Zenit, Lyon or Schalke

Arsenal-Fener, Milan-PSV...those sound like group stage games.

Lyon - Real Sociedad looks interesting as well

Last minute : Fenerbahce made an offer to loan Drogba for 2 games.

arsenal still should go through but this was the worst possible draw, weird things can happen in istanbul

Not a fan of drawing Kharkiv either, they're a tough side and that's a very long trip. Hopefully this year germany's #4 does better in their tangle with a Ukrainian side as Gladbach's naivety cost them dearly at this stage last year. Schalke haven't been really great this preseason either so they're not coming in with too much form, although there is still almost two weeks for them to find that form and make their last summer signing. Gunna wish them luck cause I'm still very nervous about them Schalke'ing their way out of the CL.

Fenerbahce would be a tough draw for Arsenal had they been on full power but I think they'll only be around 50-60% of their potential.

cgf wrote:Not a fan of drawing Kharkiv either, they're a tough side and that's a very long trip. Hopefully this year germany's #4 does better in their tangle with a Ukrainian side as Gladbach's naivety cost them dearly at this stage last year. Schalke haven't been really great this preseason either so they're not coming in with too much form, although there is still almost two weeks for them to find that form and make their last summer signing. Gunna wish them luck cause I'm still very nervous about them Schalke'ing their way out of the CL.

Kharkiv and Zenit have the advantage that they play for a month now. They'll be much closer to good form than Schalke or Pacos (although they probably don't have a chance anyway).

It is a very tough and unfortunate draw for Schalke. If we were 2 months into the season they probably advance in this matchup relatively easy but not with only 2 Bundesliga games played or so.

I don't like the current system anyway. Half of the teams coming through the champions route suck whereas some really good teams will miss out on the league route.

Foye wrote:

cgf wrote:Not a fan of drawing Kharkiv either, they're a tough side and that's a very long trip. Hopefully this year germany's #4 does better in their tangle with a Ukrainian side as Gladbach's naivety cost them dearly at this stage last year. Schalke haven't been really great this preseason either so they're not coming in with too much form, although there is still almost two weeks for them to find that form and make their last summer signing. Gunna wish them luck cause I'm still very nervous about them Schalke'ing their way out of the CL.

Kharkiv and Zenit have the advantage that they play for a month now. They'll be much closer to good form than Schalke or Pacos (although they probably don't have a chance anyway).

It is a very tough and unfortunate draw for Schalke. If we were 2 months into the season they probably advance in this matchup relatively easy but not with only 2 Bundesliga games played or so.

I don't like the current system anyway. Half of the teams coming through the champions route suck whereas some really good teams will miss out on the league route.

Meh, I like that they reward champions of lower leagues for being champions in the champions league. Sure some worse teams get in that way, but that's ok by me. Schalke will need to take their chances and not be wasteful like BMG where with Kiev, fortunately I trust Hunter, Draxler, Farfan and Szalai off the bench to take their chances much more than I did gladbach's attackers. Should be a good test and help Schalke focus themselves early this season.

Kharkiv eliminated from Europe due to manipulation...seems like Schalke will play Saloniki then.

I'm not sure if that makes Schalke more or less likely to advance :-/

Anyone think PSG can make a good run this year?

Next Coming wrote:Anyone think PSG can make a good run this year?

Semi final is definitely.possible...they have talent on both ends off the pitch....just a matter.how they grow together as a team. I dont think they are ready to win it all, though.

Foye wrote:

Next Coming wrote:Anyone think PSG can make a good run this year?

Semi final is definitely.possible...they have talent on both ends off the pitch....just a matter.how they grow together as a team. I dont think they are ready to win it all, though.

I thought they outplayed Barca during their tie last year but Messi was hobbled I think. Too young to win it all with Marquinhos, Digne, Verrati, Moura still pups but I think they can make a go at it.

Next Coming wrote:

Foye wrote:

Next Coming wrote:Anyone think PSG can make a good run this year?

Semi final is definitely.possible...they have talent on both ends off the pitch....just a matter.how they grow together as a team. I dont think they are ready to win it all, though.

I thought they outplayed Barca during their tie last year but Messi was hobbled I think. Too young to win it all with Marquinhos, Digne, Verrati, Moura still pups but I think they can make a go at it.

It is not entirely impossible that they make the final but there are completely different animals out there. Bayern, Real and Barcelona with a healthy Messi + a squad motivated to make up for last years disastrous loss to Bayern.

I would say PSG is still a season or two away from being an absolute favourite.