UEFA Champions League 2003
 

So who's gonna take the cup this year? Real looked strong against United but looked bad in their last 2 games in Spain while United looked very strong. Can Valencia come back? Does Barca have what it takes? How about a surprise win for Juve or Ajax. Will it just be a Milan derby? What do you think. Does anyone else know what I am taling about.

BTW, I say Madrid will go to the final but the result and their opponent is anyone's guess....

United will put up a fight on Wednesday but I have a feeling that Real will win. Inter is shaky against Spanish teams though they did beat Valencia in last year's UEFA cup quarterfinals so I think they can pull it off again. Milan have to win. After a nil-nil drew in Amsterdam they can't let Ajax score. I think it might be yet another 1-0 win for Milan.

But I fear you are right and that Madrid will make it to the final.

Anybody but United.

Good points Darkure and I tend to agree with you, but...

NewflasH! Raúl was just operated on last night for an emergency appendectomy. Now he will be out for about a month, causing him to miss the Man U game as well as the semi-finals (should Real make it that far), kinda makes things a bit more fun. Though Real have depth, I don't feel that anyone brings to the pitch the same skills that Raúl does...

Wow! I just read that elsewhere. I thought you were pulling my leg for a second. That is quite a blow for Real. Everyone talks about Ronaldo because he is Brazilian and he scores a lot for Brazil, but I think that Raul is the better of the two strikers. He is able to get shots in from the craziest of angles (though Figo gets the award for THE craziest for his goal in the first leg) compared to Ronaldo who is more of a straight on striker, in my opinion. I suppose this means Guti will get a start but I don't think he can fill Raul's shoes.

by this time Barca has been out already, losing 1-2 when Juventus came down to 10 men. Inter also advances. I just think maybe 1 Italian club should be in the final.
For today fixture in Old Trafford, I like MU but don't think they can make it.

I sure was wrong. Ronaldo with a hat trick. The first two I attribute to very poor defending. If you watch the second goal Man U just seem to be standing around the penatly box drinking tea not realizing that there is a game going on. But that third strike was fantastic, I must say. A great curving 25 yard drive.

But his performance did not create the victory. Casillas, Real's keeper, had an excellent game. He had one or two brilliant reflex saves that would have turned the tide of the game had they gone in. Sure Manchester did score 4 against him but I think it was a great game for him nonetheless.

I think Real will go on to win it now Although Ac milan would provide one hell of a final.

I can't help thinking that it would be Real again to win the Cup. It is so boring. I still hope for a big surprise coming from Italia.
For the MU-RM match, must say it was one of the best battles ever (one of the other is the Barca-MU draw at 3-3 at Nou Camp in the season that MU won the Triples). Yes, Casilas is just a hero, without his savings at the beginning of the game, MU would have led first and God knows which direction the game would have led to.

What a game! Still I think Real look vulnerable. Hell they gave up 5 goals in 2 games. Not such a good figure considering football is a defensive game. I just worry that Madrid will go 1 goal down to an Italian side who will just sit in their own half and defend. It's anyone's game from here on in...

sure ronaldo's hat trick was impressive.. but its Raul whos gonna take real to the cup.. again..

its getting kinda annoying..

There are 3 Italian clubs in semi-finals, at least one will be in the final. RM's style is not effective when they face Italian style. Maybe there would be an Italian final.

its hard to determine who will win. most of the finalist have looked impressive in the opening stages of the tournament. but now, we see them slip up in various ways such as ac milan dropping 2 against ajax, madrid dropping 5 in 2 games, etc. but i think madrid probably will rise to the occasion and win the title. wonderful matches ahead!

Real up 2-1, not convincing but it will mak it hard for Juventus if they don't score first in the second leg. As for the Milan derby, I don't think I have even seen a more exciting non-scoring game....

I completely agree Great Scott. Juve have to score early to take control of the game. Despite letting in two goals, their defense was pretty good on Tuesday. It was not as porous as ManU's was so they have a chance of holding back a Real onslaught.

Real lack a defence.
Where as all three Italian teams have strong defences.
Juve will be boosted by the fact that they won the league on Saturday.
If they score before Real (doesnt have to be an early goal) I think they'll go through.
Milan will hopefully beat Inter. They did it twice in the league proper.
It'll be tight, I want Milan to win it, I dont like the other 3 teams, but Real were my tip from the start and they'll probably win it.

Juve is now very upbeat and relaxing because they grasped the Scudetto already. I don't wish for an all-Italian final, because that would be a very boring match, but can't help feeling that Juve can make it, just by a 1-0 win over RM.
For the derby of Milans, I just don't want to watch, it was so so so boring.

i want anybody but Real. Personnally my favourite team here is juventus.

The Heart says AC Milan, but the head says Real Madrid.

2-0 Juventus leads... Real have some work to do if they want to get to the final. Come on, Juve!

I think Juventus will now take it. They played good football vs Real. I was glad to see them go through. Of course, I wish it was AC Milan v United at Old Trafford but alas it was not to be.

Hell of a game, I am disappointed, but then Juvetus deserved it. All Italian final, I think Milan will take it.

Juve deserved the win, they played too well, all players were good, esp Nedved (poor him, can't play the final).
BUT, it is so boring that a Champion League final is an all-Italian match.

I have no problems with an all-Italian final. They have proven themselves to be the best teams in the tournament so I expect a good game. There have been boring games in the past few years between teams from other countries. The one that comes to mind is Bayern vs. Valencia in a semi- or quarter- final a few years back, I think. Bayer scored one goal and then packed the box. It was not all that interesting.

And the final I wanted to see never would have happened anyways. It would take several miracles for Lokomotiv Moscow to defeat F.C. Basel in the final. Alas it was not to be.

So, about the final of the year between Juve and AC Milan. Who is gonna go away with the Cup?
I bet Juve.

damn right! better dead than red

anyone with me?

I like Milan to take it all, but Juve has played very well lately...

Ok, finally the Cup has its owner. Either Juve or AC deserved to win the title, and AC who was luckier made it. Actually, AC played a little bit better.
Anyway, congratulations, Milanno!

Yes but I'm a Liverpool fan :(