**** OFFICIAL Champions League 2007-08 Thread!*****

[gusmahler]

Third Qualifying round starts on the Tuesday, August 14th:

Lazio v. Dnamo Buccuresti
Valencia v. Elfsborg
Rangers v. Crvena Zvezda
Benfica v. Kobenhavn
Sevilla v. AEK
Toulouse v. Liverpool
Sarajevo v. Dynamo Kiev
Fenerbahce v. Anderlecht
Sparta v. Arsenal
Zurich v. Besiktas
BATE v. Steaua
Tampere v. Rosenborg
Sparta Mocow v. Celtic
Bremen v. Dinamo Zagreb
Salzburg v. Shakhtar
Ajax v. Slavia

The second leg is on August 28/29th.

The draw for Group Stage is August 30.

[ledders07]

I'm off to prague on tuesday, none of the british teams are going to struggle to qualify I think

[ThaSaltCracka]

some good matchups there.

Benfica-Copehagen
Sevilla-AEK
Spartak Moscow-Celtic

[JaredL]

Sevilla - AEK is going to be a cracker of a match. The AEK manager used to be the manager of Betis, so he's quite familiar with Sevilla and it will give the Sevilla fans a bit more to cheer for. It's unfortunate as AEK are one of the better sides, but it should be a fun couple of legs.

Another factor is that Sevilla have rejected offers of 32 and 35 million euros for Alves from Chelsea. He's said that Sevilla should consider those offers and that he would love to move to a big club like Chelsea. The Sevilla president said that an "out of market" offer would be required for Sevilla to sell him. He's contracted through 2011. If Sevilla play him he'll be cup tied I believe (I think the qualifying round counts though not 100%) and so we'll find out early on whether they want to keep him for real or are just trying to milk a few million euros out of it. He does have a slight injury but if he doesn't play at least in the second leg I think he's gone and I'll be [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img].

It was similar with Arsenal last year. When Reyes didn't play it was obvious that no matter what Wenger said he was going to at least temporarily go to Real Madrid.

[ThaSaltCracka]

qualifying rounds count, he would be cup tied. Sevilla would be [censored] nuts to sell him, especially at this point. This is a massive season for that club. They finally have a chance to join the big dogs in spain.

If they were going to sell him, they should have done it once the season ended. Now what would all the money get them? new players who haven't had time to settle with a new team.

[JaredL]

I agree TSC.

Thing is if he has another monster season they could probably get 45 million euros for him, maybe more. He has a legit shot at winning the golden ball this year, though he probably won't.

As I said in whatever summer thread, I think this season we'll find out whether Sevilla are going to be a team like Valencia, just behind the big two and every year having a real chance at winning the league, or like Deportivo de la Coruña - a team that had a couple amazing seasons and will fade with team coming back every once in a while.

Sevilla have run ridiculously well on the transfer market for young players. There are a few amazingly talented youth squad players in addition to the guys on the very good, young first team. It's not going to be easy to redo this run so becoming big club is important for the success to continue long term.

I think it'll happen if Sevilla finish top 4 in the league, get past the group stage of the CL and win at least one cup including the two supercups (Supercopa de España first leg starts mañana). On the other hand if Sevilla get bounced by AEK, get thrashed by both Real Madrid and AC Milan, and finish out of the top 4 we will probably see a selloff soon.

[ThaSaltCracka]

A lot of 3rd round qualifiers today, as I type, Pool currently up 1-0.

Adu played yesterday for Benfica.

[liamm1987]

Just back from celtic game!! yaaaassss what a [censored] incredible atmosphere. Mon the ticcccc. BORUC YOU LEGEND!!!

[liamm1987]

Looks like celtic have got one hell of task ahead of them jesus christ! Looking forward for the trips to milan and benfica though. HAIL HAIL!!!

[medgar]

mmm not the easiest draw ever but should be straightforward enough at home vs Roma, Sporting and Kiev. Could see us qualifying with 10 points or so.