2013/14 Champions League Qualification

Never a truer word spoken.

 

You are showing your true colours now.

Even Zlatan would worship at the feet of Ghod. He has said as much in the past.

 

It's only fools that think Henrik Larsson wasn't world class, even worse considering you're Swedish yourself.

Zlatan Ibramimovic, at his very best, is unbelievably brilliant. But he is overrated, in the context of comments like 'Never have they been such a great player with such a dazzling technique and speed' which is nonsense. He isn't close to having the ability of the Brazilian Ronaldo or Ronaldinho in his prime. Ibrahimovic is world class, Larsson was world class. Both aren't world class in the highest pedestal - i.e Maradona, Pele, Cruyff and Messi - but both are world class in their own right. You greatly underestimate Larsson's ability. p.s Ibramovic is as "speedy" as a snail on steroids, at best.

 

As an AIK supporter, this is my opinion about Elfsborg and Bangura.

First of all, I'd guess this Swedish_Boy is a 15 year old boy with a quite limited view of football. You shouldn't take him too seriously.

In my opinion the Swedish and the Scottish leagues are on pretty much the same level with the difference that we in Sweden have a bunch of teams pretty much on the same level while you have.. well you guys. Normally you would win a double match against a top team in Sweden at least 9 times out of 10.

Swedish teams have a history of poor results in the European cups during the 21th century with no teams qualifying for CL since Helsingborg did it in 2000. Last year we had a little break through with two teams in the EL group stage though and I think many people in Sweden is hoping for a new better time for Swedish club football. Both AIK and Helsingborg performed pretty well in the group stage against teams like Napoli, Hannover, PSV, Twente and Levante. And to be honest, there's a few more teams in Sweden that could play on the same level, Elfsborg included.

Last season they won the league. I was pretty surprised since Elfsborg often is the team with the most title predictions and the best squad in the league, but still not able to go all the way. Anyway, I doubt they'll win the league this season but they're always up there in the top of the league and they have a bunch of experience from european cup qualifications (even though they mostly fail).

As mentioned before, they have been struggling lately in the league, and especially at home ground which is surprising. But with their latest 7-1 european win in mind I'd guess they are back on their feet.

This Elfsborg fanboy also mentioned Anders Svensson and described him as some kind of swedish star player. It's true that he has been very important for the national team during the past 10 years, but this past year he is no longer seen as a starting player and not always in Elfsborg either. Their manager was not keen giving him a new contract this season and some games he started on the bench, but after a massive (massive if you have Elfsborg in mind) fan storm he changed his mind.

About Bangura. He was taken in on loan this winter for one reason, to get Elfsborg through to the CL group stage (he is considered a */*/Judas for that move in AIK now by the way). The loan cost of nearly £1.000.000 is incredible in swedish football and the expectations on him are huuuge. The main opinion here is that he has not yet lived up to that. Sure, five goals so far this season is decent, but he was never the goal scorer kind of forward during his break through in AIK. He was the one behind most of the goals, involved in the games in a way he hasn't been this season. Also, he has missed a bunch of golden opportunities costing Elfsborg crucial points in the league.

And I still find it a mystery he didn't perform better in Celtic. I watched a couple of games from last seasons EL games with AIK some weeks ago and in more or less every game he was the best player on the field, and that against some pretty good opponents. But apparently every player isn't suitable in every club.

About Elfsborgs fans you shouldn't expect too much. They are a few steps behind Helsingborg, and Helsingborg isn't considered top 5 in Sweden looking at supporters. I'd guess they'll come with ~50 persons to Glasgow.

Anyway, my guess would be that you'll win over two games, but it will be tight. I watched both your games against Helsingborg last year and to be honest they should've won the game in Sweden. And yes, I think Elfsborg this season overall is a better team than Helsingborg where last season. On the other hand, I don't know the status of Celtic today compared to one year ago.

My guess:

Celtic - Elfsborg 2-0
Elfsborg - Celtic 3-1

Oh also... For those of you that are traveling to Sweden for the game. Borås which is the town of Elfsborg is pretty close to Gothenburg. Easiest would be to fly to Gothenburg and find a hotel there. The night life is miles better in Gothenburg than it is in Borås which is a shithole more or less. From Gothenburg you could take a bus to Borås like six times an hour for the cost of £10. One hour more or less.

:Bangura:

Edit: Btw, Majstorovic is currently considered our fifth choice on the CB position. Lousy piece of *.

 

Henrik Larsson not world class? Obviously he and Ibrahimovic were/are both world class. We can disagree about who was better; but if you genuinely think that Larsson wasn't world class, I just lost all respect for your opinion. I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume it was a misunderstanding due to your English.

 

Zlatan in Sweden national team. 90 matches, 41 goals. Better goalrate than Ronaldo and Messi
Henrik in Sweden national team. 106 matches, 36 goals.

Zlatan in Barca. 29 matches, 16 goals.
Henke in Barca. 40 matches, 13 goals.

Zlatan had won the goal league in both italy and french league much better than henrik in celtic

And Zlatan has been the starplayer in every club he has been in and won the league.

Zlatan has come top 10 in fifa balon d or last year. Henrik NEVER

Henrik and Zlatan was about the same speed and the same high inteligens at the plan. But Zlatan score more goals, better technique and more powerful !

 

Uwk I heard this * last year! And with every team we met to add to it ! Listen I was catious last year that's reasonable because we where still a team geling and we didn't really know what to expect because of our Europa campaign the year before! When we play this game we will be back up to speed and it will be normal service I'm really not worried at all ill gladly say we are in the last qualifying round right now!

 

Not sure what you said after this.

Because just like Zlatans *,you sir are full of *.

 

Surprised nobody's started a celtic elfsborg family thing yet..

 

Thank you for your more considered post, in contrast to your Swedish compatriot. I only have a few things to bring up.

1) While it was respectable for 2 Swedish teams to play in the Europa League group stage, AIK finished 4th (4 points) with a 3-2 home defeat to Dnipro and two 4-0 thrashings away to Dnipro and Napoli. While Helsingborg finished 3rd (also 4 points) with a 2-1 home defeat to Hannover 96 and a 3-1 home defeat to Levante.

2) Regarding our 2-0 win in Helsingborg last year. While I agree Helsingborg were by far the best team in the 1st half, despite our 1-0 lead, I think we were equally as dominant in the 2nd half and I think were worthy of our win; if maybe by 1 goal and not 2, which was a little bit harsh.

3) It's not important but why would you currently predict IF Elfsborg to beat Celtic by a 2 goal margin in Sweden?

Cheers

 

This is a balanced and complimentary post.

Bangura clearly is a good player but just cannot settle at Celtic. This worries mea little because we have had good Scandinavian strikers in the past who haven't fared well at Paradise but that doesn't mean they are bad players.

If we drew a Swedish team 2 weeks ago this forum would be in meltdown with tims proclaiming we were done for and were going out at the firstr hurdle,

It will bea hRD gam,e but iof we play to our capabiliteis we will go thorugh.

so aye, mingtied/

 

Stern John - formerly of Coventry, Derby and Crystal Palace - scored 70 goals in 115 appearances for Trinidad & Tobago and Jan Koller scored 55 goals in 91 appearances for the Czech Republic. What's your point?

As for comparing their records at Barcelona, you failed to consider that Ibramovic was 28 when he signed for Barcelona while Larsson was 33. Not to mention Larsson had a horrific leg injury while at Barcelona. So Ibramovic was a bigger 'star player' than Messi, Xavi and Iniesta or do you mean a bigger gutter press celebrity?

As for Balon D'or, and most of the basis of your argument, Henrik gave his best years to Celtic. That showed tremendous loyalty and I don't think he regretted it for a second. That doesn't change the fact he was world class. Everyone knew it, only trolls like yourself and some within the English media did not. Larsson could have been a "superstar" and gave his prime in the EPL, but he didn't and that is a reflection on his class as a human being.

 

Swedish champions ? Half way through their season ? Biggest game in years ?

 

Good first post. Personally I really liked Majstorovic, though. His legs had gone by his time with us and he was just too slow; but I imagine that before he became slow as * he must have been an amazing defender.

 

So you think we'll lose in Sweden, seriously? Even with it being the decisive 2nd leg? It would make some sense if it was the 1st leg but the 2nd? It's irrelevant that they are already into their season, 5th placed currently, as the HJK Helsinki and Helsingborg games last season confirmed. I don't see why a Celtic fan would take issue with me highlighting that prediction.

 

1) Yes, both swedish teams finished 4th in their groups but in more or less every game they stood up pretty good. 0-4 against Dnipro is the only result that was really bad in my opinion. 0-4 in Naples is a bit strange since Napoli had four chances (no more, no less) in the entire game and managed to score on these while AIK missed all their chances (rookie mistakes i guess).

2) You absolutely deserved to win, no doubt, but I wouldn't say it was a walk in the park as I think someone earlier thought.

3) Don't really know why. Just a feeling, but really, Elfsborg is really good on their home ground and have been playing well against teams like Lazio and Valencia over the past years.

My hopes are on you though. Wouldn't want Elfsborg to the CL- nor the EL group stage with all the millions that would give them. In Sweden, with the tight league that it is.

 

They will be match sharp. I just feel it will be a hard game. These teams are capable of getting an away goal as Helsinki showed.

 

Thank you.

I used to like Majstorovic. He was a beast five years ago and formed a perfect central defense in the swedish national team with Olof Mellberg. But the age and injuries haven't done him well.

For some reason AIK decided to sign him a year ago even though we have three young players on the same position, three players who all more or less are just the step away from the national team. Majstorovic had to play though given his status and salary, but far to often he can't keep up with the young quick attackers causing penalties and what not.

A few weeks ago he got benched before a game and then he decided not showing up at all to the stadium claiming he is to good to sit on the bench. Not a popular move in a club like AIK. Now he's hated by more or less every supporter and haven't played since then. I guess he will leave the club this summer.