But before we do, in a Top 100 Blog Exclusive, I can exclusively reveal that Real Madrid are back IN the Youth Cup! Having quit just two weeks ago claiming the competition was costing them a shot at the league title, and in any case just wasn't competitive enough for the three time Youth Cup final losers and this season's odds-on favourites, Youth Cup supremo Beddows has confirmed he had 'a conversation' with the Madrid club's crazy Irish manager Roy Keane, and now, lo and behold, they they are back in.
In the space of a few days, Madrid sold most of their best youth players to their closest rivals Juventus, and also to Arsenal, and - surprise, surprise - Top 100 owner Frank Hirst's Genoa. That should certainly make the Youth Cup more competitive this season, Roy. Thank you!
WALKING THE DOG
The other big losers from this arrangement are Hertha Berlin, who would have qualified in Madrid's absence, but Berlin boss Mark Stewart, ever the perfect host, simply stocked up his fridge with Strongbow, his cupboards with two weeks' supply of Pedigree Chum, assorted bin liners, satsumas and several poop scoops, and his wardrobe with oversized lingerie, and welcomed Keane to take his place.
WORKING THE LAPDOG
Meanwhile reports on social media and Fake News sites alleging photographs have emerged* showing Sir Stephen Beddows naked (above the neck), wearing only a schoolgirl's outfit and a smile while perched on Roy Keane's lap, have led to allegations of corruption.
Hamburger boss Marsden claimed, "It's an amazing coincidence that Hamburg go on to win Group 1 after Madrid told the world they were quitting the competition, and then two weeks later, they are back in as group winners. When I asked Sir Stephen if Hamburg could take a few weeks off and return for the final, he just laughed maniacally in a broad Cork accent."
Enough of that nonsense, and on with the football.
In the outstanding games that were still to be played to complete the final group fixtures, Liverpool beat Manchester City to confirm their third place finish and City in fourth in Group 5. In Group 4 Monaco claimed a default 3-0 win against Twente, who failed to arrange their fixture. That result lifts Monaco into second in the group.
Sir Stephen posted last week the fixture schedule and arrangement for the knockout stages, and here is the list of final standings.
TOP 8 GROUP WINNERS WITH BYE INTO ROUND 3
The best eight group winners receive a bye into the third round of the Youth Cup, and a home tie into the bargain. Here they are in order:
HOME TEAMS IN YOUTH CUP KNOCKOUT ROUND 2
The following teams will play at home in matches 1 to 8 in the knockout round 2 of the Youth Cup:
AWAY TEAMS IN YOUTH CUP KNOCKOUT ROUND 2
And they will play the following teams:
So, in the picks of the round, Everton will play Liverpool at Goodison Park in a tasty Merseyside derby.
Napoli will play Milan in an all Italian affair.
And little Hoffenheim will host their German giant counterparts Dortmund.
And so on.
HOME TEAMS IN YOUTH SHIELD KNOCKOUT ROUND 2
AWAY TEAMS IN YOUTH SHIELD KNOCKOUT ROUND 2
So, for example, Sporting host Celtic in a battle of the green hoops, Liege host Chelsea, and Swansea host Kyiv. And so on.
I'll post a full list of fixtures scheduled for Saturday 18 November in a separate post, and on the newsfeed later.
*If anyone has some very basic photoshop style skills, and has the time and motivation to produce some photographic evidence to support these claims, that would be much appreciated.
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