For the first time in a UEFA Champions League semi-final, Chelsea FC have a lead to defend in the return leg after Joe Cole, on his first start in this season's competition, scored a 29th-minute goal to lend José Mourinho's team the advantage over Liverpool FC. Chelsea, making their third last-four appearance in four seasons, were always the more threatening side and their Premiership rivals were indebted to two fine saves from Pepe Reina to deny Frank Lampard. Petr Čech also pulled off a wonder stop to prevent Steven Gerrard from claiming an equaliser but scoring chances were in short supply for the five-times European champions as Chelsea took a step closer to their first-ever final. The hosts were the first to threaten, although the earliest scare was of Liverpool's own making as Javier Mascherano gifted possession straight to Didier Drogba. A promising position for the Chelsea striker fizzled out, however, as he ran into a forest of legs. Mascherano was not the only culprit as Liverpool appeared suddenly seized by a collective attack of hesitancy. Rafael Benítez's men were exhibiting no sign of comfort or control in defence and it enabled Lampard to steal on to a Drogba knockdown and get a fierce shot away. Somehow Reina beat it out – a fantastic save. Shortly after Andriy Shevchenko turned to lift a shot just over the top and Chelsea were now in full flow, taking encouragement from their opponents' failings. John Arne Riise gave the ball away to Drogba who had Joe Cole in a glorious position square of him only for the Ivorian to overhit the pass. It could not carry on like that without something giving way. Yet it did for a little while. Drogba, left all alone, failed to connect with Joe Cole's cross, then Lampard was only a whisker away with a raking free-kick. Finally, on 29 minutes, the breakthrough came as Ricardo Carvalho, passed fit before the start, carried the ball intelligently out of defence before locating Drogba's run. Not for the first time Daniel Agger looked less than secure against the centre-forward's power and Drogba was able to knock the ball across for Cole to ram home. At the other end Gerrard headed over at full stretch from a Dirk Kuyt cross but it was a poor first half from Liverpool who had made little impression on the Chelsea defence. On the restart they sought to make amends, however, pinning the hosts back as Gerrard clipped an attempt just too high and Kuyt directed a header over. Peter Crouch, named on the bench despite his six goals in the competition, replaced Craig Bellamy after 53 minutes and within seconds he might have witnessed an equaliser as Gerrard let fly with his left boot from the edge of the area. Čech's plunging save was on a par with Reina's earlier on. Liverpool continued to dominate possession but Chelsea were pressing the ball with terrific urgency and organisation and clear avenues through the blue rearguard were few and far between. Mourinho's team appeared content to hold on to what they had got although Drogba muscled his way through to force Reina into a near-post save in the 75th minute and then put a header just wide. Salomon Kalou, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Liverpool's Jermaine Pennant were all introduced into the fray but it was Chelsea who almost claimed a second late on. Reina twisted to deny Lampard yet again in the 81st minute while from a corner at the death Drogba was close with a header.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
PREVIEW CL : CHELSEA FC - LIVERPOOL FC
Call it an attempt to take the pressure off his team, call it a ruse to lull the opposition into a false sense of security. Whatever purpose lay behind his words, Chelsea FC manager José Mourinho insists the dice are heavily loaded in favour of Liverpool FC in Wednesday's UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg. As the London club approach the final straight of the season, driven by the possibility of adding three more trophies to their English League Cup triumph, their workload is taking its toll. Apart from Michael Essien who is suspended, Chelsea are also without Michael Ballack for the Stamford Bridge game against their Premiership rivals who knocked them out at this stage two years ago en route to lifting their fifth European Champion Clubs' Cup in Istanbul. Ballack injured an ankle in Sunday's 0-0 draw at Newcastle United FC while there remains a doubt over the fitness of defender Ricardo Carvalho although he did train on Tuesday. "It won't be a fair fight because the conditions are different," said Mourinho, citing the exhaustive schedule his players have undergone compared to that of the Merseysiders. "When Liverpool were in Portugal preparing for their game with [FC] Barcelona we played three matches including the League Cup final. Steven Gerrard did not play in Liverpool's last game [Saturday's 2-0 win against Wigan Athletic FC] – do you think Gerrard and Frank Lampard have the same conditions to compete?" Mourinho, who is also concerned about his players - namely, Joe Cole, Lassana Diarra and Didier Drogba – who go into the match knowing that another booking will rule them out of next week's return, added that in league terms the Premiership champions have been vastly superior to Liverpool in recent campaigns. But their opponents have a record in knockout football deserving of respect. "I am not a statistics man but in the last three years I think Chelsea have 55 or 60 points more than them," he said. "We have to praise Liverpool for what they have done in knockout competitions, they have won the Champions League and the FA Cup and they are in another Champions League semi-final. "We do think we can win but if they only play in one competition for half a season then they arrive at this crucial moment in a great situation. They had an easy group whereas Chelsea had a group containing Werder Bremen and Barcelona and then two games with [FC] Porto and two with Valencia [CF]." Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez refused to join his opposite number in the verbal jousting and denied that his side hold an advantage. "We are in a similar position. It is two good teams against each other," he said. "I don't like to play this game of saying 'You have fresh legs or you have been playing less important games'. We are confident because we are playing well and scoring goals but we know we are facing a very good team. Chelsea always spend big money on good players. They are in finals because they have good players and a good team."
Probable teams
Chelsea: Petr Čech; Lassana Diarra, Ricardo Carvalho, John Terry, Ashley Cole; Shaun Wright-Phillips, Claude Makelele, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole; Didier Drogba, Andriy Shevchenko.
Liverpool: Pepe Reina; Steve Finnan, Daniel Agger, Jamie Carragher, John Arne Riise; Steven Gerrard, Mohamed Sissoko, Javier Mascherano, Xabi Alonso; Dirk Kuyt, Peter Crouch.
Probable teams
Chelsea: Petr Čech; Lassana Diarra, Ricardo Carvalho, John Terry, Ashley Cole; Shaun Wright-Phillips, Claude Makelele, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole; Didier Drogba, Andriy Shevchenko.
Liverpool: Pepe Reina; Steve Finnan, Daniel Agger, Jamie Carragher, John Arne Riise; Steven Gerrard, Mohamed Sissoko, Javier Mascherano, Xabi Alonso; Dirk Kuyt, Peter Crouch.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
CL Man U 3:2 AC Milan report and goals
Manchester United FC came from behind to win a pulsating UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg thanks to a last-minute goal from Wayne Rooney. Trailing 2-1 at the break, Rooney fired United level on 59 minutes then completed a late counterattack by flashing a low shot past Dida to give the English side real hope of a place in the final in Athens. It appeared that Carlo Ancelotti's visitors would return home holding the upper hand when Kaká overturned an early Cristiano Ronaldo header with two goals before half-time. Though weakened defensively by injuries, United's vibrant attacking instincts were intact, however, and Rooney's double leaves Milan needing victory in next Wednesday's return at the San Siro.
United went into this match missing three of their first-choice defenders in Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidić. Yet for any team of Sir Alex Ferguson's, offence will always be the best form of defence and so it proved here as they seized an early lead. After Alessandro Nesta had diverted behind a Rooney effort, the ensuing corner brought the breakthrough. From Ryan Giggs's delivery, Ronaldo nodded goalwards and Dida was unable to keep the ball out despite two attempts at a save. Sir Alex had described his side's quarter-final rout of AS Roma as "once-in-a lifetime" stuff and United started here in similarly electrifying fashion. As the Stretford End chorused "Attack, attack", Ronaldo directed a header at Dida, then, on the quarter-hour, the Milan goalkeeper stretched out his left arm to turn behind a volley from Michael Carrick. The Rossoneri were struggling to find their range, illustrated by Kaká's fluffing of a free header. Yet the Brazilian quickly made amends. With 22 minutes on the clock, Clarence Seedorf collected a pass from Gennaro Gattuso and fed Kaká who, surging into the box ahead of Carrick, struck a low shot through the legs of Gabriel Heinze, beyond the dive of Edwin van der Sar and into the far corner. United sought to reclaim the initiative, Giggs flicking a header over before rifling in a low cross which Rooney just failed to reach. Yet although Dida nearly fumbled a swerving drive from Ronaldo, United were undone at the other end on 37 minutes as Kaká capitalised on some uncertain defending. From Dida's long kick, the Brazilian shouldered aside Darren Fletcher, then headed for goal. He carried the ball past Heinze and as the Argentinian and Patrice Evra collided, tucked it coolly past Van der Sar.The second period opened with a glaring Carrick miss after Giggs's corner had fallen to him at the far post. Yet Milan soon had United on the back foot again, Kaká threatening a hat-trick with a rising shot over the crossbar after a lovely combination with Seedorf. Reprieved, the home side restored parity through Rooney on 59 minutes. It was a wonderfully-worked goal, the ball moving from Fletcher to Carrick to Scholes who then lifted it over the Milan back line and into the path of Rooney. Dida got a hand to the England striker's shot but could not stop its course to the far corner. Faith restored, United chased a third. Dida kept out Fletcher and Ronaldo, but just when it seemed Milan would hang on, Giggs drove forward from inside his own half and supplied Rooney, who did the rest. Sir Alex's team, who will be without Evra through suspension as they look to defend their advantage in Milan, famously came from behind to beat Ancelotti's Juventus 3-2 in the 1999 semi-final and this victory will have them believing they can go all the way once more.
United went into this match missing three of their first-choice defenders in Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidić. Yet for any team of Sir Alex Ferguson's, offence will always be the best form of defence and so it proved here as they seized an early lead. After Alessandro Nesta had diverted behind a Rooney effort, the ensuing corner brought the breakthrough. From Ryan Giggs's delivery, Ronaldo nodded goalwards and Dida was unable to keep the ball out despite two attempts at a save. Sir Alex had described his side's quarter-final rout of AS Roma as "once-in-a lifetime" stuff and United started here in similarly electrifying fashion. As the Stretford End chorused "Attack, attack", Ronaldo directed a header at Dida, then, on the quarter-hour, the Milan goalkeeper stretched out his left arm to turn behind a volley from Michael Carrick. The Rossoneri were struggling to find their range, illustrated by Kaká's fluffing of a free header. Yet the Brazilian quickly made amends. With 22 minutes on the clock, Clarence Seedorf collected a pass from Gennaro Gattuso and fed Kaká who, surging into the box ahead of Carrick, struck a low shot through the legs of Gabriel Heinze, beyond the dive of Edwin van der Sar and into the far corner. United sought to reclaim the initiative, Giggs flicking a header over before rifling in a low cross which Rooney just failed to reach. Yet although Dida nearly fumbled a swerving drive from Ronaldo, United were undone at the other end on 37 minutes as Kaká capitalised on some uncertain defending. From Dida's long kick, the Brazilian shouldered aside Darren Fletcher, then headed for goal. He carried the ball past Heinze and as the Argentinian and Patrice Evra collided, tucked it coolly past Van der Sar.The second period opened with a glaring Carrick miss after Giggs's corner had fallen to him at the far post. Yet Milan soon had United on the back foot again, Kaká threatening a hat-trick with a rising shot over the crossbar after a lovely combination with Seedorf. Reprieved, the home side restored parity through Rooney on 59 minutes. It was a wonderfully-worked goal, the ball moving from Fletcher to Carrick to Scholes who then lifted it over the Milan back line and into the path of Rooney. Dida got a hand to the England striker's shot but could not stop its course to the far corner. Faith restored, United chased a third. Dida kept out Fletcher and Ronaldo, but just when it seemed Milan would hang on, Giggs drove forward from inside his own half and supplied Rooney, who did the rest. Sir Alex's team, who will be without Evra through suspension as they look to defend their advantage in Milan, famously came from behind to beat Ancelotti's Juventus 3-2 in the 1999 semi-final and this victory will have them believing they can go all the way once more.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Thursday, April 19, 2007
FANS TALK FOOTBALL NEWS
ENGLAND
Chelsea plan shock swoop for West Ham's Tevez
Inter Milan alerted as Dein exit casts Arsenal doubts over Henry
Livorno striker Lucarelli offered to Man Utd
Gudjohnsen key in Barcelona pursuit of Chelsea's Lampard
Arsenal chairman promises Wenger new contract
Gattuso agent keen to avoid Man Utd rumours
Arsenal chairman: Wenger will have money to spend
Angel backs Villa striker Agbonlahor for big future
Middlesbrough boss promises Woodgate big changes
Pearce: Man City contract talks for Ball, Mpenza and Distin
Standard Liege wait for Newcastle answer on Onyewu
Reyes must brace for tricky Arsenal return
West Ham's Sheringham linked with Brentford job
Birmingham must win promotion to sign Arsenal's Muamba
Chelsea close to deal for Murcia kid Pedro Leon
SPAIN
Barcelona's Rijkaard happy to compare Messi with Maradona
Real Madrid powerbrokers split over Capello replacement
Barcelona line up talks over Roma's De Rossi
Inter Milan reps in Spain for talks over Real Madrid's Diarra
Beckham sports new tattoo in Real Madrid return
Silva satisfied with Valencia contract situation
Valencia have Raul Garcia agreement - Carboni
Espanyol ready for Real Madrid talks over Soldado
Espanyol keen on Santos youngster Carlinhos
Getafe chasing Recreativo defender Mario
Munitis wants Racing Santander stay
Sevilla's Kepa offered to Osasuna
ITALY
Inter Milan new favourites for Juventus striker Trezeguet
Lazio move for Celtic keeper Boruc
Roma second thoughts over Wilhelmsson deal
Inter Milan coach Mancini upset with defeat
Juventus to include Criscito in bid for Fiorentina's Toni
Galliani: No AC Milan contract talks for Ancelotti
Juventus, Torino battle for Fiorentina's Dainelli
Fiorentina's Toni rejects Bayern Munich
Roma coach Spalletti: Inter Milan remain best in the land
Cannavaro backs AC Milan's Ronaldinho push
Torino, Chievo chasing Frosinone's Lodi
Agent: Foreign option for Lazio keeper Sereni
Sampdoria offer Zenoni for Atalanta defender Talamonti
Sampdoria coach Novellino welcomes Napoli, Bologna link
Udinese president Pozzo rules out Mazzarri
Fiorentina keen to bring West Brom's Kamara back to Italy
Vieri delighted with Atalanta debut
Benfica to send Miccoli back to Juventus
Mavuba warning to Juventus, Palermo
Juventus chief admits Frings interest
Zaccardo wants to revise Palermo deal
Ancelotti seeks AC Milan contract talks
FRANCE
Gerard Houllier admits he was disappointed with the Lyon fans after the draw with Rennes
Florian Marange says Bordeaux's sights are firmly fixed on a Champions League berth
Sylvain Armand is conscious of the importance of PSG's next game against Nantes
Lyon striker Milan Baros has found himself at the centre of a racism storm in France
Habib Beye wants to go one better when Marseille take on Sochaux in the French Cup final
Nancy suffered a double injury blow in Wednesday's defeat to Bordeaux
GERMANY
Bayer Leverkusen are favourites to sign VFL Bochum's Theofanis Gekas
Wolfsburg striker Mike Hanke will miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury
Wolfsburg coach Klaus Augenthaler blamed Wolfgang Stark for his side's defeat
Markus Schroth has signed a contract with his former club 1860 Munich
Jurgen Klopp says he is fully confident Mainz can avoid relegation this season
Magath denies Hertha claim
Rekdal eyes Hertha role
Larsen back in action
HOLLAND
KNVB Cup holders Ajax moved into the final with a 3-1 win over RKC Waalwijk
AZ Alkmaar have warned Rangers that star striker Danny Koevermans is not for sale
Ajax have reportedly joined the chase for IF Elfsborg midfielder Samuel Holmen
Heerenveen have vowed to retain the services of star striker Afonso Alves
Feyenoord have handed a vote of confidence to coach Erwin Koeman
Vitesse Arnhem have decided not to offer a contract to Wellington dos Santos
SCOTLAND
Hibs boss Collins confirms Stewart departure
Rangers to formalise LA Galaxy partnership
Aberdeen explore link-up with USA's Notre Dame
Agent admits Fyssas leaving Hearts
Doumbe unsure of Celtic future
Rangers boss Smith closing in on AZ Alkmaar's Koevermans
Celtic's Lennon linked with Northern Ireland job
Scotland boss McLeish tips Hibs ace Brown for stardom
Motherwell's Kerr in Hibs talks
Brellier set to quit Hearts
Inverness will give Craig Dargo all the time he needs to decide on their contract offer.
SCANDINAVIA
Ajax have reportedly joined the chase for IF Elfsborg midfielder Samuel Holmen
AIK Solna's Wilton Figueiredo admits he would love to secure a move to a top club
Danish starlet Michael Jakobsen understands Olympiakos are interested in signing him
Bundesliga side Stuttgart are believed to be tracking Danish striker Morten Nordstrand
Chelsea plan shock swoop for West Ham's Tevez
Inter Milan alerted as Dein exit casts Arsenal doubts over Henry
Livorno striker Lucarelli offered to Man Utd
Gudjohnsen key in Barcelona pursuit of Chelsea's Lampard
Arsenal chairman promises Wenger new contract
Gattuso agent keen to avoid Man Utd rumours
Arsenal chairman: Wenger will have money to spend
Angel backs Villa striker Agbonlahor for big future
Middlesbrough boss promises Woodgate big changes
Pearce: Man City contract talks for Ball, Mpenza and Distin
Standard Liege wait for Newcastle answer on Onyewu
Reyes must brace for tricky Arsenal return
West Ham's Sheringham linked with Brentford job
Birmingham must win promotion to sign Arsenal's Muamba
Chelsea close to deal for Murcia kid Pedro Leon
SPAIN
Barcelona's Rijkaard happy to compare Messi with Maradona
Real Madrid powerbrokers split over Capello replacement
Barcelona line up talks over Roma's De Rossi
Inter Milan reps in Spain for talks over Real Madrid's Diarra
Beckham sports new tattoo in Real Madrid return
Silva satisfied with Valencia contract situation
Valencia have Raul Garcia agreement - Carboni
Espanyol ready for Real Madrid talks over Soldado
Espanyol keen on Santos youngster Carlinhos
Getafe chasing Recreativo defender Mario
Munitis wants Racing Santander stay
Sevilla's Kepa offered to Osasuna
ITALY
Inter Milan new favourites for Juventus striker Trezeguet
Lazio move for Celtic keeper Boruc
Roma second thoughts over Wilhelmsson deal
Inter Milan coach Mancini upset with defeat
Juventus to include Criscito in bid for Fiorentina's Toni
Galliani: No AC Milan contract talks for Ancelotti
Juventus, Torino battle for Fiorentina's Dainelli
Fiorentina's Toni rejects Bayern Munich
Roma coach Spalletti: Inter Milan remain best in the land
Cannavaro backs AC Milan's Ronaldinho push
Torino, Chievo chasing Frosinone's Lodi
Agent: Foreign option for Lazio keeper Sereni
Sampdoria offer Zenoni for Atalanta defender Talamonti
Sampdoria coach Novellino welcomes Napoli, Bologna link
Udinese president Pozzo rules out Mazzarri
Fiorentina keen to bring West Brom's Kamara back to Italy
Vieri delighted with Atalanta debut
Benfica to send Miccoli back to Juventus
Mavuba warning to Juventus, Palermo
Juventus chief admits Frings interest
Zaccardo wants to revise Palermo deal
Ancelotti seeks AC Milan contract talks
FRANCE
Gerard Houllier admits he was disappointed with the Lyon fans after the draw with Rennes
Florian Marange says Bordeaux's sights are firmly fixed on a Champions League berth
Sylvain Armand is conscious of the importance of PSG's next game against Nantes
Lyon striker Milan Baros has found himself at the centre of a racism storm in France
Habib Beye wants to go one better when Marseille take on Sochaux in the French Cup final
Nancy suffered a double injury blow in Wednesday's defeat to Bordeaux
GERMANY
Bayer Leverkusen are favourites to sign VFL Bochum's Theofanis Gekas
Wolfsburg striker Mike Hanke will miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury
Wolfsburg coach Klaus Augenthaler blamed Wolfgang Stark for his side's defeat
Markus Schroth has signed a contract with his former club 1860 Munich
Jurgen Klopp says he is fully confident Mainz can avoid relegation this season
Magath denies Hertha claim
Rekdal eyes Hertha role
Larsen back in action
HOLLAND
KNVB Cup holders Ajax moved into the final with a 3-1 win over RKC Waalwijk
AZ Alkmaar have warned Rangers that star striker Danny Koevermans is not for sale
Ajax have reportedly joined the chase for IF Elfsborg midfielder Samuel Holmen
Heerenveen have vowed to retain the services of star striker Afonso Alves
Feyenoord have handed a vote of confidence to coach Erwin Koeman
Vitesse Arnhem have decided not to offer a contract to Wellington dos Santos
SCOTLAND
Hibs boss Collins confirms Stewart departure
Rangers to formalise LA Galaxy partnership
Aberdeen explore link-up with USA's Notre Dame
Agent admits Fyssas leaving Hearts
Doumbe unsure of Celtic future
Rangers boss Smith closing in on AZ Alkmaar's Koevermans
Celtic's Lennon linked with Northern Ireland job
Scotland boss McLeish tips Hibs ace Brown for stardom
Motherwell's Kerr in Hibs talks
Brellier set to quit Hearts
Inverness will give Craig Dargo all the time he needs to decide on their contract offer.
SCANDINAVIA
Ajax have reportedly joined the chase for IF Elfsborg midfielder Samuel Holmen
AIK Solna's Wilton Figueiredo admits he would love to secure a move to a top club
Danish starlet Michael Jakobsen understands Olympiakos are interested in signing him
Bundesliga side Stuttgart are believed to be tracking Danish striker Morten Nordstrand
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
FANS TALK FOOTBALL NEWS
ENGLAND
Real Madrid's Raul demands Liverpool answers
Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea all want Ribery
Chelsea planning next season with Mourinho
Liverpool boss Benitez: I like Iaquinta
Newcastle in talks with Reading's Sidwell
Reading's Gunnarsson hopes for midfield chance
Man Utd's Ferdinand: Fletcher fantastic
Newcastle fear N'Zogbia unsettled by Arsenal talk
Tottenham plan £5M bid for West Ham's Reo-Coker
Spurs to offer £10M for West Brom's Davies
Man Utd kid Cathcart to earn Premiership debut
Chelsea's Cole expects West Ham stick
England recall for Man Utd striker Smith
Portsmouth boss: Lauren chose us over bigger West Ham offer
Newcastle chairman plans court action over England's Owen bid
Hicks reveals new Liverpool contract talks for Gerrard, Carragher
Everton, Spurs tracking Werder Bremen striker Vranjes
Man City boss Pearce: Beasley decision close
Betis skipper Juanito unaware of Man City interest
New York to splash out on Villa striker Angel
Chelsea captain Terry admits contract talks break down
Corinthians target West Ham's Tevez
SPAIN
Torres: I only want to play for Atletico Madrid
Barcelona close to agreement for Racing Santander's Zigic
Hierro raps Real Madrid: Don't blame refs
Getafe coach Schuster denies Real Madrid agreement
Barcelona president: I can't imagine life without Rijkaard
Barcelona No1 Valdes blasts Real Madrid moaners
Barcelona's Saviola has 14 Bosman offers
Espanyol keen on Real Sociedad trio Xabi Prieto, Mikel Alonso and Mikel Aranburu
Celta Vigo's Lopez: Stoichkov has lifted the players
Urzaiz happy to wait for Bilbao contract talks
Espanyol secure Julian to new contract
ITALY
Figo urges Inter Milan to go for Barcelona's Deco
Frings in Turin for Juventus talks
Deschamps unsure of Juventus contract plans
AC Milan's Inzaghi: Man Utd best in Premiership
Kaka wants to see out AC Milan contract
AEK keeper Sorrentino in Lazio sights
Palermo set to try again for Parma's Budan
Fiorentina move for Juventus winger Marchionni
Torino target Monaco youngster Malonga
Atalanta coach Colantuono to make Vieri decision
Serie A clubs queue for Livorno's Lucarelli
Coco frustrated at Torino
Chimenti happy to stay with Cagliari
Lazio cool Frutos link
Deschamps: Juventus need 15 points for Serie A return
Spinelli blasts Livorno fans for booing Lucarelli
Roma's Ferrari confident of matching Inter Milan
Palermo president slams "sissy" Guidolin
Fiori signs new AC Milan deal
No Lazio deal for Sereni
Zanetti wants Inter Milan to wrap up Scudetto
FRANCE
Rio Mavuba has told Bordeaux he requires Champions League football next season
Marseille midfielder Franck Ribery is refusing to be drawn on his future
Johan Elmander says he would be keen to move to England or Spain one day
Coach Frederic Hantz says he has no plans to extend his current deal at Le Mans
Jean-Michel Aulas has hailed Gerard Houllier's achievements as Lyon boss
Elie Baup is hoping his Toulouse side can qualify for the UEFA Champions league
GERMANY
Christoph Metzelder has given his biggest hint yet that he is set to join Real Madrid
Juventus have moved a step closer to signing German star Torsten Frings
Jurica Vranjes has emerged as a potential transfer target for Everton and Tottenham
Andres D'Alessandro wants to earn a permanent move to Real Zaragoza
Borussia Monchengladbach's Kasey Keller looks set to miss the rest of the season
Felix Magath has criticised Bayern Munich's top-level management
HOLLAND
AZ Alkmaar keep up their pursuit of Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven
Philip Cocu understands PSV need to look for a replacement as he weighs up his future
DaMarcus Beasley is hoping Man City take up the option to keep him permanently
PSV reclaimed top spot in the table after a 2-0 home win over Twente Enschede
Ajax will not be extending the contract of Spanish midfielder Roger
SCOTLAND
Caldwell slams Celtic boo-boys: You haven't gotta clue!
Hibs players apologise to Collins
Hibs keeper Brown: Rift put to bed
Butcher, Miller in frame for Livingston job
Motherwell seek Auxerre talks over Vadocz
SCANDINAVIA
Lierse coach Kjetil Rekdal is flattered to be linked with the coaching job at Hertha Berlin
Daniel Agger feels Liverpool have a psychological hold over Chelsea
Colin Todd has been appointed as the new manager of Danish club Randers FC
Malmo FF are reportedly keen to land Birmingham striker Mikael Forssell
Wigan flop Kristofer Haestad was on target for Norwegian side IK Start on Monday
Rangers defender Karl Svensson has rejected a return to IFK Gothenburg on loan
Real Madrid's Raul demands Liverpool answers
Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea all want Ribery
Chelsea planning next season with Mourinho
Liverpool boss Benitez: I like Iaquinta
Newcastle in talks with Reading's Sidwell
Reading's Gunnarsson hopes for midfield chance
Man Utd's Ferdinand: Fletcher fantastic
Newcastle fear N'Zogbia unsettled by Arsenal talk
Tottenham plan £5M bid for West Ham's Reo-Coker
Spurs to offer £10M for West Brom's Davies
Man Utd kid Cathcart to earn Premiership debut
Chelsea's Cole expects West Ham stick
England recall for Man Utd striker Smith
Portsmouth boss: Lauren chose us over bigger West Ham offer
Newcastle chairman plans court action over England's Owen bid
Hicks reveals new Liverpool contract talks for Gerrard, Carragher
Everton, Spurs tracking Werder Bremen striker Vranjes
Man City boss Pearce: Beasley decision close
Betis skipper Juanito unaware of Man City interest
New York to splash out on Villa striker Angel
Chelsea captain Terry admits contract talks break down
Corinthians target West Ham's Tevez
SPAIN
Torres: I only want to play for Atletico Madrid
Barcelona close to agreement for Racing Santander's Zigic
Hierro raps Real Madrid: Don't blame refs
Getafe coach Schuster denies Real Madrid agreement
Barcelona president: I can't imagine life without Rijkaard
Barcelona No1 Valdes blasts Real Madrid moaners
Barcelona's Saviola has 14 Bosman offers
Espanyol keen on Real Sociedad trio Xabi Prieto, Mikel Alonso and Mikel Aranburu
Celta Vigo's Lopez: Stoichkov has lifted the players
Urzaiz happy to wait for Bilbao contract talks
Espanyol secure Julian to new contract
ITALY
Figo urges Inter Milan to go for Barcelona's Deco
Frings in Turin for Juventus talks
Deschamps unsure of Juventus contract plans
AC Milan's Inzaghi: Man Utd best in Premiership
Kaka wants to see out AC Milan contract
AEK keeper Sorrentino in Lazio sights
Palermo set to try again for Parma's Budan
Fiorentina move for Juventus winger Marchionni
Torino target Monaco youngster Malonga
Atalanta coach Colantuono to make Vieri decision
Serie A clubs queue for Livorno's Lucarelli
Coco frustrated at Torino
Chimenti happy to stay with Cagliari
Lazio cool Frutos link
Deschamps: Juventus need 15 points for Serie A return
Spinelli blasts Livorno fans for booing Lucarelli
Roma's Ferrari confident of matching Inter Milan
Palermo president slams "sissy" Guidolin
Fiori signs new AC Milan deal
No Lazio deal for Sereni
Zanetti wants Inter Milan to wrap up Scudetto
FRANCE
Rio Mavuba has told Bordeaux he requires Champions League football next season
Marseille midfielder Franck Ribery is refusing to be drawn on his future
Johan Elmander says he would be keen to move to England or Spain one day
Coach Frederic Hantz says he has no plans to extend his current deal at Le Mans
Jean-Michel Aulas has hailed Gerard Houllier's achievements as Lyon boss
Elie Baup is hoping his Toulouse side can qualify for the UEFA Champions league
GERMANY
Christoph Metzelder has given his biggest hint yet that he is set to join Real Madrid
Juventus have moved a step closer to signing German star Torsten Frings
Jurica Vranjes has emerged as a potential transfer target for Everton and Tottenham
Andres D'Alessandro wants to earn a permanent move to Real Zaragoza
Borussia Monchengladbach's Kasey Keller looks set to miss the rest of the season
Felix Magath has criticised Bayern Munich's top-level management
HOLLAND
AZ Alkmaar keep up their pursuit of Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven
Philip Cocu understands PSV need to look for a replacement as he weighs up his future
DaMarcus Beasley is hoping Man City take up the option to keep him permanently
PSV reclaimed top spot in the table after a 2-0 home win over Twente Enschede
Ajax will not be extending the contract of Spanish midfielder Roger
SCOTLAND
Caldwell slams Celtic boo-boys: You haven't gotta clue!
Hibs players apologise to Collins
Hibs keeper Brown: Rift put to bed
Butcher, Miller in frame for Livingston job
Motherwell seek Auxerre talks over Vadocz
SCANDINAVIA
Lierse coach Kjetil Rekdal is flattered to be linked with the coaching job at Hertha Berlin
Daniel Agger feels Liverpool have a psychological hold over Chelsea
Colin Todd has been appointed as the new manager of Danish club Randers FC
Malmo FF are reportedly keen to land Birmingham striker Mikael Forssell
Wigan flop Kristofer Haestad was on target for Norwegian side IK Start on Monday
Rangers defender Karl Svensson has rejected a return to IFK Gothenburg on loan
Monday, April 16, 2007
FANS TALK FOOTBALL NEWS
ENGLAND
Arsenal to offer Gilberto for Newcastle's Parker
Man Utd plan sensational £12M Owen move
Ribery wants Arsenal move
Arsenal to offer £4.5M for Hearts skipper Gordon
Spurs chief Comolli wants West Ham's Reo-Coker
Chelsea maintain Klinsmann contact
Mo wants Derby boss Davies at Fulham
Middlesbrough to offer £3M for Hibs star Brown
Nancy fullback Diakhite in Newcastle sights
Barcelona lure for Liverpool's Xabi
Liverpool's Garcia backs Villa bid
PSV's Beasley wants Man City deal
ITALY
Adriano tells Inter Milan fans: I'm here to stay
Inter plan to trump AC Milan with bumper Pato offer
AC Milan chiefs anxious to secure Nesta to new deal
AC Milan striker Ronaldo: I'll again be world's No1
Ronaldo: I can convince Ronaldinho about AC Milan
Agent again opens AC Milan door to Ronaldinho
Frings confirms planned Juventus talks
Del Piero backs Juventus return for Appiah
Lucarelli blasts Livorno fans: I'm leaving
Torino keeper Taibi wanted by Verona, Lecce
Serie A rivals circle for Messina's Zoro
Napoli, Torino eyeing Obodo
Sampdoria striker Bazzani back in shop window
Sampdoria return on for Siena's Vergassola
Torino chief Tosi calm over contract situation
Inter Milan chief: We back Julio Cesar
Cagliari coach Giampaolo: Now not time to think about future
Brevi happy with Torino return
Cagliari's Esposito wants Napoli move
Juventus target Mavuba spotted in Turin
Inter Milan chief "optimistic" over Crespo
Atalanta coach Colantuono laughs off Palermo link
Messina president backs coach Giordano
Zamparini assures Palermo fans over Corini stay
Palermo coach Guidolin upset with Inter Milan draw
SPAIN
Robinho: Real Madrid fight opposition, refs every Sunday
Ref wife: We've received threats
Stoichkov kicks off Celta Vigo career with victory
Begiristain defends Barcelona's Ronaldinho
Metzelder confirms Real Madrid agreement
Valencia plan £4M bid to keep Ayala
Real Zaragoza plan offer for Bayern Munich's Santa Cruz
Osasuna president: Ziganda here for long haul
Deco admits Barcelona "putting out fires"
Motta expects Barcelona stay
FRANCE
Elmander reveals Prem desire
Jean-Michel Aulas has hailed Gerard Houllier's achievements as Lyon boss
Frederic Antonetti feels the win over St Etienne was a huge boost to Nice's chances
Lyon are just one game away from another title after a 1-0 win at home to struggling Sedan
Toulouse prevented Lyon clinching a record sixth title with a 2-0 win over Auxerre
Jose Anigo says an agreement has been reached to allow Franck Ribery to move on
L'OM reveal Ribery deal
Cisse: I won't give up
Gallardo to fight for place
Yepes boost for PSG
GERMANY
Borussia Monchengladbach's Kasey Keller looks set to miss the rest of the season
Werder Bremen and Bayern Munich kept up their pursuit of Schalke with wins
Sparta Prague want Nurnberg to wait before an agreement is struck for Jaromir Blazek
Schalke secured a 3-0 win at lowly Mainz, while Stuttgart overcame Hannover
Lierse coach Kjetil Rekdal is flattered to be linked with the coaching job at Hertha Berlin
Rekdal eyes Hertha role
Hertha claim Gimenez accord
HOLLAND
AZ Alkmaar keep up their pursuit of Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven
Philip Cocu understands PSV need to look for a replacement as he weighs up his future
DaMarcus Beasley is hoping Man City take up the option to keep him permanently
PSV reclaimed top spot in the table after a 2-0 home win over Twente Enschede
Ajax will not be extending the contract of Spanish midfielder Roger
Ajax moved to the top of the Eredivisie following a 2-0 win over NAC Breda
Twente talk terms with Touma
SCOTLAND
Hibs boss Collins: I know who I can trust - and who I can't
Jones assures Hibs fans Collins row will end
Boyd pleads to Rangers fans: Give me a chance
Lennon urges Celtic fans to back Strachan
Rob Jones has assured fans that the unrest at Hibernian will be resolved
Steven Pressley is aiming become the first player to win the Scottish Cup with three clubs
The Tennant's Scottish Cup semi-final between Hibs and Dunfermline ended goalless
Tommy Craig hopes any future problems at Hibernian will be kept in-house
Kris Boyd has lamented the fact he still has his detractors amongst the Ibrox crowd
Stephen McManus has shrugged off criticism of Celtic's recent performances
SCANDINAVIA
Daniel Agger feels Liverpool have a psychological hold over Chelsea
Colin Todd has been appointed as the new manager of Danish club Randers FC
Malmo FF are reportedly keen to land Birmingham striker Mikael Forssell
Wigan flop Kristofer Haestad was on target for Norwegian side IK Start on Monday
Rangers defender Karl Svensson has rejected a return to IFK Gothenburg on loan
Arsenal to offer Gilberto for Newcastle's Parker
Man Utd plan sensational £12M Owen move
Ribery wants Arsenal move
Arsenal to offer £4.5M for Hearts skipper Gordon
Spurs chief Comolli wants West Ham's Reo-Coker
Chelsea maintain Klinsmann contact
Mo wants Derby boss Davies at Fulham
Middlesbrough to offer £3M for Hibs star Brown
Nancy fullback Diakhite in Newcastle sights
Barcelona lure for Liverpool's Xabi
Liverpool's Garcia backs Villa bid
PSV's Beasley wants Man City deal
ITALY
Adriano tells Inter Milan fans: I'm here to stay
Inter plan to trump AC Milan with bumper Pato offer
AC Milan chiefs anxious to secure Nesta to new deal
AC Milan striker Ronaldo: I'll again be world's No1
Ronaldo: I can convince Ronaldinho about AC Milan
Agent again opens AC Milan door to Ronaldinho
Frings confirms planned Juventus talks
Del Piero backs Juventus return for Appiah
Lucarelli blasts Livorno fans: I'm leaving
Torino keeper Taibi wanted by Verona, Lecce
Serie A rivals circle for Messina's Zoro
Napoli, Torino eyeing Obodo
Sampdoria striker Bazzani back in shop window
Sampdoria return on for Siena's Vergassola
Torino chief Tosi calm over contract situation
Inter Milan chief: We back Julio Cesar
Cagliari coach Giampaolo: Now not time to think about future
Brevi happy with Torino return
Cagliari's Esposito wants Napoli move
Juventus target Mavuba spotted in Turin
Inter Milan chief "optimistic" over Crespo
Atalanta coach Colantuono laughs off Palermo link
Messina president backs coach Giordano
Zamparini assures Palermo fans over Corini stay
Palermo coach Guidolin upset with Inter Milan draw
SPAIN
Robinho: Real Madrid fight opposition, refs every Sunday
Ref wife: We've received threats
Stoichkov kicks off Celta Vigo career with victory
Begiristain defends Barcelona's Ronaldinho
Metzelder confirms Real Madrid agreement
Valencia plan £4M bid to keep Ayala
Real Zaragoza plan offer for Bayern Munich's Santa Cruz
Osasuna president: Ziganda here for long haul
Deco admits Barcelona "putting out fires"
Motta expects Barcelona stay
FRANCE
Elmander reveals Prem desire
Jean-Michel Aulas has hailed Gerard Houllier's achievements as Lyon boss
Frederic Antonetti feels the win over St Etienne was a huge boost to Nice's chances
Lyon are just one game away from another title after a 1-0 win at home to struggling Sedan
Toulouse prevented Lyon clinching a record sixth title with a 2-0 win over Auxerre
Jose Anigo says an agreement has been reached to allow Franck Ribery to move on
L'OM reveal Ribery deal
Cisse: I won't give up
Gallardo to fight for place
Yepes boost for PSG
GERMANY
Borussia Monchengladbach's Kasey Keller looks set to miss the rest of the season
Werder Bremen and Bayern Munich kept up their pursuit of Schalke with wins
Sparta Prague want Nurnberg to wait before an agreement is struck for Jaromir Blazek
Schalke secured a 3-0 win at lowly Mainz, while Stuttgart overcame Hannover
Lierse coach Kjetil Rekdal is flattered to be linked with the coaching job at Hertha Berlin
Rekdal eyes Hertha role
Hertha claim Gimenez accord
HOLLAND
AZ Alkmaar keep up their pursuit of Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven
Philip Cocu understands PSV need to look for a replacement as he weighs up his future
DaMarcus Beasley is hoping Man City take up the option to keep him permanently
PSV reclaimed top spot in the table after a 2-0 home win over Twente Enschede
Ajax will not be extending the contract of Spanish midfielder Roger
Ajax moved to the top of the Eredivisie following a 2-0 win over NAC Breda
Twente talk terms with Touma
SCOTLAND
Hibs boss Collins: I know who I can trust - and who I can't
Jones assures Hibs fans Collins row will end
Boyd pleads to Rangers fans: Give me a chance
Lennon urges Celtic fans to back Strachan
Rob Jones has assured fans that the unrest at Hibernian will be resolved
Steven Pressley is aiming become the first player to win the Scottish Cup with three clubs
The Tennant's Scottish Cup semi-final between Hibs and Dunfermline ended goalless
Tommy Craig hopes any future problems at Hibernian will be kept in-house
Kris Boyd has lamented the fact he still has his detractors amongst the Ibrox crowd
Stephen McManus has shrugged off criticism of Celtic's recent performances
SCANDINAVIA
Daniel Agger feels Liverpool have a psychological hold over Chelsea
Colin Todd has been appointed as the new manager of Danish club Randers FC
Malmo FF are reportedly keen to land Birmingham striker Mikael Forssell
Wigan flop Kristofer Haestad was on target for Norwegian side IK Start on Monday
Rangers defender Karl Svensson has rejected a return to IFK Gothenburg on loan
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Friday, April 13, 2007
UEFA CUP RESULTS
second leg
Benfica 0 - 0 Espanyol
Osasuna 1 - 0 Bayer Leverkusen
Tottenham H. 2 - 2 Sevilla
Werder Bremen 4 - 1 AZ Alkmaar
teams in bold past trough the semi-finals
Benfica 0 - 0 Espanyol
Osasuna 1 - 0 Bayer Leverkusen
Tottenham H. 2 - 2 Sevilla
Werder Bremen 4 - 1 AZ Alkmaar
teams in bold past trough the semi-finals
Thursday, April 12, 2007
PREVIEW UEFA CUP SECOND LEG
Bremen - AZ
first leg (0:0)
Probable teams
Bremen : Tim Wiese; Clemens Fritz, Naldo, Petri Pasanen, Jurica Vranješ; Patrick Owomoyela, Torsten Frings, Diego, Tim Borowski; Miroslav Klose, Aaron Hunt.
Alkmaar : Boy Waterman; Gijs Luirink, Kew Jaliens, Ryan Donk, Tim de Cler; Julian Jenner, Demy de Zeeuw, Moussa Dembélé, Maarten Martens; Shota Arveladze, Danny Koevermans.
Osasuna - Leverkusen
first leg (3:0)
Probable teams
Osasuna : Ricardo López; José Izquierdo, César Cruchaga, Javier Cuéllar, Nacho Monreal; Valdo, Josetxo Romero, Iñaki Muñoz Oroz, Juanlu; Roberto Soldado, Savo Milošević.
Leverkusen : René Adler; Gonzalo Castro, Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker, Ahmed Madouni, Alexander Meyer; Bernd Schneider, Pirmin Schwegler; Paul Freier, Sergej Barbarez, Athirson; Andriy Voronin.
Benfica - Espanol
first leg (2:3)
Probable teams
Benfica : Quim; Nélson, Anderson, David Luiz, Léo; Georgios Karagounis/Rui Costa, Konstantinos Katsouranis, Petit, Simão; Nuno Gomes, Derlei/Fabrizio Miccoli.
Espanyol : Gorka Iraizoz; Pablo Zabaleta, Marc Torrejón, Daniel Jarque, Francisco Chica; Moisés Hurtado; Francisco Rufete, Iván de la Peña, Luis García, Albert Riera; Walter Pandiani.
Tottenham - Sevilla
first leg (1:2)
Probable teams
Tottenham : Paul Robinson; Teemu Tainio, Michael Dawson, Ledley King, Pascal Chimbonda; Aaron Lennon, Didier Zokora, Jermaine Jenas, Steed Malbranque; Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane.
Sevilla : David Cobeño; Andreas Hinkel, Javi Navarro, Julien Escudé, David Castedo; Daniel Alves, Christian Poulsen, Enzo Maresca, Adriano Correia; Renato; Frédéric Kanouté.
first leg (0:0)
Probable teams
Bremen : Tim Wiese; Clemens Fritz, Naldo, Petri Pasanen, Jurica Vranješ; Patrick Owomoyela, Torsten Frings, Diego, Tim Borowski; Miroslav Klose, Aaron Hunt.
Alkmaar : Boy Waterman; Gijs Luirink, Kew Jaliens, Ryan Donk, Tim de Cler; Julian Jenner, Demy de Zeeuw, Moussa Dembélé, Maarten Martens; Shota Arveladze, Danny Koevermans.
Osasuna - Leverkusen
first leg (3:0)
Probable teams
Osasuna : Ricardo López; José Izquierdo, César Cruchaga, Javier Cuéllar, Nacho Monreal; Valdo, Josetxo Romero, Iñaki Muñoz Oroz, Juanlu; Roberto Soldado, Savo Milošević.
Leverkusen : René Adler; Gonzalo Castro, Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker, Ahmed Madouni, Alexander Meyer; Bernd Schneider, Pirmin Schwegler; Paul Freier, Sergej Barbarez, Athirson; Andriy Voronin.
Benfica - Espanol
first leg (2:3)
Probable teams
Benfica : Quim; Nélson, Anderson, David Luiz, Léo; Georgios Karagounis/Rui Costa, Konstantinos Katsouranis, Petit, Simão; Nuno Gomes, Derlei/Fabrizio Miccoli.
Espanyol : Gorka Iraizoz; Pablo Zabaleta, Marc Torrejón, Daniel Jarque, Francisco Chica; Moisés Hurtado; Francisco Rufete, Iván de la Peña, Luis García, Albert Riera; Walter Pandiani.
Tottenham - Sevilla
first leg (1:2)
Probable teams
Tottenham : Paul Robinson; Teemu Tainio, Michael Dawson, Ledley King, Pascal Chimbonda; Aaron Lennon, Didier Zokora, Jermaine Jenas, Steed Malbranque; Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane.
Sevilla : David Cobeño; Andreas Hinkel, Javi Navarro, Julien Escudé, David Castedo; Daniel Alves, Christian Poulsen, Enzo Maresca, Adriano Correia; Renato; Frédéric Kanouté.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Champions league info
1/2 finals
Manchester United - AC Milan
Chelsea FC - Liverpool FC
Manchester United - AC Milan
Chelsea FC - Liverpool FC
Old Trafford will stage the first match of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals on 24 April after AC Milan eliminated FC Bayern München to join three English teams in the last four of club football's premier competition.
Final repeat?
While United are contesting their first semi-final in five years, their opponents Milan know all about this stage of the UEFA Champions League having reached it in four of the last five campaigns. The Rossoneri will hope to repeat their 2-0 aggregate success against United in the 2004/05 first knockout round, and a sequel to that season's epic final against Liverpool in Istanbul could also be on the cards in Athens on 23 May.
Rivals meet again
Just as two terms ago, Chelsea FC - the only semi-finalist never to have played in a European Champion Clubs' Cup final – are the barrier standing in Liverpool's way in the other tie. Chelsea will have home advantage in the first leg on 25 April, before the game concludes at Anfield on 1 May. Twenty-four hours later, at San Siro, the second of the 2006/07 finalists will be known.
PREVIEW CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Quarter-finals second leg
FC Bayern - AC Milan
first leg (2:2)
FC Bayern München coach Ottmar Hitzfeld will be asking his side to "go up a gear" when the Bundesliga outfit welcome AC Milan to the Fußball Arena München with a place in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals at stake - but they will have to buck a losing trend against the Rossoneri. Only Daniel Van Buyten's dramatic equaliser deep into added time at the San Siro last week helped Bayern avoid a seventh defeat in nine meetings with Milan. Yet with the hard part seemingly done, hopes are high that the red half of Munich can build on the foundations of a formidable home record and hold firm in the second leg. "We go up a gear when we're at home," said Hitzfeld. "We are capable of pushing up our performance by ten to 20 per cent." Statistics certainly back that up - Bayern have never lost a UEFA Champions League game by more than a goal in their Bavarian heartland - though Hitzfeld is having to contend with a host of injuries. Willy Sagnol (knee) and Martín Demichelis (muscle strain) are ruled out, while Lucio and Owen Hargreaves are expected to play after coming through an open training session on Tuesday. There was no Bastian Schweinsteiger, however, and the man who scored Bayern's clincher in Saturday's 2-1 victory at Hannover 96 is a major doubt with a knee complaint. Hitzfeld believes the likes of Andreas Ottl provide ample cover yet is nonetheless grateful for the return from suspension of Oliver Kahn and Mark van Bommel, as his team look to reach the last four for the first time since winning the competition in 2001. "Van Bommel will add more presence in midfield but it won't be about individuals - the better team will win," he said. It is a sentiment echoed by Milan counterpart Carlo Ancelotti, who refused to place importance on the Rossoneri's 'previous' against the German club. "What matters is how the teams perform," insisted the 47-year-old, whose side beat Empoli FC 3-1 at the weekend. "Bayern will look to control the game so, for us, the recipe for success is to play good football and perform. We need to have faith in our quality and remain upbeat about our chances." Milan are hampered by the absence of the suspended Alberto Gilardino, though in Filippo Inzaghi, Ancelotti can call upon a man who has scored more UEFA club competition goals than all but Gerd Müller, Raúl González, Andriy Shevchenko and Eusébio. "He is not yet 100 per cent fit but I'm confident he will play," said the coach. "The goals he has scored in the Champions League speak volumes and he has scored against Bayern in the past." That came in a 4-1 success in Milan last season. Ancelotti would no doubt settle for 1-0 this time around.
Probable teams
FC Bayern : Oliver Kahn; Hasan Salihamidžić, Lucio, Daniel Van Buyten, Philipp Lahm; Owen Hargreaves, Mark van Bommel, Andreas Ottl, Bastian Schweinsteiger; Roy Makaay, Lukas Podolski.
AC Milan : Dida; Massimo Oddo, Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Nesta, Marek Jankulovski; Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Massimo Ambrosini, Clarence Seedorf; Kaká; Filippo Inzaghi.
Liverpool FC - PSV Eindhoven
first leg (3:0)
Liverpool FC's 3-0 first-leg lead over PSV Eindhoven suggests Wednesday's UEFA Champions League quarter-final may have the air of a triumphal procession into the semis for the five-time winners, but manager Rafael Benítez insists there is unfinished business to attend to at Anfield. Benítez is eager to point out that Liverpool themselves wrote the blueprint for overhauling a three-goal deficit, against AC Milan in their epic 2005 UEFA Champions League final triumph, so he is demanding maximum effort and concentration from his team in the second leg. "Three goals is a big difference but in Istanbul we were three goals down. We must be focused because PSV have quality and they will try from the beginning," said Benítez. The Liverpool boss says he will urge his side to control the game with a high-tempo approach, adding: "They are ready. If we score the first goal it will be easier but we know from experience, you always have to keep going until the end. Of course I prefer to be in this situation, but it's strange because we must talk about 'no complacency' and being careful of things like this when we are playing the second leg." Liverpool, 2-1 victors at Reading FC in the Premiership on Saturday, have Mohamed Sissoko available after a one-match ban, though the encouraging form of Javier Mascherano may keep the Mali midfielder on the bench. Dutch international Dirk Kuyt misses out through suspension and Craig Bellamy is expected to take his place up front. Left-sided attacking full-back Fabio Aurelio, meanwhile, is sidelined for the remainder of the reason after rupturing his achilles tendon in Eindhoven and Benítez says resting other players could be an option. PSV, by contrast, are struggling for form, having failed to win in their last six competitive outings - including a 2-1 weekend reverse at NEC Nijmegen. In addition, the Dutch champions and league leaders will be without several key figures on Merseyside as Alex, Ibrahim Afellay, Edison Méndez, Jan Kromkamp and Michael Reiziger are all injured. Coach Ronald Koeman has added youth team defenders Rens van Eijden and Olivier ter Horst to his depleted squad, though they are unlikely to play. Another defender, Dirk Marcellis, could make his UEFA Champions League debut in the week of his 19th birthday. Koeman has a philosophical view of his team's prospects of staying in the competition. He said: "It's not impossible, but let's be realistic about it. Being 3-0 behind against a team like Liverpool means pegging back three goals and it is going to be quite difficult. We are in the quarter-finals of the [UEFA] Champions League and that's something that we have to be pretty proud of."
Probable teams
Liverpool : Pepe Reina; Steve Finnan, Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger, John Arne Riise; Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano, Mark González; Craig Bellamy, Peter Crouch.
PSV: Heurelho Gomes; Csaba Fehér, Manuel Da Costa, Dirk Marcellis, Carlos Salcido; Mika Väyrynen, Timmy Simons, Phillip Cocu, Jason Culina; Arouna Koné, Jefferson Farfán.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
PREVIEW CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
second leg
Manchester Utd - AS Roma
Manchester Utd - AS Roma
Manchester United FC have never before overcome a first-leg deficit in the UEFA Champions League but that statistic means nothing to their manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, who believes they have a "massive chance" of advancing to the semi-finals despite the 2-1 advantage AS Roma bring with them on their first visit to Old Trafford. "I think it is a good position," said Sir Alex. "We acquitted ourselves very well in the circumstances in Rome. We're pleased that with ten men we scored a goal and when we did score, Roma became very nervous for a period. Tomorrow our attacking impetus will be much stronger." The Scot's bullishness came despite his team's first back-to-back losses of the campaign - Saturday's 2-1 league defeat at Portsmouth FC following the reverse in Rome - and a lengthy absentee list which now includes the suspended Paul Scholes and hamstring victim Louis Saha. Yet a defiant Sir Alex, citing a 14-match unbeaten run after their last Premiership loss, said: "I think the history of the club has always been that way. We do recover and we will recover well. Everyone loses at some point, it is what you do about it that makes a team, and I am confident about that." Although United have attempted failed fightbacks five times in the last eleven seasons in the competition, the manager sounded undaunted by the challenge of bettering Serie A's second-best side. "Can you compare Roma with the great Juventus teams that came here, or AC Milan of two years ago, or Real Madrid [CF]? They have all been here and it certainly won't be any more tense than those games." Sir Alex did concede, however, that Roma, impressive 2-0 winners at Olympique Lyonnais in the last round, carried a real counterattacking threat. "Their away form has been good and they have had a goal threat, so I don't anticipate they'll go completely defensive." Roma coach Luciano Spalletti echoed his counterpart's words, saying: "We showed in the first game that we are a very good team, sound in defence, and we have to do the same again tomorrow. It would be risky to try a different approach against such a good attacking side as United. We will play as we know how to play." Spalletti has midfielder David Pizarro back from a ban, yet has lost Simone Perrotta for the same reason. The coach's main concern, though, is the fitness of leading scorer Francesco Totti, who missed Saturday's 2-0 victory against Calcio Catania with a sciatica problem, although he did train seeminly unhindered on the eve of the game. Roma were last in the quarter-finals of Europe's élite competition in 1984 and Spalletti admitted, "United have an advantage over us in that they are used to playing at this level". More experienced they may be, but United do not always get it right as Sir Alex confessed. "I think we will make chances but from my experience of European games in the past, we have missed chances," he said, recalling semi-final upsets against BV Borussia Dortmund and Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Yet he added: "If we can create our chances, and take a percentage, I think we have a massive chance."
Probable teams
Manchester United: Edwin van der Sar; John O'Shea, Rio Ferdinand, Wes Brown, Gabriel Heinze; Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher, Ryan Giggs; Wayne Rooney, Ole Gunnar Solskjær.
Roma: Doni; Marco Cassetti, Cristian Chivu, Philippe Mexes, Christian Panucci; Daniele De Rossi, David Pizarro; Christian Wilhelmsson, Taddei, Mancini; Francesco Totti.
FC Valencia - Chelsea FC
first leg (1:1)
Valencia CF coach Quique Sánchez Flores could have been forgiven for choosing the cloak-and-dagger approach when questioned about his tactics to face Chelsea FC in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg at the Mestalla on Tuesday night. Given that he, and his opposite number José Mourinho, have consistently drummed out the message that the tie will be decided by tiny details - or a decisive error - the Spaniard might have opted to conceal his cards. Instead he laid out the entire technical blueprint which is designed to nullify the English champions and put Valencia in the competition's last four for the first time since they reached the final against FC Bayern München in 2001. "I have already asked my players to perform as if the first leg didn't happen and we don't have the advantage of a 1-1 draw," said the 42-year-old former Real Madrid CF, Valencia and Real Zaragoza midfielder. "I have demanded a night of very high intensity and I want us to push Chelsea back by playing very high up the pitch." Even when quizzed about Chelsea successfully employing "direct" football in the second half of last week's Stamford Bridge draw – as Didier Drogba equalised David Silva's spectacular opener – Sánchez Flores was happy to expand: "When your opponents have footballers of the quality of Drogba or Andriy Shevchenko, then it's obviously key to keep them as far from your penalty area as possible, for as long as possible. But given how Chelsea played for some of the last game, I've told my players that I want them to close down the opposition defenders and never allow them the easy option of a long ball. Linked to that, if Chelsea do hit the ball long to, say, Drogba then we need to be super alert and win the second ball when it is knocked down." He will also want his players more alert than in their 1-0 weekend loss at Athletic Club Bilbao, which caused them to drop to fifth place in the Primera División. Despite the suspensions of Carlos Marchena and David Navarro plus the devastating thigh injury sustained by Vicente Rodríguez in London, Sánchez Flores can count on experienced forward Fernando Morientes who completed a third pain-free training session on Monday following his dislocated shoulder. Equally, Mourinho has the pleasing news that midfielder Michael Essien is on the verge of returning. "I asked him if he was coming with us to Valencia for a holiday or to play," joked the Chelsea boss. "He said it was to play and that's good - if I like his training pre match then I want to use him." If Mourinho's chirpy demeanour can be taken at face value then he expects to dent Valencia's record of having entertained English opposition in UEFA competition eleven times at the Mestalla and never lost. "It's obvious that 0-0 means we are out so we are here to get a goal – and perhaps one goal is enough," said the Portuguese, whose side moved to within three points of Premiership leaders Manchester United FC following Saturday's 1-0 defeat of Tottenham Hotspur FC. "We have scored goals late in games many times this season but perhaps in Valencia, it will be the case that we are defending a lead late in the game. The Mestalla will be a pressure environment but fans don't score goals – I want our positive European season to continue and we can do it."
Probable teams
FC Valencia: Santiago Cañizares; Luis Miguel, Roberto Ayala, Emiliano Moretti, Asier del Horno; Miguel Ángel Angulo, Raúl Albiol, David Albelda, David Silva; Fernando Morientes, David Villa.
Chelsea FC : Petr Čech; Lassana Diarra, Ricardo Carvalho, John Terry, Ashley Cole; Michael Essien, John Obi Mikel, Michael Ballack, Frank Lampard; Didier Drogba, Andriy Shevchenko.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
PREVIEW CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
QUARTER FINALS
AS Roma - Manchester Utd.
Chelsea FC - FC Valencia
AS Roma - Manchester Utd.
AS Roma coach Luciano Spalletti is relishing the opportunity to pit his wits against Sir Alex Ferguson as the Serie A side make their first appearance in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals against Manchester United FC. While Sir Alex has overseen more than 200 European matches, Spalletti, 48, possesses far less top-level experience having risen steadily up the echelons of Italian football. The former Udinese Calcio boss described Wednesday's game as his biggest yet but remains determined to savour the occasion. "Coaching Empoli FC in a promotion play-off was important but somehow I think playing United in a packed Stadio Olimpico beats that," Spalletti said with a smile. "It's an amazing feeling but I'll try to stay calm and enjoy the game." Spalletti's shrewd tactical choices helped Roma end Olympique Lyonnais' 18-match unbeaten home run in the previous round, and after getting the better of Gérard Houllier he now has the Scot in his sights. "Sir Alex is a wonderful coach but there's a difference between him and me: he's won 29 trophies, I've won one Serie C title," Spalletti pointed out. "I'll watch the way he approaches the game, as I always do when I'm up against great coaches, and I'll try to take some tips." He does not, however, want his team to show United too much respect, and is urging a positive approach: "I'd like us to attack more than we did against Lyon. I'm sure United will come at us but we're confident. The Lyon victory has boosted our self-belief." Sir Alex, meanwhile, had equally flattering words for Spalletti, praising him for "creating a system" by operating without a veritable centre-forward. "Big coaches make brave decisions and his decision to play this way was brave," said the United manager. Captain Francesco Totti will again be the furthest forward, supported by wingers Mancini and Taddei. Simone Perrotta, usually employed behind Totti, may drop deeper to cover for the suspended David Pizarro, offering a roving role to Christian Wilhelmsson, while Marco Cassetti deputises for injured full-back Max Tonetto. United have greater injury concerns after Nemanja Vidić (collarbone) and Ji-Sung Park (knee) joined long-term absentees Mikaël Silvestre and Gary Neville on the sidelines. Louis Saha and Darren Fletcher have both travelled despite just recently returning to fitness, and Ferguson hinted the Frenchman may enter the fray in the second period. Ryan Giggs should partner Wayne Rooney in attack, freeing up a midfield berth for Kieran Richardson or Alan Smith. Sir Alex, however, is reluctant to speak about injuries, saying: "Our squad is being tested but we've proved over the last few weeks that those coming in are capable of doing the business." The Premiership leaders hope to repeat their treble achievement of 1998/99 and while Ferguson conceded that the current team has room for improvement, he feels the potential is enormous. "They don't have the overall experience yet but they're young and they have their careers in front of them," he said. "They all want to win trophies and if they start doing it early that'd be fantastic."
Probable teams
Roma: Doni; Marco Cassetti, Cristian Chivu, Philippe Mexes, Christian Panucci; Simone Perrotta, Daniele De Rossi; Taddei, Christian Wilhelmsson, Mancini; Francesco Totti.
United: Edwin van der Sar; Wes Brown, Rio Ferdinand, John O'Shea, Gabriel Heinze; Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes, Kieran Richardson/Alan Smith; Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney.
Roma: Doni; Marco Cassetti, Cristian Chivu, Philippe Mexes, Christian Panucci; Simone Perrotta, Daniele De Rossi; Taddei, Christian Wilhelmsson, Mancini; Francesco Totti.
United: Edwin van der Sar; Wes Brown, Rio Ferdinand, John O'Shea, Gabriel Heinze; Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes, Kieran Richardson/Alan Smith; Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney.
Chelsea FC - FC Valencia
Chelsea FC return to the UEFA Champions League - the pinnacle of their quest to win an unprecedented four trophies this season - with José Mourinho insisting that even if they fall short in all three remaining competitions, he will still finish the campaign a contented manager. "We can win more things but even if we don't, it will be the kind of season where at the end of it I will only have good words for my players. And only a good feeling about my commitment, what I gave and what I did to try and help my team to success," said the Portuguese, who already has the English League Cup under lock and key, ahead of Wednesday's quarter-final first leg against Valencia CF. "In that respect we can all sleep soundly knowing we are giving everything. The problem comes when people think you could do more, or you've slept on what we did or achieved before, but that is not the case." Chelsea are the only side in the last eight who have not appeared in a European Champion Clubs' Cup final, something which has not dissuaded the bookmakers from installing them as favourites to hold the prized silverware aloft in Athens on 23 May. That glamour date is still some way ahead and Mourinho does not expect an easy ride against the Spanish visitors at Stamford Bridge. "Valencia are a team that play very well and who like to play good football," he warned. "They have a lot of solutions and a lot of good attacking players. They have speed down the sides and experience at the back. Their midfield players are very strong defensively." Arjen Robben - who did so much to tilt the balance of the last-16 return match against FC Porto back in Chelsea's favour - has followed Michael Essien on to the absentee list after knee surgery, but Joe Cole is almost ready to return and could have a substitute's role in London. Neither team really impressed at the weekend. Chelsea, who are also in the FA Cup semi-finals, needed an injury-time goal to defeat bottom club Watford FC and remain six points behind Premiership leaders Manchester United FC. Valencia also endured some difficult moments before overcoming RCD Espanyol 3-2 to remain fourth in the Primera División. With David Navarro and Carlos Marchena suspended and leading scorer Fernando Morientes joining Rubén Baraja and Edu among those missing out through injury, Quique Sánchez Flores's options are considerably reduced. The Valencia coach believes two sides of similar strengths and styles will be battling it out for a place in the semi-finals. "There is going to be a lot of play in the middle of the park, and when there are two similar teams like this they do tend to cancel each other out," Sánchez Flores said. "Normally a game like this will be decided on one key incident or a couple of chances here or there. If we score everyone on our bench would be delighted - it would be a major step forward for us in the tie."
Probable teams
Chelsea: Petr Čech; Lassana Diarra, Ricardo Carvalho, John Terry, Ashley Cole; Claude Makelele, Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack, Shaun Wright-Phillips; Didier Drogba, Andriy Shevchenko.
Valencia: Santiago Cañizares; Luis Miguel, Roberto Ayala, Emiliano Moretti, Asier del Horno; Miguel Ángel Angulo, Raúl Albiol, David Albeda, David Silva; Vicente Rodríguez; David Villa.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
PREVIEW CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
QUARTER FINALS
AC MILAN - FC BAYERN
After admitting that his side have not been at the height of their powers this season, AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti described Tuesday night's UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg against FC Bayern München as the "perfect chance" to salvage their campaign. Although the Italian giants have found it difficult to keep up with Serie A's frontrunners this term, according to Ancelotti the visit of the German title-holders to San Siro is a huge window of opportunity. "This season has been really hard going with lots of ups and downs," said the 47-year-old. "We haven't played as well as we can for numerous reasons. We've had problems but now we have reached the last eight of the Champions League, we have the perfect chance to put matters right. It's a huge incentive." Both Milan and Bayern enjoyed creditable weekend results. The former came from behind to draw 1-1 at second-placed AS Roma thanks to Alberto Gilardino's second-half effort, while the latter won 2-0 at home to Bundesliga leaders FC Schalke 04. The Rossoneri, sixth in Serie A, started poorly at the Stadio Olimpico and Ancelotti knows his team can ill afford such sluggishness against Bayern, particularly in light of Roy Makaay's habit of lightning strikes. The Dutch forward scored the fastest goal in UEFA Champions League history against Real Madrid CF in the last round, and was at it again on Saturday, breaking the deadlock after just three minutes before Hasan Salihamidžić made the match safe. "We must start better than we did in Rome," said Ancelotti. "We must show better athleticism, aggression and desire – and with Makaay around let's hope we win the kick-off." There is cause for Italian optimism, however, given that Milan have a near full complement of players available, including Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Nesta and Filippo Inzaghi, while Bayern will be missing goalkeeper Oliver Kahn and midfielder Mark van Bommel, both suspended. The hosts have also won 15 of their last 18 UEFA Champions League home games and, crucially, have a 100 per cent record against Bayern, whom they defeated 4-1 (5-2 on aggregate) at the last-16 stage last term. "We have great memories of last year," reflected Ancelotti. "We played excellently at home and hope to do so again. Kahn is the symbol of their side and Van Bommel is also a first-team regular, so their absence could weigh against them." This is not a theory shared by his opposite number. "We've known for a while that we'd be without those two but we have great replacements," said Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld. "Michael Rensing has played well in goal for us, while on Saturday I rested Owen Hargreaves and Andreas Ottl was superb against Schalke. "This season both teams have had good and bad times domestically, and this competition is an opportunity for both of us to show what we're made of," he continued. "I'm expecting a very intense encounter, and he who holds his nerve and plays better on the night will succeed." Bayern can take heart from improving domestic form – they are within six points of the Bundesliga summit – as well as their most recent result at San Siro, a 2-0 home victory over Serie A champions-elect FC Internazionale Milano on Matchday 2.
Probable teams
Milan : Dida; Massimo Oddo, Alessandro Nesta, Paolo Maldini, Marek Jankulovski; Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Massimo Ambrosini; Kaká, Clarence Seedorf; Alberto Gilardino.
Bayern: Michael Rensing; Willy Sagnol, Daniel Van Buyten, Lucio, Phillipp Lahm; Hasan Salihamidžić, Andreas Ottl, Owen Hargreaves, Bastian Schweinsteiger; Roy Makaay, Lukas Podolski.
PSV EINDHOVEN - LIVERPOOL FC
Their injury list is lengthening, their lead at the top of the Eredivisie is shortening, and on Tuesday they play their most important match of the season to date. But as the spring sun shone down, PSV Eindhoven appeared relaxed. The sight of goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes enjoying a kickaround with his two-year-old son as training wound down suggested they are enjoying the moment. Few expected PSV to reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League; coach Ronald Koeman insisted they could yet go further as he prepared for the first leg against Liverpool FC. "Liverpool will have to be on their game to beat us, even though we have problems with injuries," he said. "To win games at this level you need a fit team, but in this competition over two matches there are surprises. Arsenal [FC] know that and Liverpool will know that too. You always have chances in these sorts of matches." Fortune, though, has not favoured PSV. Injuries to inspirational centre-back Alex and striker Arouna Koné were compounded when playmaker Ibrahim Afellay strained a hamstring in Saturday's 1-1 draw at NAC Breda. Koeman, who is expected to ask Manuel Da Costa to deputise for Alex, revealed Afellay will need a scan to determine his fitness, yet otherwise gave little away. "With the situation as it is, the last thing we want to do is put all our cards on the table," Koeman said, before dismissing as "coincidence" the successes he has enjoyed as a coach, this season against Arsenal, and last when his SL Benfica team eliminated both Liverpool and Manchester United FC from this competition. "Liverpool are in form and I expect a match like we had in the group stage against them. It's going to be very tough, but if it's 0-0 or 1-0 we will be happy." While PSV are without a win since ousting Arsenal, Liverpool's confidence has grown subsequent to beating holders FC Barcelona in the previous round. The 2005 UEFA Champions League winners defeated Arsenal 4-1 on Saturday and will hope to improve on the goalless draw here in September. Manager Rafael Benítez, though, was doing his best to dampen rising expectations. "I think we have a better team than the one that won the Champions League, but you never know," said the Spaniard. "It's normal when you get to this stage that people talk about the final but you must go one step at a time and in this case, PSV will be a very difficult team to play against. The problem could be that we have more confidence so we have to be careful and put the players under pressure. Start winning and then we can talk." Benítez is without the suspended Mohamed Sissoko but has the luxury of giving Argentinian anchorman Javier Mascherano his first UEFA Champions League start. Striker Peter Crouch scored in the 2-0 victory against PSV at Anfield in November and after hitting a hat-trick against Arsenal, will hope to keep his place, although Dutchman Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy are pushing for recalls.
Probable teams
PSV: Heurelho Gomes; Jan Kromkamp, Carlos Salcido, Manuel Da Costa, Sun Xiang; Edison Méndez, Phillip Cocu, Timmy Simons, Mika Väyrynen, Jason Culina; Jefferson Farfán.
Liverpool: Pepe Reina; Álvaro Arbeloa, Daniel Agger, Jamie Carragher, Steve Finnan; Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano, John Arne Riise; Dirk Kuyt, Craig Bellamy.
Probable teams
Milan : Dida; Massimo Oddo, Alessandro Nesta, Paolo Maldini, Marek Jankulovski; Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Massimo Ambrosini; Kaká, Clarence Seedorf; Alberto Gilardino.
Bayern: Michael Rensing; Willy Sagnol, Daniel Van Buyten, Lucio, Phillipp Lahm; Hasan Salihamidžić, Andreas Ottl, Owen Hargreaves, Bastian Schweinsteiger; Roy Makaay, Lukas Podolski.
PSV EINDHOVEN - LIVERPOOL FC
Probable teams
PSV: Heurelho Gomes; Jan Kromkamp, Carlos Salcido, Manuel Da Costa, Sun Xiang; Edison Méndez, Phillip Cocu, Timmy Simons, Mika Väyrynen, Jason Culina; Jefferson Farfán.
Liverpool: Pepe Reina; Álvaro Arbeloa, Daniel Agger, Jamie Carragher, Steve Finnan; Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano, John Arne Riise; Dirk Kuyt, Craig Bellamy.
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