Champions League draw – your views
December 18, 2009
David Beckham can look forward to en emotional evening at Old Trafford, after AC Milan were drawn to play Manchester United in the second round of the Champions League.
Beckham had said in the days leading up to the draw that he would love a chance to return to his old stamping ground and the England man has his wish in the pick of the matches (although Inter Milan v Chelsea isn’t bad either, for all you Mourinho watchers).
Here’s the draw for the round of 16 in the Champions League, just completed in Nyon this morning. More to come but please give us your views on the draw.
Stuttgart v Barcelona
Olympiakos v Bordeaux
Inter Milan v Chelsea
Bayern Munich v Fiorentina
CSKA Moscow v Sevilla
Olympique Lyon v Real Madrid
AC Milan v Manchester United
PHOTO: A brick in the footpath outside the Old Trafford bears the name of David Beckham in gold lettering June 10, 2003. REUTERS/Paul Sanders
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Warm yourselves up with our hot predictions league
December 18, 2009
I’m freezing at the top of a mountain watching skiing in northern Italy (where in fact the natives all speak German) and I hear it’s shivering cold in the UK and other parts of Europe too.
What better way to warm ourselves up than our Premier League predictions competition. Admittedly our panel have not exactly been red hot of late (see the midweek matches) but some of our outside contributors have outshone us all.
Not an obvious standout game this weekend but I guess Gianfranco Zola’s struggling West Ham against his former side Chelsea is an interesting one so we’ll make that our double pointer. Remember, one point for a correct result and five for getting the score spot on.
Please play along in the comments below and don’t be put off about having to register, we are not MI5. I’ll add in our panel’s predictions just as soon as my frozen fingers thaw out.
Reuters Soccer blog panel: Patrick Johnston 169, Paul Radford 146, Mitch Phillips 143, Neil Maidment 124, Simon Evans 114, Mike Collett 117, Mark Meadows 117, Kevin Fylan 113, Julien Pretot 112, Miles Evans 99, Martyn Herman 91, Asia Sports Desk 90, Sonia Oxley 46, Justin Palmer 41
Playing on Saturday
Portsmouth v Liverpool: Patrick Johnston, Paul Radford, Mitch Phillips, Neil Maidment, Simon Evans, Mike Collett, Mark Meadows 1-2, Kevin Fylan, Julien Pretot, Miles Evans, Martyn Herman, Asia Sports Desk, Sonia Oxley, Justin Palmer
Aston Villa v Stoke City: Patrick Johnston, Paul Radford, Mitch Phillips, Neil Maidment, Simon Evans, Mike Collett, Mark Meadows 2-1, Kevin Fylan, Julien Pretot, Miles Evans, Martyn Herman, Asia Sports Desk, Sonia Oxley, Justin Palmer
Blackburn Rovers v Tottenham Hotspur: Patrick Johnston, Paul Radford, Mitch Phillips, Neil Maidment, Simon Evans, Mike Collett, Mark Meadows 1-3, Kevin Fylan, Julien Pretot, Miles Evans, Martyn Herman, Asia Sports Desk, Sonia Oxley, Justin Palmer
Fulham v Manchester United: Patrick Johnston, Paul Radford, Mitch Phillips, Neil Maidment, Simon Evans, Mike Collett, Mark Meadows 2-2, Kevin Fylan, Julien Pretot, Miles Evans, Martyn Herman, Asia Sports Desk, Sonia Oxley, Justin Palmer
Manchester City v Sunderland: Patrick Johnston, Paul Radford, Mitch Phillips, Neil Maidment, Simon Evans, Mike Collett, Mark Meadows 2-0, Kevin Fylan, Julien Pretot, Miles Evans, Martyn Herman, Asia Sports Desk, Sonia Oxley, Justin Palmer
Arsenal v Hull City: Patrick Johnston, Paul Radford, Mitch Phillips, Neil Maidment, Simon Evans, Mike Collett, Mark Meadows 2-0, Kevin Fylan, Julien Pretot, Miles Evans, Martyn Herman, Asia Sports Desk, Sonia Oxley, Justin Palmer
Playing on Sunday
Wolves v Burnley: Patrick Johnston, Paul Radford, Mitch Phillips, Neil Maidment, Simon Evans, Mike Collett, Mark Meadows 0-0, Kevin Fylan, Julien Pretot, Miles Evans, Martyn Herman, Asia Sports Desk, Sonia Oxley, Justin Palmer
Everton v Birmingham City: Patrick Johnston, Paul Radford, Mitch Phillips, Neil Maidment, Simon Evans, Mike Collett, Mark Meadows 1-1, Kevin Fylan, Julien Pretot, Miles Evans, Martyn Herman, Asia Sports Desk, Sonia Oxley, Justin Palmer
West Ham United v Chelsea: Patrick Johnston, Paul Radford, Mitch Phillips, Neil Maidment, Simon Evans, Mike Collett, Mark Meadows 0-4, Kevin Fylan, Julien Pretot, Miles Evans, Martyn Herman, Asia Sports Desk, Sonia Oxley, Justin Palmer
Playing on Monday
Wigan Athletic v Bolton Wanderers: Patrick Johnston, Paul Radford, Mitch Phillips, Neil Maidment, Simon Evans, Mike Collett, Mark Meadows 1-2, Kevin Fylan, Julien Pretot, Miles Evans, Martyn Herman, Asia Sports Desk, Sonia Oxley, Justin Palmer
PHOTO: REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci
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Beckham set for Old Trafford return
December 18, 2009
David Beckham is set to return to Old Trafford after Manchester United were drawn with AC Milan on Friday for the knockout stages of the Champions League.
The England midfielder, who won the Champions League with United in 1999 before joining Real Madrid in 2003, will return to Milan in January for a second loan spell from Los Angeles Galaxy.
Beckham left United for Real Madrid in 2003 and has not yet come up against the club where he made his name.
United’s director of communications Phil Townsend was pleased with the draw. “It will be fantastic,” he told Sky Sports News. “I think everyone at Old Trafford will be absolutely delighted, it’s what the Champions League is all about.
“He (Beckham) will get a fantastic reception, as players coming back usually do at Manchester United. He was a terrific servant for the club and we all hope he will be playing.”
Chelsea take on former manager Jose Mourinho after being drawn against his current club Inter Milan.
Mourinho was dubbed the ‘Special One’ when he lead Chelsea to Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006 before leaving early in the 2007/2008 season.
Arsenal take on Portuguese side Porto as all three English clubs play the first leg of their ties away from home after winning their groups.
Arsenal secretary David Miles believes manager Arsene Wenger will be satisfied with a two-legged tie against Porto.
“I think he will be relatively pleased,” he said. “We have played Porto three times in four seasons so they are a team we know well.”
Spanish clubs avoided the big names with reigning champions Barcelona drawn against German side Stuttgart and Real Madrid up against French club Lyon.
German giants Bayern Munich meet Serie A club Fiorentina and CSKA Moscow were drawn with Spanish club Sevilla.
Draw for the last 16, knockout round:
Inter Milan (ITA) v Chelsea (ENG)
Lyon (FRA) v Real Madrid (ESP)
AC Milan (ITA) v Manchester United (ENG)
Olympiakos (GRE) v Bordeaux (FRA)
FC Porto (POR) v Arsenal (ENG)
CSKA Moscow (RUS) v Sevilla (ESP)
Stuttgart (GER) v Barcelona (ESP)
Bayern Munich (GER) v Fiorentina (ITA)
First leg: February 16/17, 23/24
Second leg: March 9/10, 16/17
NYON, Switzerland (AFP)
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Milan rule out Toni move
December 18, 2009
Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has ruled out a January move for Luca Toni to the Serie A club. Galliani emphasized the fact that Milan already have enough forwards since the squad includes three strikers.
Out-of-favor Bayern Munich striker Toni has fallen out with his manager Louis van Gaal and has insisted that he plans to leave in January.
David Beckham and Dominic Adiyah will move to the San Siro in the New Year but Galliani insists that the two players will be the only Winter signings.
“In January, only Beckham and Adiyah will arrive,” said Galliani.
“I have said there will be a new player with the features of Pato and Ronaldinho, but not for now.
“This is an idea for the summer. Luca Toni? We have three strikers already and are okay with that.”
Parma are rumored to be interested in veteran hit-man Filippo Inzaghi. However, 65 year-old Galliani said there is no way Inzaghi would be allowed to move away from Milan.
“Inzaghi to Parma? We’ll not let him go away.”
Meanwhile, Luca Toni says he won’t close the door on a move to England or Spain. The Italian target man enjoyed a wonderful stint at Fiorentina after impressing for Palermo and is said to prefer a move back to Italy.
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Manchester City and Juventus want Hiddink-agent
December 18, 2009
Manchester City have approached Guus Hiddink over the possibility of filling the position of manager in the near future. According to the Russia manager’s representative, both City and Juventus are interested in the Dutch manager.
Current Eastlands manager Mark Hughes is under huge pressure after his side slipped back to eighth in the Premier League.
Hiddink, alongside unemployed Roberto Mancini and former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, has been pinpointed as the favorite to replace Hughes if City sack Hughes.
Hiddink’s agent, Cees Van Nieuwenhuizen, replied to the Daily Telegraph when asked if he has spoken to the English club’s chief executive Garry Cook, “Yes, I did.
“But Guus is happy with Russia. Definitely. I had a call because I have been working with Garry for 12 years since we worked together at Nike.
“But I have received calls from all over the world about Guus. There has also been an approach from Juventus.
“He (Cook) asked me if it would be worthwhile having a meeting to discuss the future and what might happen next summer. But I told him that Guus was contracted to Russia.
“I said I didn’t think it was worth having a meeting. Guus is very relaxed. He starts his holiday tomorrow and in January there are elections for a new president for the Russian Federation.
“He is contracted until next summer but there is an offer for him to stay for two more years, and I think he will definitely stay.”
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Roma fans probed for hooliganism in Bulgaria
December 18, 2009
Five Italian AS Roma fans are being probed for hooliganism, following a Europa League match between their team and local side CSKA Sofia earlier this week, Sofia prosecutors said Friday.
The five “are being probed for hooliganism and risk sentences of up to two years in prison” if found guilty, Sofia prosecution spokesman Rusi Alexiev told AFP.
They have been released from detention but cannot leave Sofia until the prosecution decides whether it has enough evidence to raise charges against them, he added.
Eight Italian fans were arrested in downtown Sofia on Wednesday, after about 60 of them damaged a Sofia cafe and several vehicles parked outside, ahead of AS Roma’s match against CSKA Sofia, which ended with a crushing 3-0 defeat for the Bulgarian team.
Three were later released.
SOFIA (AFP)
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Carragher turned down England approach
December 18, 2009
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher revealed Friday that he turned down an invitation from Fabio Capello to return to the England team.
Carragher, 31, won 34 caps for his country but announced his international retirement in the summer of 2007.
But after being encouraged by club captain Steven Gerrard he initially agreed to meet Capello’s assistant Franco Baldini, but changed his mind at the last moment.
Carragher told The Times: “I was supposed to meet Franco Baldini for a chat a year ago and at the last minute I pulled out.
“It was more out of courtesy that I was going to do it. Stevie had mentioned it to me a couple of times, so I agreed to the meeting, but at the last minute I just didn’t want to do it.
“I don’t think my situation would change if I got back in the squad. John Terry and Rio Ferdinand are first choice and they are two of the best central defenders in the world.
“Maybe I would have won 10 more caps over the last couple of years because Rio and John have missed a few games, but you couldn’t ask for a better centre-half pairing than those two going into the World Cup.”
Carragher also said he would rather leave Liverpool than play for them when he is past his best.
“I wouldn’t want to get to 34 or 35 with Liverpool and have people thinking, ‘He’s well gone.”‘ he added.
“So I do think about whether it would be better to go while I’m still at a decent level and play out my days at another club.
“Over the next year or two I’ll probably have a decision to make. I’d love to stay at Liverpool – that’s what I want to do – but there are different things that I think about that may compromise that.”
LONDON (AFP)
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I´ll fit in nicely at Chelsea, insists Aguero
December 18, 2009
Argentina striker Sergio Aguero insisted Friday he would fit in nicely at Premier League side Chelsea.
The 21-year-old Atletico Madrid player has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window.
After initially appearing keen to stay in Spain, Aguero now appears to see Chelsea as a good next step for him.
“Chelsea are interested in me because they think I can play an important role for the team,” Aguero told the Sun.
“And I think I fit with their style of play.
“Of course I watch the Premier League on TV and I think it is the best league in the world, along with the Spanish league.”
Aguero’s possible arrival would help to cover for the absence of Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou on African Nations Cup duty with Ivory Coast, and the former is a player Aguero rates very highly indeed.
“There are a lot of very good players but, right now, the top striker in the Premier League is without doubt, Drogba,” he said.
“After comes Fernando Torres, but Drogba is the best.”
Aguero has scored seven goals in 13 games in La Liga so far this season.
LONDON (AFP)
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Russia coach turned down City and Juventus: agent
December 18, 2009
Guus Hiddink turned down offers from both Premier League side Manchester City and Italian club Juventus, the Russia manager’s agent claimed on Friday.
Cees van Nieuwenhuizen has said he was contacted by City chief executive Garry Cook to request talks with Hiddink, but the former Chelsea boss’ agent politely declined.
And the Dutch coach also declined a place at Juventus.
“Yes, I did (speak to Cook). But Guus is happy with Russia. Definitely,” Van Nieuwenhuizen told the Daily Telegraph.
“I have received calls from all over the world about Guus. There has also been an approach from Juventus.”
Van Nieuwenhuizen is not aware whether Cook wanted to discuss the possibility of Cook succeeding manager Mark Hughes or being installed alongside the Welshman.
“I don’t know because I said it was not worth discussing it because Guus was happy,” he said.
“He (Cook) asked me if it would be worthwhile having a meeting to discuss the future and what might happen next summer. But I told him that Guus was contracted to Russia.
“I said I didn’t think it was worth having a meeting. Guus is very relaxed. He starts his holiday tomorrow and in January there are elections for a new president for the Russian Federation.
“He is contracted until next summer but there is an offer for him to stay for two more years, and I think he will definitely stay.”
Pressure is mounting on Hughes following six wins in City’s opening 16 Premier League.
LONDON (AFP)
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Mourinho job not dependent on European glory: Inter chief
December 18, 2009
Jose Mourinho does not have to win the Champions League to keep his job, Inter Milan administrative director Ernesto Paolillo says.
Prior to Inter’s last Champions League group game against Russian champions Rubin Kazan a week ago, the rumour mill had suggested that failure to reach the knockout stages would result in the former Chelsea boss’s departure at the season’s end.
Inter won that match 2-0 and secured second spot in the group behind title-holders Barcelona, but press speculation persists that Mourinho must lead the team into the latter stages of the competition or face the boot.
“I see no reason to change (coaches). We’re happy, we’re top of the league and just imagine if the coach’s job was still under question,” Paolillo told reporters.
“The Champions League is important but we know very well just how difficult it is to win.
“The one who wins it will come from among the best teams in Europe. Hence you can’t tie a coach’s future to winning that trophy, it’s everything together that counts.”
It is widely thought in Italy that Mourinho was brought to Inter to win the Champions League after his predecessor’s failure to shine in that competition.
Roberto Mancini was fired despite leading Inter to three successive Serie A titles because he could not guide the team to the business end of the Champions League.
ROME (AFP)
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