Rangers hope to cruise to title
January 30, 2010
Steven Davis believes Rangers’ easing injury list means they can maintain their 10-point lead over Celtic in the race for the Scottish Premier League title.
The Northern Irish midfielder was on target for the first time this season in Wednesday’s 2-0 win over St Mirren which saw Rangers increase their advantage at the top.
Victory came as Celtic were slumping to a 2-1 home defeat to Hibernian.
Rangers, who face relegation-haunted Falkirk on Saturday, had looked a little threadbare in recent weeks due to injuries and suspensions to key players.
Davis and his teammates had to rely on a last minute goal to rescue a point against Hearts last weekend as Walter Smith called-up several youth players.
However Nacho Novo, Kenny Miller, Steven Naismith and Pedro Mendes all returned in the midweek win over St Mirren and Davis believes this can boost their title hopes.
“These are difficult times for us at the moment with the number of injuries we have. This month, in particular, has been quite hard for the boys,” Davis said.
“But the boys who have come in have given the manager something to think about and we are starting to get a couple of players back. We have been missing a couple of important players recently and it will be good for us to get them back fit and get going again.”
Davis added: “We had a great run in December, but since then we have had injuries and suspensions and the manager has had to chop and change the side about. That can be disruptive.
“If we get everybody back fit it gives the manager a headache, a selection problem. Hopefully we can start playing better. We are capable of playing better.”
Kenny Miller may struggle to make the match against bottom club Falkirk after going off against St Mirren with a recurrence of his hamstring injury and top scorer Kris Boyd is still out.
Old Firm rivals Celtic head to New Douglas Park to take on Hamilton on the back of a costly defeat to Hibs.
Coach Tony Mowbray has stated that his side need to start winning games with his side only having claimed one victory so far this month and he will be boosted by the news several players have returned to training.
Scott McDonald, Mark Wilson and Shaun Maloney are all pushing for a top team return but the game against Hamilton may come too soon.
The Hoops boss might also be without Daniel Fox who is on the verge of joining English Premier League Burnley, but new signings Ki Sung-Yeung, Jos Hoovield and Morten Rasmussen, who made his debut against Hibs, are all available.
Elsewhere on Saturday only goal difference separates Aberdeen and Motherwell who meet at Pittodrie.
High-flying Hibs host St Mirren at Easter Road. John Hughes’ side sit in third-place, just two points behind Celtic, and any slip up from the Hoops could find Hibs climbing into the Champions League places.
Rugby Park is the destination for Peter Houston in his first game after being confirmed as Dundee United manager until the end of the season.
Kilmarnock are just one point above the relegation zone and are yet to win in the league under Jimmy Calderwood.
St Johnstone welcome a Hearts team looking to bounce back from their midweek thrashing at the hands of Aberdeen to McDiarmid Park.
Fixtures (1500 GMT unless otherwise stated)
Saturday
Aberdeen v Motherwell, Hamilton v Celtic (1230), Hibernian v St Mirren, Kilmarnock v Dundee United, Rangers v Falkirk, St Johnstone v Hearts
GLASGOW (AFP)
Tags: Aberdeen, bottom club, Boyd, coach tony, daniel fox, Davis, difficult times, Douglas Park, Dundee, Falkirk, Glasgow, Hamilton, jimmy calderwood, john hughes, kenny miller, Mark Wilson, McDiarmid Park, midfielder, minute goal, Morten Rasmussen, motherwell, pedro mendes, Peter Houston, premier league, Rugby Park, scott mcdonald, Scottish Premier League, selection problem, Shaun Maloney, st mirren, Steven Davis, steven naismith, Sung-Yeung, suspensions, target, tony mowbray, top scorer, top victory, walter smithRelated posts
Whittaker wants to be Rangers spearhead
January 23, 2010
Steven Whittaker has told Rangers manager Walter Smith he can be the answer to the Ibrox club’s striker crisis as they prepare to face Hearts at Ibrox on Saturday.
The utility man struck a double in extra-time at Ibrox on Tuesday to sink Hamilton’s Scottish Cup hopes.
The win booked their place in the last 16 of the competition but came at a price with forwards Nacho Novo and Kenny Miller both limping out with injuries.
And with top scorer Kris Boyd already out following a hernia operation and Steven Naismith still struggling for fitness it leaves Smith with few options up front.
It means youngsters John Fleck or Andrew Little could partner Kyle Lafferty, who has shaken off a flu bug, although Novo has a fighting chance of making Saturday’s clash.
However Whittaker, who has struck eight goals this season, says he could fill in up front in a game that could see Rangers open up a 12-point lead at the top.
“In my younger days I played up front,” Whittaker said.
“I played off the front two when I was a youth player, but then I gradually worked my way wide to either right, left or full-back.
“I have filled in at various positions before for Rangers. It’s nice for other people to chip in with some goals – myself included. I’m now creeping up towards double figures and hopefully I can reach that before the end of the season – especially with some of the strikers injured.”
Hearts, who have recovered from a poor start to the season to occupy fifth spot, could welcome back Marius Zaliukas and Jose Gonclaves from injury but Craig Thomson is out following surgery.
Tony Mowbray takes his Celtic side to Perth to take on St Johnstone on Sunday.
The Hoops boss has come under fire following his side’s 1-1 draw with bottom club Falkirk last weekend which saw Celtic slip nine points behind Rangers, although they have a game in hand.
Mowbray is still without Scott Brown, Shaun Maloney, Daniel Fox and top scorer Scott McDonald through injury and captain Stephen McManus is also struggling.
However, central defenders Jos Hooiveld and Thomas Rogne could be in line to make their debuts and Ki Sung-Yeung will look to add to his impressive first showing against Falkirk.
Elsewhere on Saturday, interim Motherwell manager Craig Brown will be hoping his side can bounce back from their Scottish Cup defeat to First Division side Inverness Caledonian Thistle as they take on St Mirren at Fir Park.
Aberdeen welcome former manager Jimmy Calderwood, now in charge of Kilmarnock, back to Pittodrie for their clash with the Ayrshire side.
Hibernian will be aiming to regain third spot from Dundee United as they welcome Hamilton to Easter Road.
Fixtures (1500 GMT unless otherwise stated)
Saturday
Aberdeen v Kilmarnock, Hibernian v Hamilton, Motherwell v St Mirren (1230), Rangers v Hearts
Sunday
Falkirk v Dundee United (1315), St Johnstone v Celtic (1530)
GLASGOW (AFP)
Tags: Aberdeen, Andrew Little, bottom club, Boyd, captain stephen, captain Stephen McManus, celtic side, craig brown, Craig Thomson, daniel fox, Dundee, Easter Road, Falkirk, flu bug, Glasgow, hernia operation, jimmy calderwood, John Fleck, Jose, kenny miller, kyle lafferty, Marius, Scott Brown, scott mcdonald, scottish cup, Shaun Maloney, st johnstone, steven naismith, Sung-Yeung, Thomas Rogne, tony mowbray, utility man, walter smith, younger days, ZaliukasRelated posts
French giants out to avoid Cup slip-up
January 23, 2010
French title rivals Bordeaux and Lyon can take a break from their league exertions this weekend as the former look to avoid a potential banana skin in the French Cup while Lyon have an awkward trip to Monaco.
With an eight-point cushion in the league after their midweek come-from-behind win over bottom club Grenoble, Bordeaux boss Laurent Blanc was Thursday happily admitting he didn’t even have a transfer window wish list – “though maybe a joker to cover an injury would be a good thing.”
With a last 16 Champions League pair of encounters against Olympiakos to look forward to, a home round of 32 loss Saturday to second division Ajaccio would not exactly torpedo Bordeaux’s season.
The club have won the trophy three times – compared to a record ten for Marseille.
Marseille themselves are now out of the Champions League as well as the Cup, meaning their priority is hacking away at an 11-point gap in Ligue 1 as they try to land a first trophy of any description in 18 years.
Bordeaux should be at full strength save for keeper Cedric Carrasso, who injured a wrist against Marseill last week.
“We aren’t going to take any risk with him,” said Blanc.
Veteran Ulrich Rame will stand in between the posts.
Lyon travel down to Monaco on Sunday with coach Claude Puel urging them on after Wednesday’s recovery from going behind at Lorient.
Swede Kim Kallstrom scored a brace in a recovery which brought a 3-1 win and Puel on Thursday pronounced himself “very happy with the way the group showed this healthy reaction (to going a goal down) and showed their true colours.”
Puel will be particularly keen for a win at Monaco having previously coached the Riviera side, leading them to the league title at the start of the millennium.
Paris Saint Germain, mired in midtable following their home loss this week to Monaco, will only hope that third division Evian do not heap further misery upon them.
Coach Antoine Kombouare admits that “we are not talking about Europe,” but an eighth Cup success would prove a tonic.
Kombouare says if his men play as they did in losing 1-0 to Monaco, however, they have no chance.
“We could have played for three hours and not scored,” he lamented.
With the bad weather having made a mess of the previous round several round of 64 matches remain to be played, hence Saumur got the ball rolling in the round of 32 on Friday (Rennes defeated Saumur 4-0) before Saturday and Sunday see a mixture of both rounds together.
Round of 32 fixtures
Saturday
Beauvais v Agen
Quevilly v Angers
Bordeaux v Ajaccio
Raon l’Etape v Vesoul
Sunday
Mulhouse v Guingamp
Paris SG v Evian
Monaco v Lyon
Round of 64 matches
Saturday
Grenoble v Montpellier
Colmar v Lille
St Ouen l’Aumone v Sedan
Compiegne v Lens
St Louis Neuweg v Sochaux
Pontivy v Brest
Sunday
Thiers v Nancy
St Etienne v Lorient
PARIS (AFP)
Tags: Angers, Antoine Kombouare, banana skin, Beauvais, Bordeaux, bottom club, Cedric Carrasso, claude puel, Europe, Evian, exertions, french cup, french title, full strength, gap, Germain, Grenoble, kim kallstrom, laurent blanc, Ligue 1, Lille, Lorient, Marseille, midweek, Monaco, Montpellier, Mulhouse, Nancy, Olympiakos, paris saint germain, point cushion, point gap, Rennes, rivals, ST. LOUIS, swede, Ulrich RameRelated posts
Storrie hopes Portsmouth players will be paid next week
January 2, 2010
Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie is confident the Premier League club’s players will be paid their December wages on Monday or Tuesday.
For the third time this season financially troubled Portsmouth – the Premier League’s bottom club – have been unable to pay their players.
But Storrie insists Pompey’s Saudi owner Ali Al-Faraj and his directors are close to agreeing a loan that will allow the salaries to be paid this week.
“My understanding is it is additional loans they are currently in the process of dealing with,” Storrie told BBC Radio Solent.
“It is obviously not the best situation in the world that you can’t pay the players’ wages.
“They (the owners) were looking to bring a major bank loan in and that’s what has slowed the process up. They are trying to do that now.
“My understanding from them is that there is a short-term loan coming in to pay the wages and the players’ wages should be paid on Monday or Tuesday, I believe. That is our understanding.”
PORTSMOUTH (AFP)
Tags: Ali, Ali Al-Faraj, bank loan, bottom club, chief executive, faraj, loans, Peter Storrie, pompey, Portsmouth, premier league, radio solent, salaries, short term loan, third time, wagesRelated posts
Lampard won´t take extra pleasure from West Ham win
December 20, 2009
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard won’t take any pleasure from plunging West Ham deeper into relegation trouble even though the former Hammers star faces another hostile reception at Upton Park on Sunday.
Lampard has been public enemy number one in east London since quitting West Ham to join bitter rivals Chelsea for 11 million pounds (12.3 million euros) in 2001.
The 31-year-old, who spent nine years at West Ham, has suffered vicious abuse from the Hammers fans every time he has faced his old club and he knows it will be no different this weekend.
But despite all the taunts, Lampard is sad to see the Hammers languishing second bottom of the Premier League because of former Chelsea favourites Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke – now manager and assistant at West Ham – who worked with the England international at Stamford Bridge.
“I have a lot of respect for Gianfranco and Steve Clarke. It’s been difficult for them. They have a lot of financial difficulties and have had to sell a lot of players,” Lampard said.
“I don’t want to see them do badly at all. They’re great lads. It’s difficult, but then it’s a difficult league.”
While Lampard would genuinely like to see West Ham prosper, he will show no compassion on Sunday as Chelsea bid to cement their position as league leaders going into the busy Christmas programme.
By the time Chelsea kick off on Sunday, they could be ahead of Manchester United only on goal difference if the reigning champions win at Fulham 24 hours earlier.
After recording a string of convincing victories last month, Carlo Ancelotti’s side have spluttered of late.
They won for the first time in five matches against Portsmouth on Wednesday, but their victory against the league’s bottom club was less than convincing.
The Blues have conceded 11 goals in five games and looked nervous at the back again against Portsmouth.
Yet Lampard is adamant his side are still on course to win the title and he expects them to rediscover their dominant form soon.
“I’m sure people would have been talking again if we hadn’t beaten Portsmouth, but that’s why it was important to win,” he said.
“We’re having a patch at the moment where we’re not pulling away from teams when we might do and every free-kick and corner seems to drop to them in a funny way. We are being punished every time and it is just a phase we’re in.
“We went a long time without conceding goals, and that was fantastic, but now we’re having a patch where we are.
“It’s important we just keep going. We’re three points clear at the top and we need to pick up wins. I think we can move on and put this all behind us.”
Chelsea’s hopes of a second successive win will be boosted by Didier Drogba’s return to action after the Ivory Coast striker missed the Portsmouth win with a back problem.
West Ham welcome back Matthew Upson from a hamstring injury, but will be without Carlton Cole, Valon Behrami, Zavon Hines and Kieron Dyer.
Those injuries have only added to the gloom around Upton Park after three consecutive defeats.
The tame manner of the loss at Bolton in midweek was especially worrying for Zola, but the Italian has no intention of changing his purist principles.
Zola, who played for Chelsea from 1996 to 2003 after being sold by Ancelotti when he was in charge at Parma, said: “The last two games were painful, but this is the situation. They belong to the past and if you keep switching your mind to the past, it doesn’t help.
“At West Ham, they want to play football in a certain way. They’re not interested in playing differently, and that’s why I was appointed and what I try to do.
“I try to keep that plan and to get results as well. I don’t see why you shouldn’t play good football and get results as well.”
LONDON (AFP)
Tags: bitter rivals, bottom club, carlo ancelotti, Carlton Cole, CHELSEA, Clarke, convincing victories, east london, England, england international, financial difficulties, five games, frank lampard, fulham, gianfranco zola, goal difference, hostile reception, Ivory Coast, league leaders, london, Manchester, Portsmouth, premier league, public enemy number, public enemy number one, stamford bridge, steve clarke, upton park, west ham, ZolaRelated posts
Benitez defiant despite Pompey defeat
December 20, 2009
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez insisted he does not fear the sack despite seeing his team suffer their seventh Premier League defeat of an increasingly poor season at bottom club Portsmouth.
Midfielder Javier Mascherano was sent-off for the third time in his Liverpool career as the visitors’ fading title hopes were all but extinguished in a 2-0 loss at Fratton Park.
The sorry Reds have now won just four of their last 12 league games and are struggling even to secure a top four finish and a place in next season’s Champions League.
When asked if he was worried for his job, Benitez replied: “I am only worried about the next game (against Wolves).
“I can only prepare for the next match. If we can win hopefully it will be easier to prepare for the next ones,” the Spaniard added.
“We have to change our targets and can only think about one game at a time. We have to stick together and try to pick up three points and see what happens.”
Liverpool were already trailing to Nadir Belhadj’s first goal since December 26 last year when Mascherano was dismissed on the stroke of half-time.
The Argentina midfielder was shown a straight red card by referee Lee Mason as punishment for a reckless lunge on Portsmouth defender Tal Ben Haim on the half-way line.
Benitez was clearly angered by the decision and reserved some sarcastic comments for Mason at his post-match news conference.
“We were the better team in the first half and the sending-off changed the game,” he said.
“I have seen a replay and for me it was not a sending-off but the referee was perfect. He did not make any mistakes. He was correct to not give fouls against Fernando Torres. He was perfect.”
Benitez added: “We had plenty of possession and were in control but it is difficult playing with ten men away from home when you are 1-0 behind.
“We had to keep trying to go forward but we left some spaces and there was always a danger we would concede another goal.”
Portsmouth had taken just 11 points from 17 games prior to his match and the south coast club remain beset by financial problems.
Liverpool had the better of the opening exchanges, with stars Steven Gerrard and Torres posing a constant threat.
Torres came within inches of putting Liverpool in front with a majestic 20-yard curler, which had Portsmouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic beaten before nestling on the roof of the net.
Despite Liverpool having plenty of possession Begovic, deputising for the injured David James, did not have a meaningful save to make before Belhadj opened the scoring in the 33rd minute.
Kevin-Prince Boateng’s driven low shot was palmed away by Pepe Reina but Liverpool failed to clear the rebound and the ball broke kindly for Belhadj, who lashed an unstoppable right foot shot into the roof of the net from an acute angle.
Daniel Agger put a free header wide moments later while Begovic produced a brilliant reaction save to keep out Gerrard’s defected second half shot.
France striker Frederic Piquionne sealed the points eight minutes from time, brilliantly flicking up Boateng’s cross before firing past Reina at the near post.
Victory saw Portsmouth boss Avram Grant maintain his record of never having lost to Liverpool as a manager.
“It is true I have never lost to Benitez and I am pleased to keep that run going,” said former Chelsea manager Grant.
“This is a terrific win for us and hopefully it can kick-start our season.”
PORTSMOUTH, England (AFP)
Tags: Argentina, Ben Haim, bottom club, CHELSEA, daniel agger, David James, december 26, England, Fernando Torres, France, Fratton Park, Javier Mascherano, Kevin Prince, league games, lee mason, Liverpool, liverpool manager rafael benitez, lunge, match news, midfielder, nadir belhadj, news conference, Portsmouth, portsmouth england, premier league, rafael benitez, referee, sarcastic comments, Spaniard, Steven Gerrard, third time, title hopesRelated posts
Martinez backs Liverpool to meet top four target
December 16, 2009
Jamie Carragher may be counting on the power of prayer but Wigan boss Roberto Martinez believes it is the quality of Liverpool’s players which will ensure the club finishes the season in the Premier League’s top four.
The stuttering Reds entertain Martinez’s side at Anfield on Wednesday having won just three of their last 15 games, with one of those successes coming in the Champions League against Debrecen.
Liverpool’s latest disappointment came when they turned a 1-0 half-time lead into a 2-1 home defeat to Arsenal on Sunday, a result which left them five points adrift of the top four, which is the minimum target for under-pressure manager Rafael Benitez.
Their next three games are must-win matches if they are to cut that deficit, with a trip to bottom club Portsmouth and a home match against struggling Wolves following the Wigan fixture.
Carragher said it is imperative that Liverpool’s improvement begins immediately.
“Wigan is a massive game for us,” said the defender. “I’ve tried too many times down the years trying to work things out, so there’s no point looking further ahead than that.
“We’ll just try and get three points on Wednesday and then move on to Portsmouth. We’ve got to look at ourselves and realise that we’ve got to do much better.
“For the quality of the players and the stature of the club, we should be doing better. Statistics can change quickly and we have got to do that.
“It’s tough at the moment but part of playing for Liverpool is having big character. That’s what we need now.
“Between now and May it is going to be a grind at times but we have got to stick together, get through it and, as I’m doing every night, pray to God that at the end of the season there will be something worthwhile for what we’ve gone through, because it has been tough.
“I pray to God we win the FA Cup or the Europa League and we get in the top four, dust ourselves down at the end of the season and say ‘It hasn’t been so bad in the end’, but at this moment it is tough.”
Alberto Aquilani could make his first Premier League start in a game which is attracting as much attention in Spain as it is in England.
Former Swansea boss Martinez has endured a mixed start to his career as a Premier League manager, the trauma of an embarrassing 9-1 reverse at Tottenham offset by a 3-1 victory over leaders Chelsea and an eye-catching 2-0 victory at Aston Villa.
The Spaniard is desperate to inflict further misery on fellow countryman Benitez although Martinez is convinced that Liverpool will secure a top four finish and qualify for next season’s Champions League.
“Look at their players, They have huge experience,” said Martinez, whose side sit 14th in the table.
“You are not talking about young players or a young team. You are talking about Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Pepe Reina and Jamie Carragher.
“It is probably the most experienced group of players in world football. What is happening at the moment will not affect them. I still feel Liverpool will finish in the top four.”
Defender Emmerson Boyce suffered a head injury while scoring in a 2-2 draw at Stoke on Saturday but is expected to feature for Wigan, who have won once in six outings.
Hendry Thomas, the Honduras international midfielder, is also available after suspension.
LONDON (AFP)
Tags: alberto aquilani, bottom club, CHELSEA, debrecen, FA Cup, Fernando Torres, five points, half time, home match, Honduras, Jamie, jamie carragher, Liverpool, london, massive game, Portsmouth, power of prayer, premier league, rafael benitez, roberto martinez, Spain, stature, Steven Gerrard, stuttering, Swansea, target, Thomas, three games, Wigan, wolvesRelated posts
Drogba scare for Chelsea ahead of Portsmouth game
December 15, 2009
Chelsea’s mid-winter mini-crisis could be aggravated by the loss of Didier Drogba after the talismanic striker injured his back in training on Tuesday.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti revealed that Drogba is doubtful for Wednesday’s Premier League match with bottom club Portsmouth, in which Chelsea will be looking for their first win in five matches in all competitions.
Ancelotti claimed to be unconcerned about Chelsea’s recent run of three defeats and a draw.
But he admitted that his work on the training ground had focused on defending set-pieces in the wake of a 3-3 draw with Everton on Saturday that again underlined his side’s vulnerability in that area.
“We have trained and worked on the set-pieces,” said Ancelotti. “We have conceded some goals in these situations and we want to improve on that. We have to improve our attention and concentration in these situations.
“It is very important to win (on Wednesday). We didn’t win in the last four games but the team is in a good moment. I don’t see a big problem. We have the mentality and the feeling to find a solution immediately.”
The Italian also professed to be unconcerned by the jeers some of the Chelsea supporters directed at their players at the end of Saturday’s match.
“I think the reaction of some of the fans was normal. We are top of the league and this means our fans always want to see the best. We want to do the best. When supporters pay for a ticket, he can do anything, with respect, naturally. To boo is not a problem. It can be a motivation for us.”
Ancelotti absolved goalkeeper Petr Cech of blame for Chelsea’s recent defensive fragility.
“Everyone at the club thinks we have one of the best goalkeepers in the world,” he said. “I certainly do. He is a very professional player and maintains a good control when he does the right things or bad things.”
Wednesday’s match sees Avram Grant return to Stamford Bridge for the first time since he was sacked as Chelsea boss in the wake of their 2008 Champions League final defeat by Manchester United.
“I don’t know him,” said Ancelotti. “I saw him take Chelsea to the final of the Champions League and for that I think he did a very good job in that season.
“He has arrived at Portsmouth and done a good job, so I expect a difficult game tomorrow.”
LONDON (AFP)
Tags: best goalkeepers in the world, bottom club, carlo ancelotti, cech, champions league, CHELSEA, chelsea supporters, concentration, Drogba, four games, fragility, jeers, london, Manager Carlo Ancelotti, Manchester, mentality, mid winter, Petr Cech, Portsmouth, premier league, stamford bridgeRelated posts
Funkel sees change in fortunes after Bayer draw
December 12, 2009
Hertha BSC Berlin may have surged to an impressive 4th position in the Bundesliga last term, but a disastrous start to the season has seen them lying at bottom of the table after 16 Rounds of the 2009/10 season.
With high flying league leaders Bayer Leverkusen visiting the Olympic Stadium on Friday night, things looked bleak for the Berliners especially for coach Friedhelm Funkel.
Berlin seemed to be heading for their 13th defeat of the season when Burak Kaplan put Leverkusen 2-1 up going into stoppage time, but Adrian Ramos equalised with almost the final touch of the game to earn a point.
And all of this came to fruition in front of the home crowd when the Blue-Whites were down to ten men, it seems luck has turned good for a struggling side that was full of promise before the start of the season.
At least Funkel believes that his sides’ fortunes have changed.
“I hope that we have managed to win back a bit of fortune with that deserved equaliser in the 92nd minute,” said Funkel.
“We need it if we want to start our recovery in January.”
Berlin still lie six points adrift at the bottom of the table with one game remaining before the midway stage of the season is reached.
Leverkusen extended their lead at the top of the table to four points and their coach Jupp Heynckes had no complaints about dropping two points at the death.
“Hertha deserved the draw with their 92nd-minute equaliser,” he said.
“The game shows that it is not easy when you are the leaders playing against the bottom club.”
Berlin require a similar result against Sporting Lisbon in midweek to secure their passage to the last 32 of the UEFA Europa League before ending the year with a trip to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.
Leverkusen’s final task of 2009 comes against Borussia Monchengladbach next Saturday when a win would clinch the unofficial title of autumn champions.
Tags: Adrian Ramos, Bayern, bayern munich, berlin, berliners, bottom club, bundesliga leverkusen, equaliser, Friedhelm Funkel, fruition, hertha bsc berlin, home crowd, jupp heynckes, league leaders, Lisbon, midweek, monchengladbach, olympic stadium, sporting lisbon, stoppage time, unofficial titleRelated posts
Ignore Juve, beat Gladbach demands Bayern boss
December 4, 2009
Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal has ordered his side to forget next week’s Champions League clash at Juventus and concentrate on closing the gap to Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen.
Bayern must beat Juventus at Turin’s Olympic Stadium next Tuesday to ensure they reach the Champions League knockout stages, but Friday’s German league clash with Borussia Moenchengladbach is far more pressing for van Gaal.
Munich are six points behind Leverkusen and the Dutchman is ordering his side to focus on their next game.
“The mark of a top professional is the ability to concentrate on the next game, which is Gladbach. Juventus has to wait,” said van Gaal on the eve of the Allianz Arena clash.
“The really decisive match is against Moenchengladbach. By the mid-season break, I hope we?re no more than six points behind Leverkusen, and perhaps fewer.”
Van Gaal’s side has climbed to fourth in the table behind Leverkusen, Werder Bremen and Schalke 04.
After Gladbach, who have won just once in 41 league visits to Munich, Bayern play relegation-threatened Bochum away and bottom club Hertha Berlin at home before the winter break starts on December 20.
On current form, Gladbach appear to pose the most serious threat.
Borussia are the team of the moment in the Bundesliga with eleven points from their last five games, including victories in Hamburg and at home to Schalke in their most recent outings.
“They?re on a roll,” acknowledged Van Gaal.
“They?re very well organised, and they defend by closing down space, which is something we?ve always had trouble with. I hope we find the key to unlock their defence and surprise them.”
An important factor will be current strike pairing Mario Gomez and Ivica Olic, scorers of four of Bayern’s last five goals.
“The feeling you should never write Bayern off has returned,” said Gomez.
“You play very different football when you?re confident.”
Dutch winger Arjen Robben will be on the substitutes bench and van Gaal expects to give him around 30 minutes of game time after four weeks out following surgery.
Robben last played a half of football back in early November in a 1-1 draw with Schalke, but has been sidelined by persistent knee problems ever since.
Leaders Leverkusen are waiting on the fitness of ex-Germany defender Manuel Friedrich, who is struggling with a calf strain, ahead of their match at Hanover on Saturday.
“It would be a pity (if he can’t play), he has had an excellent season,” said coach Jupp Heynckes. “We will see how he is closer to the game.”
Third-placed Schalke have Brazilian defender Marcelo Bordon back after suffering from the ‘flu as the Royal Blues prepare to host bottom side Hertha Berlin, who are six points adrift.
Fixures
Friday (1930GMT)
Bayern Munich v Borussia Moenchengladbach
Saturday (1430GMT unless otherwise stated)
VfL Wolfsburg v Freiburg, VfB Stuttgart v VfL Bochum, Hamburg v Hoffenheim, Borussia Dortmund v Nuremberg, Hanover 96 v Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt v Mainz 05 (1730GMT)
Sunday
Cologne v Werder Bremen (1430GMT), Schalke 04 v Hertha Berlin (1630GMT)
BERLIN (AFP)
Tags: allianz arena, bayer leverkusen, bayern munich, bottom club, closing the gap, dutchman, eleven points, five games, german league, hertha berlin, ivica olic, knockout stages, louis van gaal, mario gomez, mid season, olympic stadium, schalke 04, six points, werder bremen, winter breakRelated posts
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