Celtic, Arsenal battle for Champions League spot
August 18, 2009
Celtic and Arsenal will battle for a place in the lucrative Champions League group stages on Tuesday in a mouthwatering play-off clash.
Both teams are among the 20 who will be hoping to emerge victorious from a two-leg tie which will allow them to join the 22 automatic qualifiers in the group stage, the draw for which will be held in just over a fortnight.
Scottish Premier League runners-up Celtic warmed up for the hosting of Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal at Parkhead by beating Aberdeen away 3-1 on Saturday while Wenger’s men hammered Everton 6-1 in their Premier League opener in Liverpool.
Arsenal go into Tuesday’s clash as the overriding favourites.
And, having experienced their ruthless efficiency at close hand, Everton manager David Moyes suggested Celtic will have to perform formidably at the back as well as up front if they are to limit the damage.
“Arsenal have got a real capability of scoring on the counter attack,” said the Scot.
“Every time we had a shot at goal and we let it go from the goalkeeper’s arms, they nearly scored at the other end. I was nearly hoping that more shots were going to fly past the post.”
Celtic’s new manager Tony Mowbray has seen his side show their character at this early stage of the season.
The Hoops fought back from a 1-0 first leg defeat at home in the third round of qualifying to beat Dynamo Moscow 2-0 in Russia, a result which secured their place in the play-off.
Celtic striker Aiden McGeady, who grabbed a brace on Saturday, admits it will be a tough 90 minutes but he believes the hosts should face Spanish ace Cesc Fabregas and co. with plenty of faith in their abilities.
“We know we are the underdogs and they are obviously the favourites but they are definitely beatable,” the Republic of Ireland midfielder said.
“A lot of teams in the Premier League beat them last season by getting in and around them and not letting them play and that’s something we have to do on Tuesday night.”
Sporting Lisbon, who finished runners-up in Portugal last season, will be looking to be more prolific at home if they are to achieve their aim of appearing in the group stages for a sixth time.
In the first leg of their qualifying round Paulo Bento’s side advanced on the away goals rule after a 1-1 draw with Dutch side FC Twente, who had held the Portuguese to a scoreless draw in Lisbon.
VfB Stuttgart are aiming for their third appearance in the group stage but will do so against Champions League newcomers Timisoara of Romania without midfielder Martin Lanig.
He suffered cruciate ligament damage to his right knee in the 4-2 Bundesliga victory against SC Freiburg on Saturday, joining defender Christian Trasch on the injury sidelines after he broke a wrist last week.
Greek side Olympiakos will travel to Sheriff in Moldova in determined mood having failed to reach the group stages last season after being ousted by Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta.
Olympiakos are now coached by Anorthosis’s former coach Temuri Ketsbaia.
Having taken Anorthosis to the Champions League group stages last year where they finished bottom of Group B, Ketsbaia may look on with a little interest when another Cypriot team, Apoel FC, travel to Denmark to face FC Copenhagen.
Tuesday’s matches:
Celtic (SCO) v Arsenal (ENG)
Sporting Lisbon (POR) v Fiorentina (ITA)
Timisoara (ROM) v Stuttgart (GER)
Sheriff (MDA) v Olympiakos (GRE)
Copenhagen (DEN) v Apoel (CYP)
PARIS (AFP)
Tags: Aberdeen, aiden mcgeady, arsene wenger, automatic qualifiers, champions league group, Christian Trasch, copenhagen, David Moyes, DEN, denmark, dynamo moscow, fabregas, Famagusta, fortnight, GER, Goalkeeper, group stage, group stages, leg tie, Lisbon, Liverpool, Martin Lanig, midfielder, Moscow, PARIS, parkhead, Paulo, premier league, republic of ireland, Romania, russia, ruthless efficiency, Scot, Scottish Premier League, sporting lisbon, stuttgart, Timisoara, tony mowbray, underdogsRelated posts
Teams to battle in Champions League play-off round
August 18, 2009
Celtic and Arsenal will battle for a place in the lucrative Champions League group stages on Tuesday in a mouthwatering play-off clash.
Both teams are among the 20 who will be hoping to emerge victorious from a two-leg tie which will allow them to join the 22 automatic qualifiers in the group stage, the draw for which will be held in just over a fortnight.
Scottish Premier League runners-up Celtic warmed up for the hosting of Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal at Parkhead by beating Aberdeen away 3-1 on Saturday while Wenger’s men hammered Everton 6-1 in their Premier League opener in Liverpool.
Arsenal go into Tuesday’s clash as the overriding favourites.
And, having experienced their ruthless efficiency at close hand, Everton manager David Moyes suggested Celtic will have to perform formidably at the back as well as up front if they are to limit the damage.
“Arsenal have got a real capability of scoring on the counter attack,” said the Scot.
“Every time we had a shot at goal and we let it go from the goalkeeper’s arms, they nearly scored at the other end. I was nearly hoping that more shots were going to fly past the post.”
Celtic’s new manager Tony Mowbray has seen his side show their character at this early stage of the season.
The Hoops fought back from a 1-0 first leg defeat at home in the third round of qualifying to beat Dynamo Moscow 2-0 in Russia, a result which secured their place in the play-off.
Celtic striker Aiden McGeady, who grabbed a brace on Saturday, admits it will be a tough 90 minutes but he believes the hosts should face Spanish ace Cesc Fabregas and co. with plenty of faith in their abilities.
“We know we are the underdogs and they are obviously the favourites but they are definitely beatable,” the Republic of Ireland midfielder said.
“A lot of teams in the Premier League beat them last season by getting in and around them and not letting them play and that’s something we have to do on Tuesday night.”
Sporting Lisbon, who finished runners-up in Portugal last season, will be looking to be more prolific at home if they are to achieve their aim of appearing in the group stages for a sixth time.
In the first leg of their qualifying round Paulo Bento’s side advanced on the away goals rule after a 1-1 draw with Dutch side FC Twente, who had held the Portuguese to a scoreless draw in Lisbon.
VfB Stuttgart are aiming for their third appearance in the group stage but will do so against Champions League newcomers Timisoara of Romania without midfielder Martin Lanig.
He suffered cruciate ligament damage to his right knee in the 4-2 Bundesliga victory against SC Freiburg on Saturday, joining defender Christian Trasch on the injury sidelines after he broke a wrist last week.
Greek side Olympiakos will travel to Sheriff in Moldova in determined mood having failed to reach the group stages last season after being ousted by Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta.
Olympiakos are now coached by Anorthosis’s former coach Temuri Ketsbaia.
Having taken Anorthosis to the Champions League group stages last year where they finished bottom of Group B, Ketsbaia may look on with a little interest when another Cypriot team, Apoel FC, travel to Denmark to face FC Copenhagen.
Tuesday’s matches:
Celtic (SCO) v Arsenal (ENG)
Sporting Lisbon (POR) v Fiorentina (ITA)
Timisoara (ROM) v Stuttgart (GER)
Sheriff (MDA) v Olympiakos (GRE)
Copenhagen (DEN) v Apoel (CYP)
PARIS (AFP)
Tags: Aberdeen, arsene wenger, automatic qualifiers, champions league group, Christian Trasch, copenhagen, David Moyes, DEN, dynamo moscow, fabregas, Famagusta, fortnight, GER, Goalkeeper, group stage, group stages, leg tie, Lisbon, Liverpool, Martin Lanig, midfielder, Moscow, PARIS, parkhead, Paulo, portugal, premier league, republic of ireland, Romania, russia, ruthless efficiency, Scot, Scottish Premier League, sporting lisbon, stuttgart, Timisoara, tony mowbray, underdogsRelated posts
Spanish giant-killers in US squad to face Mexico
August 8, 2009
Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard were among 17 players from the US squad that upset top-ranked Spain at the Confederations Cup to be named Friday for a key World Cup 2010 qualifier next week at Mexico.
The Americans stunned the Spaniards in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup and led Brazil at half-time in the final only to lose the championship match.
But they served notice they could again be a factor in the World Cup finals in South Africa in 2010.
Dempsey scored three times in the Confederations Cup while Howard, unbeaten in five matches against Mexico, was named the top goalkeeper in the tournament.
Oguchi Onyewu, whose stellar defensive work inspired a transfer to AC Milan, was also named to the 20-man US lineup for the CONCACAF showdown next Wednesday at Mexico City, where 100,000 supporters will bolster the host Tri-Colores.
American squads have never won in Mexico, losing 22 times and playing to a goalless draw in 1997.
“We are excited about the challenge and the opportunity,” said US coach Bob Bradley. “Mexico is a very good team, and we are all aware of their great success playing in Mexico City.
“Our team continually tries to raise the bar and certainly the chance to win for the first time in Mexico is a welcome opportunity.”
Costa Rica leads North American regional qualifying with 12 points to 10 for the US squad. Honduras is third with Mexico in fourth. Only the top three teams from the region are assured a berth in South Africa next year.
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa/ENG), Tim Howard (Everton/ENG)
Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes/FRA), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover/GER), Jay DeMerit (Watford/ENG), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan/ITA), Jonathan Spector (West Ham/ENG)
Midfielders: Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach/GER), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Clint Dempsey (Fulham/ENG), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus/DEN), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Jose Francisco Torres (Pachuca/MEX)
Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Villarreal/ESP), Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Charlie Davies (FC Sochaux/FRA), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)
CHICAGO (AFP)
Tags: Aarhus, ac milan, agf aarhus, aston villa, Benny Feilhaber, bob bradley, borussia moenchengladbach, brad guzan, brian ching, carlos bocanegra, Casey, Chad, chad marshall, Charlie Davies, Chicago, chivas usa, Clint Dempsey, clint dempsey fulham, Colorado, Costa Rica, DEN, Francisco Torres, fulham, GER, Honduras, Houston, houston dynamo, Howard, jay demerit, jonathan bornstein, jonathan spector, landon donovan, Los Angeles, Mexico, mexico city, Milan, North American, Rennes, Ricardo Clark, South Africa, Spain, steve cherundolo, tim howard, Tri-Colores, world cup 2010, world cup finalsRelated posts
Celtic handed Arsenal Champions League play-off
August 7, 2009
Celtic were brought back to earth with a bump on Friday after being drawn with English Premier League giants Arsenal in the draw for the play-off stage of the Champions League.
Celtic maintained their interest in Europe’s premier club competition on Wednesday by overcoming a 1-0 first leg defeat to Dynamo Moscow in third round qualifying to win the second leg in Russia 2-0.
But the Scottish Premier League runners-up will now have to better Arsenal over two legs if they are to become one of the 10 teams from this draw to join the 22 already qualified for the lucrative group stages.
Elsewhere in the draw, composed of 10 champions group teams and 10 non-champions groups teams, there were few major shocks – and a couple of clubs with smiles on their faces.
Former French champions Lyon, who over the years have consistently made the quarter-finals of the competition, were handed what looked a plum draw against Belgian league runners-up side Anderlecht.
Two of the tightest battles for a group stage spot could take place between Sporting Lisbon, who drew Italians Fiorentina, and Greek side Panathinaikos who were drawn with Atletico Madrid.
The other draw in the non-Champions group pitted German side VfB Stuttgart with Romanian outfit Timisoara.
Meawnwhile there were some unpredictable match-ups from the ‘Champions group’ draw.
Greek champions Olympiakos will play their first of their two legs against FC Sheriff in Romania, while Austrian champions FC Salzburg will host Israeli counterparts Maccabi Haifa.
In the first leg champions Ventspils, bidding to become the first Latvian side in the group stages, will host Swiss counterparts FC Zurich.
Danish champions FC Copenhagen host Apoel Nicosia of Cyprus in the first leg while Bulgarian title-winners Levski Sofia host Hungarian champions Debrecen.
The first legs of the play-off will be held on August 18 and 19, with the second leg held on August 25 and 26. The winners go into the group stages while the losers drop into the inaugural Europa League group stage.
The draw for the group stages of the Champions League is composed of 32 teams and will be held in Monaco on August 27.
The Champions League play-off draw as announced on Friday:
Champions group
Sheriff (MDA) v Olympiakos (GRE)
Salzburg (AUT) v Maccabi Haifa (ISR)
Ventspils (LAT) v FC Zurich (SUI)
FC Copenhagen (DEN) v Apoel Nicosia (CYP)
Levski Sofia (BUL) v Debrecen (HUN)
Non-champions group
Lyon (FRA) v Anderlecht (BEL)
Celtic (SCO) v Arsenal (ENG)
Timisoara (ROM) v VfB Stuttgart (GER)
Sporting Lisbon (POR) v Fiorentina (ITA)
Panathinaikos (GRE) v Atletico Madrid (ESP)
PARIS (AFP)
Tags: atletico madrid, belgian league, club competition, copenhagen, Cyprus, danish champions, DEN, dynamo moscow, English Premier League, Europe, GER, german side, greek side, group stages, group teams, Lisbon, Lyon, MADRID, Monaco, Moscow, Nicosia, panathinaikos, PARIS, plum draw, premier league, Romania, russia, Salzburg, Scottish Premier League, Sofia, sporting lisbon, stuttgart, Timisoara, title winners, two legs, ups, ventspils, ZURICHRelated posts
Celtic to play Dynamo Moscow in Champions League
July 17, 2009
Former European champions Celtic will play Dynamo Moscow in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round, announced here on Friday.
UEFA Cup winners Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine will clash with Romanian debutants FC Timisoara, while Anderlecht are up against newcomers Sivasspor from Turkey.
Sparta Prague and Panathinaikos come face to face and Portugal’s Sporting take on FC Twente of the Netherlands.
Under UEFA’s new seeding pattern for the tournament, clubs which do not qualify directly into the group stage have two ways of reaching the core part of the competition.
One way is destined for teams progressing from the second qualifying round, being played currently.
The other, known as the “best placed path” is for the remainder – named in the ties on July 28/29 and August 4/5.
The winners of the five best-placed path ties will face one of Arsenal, Lyon, Stuttgart, Fiorentina and Atletico Madrid in the play-off round.
For Celtic, their July 29 home game against the Muscovites will be new manager Tony Mowbray’s first competitive game in charge.
The Russian side finished third in the league last season, while they sit seventh in the current campaign after 13 matches of the Russian season.
The last time Celtic played Russian opposition was two years ago when they faced Spartak Moscow in a similar stage of European club football’s showpiece tournament.
After a 1-1 draw in the Russian capital, the sides fought out a 1-1 draw at Celtic Park, with the Hoops progressing to the group stages of the competition following a dramatic penalty shoot-out, with Artur Boruc the hero on the night.
Champions League 3rd rd fixtures
Best-placed path draw:
(First leg: July 28/29; Second leg: August 4/5)
Sparta Prague (CZE) v Panathinaikos (GRE)
Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) v Timisoara (ROM)
Sporting (POR) v FC Twente (NED)
Celtic (SCO) v Dynamo Moscow (RUS)
Anderlecht (BEL) v Sivasspor (TUR)
Champions path draw:
Salzburg (AUT) or Bohemian (IRL) v FC Pyunik (ARM) or Dynamo Zagreb (CRO)
Zrinjski (BIH) or Slovan Bratislava (SVK) v Olympiakos (GRE)
FC Zurich (SUI) v WIT Georgia (GEO) or NK Maribor (SLO)
EB/Streymur (FAR) or Apoel (CYP) v Rhyl (WAL) or Partizan (SRB)
International Turku (FIN) or Sheriff (MDA) v Slavia Prague (CZE)
Hafnarfjordur (ISL) or Aktobe (KAZ) v Maccabi Haifa (ISR) or Glentoran (NIR)
Ekranas (LTU) or FK Baku (AZE) v Levski Sofia (BUL) or Sant Julia (AND)
Ventspils (LVA) or Dudelange (LUX) v Makedonija Skopje (MKD) or Bate Borisov (BLR)
Wisla Krakow (POL) or Levadia Tallinn (EST) v Debreceni (HUN) or Kalmar (SWE)
FC Copenhagen (DEN) or FK Mogren (MNE) v Tirana (ALB)
NYON, Switzerland (AFP)
Tags: Artur Boruc, atletico madrid, Baku, Bratislava, celtic park, copenhagen, DEN, dynamo moscow, fc pyunik, fc twente, FIN, Georgia, group stage, group stages, Julia, Krakow, Lyon, MADRID, Makedonija, Maribor, Moscow, muscovites, NED, panathinaikos, POL, portugal, PRAGUE, russian capital, russian opposition, russian side, Salzburg, shakhtar donetsk, sivasspor, Sofia, sparta prague, spartak moscow, stuttgart, Switzerland, Tallinn, the Netherlands, Timisoara, TIRANA, tony mowbray, Turkey, Turku, UEFA Champions League, uefa cup winners, ukraine, Zagreb, zrinjski, ZURICHRelated posts
Chelsea sign Zhirkov
May 29, 2009
MOSCOW (AFP) – English Premiership side Chelsea signed Russian international midfielder Yury Zhirkov on a four-year term from Russian three-time champions CSKA Moscow, the daily tabloid Tvoi Den reported Friday.
Reports said that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was excited with Zhirkov’s performances this season and has negotiated a 30-million-dollar deal with the Red Army side.
“Yury (Zhirkov) has signed the contract with Chelsea just a day or two ago,” the newspaper quoted Zhirkov’s agent as saying. “He will join his new team this summer.
Tags: 30 million, CHELSEA, chelsea owner roman abramovich, CSKA, DEN, dollar deal, English Premier League, english premiership, Moscow, premiership side, red army, russian international, time champions, tvoi den, Yury ZhirkovRelated posts
Champions League 2008-09: Road to the Final
May 27, 2009
FC Barcelona and Manchester United are the two best sides of Europe, according to this year’s edition of the Champions League. How did these two giants get to the final though? A quick overview.
FC Barcelona
Third preliminary round
Aug 13 Home 4-0 Wisla Krakow (Pol)
Aug 26 Away 0-1 Wisla Krakow (Pol)
Group Phase
Sep 16 Home 3-1 Sporting Lisbon (Por) Oct 01 Away 2-1 Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukr) Oct 22 Away 5-0 FC Basel (Sui) Nov 04 Home 1-1 FC Basel (Sui) Nov 26 Away 5-2 Sporting Lisbon (Por)
Dec 09 Home 2-3 Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukr)
Position: 1 (13 points)
Second round
Feb 24 Away 1-1 Olympique Lyon (Fra)
Mar 11 Home 5-2 Olympique Lyon (Fra)
Quarter finals
Apr 08 Home 4-0 Bayern Munich (Ger)
Apr 14 Away 1-1 Bayern Munich (Ger)
Semi finals
Apr 28 Home 0-0 Chelsea (Eng)
May 06 Away 1-1 Chelsea (Eng)
Manchester United
Sep 17 Home 0-0 Villarreal (Spa) Sep 30 Away 3-0 Aalborg (Den) Oct 21 Home 3-0 Celtic (Sco) Nov 05 Away 1-1 Celtic (Sco) Nov 25 Away 0-0 Villarreal (Spa)
Dec 10 Home 2-2 Aalborg (Den)
Position: 1 (10 points)
Second round
Feb 24 Away 0-0 Inter Milan (Ita)
Mar 11 Home 2-0 Inter Milan (Ita)
Quarter finals
Apr 07 Home 2-2 FC Porto (Por)
Apr 15 Away 1-0 FC Porto (Por)
Semi finals
Apr 29 Home 1-0 Arsenal (Eng)
May 05 Away 3-1 Arsenal (Eng)
Tags: Aalborg, arsenal, Barcelona, basel, Bayern, celtic, champions league, CHELSEA, DEN, donetsk, Eng, Europe, fc barcelona, Fra, GER, giants, group phase, home 1, inter milan, ita, Krakow, Lisbon, Lyon, Manchester, manchester united, Milan, Munich, Olympique, POL, PORTO, quarter finals, sco, semi finals, shakhtar, spa, sporting lisbon, UEFA Champions League, ukr, VillarrealRelated posts
PSG head French assault on UEFA Cup
March 12, 2009
PARIS (AFP) – Paris St-Germain lead the French charge in the UEFA Cup on Thursday night, one of 16 teams left in the competition who will all feel that the trophy is within their grasp after the shocks of the previous round.
Pre-tournament favourites AC Milan were sent packing by Werder Bremen, while Italian big guns Fiorentina, Spanish heavyweights Valencia and English Premier League representatives Tottenham and Aston Villa all fell by the wayside.
PSG booked their place in the round of 16 with a convincing 5-1 aggregate victory over Germans Wolfsburg, while fellow Ligue 1 sides Marseille and St Etienne are also bidding for a place in the quarter-finals.
The Parisians welcome Portugal’s Braga to the Parc des Princes on Thursday evening, buoyed by a resurgence in domestic form that has seen them close to within one point of league leaders Lyon.
"The league and UEFA Cup double isn’t a dream but a wish," Brazilian defender Ceara said.
"I ask God that we can go as far as possible in these two competitions. But it will require a huge effort."
Marseille host Dutch giants Ajax after seeing off FC Twente in a keenly contested tie that took 210 minutes and 13 penalties to separate the sides.
St Etienne, meanwhile, produced one of the surprise results of the last round by knocking out Greek champions Olympiakos 5-2 on aggregate.
They travel to giant-slayers Bremen and will hope their European form continues to bely the fact that they are only one place above the Ligue 1 relegation zone.
If this season’s UEFA Cup has been memorable for France it has so far been a tournament to forget for England.
Manchester City are the sole surviving Premier League team in the competition after Tottenham and Aston Villa saw weakened sides tamely disposed of in the round of 32, while Everton and Portsmouth were eliminated before the knockout phase.
City take on Danish side Aab Aalborg, with coach Mark Hughes knowing the UEFA Cup may represent his best chance of placating owners the Abu Dhabi United Group, who have yet to see any real return on the investment they have ploughed into the club since their big-money takeover in September.
"The longer we stay in Europe, the more our name is lingering around, and the more people will think that City are actually quite a decent side," captain Richard Dunne said.
"We want this UEFA Cup run to continue. It’s in our hands, and we feel with the draw that we’ve got a chance of progressing."
In the night’s other matches, holders Zenit St Petersburg travel to Italy to face Udinese, while CSKA Moscow host Shakhtar Donetsk of the Ukraine.
Dynamo Kiev and FC Metalist Kharkiv will do battle for Ukrainian bragging rights in Kiev, while Turkish champions Galatasaray visit German side Hamburg.
Round of 16 first-leg fixtures, Thursday
CSKA Moscow (RUS) v Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)
Dynamo Kiev (UKR) v FC Metalist Kharkiv (UKR)
Hamburg (GER) v Galatasaray (TUR)
Manchester City (ENG) v AaB Aalborg (DEN)
Marseille (FRA) v Ajax (NED)
Paris St-Germain (FRA) v Braga (POR)
Udinese (ITA) v Zenit St Petersburg (RUS)
Werder Bremen (GER) v St Etienne (FRA)
Written by: AFP
Tags: aab aalborg, Aalborg, ac milan, aggregate victory, Ajax, aston villa, big guns, Braga, Bremen, captain Richard Dunne, Ceara, CITY, danish side, DEN, England, england manchester, English Premier League, Europe, everton, France, GER, Germain, giant slayers, God, Hamburg, Kiev, league leaders, league representatives, manchester city, Mark Hughes, Marseille, Milan, Moscow, NED, parc des princes, PARIS, paris st germain, parisians, Petersburg, Portsmouth, portugal, premier league, St, st etienne, surprise results, UEFA Cup, ukraine, united group, Valencia, werder bremenRelated posts
UEFA Cup action kicks off for 2009
February 18, 2009
PARIS (AFP) – European action kicks off for 2009 on Wednesday as David Beckham’s AC Milan and a strong contingent of English and French clubs restart their attempt to deny UEFA Cup holders Zenit St Petersburg a consecutive title.
AC Milan’s loss to rivals Inter on Sunday to lose touch in Italy may galvanise Carlo Ancelotti’s men in the last 32 of this second-tier club competition while Aston Villa might be stung into action after defeat in the FA Cup.
Turks Galatasaray should be motivated in their trip to Bordeaux knowing the May 20 final is in Istanbul while AC Milan’s evergreen defender Paolo Maldini, who turns 41 in June, has a chance for one last European hurrah after a glittering career with the Rossoneri.
AC Milan’s fixture at Werder Bremen on Wednesday pits two coaches, Ancelotti and Thomas Schaaf, who started the European Cup semi-final, first leg in Germany as players in the 1988/89 season which ended goalless. The Marco van Basten-inspired Milan went on to lift the trophy.
Villa, part of an English contingent also including Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur still in the UEFA Cup, might be worth an outside bet for the title.
Though Martin O’Neill’s Villa lost to Everton in the Cup at the weekend, they are now third in the Premiership, having broken up England’s elite top four and had seven players in Fabio Capello’s England squad for last week’s 2-0 friendly loss in Spain.
Media pundit and former Scotland international Pat Nevin claimed, however, O’Neill would be hungrier to win silverware in the UEFA Cup than league glory.
"Arsenal and Chelsea might go on runs that eventually make that fourth spot impossible," Nevin said. "He (O’Neill) also knows the glory that would surround winning the UEFA Cup. If you are a Villa fan it would be extraordinary.
"Ask them what they want, fourth in the league or a piece of silverware they can look back on? In 20 years’ time what will people remember? It is the trophy every time."
Meanwhile Marseille midfielder Karim Ziani has a groin injury which rules him out of their home match against Dutch club FC Twente on Thursday, the club said.
The Algerian international had to be replaced just before half-time in Eric Gerets’ side’s 1-0 victory at Monaco on Sunday.
Defender Julien Rodriguez is also doubtful with a foot injury, Gerets told the press, and a decision on his inclusion would be taken jointly by the player and medical staff.
The other central defender Vitorino Hilton looks set to miss out on UEFA Cup action after being told to take 48 hours rest after injuring an ankle on Sunday, while veteran striker Sylvain Wiltord has a knee knock.
Gerets has the good news that striker Mamadou Niang will be in the squad for the first time, since fracturing his foot at the beginning of December.
Paris Saint Germain are France’s team of the moment having beaten St Etienne at the weekend to climb into second behind Lyon despite recent boardroom shenanigans and a change of club president.
PSG host VfL Wolfsburg on Wednesday while the other French team St Etienne, the 1976 European Cup runners-up, play at Greeks Olympiakos with a possible meeting with AC Milan in the next round.
Defending champions St Petersburg host Stuttgart on Wednesday as they continue their attempt to become only the third team to successfully defend the trophy after Real Madrid in 1986 and Sevilla in 2007.
UEFA Cup last 32
Wednesday
Dynamo Kiev (UKR) v Valencia (ESP), Zenit St-Petersburg (RUS) v VfB Stuttgart (GER), Olympiakos (GRE) v St Etienne (FRA), Aston Villa (ENG) v CSKA Moscow (RUS), Werder Bremen (GER) v AC Milan (ITA), Paris St Germain (FRA) v VfL Wolfsburg (GER), NEC Nijmegen (NED) v Hamburg SV (GER), Sampdoria (ITA) v Metalist Kharkov (UKR), Bordeaux (FRA) v Galatasaray (TUR), Aalborg (DEN) v Deportivo La Coruna (ESP), Braga (POR) v Standard Liege (BEL)
Thursday
Lech Poznan (POL) v Udinese (ITA), Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) v Tottenham (ENG), FC Copenhagen (DEN) v Manchester City (ENG), Marseille (FRA) v FC Twente (NED), Fiorentina (ITA) v Ajax (NED)
Written by: AFP
Tags: ac milan, Braga, Bremen, carlo ancelotti, CHELSEA, club competition, consecutive title, copenhagen, David Beckham, DEN, England, england squad, eric gerets, fabio capello, France, french clubs, galatasaray, galvanise, GER, Germain, hurrah, Istanbul, Italy, karim ziani, Kiev, la coruna, Liege, MADRID, manchester city, marco van basten, Marco van Basten-inspired, Marseille, martin o neill, Martin O'Neill, NED, Neill, Nevin, paolo maldini, PARIS, pat nevin, Petersburg, SEVILLA, Spain, stuttgart, Thomas Schaaf, tottenham, UEFA Cup, werder bremenRelated posts
European football action kicks off for 2009
February 18, 2009
PARIS (AFP) – European action kicks off for 2009 on Wednesday as David Beckham’s AC Milan and a strong contingent of English and French clubs restart their attempt to deny UEFA Cup holders Zenit St Petersburg a consecutive title.
AC Milan’s loss to rivals Inter on Sunday to lose touch in Italy may galvanise Carlo Ancelotti’s men in the last 32 of this second-tier club competition while Aston Villa might be stung into action after defeat in the FA Cup.
Turks Galatasaray should be motivated in their trip to Bordeaux knowing the May 20 final is in Istanbul while AC Milan’s evergreen defender Paolo Maldini, who turns 41 in June, has a chance for one last European hurrah after a glittering career with the Rossoneri.
AC Milan’s fixture at Werder Bremen on Wednesday pits two coaches, Ancelotti and Thomas Schaaf, who started the European Cup semi-final, first leg in Germany as players in the 1988/89 season which ended goalless. The Marco van Basten-inspired Milan went on to lift the trophy.
Villa, part of an English contingent also including Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur still in the UEFA Cup, might be worth an outside bet for the title.
Though Martin O’Neill’s Villa lost to Everton in the Cup at the weekend, they are now third in the Premiership, having broken up England’s elite top four and had seven players in Fabio Capello’s England squad for last week’s 2-0 friendly loss in Spain.
Media pundit and former Scotland international Pat Nevin claimed, however, O’Neill would be hungrier to win silverware in the UEFA Cup than league glory.
"Arsenal and Chelsea might go on runs that eventually make that fourth spot impossible," Nevin said. "He (O’Neill) also knows the glory that would surround winning the UEFA Cup. If you are a Villa fan it would be extraordinary.
"Ask them what they want, fourth in the league or a piece of silverware they can look back on? In 20 years’ time what will people remember? It is the trophy every time."
Meanwhile Marseille midfielder Karim Ziani has a groin injury which rules him out of their home match against Dutch club FC Twente on Thursday, the club said.
The Algerian international had to be replaced just before half-time in Eric Gerets’ side’s 1-0 victory at Monaco on Sunday.
Defender Julien Rodriguez is also doubtful with a foot injury, Gerets told the press, and a decision on his inclusion would be taken jointly by the player and medical staff.
The other central defender Vitorino Hilton looks set to miss out on UEFA Cup action after being told to take 48 hours rest after injuring an ankle on Sunday, while veteran striker Sylvain Wiltord has a knee knock.
Gerets has the good news that striker Mamadou Niang will be in the squad for the first time, since fracturing his foot at the beginning of December.
Paris Saint Germain are France’s team of the moment having beaten St Etienne at the weekend to climb into second behind Lyon despite recent boardroom shenanigans and a change of club president.
PSG host VfL Wolfsburg on Wednesday while the other French team St Etienne, the 1976 European Cup runners-up, play at Greeks Olympiakos with a possible meeting with AC Milan in the next round.
Defending champions St Petersburg host Stuttgart on Wednesday as they continue their attempt to become only the third team to successfully defend the trophy after Real Madrid in 1986 and Sevilla in 2007.
UEFA Cup last 32
Wednesday
Dynamo Kiev (UKR) v Valencia (ESP), Zenit St-Petersburg (RUS) v VfB Stuttgart (GER), Olympiakos (GRE) v St Etienne (FRA), Aston Villa (ENG) v CSKA Moscow (RUS), Werder Bremen (GER) v AC Milan (ITA), Paris St Germain (FRA) v VfL Wolfsburg (GER), NEC Nijmegen (NED) v Hamburg SV (GER), Sampdoria (ITA) v Metalist Kharkov (UKR), Bordeaux (FRA) v Galatasaray (TUR), Aalborg (DEN) v Deportivo La Coruna (ESP), Braga (POR) v Standard Liege (BEL)
Thursday
Lech Poznan (POL) v Udinese (ITA), Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) v Tottenham (ENG), FC Copenhagen (DEN) v Manchester City (ENG), Marseille (FRA) v FC Twente (NED), Fiorentina (ITA) v Ajax (NED)
Written by: AFP
Tags: Aalborg, ac milan, Bordeaux, Braga, Bremen, carlo ancelotti, CHELSEA, club competition, consecutive title, David Beckham, DEN, england squad, eric gerets, fabio capello, France, french clubs, galatasaray, galvanise, GER, Germain, Germany, hurrah, Istanbul, Italy, karim ziani, la coruna, Liege, MADRID, manchester city, marco van basten, Marco van Basten-inspired, Marseille, martin o neill, Martin O'Neill, Monaco, NED, Nevin, paolo maldini, pat nevin, Petersburg, POL, Poznan, scotland, scotland international, SEVILLA, Spain, st petersburg, stuttgart, Thomas Schaaf, tottenham, UEFA Cup, werder bremenRelated posts
Calendar
Related Sites
- AFP
- e-soccertips
- Free Themes All - Blogger, Wordpress, Joomla themes
- Soccer Results
- soccerway
- WAGS
- WAGS Blog
Categories
- 1 League
- A PFG
- A-League
- African
- Argentina
- Belgium
- Brasil
- Bundesliga
- CAF Champions League
- Club Friendlies
- CONCACAF Champions' Cup
- Cup
- English Championship
- English Premier League
- Eredivisie
- European Championships
- FA Cup
- FIFA
- Franch
- Germany
- Italy
- Japan
- Jupiler League
- LA Liga
- LigaBwin
- Ligue 1
- MLS
- netherlands
- Olympics
- Olympics Women
- Photo
- portugal
- premier league
- Primera Division
- Rusia Premier League
- scotland
- Scottish Premier League
- Serie A
- Super Copa
- Super League
- Sweden
- Turkcell Süper Lig
- UEFA Champions League
- UEFA Cup
- Umaglesi Liga
- Uncategorized
- United States
- Video
- Vietnam
- Wag Watch
- WAGS
- WC Qualifying Asia
- WC Qualifying Concacaf
- WC Qualifying Europe
- WC Qualifying South-Africa
- WC Qualifying South-America
- World Cup
