Kahn: ‘Bayern should sign Buffon’

January 20, 2010

Once again, Oliver Kahn has grabbed the opportunity to speak out. The former goalkeeper of Bayern München gave his old club advice in their quest for a new goalie.

Kahn knows which shot stopper Bayern should go for. “Bayern should sign Gianluigi Buffon from Juventus,” the former Germany international told Bild.

“Buffon is a world-class goalkeeper, just like Iker Casillas (Real Madrid) and Petr Cech (Chelsea).”

Kahn is also impressed by CSKA Moscow’s Igor Akinfeev. “He’s a great goalkeeper. You rarely see a goalie dominating his goal area like he does.”

Kahn is very pleased with Bayern’s current keeper. “Hans-Jörg Butt has been excellent this season, but he’s already 35 years old.

“Bayern has to think about its future and that means they have to sign a new goalkeeper.” Stand in Michael Rensing is set to leave FCB next summer.

Kahn is sceptic about signing a keeper from his own country. “In Germany, there are no world class goalkeepers.

“Bayern always aims for the highest goal and to get there you’ll need a world class keeper.”

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Valencia seals dramatic United fightback in Champions League

November 4, 2009

Antonio Valencia struck a dramatic stoppage time equaliser as Manchester United fought back from 3-1 deficit to secure a point that takes them through to the last 16 of the Champions League.

United’s 22-match unbeaten home record in the competition looked to be coming to an end after Vasili Berezutski made it 3-1 to the visitors shortly after half time.

But in a thrilling encounter, Sir Alex Ferguson’s battling side roared back with late goals from Paul Scholes and Valencia.

Despite the comeback, Ferguson will be livid with his defenders for allowing CSKA to score three times. They were gifted the lead when the impressive Alan Dzagoev pounced after 25 minutes following an error by Jonny Evans. Although Michael Owen levelled, Milos Krasic made it 2-1 after United’s makeshift defence was easily carved open.

United were denied a clear penalty when Darren Fletcher was tripped by Aleksei Berezutski before they were saved by Scholes and Valencia.

It was all change for United, last season’s runners-up showing six changes to the side that started the 2-0 Premier League victory over Blackburn last Saturday.

With new dad Wayne Rooney only making the bench after missing training on the eve of the game to be at the birth of his first child, Federico Macheda was given a rare chance to shine.

And the 19-year-old Italian teenager, making his first appearance on the Champions League stage, looked more comfortable than his more experienced strike partner at times.

Owen wasted two golden chances before finally getting his name on the scoresheet. Having been teed-up by Antonio Valencia in the 10th minute, the out-of-favour England man mis-kicked horribly in front of goal.

Then he spurned another opportunity in the 18th minute when he shot straight at the keeper when he should have done much better.

Macheda’s youth and enthusiasm almost earned United the breakthrough they were seeking when he burst into the box after a clever turn before firing narrowly wide in the 25th minute.

Yet two pieces of awful defending before half time left United staring at a surprise home defeat.

Dzagoev pounced after Jonny Evans, deputising alongside Wes Brown in the absence of first-choice centre-backs Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, failed to close down the Russian teenager following good play by Tomas Necid.

But the Russians’ lead lasted just four minutes, Owen smiling for the first time after marking his sixth start with his first Champions League goal for United after Nani had flicked Valencia’s cross into his path.

Yet two minutes later more woeful defending gifted CSKA the lead for the second time, Krasic being allowed to restore the visitors’ advantage after the home defence stood like statues.

United then found themselves 3-1 behind less than two minutes into the second half, the unmarked Vasili Berezutski allowed to bury the ball past van der Sar following Dzagoev’s inswinging free kick.

The few hundred supporters who had travelled from Moscow could not believe what they were seeing. Neither could 73,000 United fans.

Their mood darkened further in the 49th minute when United were denied a clear penalty.

Fletcher, who had gone close to scoring when the scores were goalless, was tripped by Berezutski. But instead of pointing to the penalty spot, Portuguese referee Olegario Benquerenca booked midfielder Fletcher for diving.

With his side staring defeat in the face, Ferguson sent on Rooney.

Fletcher had a free-kick well saved by Igor Akinfeev, Rooney was also denied by the Russian keeper while Macheda hit the woodwork.

Then Scholes reduced the deficit by heading home from the edge of the six yard area before Equador international Valenica saved his side in dramatic circumstances.

MANCHESTER (AFP)

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Writing on wall for Moscow as Grafite hits hat-trick

September 16, 2009

Bundesliga champions VfL Wolfsburg got off to a winning start on their Champions League debut in Group B as Brazil striker Grafite scored a hat-trick to seal a 3-1 win here on Tuesday over Russian side CSKA Moscow.

The German champions brushed off defeats in their last three league games to begin their campaign in style.

The hosts will face bigger challenges ahead in their quest to get out of Group B, where they are also up against 2008 champions Manchester United and Turkish champions Besiktas – who were beaten 1-0 aty home by United – but they had few problems here at the Volkswagen Arena.

“It was not exactly an intoxicating match to watch, but that was part of the plan,” said Wolfsburg coach Armin Veh.

“We didn’t want to deliver a spectacle, we wanted to put in a good defensive performance and win.

“We were the better team, we created and took a few good chances and deserved to get the victory.”

The Wolves got the early breakthrough they needed when playmaker Zvjezdan Misimovic put Grafite in the perfect position and the Brazilian drilled his shot through the legs of Moscow goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev on 36 minutes.

The Brazil hot-shot then slotted home a 41st minute penalty after he was held back in the penalty area by Moscow defender Deividas Semberas by his shirt and he scored with his spot-kick.

Moscow pulled a goal back when Russia defender Alan Dzagoev smashed home his shot past Wolfsburg goalkeeper Diego Benaglio on 77 minutes.

But the night belonged to Grafite, the Bundesliga’s top scorer last season, when he put the result beyond doubt by netting after being set up by Marcel Schaefer in the 87th minute.

It was a bad European start for Moscow’s former Tottenham and Real Madrid manager Juande Ramos, who replaced Brazilian legend Zico as coach of the Russian side last weekend.

The Spaniard, 54, has been out of work since his contract at Real expired at the end of last season.

Both sides are next in action again when Wolfsburg travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on September 30, while Moscow are home to Besiktas the same night.

WOLFSBURG, Germany (AFP)

Tags: Alan Dzagoev, Armin Veh, brazil, Bundesliga, cska moscow, defensive performance, diego benaglio, german champions, Germany, Goalkeeper, grafite, hat trick, igor akinfeev, juande ramos, MADRID, Manchester, Marcel Schaefer, Moscow, old trafford, russia, russian side, schaefer, striker, wolves, zico

No Love lost as Villa face UEFA Cup struggle

February 19, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, England (AFP) – Aston Villa face a daunting task to reach the last 16 of the UEFA Cup after being held to a 1-1 draw by CSKA Moscow in the first leg of their last 32 tie at Villa Park on Wednesday.

Martin O’Neill’s side needed a second half equaliser from John Carew to scramble a draw after Brazilian striker Vagner Love put CSKA in front with his ninth goal in seven UEFA Cup matches and 25th in 41 career UEFA Cup matches.

Villa will now have to win a tough assignment in Moscow in the second leg if they are to progress.

The Premier League club have ambitions of qualifying for the Champions League this season but they still have some way to go before they are ready to cut it among the best in Europe.

Sunday’s FA Cup defeat at Everton had been the worst possible start to a crucial week for Villa.

As well this European encounter, they also face Chelsea at home on Saturday and Blues owner Roman Abramovich and the club’s new manager, Guus Hiddink were among the spectators.

But it was CSKA, managed by Brazil’s Zico, who caught the eye with some fine midfield inter-play in the early stages though.

Although this was CSKA’s first competitive match since December 4, there was no sign of any rustiness among the Russians.

They took the lead in the 18th minute as Love notched his 21st goal of the season.

Yury Zhirkov played the ball into space behind Curtis Davies and Zat Knight and into the path of Love, and he coolly slotted past Brad Guzan.

Villa immediately raised the tempo of their play in response and Craig Gardner tested Igor Akinfeev with a low strike.

Gabriel Agbonlahor had a chance to equalise after 29 minutes when Ashley Young’s cross picked out the England striker, but he failed to get a firm contact on his header.

Young supplied another dangerous cross moments later but Carew headed over from close range.

Love was a constant menace and he shook off Knight’s challenge before releasing Zhirkov whose 20 yard drive was only just too high.

But Villa also were posing a threat and Gardner headed over from Young’s cross.

Villa were now enjoying their best spell of the game and Akinfeev had to turn aside a dipping free-kick from Young.

Aleksei Berezutski could have doubled CSKA’s lead after 67 minutes when he found himself with only Guzan to beat after being put through by Alan Dzagoev but he pushed his shot wide.

It proved a costly miss for after 69 minutes Carew put Villa back on level terms.

Gardner chased down a cross from Young which flew across the box, turned it back to Carew and the Norwegian international made no mistake with a first time drive.

Villa pushed forward for a winner and Young went close but it to be a frustrating end as CSKA held on.

Written by: AFP