Champions League results are key: Ribery

February 17, 2010

Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery, courted by some of Europe’s top sides including Real Madrid, said Wednesday his future at the German giants will depend on how well they do in the Champions League.

“Our result in the Champions League will of course play a part in my decision. For me, footballing potential is the most important thing,” the French international midfielder told the Sport Bild magazine.

“Seeing how the team is playing, we’ve got every chance in the Champions League,” Ribery said as Bayern prepared to host Serie A team Fiorentina in the first leg of the last 16.

Bayern go into the match as clear favourites, on the back of an impressive run of 12 straight wins in all competitions that has seen them advance to the semi-finals of the German Cup and joint top of the Bundesliga.

“Our squad isn’t quite as good as Barcelona or Real but when everyone is on form, the 11 on the pitch are top class,” he said.

Ribery, 26, arrived at the club in 2007 and his contract runs until June 2011 but he has been linked to some of the top names in Europe. Bayern have said they will make the player an offer at the beginning of March.

Sport Bild said that Bayern had lined up 25-year-old Serbian winger Milos Krasic from CSKA Moscow, to replace Ribery if he decides to leave the Allianz Stadium.

Ribery has won 41 caps and scored seven goals for France and looks set to be one of the stars of the 2010 World Cup which takes place in South Africa from June 11 to July 11.

BERLIN (AFP)

Tags: allianz, Allianz Stadium, Barcelona, Bayern, bayern munich, berlin, champions league results, competitions, cska moscow, Europe, favourites, fiorentina, France, french international, german cup, giants, MADRID, Milos Krasic, Moscow, pitch, real madrid, semi finals, serbian, South Africa, sport bild, winger, World Cup

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)

Tags: Alan Dzagoev, alex ferguson, Antonio Valencia, CSKA, darren fletcher, equaliser, federico macheda, first appearance, Fletcher, igor akinfeev, last saturday, league stage, league victory, Manchester, manchester united, michael owen, Milos Krasic, Moscow, paul scholes, pounced, premier league, rare chance, scoresheet, sir alex ferguson, stoppage time, Tomas Necid, wayne rooney, wes brown

Rubin Kazan defend lead in Russia

October 18, 2009

Rubin Kazan avoided a third consecutive defeat on Saturday, and in the process defended their first place in the Russian league.

Gokdeniz Karadeniz put the defending champions in the lead after 31 minutes against FK Khimki, and Alan Kasaev made it 2-0 ten minutes after the break.

Alexander Antipenko pulled one back late on, but it wasn’t good enough for the visiting side. As result of this win, Rubin extend the advantage over second-placed Spartak Moscow to four points, although the latter still have to play against local rivals Lokomotiv Moscow on Sunday.

CSKA Moscow dropped two valuable points at Spartak Nalchik, being held to a 1-1 draw. The Muscovites did score an early goal through Milos Krasic in the third minute, but Alexander Amisulashvili leveled in minute 26.

CSKA now risk dropping from shared third to fifth position.

Jonathan Roorda

Tags: Alan Kasaev, Alexander, Alexander Amisulashvili, Alexander Antipenko, consecutive defeat, cska moscow, fifth position, four points, karadeniz, khimki, Milos Krasic, Moscow, muscovites, nalchik, rivals, rubin kazan, russia, russian league

Rubin Kazan lead in Russian Premier League

April 20, 2009

Rubin Kazan have moved into first place in the Russian league as the defending champions beat Dinamo Moscow 3-0 on Sunday.

Roman Sharonov put Rubin ahead after just ten minutes and Alejandro Dominguez made it 2-0 from the penalty spot, another ten minutes later.

The third and final goal came on 76 minutes as the unfortunate Kiril Kombarov hit his own net.

CSKA Moscow are second following a 0-3 win at FK Khimki. Milos Krasic was responsible for all three goals, scoring in the 6th, 30th and 73rd minutes. As a result, Krasic joins teammate Alan Dzagoev and Dinamo’s Alexander Kerzhakov at the top of the topscorers ranking.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: Alan Dzagoev, Alejandro Dominguez, Alexander, alexander kerzhakov, CSKA, Dinamo, following, Jonathan Roorda, khimki, kiril, Kiril Kombarov, Milos Krasic, Moscow, place, premier league, roman sharonov, Rubin, rubin kazan, Rusia Premier League, Russian, russian league, teammate

Real close to signing Krasic from CSKA Moscow: press

December 22, 2008

MADRID (AFP) – CSKA Moscow midfielder Milos Krasic is close to signing with Real Madrid, the Spanish sports newspaper Marca said Monday.

The paper did not indicate its source for the report on the 24-year-old Serbian international, who has been with CSKA since 2004.

Spanish champions Real, who have been plagued by injuries and poor form this season, signed Portsmouth’s French international midfielder Lassana Diarra at the weekend.

They sacked German coach Bernd Schuster earlier this month and replaced him with former Tottenham coach Juande Ramos but are still a huge 12 points behind league leaders and arch rivals Barcelona going into the winter break.

Written by: AFP