Liverpool, Fulham advance but Everton out of Europa League
February 26, 2010
Liverpool and Fulham advanced to the Round of 16 of the Europa League on Thursday, but fortunes were not as good for English brethren Everton, who were dumped out by Sporting Lisbon.
Liverpool claimed a 3-1 victory away to Romanian side Unirea Urziceni, securing a 4-1 aggregate win.
It started promising for the host Unirea as Bruno Fernandes headed them into the lead on 19 minutes, but Javier Mascherano got the all important away goal for the Reds on the half-hour.
Ryan Babel extended the advantage on 41 minutes, and skipper Steven Gerrard iced the tie away with a fine strike in the 57th minute.
Fulham, meanwhile, took out holders Shakhtar Donetsk 3-2 on aggregate after a 1-1 draw in Ukraine.
Needing to cancel Shakhtar’s away goal from the first leg, big defender Brede Hangeland nodded in a Damien Duff free kick to put Fulham in front on 33 minutes.
Shakhtar, now needing two goals without reply for extra time, pulled a goal back in the 69th minute through Jadson, but could get no closer despite Danny Murphy’s silly late red card.
Everton, holding a 2-1 edge from the first leg, crashed out 4-2 on aggregate as Sporting won 3-0 on the night at the José Alvalade.
The Toffees held firm until the 64th minute when Sporting’s Miguel Veloso struck from inside the area, Pedro Mendes put the Portuguese side firmly in front on 77 minutes with a drive that eluded Tim Howard from outside the area.
Matías Fernández added the third for Sporting in extra time to send Everton out of the tournament.
Tags: brethren, bruno, Bruno Fernandes, Damien Duff, Danny Murphy, extra time, fernandes, fortunes, free kick, fulham, half hour, Liverpool, liverpool fulham, mascherano, Miguel Veloso, pedro mendes, reds, skipper, sporting lisbon, Steven Gerrard, tim howard, ukraine, unirea urziceniRelated posts
Rangers star Mendes out for at least six weeks
October 23, 2009
Rangers midfielder Pedro Mendes has been ruled out for at least six weeks after suffering a knee injury in the Champions League defeat against Unirea Urziceni.
The Portugal international, 30, was forced off at half-time in the 4-1 loss and had scans on Wednesday which revealed he faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Rangers boss Walter Smith said on Friday that Mendes will be unavailable for at least six weeks and could miss two months of the Scottish champions’ schedule.
Meanwhile, Scottish police have been looking at CCTV footage in a bid to find a fan who is alleged to have racially abused Rangers midfielder Maurice Edu.
The incident, which happened in a school car park opposite Ibrox after Tuesday’s match, has now been reported to police and an investigation launched.
GLASGOW (AFP)
Tags: boss, car park, champions league, Glasgow, knee injury, league defeat, match, pedro mendes, portugal, rangers, school car, scottish champions, scottish police, sidelines, six weeks, unirea urziceni, walter smithRelated posts
Are Inter struggling in Europe because Serie A is too easy?
October 21, 2009
A half empty San Siro didn’t even whistle after Inter Milan’s 2-2 draw with Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League.
The Nerazzurri faithful are very used to average performances in Europe, they’ve not won in eight games and haven’t triumphed in the competition since 1965.
Coach Jose Mourinho wasn’t that upset either, he knew Inter had got out of jail thanks to Barcelona’s shock home defeat by Rubin Kazan in the other Group F game. Barca, Dynamo and Rubin are on four points with Inter on three with three to play.
”This is a group with great difficulties. It’s a group with four champions,” he said.
On Saturday Inter went to Genoa, possibly the trickiest ground to visit in Serie A, and won 5-0 with almost the same side that then drew with Dynamo.
Serie A has been declining in quality for years and champions Inter are clear at the top already despite only playing well in fits and starts.
The Champions League now looks like a whole different ball game compared to the domestic league. UEFA president Michel Platini was criticised for making sure more smaller teams were in the competition this season but it is still looking very competitive given the Rubin and Kiev results, and Rangers 1 Unirea Urziceni 4. Liverpool’s troubles are another story.
Unlike the past, Mourinho is hinting that a home game with the likes of Dynamo is more difficult than an away match at a decent Serie A side.
Is it beginning to be true in other leagues as well? Are Rubin Kazan better than the likes of Deportivo for example?
PHOTO: Inter Milan’s Walter Samuel (L) challenges Dynamo Kiev’s Andriy Shevchenko during their Champions League soccer match at the San Siro stadium in Milan October 20, 2009. REUTERS/Max Rossi
Tags: andriy shevchenko, ball game, Barcelona, champions league soccer, competition, dynamo kiev, Europe, four points, genoa, home game, inter milan, Jose, jose mourinho, Kiev, Liverpool, match, Max Rossi, michel platini, Milan, rangers, reuters, Rubin, rubin kazan, San, san siro stadium, shock, unirea urziceni, walter samuelRelated posts
Rangers slam ‘disgusting’ abuse
October 21, 2009
Rangers have condemned the “moronic behaviour” of supporters alleged to have racially abused Maurice Edu after Tuesday night’s Champions League thrashing by Unirea Urziceni.
United States midfielder Edu, 23, played no part in the 4-1 Group G defeat but watched the match at Ibrox and says he was targeted by his own club’s supporters as he left the stadium.
A statement released by the Ibrox club read: “Rangers Football Club condemns out of hand this moronic behaviour.
“The action of this individual is disgusting and completely unacceptable.
“It is extremely disappointing that people such as this attach themselves to the wider Rangers support and tarnish the image of the club and its fans.
“The club will now undertake a full investigation to identify the individual in question and take appropriate action.
“We would urge anyone who has information on the identity of the individual responsible to contact the club immediately.
“Everyone associated with Rangers will once again demonstrate their on-going commitment to Show Racism the Red Card as we support the Weekend of Action at the Hibernian game at Ibrox Stadium on Saturday.”
Edu wrote a message on his Twitter feed which read: “Not sure what hurt more: result last nite or being racially abused by couple of r own fans as I’m getting in my car.”
The Rangers Supporters Trust condemned anyone who might have abused Edu, who has been out all season with a knee injury.
RST spokesman David Edgar said: “We would absolutely condemn that if that’s the case.
“These are not Rangers fans and they should be caught and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
Billy Singh, Campaign Manager for Show Racism the Red Card, said: “The racial abuse suffered by Maurice Edu last night was totally unacceptable.
“Would the same fans have reacted in the same way if he had scored the winning goal last night?
“It proves that as a society we have a long way to go to eradicate this type of behaviour.
“Official statistics show that on average there are 14 reported incidents a day.
“Anecdotal evidence suggests that 80% goes unreported.
“Football is leading the way in trying to change peoples attitudes and behaviour within football grounds.
“I call upon fans of all Scottish clubs to challenge this type of behaviour not only within football but in society in general. Show Racism the Red Card will continue to spread the anti-racist message in football but also in communities throughout Scotland.”
Abhimanyu Rajput
Tags: Billy Singh, campaign manager, champions league, david edgar, full extent of the law, game, Ibrox Stadium, knee injury, last nite, match, Maurice, midfielder, official statistics, racial abuse, racism, rangers football club, scotland, spokesman, tuesday night, unirea urziceni, United StatesRelated posts
Unirea destroy Rangers Champions League hopes
October 21, 2009
Rangers Champions League hopes are all but over after two own goals and a missed penalty consigned them to a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Romanian minnows Unirea Urziceni at Ibrox.
The result, identical to the home defeat they suffered at the hands of Sevilla in their last game, leaves the Scottish champions firmly rooted to the bottom of Group G.
Things could have been so different for Walter Smith’s men who had a dream start when Pedro Mendes’ shot deflected off Ricardo Gomes to give Rangers the lead after 80 seconds.
Rangers dominated possession but Unirea levelled with their first shot of the game when Marius Bilasco tapped in after 32 minutes before Steven Davis missed a penalty for the home side.
But a second-half collapse saw Dan Petrescu’s side stroll to victory with own goals from substitute Kyle Lafferty and Lee McCulloch before a Pablo Brandan free-kick finished the scoring.
Rangers were dealt a blow before kick-off when Madjid Bougherrra was ruled out with a knee injury leaving McCulloch to partner David Weir in the centre of defence.
Smith had said he wanted a strong start and his side duly delivered when a deflected Mendes strike gave Rangers the lead within 80 seconds.
Jerome Rothen floated a corner to the edge of the penalty box where Mendes took a touch before firing in a shot which took a wicked deflection off Gomes and looped over the head of stand-in keeper Daniel Tudor.
Portuguese playmaker Mendes was again involved in the 11th minute when his free-kick from the left was headed just over the bar by Kenny Miller.
Rangers were dominating proceedings and Petrescu was quick to make a tactical change with Marius Onofras replacing Epaminonda Nicu.
Almost immediately a half-cleared corner presented Unirea with a chance when the ball fell to Tiberiu Balan 10 yards out but he sliced his volley wide.
Miller and Sasa Papac combined well on the left to allow the Bosnian to send a low cross into the box which Steven Naismith could only get the slightest of touches on as it trundled wide.
Unirea levelled things in the 33rd minute. A quickly taken free-kick was played to Brandan who skipped past Steven Whittaker to send a low ball across the face of goal for Bilasco to tap in.
Rangers were handed the chance to regain the lead five minutes later when they were awarded a penalty after David Weir’s header from a Rothen cross hit the hand of Bruno Fernandes.
Davis stepped up but the Northern Irishman’s soft effort low to the left was turned out for a corner by Tudor.
Things got worse for Rangers at the start of the second-half when Unirea took the lead in the 48th minute.
Fernandes’ back-heel from Bilasco’s corner glanced off substitute Lafferty to hit the post and go in with Allan McGregor helpless.
The Rangers defence were posted missing a minute later when Balan was presented with a chance but they were relieved when he sent his shot wide.
However the home side’s problems mounted in the 59th minute when Balan’s curling free-kick from the left was headed past his own keeper by McCulloch for yet another own goal.
Rangers’ misery was compounded just six minutes later when Rothen conceded a free-kick 30 yards out.
Iulian Apostol rolled it into the path of Argentine Brandan, who thumped a low, powerful drive past McGregor into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.
Smith brought Nacho Novo on as Rangers chased the impossible but there was to be no miracle comeback with Unirea threatening to add to their lead.
GLASGOW (AFP)
Tags: brandan, dan petrescu, David Weir, free kick, jerome rothen, knee injury, kyle lafferty, last game, nicu, partner david, pedro mendes, penalty box, playmaker, ricardo gomes, sasa, scottish champions, steven naismith, unirea urziceni, walter smithRelated posts
Sevilla blitz groggy Rangers
September 30, 2009
Sevilla dumped Rangers with a stunning second-half goal blitz as they made it two wins out of two in their Champions League campaign following a controversial 4-1 success at Ibrox.
The Spanish side ran out easy winners thanks to goals from Abdoulay Konko, Adriano, Luis Fabiano and Frederic Kanoute but that doesn’t tell the full story of a fiery encounter, which saw Nacho Novo score a late consolation for the home side.
Konko may have opened the scoring on 50 minutes to set them on their way but he was lucky to still be on the pitch after he somehow avoided giving away a penalty and receiving a red card after a blatant last-man trip on Steven Naismith in the box.
Referee Jonas Eriksson turned away the home side’s appeals, which seemed justified, and the visitors never looked back after surviving that first-half scare.
They are now in pole position to reach the last 16, with Rangers likely to be scrapping for second place with Stuttgart and Unirea Urziceni.
Home boss Walter Smith sprang something of a surprise before kick-off with his starting line-up. The 4-5-1 formation, his preferred in European competition, was expected but the inclusion of Steven Naismith as the lone striker, at the expense of Kenny Miller, raised a few eyebrows amongst the home support.
Manola Jimenez’s side arrived in Glasgow in sparkling form having won four of their opening five matches in La Liga, including a thumping 4-0 away win at Athletic Bilbao at the weekend.
The visitors showed their class on 14 minutes following a swift break orchestrated and nearly finished by Kanoute.
He released Jesus Navas down the right flank and his low cross was perfectly weighted into the path of the former Tottenham striker, who had continued his run into the box.
The Mali international barely broke stride but his right-foot strike from eight yards was superbly parried by Allan McGregor. The Scottish champions seemed happy to contain but Lee McCulloch fired a dipping volley inches over to lift the home support after a frustrating opening quarter.
Rangers were growing into the match and posed another question of the visitors defence on 28 minutes, but McCulloch dragged an effort wide after he had been neatly picked out by Kevin Thomson.
And the match erupted on 36 minutes when Eriksson denied the home side what appeared a clear penalty when Konko tripped Naismith in the area.
The sense of injustice was nearly made worse on 42 minutes when the Spaniards almost grabbed the lead.
Madjid Bougherra, the goalscoring hero in the opening-round 1-1 draw at Stuttgart, got caught in possession inside his area and Adriano’s shot was brilliantly saved by McGregor, before Navas fired the rebound over.
The Swedish official left the field to a chorus of deafening boos as the half ended with honours even.
And the mood inside the stadium worsened on 50 minutes when the visitors took the lead with a neatly-worked free-kick.
Lolo looked like he was shaping to shoot but instead passed to Navas and his right-wing cross was headed home from six yards by that man Konko. Papac almost offered an instant equaliser but he was inches away from turning home Whittaker’s cross.
Thomson then saw his 25-yard effort tipped over by Andres Palop as Rangers showed spirit after going behind.
But Sevilla killed the match on 64 minutes after Kanoute teed up Konko on the right wing. His cut-back found Adriano and he sent a curling right-foot strike beyond McGregor’s despairing dive from 16 yards.
Things went from bad to worse on 72 minutes when Fabiano headed home Kanoute’s cross to make it three. And things got even more embarrassing 90 seconds later when Fabiano turned provider to set up Kanoute, who coolly slotted home his cross from four yards.
Sub Novo pulled one back one back on 88 minutes with a brilliant 25-yard strike but it was too little too late for the Glasgow outfit.
GLASGOW (AFP)
Tags: athletic bilbao, easy winners, foot strike, frederic kanoute, jesus navas, kenny miller, konko, last man, league campaign, luis fabiano, man trip, mcculloch, nacho novo, pole position, scottish champions, spanish side, starting line, steven naismith, unirea urziceni, walter smithRelated posts
Champions League draw: Barca, Inter clubbed in same group
August 28, 2009
UEFA Champions League holders FC Barcelona will begin their trophy defence in Group F with games against FC Internazionale Milano, FC Dynamo Kyiv and FC Rubin Kazan while last year’s runners up Manchester United FC have drawn Turkish side Be?ikta? JK, VfL Wolfsburg and PFC CSKA Moskva.
The 32 teams were split into eight sections of four along with last season’s runners-up Manchester United FC, who were drawn in Group B with Be?ikta? JK, VfL Wolfsburg and PFC CSKA Moskva.
VfL Wolfsburg are one of eight newcomers to this stage along with Rubin, AZ Alkmaar, R. Standard de Liège, AFC Unirea Urziceni, Debreceni VSC, FC Zürich and APOEL FC.
Real Madrid CF, who are hoping to reach the final at their home stadium, were second out of the hat in Group C, and take on AC Milan, Olympique de Marseille and Zürich.
The group-stage fixtures will be played on 15/16 September, 29/30 September, 20/21 October, 3/4 November, 24/25 November and 8/9 December.
The group winners and runners-up will progress to the first knockout round in the spring, with the final to be staged at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid on Saturday 22 May 2010.
Teams finishing third in each section will transfer to the UEFA Europa League Round of 32.
Group A
FC Bayern München (GER), Juventus (ITA), FC Girondins de Bordeaux (FRA) and Maccabi Haifa FC (ISR)
Group B
VfL Wolfsburg (GER), PFC CSKA Moskva (RUS), Be?ikta? JK (TUR), and Manchester United FC (ENG)
Group C
AC Milan (ITA), Real Madrid CF (ESP), Olympique de Marseille (FRA), and FC Zürich (SUI)
Group D
APOEL FC (CYP), FC Porto (POR), Chelsea FC (ENG), and Club Atlético de Madrid (ESP)
Group E
Liverpool FC (ENG), Olympique Lyonnais (FRA), ACF Fiorentina (ITA), and Debreceni VSC (HUN)
Group F
FC Rubin Kazan (RUS), FC Dynamo Kyiv (UKR), FC Internazionale Milano (ITA), and FC Barcelona (ESP)
Group G
Sevilla FC (ESP), Rangers FC (SCO), VfB Stuttgart (GER), and AFC Unirea Urziceni (ROU)
Group H
R. Standard de Liège (BEL), Olympiacos FC (GRE), AZ Alkmaar (NED), and Arsenal FC (ENG)
Abhimanyu Rajput
Tags: acf fiorentina, alkmaar, apoel fc, az alkmaar, B VfL, Bordeaux, C AC, fc dynamo kyiv, fc girondins de bordeaux, fc internazionale milano, fc real madrid, fc rubin kazan, GER, H R. Standard, internazionale milano fc, maccabi haifa fc, MADRID, manchester united fc, Marseille, Milan, NED, olympiacos fc, olympique de marseille, olympique lyonnais, pfc cska moskva, PORTO, R., real madrid cf, Santiago, stuttgart, unirea urziceni, vfb stuttgart, vfl wolfsburg, ZURICHRelated posts
Champions League draw … Kaka, Ibrahimovic back to Milan
August 27, 2009
The draw for the group phase of the 2009-10 Champions League has just finished in Monaco and it’s thrown up a couple of groups to savour especially.
Real Madrid getting drawn in Group C means they will face AC Milan … and that means a return to the San Siro for Kaka, who made the switch over the close season. Likewise, Barcelona’s big signing Zlatan ibrahimovic will be on his way back to Milan, after Inter joined the holders in Group F.
Plenty of other intriguing match-ups … Any of them catch your eye?
Group A: Bayern Munich, Juventus, Girondins Bordeaux, Maccabi Haifa
Group B: Manchester United, CSKA Moscow, Besiktas, VfL Wolfsburg
Group C: AC Milan, Real Madrid, Olympique Marseille, FC Zurich
Group D: Chelsea, Porto, Atletico Madrid, APOEL
Group E: Liverpool, Olympique Lyon, Fiorentina, Debrecen
Group F: Barcelona, Inter Milan, Dynamo Kiev, Rubin Kazan
Group G: Sevilla, Rangers, VfB Stuttgart, Unirea Urziceni
Group H: Arsenal, AZ Alkmaar, Olympiakos, Standard Liege
PHOTO: Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta holds the trophy after their Champions League final soccer match victory against Manchester United at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, May 27, 2009. REUTERS/Darren Staples
Tags: Andres Iniesta, atletico madrid, bayern munich, champions league draw, cska moscow, dynamo kiev, fc zurich, girondins bordeaux, kazan group, maccabi haifa, olympique lyon, olympique marseille fc, rubin kazan, san siro, standard liege, unirea urziceni, vfb stuttgart, vfl wolfsburg, zurich groupRelated posts
Overview: All UEFA Champions League 2009-10 participants
August 27, 2009
Following Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League play-off games, all 32 participants in this year’s competition are known. Here is an overview.
England: Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal
Spain: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Sevilla, Atletico Madrid
Italy: Internazionale, Milan, Juventus, Fiorentina
France: Bordeaux, Marseille, Lyon
Germany: Wolfsburg, Bayern Munich, Stuttgart
Russia: Rubin Kazan, CSKA Moscow
Romania: Unirea Urziceni
Portugal: FC Porto
Netherlands: AZ Alkmaar
Scotland: Rangers
Turkey: Besiktas
Ukraine: Dynamo Kyiv
Belgium: Standard Liege
Greece: Olympiakos
Israel: Maccabi Haifa
Switzerland: Zürich
Cyprus: APOEL
Hungary: Debrecen
(32 teams from 18 countries)
Jonathan Roorda
Tags: apoel, atletico madrid, az alkmaar, Barcelona, barcelona real madrid, Bayern, bayern munich, Bordeaux, CHELSEA, chelsea arsenal, cska moscow, Cyprus, dynamo kyiv, England, england manchester, fc porto, France, internazionale milan, israel, Jonathan Roorda, Liege, Liverpool, Lyon, maccabi haifa, madrid sevilla, Manchester, Marseille, Milan, Moscow, Porto Netherlands, portugal, rubin kazan, scotland, SEVILLA, spain barcelona, standard liege, Switzerland, UEFA Champions League, ukraine, unirea urziceniRelated posts
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