Champions League round-up
Manchester United progressed to the latter stages of the UEFA Champions League as group winners as Michael Owen scored a brilliant hat-trick in Wolfsburg, while elsewhere Chelsea signed off with a disappointing draw at home to Apoel Nicosia and Bayern Munich battered Juventus 4-1 in Turin.
AC Milan sneaked in the next round despite failing to beat FC Zurich as Real Madrid did them a favour in Marseille, while United’s win in Wolfsburg allowed CSKA Moscow to progress at the Bundesliga club’s expense as they won in Besiktas.
The story of the night was in Turin though as Juve were miserable as they crashed out to Bayern.
Man United started the evening in Wolfsburg with the most unfamiliar of backlines as Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher were paired at centre-half and Park Ji-sung employed at right-back. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side survived a couple of early scares before finding a footing without looking threatening themselves.
With the game heading for a stalemate going into the break Owen reminded Ferguson, and Fabio Capello, what he is capable of as he drifted in between his markers to deftly nod home Nani’s left wing delivery.
Owen was not the only striker showing Ferguson what he was capable of though as Edin Dzeko – a reported United target – restored parity ten minutes after the break as his bullet header from Marcel Schafer’s devilish delivery gave Tomasz Kuszczak not a prayer.
United were on the back foot thereafter but on a rare counter-attack Gabriel Obertan demonstrated brilliant foot work down the left before sliding the ball across goal for Owen to tap in.
Owen capped a memorable individual performance with the best goal of the night courtesy of another Obertan pass, as he raced clear before clipping a brilliant finish beyond Wolfsburg’s crestfallen goalkeeper.
Wolfsburg’s inability to beat United opened the door of opportunity for CSKA Moscow and it was one they stepped through on their travels to Besiktas.
Milos Krasic’s effort four minutes before half-time gave CSKA the lead but Besitkas hit back at the death when Deivson Bobo found a leveller in the 86th minute.
The Russians secured progression in style in the final minute when Yevgeny Aldonin drove home a late, late winner.
Chelsea started the evening safe in the knowledge they had already claimed top spot in Group D and a relaxed atmosphere in the stands seemed to filter down to the pitch as they fell behind to Apoel Nicosia in just the sixth minute.
Constantinos Charalambides caught Chelsea napping down the left and from his delivery Marcin Zewlakov was able to steer a neat finish beyond Ross Turnbull.
It was a lead that was to prove short-lived as Michael Essien’s swerving drive from range deceived Dionissis Chiotis in the Apoel goal, before the influential midfielder had to be replaced after pulling up with a hamstring injury.
Concern over Essien’s injury was softened somewhat before the break as Didier Drogba’s crisp low strike, following a bright interchange between Gael Kakuta and Yuri Zhirkov, gave Chelsea the lead.
John Terry had a goal disallowed late in the second half and his frustration was increased three minutes from time when John Obi Mikel’s sloppy pass presented Nenad Mirosavjevic with the most unlikely of levellers.
Atletico Madrid secured third spot in the group despite slumping to a 3-0 defeat in the Vicente Calderon against Porto. The Portuguese, who started the game guaranteed of second place, were cruising by the quarter-of-an-hour mark.
Bruno Alves’ header set them on their way in just the second minute before Radamel Falcao doubled the gloom in the Spanish capital.
With 15 minutes remaining Hulk etched his name on the scoresheet with a well deserved third for Porto.
Real Madrid progressed as Group C winners as they claimed an impressive 3-1 win on their travels to Marseille.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s fifth goal in four Champions League appearances for Madrid gave the Spanish giants a lead in the crunch clash.
The Portuguese forward opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a trademark free-kick before Marseille’s Argentine schemer Lucho Gonzalez restored parity for the home side.
On the hour mark Raul Albiol’s goal for Madrid all but ended Marseille’s hopes and Real’s superiority was underlined by Ronaldo’s second of the night with ten minutes left.
Marseille’s failure to beat Madrid meant AC Milan could afford to drop points against FC Zurich and they did just that. Milan Gajic’s stunning free-kick gave the home side a first half advantage that they held until the 64th minute when Alain Rochat saw red and conceded a penalty after bundling over Marco Borriello in the box.
Ronaldinho showed customary composure as he slotted home from 12 yards.
Bayern Munich marched into the next round with the most emphatic of 4-1 victories against Juventus.
David Trezeguet calmed nerves in Turin as he gave Juventus a 19th minute lead but it was to prove a false dawn. The Frenchman’s finish was impressive but overshadowed by Bayern’s leveller on the half hour mark.
When Ivica Olic went down in Juventus’ box under challenge from Martin Caceres few expected Hans-Jorg Butt to run the length of the field to take the resulting penalty. Bayern’s goalkeeper was a model of composure amid the nervous tension though, as he feinted before slotting past a bemused Gianluigi Buffon with aplomb.
It got even worse for the Old Lady after the break as Bayern forged ahead through Olic’s tap-in after Buffon had parried Daniel van Buyten’s free header into his path.
With the natives restless Bayern striker Mario Gomez exacerbated their woes in the 83rd minute with a third and decisive goal for Bayern and it got even worse for the home side as Anatoliy Tymoschuk made it four at the death.
French champions Bordeaux were afforded the luxury of travelling to Maccabi Haifa already assured of top spot and their excellent campaign continued with a win.
Abdou Traore was the architect of their winner in Israel as his cross was converted by Bordeaux striker Jussi.
Categories: Uncategorized Tags: Ac Milan, Alex Ferguson, Apoel Nicosia, Bayern Munich, Best Goal, Cska Moscow, Darren Fletcher, Edin Dzeko, Fabio Capello, Fc Zurich, Foot Work, Group Winners, Ji Sung, Kuszczak, Latter Stages, Michael Carrick, Milos Krasic, Real Madrid, Sir Alex Ferguson, Uefa Champions League
Capello – Group is not easy
Fabio Capello insists England must treat their World Cup finals opponents with respect following the draw for next summer’s tournament in South Africa.
Friday’s draw pitted England against USA, Algeria and Slovenia in Group C, with Capello’s men avoiding a feared ‘Group of Death’.
However, despite the fans’ expectations of an easy passage through to the last 16, Capello is not taking anything for granted.
“I know two of the teams, we’ve played friendly games against the USA and Slovenia,” Capello told Sky Sports News.
“People will think it’s easy, but I think you have to respect all the teams.
“From my experience as a player when you have to play here it’s a different pressure and a different mentality. I repeat, we have to respect the teams we have to play against.”
Relaxed
England’s first game of the tournament will be on Saturday 12th June against USA in Rustenburg and Capello is keen to start on a winning note.
He added: “The first game that we will play will be most difficult, but if you win the first game, the second game you play more relaxed as you know you don’t need the points to qualify.
“For this reason, this is a really good moment to understand that the games that we have to play here will not be easy.
“I hope the players will stay with us, we will prepare well mentally to play this game.”
England are expected to be based near Rustenburg before travelling to Cape Town and Port Elizabeth for their second and third games in the group.
Capello continued: “We play the first game and it will probably be good for us not to have to move to Rustenburg.
“We go to another city afterwards when we will play at sea level for the next two matches, one in Cape Town, the second one in Port Elizabeth.
“I have spoken with people who live here and it’s really difficult.”
Categories: Uncategorized Tags: Algeria, Cape Town, England, Fabio Capello, First Game, Friendly Games, Keen, Mentality, Opponents, Port Elizabeth, Reason, Rustenburg, Sea Level, Second Game, Sky Sports, Sky Sports News, Slovenia, South Africa, Usa Sports, World Cup Finals
Terry excited by draw
England captain John Terry believes it will be key to start the World Cup on a winning note following the draw for next summer’s finals.
Terry will lead England out against USA on Saturday 12th June in Rustenburg before tackling Algeria and Slovenia in the remaining games in Group C.
USA are expected to pose the toughest test for Fabio Capello’s side in the first round and Terry admits it will be vital to secure a positive result from the match.
The Chelsea defender is excited by the draw for the tournament and is hoping past experience of playing USA and Slovenia will stand England in good stead.
Very exciting
“I was with my England and Chelsea team-mates Frank (Lampard), Joe (Cole) and Ashley (Cole) watching the draw,” Terry told the FA’s official website.
“We had just landed at Manchester ahead of our match against City tomorrow and watched the teams drawn from the bus on our way to the team hotel.
“It’s obviously very exciting with some great fixtures. As far as England are concerned we are familiar with two of our opponents – USA and Slovenia – and know their players well. Hopefully this will help us prepare for those games.
“England have never played Algeria and of course they got through to the finals with a play-off victory over Egypt.
“But for me, it’s all about that first game and getting off to a good start. Every team’s opening group match is important and we’re no different – it’s a big game.”
Categories: Uncategorized Tags: Algeria, Ashley Cole, Big Game, Captain John, England Captain, Fabio Capello, First Game, Frank Lampard, Games England, Joe Cole, John Terry, Match, Opponents, Remaining Games, Rustenburg, Slovenia, Stead, Team Hotel, Team Mates, World Cup
Fifa puts England among top seeds
• Fabio Capello’s side ranked among the elite for Friday’s draw
• Theirry Henry could be banned for France’s early games
England’s chances of World Cup success in South Africa were boosted yesterday when Fifa ruled that Fabio Capello’s team will be one of the eight top seeds at next summer’s tournament. But the decision to base the seedings on October’s world rankings and disregard form in previous World Cups meant that France, losing finalists in 2006, will not be seeded in tomorrow’s draw. Portugal, who also qualified via the play-offs, are also not seeded.
England’s standing had been in doubt because Fifa did not decide on the qualifying criteria until yesterday. Steven Gerrard welcomed the news, saying that it was “time other teams starting fearing us”. “I think the way England are playing, we’ve certainly improved since Fabio Capello took charge, I don’t think we can be afraid of anyone,” he told Talksport.
The rest of the eight groups will be drawn from three pots designed to keep countries from the same continental confederation apart. But because there are 13 European qualifiers, up to two will be allowed in each group.
The eight top seeds are the hosts, South Africa, and, in order of October’s rankings, Brazil, Spain, Holland, Italy, Germany, Argentina and England. The Fifa rankings take in performances in all matches over the past four years, but are weighted towards competitive games and those played most recently.
If the current rankings had been used, England would have been rated ninth and missed out to France, ranked seventh. Jérôme Valcke, the Fifa general secretary, said the decision to use October’s standings had been ratified by Uefa and its president, Michel Platini, as the fairest way to seed the teams. “The play-off matches meant that France qualified after additional matches, because they did not finish first in their group,” Valcke said. “Why then should they be seeded above England, who has qualified with the best campaign or one of the best campaigns? It was purely sporting criteria.”
There was more bad news for France as Sepp Blatter, the Fifa president, revealed that Thierry Henry would be referred to a disciplinary committee over his “blatant and unfair” handball against the Republic of Ireland in their play-off match. The striker could be banned from the opening matches of the finals. “Fair play has to be the winner. We took action against Rivaldo at the 2002 World Cup over bad behaviour. He was punished,” said Blatter, referring to the £5,180 fine imposed on the Brazil forward for play-acting.
The former France coach Michel Hidalgo responded to Blatter’s action by claiming that there was a conspiracy at work. “At the highest level of football, there has to be comprehensive moral justice – and I don’t know why France isn’t a top seed,” he said. “I am asking myself if this is not a sanction for the handball of Henry. It is an injustice. It’s not for me to point the finger, but it does seem like France is being sanctioned.”
However, Jean-Pierre Escalettes, the president of the French Football Federation, said the seeding decision was no surprise. “It was logical that Fifa would use the October rankings,” he said. “The handball cannot have come into consideration.”
Following an emergency meeting of the Fifa executive committee in Cape Town, Blatter ruled out the introduction of extra referees at this summer’s World Cup. Instead, the experiment in the Europa League will continue and a series of Fifa committees will look into the possible introduction of goalline technology.
Fifa’s response will disappoint those who believed the protests over Henry’s handball would lead to changes in time for the World Cup. But Blatter apologised to the Irish over “misinterpreted” comments that led to him being accused by Liam Brady and others of being disrespectful.
Valcke has warned Diego Maradona, the Argentina coach banned for two months from “football activities” for his outburst following his team’s qualification, to stay away from tomorrow’s draw. “If he shows up for accreditation – no way. It’s not just football matches he has been banned by the disciplinary committee but for all football activities,” Valcke said. “There have been rumours he could join the Argentina delegation but we will say: ‘Please be aware he is banned and make sure he is not coming.’”
Blatter said Fifa’s disciplinary committee would also investigate trouble at the World Cup match between Algeria and Egypt and that a working group would be set up to look at the future of the World Cup qualifying competition and whether play-offs should continue.
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Categories: Uncategorized Tags: Continental Confederation, Current Rankings, Disregard, Early Games, Elite, Fabio Capello, Fifa Rankings, Games England, General Secretary, Holland, Michel Platini, Play Offs, Pots, Previous World Cups, Seeds, South Africa, Steven Gerrard, Top Hosts, Uefa, World Cup Success
Wenger tells Walcott to focus on Arsenal
• Arsenal manager hits out over World Cup distraction
• Winger’s return to European action is overshadowed
Arsène Wenger is considering giving Theo Walcott only his second start of the season, and his first in more than a month, in tomorrow evening’s Champions League tie against Standard Liège with the Arsenal manager growing weary of suggestions that his players may become distracted by the reality of the World Cup finals looming large at the end of the campaign.
Walcott was introduced from the bench in Saturday’s disjointed defeat at Sunderland having missed five weeks after suffering medial ligament damage to his right knee in a challenge from the Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell last month. Arsenal, who need a point to ensure progress into the knockout phase, are still adjusting to life without Robin van Persie, leaving Wenger to consider playing the 20-year-old alongside two of Carlos Vela, Andrey Arshavin and Eduardo da Silva in a front three.
Wenger’s squad is crammed with full internationals aspiring to play in South Africa next summer but the Arsenal manager is clearly annoyed by hints that the World Cup may overshadow his attempts to win silverware at club level this season. The Frenchman’s response was prickly when asked to reflect on Walcott’s prospects of making Fabio Capello’s squad.
“For me the big season is with Arsenal, not at the World Cup,” he said. “We do not pay players to go to the World Cup. We pay them to do well for Arsenal. The first pride of a man is to do well for the guy who pays you in life.”
That exasperation subsequently resurfaced. “Why should I not be frustrated? The guy asks me if it’s an important season because Theo is going to the World Cup. The World Cup is in June. Is he on holiday until 9 June? He’s paid by Arsenal every week to perform, and well paid. The reality in life is: ‘Do your job, my friend. And make sure that no one can ever say you’re not committed every day to what you are paid for.’ I don’t have to tell Theo that.
“Listen, a guy who has a poor season has a poor World Cup. It’s as mathematical as that. A guy who wins with his club goes to the World Cup and has a good chance to win it, because [opposing] players are not afraid of you if you do nothing all season. You have no respect from the manager if you don’t do anything at your club. The experience I have of working with players who won the World Cup is with [Patrick] Vieira and [Emmanuel] Petit. They won the title, they won the FA Cup, then they went to the World Cup in 1998 and they won it, too.”
Walcott’s season has been severely disrupted by injury and his captain, Cesc Fábregas, shares his manager’s view that the winger may have suffered as a result of playing for the England Under-21s in the summer’s European Championships , much to Wenger’s annoyance,having just returned from World Cup qualification duty with the senior team.
The forward was restricted to just 45 minutes of action in pre-season before succumbing to side and back complaints. The knee ligament damage, suffered in his second competitive appearance for Arsenal this term, prompted further frustration. “It has been really bad luck for him since the start of the season, probably because of what happened in summer,” said Fábregas. “When you play a long tournament in the summer sometimes it is difficult to come back. Maybe it was ‘burn-out’. He is still very young. When you make him play so many games at that age…”
Arsenal could do with Walcott’s energy and bite after the deflating defeat on Wearside. That left them eight points adrift of Chelsea, whom they welcome to the Emirates on Sunday, with Van Persie’s absence keenly felt. Standard, third in Group H, are still within reach of the knockout phase but the onus will be on Arsenal’s front line to prove they can maintain the side’s prolific early-season form.
“They have to do it for themselves,” added Wenger. “That’s what is most important. They have to show that they want to be winners. It’s as simple as that.We didn’t produce enough in the final third at Sunderland, or have enough fluency in our game. I don’t deny the loss of Van Persie but I feel we have enough quality in the locker to win when Robin is not there. The perfect way for us to go into the Chelsea game is to respond to that defeat by beating Liège.”
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
Categories: Uncategorized Tags: Andrey Arshavin, Arsenal, Carlos Vela, Champions League, Distraction, Eduardo Da Silva, Exasperation, Fabio Capello, Frenchman, Internationals, Knockout, League Tie, Ligament Damage, Pride Of A Man, Silverware, Sunderland, Tomorrow Evening, Walcott, Winger, World Cup Finals