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Published: Tue, 24 February 2009, 09:34, also tagged: europe, sport, football, soccer, barcelona, champions league, manchester united, jose mourinho, dimitar berbatov, serie a, uefa, premier league, carlos tevez, cristiano ronaldo, wayne rooney, lyon, inter milan, roma, san siro, porto, atletico madrid, zlatan ibrahimovic, eduardo
Tonight sees the first set of games of the remaining 16 teams in the UEFA Champions League. This year's draw has produced some tantalising fixtures between the football heavyweights of Europe with the English teams up against some fierce competition from their European rivals. Two English teams kick off tonight with Arsenal and Manchester United facing Serie A teams Roma and Inter Milan respectively.
Arsenal have had a tough season; shock defeats to newly promoted teams Hull and Stoke plus a myriad of injuries dented their confidence and Premier League title hopes. With that said they've improved in recent games and the recovery of Croatia striker Eduardo the team certainly has a solid chance of progressing to the next round over their Italian rivals Roma who have also had an indifferent season.
The San Siro will host the first leg of the game between two football giants and Champions of their respective countries. Inter Milan face Manchester United – current champions of England, Europe and the World. Both teams are in great form having both recently beat their closest rivals and both sitting comfortably at the tops of their domestic leagues. Inter Milan may have José Mourinho at the helm and an in-form Zlatan Ibrahimović but I just don't think it will be enough to beat Manchester United – especially with the attacking prowess of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Carlos Tévez.
Published: Sun, 21 December 2008, 08:09, also tagged: sport, chelsea, football, liverpool, soccer, barcelona, champions league, manchester united, real madrid, uefa, bayern munich, lyon, inter milan, roma, juventus, sporting lisbon, porto, atletico madrid, villarreal, panathinaikos
The English teams have all successfully progressed to the quarter final stage of the Champions League albeit some with more of a stumble than confident progression. Manchester United, and uncharacteristically Liverpool have both progressed as first seeds, whilst (also uncharacteristically) Chelsea and Arsenal are second seeds.
Manchester United have potentially the most difficult match with José Mourinho's Inter Milan. Liverpool are matched with Real Madrid who have been less than convincing this season. Chelsea who stumbled in their away game to Roma losing 3 – 1 will face Juventus and Arsenal will play the conquerors of Chelsea; Roma. Both second seed English teams will be happy to have dodged being drawn with the on-form Barcelona.
The fixtures sure are mouth watering prospect – some of the best teams in the world will go out at the first knock-out stage of the competition. There are certainly some difficult test for the English sides, but I do see them all making the next round. I'm quite confident of Manchester United's and Liverpool's progression in current form. The only questionable fixture for me, surprisingly, is Chelsea v Juventus. Chelsea have been haphazard this season; they've displayed some of the best attacking football I've seen, but at the same time have been tamed by Arsenal and Roma.
Published: Tue, 25 November 2008, 10:06, also tagged: sport, england, chelsea, football, hull city, liverpool, soccer, 2008, 2009, manchester united, jose mourinho, dimitar berbatov, harry redknapp, premier league, manchester city, cristiano ronaldo, tottenham, juande ramos, robinho, william gallas, cesc fàbregas, luiz felipe scolari, abu dhabi united group investment and development limited
The Barclays Premier League is well under way with the usual suspects dominating, along with some surprises provided by struggling Arsenal & Tottenham and an over-performing Hull City.
Chelsea have the experienced, World Cup winning manager Luiz Felipe Scolari at the helm and have been playing some sublime football. “Big Phil Scolari” has transformed Chelsea's playing style to be more flowing and attacking concious in contrast with José Mourinho's composed defensive displays.
Manchester United remain the happy owners of Cristiano Ronaldo for at least another season after the speculation during the summer that he would be wearing a Real Madrid. The Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov has joined Man United from Tottenham and is looking like he's going to be a huge success at Old Trafford.
Published: Wed, 9 April 2008, 06:35, also tagged: sport, chelsea, football, liverpool, soccer, champions league, manchester united, draw, uefa, roma, fenerbahce, semi finals, quarter finals
The Champions League quarter-final played last night at Anfield between Liverpool and Arsenal was an absolute stunner and exactly what this tournament is all about.
Arsenal had early control playing sublime passing football to dominate the first 20 minutes resulting in a 1 – 0 lead through Abou Diaby’s tight goal. They then allowed Liverpool to claw themselves back in to the game and stabilise which finally led to a accurate header from Sami Hyypia who had lost his marker Senderos.
Liverpool was next to take lead through the on-form Fernando Torres with a great goal which highlighted his vision and technical ability. Further cementing his position as one of the best footballers in the world today.
Published: Wed, 2 April 2008, 17:55, also tagged: sport, chelsea, football, liverpool, soccer, barcelona, champions league, manchester united, uefa, roma, fenerbahce
My Champions’ League predictions still look realistic. Manchester United with the help of the on-fire Cristiano Ronaldo beat Roma away from home, Liverpool bagged an away goal and I still fancy Chelsea’s chances of going through to the next round regardless of the defeat at Fenerbahce.
Barcelona also got an away win putting them in a comfortable seat like their likely next round opponents Man United. I’m starting to wonder if Barcelona is the team they were a year ago. They’re third in the Spanish league and with Manchester United’s impressive squad, not to mention the guy who must currently be the worlds most prolific forward – I really feel confident of United reaching the final and taking the Cup.