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Published: Tue, 24 February 2009, 09:34, also tagged: europe, sport, football, arsenal, soccer, 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, arsenal, liverpool, soccer, 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: Wed, 16 July 2008, 03:04, also tagged: sport, england, football, italy, soccer, ronaldinho, brazil, spain, ac milan, premier league, manchester city, noel gallagher, kaka, transfer news
Manchester City has missed out on what would have been a huge signing for them. Ronaldinho is set to sign on the dotted line for the Italian giants AC Milan. Man City had bid £25.5 million for the Brazillian play maker but this offer has been declined by Barcelona in favour of a reported £14.6 million bid from AC Milan. A possible reason for this decision is that Ronaldinho will feel more comfortable playing alongside his countryman Kaka.
The question is: “is Ronaldinho the player he once was?” - my guess is no. He had a poor final season at Barcelona missing most of it through injury and then being indifferent the rest of the time, seemingly upstaged by the phenomenal Lionel Messi. It is quite possible he will be overshadowed by Kaka at AC Milan.
Here’s a choice quote from Noel Gallagher:
Published: Wed, 30 April 2008, 07:30, also tagged: sport, football, soccer, champions league, manchester united, uefa, premier league, semi finals
It came down to a fellow Oldhamer to provide the goal to clinch a place in the Champions League final for Manchester United. His name is Paul Scholes.
It was another cagey affair, but the fans got behind their team at Old Trafford, providing their help in the intimidation of Barcelona. Barça however, impressively controlled much of football on show, with long stretches of great passing and movement, which at times fully tested the United defence. Lionel Messi was particularly difficult to contain and his movement and flow with the ball was a testament to his skills. His level of ability is sickening considering he’s 20, a full 2 years younger than me and playing to this standard at the absolute highest level. What a great talent he is.
Without Scholes’s wonder strike it’s hard to imagine United finding the back of the net. Nani did have a golden opportunity to make it 2 – 0 with a header which you can only believe Wayne Rooney would have buried it in the back of the net.
Published: Wed, 2 April 2008, 17:55, also tagged: sport, chelsea, football, arsenal, liverpool, soccer, 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.