Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Champions League Scenarios



The Champions League group stage is almost at a close, and with half of Matchday 5 complete we have a clearer vision of qualification scenarios. Join Goal.com for the lowdown on all the scenarios for all the clubs.

Quotes & Chants of the Week

"I used to cramp up a lot as a player but that was mostly after I'd poured 15 pints of lager down my neck and I don't think Jermain is doing that."
Tony Adams tries to fathom why Jermain Defoe is suffering from cramp.

"Where else but in Scotland would you find a shrine to Diego Maradona?"
Ian Payne on Sky Sports News.

"Are you Tottenham in disguise?"
England fans to Germany during the friendly.

"Stand up if you beat Arsenal!"
Stoke fans at Old Trafford.

ALL THE FUN



Expansion draft preview: Sounders FC set to take shape


The list of players available to the Seattle Sounders FC in the expansion draft came out Monday. On Wednesday, the newest member of Major League Soccer will be able to select 10 players to help fill out their roster for 2009. The Sounders can select only one player from any one MLS team, meaning four teams will not be affected. With four players already signed by the club – goalkeeper Kasey Keller, midfielder Freddie Ljungberg, USL superstar forward Sebastian Le Toux and midfielder Sanna Nyassi – the 10 additional picks will form the nucleus of the 2009 Seattle squad.

Peter Crouch seeks home comforts in UEFA Cup as Portsmouth look to upset AC Milan


Peter Crouch is hoping that the austere surroundings of Fratton Park will prove discomforting enough for AC Milan for Portsmouth to cause a Uefa Cup upset when the two sides meet.






Just a wee bit different from the San Siro...

Luiz Felipe Scolari vexed by questions over Didier Drogba’s latest exit strategy


It may have taken four months, but to judge from his furrowed brow and tetchy tone yesterday, Luiz Felipe Scolari has finally discovered one problem managing Chelsea that became familiar to his recent predecessors: the restlessness of Didier Drogba.




Drogba to the Giants, Plaxico to Chelsea?

Champions League: Wednesday's Preview



Cypriot underdogs Anorthosis Famagusta will reach the Champions League last 16 later on Wednesday if they beat Werder Bremen at home and Group B leaders Inter Milan defeat Panathinaikos.

Preview

Gazidis unveiled as new Gunners chief executive



Arsenal have announced the appointment of Major League Soccer deputy commissioner Ivan Gazidis as their new chief executive.

A statement from the Arsenal Supporters' Trust read: "This is a vital appointment at a time when Arsenal face challenging times on and off the field.

Champions League Roundup & Reports

Defending champion Manchester United led a sweep of seven more teams into the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday after a 0-0 draw with Villarreal.

Nine-time winner Real Madrid, four-time champion Bayern Munich, two-time winner FC Porto, Lyon, Arsenal and Villarreal also advanced to the knockout phase with a game to spare.

That means 10 have already made it with Juventus, Barcelona and Sporting Lisbon also having advanced.

Villarreal 0 - 0 Manchester United
Rooney says he's sorry for diving antics

Arsenal 1 - 0 Dynamo Kiev
Richard Williams:
Captain Fábregas passes first test

Death Matches in Argentina



Things tend not to happen by halves in the world of South American football. It's either all going swimmingly, or crashing down around everyone's ears, and rarely anywhere in between. Not infrequently, both extremes are present at the same time, and Argentina at present is a case in point.






Velez fan Emanuel Alvarez smoking in the stands before his death...

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Teams of the Week: Serie A & La Liga





Serie A




La Liga

Nicklas Bendtner responds to William Gallas' call for 'soldiers' with pink boots




As Arsenal left red-faced on Saturday after suffering a shock 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, more unnecessary attention was bestowed upon them as striker Nicklas Bendtner lit the pitch up with his new Barbie pink boots.

England: Premier League Report + Table

Wigan climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone after Henri Camara's strike sank a poor Everton side. Wigan 1 - 0 Everton

English Premier League
November 25
G
Points
Chelsea1433
Liverpool1433
Man Utd1325
Aston Villa1424
Arsenal1423
Hull1422
Everton1419
Portsmouth1419
Fulham1318
Middlesbrough1418
Man City1417
Bolton1417
West Ham1417
Stoke1417
Wigan1416
Tottenham1415
Sunderland1415
Newcastle1414
Blackburn1413
West Brom1411

Champions League: Tuesday Previews

Group Stage Matchday 5
Tuesday, November 25

Zenit vs. Juventus Preview
Arsenal vs. Dynamo Kiev Preview
Fiorentina vs. Lyon Preview
Villarreal vs. Manchester Utd Preview
Bayern Munich vs. Steaua Preview
AaB Aalborg vs. Celtic Preview
Fenerbahce vs. FC Porto Preview
BATE vs. Real Madrid Preview

Sid Lowe in Spain



Playing the big four one after the other can end a season before it's started. Unless you're Real Valladolid.

The impossible task of La Liga's Tormalet? Chorradas!

Raphael Honigstein in Germany


Dismissal of manager who masterminded 2007 title triumph demonstrates how little room there is for sentiment in the Bundesliga.

Past glories count for nothing as Veh pays price for Stuttgart struggles.





Out of time...

Paolo Bandini in Italy



Jose Mourinho was at his tactical best as Inter flexed their muscles by dismantling Juventus.

Brilliant Mourinho lets his team do his talking ... for once

Arsenal in Crisis


Was Wenger right to give Fabregas the armband?

Henry Winter: Arsenal crazy to make Cesc captain

Kevin McCarra: Wenger must spash the cash or risk losing all that he has toiled to build

Petit: The anti-French media sabotaged Gallas

Tony Cascarino: Arsenal don't need a captain, they need a leader

Dixon: Wenger feared destroying Gallas

Wenger's Top-10 January Sales Targets

Alas Gallas!

The right man for the job?

Americans in the UK: Friedel Posts Another Gem



Aston Villa’s net minder earned another clean sheet after shutting out Manchester United on Saturday. One week after closing down Arsenal, Friedel inched the Villains into the top four once again.

Americans On The Continent: Onyewu On Roll





Goal.com's Aaron West runs down the Americans playing in continental Europe as they slowly gather form. Gooch and Standard Liege continue charging towards top spot, while Bradley keeps picking up full matches of game time.

Phil Ball in Spain




It's been a strange week and a stranger weekend. Even Osasuna won a game. Watching Spain play Chile in a friendly in midweek was like watching some kind of confirmation of potential greatness, odd though that might seem after so long in the shadows.