i hope Real wont go thru...but seeing who they will meet next, unfortunately they will :groan:
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[EU] Champions League 04/05 (45 Viewers)
- Thread starter Roverbhoy
- Start date
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hi guys, this is the match preview for Arsenal vs PSV
PSV prepared for 'special game'
Tuesday, 23 November 2004
By Jules Marshall in Eindhoven
A record European crowd of 35,100 is expected at the sold-out Philips stadium when faltering English title-holders Arsenal FC meet a PSV Eindhoven side who are one win from progressing past the UEFA Champions League group stage for the first time.
Arsenal struggle
Arsenal have just one win in four Group E games - against PSV on Matchday 1 thanks to an own goal - and find themselves unexpectedly challenged by Panathinaikos FC. The Greek side are a point behind Arsenal, who are three adrift of leaders PSV.
'Special games'
"This is what it is all about - the special games," said PSV coach Guus Hiddink, whose side will be through regardless of their result here if Panathinaikos lose at Rosenborg BK. "It is fantastic to see all the work we have put in the last year paying off. It would be wonderful to wrap things up."
Wenger's perspective
Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has seen his side concede the Premiership lead as well as drawing their last three Champions League games - having led in all three. But the Frenchman is not worried, saying: "We have still only lost one game all season. If we panic, the whole of Europe should panic! I have complete confidence in my players; I always expect a lot from them and I'm never disappointed. Over the next two games I am sure we will show that we have learned a lot and are good enough to play at the very top level."
Defensive virtues
They will have their work cut out against a PSV side who have not conceded a single goal in their last 900 minutes of domestic football, and only two overall in Europe. "Whereas at Highbury we managed to control them for much of the game, we did not have the power to harm them," said Hiddink. "My hope for PSV is that we are more balanced this time we meet. We too have players who can cause them concerns, and we will try and hit them where they are vulnerable."
No relaxation
However, he warned: "Despite their relatively poor spell, you cannot expect [teams like] Arsenal to fold. They are always in a position to hurt you with their individual performances. They never panic, they are skilful and the players are not attacking each other despite their recent problems. You can never relax against them; they are always a danger."
Psychological edge
Wenger also has respect for his opposition. "PSV are a good side," he said. "But we have had good results away from home and we will not feel handicapped playing here." But he believes Arsenal's 4-0 win two years ago will give his side a psychological edge. "It will be on the mind of the PSV players because they know we can come here and beat them."
Sibon in
Hiddink will be without striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink who tore a ligament in his shoulder against SBV Vitesse on Sunday and will be out until 2005. His substitute, Gerald Sibon, scored one and made the other in PSV's 2-0 win and could start against Arsenal.
Bergkamp stays put
Arsenal have Brazilians Edu and Gilberto injured and Dennis Bergkamp forgoes his usual car trip having damaged his achilles tendon. Defender Sol Campbell may make a comeback from a calf problem, though. "He is physically ready to play, and it's a boost that he could travel with us," said Wenger. "We need his defensive and organisational skills at the back, but I'm not sure yet if he will play."
PSV prepared for 'special game'
Tuesday, 23 November 2004
By Jules Marshall in Eindhoven
A record European crowd of 35,100 is expected at the sold-out Philips stadium when faltering English title-holders Arsenal FC meet a PSV Eindhoven side who are one win from progressing past the UEFA Champions League group stage for the first time.
Arsenal struggle
Arsenal have just one win in four Group E games - against PSV on Matchday 1 thanks to an own goal - and find themselves unexpectedly challenged by Panathinaikos FC. The Greek side are a point behind Arsenal, who are three adrift of leaders PSV.
'Special games'
"This is what it is all about - the special games," said PSV coach Guus Hiddink, whose side will be through regardless of their result here if Panathinaikos lose at Rosenborg BK. "It is fantastic to see all the work we have put in the last year paying off. It would be wonderful to wrap things up."
Wenger's perspective
Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has seen his side concede the Premiership lead as well as drawing their last three Champions League games - having led in all three. But the Frenchman is not worried, saying: "We have still only lost one game all season. If we panic, the whole of Europe should panic! I have complete confidence in my players; I always expect a lot from them and I'm never disappointed. Over the next two games I am sure we will show that we have learned a lot and are good enough to play at the very top level."
Defensive virtues
They will have their work cut out against a PSV side who have not conceded a single goal in their last 900 minutes of domestic football, and only two overall in Europe. "Whereas at Highbury we managed to control them for much of the game, we did not have the power to harm them," said Hiddink. "My hope for PSV is that we are more balanced this time we meet. We too have players who can cause them concerns, and we will try and hit them where they are vulnerable."
No relaxation
However, he warned: "Despite their relatively poor spell, you cannot expect [teams like] Arsenal to fold. They are always in a position to hurt you with their individual performances. They never panic, they are skilful and the players are not attacking each other despite their recent problems. You can never relax against them; they are always a danger."
Psychological edge
Wenger also has respect for his opposition. "PSV are a good side," he said. "But we have had good results away from home and we will not feel handicapped playing here." But he believes Arsenal's 4-0 win two years ago will give his side a psychological edge. "It will be on the mind of the PSV players because they know we can come here and beat them."
Sibon in
Hiddink will be without striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink who tore a ligament in his shoulder against SBV Vitesse on Sunday and will be out until 2005. His substitute, Gerald Sibon, scored one and made the other in PSV's 2-0 win and could start against Arsenal.
Bergkamp stays put
Arsenal have Brazilians Edu and Gilberto injured and Dennis Bergkamp forgoes his usual car trip having damaged his achilles tendon. Defender Sol Campbell may make a comeback from a calf problem, though. "He is physically ready to play, and it's a boost that he could travel with us," said Wenger. "We need his defensive and organisational skills at the back, but I'm not sure yet if he will play."
And the Inter vs Werder prevoew
Schaaf sets sights high
Tuesday, 23 November 2004
By Alois Urban and Mark Bennett
Werder Bremen are confident they can beat Group G leaders FC Internazionale Milano on Wednesday to secure their place in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League.
In-form Bremen
Bremen have won all three of their Group G matches since losing 2-0 away to Inter on Matchday 1 to go second, and a fourth victory at a sell-out Weserstadion would see both the German champions and Inter through to the next round. Both sides will also qualify should Valencia CF fail to beat RSC Anderlecht.
Adriano out
Bremen's hopes are boosted by the absence of Inter striker Adriano, who is suspended following his dismissal in the goalless draw with Valencia on Matchday 4. The Brazilian scored both goals in Inter's 2-0 victory when these two met in September. "Adriano is most definitely the best player Inter have," Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf said. "His absence weakens Inter and that is an advantage for us."
Vieri back
But with Christian Vieri restored to the Inter side after sitting out the Valencia match, Schaaf insisted complacency would not affect his team's performance. "Their other strikers have a lot of quality and there's no reason whatsoever to believe we will make the mistake of underestimating any of them," he said.
Attacking approach
Schaaf is expected to stick with the same attack-minded approach that earned home victories over Valencia and Anderlecht. Miroslav Klose has recovered from a slight injury he picked up while on international duty with Germany last week and should start up front with the prolific Ivan Klasnic. The pair have already shared seven goals between them in the Champions League this season, with Klasnic collecting a hat-trick in the 5-1 defeat of Anderlecht three weeks ago.
Tighten up
Schaaf, however, believes there is still room for improvement and has called on his side to tighten up at the back after conceding at least a goal in each of Bremen's Group G games so far. "Inter had far too many chances when we played against them in the Giuseppe Meazza stadium and we will have to make sure that doesn't happen again," he said.
Tough task
Inter are already assured of a place in the next round, but Schaaf is not expecting Roberto Mancini to field a weakened team on Wednesday. "I don't think they are treating the game lightly because I am absolutely sure they will want to hang on to first place in the group," he said. "I definitely don't think it will be easy."
Winning goal
Mancini concurred, insisting his team were in Bremen to win. "Bremen have got a very good team and we definitely haven't come here just to see the sights," he said. "I want to see my players win the match and the group."
Improved Vieri
Mancini is likely to partner Alvaro Recoba up front with Vieri, although the 31-year-old Italy international striker has scored just once in seven games in an injury-marred season. "I know Vieri can get the job done and he has my complete backing," Mancini said. "He has recovered from a few injury problems, is looking fit again and as a result his form is improving."
Zanetti concerns
Mancini's greater concern may be at the back, and defender Javier Zanetti confirmed he is not expecting an easy ride. "We know it will be a tough game because Bremen made life very difficult for us in Milan," he said. "They have some outstanding individuals in [Johan] Micoud, Klasnic and Klose. We'll have to stop those three players to have any chance of winning the match."
Schaaf sets sights high
Tuesday, 23 November 2004
By Alois Urban and Mark Bennett
Werder Bremen are confident they can beat Group G leaders FC Internazionale Milano on Wednesday to secure their place in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League.
In-form Bremen
Bremen have won all three of their Group G matches since losing 2-0 away to Inter on Matchday 1 to go second, and a fourth victory at a sell-out Weserstadion would see both the German champions and Inter through to the next round. Both sides will also qualify should Valencia CF fail to beat RSC Anderlecht.
Adriano out
Bremen's hopes are boosted by the absence of Inter striker Adriano, who is suspended following his dismissal in the goalless draw with Valencia on Matchday 4. The Brazilian scored both goals in Inter's 2-0 victory when these two met in September. "Adriano is most definitely the best player Inter have," Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf said. "His absence weakens Inter and that is an advantage for us."
Vieri back
But with Christian Vieri restored to the Inter side after sitting out the Valencia match, Schaaf insisted complacency would not affect his team's performance. "Their other strikers have a lot of quality and there's no reason whatsoever to believe we will make the mistake of underestimating any of them," he said.
Attacking approach
Schaaf is expected to stick with the same attack-minded approach that earned home victories over Valencia and Anderlecht. Miroslav Klose has recovered from a slight injury he picked up while on international duty with Germany last week and should start up front with the prolific Ivan Klasnic. The pair have already shared seven goals between them in the Champions League this season, with Klasnic collecting a hat-trick in the 5-1 defeat of Anderlecht three weeks ago.
Tighten up
Schaaf, however, believes there is still room for improvement and has called on his side to tighten up at the back after conceding at least a goal in each of Bremen's Group G games so far. "Inter had far too many chances when we played against them in the Giuseppe Meazza stadium and we will have to make sure that doesn't happen again," he said.
Tough task
Inter are already assured of a place in the next round, but Schaaf is not expecting Roberto Mancini to field a weakened team on Wednesday. "I don't think they are treating the game lightly because I am absolutely sure they will want to hang on to first place in the group," he said. "I definitely don't think it will be easy."
Winning goal
Mancini concurred, insisting his team were in Bremen to win. "Bremen have got a very good team and we definitely haven't come here just to see the sights," he said. "I want to see my players win the match and the group."
Improved Vieri
Mancini is likely to partner Alvaro Recoba up front with Vieri, although the 31-year-old Italy international striker has scored just once in seven games in an injury-marred season. "I know Vieri can get the job done and he has my complete backing," Mancini said. "He has recovered from a few injury problems, is looking fit again and as a result his form is improving."
Zanetti concerns
Mancini's greater concern may be at the back, and defender Javier Zanetti confirmed he is not expecting an easy ride. "We know it will be a tough game because Bremen made life very difficult for us in Milan," he said. "They have some outstanding individuals in [Johan] Micoud, Klasnic and Klose. We'll have to stop those three players to have any chance of winning the match."
