[EU] Champions League 05/06 (23 Viewers)
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I must congratulate Solari for what has to be the miss of the decade. I mean surely as a professional player he could dribble into empty net!
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Anyway, it was really eery watching Inter - Rangers match as the stadium was empty and you could here players & coaches shouting at each other through TV.
As a result, the game itself was rather boring and lacking some zip and zap.
Though Inter went off to a good start, I am not convinced by their abilities and on today's performance I think we should be able Inter no doubt. Pizzaro had a decent game so I am wondering whether Mancini will field Veron or Pizzaro in Derby D'Italia. Nonetheless, I thought Inter's midfield allowed Rangers to get behind them one too many time and exposing their defence as a result. Obviously, a lack of quality in Rangers side meant that Inter only had to deal with weak long range shots and miss passes but I think Nedved could do some real damage on the weekend by shifting towards center and stay just behind two centerforwards (whoever it be).
.Anyway, it was really eery watching Inter - Rangers match as the stadium was empty and you could here players & coaches shouting at each other through TV.
As a result, the game itself was rather boring and lacking some zip and zap.
Though Inter went off to a good start, I am not convinced by their abilities and on today's performance I think we should be able Inter no doubt. Pizzaro had a decent game so I am wondering whether Mancini will field Veron or Pizzaro in Derby D'Italia. Nonetheless, I thought Inter's midfield allowed Rangers to get behind them one too many time and exposing their defence as a result. Obviously, a lack of quality in Rangers side meant that Inter only had to deal with weak long range shots and miss passes but I think Nedved could do some real damage on the weekend by shifting towards center and stay just behind two centerforwards (whoever it be).
Ancelotti: Ban that coward Poulsen Wednesday 28 September, 2005
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Carlo Ancelotti has urged UEFA to ban “that coward” Christian Poulsen – Francesco Totti’s nemesis – from football after his performance against Milan.
“Milan played well and it wasn’t necessarily all of Schalke who were working on provocation, it was purely Poulsen,” said the Coach after the 2-2 draw.
“He is a coward and puts in these little elbows and kicks when the referee isn’t looking. He shouldn’t be allowed near a football field.”
The Danish international shot to fame in Euro 2004 when Totti was caught on camera spitting in his direction, earning the Italian a three-match ban. Poulsen was a constant thorn in Milan’s side this evening and was only booked for a vicious late challenge on Gennaro Gattuso.
That aside, it was an extremely entertaining game in Gelsenkirchen and the Italians were leading twice only to let Schalke 04 back in.
“We tried to take control of the game and some times it worked, some times it didn’t, but it was a good show and a spectacular encounter.”
Clarence Seedorf scored after just 22 seconds and Andriy Shevchenko celebrated his birthday with a goal, but Dida was also kept busy in an end to end clash.
“The two goals were fairly fortuitous, so I am satisfied with the performance and think it was one of our best in the last few weeks,” insisted Ancelotti.
“The team will and must improve, but this was very different to how we played on Sunday against Treviso, as the Champions League has a special atmosphere. I saw the Milan side of old.”
Kaka also focused his post-match comments on the shameful behaviour of Schalke 04 midfielder Poulsen, who reserved him for special attention throughout.
“It was a battle and at times even a war,” said the young Brazilian. “I am not accustomed to this style of play and I didn’t enjoy it at all, as we had to adapt. Poulsen has no intention of playing football and spent his entire time trying to provoke opponents, not just me.”
The incident brought the Italian Press attention back to Euro 2004, and Totti’s reaction to Poulsen’s provocation.
“I won’t say Totti was right to do what he did, but it’s not right for a player to come here and be stopped from taking part in the game with elbows, kicks and constant provocation. This is not sport. I must learn from this experience, as I expect I’ll encounter players like this again and will try not to let myself fall into that trap.”
Kaka was nonetheless happy with the result and his team’s overall show in Gelsenkirchen, as Milan still lead Group E thanks to Fenerbahce’s 3-0 win over PSV Eindhoven.
“This performance was a step forward for us, as we didn’t have trouble on set-pieces and it was important to earn an away point in Germany.”
source: channel4.com
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Carlo Ancelotti has urged UEFA to ban “that coward” Christian Poulsen – Francesco Totti’s nemesis – from football after his performance against Milan.
“Milan played well and it wasn’t necessarily all of Schalke who were working on provocation, it was purely Poulsen,” said the Coach after the 2-2 draw.
“He is a coward and puts in these little elbows and kicks when the referee isn’t looking. He shouldn’t be allowed near a football field.”
The Danish international shot to fame in Euro 2004 when Totti was caught on camera spitting in his direction, earning the Italian a three-match ban. Poulsen was a constant thorn in Milan’s side this evening and was only booked for a vicious late challenge on Gennaro Gattuso.
That aside, it was an extremely entertaining game in Gelsenkirchen and the Italians were leading twice only to let Schalke 04 back in.
“We tried to take control of the game and some times it worked, some times it didn’t, but it was a good show and a spectacular encounter.”
Clarence Seedorf scored after just 22 seconds and Andriy Shevchenko celebrated his birthday with a goal, but Dida was also kept busy in an end to end clash.
“The two goals were fairly fortuitous, so I am satisfied with the performance and think it was one of our best in the last few weeks,” insisted Ancelotti.
“The team will and must improve, but this was very different to how we played on Sunday against Treviso, as the Champions League has a special atmosphere. I saw the Milan side of old.”
Kaka also focused his post-match comments on the shameful behaviour of Schalke 04 midfielder Poulsen, who reserved him for special attention throughout.
“It was a battle and at times even a war,” said the young Brazilian. “I am not accustomed to this style of play and I didn’t enjoy it at all, as we had to adapt. Poulsen has no intention of playing football and spent his entire time trying to provoke opponents, not just me.”
The incident brought the Italian Press attention back to Euro 2004, and Totti’s reaction to Poulsen’s provocation.
“I won’t say Totti was right to do what he did, but it’s not right for a player to come here and be stopped from taking part in the game with elbows, kicks and constant provocation. This is not sport. I must learn from this experience, as I expect I’ll encounter players like this again and will try not to let myself fall into that trap.”
Kaka was nonetheless happy with the result and his team’s overall show in Gelsenkirchen, as Milan still lead Group E thanks to Fenerbahce’s 3-0 win over PSV Eindhoven.
“This performance was a step forward for us, as we didn’t have trouble on set-pieces and it was important to earn an away point in Germany.”
source: channel4.com
I'm a new comedy star, says Solari Thursday 29 September, 2005
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Santiago Solari admitted he'll do the rounds of the comedy programmes after missing an open goal against Glasgow Rangers.
"I have absolutely no justification! I'll go straight on to the comedy shows with that clip," laughed the Inter star.
Coach Roberto Mancini suggested Solari was "tired" when he missed the empty net in the 1-0 Champions League victory, but he was having none of it.
"I must thank Mancini for trying to protect me, but I really have nothing to say, it was awful. I did have bronchitis this week, but I feel good and played well for the rest of the game."
The former Real Madrid midfielder has struggled to find space in the Nerazzurri squad and insists he is not frustrated.
"In all big clubs there is a lot of competition for places, so I am not concerned by that. I am happy when the team wins and hope to help them achieve those aims."
The Group H game was played behind closed doors, as Inter continue to sit out their four-match ban for crowd trouble in last season's competition.
"I cannot stress enough how difficult it is to play in an empty stadium, as this atmosphere plays strange tricks on the players," noted patron Massimo Moratti. "It's a bit like a training session and you can't gauge how the game is going. It raises the tension and doesn't feel so much like sport."
Moratti was in the stands and also held his head in his hands when Solari made that astonishing miss.
"Clearly at the time everyone's reaction was one of incredulity. I spoke to Solari and he said he might want to change his shirt number, as he can't believe how unlucky he is at the moment!"
Some sections of the Italian Press have suggested that Roberto Mancini is rotating the squad – leaving Adriano on the bench against Rangers – because his focus is on the Scudetto.
"I honestly am very fond of the Champions League and consider it an important competition, but it would be a great joy to win either of them," added Moratti. "We are certainly not snubbing Europe and Mancini rotates the squad because he feels it is necessary."
David Pizarro scored the only goal of the game and admitted he had been fortunate with the deflection off the Rangers wall.
"I tried to put it under the defensive wall because the pitch was wet and I hoped it would pick up pace, but the deflection did even more than I had hoped," conceded the Chilean.
"A professional knows that he has to be ready at all times, as if you play badly when called then the Coach will think he was right to leave you out."
Pizarro spent much of last season in the stands due to a contract dispute with Udinese, a situation that Vincenzo Iaquinta found himself in before the club released its embargo last night.
"Iaquinta is pulling the team along and is an international, but I am happy for him, as at last the club is listening to the player. It's a strange tactic that Udinese are running when it comes to contracts, as mine also had two years left to run."
source: channel4.com
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Santiago Solari admitted he'll do the rounds of the comedy programmes after missing an open goal against Glasgow Rangers.
"I have absolutely no justification! I'll go straight on to the comedy shows with that clip," laughed the Inter star.
Coach Roberto Mancini suggested Solari was "tired" when he missed the empty net in the 1-0 Champions League victory, but he was having none of it.
"I must thank Mancini for trying to protect me, but I really have nothing to say, it was awful. I did have bronchitis this week, but I feel good and played well for the rest of the game."
The former Real Madrid midfielder has struggled to find space in the Nerazzurri squad and insists he is not frustrated.
"In all big clubs there is a lot of competition for places, so I am not concerned by that. I am happy when the team wins and hope to help them achieve those aims."
The Group H game was played behind closed doors, as Inter continue to sit out their four-match ban for crowd trouble in last season's competition.
"I cannot stress enough how difficult it is to play in an empty stadium, as this atmosphere plays strange tricks on the players," noted patron Massimo Moratti. "It's a bit like a training session and you can't gauge how the game is going. It raises the tension and doesn't feel so much like sport."
Moratti was in the stands and also held his head in his hands when Solari made that astonishing miss.
"Clearly at the time everyone's reaction was one of incredulity. I spoke to Solari and he said he might want to change his shirt number, as he can't believe how unlucky he is at the moment!"
Some sections of the Italian Press have suggested that Roberto Mancini is rotating the squad – leaving Adriano on the bench against Rangers – because his focus is on the Scudetto.
"I honestly am very fond of the Champions League and consider it an important competition, but it would be a great joy to win either of them," added Moratti. "We are certainly not snubbing Europe and Mancini rotates the squad because he feels it is necessary."
David Pizarro scored the only goal of the game and admitted he had been fortunate with the deflection off the Rangers wall.
"I tried to put it under the defensive wall because the pitch was wet and I hoped it would pick up pace, but the deflection did even more than I had hoped," conceded the Chilean.
"A professional knows that he has to be ready at all times, as if you play badly when called then the Coach will think he was right to leave you out."
Pizarro spent much of last season in the stands due to a contract dispute with Udinese, a situation that Vincenzo Iaquinta found himself in before the club released its embargo last night.
"Iaquinta is pulling the team along and is an international, but I am happy for him, as at last the club is listening to the player. It's a strange tactic that Udinese are running when it comes to contracts, as mine also had two years left to run."
source: channel4.com
Nedved wants Euro glory
Wednesday 5 October, 2005
Pavel Nedved has confirmed that Juventus’ main objective this season is to win the Champions League.
La Vecchia Signora are unbeaten in six Serie A games and have won both their European matches but the Czech midfielder is clear which is the club’s priority.
“The Champions League is our main target, we regard it higher than the Scudetto,” said the 33-year-old.
“But you are not allowed to lose a single match in the knockout stages. You can’t gain points there like you can in the group stage.”
A better showing in the knockout stage will be the key this season for the Bianconeri after eliminations in that stage to Liverpool and Deportivo La Coruna in recent seasons. Nedved sees the signing of Patrick Vieira as the key to success this term.
“We will see after some results, but previously we missed one player – the leader Patrick Vieira,” added the midfielder – who tasted European Cup-Winners Cup glory with Lazio in 1999. “Now we have him so we are complete.”
Nedved also revealed that his decision to retire from international football was a difficult one.
Czech Republic Coach Karel Bruckner had asked Nedved to return to the side but the 2003 Balon d’Or winner declined. “It was an easy decision for my health – for my heart, no.”
“It was strange to finish but possibly I would not be able to cope physically with it anymore. I am 33 and along with Lilian Thuram we are the oldest players in the Juventus team,” he concluded.
Wednesday 5 October, 2005
Pavel Nedved has confirmed that Juventus’ main objective this season is to win the Champions League.
La Vecchia Signora are unbeaten in six Serie A games and have won both their European matches but the Czech midfielder is clear which is the club’s priority.
“The Champions League is our main target, we regard it higher than the Scudetto,” said the 33-year-old.
“But you are not allowed to lose a single match in the knockout stages. You can’t gain points there like you can in the group stage.”
A better showing in the knockout stage will be the key this season for the Bianconeri after eliminations in that stage to Liverpool and Deportivo La Coruna in recent seasons. Nedved sees the signing of Patrick Vieira as the key to success this term.
“We will see after some results, but previously we missed one player – the leader Patrick Vieira,” added the midfielder – who tasted European Cup-Winners Cup glory with Lazio in 1999. “Now we have him so we are complete.”
Nedved also revealed that his decision to retire from international football was a difficult one.
Czech Republic Coach Karel Bruckner had asked Nedved to return to the side but the 2003 Balon d’Or winner declined. “It was an easy decision for my health – for my heart, no.”
“It was strange to finish but possibly I would not be able to cope physically with it anymore. I am 33 and along with Lilian Thuram we are the oldest players in the Juventus team,” he concluded.
++ [ originally posted by swag ] ++
For once, I would love to see Nedved quoted as saying, "Euro glory? Nah, this year I'd be happy with just an honorable mention."
For once, I would love to see Nedved quoted as saying, "Euro glory? Nah, this year I'd be happy with just an honorable mention."
REPORTER: So, is it your ambition to get to the World Cup/Champion's League final/league title/etc.
PLAYER: No. Actually, the prospect of success, and the associated media and fan pressure placed upon the champions for further glory just aren't worth the puny bonuses in my contract.
Speaking of which, where's Wee Gordie Strachen these days? No wonder the EPL is boring. No charactors.