[EU] Champions League 06/07 (3 Viewers)

Jun-hide

Senior Member
Dec 16, 2002
2,068
I think this is a bit paranoid. People who are really passionate about the game will still come, daytime or not. What you might lose is some of those who only go to yell obscenities and declare their ideology. As long as the show is still worthwhile of course people will come. If they can do it in England and Spain, why can't they in Italy. People always have this entrenched attitude about how "change is going to ruin everything" bu things change all the time and the ripple effects are much less than they're always feared.

I mean omg we are giving up our currency, the euro will change everything. Then they introduced a ban on smoking in public, how could that be, we love smoking, it will change everything blahblah, it's always like that. Meanwhile Italy functions just the same way as before, only you don't have to exchange your cash and the air is cleaner.
I don't know Martin - I admit I might be a bit exaggerating here, but what I see in the trend of recent decisions made by Italian authorities is clear that they have virtually no regards for the average fan. If directors are found cheating - we should punish the fans by relegating them and/or handing out heavy penalties - whilst blind folding to the fact that people like Galliani are doing their business as usual. If some ultras have caused trouble, well lets ban everyone to the stadium, when it is clear to me banning ultra, more specifically those militant leader of the group, is enough to curb a lot of violence.

Of course, I too believe Italian stadia needs a lot of renovations - I have been to quite of few stadium in past 13 years, and it is clear to me other putting in some more odd VIP room or two, and new technological device, very few things have changed. But I am sure there are other ways to "force" teams to improve their stadia (which are owned by the municipal agencies in the first place, thus they are just as responsible for the current state). I just think the current drastic almost draconian measure is overblown reaction to the trajedy happend last week. Probability wise, the chances of such violence happening is rather remote, especially if the authorities use their senses and move all day games to the night so that (1) people won't have so much time to get pissed b4 the game and (2) makes easy for the police to do their job with daylight helping them.

Good analogy for me is cutting away entire arm, when small part of skin will do, for a bacterial infection. Of course politicans wants to put measures that get them seen, and at the same time banning all fans all-together, they convey the image that club is responsible for the entire issue, when as a matter of fact that it is local government that owns them, and thus also responsible for the satefy of fans.
 

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May 25, 2006
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AC Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti has described Celtic as a "very physical" team and admits he expects a fast-paced Champions League clash at Parkhead next week.


Ancelotti - expects 'high rhythm'.

Celtic have home advantage for the first leg of the last-16 clash, and have an enviable record of nine wins in the 12 Champions League matches they have contested in Glasgow.

The teams go head to head on Tuesday, with Ancelotti's side determined they should not follow Manchester United, Benfica and FC Copenhagen by losing at Celtic this season.

He admits Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink will be difficult to contain, with the Dutchman having hit seven goals in his past five domestic appearances.

"Celtic are a very physical team. They play at high rhythm," said Ancelotti.

"I think Vennegoor of Hesselink is one of their best players. Last season he played against us when he was at PSV (Eindhoven)."

Ancelotti does not know what to expect from Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura, who has experience of Italian football, having joined from Reggina 18 months ago.:eek:

"He is a talented player, although he still has to find regularity (consistency)," said Ancelotti during a webchat on club website www.acmilan.com.

Milan are only seventh in Serie A this season, having had eight points deducted for their part in the corruption scandal.

They will certainly not catch leaders Inter Milan and are among several clubs jostling to qualify for Europe, meaning the Champions League takes on added importance.

Milan are bidding to be crowned European champions for a seventh time.:confused2

"Certainly yes, the Champions League remains our primary objective,":embarasse said Ancelotti.

Sporting Life
 
OP

ReBeL

The Jackal
Jan 14, 2005
22,870
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread Starter #884
    AC Milan
    Milan, embroiled in Italy's match-fixing scandal, have made the reprieve of their reinstatement to the Champions League count. Having topped their group, they find their second-round clash with Celtic overshadowed by anxieties over security at San Siro after a policeman was killed during rioting in Catania. The second leg could yet be moved to the neutral setting of Newcastle, but Milan's threat will still be considerable. The combination of Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo can prove irresistible in midfield, while the recruitment of versatile centre-back Daniele Bonera from Parma has brought added steel to the back line.
    Key player: Andrea Pirlo.
    Verdict: Semi-finalists.


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    Arsenal
    Arsenal have entered a different dimension this season, thanks to Arsene Wenger’s successful experiments with starlets such as Denilson and Theo Walcott, but a resumption of the Champions League calls for a restoration of Thierry Henry to his most influential form. The shadow of their narrow defeat in the 2006 final looms large and Henry, by his leadership on the major occasions, continues to find himself an emblem of Arsenal’s resurgence in Europe. Alongside the captain are Cesc Fabregas, whose midfield creativity proved vital in the defeat of Juventus last season, and defensive linchpin Kolo Toure.
    Key player: Thierry Henry.
    Verdict: Quarter-finalists.


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    Barcelona
    Tension between manager Frank Rijkaard and his two star strikers, Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto’o, has rather spoilt Barcelona’s united image, but expect all grievances to be cast aside for a second-round spectacular against Liverpool. The histories of the two clubs could hardly create a more auspicious occasion at Nou Camp on Wednesday, as Barcelona seek to become the first team since AC Milan in 1990 to successfully defend a European title. Rijkaard should retain faith in the 4-3-3 system, Gianluca Zambrotta steadying the defence in front of which Deco and Ronaldinho can wreak havoc.
    Key player: Ronaldinho.
    Verdict: Runners-up.


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    Bayern Munich
    Normally so dominant in Germany, Bayern have this season betrayed a frailty. The club have had a turbulent time, seeing manager Felix Magath sacked to make way for Ottmar Hitzfeld. England’s Owen Hargreaves, returning from 4½ months out with a broken leg, remains a cause celebre, as Bayern continue to deflect interest from Manchester United. Despite recent setbacks, their status as a European force is undoubted, with an enviable 'spine’ to their team from goalkeeper Oliver Kahn to strikers Roy Makaay and Lukas Podolski.
    Key player: Lukas Podolski.
    Verdict: Second-round exit.


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    Celtic
    Rousing victories over Benfica and Manchester United have already lent great colour to Celtic’s season in Europe. Gordon Strachan has inherited the brutally efficient unit created by Martin O’Neill and enhanced it with real attacking flair, as exemplified by Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, signed from Eindhoven last summer. The Dutchman shows aggression and authority as a striker, but goals are just as likely to be supplied by Kenny Miller or Shunsuke Nakamura. While Celtic’s approach has seen off all-comers in Scotland, they may be wise to try a different tack in penetrating Milan’s obdurate defence.
    Key player: Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.
    Verdict: Second-round exit.


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    Chelsea
    Roman Abramovich returned to his vantage point at Stamford Bridge on Saturday after six matches away, and few would bet on his attentions shifting again until the club lift the Champions League trophy in Athens on May 23. So can Jose Mourinho, a winner with Porto three years ago but reportedly on frosty terms with Chelsea’s owner, deliver? Well, yes. It seems extraordinary to be predicting that the club will conquer Europe after their winter of discontent, but in Didier Drogba they have the continent’s most clinical striker and in John Terry, newly returned, one of its most committed centre-backs.
    Key player: Didier Drogba.
    Verdict: Winners.


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    Inter Milan
    Seemingly unassailable in Serie A, Inter have made serene progress towards the Scudetto after Milan were handed an eight-point deduction for match-fixing. But added to this advantage has been a genuine resilience, as displayed by their recovery from Champions League group defeats by Sporting Lisbon and Bayern to qualify for this phase. Roberto Mancini has frequently been touted as a future Chelsea manager should Jose Mourinho leave, and the balanced Inter side he has created shows why. Fabio Grosso has become one of Europe’s best left-backs, while Patrick Vieira and Esteban Cambiasso have tempered Mancini’s elan with true grit.
    Key player: Patrick Vieira.
    Verdict: Quarter-finalists.


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    Lille
    Although they can be a trial to watch at times, Lille have drawn impressive results from their dogged defensive play. Not least of these was their 1-0 win over Manchester United last season, but a re-match in the knock-out phase is likely to take a very different course. Manager Claude Puel set his Champions League ambitions no higher than qualification from their group, and despite the sharp instincts of striker Peter Odemwingie, his side have not shown the consistent attacking threat needed for further progress. That said, Mathieu Debuchy is a fine talent and Jean Makoun has impressed with his versatility.
    Key player: Peter Odemwingie.
    Verdict: Second-round exit.

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    Liverpool
    At the start of a momentous week, Liverpool have hardly covered themselves in glory, investigating allegations of a training-camp ruckus. But Rafael Benitez’s claim that the team’s spirits remain high reflects a determination not to cloud their date in Barcelona. Steven Gerrard is automatically looked to for leadership at a time like this, but the captain has a broader support network this season in Dirk Kuyt, Jermaine Pennant and Craig Bellamy. Both Pennant and Bellamy, however, are unproven 'loose cannons’, and it is the inherent fragility of Liverpool’s side that should be too tempting for Barcelona not to exploit.
    Key player: Steven Gerrard.
    Verdict: Second-round exit.


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    Lyons
    Last Christmas it would have been tempting to nominate Lyons as Champions League winners, such was the ease with which they had swept through qualifying and the dominance they enjoyed over the rest of Ligue 1. But successive domestic stumbles against Bordeaux, Nice and Troyes have taken an edge off their aura. They retain a prize asset, though, in Brazilian striker Fred – in ominously free-scoring form of late – and have the capacity for some mesmerising midfield play. One intriguing addition to their mix is Milan Baros, who has replaced the rangy John Carew in a swap deal with Aston Villa.
    Key player: Fred.
    Verdict: Quarter-finals.


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    Manchester United
    This is Cristiano Ronaldo’s moment. Feted as a talent too outrageous for the Premiership to contain, he now has the big stage on which to seal his reputation. A similar burden could come to rest on Wayne Rooney, and United must find the system that allows their target men the fullest freedom of expression. They also have arguably the slickest midfield machine in Europe, anchored by Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick, and robust defence, but all these elements must stay strong if United are to buck a recent trend of under-achievement in the competition.
    Key player: Cristiano Ronaldo.
    Verdict: Semi-finalists.


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    Porto
    When the store of Porto’s finest talents was stripped bare in the wake of their Champions League triumph in 2004, it was clear that the recovery process would be painful and difficult. First manager Jose Mourinho succumbed to Chelsea’s allure, then Ricardo Carvalho and Paolo Ferreira – not to mention a clutch of coaching staff – clung on to his lucrative coat-tails. So Mourinho should face a hostile reception in the Estadio do Dragao Wednesday night, though it is not only the atmosphere he has to worry about as Porto sit at the top of the Portuguese league, and have plenty of forward thrust.
    Key player: Ricardo Quaresma.
    Verdict: Second-round exit.


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    PSV Eindhoven
    Forced to fill the void left at Eindhoven by Guus Hiddink’s departure, Ronald Koeman has delivered an impressive response. The coach, who had spent four seasons at Ajax, has fashioned his brand of 'total football’ with a team reinforced by the experience of Michael Reiziger and Phillip Cocu, and spearheaded in attack by the pacy Peruvian Jefferson Farfan. Eindhoven’s home record is formidable enough, too, for Arsenal to take note — a run of 11 wins in 12 at the Philips Stadion has propelled them to the top of the Dutch Eredivisie, and in the group stage they used such an advantage to frustrate Liverpool.
    Key player: Jefferson Farfan.
    Verdict: Second-round exit.


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    Real Madrid
    Maddeningly temperamental, Real enter the business end of this campaign with their chances harder than ever to predict. Domestically all is not smooth, and Real's vulnerability in the Champions League was underlined by their 2-0 defeat in the group game at Lyon. Manager Fabio Capello was never known as an architect of attacking tactics at Juventus, but at Real he has enjoyed some success in using Emerson and Mahamadou Diarra as a midfield 'screen' protecting a defence that includes Fabio Cannavaro. The departing David Beckham could yet contribute to another emotional soap opera.
    Key player: Fabio Cannavaro.
    Verdict: Quarter-finalists.


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    Roma
    Unlike Inter Milan, Roma did not profit hugely from the transfers made available by the match-fixing fall-out, but thanks to an attacking system organised around Francesco Totti, they still progressed efficiently in their group behind Valencia. This is the first serious European challenge for manager Luciano Spalletti, but Roma's second place in Serie A indicates that he is equal to it. Favouring a 4-2-3-1 set-up in which his midfielders make frequent runs to support Totti, Spalletti has also invested much hope in playmaker David Pizarro. That said, the quality throughout the squad is not enough to match Lyons.
    Key player: Francesco Totti.
    Verdict: Second-round exit.


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    Valencia
    Expectations at the Mestalla are high as Valencia take in the view from fourth place in La Liga - a position that little justifies their attacking powers. The most vivid example of the style cultivated under coach Quique Flores is offered by David Villa, a striker already linked to Chelsea and who impressed so powerfully for Spain against England this month. A player blessed with great positional sense and lethal close-range finishing, Villa is partnered well by Fernando Morientes, who has rediscovered his scoring touch after an abject spell at Liverpool. Joaquin on the wing has ensured Valencia do not want for width.
    Key player: David Villa.
    Verdict: Second-round exit.

    By Oliver Brown
     

    The Arif

    Senior Member
    Jan 31, 2004
    12,564
    Celtic - AC Milan X I think it'll be a draw here.
    Lille - Manchester U. 2 Lille dont have what it takes to stop Man Utd.
    PSV Eindhoven - Arsenal X It will probably be a boring match with no goals at all.
    Real Madrid - Bayern Munich 1/2 I dont think it'll be a draw. I hope RM lose so Calderon will enter the pitch, piss the Capello's contract and hit him in the face with it.
    AS Roma - Lyon 2 Lyon are in a great form atm, and it will take more than Roma to stop them.
    Barcelona - Liverpool X Barcelona are sucking atm and L'pool will get a good result here. Oh, and Frank Riijkard to break his hand while hitting the bench. :D
    FC Porto - Chelsea 2. :yawn:
    Inter Milan - Valencia 1 Inter are in great form at the moment (unfortunately), and I dont think Valencia can stop them.
     

    swag

    L'autista
    Administrator
    Sep 23, 2003
    85,007
    ...

    By Oliver Brown
    I must say, I have to agree with most of what he wrote. I think this is going to be Chelsea's year in the CL, allowing Mourinho to drop his pants in London and 'wave' goodbye while heading for the exits. The other predictions seem reasonable too -- save that Bayern should slap around Capello for his shameful exit from Real.
     

    Bjerknes

    "Top Economist"
    Mar 16, 2004
    117,064
    Roma - Lyon
    Barcelona - Liverpool
    Porto - Chelsea
    Internazionale - Valencia

    Celtic - Milan
    PSV - Arsenal
    Lille - Man. United
    Real Madrid - Bayern

    I believe those teams will be the clubs progressing. Lyon will take care of Roma but it will be close... Liverpool will upset Barcelona... Chelsea will murder the Portugese... Valencia will own Inter once again.
     

    Azzurri7

    Pinturicchio
    Moderator
    Dec 16, 2003
    72,691
    Roma - Lyon X
    Barcelona - Liverpool X
    Porto - Chelsea
    Internazionale - Valencia

    Celtic - Milan
    PSV - Arsenal
    Lille - Man. United X
    Real Madrid - Bayern
     

    Ramin

    vBookie Champion
    Nov 18, 2003
    4,727
    ..

    Too many ppl expecting Liverpool to go throw which I find rather wishful thinking. Imo, Barca will thrash pool at home. Roma will come out on top after both legs imo. The closest tie would be Inter/Valencia. Anything could happen here.
     

    Bisco

    Senior Member
    Nov 21, 2005
    14,420
    here r the cl previews i found at goal.com if u guys are interested:

    CL Preview: Real Madrid - Bayern Munich

    Real Madrid (4th in la Primera, 42 pts)) v Bayern Munich (4th in Bundesliga, 37 pts)
    When: 20:45 (CET) - Tuesday, February 20, 2007
    Where: El Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid


    The personnel may have changed, but the rivalry is exactly the same as Real Madrid and Bayern Munich prepare for their sixth meeting in eight seasons on Tuesday evening.

    Two of the biggest names in world football go head-to-head in a competition that they have lifted 13 times between them and the tension is always great when they clash.

    Neither club have impressed domestically this term as they are both fourth in their respective leagues, but that form will not matter in this elimination encounter.

    While Real Madrid have struggled for goals in la Primera, they are top scorers in the Champions League having scored 14 goals as they progressed from Group E.

    Strong defence

    Bayern may have conceded 26 times in their 22 Bundesliga matches this term, but in Europe they let in just three as they qualified for the last 16.

    Fabio Capello's team may be only four points behind table-topping FC Barcelona, but their performances in the league make their chances of winning the title very slim.

    That is why the focus is very much on the Champions League as the club's best hope of winning some silverware this term, after three barren seasons with a trophy.

    The same goes for the German giants as they lie 12 points from Schalke 04, who are currently top of the Bundesliga.

    Forgetting form

    Capello and Ottmar Hitzfeld, as well as the players from Madrid and Bayern, have stated that league form will mean nothing over the two legs and that it will be a titanic battle between two heavyweights.

    Recent history is on the Spaniard's side as they have won the last twice that the teams have met, knocking out Bayern in the 2001-01 and 2003-4 campaigns.

    Madrid did, however, suffer, their heaviest defeats in the Champions League against the Bavarian club when they were defeated 4-2 in the Bernabéu and 4-1 in Germany in 1999-00.

    In the seven times that they have been paired together Madrid have won four.

    False Reports

    During the build-up to the match, Capello was rumoured to have resigned but that proved to be false as the club held a press conference to deny the report.

    Bayern have already taken the decision to change their coach as Felix Magath was replaced by Hitzfeld recently, but it remains to be seen if the trainer can reproduce the same success he enjoyed during his first stint in charge.

    For a look at the recent meetings between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich click here.

    RECENT FORM (all competitions)

    Real Madrid
    18/01 (H) 1-1 Real Betis
    21/01 (a) 1-0 Real Mallorca
    27/01 (a) 0-1 Villarreal
    04/02 (H) 0-1 Levante
    10/02 (a) 2-1 Real Sociedad
    17/02 (H) 0-0 Real Betis

    Bayern Munich
    16/12 (a) 4-0 FSV Mainz
    26/01 (a) 2-3 Borussia Dortmund
    30/01 (H) 0-0 VfL Bochum
    02/02 (a) 0-3 1. FC Nürnberg
    11/02 (H) 1-0 Arminia Bielefeld
    17/02 (a) 0-1 Alemmania Aachen

    TEAM NEWS

    Real Madrid: Mahamadou Diarra is out after having to have stitches put in his ankle after a hefty challenge by Morten Skoubo during the game against Rel Sociedad, while Sergio Ramos is also out after suffering a blow to his ankle at the weekend. The good news is that Roberto Carlos is back and will replace Miguel Torres at left-back, while Michel Salgado is expected to play on the right in place of Ramos.

    Bayern Munich: Owen Hargreaves is set to return to the midfield to partner Mark Van Bommel, while Lukas Podolski and Roy Makaay are likely to be the striking duo up front.

    PROBABLE LINE-UPS (not confirmed)

    Real Madrid: Casillas; Salgado, Helguera, Cannavaro, Roberto Carlos; Emerson, Gago, Guti, Beckham; Raúl, Van Nistelrooy

    Bayern Munich: Kahn; Lahm, Lucio, Van Buyten, Sagnol; Salihamidžić, Hargreaves, Van Bommel, Schweinsteiger; Makaay, Podolski

    PREDICTION

    The club's may both be stating that league form does not matter, but that is not true. Confidence will be low on both sides and that will make the players more cautious before attempting things that could swing the tie firmly in their favour. The opening games in two-legged affairs between big guns such as these are often tight and, as the old cliché states, this tie will be decided in the second leg.

    Real Madrid 1 - 1 Bayern Munich

    LB
     

    Bisco

    Senior Member
    Nov 21, 2005
    14,420
    CL Preview: Celtic-AC Milan

    Celtic (SPL, 1st, 72 pts.) v Milan (Serie A, 6th, 33 pts.)
    When: 20:45 CET - Tuesday, February 20th, 2006
    Where: Celtic Park - Celtic


    Home Record

    Celtic will be playing for the first time ever in the second round of the Champions League, as the Scottish champions never managed to get past the Group Stage in previous years. However, they have no intention of stopping here and even though they will be facing one of Europe's most successful sides, they have every intention to cause an upset and reach the quarter finals.

    To achieve this, Celtic will surely need to rely on their excellent home record which so far sees the Scottish club winning nine out of their previous 12 home games. This is a big contrast to their appalling away record and they will therefore attempt to do most of the work in the first leg.

    Excellent Form

    Milan started the season poorly, with negative results the order of the day. However, in recent weeks things have looked brighter and the Rossoneri, despite not performing brilliantly, have still achieved important wins which pushed them up the Serie A standings into 6th place. This might not be a big feat for a club used to competing for the Scudetto, but considering the Calciopoli scandal and the terrible start to the season, this is quite an achievement.

    The arrival of Ronaldo has brought enthusiasm and motivation, and even though the Brazilian will not be able to play on Tuesday, his mere presence in the squad has galvanised many players who seemed to lack that grit up till December. The 'Fenomeno’ has been a morale booster for the entire Rossoneri squad and the affects of his purchase are quite visible already.

    Impressive Wins

    Celtic managed to beat Manchester United, as well as Benfica and Copenhagen, in the previous group stage, which earned them early qualification as they finished second in their group behind the Red Devils.

    Milan went a step better as they topped their group which also included Anderlecht, Lille and AEK Athens, despite not always impressing. However, things have changed and the Rossoneri have improved a lot since then, thus the Italian side will be looking to reach the last eight by securing a positive result from this first leg.

    TEAM FORM

    Celtic
    Feb 17, 07 Aberdeen 1 - 2 Celtic (Premier League)
    Feb 10, 07 Celtic 1 - 0 Hibernian (Premier League)
    Feb 4, 07 Livingston 1 - 4 Celtic (FA Cup)
    Jan 28, 07 Inverness CT 1 - 2 Celtic (Premier League)
    Jan 20, 07 Celtic 5 - 1 St. Mirren (Premier League)
    Jan 14, 07 Hearts 1 - 2 Celtic (Premier League)

    Milan
    Feb 17, 07 Siena 3 - 4 Milan (Serie A)
    Feb 11, 07 Milan 2 - 1 Livorno (Serie A)
    Jan 31, 07 Roma 3 - 1 Milan (Coppa Italia)
    Jan 28, 07 Milan 1 - 0 Parma (Serie A)
    Jan 25, 07 Milan 2 - 2 Roma (Coppa Italia)
    Jan 21, 07 Lazio 0 - 0 Milan (Serie A)

    PLAYERS TO WATCH

    Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (Celtic)
    A very accomplished striker who can cause problems for an often static Milan defence but one that has improved in past weeks. Paolo Maldini and company will need to be at their best in order to stop the Dutch attacker from causing any damage.

    Kaka (Milan)
    Poetry in motion as some might say. The Brazilian is truly one of the best artists this sport can offer as his technique can sway a game in your favour

    TEAM NEWS

    Celtic
    Bobo Balde, Gary Caldwell, Maciej Zurawski, Derek Riordan (injured), and Steven Pressley and Paul Hartley (cup-tied) are all unavailable. With so many injuries in the central defence, Celtic are forced to play with the central duo of Stephen McManus and Darren O'Dea.

    Milan
    Many problems in attack for the Rossoneri as the only available striker is Ricardo Oliveira. Filippo Inzaghi and Alberto Gilardino are still recovering from their respective injuries, even though the latter has still been called-up for this match. Ronaldo is cup-tied since he has already played for Real Madrid in the Champions League this season. Dida is still out, therefore Marco Storari will maintain his place between the Rossoneri's goalpost, while Alessandro Nesta and Serginho are still out.

    PREDICTION

    This should be an entertaining match, with the Rossoneri having that slight advantage thanks to their experience in European competition. A close win for Milan in the end.

    Celtic 1 – 2 Milan



    GD
     

    Bisco

    Senior Member
    Nov 21, 2005
    14,420
    We Have Improved, Barca Are Having Problems – Benitez

    Rafa Benitez believes Barcelona are struggling with their form, while the Reds have improved since the two sides were drawn together in the Champions League two months ago.


    “The [Barcelona] team is really good, and when the draw was made people were saying 'Barcelona are the best team in the world’,” Benitez told the club’s official website.

    “After two months we are a lot better, and they have had some problems. They need Eto'o fit, and Messi, because they haven't been scoring a lot of goals.

    “Yes, they are really strong, and they have good players. They are not playing at the same level, but if they have Eto'o, Messi and Ronaldinho [available] then I think they have very good players.”

    Admitting that the Reds were still probably the underdogs against the European champions, he suggested that it could well help his team.

    “It could do,” he said. “I think that it's important for us as we won't have big pressure.’

    The former Valencia coach also recalled some past experiences against Barcelona.

    “I don't know exactly but with Valencia we won some games at the Nou Camp. We scored four goals once when Fabio Aurelio scored a very good goal. It's not easy but our results were good.”

    As for what kind of a reception he expected in Barcelona as a former Che man, and also a former Real Madrid youth team coach, he responded: “The people of Barcelona are very polite and they know their football. They are good supporters.”

    Finally, on what he would consider to be a good result, he said he would like to pick up an away goal: “You never know but it could be good for us to score. For us to play the second leg at Anfield is important, and we need to score [at the Camp Nou] if it's possible.”


    hope that answers yr question joaquin
     

    Bjerknes

    "Top Economist"
    Mar 16, 2004
    117,064
    ..

    Too many ppl expecting Liverpool to go throw which I find rather wishful thinking. Imo, Barca will thrash pool at home. Roma will come out on top after both legs imo. The closest tie would be Inter/Valencia. Anything could happen here.
    I just picked Liverpool because that seems to be a potential upset. Moreover, Benitez will be playing his compatriots that he knows somewhat well. Afterall he took care of Barcelona several times while in charge of Valencia... both in single matches and entire seasons..
     

    K0STA

    Senior Member
    Jul 12, 2006
    1,037
    I am pretty confident that Real Madrid is gonna win tonight, big time!
    Just an ideal situation and circumstances for Real to hammer bayern...
     

    HelterSkelter

    Senior Member
    Apr 15, 2005
    20,884
    How do you mean "once again" ? Last time I checked Inter owned Valencia, not the opposite way.
    As far as i remember,Valencia were the better team in both the legs.Inter were pretty fortunate to go through.Especially at the Mestella were Valencia outplayed Inter but were unlucky to go out because Inter go an early goal.
     

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