[Champions League] AC MILAN THE CHAMPION OF 2007 - Page 2

== KK == · 21-02-07, 08:41

Who: Inter (1st Serie A, 63 points) VS Valencia (3rd Primera Division, 42 points)
When: Wednesday February 21st 2007, 20:45 local
Where: Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan

FORM GUIDE

Inter

17/02: Inter-Cagliari 1-0 (Serie A)

11/02: Chievo-Inter 0-2 (Serie A)

01/02: Inter-Sampdoria 0-0 (Coppa Italia)

28/01: Sampdoria-Inter 0-2 (Serie A)

24/01: Sampdoria-Inter 0-3 (Coppa Italia)

Valencia

18/02: Valencia-Barcelona 2-1 (Primera Division)

11/02: Getafe-Valencia 3-0 (Primera Division)

03/02: Valencia-Atletico Madrid 3-1 (Primera Division)

28/01: Real Betis-Valencia 2-1 (Primera Division)

21/01: Real Sociedad-Valencia 0-1 (Primera Division)

TEAM NEWS

Inter

Only Vieira and Recoba are out injured.

Possible Starting XI: Julio Cesar; Maicon, Materazzi, Burdisso, Maxwell; Zanetti, Cambiasso, Dacourt; Stankovic; Adriano, Ibrahimovic.

Valencia

One major decision for Flores is whether to risk goalkeeper Santiago Cañizares, who missed the Barça win with flu, or whether to continue with Frenchman Ludovic Butelle. Baraja is definitely out through injury, while Del Horno and Vicente did not make the squad, despite both being back in full training.

Possible Starting XI: Cañizares or Butelle; Miguel, Albiol, Ayala, Moretti; Angulo, Marchena, Albelda, Silva; Villa, Morientes.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter)
The brilliant Swedish striker has been in blistering form this season for Inter. With his skill, vision, technique, and unique style he has scored many important goals and provided many decisive assists for Inter. If he can display this kind of form in the Champions League too and lead Inter far in the competition, he might be one of the front-runners for the Ballon D’Or award.

Fernando Morientes (Valencia)
The veteran Spanish striker is a seasoned campaigner in the Champions League, having scored many goals in this competition. Along with David Villa he can form a deadly partnership. If there’s anyone that can get a crucial away goal for Valencia in this game, it’s Morientes.

== KK == · 21-02-07, 08:51

Update Shod.

== KK == · 05-03-07, 11:57

Liverpool (2) vs. Barcelona (1)
When: 2045 CET, Tuesday, 07 Mar 2007
Where: Anfield, Liverpool

After succumbing to a 2-1 home defeat two weeks ago, Barcelona head to Anfield looking to engineer a come-back of magnanimous proportions!

At first thought, magnanimous might sound like an attempt to over-rate the task at Barcelona’s hand. However, put into perspective with Liverpool’s stingy defence, and their impressive home form, it could hardly be more appropriate.

That said, Barcelona’s real problem could come from elsewhere!

For Liverpool, this is just about the only thing left this season. They crashed out of both domestic Cup competitions early, and are almost 20 points behind Manchester United in the Premiership.

The Champions League, under the circumstances, is Rafa Benitez’s only chance for glory, or even a sniff of it at the moment. An exit this early, and the Reds’ season is fully and firmly over! And that is what makes one believe that they might just want it a little more.

Not to say Barcelona don’t! Frank Rijkaard and his boys are hurting, and hurting bad, after all that has been thrown at them over the last couple of weeks. They are dying to hit back. They want to stay alive in the competition – they are the defending champions.

However, they are also in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, and just one point behind leaders Sevilla in La Liga, so it is safe to assume that an exit on Tuesday is not the end of the road. The season goes on - the point is that Liverpool have a lot more riding on this one.

That said, pride is a very strong reason. Also Barcelona will know that if they do get past the Reds, it could well be a very different scenario in a couple of weeks.

Manchester United and Sevilla have ensured that both sides come into the game on the back of domestic defeats, and that there is also a relishing air of uncertainty over which of the two pick themselves up quicker.

Team News

Liverpool

There are no real injury worries for Rafa, and he can be expected to stick to the same eleven that started at the Camp Nou. Yes it is an inherently defensive one, but then few would commend Benitez for throwing it away trying to destroy Barcelona. They will throw stones, but only after ensuring they have no glass houses of their own.

Bellamy and Kuyt should start up front again, with the Welshman tucking himself back into a five man midfield, Gerrard on the right, Riise on the left, and Sissoko and Xabi Alonso charged with breaking it all up.

We will bring you more updates when we get them!

Probable Starting XI: Reina – Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Arbeloa – Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, Sissoko, Riise – Bellamy, Kuyt.

Barcelona

Rijkaard ended the debate on his squad by announcing it on Sunday itself, but there is debate aplenty over what system he will use. He has tried three different ones in three games, and for once even Rafa will not know which one will be coming out.

Indications are that he will go for a 3-4-3, with Puyol, Thuram and Oleguer at the back, Marquez anchoring and Deco Xavi and Iniesta taking charge of Barcelona’s game – while also dropping back to protect the flanks.

Up front, Ronaldinho, Eto’o and Messi look set to start together for the first time since the 25th of September. However, an appearance for Ludovic Giuly, who did well against Zaragoza as a part of the same system, cannot be ruled out.

Probable Starting XI: Valdes – Oleguer, Thuram, Puyol – Marquez – Xavi, Deco, Iniesta – Giuly/Messi, Eto’o, Ronaldinho.

Tarkib Confirm shode nist / Confimed ro farda ghabl e Bazi mizaram.

Players To Watch

Liverpool: Bellamy, Carragher, Gerrard

Bellamy’s pace is likely to cause lots of problems for Barcelona’s back-pedaling defense again, while Carragher’s handling of Eto’o could potentially define the outcome of the game. Gerrard has a knack of making the difference in big games, and cannot be ruled out.

Barcelona: Iniesta, Xavi and Eto’o

These where the three who ripped Zaragoza to shreds last week, and Liverpool will have to be very careful about how much time they allow Iniesta and Xavi on the ball in midfield. If these two can get going, Barcelona could become too fluid to contain.

== KK == · 05-03-07, 12:06

Who: Valencia (3rd La Liga, 46 points) vs Inter (1st Serie A, 70 points)
When: Tuesday 6 March 2007, 20:45 local
Where: Estadio Mestalla, Valencia

Valencia Start With Slight Advantage Against Inter
After an eventful first-leg tie at San Siro, Valencia are in a good position as they obtained a 2-2 draw that will allow them to progress even with a 1-1 or scoreless draw, although obviously a defeat would be fatal.

It was perhaps more than they deserved considering their performance in Milan, but then again they showed a ruthlessness with their chances that left Inter stunned. The Nerazzurri were given a bit of a wakeup call after a triumphant run of victories in Serie A, where they have no rivals, as they realised the Champions League is a different matter altogether.

It’s undeniable that the first-leg result leaves this poised as one of the more intriguing of the second-leg ties. It’s hard to pick out a favorite, as Inter’s away form in Serie A has been great, having won 12 of their 22 games away from home and they are on a run of 10 consecutive away wins . So that tells you that for them playing at home or away doesn’t make much difference, and it actually may be better to play away from the San Siro. Their away “scalps” have included Fiorentina, Roma, Milan, Palermo, Lazio, Sampdoria, and last weekend Livorno, who prior to Inter’s visit had lost just once at home.

Inter Look For International Glory

For Inter, this match probably holds the entire meaning of their season at this point. The Serie A title is all but theirs, however even winning by a record margin with an unprecedented points tally will not be considered enough as an elimination against Valencia at this stage would leave the fans with a sour taste in their mouths. You might think that after an 18-year wait for a Serie A title a new domestic triumph will be considered enough, however the famous events of “Calciopoli” have led many do diminish Inter’s achievements as Milan, Fiorentina and Lazio started with a penalisation, while Juve were demoted to Serie B and Inter were left as the only “big” team not involved in the scandals. Of course, that is superficial and wrong, because these things did not happen without reason and the only team missing compared to other years is Juventus, yet Inter at this point have more points than any other team at this same stage in Serie A history.

So for both sides it is a very meaningful and important fixture, perhaps even more so for Inter. After the first-leg result, it would take a brave man to make a bet on who goes through in this tie...

TEAM NEWS

Valencia
Only captain Albelda is unavailable through suspension.

Possible Starting XI: Canizares; Miguel, Ayala, Albiol, Moretti; Angulo, Marchena, Hugo Viana, Silva; Villa, Morientes.

Inter
Cambiasso and Vieira will surely miss this game, while Adriano and Recoba are doubtful.

Possible Starting XI: Julio Cesar; Maicon, Cordoba, Materazzi, Maxwell; J. Zanetti, Dacourt, Stankovic; Figo; Ibrahimovic, Crespo.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

David Villa (Valencia)
Confirmed he was Valencia’s most dangerous man in the first leg. A highly skillful and versatile striker who may prove decisive again in this game. At San Siro he scored with an inch-perfect free kick to make it 1-1. The kind of player who can pop up at any minute to score a goal, and from any position.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter)
It seems that only this season at Inter he is showing the world his full potential. At Ajax he was considered a hot-headed talent, who often thought too much about his own game, then he got his big break at Juventus where he was often decisive but was either too egotistical (as in his first season) or too afraid to go for goal himself (in his second season, when he scored just 6 goals). But now at Inter, after a rough start, his game has become flawless, and last weekend’s game against Livorno, where he scored a free kick and gave Cruz a delightful assist with his back-heel for the first goal, was a prime example.

== KK == · 05-03-07, 12:16

When: 06 March 2007 20:45 (CET)
Where: Stade de Gerland, Lyon, France
First leg: 0 - 0

First Leg Recap: AS Roma 0 - 0 Olympique Lyon

AS Roma and Olympique Lyon’s goalless draw at a packed Olímpico stadium leaves an uphill task for the Romans as they now need to take the fight to France.
The visitors enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and chances and may also rue their lack of accuracy as an away goal may have been an ace in the hole for the second leg.
English referee Mike Riley equalled the competition record for most cards in a match with no less than eleven yellows, but no red cards, leaving the match stuttering along in segments.
Olympique Lyon dominated early possession and came close to scoring in the seventh minute when a Roma player deflected a Juninho free kick off his own post in a botched clearance.
Doni closed down Malouda well after he left Ferrari for dead with a couple of sprints. Mancini was visibly struggling with a muscular problem throughout the first half.
It was through the Brazilian that Roma went very close just before the break, as Mancini unleashed a 25-metre shot roared centimetres past the woodwork.
Roma worked their way into the match more in the second half, improving possession but falling foul of the OL rearguard, save two free kicks by Totti, both defused by visiting keeper Coupet.
De Rossi almost cost his team again midway through the first half when he was robbed by Florent Malouda and his run only was ended on the edge of the area when Doni dived at his feet.
There were muted protests for a couple of handling offence, but Doni used his legally to keep Roma in the game with a double-tap of saves from a Juninho free kick and a Fred follow-up.
Perrotta was left in some considerable pain when he ran on to Mancini's pass and Cris closed him down, following through to connect a boot between his legs.
The match ended with January signing Christian Wilhelmsson coming on for a limping Mancini, and Totti seeing yellow – and almost red mist – after a collision with Cris.
Max Tonetto and De Rossi were the last of a record-breaking 11 bookings, but Roma will have plenty of food for thought after a crucial game saw a real lack of marksmanship.

Team News

OLYMPIQUE LYON

Juninho Pernambucano was rested in the Rhône derby, the habitual Captain sitting the clash out to avoid any potential injury problem for Tuesday’s match.

The scoring against ‘Les Verts’ came from midfielders Kim Kallstrom and Tiago, Brazilian striker Fred tying up the result with a rocket-like 20-metre free kick.

"We saw in our last games that we had found a good rhythm. On Tuesday, we're going to play one of Europe's top teams, it's going to be a great game," explained Lyon physio Robert Duverne, who soothed Les Bleus at the World Cup final in Berlin.

Houllier is slated to replace the suspended Jeremy Toulalan in midfield with Alou Diarra, the number 15 partnering Tiago in more destructive tasks while the creative baton is given to the conductor of the OL orchestra – Juninho Pernambucano – and French talent Florent Malouda.

AS ROMA

Despite the teeth-splintering frustration at Ascoli, Luciano Spalletti appears confident his team will perform better in France.

"The team doesn't manage to show the same desire and intensity against the little teams as it does against the bigger ones, but I’m sure they will rise to the challenge against Lyon”, he added

"I know that we will be fine in Lyon, but I can't explain why our performances are so uneven," he admitted, although the Roman tactician did rest some players.

Perrotta, Taddei, De Rossi, Mancini and Tonetto and were conspicuous by their absence form the starting eleven, with the latter three coming on as Spalletti tried to tweak something more than a draw from the Bianconeri.

Brazilian keeper Doni (ex-Corinthians) appears to have overcome the bout of flu that sidelined him against Ascoli, although ghis return is still to be officially confirmed.

Possible First Elevens (Unconfirmed)

OLYMPIQUE LYON (4-4-2): 1-Gregory Coupet; 2-Francois Clerc, 3-Cris, 29-Sebastien Squillaci, 20-Eric Abidal; 15-Alou Diarra, 21-Tiago, 8-Juninho, 10-Florent Malouda; 11-Fred, 14-Sydney Govou

AS ROMA (4-2-3-1): 32-Doni (1-Curci); 2-Christian Panucci, 5-Philippe Mexes, 13-Cristian Chivu, 22-Max Tonetto; 16-Daniele De Rossi, 17-David Pizarro; 11-Rodrigo Taddei, 20-Simone Perrotta, 30-Mancini; 10-Francesco Totti

Players To Watch

OLYMPIQUE LYON: Juninho Pernambucano ( number 8 ) – The Brazilian has become almost synonymous with OL’s successes over recent years. His taciturn presence in midfield guides the French side’s play, his long through balls breathe life into the strike force and his free kicks and penalty efficiency is well-known to all and sundry.

AS ROMA: Francesco Totti ( number 10 ) – On red-hot form despite his team’s inability to perform evenly in domestic and European competition, Totti could hold the key to winning the tie for Roma as he’s top scorer with 14 goals under his belt and isn’t just an Olímpico Stadium performer, half of the strikes netted away. Much will ride on his inspiration in Lyon.

== KK == · 05-03-07, 12:28

Chelsea host Porto at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening, with both sides still in the hunt for a place in the Champions League quarter finals. The score from the first-leg is 1-1, and as a part of Goal.com's build up to the game, Stewart Coggin takes a look at where the two teams go from here, win or lose...

Chelsea
With the Blues nine points behind Manchester United in the Premiership title race, some have suggested that the aura of Jose Mourinho is beginning to fade. In his first two seasons, the Portuguese tactician could get away with many of his jibes and controversial opinions because he was winning. It didn’t matter what he said in a Friday press conference, because the following day his side would rack up another three points.

But this season, due to the club’s position, he has found himself under no shortage of scrutiny in England’s ultra critical press, and he has been unable to hide behind results. Why was he not prepared for injuries at the back? Why can’t he work a problem out on the training pitch, instead of asking for more money to sign players? Why has he been unable to get the best out of Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko? The questions have been put to him, but he has generally failed to convince with his answers.

Certainly he has been unlucky with injuries in defence. But while it is unusual to have two goalkeepers out at the same time as Chelsea did in the excellent Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini, it is far from bizarre to have two centre-backs laid low. John Terry and Khalid Boulahrouz have been out for sometime, forcing the ‘Special One’ to drop Michael Essien back into defence alongside Ricardo Carvalho, thus unbalancing the team in midfield. Mourinho has already come in for much criticism for not making more reinforcements last summer, and will be put under the spotlight again if Premiership or Champions League success eludes them.

If Porto can come away with an unlikely win or a high-scoring draw, there is still plenty to look forward to at Stamford Bridge. The Blues still have ten Premiership games to play, and there are likely to be further twists and turns before United are declared champions. Lets not forget that the Old Trafford club have been lucky in avoiding major injuries this season, and what might a knock to key men Cristiano Ronaldo or Wayne Rooney do to them now?

Chelsea host United on April 15 in a must win game, while there are also tricky assignments against Tottenham –who they also host in the FA Cup quarter finals- Arsenal and Newcastle. United’s run-in also contains pitfalls, with trips to Manchester City and Everton to negotiate, not to mention that Stamford Bridge clash.

If Chelsea are to win the FA Cup, it is likely they will once again need to see off the challenge of United. Spurs will not make it easy at the Bridge on Sunday, but Chelsea have a fine record against their London rivals and will be favourites to progress.

If, as expected by many, Mourinho’s men outfox his former club Porto, they will have qualified for the quarter finals of the competition, something they failed to do last season. In the last-eight there is every chance they could face an English side, even title rivals Manchester United in what would be a mouth-watering and passionate encounter.

With John Terry’s head injury only temporary, the Blues would be confident of picking up at least one more trophy, win or lose against Porto. But whatever happens, it appears Manchester United could have a major say on Chelsea’s season in each competition.

Porto
Jesualdo Ferreira’s men sit four points clear at the top in Portugal. In second are Benfica, with Sporting nine points behind Porto in third.

If Porto can’t get the right result at the Bridge, they will still be favourites to retain the title, the only other trophy in their sights, having already been knocked out of the cup. Their home record is almost perfect in the league, having won nine and lost one of their ten games. The key game is likely to be an April 1 encounter with second-placed Benfica. Porto will visit a team with an even more fearsome home record than their own. Fernando Santos’ men have won nine and drawn one of their ten home games this season and will be confident of getting one over on their big rivals. Before that, Porto must host the other superpower Sporting on the 18th of this month. Sporting are actually unbeaten away from home but have drawn five of their 11 games. Sounds like another close encounter.

Should Porto knock Chelsea out, they will believe the sky is the limit and that a repeat of their 2004 triumph under Mourinho is not beyond them. But they would arguably be rank outsiders to win the competition, unless PSV Eindhoven can send Arsenal crashing out.

Porto may be missing many of the key protagonists that triumphed over Monaco in that final, but in the likes of Ricardo Quaresma and Lucho Gonzalez they have players to grace the Champions League, players who many of their rivals would love to have in their squads.

Who Will It Be?

On their last visit to London, Porto failed to impress in a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal. They barely created a chance and with the exception of a long period of possession in the first-half, were second best throughout. A similar performance will see them knocked out of the competition. There is likely to be an improvement on that display, but Chelsea should still go through.

== KK == · 05-03-07, 14:58

Valencia striker David Villa has stressed the magnitude of Tuesday evening’s Champions League second round second-leg clash with Inter.

The Spanish international was a scorer in the 2-2 first-leg draw between the sides at the San Siro.

He said: "It is the most important game we have played until now, although we hope to play even more important games during this season. It is a vital knockout because we all want to be in the following round and to win would eliminate a rival who is very difficult and hard. We'll see if we can produce a great performance.

"Inter's record of 33 games without defeat is spectacular. But Valencia also have quality and we must turn the Mestalla into a bunker tomorrow night. They know they must score, but I don't expect them to go crazy from the first whistle.

"Hopefully I can score again like I did at the San Siro. But the most important thing is we progress. To get to the final eight of the Champions League will be a very proud moment."

== KK == · 05-03-07, 15:05

Frank Rijkaard believes that the pressure is all on Liverpool as he takes his FC Barcelona side to Anfield for the second leg of their Champions League tie on Tuesday evening.

The Dutch boss knows what a huge task the Blaugrana face if they are to come back from losing the first leg at Camp Nou and is under no illusions as to what is needed.
One advantage he does believe that his team have, however, is that the general feeling is that the Reds are already through and that could cause them to slip up.

"It will be a special match," Rijkaard told Catalan daily newspaper, Sport. "Analysing it calmly, we know that it will be very difficult for us and we cannot waste any chance that comes our way.

"I think that we just have to forget about the pressure if we want to play our best in what will be difficult circumstances.

"We will be playing in a difficult stadium, very difficult, in what will be a wonderful atmosphere for the home team.

"Having lost at Camp Nou we have nothing to lose as it is will be more an occasion for Liverpool to put on a show in front of their fans.

"I think all the pressure of this game will be on them, not us."

Rijkaard then returned to his usual mantra of ensuring that the team does its work and maintains the mentality that has brought so much success in recent seasons.

"Everything will be defined by the result," he continued. "We know what is at stake, but we could talk about this all the time because the only thing that I ask for is that the team goes out plays well and does the job.

"They have the advantage, but as they have to hold on to a lead I think we will not be under pressure.

"We will go out with the same mentality as always, but we know how tough it is going to be.

"Everyone appears to think that Liverpool have already won the tie, so that creates pressure for them."

With Barça needing to score at least two goals, Rijkaard knows that attacking will be paramount, but he is also cautious about not risking everything in order to create chances.

"We have to score and for that we will have to attack, but we must be intelligent about it," he stated.

"I think that we can cause a few surprises, but they are n front and are strong at the back and will be prepared to be patient.

"That is the reason I think it will be so hard."

== KK == · 05-03-07, 15:09

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard insists that nobody in the team is thinking that the Barcelona clash is over.

"We know this tie's not over," said Gerrard. "We've got to go into the second leg with the attitude that it's nil-nil.

"We won't be going into it overconfident, showing off that we're 2-1 up. We know we need the same work ethic as we got before."

However, he believes people will have taken note of their Camp Nou display.

"We proved two years ago that we can win this competition and on the Barcelona performance people will take note that we can go and do the same again," he said.

"It's up there with the best, a fantastic result, though it's still not over. In the first 20 minutes to half an hour they showed what a good side they are.

"But we got our game plan spot on. People were expecting us to be camped on our 18-yard box, but the manager in his team talks told us to be positive.

"A lot of teams go there and play five at the back or five in midfield, but while showing Barcelona respect we went 4-4-2 and were confident we could get a result. We'd have taken a draw before the game, but to get a win was a massive bonus.

"There was a great atmosphere in the dressing room before the game; we knew that we needed a team performance to get a result and that's what we got. People were looking for problems but didn't see any, you saw a solid team performance with players working hard for each other."

== KK == · 05-03-07, 15:21

Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o has revealed that he has demanded that coach Frank Rijkaard play him against Liverpool on Tuesday evening. He also suggested that he has an eye on a move to the Premiership.

Rijkaard has been keeping Samuel Eto'o - who has only just returned from a knee injury - for the Liverpool game, and the Cameroon international has revealed he has demaded that the coach play him.

"England is a sensational country for football, and any time I leave, that will be my destination, because the Premiership is fantastic for strikers," Eto'o told the News of the World, hinting that a move to England was at the back of his mind.

There has already been speculation that he could be on the way out in the summer after a rift with Frank Rijkaard and Ronaldinho.

He also revealed that he had a couple of London clubs already in mind: "Arsenal and Chelsea have caught my attention in the last few months, although there has been no definite contact.

"Jose Mourinho is a good coach and I believe he is a fan of mine."

However, the Barca man insisted he was only keen to help Barcelona at the moment.

"For the moment I can think only of Barcelona, and have demanded of Rijkaard that he plays me against Liverpool," he revealed.

"It's going to be hard, and we must concentrate from the first minute because we can't afford to give them chances like we did at the Nou Camp.

"I dream of playing in the final of the Champions League again. I truly believe we are superior to Liverpool and I still think our moment will come in this tie."

Liverpool are also supposedly interested in Cameroon international.