Archive for February 25th, 2009

Champions League Preview: Chelsea vs. Juventus

Wednesday, February 25th, 2009

UEFA Champions League 2008-09 - Chelsea vs. Juventus

This should be a great game between two very well organised and efficient sides. Juventus have got back to winning ways after surprise slip ups against Udinese and against Cagliari and I’m expecting a tough battle when these two sides meet at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night. It will be the first time Juve boss Claudio Ranieri has come up against his former employers (who sacked him in the most unfair of circumstances) and Ranieri would sure love to get one over Abramovich, adding that little bit of extra spice to this momentous occasion.

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Arsenal 1-0 Roma: Van Persie Gives Gunners a Slim Lead, Giallorossi Quite Fortunate in the End (UEFA Champions League Round of 16, First Leg)

Wednesday, February 25th, 2009

UEFA Champions League 2008-09 - Arsenal vs. Roma

It may not have been a 7-1 thumping like at the Old Trafford and it may still keep their chances alive for the second leg, but Tuesday’s Arsenal vs. Roma confirmed one thing for Luciano Spalletti: winning in England is still taboo.

In truth, Giallorossi supporters can find themselves lucky their team leaves the Emirates with only a 1-goal deficit: based on the 90 minutes of action yesterday, the bill to pay could have been far more expensive (the misses of Bendtner and Eboué come to mind). But all excuses for their poor performance aside (the important absences of Juan and Vucinic, coupled with the OMG moments of Simone Loria), the Roma manager will have to do a hell of a lot better at the Olimpico if he hopes continuing his team’s European adventure.

Arsenal's Robin van Persie celebrates after scoring with a penalty shot against AS Roma during their Champions League soccer match at the Emirates stadium in London February 24, 2009. (REUTERS)

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Inter Milan 0-0 Manchester United: José’s Defense Holds, See You at Old Trafford Everyone (UEFA Champions League Round of 16, First Leg)

Wednesday, February 25th, 2009

UEFA Champions League 2008-09 - Inter Milan vs. Manchester Utd

On the positive side, here’s a neat little stat for you: this was José Mourinho’s 13th encounter vs. Sir Alex Ferguson and so far, the Scottish legend has only managed to beat his Portuguese counterpart (wait for it)… once! You better believe it.

You better also believe that if the Nerazzurri play at Old Trafford the way they played this match’s first half, they’ll be out of Europe faster than José can say “Pirla”, and that’s a fact. The final 0-0 between Inter Milan and Manchester United is not such a bad one in itself (it’s the best home draw a team can get), but alas this was a game which also evidenced the tactical & technical superiority of the Red Devils over their Italian opponents, particularly in the first 45 minutes.

One can only hope that José saved some his half-time advice (which remotivated Inter towards playing at least decently in the second half) for the second leg, as the Nerazzurri will be needing every bit of it when they travel to Old Trafford in a match with everything still left to play for.

Manchester United Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo, right, challenges for the ball with Inter Milan forward Davide Santon, left, and Romanian defender Cristian Chivu during a Champions League, Round of 16, first leg soccer match, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Feb.24, 2009. (AP Photo)

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