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Champions League predictions
Well the first round of Champions League group results were fairly predictable, except for Trabzonspor winning at 2010 champions Inter Milan of course.
Here’s my attempt at predicting the scores in this week’s action. If you agree or disagree then please leave a comment below. Don’t worry, registering takes about five seconds.
Playing on Tuesday
Group A
Bayern Munich v Manchester City
City obviously pose a big threat but Bayern have been in such good form I can’t see an away win. 1-1
Napoli v Villarreal
From Tranmere to Bayern Munich in a flash
Dale Jennings may as well be called Roy of the Rovers.
The teenage striker, who only made his first-team debut last season, completed a dream move from English League One (third division) side Tranmere Rovers to German giants Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
Tranmere said the 18-year-old, who scored six goals in 32 appearances and was named League One Apprentice of the Year, had signed for an undisclosed fee.
“This is an amazing opportunity for Dale and one which any younger player would jump at,” Tranmere manager Les Parry told the club’s website.
“Bayern Munich made us a very good offer for Dale and we’re happy for him to progress his career with them in Germany.
“He has had an incredible 12 months with us now and hopefully he’ll go on to do great things at Bayern.”
Such comic book transfers are rare these days but Bayern have made similar moves before with differing results.
Soccer Break Tuesday
AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi seriously believes he can sign Cristiano Ronaldo in the next transfer window. Where did that one come from? Probably because of his frustration with Zlatan ibrahimovic for being sent off for swearing and banned for three games (see Wayne, the punshment is even worse in Italy).
Of course Berlusconi has no chance of landing Ronaldo but he’s a politician and positive thinking can do the world of good.
Speaking of which, Andy Carroll scored a couple of crackers for Liverpool against woefully inconsistent Manchester City last night. How the man he replaced, Fernando Torres, would love to replicate that for Chelsea at Manchester United tonight in the only Champions League quarter-final still open.
Talking of the Champions League, how Bayern Munich would love to be there next season but it is looking jittery in the Bundesliga. Can interim boss Andries Jonker do the job?
Finally, has anyone seen that video of LA Galaxy’s David Beckham kicking balls into distant bins on the beach? Surely some camera trickery????
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Fair enough, I probably missed one there, even though they were largely pants this term, their best playing days weren’t that far away. I’d probably bump them about 20 spots to the high 60′s – low 70′s.
http://www.soccerk.com
Soccer Break Monday
Hello everyone at the start of this new week, where before we talk Champions League and give a reminder of the weekend’s action, there’s news of another foreign takeover.
Arsenal are not enduring the easiest of times on the pitch but on Monday announced that American billionaire Stan Kroenke is taking over the club. Arsenal fans, what are your thoughts? Will this new era usher in drastic changes such as a new manager?
For a weekend recap, the title races in Italy and France look like being the closest, although Manchester United’s pursuers in the Premier League did their best to keep things interesting, and in La Liga Barcelona would appear to have the title won though with several clashes against Real Madrid coming up you never know.
Elsewhere Louis van Gaal was sacked as Bayern Munich coach after a double-winning 2010. The Bavarians are set to hand over their Bundesliga crown, either to leaders Borussia Dortmund or Bayer Leverkusen who again narrowed the gap at the top over the weekend to just five points.
The best of Monday’s football is a Premier League cracker between Manchester City and Liverpool. The Anfield club were rocked by Steven Gerrard’s injury and the news on Friday that he’ll miss the season, though they have other injury worries and are looking nervously over their shoulder as they aim for a European berth for next season.
Looking ahead to this week’s Champions League matches, and Man United v Chelsea looks to be the only tie left in the balance. Here’s an interesting read on Alex Ferguson’s side, whose success is largely down to their scouting policy and the constant influx of talented youngsters into the club.
Finally, here are some transfer rumours to get you talking.
Thanks Fury. Whether you like Kroenke or not, do you see his investment bettering the club? People are quick to point out Arsene Wenger and his talented bunch are challenging every season for honours but the fact remains they haven’t won a trophy since 2005, so the buck has to stop somewhere no? What would you do?
Soccer Break Wednesday
That Champions League and drama undoubtedly go hand in hand was again in evidence after another tense night in Europe, with one blog even describing Inter Milan’s comeback victory over Bayern Munich as one of the best Champions League matches of all time.
As if that’s not enough, a “Little Pea” was scoring a double for Manchester United to send them through to their 11th quarter-final in just 19 years of the competition. No club has reached the last eight on more occasions.
What a night of action. Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar, instrumental in last year’s cup win, made another bad mistake. Are you worried Inter fans?
Despite the nervous ending for Man United it was all smiles in the end, Wayne Rooney in bullish mood after the match.
Looking to join holders Inter and Premier League leaders Man United in the next knockout round on Wednesday are fellow European giants Real Madrid while Chelsea should progress against Copenhagen.
Real, for all their spending and talent, have not reached the quarters since 2004, and failure again at the hands of Olympique Lyon would leave many baffled critics and fans. Do you think with twice Champions League winning coach Jose Mourinho at the helm they have a better chance?
On to Chelsea and rumours that Fernando Torres, badly in need of a goal to boost his confidence, could be rested. Where’s the logic in that?
Soccer Break Tuesday
The pain for Arsenal fans just rolls on it would seem, as a trip to my office’s kitchen confirmed on Monday when I heard two voices grumbling about “Van Persie” and “not enough shots”.
The North London club’s woes of the last two weeks or so have been much publicised, but perhaps at last there is some news to cheer Gunners fans up in the return of former keeper Jens Lehmann? Who would you prefer in goal? Lehmann, or Arsenal’s only currently available goalie Manuel Almunia, in good form in the last two matches against Barcelona and Manchester United?
Keep a close eye out as the signing could be confirmed on Tuesday after Arsenal moved to sign the German late on Monday.
Some very recent news on the earthquake repercussions is that Japan’s J. League has been postponed indefinitely, while news on the international friendlies is due on Wednesday.
Now onto Tuesday’s Champions League matches, including four former winners. Do you agree with these predictions?
Inter Milan must become only the second team in Champions League knockout phase history to overturn a first-leg home defeat with a second leg away win. Some task.
Worth a bet given Bayern’s turbulent last week in which coach Louis van Gaal said he would leave at the end of the season? Bear in mind however that Van Gaal, while at Ajax Amsterdam in the 1995/96 season, was the only coach to achieve this feat according to UEFA statistics.
Soccer Break Monday
Good day everyone and welcome to a new week. Following a great weekend of footballing action and with so much at stake over the next few days in Europe, there is plenty to discuss.
Let’s begin with a look at the FA Cup quarter-finals, and please add the weekend of April 16/17 to your diaries as the Manchester derby will make its way to Wembley for the semi-finals while Stoke face Bolton.
There was drama in Spain (see photo), Barcelona’s thriller in Sevilla ending 1-1 to see their La Liga lead cut to five points.
Could Real yet pip them to the title? And will Real’s highly sought after coach Jose Mourinho remain at the club?
This is a huge week for the Madrid side, who play Olympique Lyon for a place in the Champions League quarter-finals. If statistics are your thing, read on here for the low down ahead of the four last 16 second leg ties this week.
Another two clubs badly in need of a last eight spot, are holders Inter Milan and 2010 runners-up Bayern Munich who were drawn together in the last 16. Will Bayern give their coach Louis van Gaal an end to the season to remember after the Dutchman announced last week he would leave at the end of the season?
The news that dominated the weekend was of course the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Sport, in particular football, is doing its best to bring some cheer to the people, in however small a way.
Very positive thinking Zecaluiz, I hope it rubs off on your team! There is a statistic in Bayern’s favour however. To advance Inter must become only the second team in Champions League knockout phase history to overturn a first leg home defeat with a second leg away win. According to UEFA statistics, the only team to have ever managed that was Ajax Amsterdam during the 1995/96 season, whose coach at the time was current Bayern boss Louis Van Gaal.
Soccer Break – Thursday edition
Good day to you all wherever you may be, and let’s start with some advice from Barcelona defender Dani Alves about his teammate and arguably the best footballer in the world, Lionel Messi.
The fast-passing Catalans snuck past Valencia last night, while over in Germany Raul was making the headlines for scoring the goal that sent Bayern Munich crashing out of the German Cup in the semi-finals.
Could the end be approaching for coach Louis van Gaal?
In other European action, Ligue 1 leaders Lille progressed to the semi-finals of the French Cup, and are being tipped for a domestic double.
News on the owl-kicking footballer is that he is being banned and fined.
And to finish, both sides of the story following Aston Villa’s 3-0 FA Cup defeat to Manchester City.
On the one hand, manager Gerard Houllier was criticised for fielding a weakened side, while the Aston Villa blog says avoiding relegation is their primary concern.
Reuters Champions League podcast
Join us for a look at the first round of matches in the 2010-11 Champions League. Paul Radford, Neil Maidment, Owen Wyatt and Mark Meadows chew the fat with host Kevin Fylan.
Champions League final, Bayern Munich v Inter Milan — live
Join us for tonight’s Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Inter Milan in Madrid. Will it be Louis van Gaal or Jose Mourinho who wins the competition for the second time? Either way, we’re expecting a belting final at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
yeah,have given it all to the tactician jose mourinho.cos he wants to prove himself that he his a world class coach.he will definitely smile home bcos he has all it takes to smile home with the trophy.gud luck.jose
