In the 24 years Sir Alex Ferguson has been manager of Manchester United, There is not much he hasn’t felt, not much he hasn’t seen and certainly not much he hasn’t dealt with.
As he revealed for the first time however that Wayne Rooney wanted to leave the club, there was a sense of massive disappointment that has usually been reserved for some regrettable results in the past and not want away players. As Ferguson sat there perplexed as to why Rooney would want to leave especially after all the help, time and energy he and the club had given to the striker, he was at a loss to explain the player’s motives.
Ferguson has seen many a player come and go and many notable names to add to that but never has he cut such an upset and disillusioned figure. When on field lieutenant, Roy Keane breached club rules and had to be shipped out; Fergie barely batted an eye lid. And when Cristiano Ronaldo expressed his desire to become a galatico, Ferguson reluctantly accepted. But Rooney was always different. He may not have received the same level of on field praise as Ronaldo nor had the same leadership qualities as Keane but he has always been Ferguson’s Mr reliable, a talismanic figure if you must.
When Fergie had a task and needed a man for the job, Rooney would always be selfless and give his all for the team. If a player was caught out of position, lo and behold who would be there running back to cover or 9 times out of 10 successfully challenge? Wayne. He may have had his critics out there particularly after his performances in South Africa and start to the current season but there’s no denying his talent and skill.
He has always possessed that workman like fight and determination born from his upbringing on the tough streets of Liverpool mixed with a natural deft and technique. He embodies the phrase jack of all trades, master of none as there is not much he cannot do on the pitch and he is the sort of figure who, with his fire, can lift his team out of the most dormant of slumbers as he has done on many occasions for United. A quality, Ferguson can ill afford to lose at the moment.
Ferguson has very rarely admitted defeat when it comes to player power. He is a staunch believer of running the club with an iron fist where he sees fit but in an age where the agent is the strong kryptonite of a football manager and players seem to possess more power than the law of the land, he has had no choice to all but concede defeat to the demands of Rooney. He has made the unprecedented step of leaving the door open for Rooney to stay and sign a new contract, something that has never been done. Does this show signs of Ferguson abating and finally giving in to how play ball with a modern day footballer? Maybe, but it could also mean just how much he actually values Rooney and hopes his feelings can be changed.
After all, it wasn’t long ago that Rooney laughed off talk of a move, “Why would I want to move anywhere else, I’m playing for the biggest club in the world and have my family very close, I want to stay here for the rest of my career.”
Tuesday 19 October 2010
Sunday 13 June 2010
Goal feast shouldn't be expected after goal fest
Finally there has been a match that has provided goals. Germany’s 4-0 crushing of Australia seems to not only have delighted fans of the three time world champions but also fans universally. The reason being? Simply because tournament is yet to come to life.
To be fair, the tournament is only three days old but fans were starting to complain that South Africa 2010 was yet to depict the colour and drama that had been portrayed so wonderfully in the opening ceremony. Fans however, have to understand that with football evolving from the wonderful carefree game it once used to be to the capitalistic business orientated game it has become now, much more is at stake. The end to end open games that may have once taken place in tournaments of years gone by will not be the order of the day for the opening game of a countries world cup campaign.
The aim for most teams in a tournament as important as this is to not lose the first game because of the pressure and danger the result may bring. This does not mean that teams will not be going all out to win the game because they will. It just means the all out plan to win a game will have a different definition to what we think it may mean.
While we, the fans, may think of the ‘all out’ method to be kamikaze attacking football, players and especially managers will try to implement a more conservative approach so they do not leave themselves exposed. They will be trying instead to create as much as they can within reason, taking those chances clinically at the same time. More a case of not going all out to win but instead going all out not to lose.
A perfect example of this was the match between England’s other opponents in group C, Algeria and Slovenia. This certainly was no classic in terms of the football on show but both teams tried to be tight at the back while still creating chances, albeit not many, to try and win the match knowing a draw, especially after England and America’s result, would not mean the end of the world. Instead Slovenia went on to win the match late on with, ironically, another goalkeeping era from the Algerian keeper. France v Uruguay was another example of a lack of urgency to win the game as the slightest mistake could cost either team a valuable point that could make all the difference when it comes down to final standings in the group.
Teams that come up against each other in the opening games are trying to find their feet and it shouldn’t be forgotten that nerves can play a part. Yes, you might throw the argument that these men are professionals who have salaries to match, but I dare anyone of you to play on the world’s biggest stage, with the eyes of the world and the pressure of a nation on you. Enough to make the coolest of characters cautious and anxious.
While the German’s displayed a rare goal glut of a performance tonight, it shouldn’t be expected that this is now officially the start of the tournament and good performances. As great a game as it was to watch, you may not get many teams or games that will provide great entertainment for fans until possibly the second round of group stage games where teams will understand and will be able to influence their fate.
To be fair, the tournament is only three days old but fans were starting to complain that South Africa 2010 was yet to depict the colour and drama that had been portrayed so wonderfully in the opening ceremony. Fans however, have to understand that with football evolving from the wonderful carefree game it once used to be to the capitalistic business orientated game it has become now, much more is at stake. The end to end open games that may have once taken place in tournaments of years gone by will not be the order of the day for the opening game of a countries world cup campaign.
The aim for most teams in a tournament as important as this is to not lose the first game because of the pressure and danger the result may bring. This does not mean that teams will not be going all out to win the game because they will. It just means the all out plan to win a game will have a different definition to what we think it may mean.
While we, the fans, may think of the ‘all out’ method to be kamikaze attacking football, players and especially managers will try to implement a more conservative approach so they do not leave themselves exposed. They will be trying instead to create as much as they can within reason, taking those chances clinically at the same time. More a case of not going all out to win but instead going all out not to lose.
A perfect example of this was the match between England’s other opponents in group C, Algeria and Slovenia. This certainly was no classic in terms of the football on show but both teams tried to be tight at the back while still creating chances, albeit not many, to try and win the match knowing a draw, especially after England and America’s result, would not mean the end of the world. Instead Slovenia went on to win the match late on with, ironically, another goalkeeping era from the Algerian keeper. France v Uruguay was another example of a lack of urgency to win the game as the slightest mistake could cost either team a valuable point that could make all the difference when it comes down to final standings in the group.
Teams that come up against each other in the opening games are trying to find their feet and it shouldn’t be forgotten that nerves can play a part. Yes, you might throw the argument that these men are professionals who have salaries to match, but I dare anyone of you to play on the world’s biggest stage, with the eyes of the world and the pressure of a nation on you. Enough to make the coolest of characters cautious and anxious.
While the German’s displayed a rare goal glut of a performance tonight, it shouldn’t be expected that this is now officially the start of the tournament and good performances. As great a game as it was to watch, you may not get many teams or games that will provide great entertainment for fans until possibly the second round of group stage games where teams will understand and will be able to influence their fate.
Friday 11 June 2010
All eyes on South Africa
It’s here. After six years of waiting, doubting and scepticism, it is finally here. The decision to award South Africa the right to host the 2010 Fifa world cup was always going to be met with some disapproval. Not just because it was the first tournament to be held in the African continent but also because of the rocky history of the country itself. Despite expectations riding heavily on the shoulders of the countries taking part, they are lucky as it is only a game. Not so long ago in apartheid South Africa, men and women were prepared to die for a cause and sport was dragged into the centre of the storm.
Throughout the twentieth century, racism was embedded heavily in South African society; the continent itself had been the dominion of European countries. For the white minority in South Africa, black majority rule was a frightening prospect as they feared a similar situation to Zimbabwe, a loss of governance of land and the country they lived in.
Under the apartheid policy, enforced by the government from 1948 right through to 1994, whites and non-whites were segregated in all aspects of life. Non-whites were deprived of citizenship and were provided with services that were far inferior to those that were provided for the whites. To call this policy barbaric is an understatement and the tension the apartheid policy caused amongst the whites and non-whites were also catastrophic. Sport in the country was also heavily affected with the apartheid laws affecting how sport was conducted within the country as whites and non-whites could not play together.
Basil D’Oliveira was one such sportsman affected by the apartheid movement. Born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, D’Oliveira played cricket and was hugely talented but because he was classed as coloured he was not allowed to play first class cricket for South Africa. Instead he moved to England in 1960 and played first class cricket for Worcestershire until eventually gaining his British citizenship in 1964 going on to play test cricket for England in 1966. In 1968 D’Oliveira looked odds on for a place in the test team that was to tour South Africa later on that year after a successful test against Australia but under pressure from the South African government the England selectors dropped him. Ironically, the man called up in place of D’Oliveira suffered a tour ending injury leaving the already embarrassed MMC to pick D’Oliveira. The inclusion of D’Oliveira outraged the South African prime minister and the MCC agreed to cancel the tour in what was seen as a pivotal moment between sport and politics in the apartheid movement.
South Africa started to ease on apartheid in sport in the 1970’s and 80’s as they realised that they could not get away with it anymore. Black golfer, Lee Elder was allowed to compete in the Johannesburg open in 1971 and Errol Tobias became the first black person to play a test for the springbok’s rugby side in 1981. While integration, however big or small, was taking place in sport the social aspect of the apartheid movement in South Africa was still the same. Even after the policy’s end in 1994 tensions remained high between whites and non-whites despite the inauguration of Nelson Mandela as the country’s first black president and his calls for unity.
The first test of social unity within South Africa post apartheid was the rugby world cup in 1995 which they hosted and won. It may be said that it proved that the apartheid era was over by that point but social factors were still certainly prevalent and have been in South Africa despite the apartheid movement being well and truly over.
While South Africa may have hosted numerous cricket and rugby matches, the opportunity of hosting the world cup is on a truly different scale as it will play host to the second biggest sporting event on the planet. It is a chance to show how far they have come in the 16 years since the end of the apartheid era. It is a chance to show how much the social barriers have been broken in the country and to show how capable a continent Africa as a whole is. The slogan for this world cup is Ke nako which translates as celebrate Africa’s humanity. Hopefully the world will be left celebrating this long after the tournament.
Throughout the twentieth century, racism was embedded heavily in South African society; the continent itself had been the dominion of European countries. For the white minority in South Africa, black majority rule was a frightening prospect as they feared a similar situation to Zimbabwe, a loss of governance of land and the country they lived in.
Under the apartheid policy, enforced by the government from 1948 right through to 1994, whites and non-whites were segregated in all aspects of life. Non-whites were deprived of citizenship and were provided with services that were far inferior to those that were provided for the whites. To call this policy barbaric is an understatement and the tension the apartheid policy caused amongst the whites and non-whites were also catastrophic. Sport in the country was also heavily affected with the apartheid laws affecting how sport was conducted within the country as whites and non-whites could not play together.
Basil D’Oliveira was one such sportsman affected by the apartheid movement. Born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, D’Oliveira played cricket and was hugely talented but because he was classed as coloured he was not allowed to play first class cricket for South Africa. Instead he moved to England in 1960 and played first class cricket for Worcestershire until eventually gaining his British citizenship in 1964 going on to play test cricket for England in 1966. In 1968 D’Oliveira looked odds on for a place in the test team that was to tour South Africa later on that year after a successful test against Australia but under pressure from the South African government the England selectors dropped him. Ironically, the man called up in place of D’Oliveira suffered a tour ending injury leaving the already embarrassed MMC to pick D’Oliveira. The inclusion of D’Oliveira outraged the South African prime minister and the MCC agreed to cancel the tour in what was seen as a pivotal moment between sport and politics in the apartheid movement.
South Africa started to ease on apartheid in sport in the 1970’s and 80’s as they realised that they could not get away with it anymore. Black golfer, Lee Elder was allowed to compete in the Johannesburg open in 1971 and Errol Tobias became the first black person to play a test for the springbok’s rugby side in 1981. While integration, however big or small, was taking place in sport the social aspect of the apartheid movement in South Africa was still the same. Even after the policy’s end in 1994 tensions remained high between whites and non-whites despite the inauguration of Nelson Mandela as the country’s first black president and his calls for unity.
The first test of social unity within South Africa post apartheid was the rugby world cup in 1995 which they hosted and won. It may be said that it proved that the apartheid era was over by that point but social factors were still certainly prevalent and have been in South Africa despite the apartheid movement being well and truly over.
While South Africa may have hosted numerous cricket and rugby matches, the opportunity of hosting the world cup is on a truly different scale as it will play host to the second biggest sporting event on the planet. It is a chance to show how far they have come in the 16 years since the end of the apartheid era. It is a chance to show how much the social barriers have been broken in the country and to show how capable a continent Africa as a whole is. The slogan for this world cup is Ke nako which translates as celebrate Africa’s humanity. Hopefully the world will be left celebrating this long after the tournament.
Wednesday 30 December 2009
The best league in the world. The best 10 years in the world
The decision for the elite of English football to breakaway and form an entire new super league was met with much derision and scepticism but 19 years on and the decision has all but answered and shut up every single doubter.
In the last 10 years the Barclays Premier league has become the most dominant and passionate league in Europe. It has created moments that will never be forgotten in the game, it has had as much, if not more, romance than any song or film can describe or portray and has produced so much drama, Bruce Willis would struggle to compete. It has also played host to some of the biggest and best talents in world football and has turned out some of the greatest football matches ever.
Who could ever forget moments like Arsenal’s unbeaten season or the amazing demise of Leeds United, a onetime Champions league club, not to mention Manchester United knocking Liverpool of their f***king perch. Who could ever forget legends like Alan Shearer, Andy Cole, Teddy Sheringham, Tony Adams or the great and ever continuing Ryan Giggs who has seen and experienced it all. Who could ever forget some of the great foreign names to grace and even make their name in this wonderful league like, Eric Cantona, David Ginola, Roy Keane or more recently Thierry Henry
The matches haven’t been bad either. Some consider Liverpool’s dramatic 4-3 win over Newcastle as the best of all time but the 2009 Manchester derby settled by Michael Owen’s late winner was a match for the purists but there have been so many great, great matches it is hard put it all into context and order.
For all the wonderful players to have graced this league it should be said that it has also made its fair share of great players. Who could ever forget Wayne Rooney announcing himself on the big stage as a 16 year old for Everton scoring the winner against the irresistible Arsenal and then scoring a hat trick on his Manchester United debut. The rise and progression of Cesc Fabregas to become the premier league’s new Paul Scholes or the league’s biggest developer, Cristiano Ronaldo who quickly cemented legend like status as possibly the best player to play in the Premiership.
Some of the changes that have been made since its interception have also been astonishing, the main one being the rise of the foreign owner. Roman Abramovich’s transformation of Chelsea turning them from title pretenders to league winners while Manchester City look to attempt a similar blueprint backed by the wealth of Arab money.
While the Premier league has been extraordinary, it should be said that football in general over the last 10 years has been mind blowing, providing moments that are breath taking to the human eye. Liverpool’s stunning win over AC Milan in the 2005 Champions league final after being down 3-0 at half time seemed to sum up the decade in all its unpredictable but dreamy glory. Ronaldinho came and conquered all in his path before capitulating as did Ronaldo while talents such as Lionel Messi and Fernando Torres turned from raw ingredients into the most magnificent dishes the ever changing restaurant of football has to offer.
A moment should also be remembered for the loss of the great but controversial George best who was part of the holy trinity at Manchester United and was the most enigmatic symbol of the Busby babes and of course the passing of the great Sir Bobby Robson who will be forever remembered as the most football passionate man of this generation and possibly any other.
Sky sports should also be given a mention in regard to the grandness of the Premier league as they were a huge influence in the forming of it. They have brought us the best moments and allowed viewers to follow a running narrative as epic and exciting as any soap could be with more twists and turns than a rollercoaster.
It’s hard to put into words just how great the premier league and just football in general has been over the last 10 years. Amazing doesn’t begin to tell the whole story but one thing is for sure. Judging by this decade, the next one should be as every bit exciting. Here's to the next 10 years.
In the last 10 years the Barclays Premier league has become the most dominant and passionate league in Europe. It has created moments that will never be forgotten in the game, it has had as much, if not more, romance than any song or film can describe or portray and has produced so much drama, Bruce Willis would struggle to compete. It has also played host to some of the biggest and best talents in world football and has turned out some of the greatest football matches ever.
Who could ever forget moments like Arsenal’s unbeaten season or the amazing demise of Leeds United, a onetime Champions league club, not to mention Manchester United knocking Liverpool of their f***king perch. Who could ever forget legends like Alan Shearer, Andy Cole, Teddy Sheringham, Tony Adams or the great and ever continuing Ryan Giggs who has seen and experienced it all. Who could ever forget some of the great foreign names to grace and even make their name in this wonderful league like, Eric Cantona, David Ginola, Roy Keane or more recently Thierry Henry
The matches haven’t been bad either. Some consider Liverpool’s dramatic 4-3 win over Newcastle as the best of all time but the 2009 Manchester derby settled by Michael Owen’s late winner was a match for the purists but there have been so many great, great matches it is hard put it all into context and order.
For all the wonderful players to have graced this league it should be said that it has also made its fair share of great players. Who could ever forget Wayne Rooney announcing himself on the big stage as a 16 year old for Everton scoring the winner against the irresistible Arsenal and then scoring a hat trick on his Manchester United debut. The rise and progression of Cesc Fabregas to become the premier league’s new Paul Scholes or the league’s biggest developer, Cristiano Ronaldo who quickly cemented legend like status as possibly the best player to play in the Premiership.
Some of the changes that have been made since its interception have also been astonishing, the main one being the rise of the foreign owner. Roman Abramovich’s transformation of Chelsea turning them from title pretenders to league winners while Manchester City look to attempt a similar blueprint backed by the wealth of Arab money.
While the Premier league has been extraordinary, it should be said that football in general over the last 10 years has been mind blowing, providing moments that are breath taking to the human eye. Liverpool’s stunning win over AC Milan in the 2005 Champions league final after being down 3-0 at half time seemed to sum up the decade in all its unpredictable but dreamy glory. Ronaldinho came and conquered all in his path before capitulating as did Ronaldo while talents such as Lionel Messi and Fernando Torres turned from raw ingredients into the most magnificent dishes the ever changing restaurant of football has to offer.
A moment should also be remembered for the loss of the great but controversial George best who was part of the holy trinity at Manchester United and was the most enigmatic symbol of the Busby babes and of course the passing of the great Sir Bobby Robson who will be forever remembered as the most football passionate man of this generation and possibly any other.
Sky sports should also be given a mention in regard to the grandness of the Premier league as they were a huge influence in the forming of it. They have brought us the best moments and allowed viewers to follow a running narrative as epic and exciting as any soap could be with more twists and turns than a rollercoaster.
It’s hard to put into words just how great the premier league and just football in general has been over the last 10 years. Amazing doesn’t begin to tell the whole story but one thing is for sure. Judging by this decade, the next one should be as every bit exciting. Here's to the next 10 years.
Monday 21 December 2009
City life harder than it looks...
Mark Hughes departure from Manchester City should cause no shocks or surprises to the clubs’ fans or the football world in general. A surprise however, was the timing of the decision which was announced an hour and a half after City’s epic 4-3 win over Sunderland lifting them to a respectable sixth in the table. An even bigger surprise though, was City’s mega rich owner’s decision to appoint charismatic Italian coach Roberto Mancini.
Hughes was always under scrutiny from the start. The fact he was not the owners choice as manager always meant that the pressure was on but despite that he was given a chance. The board backed him handsomely with Hughes spending well over £100 million as well as breaking the British transfer record in the process and moulding a squad in his fashion.
The aim was simple. Finish fourth and acquire Champions league football which was the first step in the owner’s vision to future premier league domination. To be fair to Hughes, City are still on target to reach the aims set out, making his dismissal all the harsher. The club currently lie sixth in the table six points behind Aston Villa who occupy fourth place with the luxury of having a game in hand too.
It can only be speculation as to what Hughes may have achieved if given till the end of the season but his sacking certainly shows something had been arranged to replace him at some point. It was assumed Hughes would’ve got until then at which time the club would strongly court Guus Hiddink or Jose Mourinho for the job.
City’s decision to switch personnel mid season is a perplexing one and appointing a manager who has not managed since May last year is even more baffling. The appointment of Roberto Mancini as manager may prove to be popular among the women of Manchester but he is also under pressure to hit the ground running judging by his initial sixth month contract.
The Italian has the same aims as Hughes and the position the club has been left in means it will not be too much of an Italian job to achieve those aims of a top four finish.
Don’t be surprised if more changes will be made at the end of the season whether City claim that top four spot or not.
Hughes was always under scrutiny from the start. The fact he was not the owners choice as manager always meant that the pressure was on but despite that he was given a chance. The board backed him handsomely with Hughes spending well over £100 million as well as breaking the British transfer record in the process and moulding a squad in his fashion.
The aim was simple. Finish fourth and acquire Champions league football which was the first step in the owner’s vision to future premier league domination. To be fair to Hughes, City are still on target to reach the aims set out, making his dismissal all the harsher. The club currently lie sixth in the table six points behind Aston Villa who occupy fourth place with the luxury of having a game in hand too.
It can only be speculation as to what Hughes may have achieved if given till the end of the season but his sacking certainly shows something had been arranged to replace him at some point. It was assumed Hughes would’ve got until then at which time the club would strongly court Guus Hiddink or Jose Mourinho for the job.
City’s decision to switch personnel mid season is a perplexing one and appointing a manager who has not managed since May last year is even more baffling. The appointment of Roberto Mancini as manager may prove to be popular among the women of Manchester but he is also under pressure to hit the ground running judging by his initial sixth month contract.
The Italian has the same aims as Hughes and the position the club has been left in means it will not be too much of an Italian job to achieve those aims of a top four finish.
Don’t be surprised if more changes will be made at the end of the season whether City claim that top four spot or not.
Thursday 17 December 2009
Countdown to Nyon
As Europe’s elite countdown to the draw for the knockout stage of the Champions league in Nyon tomorrow, I take a look at who made it to the last sixteen and how.
Group A, considered a possible group of death, proved to be too difficult for European power houses, Juventus and Bayern Munich. French champions Bordeaux surprised many as they demonstrated themselves to be the groups surprise package and possible dark horses. Les Girondins qualified at a canter – claiming the most points (16) in the group stages, beating Italy’s old lady and the German 4 time winners in the process and only dropping two points in their six matches. Juventus and Munich struggled in the group leaving it to the final group game between the pair for one to ensure making it to the last sixteen. Munich travelled to Turin and thumped the bianconeri 4-1 with Munich keeper Hans Jorg Butt scoring a penalty, helping the Germans to advance through.
Manchester united began European life without superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo in a tough looking Group B which presented them with all new European opponents. Containing German and Turkish Champions, Wolfsburg and Besiktas along with 2005 Uefa cup winners Cska Moscow; United started comfortably winning their first three games, including tough trips to Moscow and Turkey. The English champions struggled thereon in drawing and losing their next two games leaving their last game, away to Wolfsburg, to determine whether they finished first or second in the group. A Michael Owen Hat trick sealed top spot and ended the Germans hopes of progressing as Cska beat Besiktas to claim second spot.
All eyes were on Group C as the two most successful teams in the competition, Real Madrid and AC Milan, were pitted against each other along with Swiss minnows, FC Zurich and French club, Marseille. The newly formed Galatico’s, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, stated their intentions with a strong 5-2 victory away to FC Zurich but the Swiss team turned heads and odds with a 1-0 win away to Milan to blow the group wide open. Milan then caused a huge upset of their own by beating Madrid 3-2 in the Bernabeu followed by a pulsating 3-3 draw in the San Siro to state their own credentials as possible champions. As expected, competition top scorers so far this season, Madrid finished as group winners with Milan claiming Second spot ahead of Marseille.
There were no surprises in Group D as Chelsea proved to be the best of the rest. The Blues overcame tricky Spanish and Portuguese tests in the form of Athletico Madrid and Porto but passed with flying colours. Carlo Ancelotti’s men did not lose a game as they eased their way to group winners also becoming the first English team to win a group game in Porto. Spanish side, Madrid were largely disappointing in the competition after a lot was expected of their exciting attacking talent. 2004 winners, Porto earned the tag of dark horses after breezing to second place. After losing Lucho and Lisandro, the Portuguese champions impressed many with their clinical style of play and are a team to be feared in the draw.
Group E provided the biggest shock in the competition as five time winners, Liverpool, failed to reach the knockout stages. After beating Debrecen in their opening game things started to go terribly wrong after that starting with a surprise defeats to Fiorentina and Lyon putting those two teams in the ascendancy. A late Lyon goal conceded by Benitez’s men in France all but sealed their fate paving the way for Fiorentina and Lyon to progress as group champions and runners up respectively. Liverpool will now be drawn into the Europa league.
Last year’s champions Barcelona were given no easy path to qualification as they were pitted with Italian Champions, Inter Milan, Russian champions, Rubin Kazan and Ukrainian champions, Dynamo Kiev. The group, nicknamed the group of champions, proved to be very difficult for the Catalans as it looked at one point they could face elimination after losing to Kazan at home in one of the shocks of the tournament. Pep Guardiola’s men finished strongly to secure a place in the last 16 with the added bonus of finishing top. Mourinho’s, inter, struggled to begin drawing their first three games but just scraped through winning their last game to secure second spot.
Group H was more of a formality than a challenge for Spanish club Sevilla as they breezed through a group including Scottish club, Rangers, German team, Stuttgart and Romanian outfit, Unirea. The Spaniards won their first three games comfortably with the stand out match a 4-1 victory away at a hostile Ibrox, booking their place in the knockout stages. The battle for second place went right down to the wire between Unirea and Stuttgart with the 2007 Bundesliga champions coming out on top with a 3-1 victory of former Chelsea player, Dan Petrescu’s, team.
Arsenal probably had the easiest group out of all the English teams with Standard Liege, AZ Alkmaar and Olympiacos as their competition and the gunners took full advantage in Group G. After a scare in the opening match against Standard going 2-0 down, Wengers men came back to win the match 3-2 and never looked back from their winning four and drawing one to top the group. Greek champions, Olympiacos, finished second in the group creating history at the same time. Liege finished third and qualified for the Europa league no thanks to their keeper, Sinan Bolat. Bolat headed a late equaliser to ensure his team will still be playing European football and confirmed his name in the history books as he became the first keeper to score in open play in the Champions league.
Group A, considered a possible group of death, proved to be too difficult for European power houses, Juventus and Bayern Munich. French champions Bordeaux surprised many as they demonstrated themselves to be the groups surprise package and possible dark horses. Les Girondins qualified at a canter – claiming the most points (16) in the group stages, beating Italy’s old lady and the German 4 time winners in the process and only dropping two points in their six matches. Juventus and Munich struggled in the group leaving it to the final group game between the pair for one to ensure making it to the last sixteen. Munich travelled to Turin and thumped the bianconeri 4-1 with Munich keeper Hans Jorg Butt scoring a penalty, helping the Germans to advance through.
Manchester united began European life without superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo in a tough looking Group B which presented them with all new European opponents. Containing German and Turkish Champions, Wolfsburg and Besiktas along with 2005 Uefa cup winners Cska Moscow; United started comfortably winning their first three games, including tough trips to Moscow and Turkey. The English champions struggled thereon in drawing and losing their next two games leaving their last game, away to Wolfsburg, to determine whether they finished first or second in the group. A Michael Owen Hat trick sealed top spot and ended the Germans hopes of progressing as Cska beat Besiktas to claim second spot.
All eyes were on Group C as the two most successful teams in the competition, Real Madrid and AC Milan, were pitted against each other along with Swiss minnows, FC Zurich and French club, Marseille. The newly formed Galatico’s, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, stated their intentions with a strong 5-2 victory away to FC Zurich but the Swiss team turned heads and odds with a 1-0 win away to Milan to blow the group wide open. Milan then caused a huge upset of their own by beating Madrid 3-2 in the Bernabeu followed by a pulsating 3-3 draw in the San Siro to state their own credentials as possible champions. As expected, competition top scorers so far this season, Madrid finished as group winners with Milan claiming Second spot ahead of Marseille.
There were no surprises in Group D as Chelsea proved to be the best of the rest. The Blues overcame tricky Spanish and Portuguese tests in the form of Athletico Madrid and Porto but passed with flying colours. Carlo Ancelotti’s men did not lose a game as they eased their way to group winners also becoming the first English team to win a group game in Porto. Spanish side, Madrid were largely disappointing in the competition after a lot was expected of their exciting attacking talent. 2004 winners, Porto earned the tag of dark horses after breezing to second place. After losing Lucho and Lisandro, the Portuguese champions impressed many with their clinical style of play and are a team to be feared in the draw.
Group E provided the biggest shock in the competition as five time winners, Liverpool, failed to reach the knockout stages. After beating Debrecen in their opening game things started to go terribly wrong after that starting with a surprise defeats to Fiorentina and Lyon putting those two teams in the ascendancy. A late Lyon goal conceded by Benitez’s men in France all but sealed their fate paving the way for Fiorentina and Lyon to progress as group champions and runners up respectively. Liverpool will now be drawn into the Europa league.
Last year’s champions Barcelona were given no easy path to qualification as they were pitted with Italian Champions, Inter Milan, Russian champions, Rubin Kazan and Ukrainian champions, Dynamo Kiev. The group, nicknamed the group of champions, proved to be very difficult for the Catalans as it looked at one point they could face elimination after losing to Kazan at home in one of the shocks of the tournament. Pep Guardiola’s men finished strongly to secure a place in the last 16 with the added bonus of finishing top. Mourinho’s, inter, struggled to begin drawing their first three games but just scraped through winning their last game to secure second spot.
Group H was more of a formality than a challenge for Spanish club Sevilla as they breezed through a group including Scottish club, Rangers, German team, Stuttgart and Romanian outfit, Unirea. The Spaniards won their first three games comfortably with the stand out match a 4-1 victory away at a hostile Ibrox, booking their place in the knockout stages. The battle for second place went right down to the wire between Unirea and Stuttgart with the 2007 Bundesliga champions coming out on top with a 3-1 victory of former Chelsea player, Dan Petrescu’s, team.
Arsenal probably had the easiest group out of all the English teams with Standard Liege, AZ Alkmaar and Olympiacos as their competition and the gunners took full advantage in Group G. After a scare in the opening match against Standard going 2-0 down, Wengers men came back to win the match 3-2 and never looked back from their winning four and drawing one to top the group. Greek champions, Olympiacos, finished second in the group creating history at the same time. Liege finished third and qualified for the Europa league no thanks to their keeper, Sinan Bolat. Bolat headed a late equaliser to ensure his team will still be playing European football and confirmed his name in the history books as he became the first keeper to score in open play in the Champions league.
Wednesday 16 December 2009
Testing times continue for Benitez
The situation, Liverpool find themselves in currently is the worst in the history of the club. A club steeped in great history and proud tradition mixed with profound passion. A club, let it be remembered, that are still the most successful outfit in the history of the English game. However, a club that is in danger of a meltdown if their current plight continues.
Tonight’s premiership match against Wigan has never looked so important for Manager, Rafael Benitez. Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Arsenal was the final blow to any chances Liverpool had of challenging for the league title. The club are now a worrying 13 points behind league leaders Chelsea and, more troublingly for the Spaniard, eight points behind Aston villa, who hold fourth spot right now.
Liverpool’s season has disintegrated into disarray after crashing out of the Champions league in the group stages, the first time they’ve missed out on the knockout stages since the 2002-2003 season, and have also suffered further disappointment in the league cup at the hand of the gunners once again. The defeat to Arsenal on Sunday left the Kop ruing another season gone by in the search of that elusive 19th championship leaving only the Europa league and the FA cup as their only chances of silverware this season.
After finishing second in the league last season, challenging United all the way, it looked as if Benitez’s men were heading in the right direction but after taking one step forward last season, Liverpool have taken more than two steps back this, as their seasons looks to be hanging off a cliff.
They have now won three out of their last 15 games and for the size and stature of this club who, pride themselves on winning games it is simply not good enough for any ambitions they harbour or, looking at it now, harboured. It is ironic that Liverpool are on their worst downward spiral in their history on the anniversary when their greatest ever manager, Bill Shankly, took the reins and transformed the fortunes of the club and led them on their path to success.
Benitez has a lot of work to do if he is to stop the undoing of all Shankly’s hard exertions and with the strength of his squad, it looks a hard task. It has become apparent so far this season that the squad Benitez, and only Benitez, has assembled is one of the worst in the clubs history and it will take more than the spirit of Istanbul to achieve anything with them.
The minimum and it could be said, the maximum, the club can aim towards is finishing within the top four to secure Champions league qualification. With the amount of debt American owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillette have placed upon the club, the Champions league is more important to Liverpool than any of the other top four pretenders. Without that revenue next season, the club can forget any hopes of a proposed move to Stanley Park as well as risking losing some of their top stars such as Torres and Mascherano. Benitez has also complained about the lack funds for transfers but without qualification for Europe he can all but forget about making any big signings next year.
It is a real surprise to see just how desperate and concerning things have become at Anfield but if the club does not get their act together soon and improve upon recent form and achieve a top four finish then it could well turn into the meltdown Graeme Souness predicted.
After all we have seen this before. Newcastle United ring any bells?
Tonight’s premiership match against Wigan has never looked so important for Manager, Rafael Benitez. Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Arsenal was the final blow to any chances Liverpool had of challenging for the league title. The club are now a worrying 13 points behind league leaders Chelsea and, more troublingly for the Spaniard, eight points behind Aston villa, who hold fourth spot right now.
Liverpool’s season has disintegrated into disarray after crashing out of the Champions league in the group stages, the first time they’ve missed out on the knockout stages since the 2002-2003 season, and have also suffered further disappointment in the league cup at the hand of the gunners once again. The defeat to Arsenal on Sunday left the Kop ruing another season gone by in the search of that elusive 19th championship leaving only the Europa league and the FA cup as their only chances of silverware this season.
After finishing second in the league last season, challenging United all the way, it looked as if Benitez’s men were heading in the right direction but after taking one step forward last season, Liverpool have taken more than two steps back this, as their seasons looks to be hanging off a cliff.
They have now won three out of their last 15 games and for the size and stature of this club who, pride themselves on winning games it is simply not good enough for any ambitions they harbour or, looking at it now, harboured. It is ironic that Liverpool are on their worst downward spiral in their history on the anniversary when their greatest ever manager, Bill Shankly, took the reins and transformed the fortunes of the club and led them on their path to success.
Benitez has a lot of work to do if he is to stop the undoing of all Shankly’s hard exertions and with the strength of his squad, it looks a hard task. It has become apparent so far this season that the squad Benitez, and only Benitez, has assembled is one of the worst in the clubs history and it will take more than the spirit of Istanbul to achieve anything with them.
The minimum and it could be said, the maximum, the club can aim towards is finishing within the top four to secure Champions league qualification. With the amount of debt American owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillette have placed upon the club, the Champions league is more important to Liverpool than any of the other top four pretenders. Without that revenue next season, the club can forget any hopes of a proposed move to Stanley Park as well as risking losing some of their top stars such as Torres and Mascherano. Benitez has also complained about the lack funds for transfers but without qualification for Europe he can all but forget about making any big signings next year.
It is a real surprise to see just how desperate and concerning things have become at Anfield but if the club does not get their act together soon and improve upon recent form and achieve a top four finish then it could well turn into the meltdown Graeme Souness predicted.
After all we have seen this before. Newcastle United ring any bells?
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