British clubs await European fate

 

 

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ODDS*

3/1 Man Utd :dance:

4/1 Barcelona

5/1 Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool

8/1 Roma

20/1 Fenerbahce

28/1 Schalke

 

An unprecedented four English clubs await the quarter-final draw for the Champions League on Friday at 1200 GMT.

 

Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United join Barcelona, Roma, Schalke 04 and Fenerbahce in the hat.

 

There are no seedings and no country protection, meaning the English clubs could be drawn against each other.

 

The semi-final pairings will also be decided, while Rangers will learn their last-eight opponents in the Uefa Cup when the draw is made at 1300 GMT.

 

Rangers will hope to avoid tournament favourites Bayern Munich, while Sporting, Fiorentina, Getafe, Bayer Leverkusen, PSV and Zenit St Petersburg are the other teams lying in wait.

 

Walter Smith's side are the last remaining British representative in the Uefa Cup after Tottenham and Everton suffered agonising defeats on penalties on Wednesday, while a 1-0 defeat for Bolton confirmed their exit to Sporting Lisbon on Thursday.

 

English teams have proved unstoppable so far in the Champions League and this year is the first in which four clubs from the same country have reached the last eight.

 

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists he is not worried about coming up against a domestic rival.

 

"We will relish the chance to face another English team in the quarter-finals if that happens," said Ferguson.

 

But Chelsea captain John Terry, whose side have lost to Liverpool in the semi-finals in two of the last three seasons, would prefer to avoid English opposition - at least for now.

 

"Hopefully we can avoid other English teams but if we are drawn together we have to beat them," he said.

 

"We've missed out in this competition on a few occasions and we want to make the final step and get our hands on the trophy."

 

The success of the Premier League's 'Big Four' has raised hopes of an all-English final for the first time in history.

 

But Spanish giants Barcelona are among the other four teams hoping to prevent such an event.

 

The former champions, who have slipped back in the race for La Liga, eased past Celtic in the last round and have won all their matches except two in this year's competition.

 

Roma ensured Italy have one representative in the last eight with a surprise win over Real Madrid.

 

They will be hoping to avoid Manchester United after suffering a 7-1 drubbing at Old Trafford in last year's quarter-finals. :D

 

Fenerbahce and Schalke are through to the last eight for the first time in their history.

 

The Turkish champions came through a thrilling last-16 tie against Sevilla on penalties, while Schalke also needed penalties to upset twice former champions Porto.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7294599.stm

Apparently......., I kid you not, the draw was fixed:

 

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/2008/03/14/mystery-as-champions-league-draw-appears-on-internet-two-hours-early-89520-20351088/

Schalke 04 - Barcelona CF :o

 

Haha! Bye bye Schalke! :cool:

Apparently......., I kid you not, the draw was fixed:

 

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/2008/03/14/mystery-as-champions-league-draw-appears-on-internet-two-hours-early-89520-20351088/

 

Because someone managed to do the 'impossible' task of predicting the 4 match-ups, hardly rocket-science.

 

If he/she had managed to predict 16 or maybe even 8 matchups correctly, then it might start smelling a bit of fixed, but 4 match-ups is easy to predict.

I pity the Man Utd fans, having to travel to Rome for a 3rd time in 2 years.

 

*hands out stab-proof vests to all fans*

Free Uefa tickets for Gers fans

Rangers have bought their entire ticket allocation for the away leg of the Uefa Cup tie with Sporting Lisbon and will give them out free to travelling fans.

 

2,500 supporters will gain free entry based on their previous travel history.

 

"This gesture is a big thank you to our supporters who have shown extraordinary commitment this season," said chief executive Martin Bain.

 

Meanwhile, chairman Sir David Murray has vowed to "invest heavily" in players this summer.

 

Murray, who also announced a freeze in season ticket costs and a reduction for juvenile season tickets, said: "It is obvious we are going to strengthen.

 

"There was money available to manager Walter Smith in January - several millions of pounds to spend - and he chose not to.

 

"We will make resources available to Walter in the summer. We're on the way up as a club.

 

"The turnaround from this time last year when we were losing to St Johnstone and Dunfermline is simply remarkable."

 

Rangers host Sporting in the Uefa Cup quarter-final on 3 April, with the second leg a week later in Portugal.

 

Story from BBC SPORT:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/7310358.stm

Roma v Man Utd

 

Come on United :dance:

Ferguson concern over Rome return

 

Ferguson took a training session with his players in Rome on Monday

 

Sir Alex Ferguson admits he is worried Manchester United's Champions League quarter-final against Roma could be marred by crowd trouble.

 

Police in Rome have mounted a major security operation ahead of Tuesday's game after violence during last season's meeting between the two.

 

"After the experience of last year it is a concern," Ferguson said.

 

"But I think the police have been working hard to ensure it doesn't happen again."

 

The last two games between the sides in the Italian capital have been marred by crowd trouble and four United supporters are still in jail following violence last December.

 

Tournament organiser Uefa has warned it may take next year's final away from Rome if there is any repeat of those scenes.

 

A Uefa spokesman said: "There has been great progress made inside Rome's Olympic Stadium but the attacks one kilometre from the stadium worry us.

 

"The police say they cannot control the city and that is not satisfactory. If we see a repeat of what we have seen so far it may be wise to move the 2009 Champions League final from Rome.

 

"Knifings are attempted murder. We cannot be held hostage by a few criminals."

 

Ferguson added: "For the reputation of both our teams we hope it is a good game, a competitive game.

 

"There is rivalry among the fans, there is nothing wrong with that, but as long as it stays the rivalry of supporting your own team then we can go home happy in the knowledge that everything has gone peacefully."

 

About 4,000 United fans have travelled to Italy for the game, and BBC Sport's John Murray, who is in Rome, said there had been no news of trouble overnight.

 

With Ronaldo and others, Ferguson is confident of success in Europe

 

United beat Roma 8-3 on aggregate in the quarter-finals last season, with a 7-1 demolition of the Italian side at Old Trafford following a 2-1 defeat in Rome.

 

Roma boss Luciano Spalletti said: "Last time I gave Ferguson some great wine as a gift, but this time there will be no wine and no gifts - on the field or off the field," Spalletti said.

 

"We gave them seven last time and there can be no repeat. Manchester United are the best team in the world but we are motivated to beat them.

 

"United have some sensational players, but it is a long time since they have got a very important win abroad.

 

"They are fantastic at Old Trafford as they showed against us last year, but they are not quite the same away from home."

 

But Ferguson is optimistic his side can go all the way this season and add another Champions League title to the one United won in 1999.

 

"It is going to be hard but we have the players who can make us successful," he said.

 

"They are confident about expressing themselves and they enjoy playing.

 

"This is probably my best squad ever in terms of completeness.

 

"The one things these lads have is the quality to play on the big occasion. In that sense, it is like 1999.

 

"They are very confident - Nani, [Cristiano] Ronaldo, Anderson, [Wayne] Rooney. It gives you hope they can handle big occasions like that.

 

"You want to see them express themselves and be fearless. I am not slightly worried about their temperament."

 

Roma talisman Totti will miss Tuesday's game against United

 

Ferguson said he felt Ronaldo, who has scored a remarkable 35 goals so far this season, was offered more protection from referees in European competition than he gets in England.

 

"In Spain and Italy there is far more protection for the player with the ball. That is good," he said.

 

"The English game is built on real passion and speed. You do not get these games every week in Europe.

 

"There it is played at a more leisurely pace, then speeds up in the last third.

 

"Our games sees a tackle every 30 seconds so there is more risk of injury.

 

"But the English game will change now. It has to after the incident involving the Arsenal player."

 

That was a reference to Croatian Eduardo da Silva, who is expected to be out for nine months after suffering a bad leg break in a tackle by Birmingham's Martin Taylor in February.

 

United warmed up for Tuesday's big game in Rome with a superb 4-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday to retain their lead five-point lead at the top of the Premiership.

 

Rooney ended his six-match goal drought with a brace against Villa and is expecting United to take their form into Europe.

 

"Roma is going to be a massive game for us and we prepared the right way with the win against Villa," said the England striker.

 

"To be at this club, with the football we play, is brilliant. It's something every player would want to be part of."

 

Spalletti, who is missing captain and talisman Francesco Totti through injury for the first leg, is confident his team will rise to the occasion this time against Ferguson's men.

 

"These are special games, which bring something extra out of the players," he said.

 

"We are, as always, well prepared with the right sort of calmness to go out and express the right characteristics and the right quality."

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7322640.stm

that's Vidic out for the season :rolleyes:

Roma 0-1 Man Utd (Ronaldo 39) :dance:

Watched this channel which is showing both games simultaneously. Schalke is so damn bad! They don't deserve to reach the next round. Hope Barca will kick them out today. :) Roma-ManU is a bit boring, but nice goal by Ronaldo.

 

I wonder which cameras "Premiere" uses today for the Schalke match. :o Some of the replays are looking incredibly good... You may count the blades of grass. :D

Roma 0-2 (Rooney 66) :dance: :dance:

:cry: I hate man utd.

 

lol

 

COME ON ARSENAL...

 

tomorrow! :lol:

Christina was diving all over the pitch.....when in Rome :rolleyes:

 

That frickin Viva Ronaldo song makes me want to puke!

Christina was diving all over the pitch.....when in Rome :rolleyes:

 

That frickin Viva Ronaldo song makes me want to puke!

 

sounds just like something he would do.

 

none of their goals came from penalties did they?

 

it's hurt me doubly because on football manager 2008, I manage AS Roman,

and We're winning the league, my Roma team would NOT allow this result! :laugh3:

sounds just like something he would do.

 

none of their goals came from penalties did they?

 

it's hurt me doubly because on football manager 2008, I manage AS Roman,

and We're winning the league, my Roma team would NOT allow this result! :laugh3:

No pens, but Rooney goal was from a Roma fuck-up. Thankfully the refs were not falling for it and should have given the poncy little twat a card for diving. :angry:

Now : ARSENAL 1-1 LIVERPOOL on TV

Come on Arsenal!

I'm watching the football match too on TV (1-1)

Fenerbahce - Chelsea 2:1

 

Second Turkish goal... goal of the year?! :shocked2:

 

I think so! ;) Incredible!!!

 

Don't really want to be in Berlin in a few minutes... :P

Poor Chelsea, after-all didn't all the pundits say they had the easiest tie of the round.

 

--------

Random question, in a 2-legged tie, do you think it's better to have the first leg at home or better to have the second leg at home?

I'd prefer the second leg at home, even the English playoffs are 6th v 3rd then 3rd v 6th

Not happy with the arsenal result, We were at home and now we have to beat liverpool at anfield, which won't be easy, I think we can do it but we'll have to try and get them figured out in the game against them at the weekend in the league.

 

Never put down arsenal away from home, afterall we beat AC Milan at the San siro last.

 

I'm hoping for another spectacular Fabregas goal. or an astonishing van persie comeback.

Not happy with the arsenal result, We were at home and now we have to beat liverpool at anfield, which won't be easy, I think we can do it but we'll have to try and get them figured out in the game against them at the weekend in the league.

 

Never put down arsenal away from home, afterall we beat AC Milan at the San siro last.

 

I'm hoping for another spectacular Fabregas goal. or an astonishing van persie comeback.

 

Or you can draw 2-2 and go though

Kaka tips English clubs for glory

 

Kaka has great expectations for fellow countryman Pato

 

Brazilian Fifa world player of the year Kaka believes any of the four English clubs could win the Champions League.

 

English teams have won the trophy only twice in the 15 years since the Premier League was formed but the AC Milan midfielder, 25, expects that to change.

 

He told BBC Sport: "Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are all excellent and any of them could win it.

 

"I believe all the four English clubs have a great chance of making it all the way to the final in Moscow in May."

 

All four English teams have a chance to progress when the quarter-final second legs take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, with only one definitely going out because Liverpool face Arsenal.

 

Kaka, who won the competition with Milan in 2007, added: "In the last five or six years, English teams have improved a lot and they are consistently at a high level now.

 

"But you cannot rule out the other big clubs involved still, such as Barcelona."

 

Kaka, who is also the reigning Golden Ball winner and FifPro world player of the year, would not rule out playing for one of the Premier League's big clubs in the future.

 

"I am very happy here in Milan but if one day I had to leave I would like to play in another big European team," confirmed the former Sao Paulo star.

 

"The biggest clubs are in Italy, England and Spain so it would be in one of these countries, although it is clear they play differently in these places.

 

"I can compare Spain to Brazil as they play a similar type of game, the way the players play.

 

"The leagues are very similar in the sense that all the teams play very tactically and it is very difficult to score goals.

 

"I think these three championships are the most important in the world at the present moment, all very good and competitive."

 

Kaka has played for Milan since 2003 when he signed from Sao Paulo for £4.25m. In his time in Italy he came up against England coach Fabio Capello many times - when the Italian was at Roma and Juventus.

 

Kaka says he believes the Football Association have made a very shrewd appointment, despite the criticism they received for appointing another foreigner in the England post.

 

"I don't think there is any doubt that Fabio Capello is a very fine manager," said Kaka. "I believe he can win a lot with the England team in the time he spends as the national team manager.

 

"It would have been something new if Capello had been the first foreign coach with England but Swede Sven-Goran Eriksson has already been there.

 

"Brazil has always had a Brazilian coach and the same for Italy but in England it has happened before so it's not a big deal having a foreign coach."

 

Kaka has dropped below his usual sublime standards this season, with Milan lying in fifth place in Serie A and losing to Arsenal in the last 16 of the Champions League too.

 

But, despite his inconsistent form and a season disrupted by tendinitis in his knee, Kaka wants to experience the high of being named the world's best player again.

 

"It was a big honour to win the award, there are a lot of players in the world and to come first was a great feeling," he revealed.

 

"I'm very happy to have had that and I would like to win it again because the sensation of winning that type of award is unique.

 

"I don't think I am the best player in the world, I just think I'm one of the best, with others such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto'o."

 

Kaka also predicts his Brazilian team-mate at Milan, 18-year-old striking sensation Alexandre Pato, will join him as a winner of the top individual prize in football one day.

 

"As for Pato, he is an amazing player. He is very young though, only 18-years-old," commented Kaka.

 

"He has an incredible future ahead of him and he can do a lot of things with Milan. He needs to be allowed to grow and to improve without too much pressure on him."

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7290977.stm