The championship of the Luxembourg National Division looks as though it will remain with F91 Dudelange, but the UEFA Cup spots appear certain to change.
F91 Dudelange has a remarkable +34 through 16 rounds of the LND, sitting seven points clear of its nearest competitor. For Racing FC and CS Grevenmacher, life is not nearly so good.
Racing lost its UEFA Cup first qualifying round tie against Kalmar (Sweden) by a 10-1 aggregate, one of the worst losses of the competition. Kalmar did go on and win in the next round to show its worth, but 10-1 is ugly no matter how you slice it.
Play in the LND has been no better for Racing. It sits 7th in the league, 16 points shy of the leaders and six points short of a UEFA Cup spot. The best hope for Racing might be in the domestic cup where they are still alive.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
No. 204: Zeta (Montenegro)
Zeta nearly pulled off a big upset in the UEFA Cup's first qualifying round, but it's been all down hill since then for the Montenegrin First League side since then.
The MFL is tied for 50th with Andorra in UEFA. Zeta could have been the team from the lowest-ranked league this year to win, but fell 2-1 in its tie against Interblock Ljubljana (Slovenia). Interblock went on to lose by 3-0 aggregate in the second qualifying round against Hertha BSC of Germany. Zeta earned a 1-1 draw at home in the first match, but lost 0-1 away in the second.
League and domestic cup play has been awful for Zeta, however. Zeta is sixth in the league with just a +1 goal differential. The team is also already out of the domestic cup, losing in the Round of 16.
The MFL is tied for 50th with Andorra in UEFA. Zeta could have been the team from the lowest-ranked league this year to win, but fell 2-1 in its tie against Interblock Ljubljana (Slovenia). Interblock went on to lose by 3-0 aggregate in the second qualifying round against Hertha BSC of Germany. Zeta earned a 1-1 draw at home in the first match, but lost 0-1 away in the second.
League and domestic cup play has been awful for Zeta, however. Zeta is sixth in the league with just a +1 goal differential. The team is also already out of the domestic cup, losing in the Round of 16.
No. 205: Murata (San Marino)
Murata was crushed 9-0 in its Champions League tie against IFK Goteborg (Sweden) in the first qualification round, the worst defeat in the Champions League this year. Goteborg went on to lose 5-3 in its tie against Basel (Switzerland) in the second qualification round.
The Campionato Sammarinese di Calcio hasn't gone all that much better for Murata, last year's champions. Murata is third in Group B, nine points behind group leaders Tre Fiori. Still, third place would be good enough to qualify for the championship playoffs, and Murata (and Juvenes/Dogana) are still alive in the domestic cup which grants the winner a UEFA Cup spot.
The Campionato Sammarinese di Calcio hasn't gone all that much better for Murata, last year's champions. Murata is third in Group B, nine points behind group leaders Tre Fiori. Still, third place would be good enough to qualify for the championship playoffs, and Murata (and Juvenes/Dogana) are still alive in the domestic cup which grants the winner a UEFA Cup spot.
No. 206: Juvenes/Dogana (San Marino)
San Marino's Campionato Sammarinese di Calcio is the 52nd (a.k.a dead last) ranked league in UEFA, which doesn't bode well for the teams playing in it.
Juvenes/Dogana had a fairly competitive UEFA Cup tie against Hapoel Tel Aviv (Israel), losing 3-0 on the road and 2-0 at home. Still, the team is third in it's division (there are two separate, top-flight divisions). That is good enough to make the championship playoffs if it holds that way. The best team in the league has been Tre Fiori, which leads with 26 points and a +25 goal differential.
Juvenes/Dogana had a fairly competitive UEFA Cup tie against Hapoel Tel Aviv (Israel), losing 3-0 on the road and 2-0 at home. Still, the team is third in it's division (there are two separate, top-flight divisions). That is good enough to make the championship playoffs if it holds that way. The best team in the league has been Tre Fiori, which leads with 26 points and a +25 goal differential.
Monday, December 15, 2008
No. 7: Juventus
Everything Juventus has done in Serie A, Inter has done just a little bit better. Juve's +15 is second only to Inter's +18 goal differential. Juve is also second in the table with 33 points, six behind Inter. Inter also beat Juve 1-0 at home earlier this year.
One thing Juventus does have going for it is that it won its group in the Champions League (one that included football giant Real Madrid) while Inter took second in its group behind Greek side Panathinaikos.
Why they are here: Alessandro Del Piero's return to form has continued this year in a big way. Del Piero set new personal records for games played in league competition in each of the last two years and is looking much younger than 34. He scored 21 goals in each of those two seasons. Gianluigi Buffon is arguably the world's top keeper.
Why they might not be here in May: Manchester City is likely to make a run at Buffon with their new influx of cash, but that is unlikely at best, with Juventus in the thick of the Champions League. The health of France international David Trezeguet is also a question mark. Age is also a big concern with Del Piero, midfielder Pavel Nedved, defender Olof Mellberg and others.
One thing Juventus does have going for it is that it won its group in the Champions League (one that included football giant Real Madrid) while Inter took second in its group behind Greek side Panathinaikos.
Why they are here: Alessandro Del Piero's return to form has continued this year in a big way. Del Piero set new personal records for games played in league competition in each of the last two years and is looking much younger than 34. He scored 21 goals in each of those two seasons. Gianluigi Buffon is arguably the world's top keeper.
Why they might not be here in May: Manchester City is likely to make a run at Buffon with their new influx of cash, but that is unlikely at best, with Juventus in the thick of the Champions League. The health of France international David Trezeguet is also a question mark. Age is also a big concern with Del Piero, midfielder Pavel Nedved, defender Olof Mellberg and others.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
No. 6: Inter
Inter showed its first sign of vulnerability in the 2008-'09 campaign in the final three matches of the Champions League Group Stage. Inter had a strong seven points from its first three matches, but then a 3-3 draw in Cyprus against Anorthosis Famagusta started a run of matches in which Inter got only one point from its final three games.
Included in that run was a 1-0 home loss to Panathinaikos of Greece, which went on to win the group, sending Inter to second and what will assuredly be a tough Round of 16 match. Inter finished the group stage just +1 on goal differential in six matches.
Why they are here: Inter's form in Serie A has been top-drawer. Or, more accurately, Zlatan Ibrahimovic's form has been top-draw. The Swedish striker has 10 goals in Serie A action, while no other Inter player has more than two. Still, Inter has the most goals in the league and has allowed the fewest. Can't do better than that, and the league-leading 39 points show it.
Why they might not be here in May: Well, they could use another scorer for one. Brazil's Adriano has two goals in the Champions League, but just one in seven Serie A games. That could well be on Jose Mourinho's shopping list in January. Chances are the "Special One" will do something to make a run at his second Champions League trophy. It might even come through the side where he won his first one, Porto, a possible opponent in the Round of 16.
Included in that run was a 1-0 home loss to Panathinaikos of Greece, which went on to win the group, sending Inter to second and what will assuredly be a tough Round of 16 match. Inter finished the group stage just +1 on goal differential in six matches.
Why they are here: Inter's form in Serie A has been top-drawer. Or, more accurately, Zlatan Ibrahimovic's form has been top-draw. The Swedish striker has 10 goals in Serie A action, while no other Inter player has more than two. Still, Inter has the most goals in the league and has allowed the fewest. Can't do better than that, and the league-leading 39 points show it.
Why they might not be here in May: Well, they could use another scorer for one. Brazil's Adriano has two goals in the Champions League, but just one in seven Serie A games. That could well be on Jose Mourinho's shopping list in January. Chances are the "Special One" will do something to make a run at his second Champions League trophy. It might even come through the side where he won his first one, Porto, a possible opponent in the Round of 16.
No. 5: Chelsea
The Blues were the runner-ups of both England and Europe to Manchester United last year. On one hand, Chelsea figures to be back in the hunt for both with new coach Big Phil Scolari, he of the World Cup win with Brazil, boat loads of cash and the deepest roster in the world.
On the other, last year really should have been Chelsea's year. They had all the pieces, all the right players in their prime, and came up one PK and one Premiership draw from hoisting two major trophies. Could they crank it up again so soon to that level?
The answer? A definitive maybe. Chelsea sits a point behind Liverpool atop the table near the halfway point of the Premier League season. But their goal differential is quite incredible. Chelsea has a +29 for the season, scoring a league-high 36 and allowing a league-low seven. When the Blues are right, they are no question the best team in the league.
In the Champions League, Chelsea hasn't had quite the same success. The Blues made it tougher on themselves by finishing second behind Roma in their Group, thanks to a 3-1 loss in Italy and 0-0 draw at Cluj. Those two results don't inspire confidence that Chelsea would be able to beat a Barcelona or a Bayern Munich if they meet in the Round of 16.
Why they are here: They have the most talent in Europe - period. Drogba, Anelka, Deco, Ballack, Ashley Cole, Joe Cole, Lampard, Malouda, Alex, Terry, Belletti, Kalou, Carvalho, Cech. It's an all-star team all one side.
Why they won't be here in May: Didier Drogba scored a beautiful goal against Cluj, which gave hope that his season-long fitness and out-of-form spell might be over. But he only came on as a late sub. Anelka, the Prem's leading scorer, has been terrific, but the team needs Drogba to take the pressure off.
1. Manchester United
2. Barcelona
3. Liverpool
4. Bayern Munich
5. Chelsea
On the other, last year really should have been Chelsea's year. They had all the pieces, all the right players in their prime, and came up one PK and one Premiership draw from hoisting two major trophies. Could they crank it up again so soon to that level?
The answer? A definitive maybe. Chelsea sits a point behind Liverpool atop the table near the halfway point of the Premier League season. But their goal differential is quite incredible. Chelsea has a +29 for the season, scoring a league-high 36 and allowing a league-low seven. When the Blues are right, they are no question the best team in the league.
In the Champions League, Chelsea hasn't had quite the same success. The Blues made it tougher on themselves by finishing second behind Roma in their Group, thanks to a 3-1 loss in Italy and 0-0 draw at Cluj. Those two results don't inspire confidence that Chelsea would be able to beat a Barcelona or a Bayern Munich if they meet in the Round of 16.
Why they are here: They have the most talent in Europe - period. Drogba, Anelka, Deco, Ballack, Ashley Cole, Joe Cole, Lampard, Malouda, Alex, Terry, Belletti, Kalou, Carvalho, Cech. It's an all-star team all one side.
Why they won't be here in May: Didier Drogba scored a beautiful goal against Cluj, which gave hope that his season-long fitness and out-of-form spell might be over. But he only came on as a late sub. Anelka, the Prem's leading scorer, has been terrific, but the team needs Drogba to take the pressure off.
1. Manchester United
2. Barcelona
3. Liverpool
4. Bayern Munich
5. Chelsea
No. 207: Birkirkara (Malta)
Last year's winners of the Maltese Cup, Birkirkara entered the UEFA Cup at the First Qualification Round. Just like fellow Malta side Marsaxlokk, Birkirkara lost to a Croation side, falling 7-0 in its tie with Hajduk Split. Hajduk Split lost 2-0 aggregate in the next round to Deportivo of Spain, which has a solid chance of advancing to the UEFA Cup knockout stage.
Birkirkara is making another run at the UEFA Cup - or Champions League - this year. The team, which features three players on the Malta national team, is currently second in the league standings and is in the quarterfinals of the Maltese Cup.
207. Birkirkara (Malta)
208. Marsaxlokk (Malta)
209. UE Sant Julia (Andorra)
Birkirkara is making another run at the UEFA Cup - or Champions League - this year. The team, which features three players on the Malta national team, is currently second in the league standings and is in the quarterfinals of the Maltese Cup.
207. Birkirkara (Malta)
208. Marsaxlokk (Malta)
209. UE Sant Julia (Andorra)
No. 208: Marsaxlokk (Malta)
Say what you want, but you have to respect a team with an "x" and two "k's" in its name.
Marsaxlokk, which features five players from Malta's national team, finished second in the Maltese Premier League last year to earn a UEFA Cup spot. In the first qualifying round, Marsaxlokk lost to Slaven Belupo (Croatia) 8-0 aggregate. Slaven Belupo went on to win again in the second qualifying round before losing in the first round proper to CSKA Moscow by a 3-1 aggregate.
Marsaxlokk currently resides in 7th place in the league and in the quarterfinals of the domestic cup.
Marsaxlokk, which features five players from Malta's national team, finished second in the Maltese Premier League last year to earn a UEFA Cup spot. In the first qualifying round, Marsaxlokk lost to Slaven Belupo (Croatia) 8-0 aggregate. Slaven Belupo went on to win again in the second qualifying round before losing in the first round proper to CSKA Moscow by a 3-1 aggregate.
Marsaxlokk currently resides in 7th place in the league and in the quarterfinals of the domestic cup.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
No. 209: UE Sant Julia (Andorra)
Yes, that's right, I said No. 209. That's how many teams are competing in the 2008/2009 Champions League and UEFA Cup.
As last year's winner of Andorra's domestic cup, Sant Julia earned the UEFA Cup nod. They were defeated by a 9-0 aggregate score by Bulgaria's Cherno Moore in the first qualification round. That was tied for the second worst aggregate loss in European competition this year (although Cherno Moore did go on to win its second qualification tie before losing in the third qualification round).
Sant Julia does lead this year's Primera Divisio and could be in the Champions League next year. Andorra's top division is currently 50th out of 52 teams in UEFA's coefficient ranking.
As last year's winner of Andorra's domestic cup, Sant Julia earned the UEFA Cup nod. They were defeated by a 9-0 aggregate score by Bulgaria's Cherno Moore in the first qualification round. That was tied for the second worst aggregate loss in European competition this year (although Cherno Moore did go on to win its second qualification tie before losing in the third qualification round).
Sant Julia does lead this year's Primera Divisio and could be in the Champions League next year. Andorra's top division is currently 50th out of 52 teams in UEFA's coefficient ranking.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
No. 4: Bayern Munich
Bayern has lost just twice in 16 Bundesliga games, sitting second in the table behind upstart Hoffenheim. Bayern beat Hoffenheim 2-1 at home a week ago, however. Bayern, the four-time champions of Europe, have a +15 goal differential in the Bundesliga - tied for second with Bayer Leverkusen behind Hoffenheim (+19).
Italian international Luca Toni leads Bayern with eight goals, including one in the win over Hoffenheim. German star Miroslav Klose scored two goals for Bayern in its 3-2 win over Lyon in Matchday 6 of the Champions League Group Stage. That win clinched one of the eight top spots for Bayern. German outside fullback Phil Lahm is one of the best in the world.
Why they are here: Bayern appear to have one of the most balanced sides in Europe. Klose and Toni are a dangerous combination up top, while Frenchman Franck Ribery, German Bastian Schweinsteiger, Holland's Mark van Bommel, Turkey's Hamit Altintop and Brazil's Ze Roberto give Bayern both a steady and dynamic midfield.
Why they might not be here in May: Germany striker Lukas Podolski looks like a breakout star waiting to happen, but injuries have hampered him this year. New coach Jurgen Klinsmann is coaching at the club level for the first time, but of course he's no stranger to the big stage as a former star striker at the club and country level.
Rankings
1. Manchester United
2. Barcelona
3. Liverpool
4. Bayern Munich
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Italian international Luca Toni leads Bayern with eight goals, including one in the win over Hoffenheim. German star Miroslav Klose scored two goals for Bayern in its 3-2 win over Lyon in Matchday 6 of the Champions League Group Stage. That win clinched one of the eight top spots for Bayern. German outside fullback Phil Lahm is one of the best in the world.
Why they are here: Bayern appear to have one of the most balanced sides in Europe. Klose and Toni are a dangerous combination up top, while Frenchman Franck Ribery, German Bastian Schweinsteiger, Holland's Mark van Bommel, Turkey's Hamit Altintop and Brazil's Ze Roberto give Bayern both a steady and dynamic midfield.
Why they might not be here in May: Germany striker Lukas Podolski looks like a breakout star waiting to happen, but injuries have hampered him this year. New coach Jurgen Klinsmann is coaching at the club level for the first time, but of course he's no stranger to the big stage as a former star striker at the club and country level.
Rankings
1. Manchester United
2. Barcelona
3. Liverpool
4. Bayern Munich
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Champions League - Round of 16
Despite the fact that the Group Stage ended on Wednesday, the draw for the Knockout Round won't be held until Dec. 19. That's like Jessica Alba taking off her shirt, then remebering that she needed to go make a phone call.
It does give us time to pontificate over the possible match-ups, however. If you wanted to match-up the best No. 1's vs. the best No. 2's, it would probably come out something like this:
(Top seeds on the left)
Barcelona vs. Chelsea - one of these teams out in the round will cause heads to roll
Manchester United vs. Inter Milan - Sir Alex vs. The Special One
Liverpool vs. Real Madrid - Chance for Ramos to prove his worth
Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal - Would be some great football, especially if Arsenal gets it together
Juventus vs. Atletico Madrid - Juve already took care of one Madrid team
Roma vs. Lyon - Totti vs. Benzema in a old vs. young matchup
Porto vs. Villareal - Did Man U. not play all that great, or is Villareal for real
Panthianakos vs. Sporting - How about Portugal, two teams in the Group Stages - one first, one second
If you wanted to give the best No. 1's and 2's as easy as possible in the Rd. of 16, it might look like this:
(Top seeds on the left)
Panthianakos vs. Chelsea
Porto vs. Inter (would be interesting for the Special One, and Porto is no pushover anyway)
Roma vs. Real Madrid
Juventus vs. Arsenal
Bayern vs. Villareal
Liverpool vs. Sporting
Manchester United vs. Atletico Madrid
Barcelona vs. Lyon
Nothing super easy (not that it should be at this level), but in these instances I think Barca, Man U and Liverpool can at worst fight their way to close wins. If Barcelona doesn't get Lyon, they will get either Chelsea, Arsenal or Inter. Ouch for somebody. If Inter doesn't get Porto, they get Barcelona, Liverpool, Man. U or Bayern. Anyway you slice it, Inter will be in a featured tie.
Here are all the possible outcomes:
Top seeds
Roma vs. Sporting, Atletico, Villareal, Lyon, Arsenal, Real Madrid
Panthianakos vs. Chelsea, Sporting, Atletico, Villareal, Lyon, Arsenal, Real Madrid
Barcelona vs. Chelsea, Inter, Lyon, Arsenal
Liverpool vs. Inter, Sporting, Villareal, Lyon, Real Madrid
Man U vs. Inter, Sporting, Atletico, Lyon, Real Madrid
Bayern vs. Chelsea, Inter, Sporting, Atletico Madrid, Villareal, Arsenal, Real Madrid
Porto vs. Chelsea, Inter, Atletico Madrid, Villareal, Lyon, Real Madrid
Juventus vs. Chelsea, Sporting, Atletico Madrid, Villareal, Lyon, Arsenal
Second seeds
Chelsea vs. Panthianakos, Barcelona, Bayern, Porto, Juventus
Inter vs. Barcelona, Liverpool, Man U, Bayern, Porto
Sporting vs. Roma, Panthianakos, Liverpool, Man U, Bayern, Juventus
Atletico vs. Roma, Panthianakos, Man U, Bayern, Porto, Juventus
Villareal vs. Roma, Panthianakos, Liverpool, Bayern, Porto, Juventus
Lyon vs. Roma, Panthianakos, Barcelona, Liverpool, Man U, Porto, Juventus
Arsenal vs. Roma, Panthiankos, Barcelona, Bayern, Juventus
Real Madrid vs. Roma, Panthianakos, Liverpool, Man U, Bayern, Porto
It does give us time to pontificate over the possible match-ups, however. If you wanted to match-up the best No. 1's vs. the best No. 2's, it would probably come out something like this:
(Top seeds on the left)
Barcelona vs. Chelsea - one of these teams out in the round will cause heads to roll
Manchester United vs. Inter Milan - Sir Alex vs. The Special One
Liverpool vs. Real Madrid - Chance for Ramos to prove his worth
Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal - Would be some great football, especially if Arsenal gets it together
Juventus vs. Atletico Madrid - Juve already took care of one Madrid team
Roma vs. Lyon - Totti vs. Benzema in a old vs. young matchup
Porto vs. Villareal - Did Man U. not play all that great, or is Villareal for real
Panthianakos vs. Sporting - How about Portugal, two teams in the Group Stages - one first, one second
If you wanted to give the best No. 1's and 2's as easy as possible in the Rd. of 16, it might look like this:
(Top seeds on the left)
Panthianakos vs. Chelsea
Porto vs. Inter (would be interesting for the Special One, and Porto is no pushover anyway)
Roma vs. Real Madrid
Juventus vs. Arsenal
Bayern vs. Villareal
Liverpool vs. Sporting
Manchester United vs. Atletico Madrid
Barcelona vs. Lyon
Nothing super easy (not that it should be at this level), but in these instances I think Barca, Man U and Liverpool can at worst fight their way to close wins. If Barcelona doesn't get Lyon, they will get either Chelsea, Arsenal or Inter. Ouch for somebody. If Inter doesn't get Porto, they get Barcelona, Liverpool, Man. U or Bayern. Anyway you slice it, Inter will be in a featured tie.
Here are all the possible outcomes:
Top seeds
Roma vs. Sporting, Atletico, Villareal, Lyon, Arsenal, Real Madrid
Panthianakos vs. Chelsea, Sporting, Atletico, Villareal, Lyon, Arsenal, Real Madrid
Barcelona vs. Chelsea, Inter, Lyon, Arsenal
Liverpool vs. Inter, Sporting, Villareal, Lyon, Real Madrid
Man U vs. Inter, Sporting, Atletico, Lyon, Real Madrid
Bayern vs. Chelsea, Inter, Sporting, Atletico Madrid, Villareal, Arsenal, Real Madrid
Porto vs. Chelsea, Inter, Atletico Madrid, Villareal, Lyon, Real Madrid
Juventus vs. Chelsea, Sporting, Atletico Madrid, Villareal, Lyon, Arsenal
Second seeds
Chelsea vs. Panthianakos, Barcelona, Bayern, Porto, Juventus
Inter vs. Barcelona, Liverpool, Man U, Bayern, Porto
Sporting vs. Roma, Panthianakos, Liverpool, Man U, Bayern, Juventus
Atletico vs. Roma, Panthianakos, Man U, Bayern, Porto, Juventus
Villareal vs. Roma, Panthianakos, Liverpool, Bayern, Porto, Juventus
Lyon vs. Roma, Panthianakos, Barcelona, Liverpool, Man U, Porto, Juventus
Arsenal vs. Roma, Panthiankos, Barcelona, Bayern, Juventus
Real Madrid vs. Roma, Panthianakos, Liverpool, Man U, Bayern, Porto
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Chelsea-Cluj, Roma-Bordeaux live updates
No Frank Lampaard (suspension) and no Didier Drogba for Chelsea as they take the pitch against Cluj still not having clinched a spot in the Champions League. If Chelsea win, they are in. Draw or lose, and they will need Bordeaux not to win against Roma.
Cluj's Gabriel Muresan gets off a nice shot from Petr Cech's right that Cech handles awkwardly, but right to John Terry who clears with no other Cluj player in the box.
Roma already with a couple of free kicks from outside the Bordeaux box, but no results.
Cluj with a nice ball into the box, header past Cech's left hand, but John Mikel Obi there to clean up before another Cluj player could get to it. Meanwhile in Italy, Julio Baptiste goes over the bar for Roma.
Joe Cole shoots wide in one of Chelsea's best chances, while Bordeaux earns a corner against Roma. Cleared away, however, and the resulting break leads to a yellow card for Bordeaux.
Bordeaux having a little more of the possession, but still nothing close. Chelsea now with a corner, but nothing comes from Deco's effort.
Kalou looks to save Chelsea for the time being with a GOAL off a long free kick into the box in the 40th minute. Cluj responds in the 44th with a nice move into the Chelsea box, but not never get a shot off.
Joe Cole gets a shot on goal but an easy save for the Cluj keeper in the 53rd minute. That followed a nice ball into the box from Cluj that Alex headed away.
NOT THIS TIME! Alex leaves Kone, and the cross from corner of the box finds Yssouf Kone's head, past Cech, and we're tied at 1-1. Chelsea now one fluke goal by Bordeaux from being out of Europe if the Blues can't put in another one.
Chelsea looks safe again, as Roma takes a 1-0 lead in the Eternal City. Matteo Brighi with the goal there.
Chelsea all but in now. Drogba scores his second goal of the year after just coming on as a sub to give Chelsea a 2-1 lead. Meanwhile, Bordeaux had a player sent off and still trail Roma 1-0. Twenty minutes to play in both matches.
Totti scores for Roma as they take a 2-0 lead over 10-man Bordeaux. Looks like we'll have Roma in first, Chelsea in second, which could make for an interesting Round of 16.
It's all over. Chelsea 2, Cluj 1. Roma 2, Bordeaux 0. Roma wins the group, Chelsea second.
Cluj's Gabriel Muresan gets off a nice shot from Petr Cech's right that Cech handles awkwardly, but right to John Terry who clears with no other Cluj player in the box.
Roma already with a couple of free kicks from outside the Bordeaux box, but no results.
Cluj with a nice ball into the box, header past Cech's left hand, but John Mikel Obi there to clean up before another Cluj player could get to it. Meanwhile in Italy, Julio Baptiste goes over the bar for Roma.
Joe Cole shoots wide in one of Chelsea's best chances, while Bordeaux earns a corner against Roma. Cleared away, however, and the resulting break leads to a yellow card for Bordeaux.
Bordeaux having a little more of the possession, but still nothing close. Chelsea now with a corner, but nothing comes from Deco's effort.
Kalou looks to save Chelsea for the time being with a GOAL off a long free kick into the box in the 40th minute. Cluj responds in the 44th with a nice move into the Chelsea box, but not never get a shot off.
Joe Cole gets a shot on goal but an easy save for the Cluj keeper in the 53rd minute. That followed a nice ball into the box from Cluj that Alex headed away.
NOT THIS TIME! Alex leaves Kone, and the cross from corner of the box finds Yssouf Kone's head, past Cech, and we're tied at 1-1. Chelsea now one fluke goal by Bordeaux from being out of Europe if the Blues can't put in another one.
Chelsea looks safe again, as Roma takes a 1-0 lead in the Eternal City. Matteo Brighi with the goal there.
Chelsea all but in now. Drogba scores his second goal of the year after just coming on as a sub to give Chelsea a 2-1 lead. Meanwhile, Bordeaux had a player sent off and still trail Roma 1-0. Twenty minutes to play in both matches.
Totti scores for Roma as they take a 2-0 lead over 10-man Bordeaux. Looks like we'll have Roma in first, Chelsea in second, which could make for an interesting Round of 16.
It's all over. Chelsea 2, Cluj 1. Roma 2, Bordeaux 0. Roma wins the group, Chelsea second.
Monday, December 8, 2008
No. 3: Liverpool
The Reds lead Chelsea by a point in the race for the Premiership trophy, but unlike the London side, Liverpool has already wrapped up a spot in the Champions League's knockout round. Chelsea can advance with the right results today in the final matchday of the group stage.
Liverpool's big summer signing was Irish international Robbie Keane from Tottenham, but that hasn't worked out as expected. Keane was supposed to team with Spanish superstar Fernando Torres to give Liverpool the best 1-2 striker punch in the Prem. Instead, Keane has two goals in 12 Premier games, and rumors are he's in manager Rafa Banitez's dog house.
Liverpool - 18 times the best team in England's top division - still has been outstanding in the midfield and the back. The Reds have only allowed nine goals in the Prem, second to Chelsea's six.
Why they are here: Perhaps England's and Europe's best midfield with Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano. Have already secured a place in the knockout round of the Champions League with 11 points from five matches.
Why they might not be here in May: Lack of scoring punch. Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt have helped pick up the scoring slack for Keane, but they'll still need the Irishman to regain his scoring form. Kuyt rescued Liverpool at the death back in the Reds' Champions League 3rd Qualifying round tie with Standard Liege. Liverpool has won a lot of games at the end, something that could catch up with them.
Liverpool's big summer signing was Irish international Robbie Keane from Tottenham, but that hasn't worked out as expected. Keane was supposed to team with Spanish superstar Fernando Torres to give Liverpool the best 1-2 striker punch in the Prem. Instead, Keane has two goals in 12 Premier games, and rumors are he's in manager Rafa Banitez's dog house.
Liverpool - 18 times the best team in England's top division - still has been outstanding in the midfield and the back. The Reds have only allowed nine goals in the Prem, second to Chelsea's six.
Why they are here: Perhaps England's and Europe's best midfield with Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano. Have already secured a place in the knockout round of the Champions League with 11 points from five matches.
Why they might not be here in May: Lack of scoring punch. Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt have helped pick up the scoring slack for Keane, but they'll still need the Irishman to regain his scoring form. Kuyt rescued Liverpool at the death back in the Reds' Champions League 3rd Qualifying round tie with Standard Liege. Liverpool has won a lot of games at the end, something that could catch up with them.
No. 2 Barcelona
Based only on what has happened from August to December, Barcelona has been the best team in Europe.
Barca has a goal differential of +35 from 14 games in La Liga, scoring 44 and conceeding nine. Cameroon international Samuel Eto'o leads the league with 14 goals , while Argentine Lionel Messi has nine and France's Thierry Henry has seven.
The 18-time La Liga winners are in position to hoist another trophy, especially with rivals Real Madrid nine points back in fifth place.
Barca's run in the Champions League has also been impressive. Barca qualified for the Group Stage with a 4-1 aggregate win over Wisla Krakow (Poland) and haven't slowed down since. Barca has four wins and one draw from five Group C games, already clinching the top spot and a place in the knockout round.
Why they are here: Barca leads the Champions League with 16 goals in the Group Stage, four more than the next team, Lyon (France). The +11 goal differential is also tops, three clear of Arsenal.
Why they might not be here in May: Because they might be first. Barca sold players like Deco (to Chelsea) and Ronaldinho (to A.C. Milan) but the continued emergence of Eto'o and Messi and the additions of Daniel Alves (from Sevilla) and Alexander Hleb (from Arsenal) have more than made up for those departures. That's not even to mention three players who were on Spain's winning side in Euro 2008 - mifielders Xavi and Andres Iniesta, and defender Carlos Puyol. The team is loaded.
Barca has a goal differential of +35 from 14 games in La Liga, scoring 44 and conceeding nine. Cameroon international Samuel Eto'o leads the league with 14 goals , while Argentine Lionel Messi has nine and France's Thierry Henry has seven.
The 18-time La Liga winners are in position to hoist another trophy, especially with rivals Real Madrid nine points back in fifth place.
Barca's run in the Champions League has also been impressive. Barca qualified for the Group Stage with a 4-1 aggregate win over Wisla Krakow (Poland) and haven't slowed down since. Barca has four wins and one draw from five Group C games, already clinching the top spot and a place in the knockout round.
Why they are here: Barca leads the Champions League with 16 goals in the Group Stage, four more than the next team, Lyon (France). The +11 goal differential is also tops, three clear of Arsenal.
Why they might not be here in May: Because they might be first. Barca sold players like Deco (to Chelsea) and Ronaldinho (to A.C. Milan) but the continued emergence of Eto'o and Messi and the additions of Daniel Alves (from Sevilla) and Alexander Hleb (from Arsenal) have more than made up for those departures. That's not even to mention three players who were on Spain's winning side in Euro 2008 - mifielders Xavi and Andres Iniesta, and defender Carlos Puyol. The team is loaded.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
No. 1: Manchester United
United pulled off a double in '07-'08, winning both the English Premier League and UEFA Champions League. They aren't at the top of the table in the EPL this season, but they still haven't lost in in the CL after becoming the first team to go unbeaten in the competition last year.
Cristiano Ronaldo's flirtation with Real Madrid in the summer and his injury may have cost United some key points, but this club still has the ability to be a major factor in Europe again. Sir Alex Ferguson has already said Europe is his focus this year, so if Man U. win that again but fall short in the league, the season will be no less special.
Why they are here: Best team in the best league in '07-'08, not to mention the champions of Europe. Ronaldo, Berbatov, Rooney, Tevez, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Fletcher, Carrick, Van der Sar, not to mention a legendary manager.
Why they might not be here in May: Chelsea, Liverpool and Barcelona might just be that good.
All have been more impressive so far than United, but can't move the champs down until they are knocked out.
Cristiano Ronaldo's flirtation with Real Madrid in the summer and his injury may have cost United some key points, but this club still has the ability to be a major factor in Europe again. Sir Alex Ferguson has already said Europe is his focus this year, so if Man U. win that again but fall short in the league, the season will be no less special.
Why they are here: Best team in the best league in '07-'08, not to mention the champions of Europe. Ronaldo, Berbatov, Rooney, Tevez, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Fletcher, Carrick, Van der Sar, not to mention a legendary manager.
Why they might not be here in May: Chelsea, Liverpool and Barcelona might just be that good.
All have been more impressive so far than United, but can't move the champs down until they are knocked out.
Friday, December 5, 2008
European Football Introduction
Leagues, divisions, domestic cups, league cups, European cups - European football can be a difficult game to follow.
In fact, it can be down right confusing for the American sports fan used to a game like basketball, for example, when you have the regular season and then the playoffs and that's it. The eight best teams in each conference during the regular season make the playoffs, followed by the conference quarterfinals, semifinals, final and then league final.
European soccer, and most soccer leagues throughout the world, has a completely different way of doing things. Here's an example.
We'll start with English Premier League (EPL) which is currently thought of as the best soccer league in the world. The EPL itself features 20 teams. However, there are three leagues below the EPL - the Championship, League 1 and League 2 - which also operate in England's Football League. Each of those three leagues has 24 teams, for a total of 92 teams including the teams in the EPL.
Here's the catch. Each season teams can be relegated from their league, or promoted to the next league depending on where they finish. For example, if Wigan Athletic finishes the 2008-2009 season in 18th, 19th or 20th place in the EPL, they will drop down to the Championship, and so on down the line. Even the bottom teams from League 2 could drop out of the league all together and be replaced by non-league teams that finish at the top of their division.
There are many regional divisions throughout England featuring hundreds of teams all of which have the ability to rise up through the ranks and enter The Football League.
So again, a team like Wigan could find itself last in the EPL this year, last in the Championship next year, last in League 1 in two years, last in League 2 in three years and be right out of the league.
Imagine if that happened to the Pittsburgh Pirates or Detroit Lions? That would provide some incentive for those teams to get their act together because they would be faced with losing all the TV and ad revenue they get from being in the top league.
Almost all of the Union of European Football Association's (UEFA) 53 leagues have the relegation/promotion system. The system goes hand in hand with the idea that there are no playoffs in Europe's top divisions, the regular season is everything. In American basketball, 16 of the league's teams make the playoff, so even with a decent regular season, it's possible to still get in the playoffs and make a run for a championship.
In soccer, teams are awarded three points for a win and one point for a draw during the season. There's also a balanced schedule in the EPL which gives it a sense of fairness. Each team plays the other 19 teams twice, home and away, for a total of 38 games. The team with the most points at the end of the season is the league champion.
That would seem to force a lot of teams into thinking they have nothing to play for since only one team wins the league, but that's where relegation comes into play, along with another incentive. In the EPL, the top four teams all qualify for the UEFA Champions League (CL).
The CL brings together the league champions, along with second, third and fourth place teams from some of the better leagues, for a huge (and lucrative) European Tournament. This is where the best teams from Spain, Germany, England, etc. battle each other to determine a true European champion.
In 2008-2009 league play, teams are competing for spots in the 2009-2010 Champions League. Earning a CL spot makes a team more attractive, because top players and coaches know that the team will be playing in the CL the next season against Europe's top clubs in high-profile games.
The Champions League runs in the same time frame - August to May - as most of the major European leagues. CL games are usually in the middle of the week, while most league games are on the weekend.
There's another European tournament, called the UEFA Cup, which is a secondary tournament to the CL. In this case, second and third place teams from lower leagues, along with fourth and fifth place teams from the top leagues, make the UEFA Cup. In the EPL, the fifth place team makes the UEFA Cup. The UEFA Cup also features teams that have been eliminated at difference stages of the Champions League. An American equivalent would be if a team was knocked out of the NCAA Tournament in college basketball, it would drop down to the NIT.
The UEFA Cup also runs during the middle of the week, usually earlier in the week than the CL or in different weeks. The UEFA Cup also features more teams (133) whereas the CL tries to stay as exclusive as possible with only 76 teams competing from Europe's 53 leagues.
Another way to qualify for the UEFA Cup is to win a country's domestic cup. Domestic cups such as England's Football Association (FA) Cup are tournaments that usually run during the country's season. Just like the European cups (tournaments), they are usually played in the middle of the week. Winning an FA Cup is nearly as prestigious as winning a league trophy, especially for teams that don't compete in the top division of a league.
In England, hundreds of teams enter the FA Cup. Many of them are not in England's Football League, but instead are semi-pro clubs and even lower. The smaller teams enter the tournament at the beginning stages, and then more and more teams enter as it goes forward. Eventually the teams from The Football League, including the EPL, enter the fray. This creates the chance for a very small local team that has survived to take on one of England's giants in a David vs. Goliath match-up.
England has another tournament, called The Football League Cup, which features just the 92 teams in the league. This tournament isn't as prestigious as the older FA Cup, but it does provide another way for an English team to get into the UEFA Cup.
The sixth and seventh place team in the league can also get into the UEFA Cup if the FA Cup and League Cup are won by teams that have already qualified for European competition in other ways. UEFA also has a Fair Play table where teams that show they have avoided large numbers of fouls, ejections, etc. can qualify.
Got all that? Probably not, it's a long and complicated system. But the best way to learn is to become a fan and follow your favorite player, team or league. "The Beautiful Game" is worth your time and energy.
In fact, it can be down right confusing for the American sports fan used to a game like basketball, for example, when you have the regular season and then the playoffs and that's it. The eight best teams in each conference during the regular season make the playoffs, followed by the conference quarterfinals, semifinals, final and then league final.
European soccer, and most soccer leagues throughout the world, has a completely different way of doing things. Here's an example.
We'll start with English Premier League (EPL) which is currently thought of as the best soccer league in the world. The EPL itself features 20 teams. However, there are three leagues below the EPL - the Championship, League 1 and League 2 - which also operate in England's Football League. Each of those three leagues has 24 teams, for a total of 92 teams including the teams in the EPL.
Here's the catch. Each season teams can be relegated from their league, or promoted to the next league depending on where they finish. For example, if Wigan Athletic finishes the 2008-2009 season in 18th, 19th or 20th place in the EPL, they will drop down to the Championship, and so on down the line. Even the bottom teams from League 2 could drop out of the league all together and be replaced by non-league teams that finish at the top of their division.
There are many regional divisions throughout England featuring hundreds of teams all of which have the ability to rise up through the ranks and enter The Football League.
So again, a team like Wigan could find itself last in the EPL this year, last in the Championship next year, last in League 1 in two years, last in League 2 in three years and be right out of the league.
Imagine if that happened to the Pittsburgh Pirates or Detroit Lions? That would provide some incentive for those teams to get their act together because they would be faced with losing all the TV and ad revenue they get from being in the top league.
Almost all of the Union of European Football Association's (UEFA) 53 leagues have the relegation/promotion system. The system goes hand in hand with the idea that there are no playoffs in Europe's top divisions, the regular season is everything. In American basketball, 16 of the league's teams make the playoff, so even with a decent regular season, it's possible to still get in the playoffs and make a run for a championship.
In soccer, teams are awarded three points for a win and one point for a draw during the season. There's also a balanced schedule in the EPL which gives it a sense of fairness. Each team plays the other 19 teams twice, home and away, for a total of 38 games. The team with the most points at the end of the season is the league champion.
That would seem to force a lot of teams into thinking they have nothing to play for since only one team wins the league, but that's where relegation comes into play, along with another incentive. In the EPL, the top four teams all qualify for the UEFA Champions League (CL).
The CL brings together the league champions, along with second, third and fourth place teams from some of the better leagues, for a huge (and lucrative) European Tournament. This is where the best teams from Spain, Germany, England, etc. battle each other to determine a true European champion.
In 2008-2009 league play, teams are competing for spots in the 2009-2010 Champions League. Earning a CL spot makes a team more attractive, because top players and coaches know that the team will be playing in the CL the next season against Europe's top clubs in high-profile games.
The Champions League runs in the same time frame - August to May - as most of the major European leagues. CL games are usually in the middle of the week, while most league games are on the weekend.
There's another European tournament, called the UEFA Cup, which is a secondary tournament to the CL. In this case, second and third place teams from lower leagues, along with fourth and fifth place teams from the top leagues, make the UEFA Cup. In the EPL, the fifth place team makes the UEFA Cup. The UEFA Cup also features teams that have been eliminated at difference stages of the Champions League. An American equivalent would be if a team was knocked out of the NCAA Tournament in college basketball, it would drop down to the NIT.
The UEFA Cup also runs during the middle of the week, usually earlier in the week than the CL or in different weeks. The UEFA Cup also features more teams (133) whereas the CL tries to stay as exclusive as possible with only 76 teams competing from Europe's 53 leagues.
Another way to qualify for the UEFA Cup is to win a country's domestic cup. Domestic cups such as England's Football Association (FA) Cup are tournaments that usually run during the country's season. Just like the European cups (tournaments), they are usually played in the middle of the week. Winning an FA Cup is nearly as prestigious as winning a league trophy, especially for teams that don't compete in the top division of a league.
In England, hundreds of teams enter the FA Cup. Many of them are not in England's Football League, but instead are semi-pro clubs and even lower. The smaller teams enter the tournament at the beginning stages, and then more and more teams enter as it goes forward. Eventually the teams from The Football League, including the EPL, enter the fray. This creates the chance for a very small local team that has survived to take on one of England's giants in a David vs. Goliath match-up.
England has another tournament, called The Football League Cup, which features just the 92 teams in the league. This tournament isn't as prestigious as the older FA Cup, but it does provide another way for an English team to get into the UEFA Cup.
The sixth and seventh place team in the league can also get into the UEFA Cup if the FA Cup and League Cup are won by teams that have already qualified for European competition in other ways. UEFA also has a Fair Play table where teams that show they have avoided large numbers of fouls, ejections, etc. can qualify.
Got all that? Probably not, it's a long and complicated system. But the best way to learn is to become a fan and follow your favorite player, team or league. "The Beautiful Game" is worth your time and energy.
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