October 26th, 2008
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Today, word that current AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti wants to coach an African country at the 2010 World Cup.
The 48-year-old, who has participated in three World Cups, is keen on playing a role at the 2010 event to be held in South Africa.
Ancelotti is contracted to Milan until 2010 but insists he wants to be involved in the World Cup in two years’ time.
“I would like to coach an African national side at the 2010 World Cup,” Ancelotti said.
“I took part in the 1986 and 1990 World Cups as a player and in 1994 as assistant to (Arrigo) Sacchi and there is a fascinating atmosphere which I would like to experience again.
“Africa is producing talented players - players from that continent have great technical and physical resources.
“Maybe they are just lacking a bit of organization, but maybe I can arrive and put things right, no?”
Ancelotti led Milan to the Champions League in 2003 and 2007 and the Serie A title in 2004 after joining them in 2001 from Juventus.
As a player, he helped AC Milan win two Serie A titles and two European Cups, and he is one of only five men to have won the Champions League as both a player and a coach.
In 2007, he signed two-year contract extension to keep him at Milan until 2010.
MY POV: Very nice to read Ancelotti’s desire to coach an African side. I’m sure his experience and technical prowess would be welcomed by an African nation.
Any suggestions as to where he could go?
Written by Darkvader on October 26th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on 2010 World Cup and italy.
Great Sunday of Spanish Football in Round 8 of “La Liga”. Here are
the results, scorers & images of the night.
Great & crazy game at VILLAREAL who saw how ATLETICO DE
MADRID with 10 men came back from the dead to equalize to see
the match finish in a 4-4 draw.
Atletico started on fire with SIMAO scoring in the 1ºst min & then
DIEGO FORLAN in the 21st. Then the disaster, when Atletico midfielder
Benegas received a Red card to leave his team with 10 men & gaps for
Villareal to exploit.
Villareal did precisely this scoring in the 47th min via SENNA after
a goalkeeper Leo Franco fumbled. The nerves set in & LLORENTE
equalized in the 50th min to see Atletico collapse with more goals
from GONZALEZ in the 57th min & the fourth for Villareal by
ROSSI (below) in the 67th min.
Then the miracle happened when SIMAO broke out of midfield &
ran into the goal area to score his second in the 83rd min & Atletico´s
third. Two minutes later RAUL GARCIA who came on scored the
fourth & equalizer for Atletico to finish the crazy night in all square.
NUMANCIA defeated RACING 2-1 after another crazy last minutes.
BAKERO put Numancia ahead in the 25th min & it seemed that it
would finish this way. But a 95th min penalty to Racing was converted
by TCHITE to see another penalty a minute later to Numancia in which
CISMA scored & won the game for Numancia
Big surprise here with SEVILLA FC losing 0-1 to MALAGA who
are now 6th on the ladder. The winner was from ADRIAN in the
15th min
MALLORCA gave ESPANYOL a good whipping with its
3-0 victory with goals from ADURIZ with two (49th &
60th min) & VARELA with a brilliant chip in the
76th min. Good win to Mallorca who needed the 3 points
to consolidate its middle table position.
VALENCIA came from behind to draw 1-1 with RECREATIVO
& keep the top spot of the classification ladder. CAMUÑAS
put Recreativo ahead in the 47th min, to later see DAVID
VILLA draw in the 62th min & save Valencia´s day.
Narrow but important win to GETAFE by the minimum 1-0
over VALLADOLID. DIAZ ( above) headed the winning goal
in the 62nd min. Getafe consolidate themselves in the higher ladder
positions
SPORTING OF GIJON managed its 3ºrd straight win after winning
0-3 away to a poor DEPORTIVO. BARRAL ( above) transformed a
penalty in the 22nd min. More goals followed with CARMELO in the
26th min & D.CASTRO in the 84th, which could have been more.
REAL MADRID won a tough game against a traditionally difficult
rival in ATHLETIC DE BILBAO 3-2. The win takes Real into 3ºrd
position on the ladder on equal points with FC Barcelona.
Real started well with a cracker from SNEIJDER in the 12th min
(above) & a second by HIGUAIN in the 28th min. Then the
concentration level dropped & allowed Bilbao to equalize with
goals from ETXEBERRIA in the 34th min & IRAOLA in the
44th min via a penalty.
However, in the 2ºhalf , concretely in the 59th min HIGUAIN came to
the rescue with Real´s 3ºrd & his second to give the victory to Real
Madrid.
The other news of this game was the punishment handed by Coach
Schuster to Sergio Ramos by putting him on the bench after declarations
came out via the media of Ramos criticism of the teams playing system.
Ramos voiced that he was the “scape goat” to the fact that a winger was
missing on his side that he had to make up for. That did not go down well.
Written by STRIKER on October 26th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on La Liga and Spanish Football and Spanish Soccer.
This week’s matches had it all: goals galore, penalty kicks, plenty of cards, and a heated competition for the “Goal-scorer to get carded” award. The big result goes to Paris Saint-Germain, who knocked off L’OM and prevented them from going top of the table.
Saturday, October 25th:
Auxerre 0-0 Lyon - Continuing their recent poor run of form (relative to their past performance, at least), Lyon were unable to take more than 1 point from Auxerre. Despite taking 17 shots and having 11 corner kicks to work with, Lyon only managed to put one shot on goal. In the 8th minute, Keita chipped Auxerre GK Riou but the shot hit the crossbar and went over. After that it was all Auxerre, all the time and Lyon GK Vercoutre (filling in for Hugo Lloris who was out with a throat infection) was kept busy. Auxerre’s best chance came in the 64th minute, but Jelen hit the post from 12 yards out.
Le Havre 2-1 Valenciennes - With this win, Le Havre move ahead of Valenciennes at the bottom of the table, providing them with some hope of avoiding relegation. Valenciennes opened the scoring in the 1st minute when Bangoura picked off a poor clearance and sent the ball into Pieroni, who sent his bicycle kick into the goal. Lesage equalized in the 24th minute, and Pieroni almost put Valenciennes back on top right before the half. Lesage then continued his good form early in the second half, when he dribbled through the defense and took a scorching shot that bounced in front of Valenciennes GK Penneteau and went in. Pujol almost equalized again for Valenciennes, but his shot hit the crossbar. Minutes later Pujol volleyed a shot for their final chance, but Havre GK Revault made a brilliant save to preserve the 3 points.
Lille 2-2 Caen - Lille outshot Caen 18-8 (5-4 shots on goal) and outfouled them 29-17, but it was not enough for the win. Lille took most of their shots from distance, and the danger came entirely from Cabaye (who hit the crossbar once and placed a second shot inches over the same) and Obraniak (who had a brace on goals in the 9th and 39th minutes). Caen did their work in the second half, with Ben Khalfallah assisting on goals to Seube (46th minute) and Savidan (64th minute). Obraniak almost secured the 3 points in injury time with what would have been his hat-trick goal, but Caen GK Plante made a brilliant save.
Lorient 3-0 Nantes - In a match dominated by Lorient, the latter club got their second win of the season. They started the pressure in the 8th minute with a free-kick from Abriel, followed shortly by a diving header from Cicini which required a great save from Nantes GK Alonso. Abriel also forced Alonso into wonderful saves on 2 shots in quick succession, and he finally broke through in the 31st minute. To complete his day, Abriel assisted on the other 2 goals, to Morel in the 55th minute and Gamerio in the 77th minute.
Nice 2-2 Bordeaux - Bordeaux out-shot and out-fouled Nice, but the clubs could only play to a tie after some strange activity on the pitch. The action was end-to-end, and started with a brilliant free-kick from 30 yards in the 10th minute by Wendel which beat Nice GK Ospina. Cavenaghi continued the pressure, and Ospina made a great save in the 15th minute to avoid going down 2-0. Fae almost equalized for Nice, but his shot was blasted off the crossbar. Bordeaux finally got their second goal in the 58th minute when Placente earned a PK and Cavenaghi calmly stepped up to slot it home. Ospina kept Nice in the game with saves on Olerton and Chamakh in the 70th minute, and Nice pulled 1 goal back in the 84th minute when Mouloungui put in a cracking header. The comeback was complete in injury time when Ducasse was called for a handball in the box and Remy scored on the resulting PK in the 93rd minute. Cavenaghi wins this week’s “Goal-scorer to get carded” award due to pulling off the difficult feat of being yellow-carded in the 58th minute, the same minute in which he scored on his PK.
Rennes 2-2 Le Mans - In an extremely even match that saw 5-4 shots on goal, 14-14 fouls, and 8-6 corner kicks, it was only natural that the end result was a draw. Gervinho opened the scoring, putting Le Mans ahead in the 11th minute, but Briand equalized in the 15th minute when he lobbed Le Mans GK Pele. Le Mans then upped the pressure, with Cerdon forcing Rennes GK Douchez into a difficult save in the 26th minute. The pressure paid off in the 34th minute when Mangane was called for a handball in the box and Coutadeur scored on the resulting PK to give Le Mans the lead. Pagis rescued the point for Rennes in the 78th minute when he slotted home an excellent cross from Wiltord.
Toulouse 0-0 Monaco - In yet another boring match starring Monaco, neither club looked as if they wanted to win. Toulouse dominated, but managed as many yellow cards (3) as they did shots on goal. Gignac almost started off the match brilliantly for Toulouse in the 1st minute, hitting a low shot that forced a good save from Ruffier. The Monaco GK was called into action again to stop a free kick that was headed towards goal by Cetto. Nimani provided the best chance for Monaco in the 88th minute, forcing Carrasso into a save. Gignac had a chance to take the 3 points for Toulouse in injury time, but his shot hit the crossbar. Freddy Adu rode the bench for the entire match, looking dejected.
Sunday, October 26th:
Nancy 1-1 Sochaux - In a bit of a snoozer, Nancy and Sochaux (two of the worst teams in Ligue 1) could only draw for 1 point each. Sochaux got on the board first when Dalmat scored in the 18th minute, and it was not until the 74th minute that Nancy was able to equalize through Fortune (not luck. That’s the dude’s name).
Saint-Etienne 0-2 Grenoble - Ligue 1 newcomers Grenoble got the derby win against Saint-Etienne despite being outshot 16-8 and only having possession in 38% of the match. The first goal came early, when Moreira blasted a shot which deflected off Saint-Etienne defender Benalouane and into the net in the 3rd minute. From that point on, Grenoble GK Wimbee was kepy extremely busy, forced to make saves on Gomis, Gilgiotti and Dernis, as well as an impressive double-save in the 40th minute. Grenoble almost scored their 2nd goal in the 66th minute but Romao crashed his shot off the bar. They eventually got the second when Dja Djedje sent home a well-struck header in the 82nd minute.
Marseille 2-4 Paris Saint-Germain - L’OM dominated the match statistically (24-8 shots on goal; 60%-40% time of possession), much as they have throughout the Ligue 1 history of both teams, but in the end PSG was able to notch only their 5th win ever against Marseille. Once again this match saw goals come early, as Rothen sent a cross off a corner in beautifully to the box and Hoarau headed it home in the 10th minute. Marseille struck back in the 21st minute when PSG GK Mandanda had some miscommunication with his defender and Niang was there for the easy finish. Valbuena then put L’OM ahead right before half-time when Mandanda gave up a rebound after a save on Kone. Soon after the start of the second half, Luvindula equalized for PSG when he chipped Mandanda. Cheyrou almost returned the lead to L’OM in the 70th minute, but he hit the bar, and it was PSG who went ahead in the 77th when Rothen hit a screamer from a 35-yard free-kick that went into the net untouched. Hoarau completed his brace in the 83rd minute to ensure the 3 points.
So, at the end of Matchday 10, the top of the table looks like this: (1) Lyon with 21 points on a 6-3-1 record and a +6 goal differential; (2) Marseille with 19 points on a 5-4-1 record and a +7 goal differential; (3) Le Mans with 18 points on a 5-3-2 record and a +7 goal differential; and (4) Bordeaux with 18 points on a 5-3-2 record and a +4 goal differential.
Written by Darkvader on October 26th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Ligue 1 and Results and The NY Kid and le championnat.
As Drogba is still suffering from his knee injuries, d time has come for Chelsea to seek an ideal substitute for d Ivory Coast striker Drogba. Anelka who is now handling d role as Chelsea’s striker is getting worse n worse as d league progresses. He is nowere near his form n makng zero contribution to the team.
Robinho , the Brazilian striker shud hav been an ideal substitute for Drogba ; but unfortunately Chelsea lost their bid for him as Man City grabbed him n he has proved his potentials dere withn 3 games.
Now its time for Chelsea management and Abromavich to find a talented striker to replace Drogba who’s one f d best strikers in d world. Letz hope for d best……..
Written by Darkvader on October 26th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Latest News.
Liverpool demonstrated their growing title credentials by ending Chelsea’s 86-game unbeaten run in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge and moving three points clear at the top of the table.
Xabi Alonso’s deflected 10th-minute goal gave Liverpool victory and shattered a Chelsea sequence stretching back to February 2004 on home turf.
It was a deserved triumph for Rafael Benitez’s side achieved without Fernando Torres and the first setback for the reign of Luiz Felipe Scolari at Chelsea.
Chelsea enjoyed long periods of possession, but Liverpool never flinched and could have doubled their victory margin had Alonso’s second-half free-kick not hit an upright.
Ashley Cole missed Chelsea’s best chance after the break, allowing Liverpool to record a victory which is of huge significance in terms of their confidence and self-belief.
Chelsea are still a good team - Scolari
If this game was a measure of Liverpool’s ability to finally mount a serious title challenge, then they will have left west London in the knowledge that they now appear to have the ability to finally challenge Chelsea and Manchester United in domestic battle.
Chelsea simply ran out of ideas in the face of a red wall of defensive resistance, with Liverpool’s defence led magnificently by Jamie Carragher impenetrable.
Scolari’s side opened with a surge of confidence, but took a real knock when Alonso gave Liverpool the lead.
He latched on to a half-clearance, and while his effort carried little power, a deflection off Jose Bosingwa was enough to wrong-foot Petr Cech.
The rest of the opening period was a tale of Chelsea dominating possession but Liverpool were superbly organised and carried an ever-present threat of a second goal on the break.
Steven Gerrard almost provided it after 23 minutes with a dipping effort from 25 yards that required the fingertips of Cech to turn it to safety.
Javier Mascherano was offering Liverpool’s defence fierce protection, and an atmosphere of frustration was growing around Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool display almost perfect - Benitez
But Deco almost provided the equaliser nine minutes before the interval when Gerrard lost possession, and the Portugal midfielder advanced before sending a left-foot shot inches wide.
Chelsea may have enjoyed territorial superiority in the first 45 minutes, but the resilience Liverpool have demonstrated throughout this season ensured keeper Pepe Reina had not had any serious work to do.
Liverpool’s increasing confidence was demonstrated at the start of the second half, with Gerrard pushed into a more advanced role in support of Robbie Keane.
There was a moment of anxiety for Reina after 54 minutes when he brought down Florent Malouda as he raced into the area, but the linesman’s flag had already been raised.
It was Malouda’s final contribution as Scolari made a double change, sending on substitutes Franco di Santo and Juliano Belletti, with Salomon Kalou also taken off.
Liverpool sent on Ryan Babel for Keane and they came within inches of doubling their advantage after 61 minutes.
Alonso’s low free-kick left Cech motionless, but for Liverpool it agonisingly struck the base of the post and stayed out.
Cole, having already been booked, ran the risk of a red card with a needless foul on Babel, but the foolish intervention of Mascherano in an attempt to ensure he was sent off ended with a yellow card for the Argentine.
Liverpool had applied pressure points to Chelsea all over the pitch, and as the clock ticked down on their formidable home record, some of the calm and order that had characterised their play had disappeared.
But they fashioned their best chance of the game after 72 minutes, only for Cole to slice hopelessly wide when Di Santo knocked Frank Lampard’s cross into his path.
Carragher defended heroically to block Deco, but Babel then showed his threat with a rising drive that was just inches away.
Chelsea pressed in the closing stages, but never in any convincing fashion on another day when Liverpool confirmed their growing stature.
Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa (Sinclair 84), Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Mikel, Kalou (Di Santo 58), Deco, Lampard, Malouda (Belletti 58), Anelka. Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Ivanovic, Ferreira, Alex.
Booked: Malouda, Ashley Cole, Deco.
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Alonso, Mascherano, Kuyt (Leiva Lucas 88), Gerrard, Riera (Hyypia 90), Keane (Babel 60). Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Dossena, Benayoun, Pennant.
Booked: Arbeloa, Gerrard, Mascherano.
Goals: Alonso 10.
Att: 41,705
Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).
BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match on 90 minutes: Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard 7.69 (on 90 minutes).
Written by Darkvader on October 26th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Results.
It’s 6:49 in the morning for me, I am not going to say much other than it is already 0-1 Liverpool. I’m tired but this is a nice way to wake up so far. Most of the UF New York City contingent is at a bar right now, bastards.
Enjoy the remainder of the match.
Chelsea: Cech, Carvalho, Bosingwa, Terry, A. Cole, Deco, Lampard, Malouda, Mikel Obi, Kalou, Anelka
Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Arbeloa, Alonso, Riera, Masherano, Kuyt, Gerrard, Keane,
Written by Darkvader on October 26th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Chelsea and Liverpool and Open Thread and The Fan's Attic.
FC BARCELONA steamrolled ALMERIA 5- 0 with a HAT TRICK
from SAMUEL ETO´O included. Here is the VIDEO off the highlights
with other goals from HENRY & ALVES
The commentator is great!
OSASUNA just can´t get it right, they try hard but still need to find
the that extra somthing & luck to break a win. Last night REAL
BETIS won 0-2 away with goals from AURELIO & PAVONE
(above)
Written by STRIKER on October 26th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on La Liga and Spanish Football and Spanish Soccer.
PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Stamford Bridge Date: Sunday, 26 October Kick-off: 1330 GMT
Chelsea hope to have defender Ashley Cole back from the hamstring injury he picked up on England duty.
But Didier Drogba (knee), Michael Ballack (foot), Joe Cole (foot) and Michael Essien (knee) are all out.
Liverpool have been boosted by the news that Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso have recovered from injuries sustained against Atletico Madrid in midweek.
Striker Robbie Keane (pelvis) is still a doubt while Spaniard Fernando Torres (hamstring) is definitely out.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Two of the Premier League’s elite cross swords at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea and Liverpool are locked together at the summit on 20 points, with six wins a piece. Each have dropped just four points and both are looking for their fourth consecutive league victory.
They are the two remaining unbeaten clubs in the top division; Liverpool have not suffered defeat in 15 league games, Chelsea in 29 and in an amazing 86 at home over four years and eight months.
The pair are meeting for the first time since the Londoners’ victory in the semi-finals of the Champions League in April, and for the 21st time in just over four years.
Rafael Benitez is looking for a first away Liverpool victory against a fellow ‘Big Four’ club in his watch. The Reds have only managed two points and four goals in the 12 games on the grounds of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United since his arrival at Anfield.
The Merseysiders are making a 19th attempt to win their 19th league title, and first in the Premier League; Chelsea have two Premier League titles already, yet have an average finish in this league of fifth whereas the Reds’ is fourth.
Liverpool have only registered one win from their 16 Premier League visits to Stamford Bridge; 0-1 on 7 January 2004, when Bruno Cheyrou scored the only goal of the game.
The Reds were the last team to beat Chelsea at the Bridge, prior to Arsenal’s triumph in February 2004.
Liverpool have dropped more Premier League points to Chelsea away from home than to any other team on their travels (41).
Distance between the clubs: 221 miles (355 kilometres)
Liverpool are making the longest journey of any Premier League club this weekend.
CLUB FORM
CHELSEA
Club stats
Going into the weekend: 1st 20 points
2008-09 Premier League performance - best and worst categories in the league
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend’s round of Premier League fixtures)
1. Won the last three league games without conceding a single goal, against Stoke (a), Aston Villa (h) and Middlesbrough (a).
2. Won 21 and drawn eight since losing 1-0 away to Arsenal on 16 December 2007 - their only defeat in 39 league outings.
3. The only club with an unbeaten Premier League record in 2008; won 19 and drawn seven of 26 matches. Their 64 points is five more than the return of Liverpool, who are the next best.
4. On the longest current run in the Premier League of 16 matches, since conceding more than a single goal in a game.
5. Scored in each of their last 20 league outings since Liverpool held them to a 0-0 draw on 10 February; the only occasion in 29 Premier League matches they failed to score.
6. Completed 39 top-flight fixtures since losing by more than a single goal; 2-0, away to Manchester United on 23 September 2007.
7. Need to score four more goals to become the fourth club to total 1,000 in the Premier League; Manchester United have scored 1,232, Arsenal 1,064 and Liverpool 1,005.
8. Not lost a league game in 86 at the Bridge since the 1-2 reverse to Arsenal on 21 February 2004 (won 62, drawn 24). Won 54 and drawn 20 of 74 at home in all competitions since the 1-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League on 22 February 2006. Also, not lost in 107 domestic matches in front of the home faithful if penalty shoot-outs are excluded.
9. This is their second match against a ‘Big Four’ club this season; drew the first 1-1, home to Manchester United on 21 September. Not lost to a fellow member of the quartet in four since a 1-0 reverse, away to Arsenal on 16 December 2007.
10. Undefeated in 14 Premier League matches against North-West clubs; won nine and drew five since losing 2-0, away to Manchester United on 23 September 2007. Not lost at home to a North-West club since a 0-1 defeat to Liverpool on 7 January 2004.
Fixtures
LIVERPOOL
Club stats
Going into the weekend: 2nd 20 points
2008-09 Premier League performance - best and worst categories in the league
(all statistics are ahead of this weekend’s round of Premier League fixtures)
1. Won the last three league games against Everton (a), Manchester City (a) and Wigan (h), scoring eight goals in the process.
2. Won 11 and drawn four of the last 15 Premier League matches since losing 3-0, away to Manchester United on 23 March 2008.
3. The current tally of 20 points after the first eight fixtures is their start for 12 years.
4. Won all four matches in which they have conceded the opening goal.
5. Boast the strongest second-half form of any Premier League club, ending the half leading in six and drawing in two.
6. The Premier League’s most dangerous club in the last 20 minutes when eight of their 13 goals have been scored.
7. Hunting successive victories over ‘Big Four’ clubs after beating Manchester United 2-1 at Anfield on 13 September 2008; their first maximum against a fellow member of the quartet in seven attempts.
8. Won five and drawn three of an unbeaten last eight away league matches (three wins, one draw this season), since losing at Old Trafford seven months ago.
9. Unbeaten in five Premier League games against London clubs; drawn two and won three, including the last two since a 1-0 loss away to West Ham on 30 January this year; their only defeat in 11 league games against clubs from the capital.
10. Aiming to complete a hat-trick of Premier League victories in London, in the first of back-to-back trips to the capital on their Premier League travels.
Fixtures
KEY PLAYER NOTES
CHELSEA
Squad profiles
Frank LAMPARD is a double shy of 100 career league goals (West Ham, Swansea and Chelsea), and needs a hat-trick to reach 100 career Premier League goals.
If selected:-
Nicolas ANELKA will be making his 250th career Premier League appearance (Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, Bolton and Chelsea).
ANELKA will be facing a club he was once on loan to, when on Real Madrid’s books. The 29 year old France international made 22 appearances (20 in the league) and scored five goals (four league) for Liverpool between December 2001 and May 2005.
Michael BALLACK will be making his 50th Premier League appearance for Chelsea.
JOE COLE will be making his 150th Premier League appearance for the Blues.
Florent MALOUDA will be making his 50th appearance in a Chelsea jersey.
If on the field from the outset:-
LAMPARD will be making his 250th league start for Chelsea.
LIVERPOOL
Squad profiles
Jamie CARRAGHER is the only remaining outfield player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of Liverpool’s Premier League matches this season.
If on the field from the outset:-
Sami HYYPIA will be making his 300th career Premier League start - all in a Liverpool shirt.
HEAD TO HEAD
Both last season’s two league meetings between Chelsea and Liverpool were drawn.
Home and away
League (inc PL): Chelsea 44 wins, Liverpool 58, Draws 28
Prem: Chelsea 14 wins, Liverpool 11, Draws 7
at Chelsea only
League (inc PL): Chelsea 36 wins, Liverpool 15, Draws 14
Prem: Chelsea 11 wins, Liverpool 1, Draws 4
LAST SEASON’S CORRESPONDING GAME
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
10 February 2008 - Ref: Mike Riley
REFEREE
Howard Webb (Yorkshire)
Written by Darkvader on October 26th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Prematch review.
Gerard Houllier used to moan about the long list of former Liverpool players turned pundits constantly harping on about the good old days when the club would always win titles. Rafa BenÃtez has not managed to end the long wait either, though at least he has most of the media pack singing from the same hymn sheet.
‘Every year we are improving,’ is the standard BenÃtez answer to almost any question involving the word ‘when’, and this is indisputably so. Liverpool have improved this season to the extent that even Manchester United have finally been beaten in the league, leading their supporters to hope that this afternoon might bring the ultimate statement of intent: an end to Chelsea’s four-year unbeaten home record and a lead opening up at the top of the Premier League table.
The only snag, apart from the fact that Liverpool must go to Stamford Bridge without the talismanic Fernando Torres, is that Chelsea have been improving, too. Luiz Felipe Scolari has adapted to the Premier League as effortlessly as José Mourinho did in his first season, has added Deco to an already skilful midfield and is winning praise for playing attacking, flowing football. Even BenÃtez is impressed, though one has the sense he would warm to anyone more than Mourinho, with whom relations were always prickly. ‘I think Chelsea have a more offensive mentality now,’ the Liverpool manager explains, by which he means more attacking. ‘Playing the way they do Chelsea might concede a few more goals than they used to, but they will create more chances for themselves and control games in that way. I have every respect for Scolari. When we talk after a game, we can talk about football.’
Confidence is reasonably high within Liverpool circles, with the result against United and the fighting spirit shown in several late comebacks this season, yet until Chelsea show any hint of weakness the safest place to be is on the fence. ‘A point would be a good result at Chelsea,’ Mark Lawrenson reckons. ‘Liverpool would then have four from six in the top-four mini-league and that could be all they need. The top teams don’t drop many points.’
John Aldridge believes Liverpool should not be too disheartened by the loss of Torres, because the striker did not play when United were beaten, and Steven Gerrard was only a substitute that day. ‘The other lads rose to the challenge and got a vital three points,’ suggests the former striker, who left the club early in their last title-winning season, 1989-90. ‘Liverpool must ensure they don’t waste their great start to the season.’
Phil Thompson is not underestimating the difficulty of today’s task. ‘Chelsea had a bullishness under Mourinho, but now they have an air of confidence I’ve never seen from them before,’ he argues. Finally Tommy Smith, bless him, is worried about the number of goals Liverpool are conceding. ‘The two full-backs [Andrea Dossena and Alvaro Arbeloa] don’t defend very well and look vulnerable,’ he says in typically forthright fashion. ‘Attacking full-backs can be a positive, but when moves break down and they can’t get back it is a negative.’
The truth these ex-pros are tiptoeing around is that even this early in the season, today’s game is an old-fashioned top-of-the-table six-pointer, and it has been a while since Liverpool were in such a position. Strictly speaking it is not the points that are important - there are still enough games left for either side to recover from a poor result - but the outcome. Liverpool know they have to do better against their immediate rivals in the top four. BenÃtez has said as much. Now he has a first league win against United under his belt, a positive result at Chelsea would boost Liverpool immeasurably and make title rivals take note. Yet by the same token defeat would suggest to everyone, even the players, that little has changed. There is a lot riding on the result, even if it is only October.
So never mind the pundits, what do the fans think? The Red and White Kop website offers some authentic Scouse candour, even if opinions differ on the subject of the recently reacquired habit of winning through late goals. ‘There’s been no credit given to the team whatsoever this season and I think it stinks,’ one poster wrote. ‘Manchester United have been scoring late and winning games in the last 15 minutes for bloody years!’ Another contributor was less sanguine and more succinct. ‘Too much drama and not enough murdering,’ he wrote of the huffing and puffing that went on against Wigan and Manchester City. ‘Liverpool have set off at a fair pace, but Chelsea look head and shoulders above everyone else. After eight games their goal difference is double Liverpool’s.’
BenÃtez knows what needs to be done. ‘We need to stop conceding early goals,’ he says. ‘I am pleased with the way we have come back to win matches but I would prefer it if we didn’t go behind in the first place. Scoring first against Atlético Madrid in midweek was almost a new experience for us, and that’s what we have to try and do more often.’
Ideally, Liverpool would then go on to put the game to bed with a second goal, as looked likely in Madrid, or put up the shutters as of old and protect a slender margin of victory. What happened on Wednesday summed up the Liverpool season so far, or at least put the usual pattern into reverse. From a comfortable position, with Thompson telling Sky Sports viewers only one team had bothered to turn up midway through the first half, Liverpool ended with their best attacking players on the sidelines watching Atlético almost steal victory at the death.
It was not a calamitous result, but as a demonstration of how to control a game it was rubbish. Chelsea would not have been impressed, nor would any of the Liverpool sides from 20 years ago, who often seemed to control whole seasons. But that was before Manchester United got their act together under Sir Alex Ferguson and Chelsea became a byword for wealth and efficiency. BenÃtez, in his fifth season at Anfield, is having more trouble shifting those two than he experienced with Real Madrid and Barcelona in Spain. He stayed at Valencia for three years and delivered two titles. ‘The first year was good, the third was fantastic,’ he claims. He says Liverpool are approaching that level now, but then he would, wouldn’t he? Today could go a long way to establishing whether Liverpool’s title hopes are real, or merely fantastic.
Written by Darkvader on October 26th, 2008 with no comments.
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LIVERPOOL FACE RAFA REBELLION
Top players will quit if manager is forced out
ONE OUT, ALL OUT - Martin Skrtel, Javier Mascherano, Pepe Reina, Dirk Kuyt and Albert Riera are all likely to quit Anfield if Rafa Benitez goes
RAFA BENITEZ will have three millions reasons to cast an envious glance across the ten yards of no-man’s land at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.
Sitting there will be Luiz Felipe Scolari, a coach with two months of Premier League experience but who earns almost double Rafa’s wage.
But the rumblings generated by the Benitez contract situation are not just about a rich man wanting to get richer.
They are threatening the stability of a team that finally looks capable of mounting a serious title challenge.
Sport of the World understands that unless the Spaniard’s long-term future is secured soon, Liverpool run the risk of losing up to SIX of their frontline stars - including the irreplaceable Fernando Torres.
An Anfield insider told us: “The manager wants to stay for a long, long time and has made that clear. But there has been no movement on a new contract despite one of the owners saying it was a priority earlier this year.
“That has set the alarm bells ringing with Rafa. At this stage of his career, he wants to plan for the future. There has already been massive interest in him from Spain and Italy.
“But the crucial thing for Liverpool is that around half a dozen players see their future as being tied in with Rafa’s. There would be a rebellion if Benitez had to leave.”
Leading that rebellion would be fellow Spaniards Torres and Pepe Reina - backed up by Dirk Kuyt, Javier Mascherano, Martin Skrtel and new boy Albert Riera.
With progress in the Champions League relatively smooth and the Premier League top spot beckoning if they can upset Chelsea today, another conflict behind the scenes is the last thing Liverpool need.
But that is what they are heading for.
Benitez insists that his desire for an extended deal is borne out of a need to lay plans that will see the team flourish well into the next decade.
But his freefall down the manager’s pay table cannot have escaped his attention.
As Liverpool cement their place amongst the Big Four, Benitez is now treading water in the financial mid-division alongside the likes of David Moyes, Harry Redknapp, Mark Hughes and Roy Keane.
Even Kevin Keegan - before his stomp away from St James Park - was collecting more than the man who has a Champions League success on his considerable CV.
Benitez earns a flat-rate of £3.5million a year. Hardly on the breadline but at least three million below Scolari’s annual remuneration.
Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger both boast a seven-figure advantage over their rival while Hughes, Keane and Redknapp are in the same ballpark.
And across Stanley Park, Moyes has just put his signature to a £65,000-a-week package that leaves him only a round of drinks below his Merseyside foe.
Benitez can fatten his wage packet by winning trophies - £1million for Champions League glory, £750,000 if he can end Liverpool’s 19-year wait for domestic bragging rights.
But he has now fallen out of the elite bracket … in economic terms.
I understand Benitez has already snubbed the chance to join any one of three Spanish clubs and three Italian clubs.
One of the La Liga suitors were Real Madrid, whose current manager Bernd Schuster has not yet been offered an extension to a contract that expires next summer.
Questions
Juventus are believed to be leading the Serie A interest.
And having seen his old enemy Jose Mourinho secure a staggering £7million-a-year agreement with Inter, Benitez will be well aware of the earning opportunities in Italy.
Which is why the hesitancy of the Anfield board to offer him a revised contract has mystified many at the club.
Chief executive Rick Parry - a close ally of co-owner George Gillett - has brushed aside questions on the subject.
But Tom Hicks, who called for Parry to quit towards the end of last season, said several months ago that the long-term future of Benitez should be tied up as a matter of urgency.
With Parry and Gillet still in position, that seems to be easier said than done.
And with the credit crunch squeezing the American owners - the new stadium on hold and looking an increasingly endangered venture - there is increasing pressure on Liverpool’s finances.
Contract
There were claims last week that the profits from Liverpool’s on-pitch success were all being used to pay off interest on the huge loans taken out by Gillett and Hicks.
The club may even be forced to have a freeze on signing players in the next couple of transfer windows.
But the ramifications of stalling over the Benitez deal are serious.
Benitez has developed strong relationships with key players and his departure would prompt a mutiny.
Among those who would question their own futures at the club would be key senior players such as Reina, Kuyt and Mascherano.
But most signinficant of all would be Torres who is positioning himself alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as the most sought-after player in world football.
Vultures
Torres has over four years to run on his contract so there appears to be no need for urgency in getting him to the negotiating table.
But he wants those four years to be under his countryman and any hint of that arrangement being unsettled and the 23-year-old’s head might well be turned by the interest that is bound to erupt in next summer’s transfer window.
And every big club knows how difficult it is to keep an unhappy player.
Liverpool, of course, could play a game of brinksmanship with Benitez.
His contract does not expire until June 2010 and, with money ultra-tight, the likes of Parry and Gillett might be loathe to almost double his deal more than 18 months before the current one expires.
But that would have the Spanish and Italian vultures circling … and Benitez would not be their only big-name target.
Written by Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea Fan on October 26th, 2008 with no comments.
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