Frank Lampard looks set to return for Chelsea against Liverpool in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.
The England midfielder, who played in the 1-1 draw at Anfield, missed out on his side's Premier League win over Manchester United last Saturday because of the death of his mother.
Goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini remains out of action with a damaged hamstring.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has no new injury problems but has yet to decide on his defensive line-up.
With Fabio Aurelio out with a groin problem Benitez could install John Arne Riise - who scored the critical own goal as a substitute in the first leg 1-1 draw - at left-back.
Benitez could also recall Sami Hyypia to centre-back, move Jamie Carragher to the right and switch Alvaro Arbeloa to the left while there could also be a place for Steve Finnan in either full-back spot.
And Benitez must also decide whether to include in-form Peter Crouch up front in preference to Ryan Babel.
Teams:
Chelsea (from): Cech, Hilario, Belletti, Ferreira, Carvalho, Alex, Ben-Haim, Terry, A Cole, Bridge, J Cole, Ballack, Essien, Lampard, Wright-Phillips, Malouda, Kalou, Anelka, Drogba, Shevchenko, Mikel, Makelele.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Carragher, Arbeloa, Hyypia, Skrtel, Riise, Finnan, Babel, Benayoun, Gerrard, Lucas, Alonso, Mascherano, Pennant, Crouch, Kuyt, Torres, Voronin, Itandje.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Liverpool Fans Charged Team Ahead Chelsea Clash
An all-English Champions League final is guaranteed in Moscow next month - and ManUtd.com readers want United to do battle with North-West rivals Liverpool at the Luzhniki Stadium.Rafael Benitez's side will have to overcome Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this evening, with the Blues holding home advantage and a priceless first leg away goal.John Arne Riise struck deep into injury time at Anfield to cancel out Dirk Kuyt's opener, and 71% of those who voted in our poll hope the Merseysiders can win through against Avram Grant's side, who only polled 29% of votes.Wednesday evening's second leg kicks off at 19:45 BST, and Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that he will be in the stands to run the rule over United's forthcoming opponents
Edwin van der Sar Dreams Another Champions League Medal
Veteran goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar can scarcely believe he is on the verge of becoming a two-time Champions League winner.
Manchester United's formidable keeper is daring to dream again after helping Ajax become kings of Europe in 1995.
The Dutch side came within a whisker of regaining their crown the following year but van der Sar had to settle for a loser's medal as they lost to Juventus on penalties.
He later moved to the Italian giants before joining Fulham and then United in June 2005.
At 37 Van der Sar is savouring every moment as the team chase a glorious double of league and Champions League.
United booked their place in the final in Moscow thanks to a 1-0 aggregate victory against Barcelona and the Dutchman said: "You remember 13 years ago you won it and 12 years ago you lost it.
"It has been a long time in between and it is a great feeling to go to the final again and try to win it for a second time.
"We knew we had to perform against Barcelona to go through. We achieved that and are delighted."
Van der Sar claimed United gave the perfect response to the those who had doubted them after the controversial defeat by title rivals Chelsea at the weekend.
He said: "The quality of the team is its strength and that includes mental strength.
"The players and the management team have a lot of character.
"You have to go from game to game and from strength to strength. That is how it is at this club.
"We have a lot of individual quality in the team but being a team is also important.
"We worked extremely hard together as Barcelona are not a bad team.
"They have not done brilliantly in the league but against us they really performed. It was hard work but we got a great result."
United saw off Barcelona thanks to a superb defensive display and a magnificent winner from the evergreen Paul Scholes.
Van der Sar added: "I was pleased to keep two clean sheets against them because we always know we have a goal in us.
"Scholesy was brilliant in training before the game. We know he is always capable of scoring and is a great player."
Manchester United's formidable keeper is daring to dream again after helping Ajax become kings of Europe in 1995.
The Dutch side came within a whisker of regaining their crown the following year but van der Sar had to settle for a loser's medal as they lost to Juventus on penalties.
He later moved to the Italian giants before joining Fulham and then United in June 2005.
At 37 Van der Sar is savouring every moment as the team chase a glorious double of league and Champions League.
United booked their place in the final in Moscow thanks to a 1-0 aggregate victory against Barcelona and the Dutchman said: "You remember 13 years ago you won it and 12 years ago you lost it.
"It has been a long time in between and it is a great feeling to go to the final again and try to win it for a second time.
"We knew we had to perform against Barcelona to go through. We achieved that and are delighted."
Van der Sar claimed United gave the perfect response to the those who had doubted them after the controversial defeat by title rivals Chelsea at the weekend.
He said: "The quality of the team is its strength and that includes mental strength.
"The players and the management team have a lot of character.
"You have to go from game to game and from strength to strength. That is how it is at this club.
"We have a lot of individual quality in the team but being a team is also important.
"We worked extremely hard together as Barcelona are not a bad team.
"They have not done brilliantly in the league but against us they really performed. It was hard work but we got a great result."
United saw off Barcelona thanks to a superb defensive display and a magnificent winner from the evergreen Paul Scholes.
Van der Sar added: "I was pleased to keep two clean sheets against them because we always know we have a goal in us.
"Scholesy was brilliant in training before the game. We know he is always capable of scoring and is a great player."
Cristiano Ronaldo Eyes final in Moscow next month
Cristiano Ronaldo says he will discuss his Manchester United future after the Champions League final in Moscow next month
The PFA Player of the Year was part of the United side which overcame Barcelona 1-0 on Tuesday night to set up an all-English final.
Reports have suggested that United are looking to tie Ronaldo down to a new long-term contract, while the winger continues to be admired by Real Madrid.
Ronaldo has regularly played down suggestions he will join the Spanish champions and wants to focus on securing more silverware with the Red Devils.
"What I want to do is play in the final and win the next game against West Ham to win the league," Ronaldo told Marca.
"For my future, I neither know nor want to talk about it. After the Champions League final, we can talk about it."
United's leading scorer also praised the club's fans for their role in helping the team to withstand heavy Barcelona pressure to book a place in the Champions League final.
He told MUTV: "The fans were absolutely fantastic. They did a great job and sang for the whole game. It gave the players motivation and helped us get a massive result.
"The feeling is great. It will be my first Champions League final and I feel very good. It's great for me and my colleagues.
"The final is in three weeks and we have time to work and keep our concentration. But the most important thing now is the league."
The PFA Player of the Year was part of the United side which overcame Barcelona 1-0 on Tuesday night to set up an all-English final.
Reports have suggested that United are looking to tie Ronaldo down to a new long-term contract, while the winger continues to be admired by Real Madrid.
Ronaldo has regularly played down suggestions he will join the Spanish champions and wants to focus on securing more silverware with the Red Devils.
"What I want to do is play in the final and win the next game against West Ham to win the league," Ronaldo told Marca.
"For my future, I neither know nor want to talk about it. After the Champions League final, we can talk about it."
United's leading scorer also praised the club's fans for their role in helping the team to withstand heavy Barcelona pressure to book a place in the Champions League final.
He told MUTV: "The fans were absolutely fantastic. They did a great job and sang for the whole game. It gave the players motivation and helped us get a massive result.
"The feeling is great. It will be my first Champions League final and I feel very good. It's great for me and my colleagues.
"The final is in three weeks and we have time to work and keep our concentration. But the most important thing now is the league."
Our tactics paid for the victory-Sir Alex Ferguson
Sir Alex Ferguson feels the Champions League semi-final victory over Barcelona justified Manchester United's counter-attacking tactics.
The Red Devils have been criticised by some pundits for playing too defensively, particularly in the Nou Camp last week, but they eventually triumphed 1-0 on aggregate as Ferguson once again got it spot on.
Ferguson said: "I have watched them (Barca) a lot. If you try and meet them too early, they always open you up because they have the extra man in midfield.
"We didn't go hell for leather at them and defend too early. I think Frank Rijkaard would have liked that.
"It is something we have learned in Europe. We have enough experience in certain positions to wait for the counter-attack.
"The pace we have up front and the goalscoring threat we have allow us to do that."
Ferguson's comments were endorsed by Cristiano Ronaldo.
"It's very important to have experienced players but it's also equally important to have young players, " said the Portugal international.
"Young players have a lot of power and run more, so you need that balance.
"You also want to win all the time when you play for Manchester United.
"I thought we played better than Barcelona. It was an intensive game but we created more chances and played the better football.
"The fans were absolutely fantastic. They did a great job singing all through the game - the motivation helped the players to get a great victory."
Ronaldo is now putting thoughts of the final to the back of his mind with crucial Premier League games to come against West Ham on Saturday and Wigan a week on Sunday.
United are level on points with Chelsea - who face Newcastle on Monday - but have a superior goal difference.
Ronaldo said: "The most important thing now is the league because the final is weeks away.
"We have work to do and it is important to keep our concentration.
"We have two games now to lift the Premier League, we have a good chance and if we win them both we are champions."
Meanwhile Ronaldo insisted the team was more important than any individual after he took another step towards becoming FIFA'S World Player of the Year.
Although he failed to improve on his 38-goal tally, Ronaldo's gritty display in the 1-0 defeat of Barcelona only served to emphasise how far he has come this season.
He is now widely recognised as the best player in the world after finishing third behind Kaka and Lionel Messi last season.
Ronaldo, the PFA player of the Year, remains modest about his part in United's success as they chase a double of league and Champions League.
He said: "My performance is not important, winning is and we're in the final. It was a great result.
"Of course I feel good. It has been a great season and I'm in a great moment. I've scored many goals.
"I have played well but so have the team - they have been fantastic."
Ronaldo is blossoming at the top level - even in the face of change.
The Red Devils have been criticised by some pundits for playing too defensively, particularly in the Nou Camp last week, but they eventually triumphed 1-0 on aggregate as Ferguson once again got it spot on.
Ferguson said: "I have watched them (Barca) a lot. If you try and meet them too early, they always open you up because they have the extra man in midfield.
"We didn't go hell for leather at them and defend too early. I think Frank Rijkaard would have liked that.
"It is something we have learned in Europe. We have enough experience in certain positions to wait for the counter-attack.
"The pace we have up front and the goalscoring threat we have allow us to do that."
Ferguson's comments were endorsed by Cristiano Ronaldo.
"It's very important to have experienced players but it's also equally important to have young players, " said the Portugal international.
"Young players have a lot of power and run more, so you need that balance.
"You also want to win all the time when you play for Manchester United.
"I thought we played better than Barcelona. It was an intensive game but we created more chances and played the better football.
"The fans were absolutely fantastic. They did a great job singing all through the game - the motivation helped the players to get a great victory."
Ronaldo is now putting thoughts of the final to the back of his mind with crucial Premier League games to come against West Ham on Saturday and Wigan a week on Sunday.
United are level on points with Chelsea - who face Newcastle on Monday - but have a superior goal difference.
Ronaldo said: "The most important thing now is the league because the final is weeks away.
"We have work to do and it is important to keep our concentration.
"We have two games now to lift the Premier League, we have a good chance and if we win them both we are champions."
Meanwhile Ronaldo insisted the team was more important than any individual after he took another step towards becoming FIFA'S World Player of the Year.
Although he failed to improve on his 38-goal tally, Ronaldo's gritty display in the 1-0 defeat of Barcelona only served to emphasise how far he has come this season.
He is now widely recognised as the best player in the world after finishing third behind Kaka and Lionel Messi last season.
Ronaldo, the PFA player of the Year, remains modest about his part in United's success as they chase a double of league and Champions League.
He said: "My performance is not important, winning is and we're in the final. It was a great result.
"Of course I feel good. It has been a great season and I'm in a great moment. I've scored many goals.
"I have played well but so have the team - they have been fantastic."
Ronaldo is blossoming at the top level - even in the face of change.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Gerrard will be fit to play against Chelsea
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is optimistic Steven Gerrard will be fit to play against Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.
Gerrard was forced to miss Saturday's 2-0 win at Fulham after injuring his neck in training - and Benitez admitted after the game at Craven Cottage that the midfielder was a doubt for the first leg at Anfield.
The England international took part in training on Sunday and Benitez is hopeful his talisman will be able to play and he will give him until the last minute to prove his fitness.
"With the neck, you never know," Benitez told the club's official website. "The neck is always dangerous so you need to wait.
"I think he was a little bit better on Saturday. We'll wait. We had similar problems with Reina and Finnan and they needed time. So we will see.
"The other day, he wanted to play but he was only able to look to the right, so I told him he could play as a left winger! We'll see if he can turn his head round and look the other way now.
"We will talk together, with the doctor. The player will say he wants to play, but there's an easy way of finding out whether he's fit.
"I will come up and tap him on the left shoulder and if he turns to face me without any pain, we will know he can play."
Gerrard was forced to miss Saturday's 2-0 win at Fulham after injuring his neck in training - and Benitez admitted after the game at Craven Cottage that the midfielder was a doubt for the first leg at Anfield.
The England international took part in training on Sunday and Benitez is hopeful his talisman will be able to play and he will give him until the last minute to prove his fitness.
"With the neck, you never know," Benitez told the club's official website. "The neck is always dangerous so you need to wait.
"I think he was a little bit better on Saturday. We'll wait. We had similar problems with Reina and Finnan and they needed time. So we will see.
"The other day, he wanted to play but he was only able to look to the right, so I told him he could play as a left winger! We'll see if he can turn his head round and look the other way now.
"We will talk together, with the doctor. The player will say he wants to play, but there's an easy way of finding out whether he's fit.
"I will come up and tap him on the left shoulder and if he turns to face me without any pain, we will know he can play."
Barcelona Star Is Confident Of His Side Reaching Final
Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta is confident his out-of-form side can beat Manchester United and reach the Champions League final.
Barca's goalless stalemate with local rivals Espanyol on Saturday was the team's third successive league draw, while in their last 13 competitive matches Frank Rijkaard's men have recorded only four victories.
However, Iniesta remains in buoyant mood ahead of Wednesday's Champions League semi-final first leg against United at the Nou Camp, saying: "It's very important for us to get to the final, and we have 180 minutes ahead of us to do so.
"We can do it, but we need to change our mindset for the two legs, and we can't afford to give anything away."
Iniesta's belief comes from Barca's form in Europe, where in contrast to their domestic troubles the Catalan giants have won eight and drawn two of their 10 Champions League matches.
"The Champions League is another story," added the Spain international.
"A good example is that after a terrible game in Seville against Betis, we were able to beat Schalke in Germany."
Iniesta knows, though, that it will not be easy against the Premier League champions, especially with their attacking triumvirate Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez in good form.
"They have some great players who can change a game at any moment," said Iniesta. "I'm worried about them as a team, but not about any player in particular. They are a great side, and we'll have to be focused, but I think they will also be worried about us."
Barca look set to have playmaker Lionel Messi fit and available after recently returning to action following over a month out with a hamstring injury, and although he is likely to provide United with some major headaches, Tevez is glad his countryman will be involved.
"I hope that he plays. If we beat them with Messi they will have no excuses," he said. "He is from another planet. He is very quick out of the blocks, he is a fantastic player."
Barca's goalless stalemate with local rivals Espanyol on Saturday was the team's third successive league draw, while in their last 13 competitive matches Frank Rijkaard's men have recorded only four victories.
However, Iniesta remains in buoyant mood ahead of Wednesday's Champions League semi-final first leg against United at the Nou Camp, saying: "It's very important for us to get to the final, and we have 180 minutes ahead of us to do so.
"We can do it, but we need to change our mindset for the two legs, and we can't afford to give anything away."
Iniesta's belief comes from Barca's form in Europe, where in contrast to their domestic troubles the Catalan giants have won eight and drawn two of their 10 Champions League matches.
"The Champions League is another story," added the Spain international.
"A good example is that after a terrible game in Seville against Betis, we were able to beat Schalke in Germany."
Iniesta knows, though, that it will not be easy against the Premier League champions, especially with their attacking triumvirate Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez in good form.
"They have some great players who can change a game at any moment," said Iniesta. "I'm worried about them as a team, but not about any player in particular. They are a great side, and we'll have to be focused, but I think they will also be worried about us."
Barca look set to have playmaker Lionel Messi fit and available after recently returning to action following over a month out with a hamstring injury, and although he is likely to provide United with some major headaches, Tevez is glad his countryman will be involved.
"I hope that he plays. If we beat them with Messi they will have no excuses," he said. "He is from another planet. He is very quick out of the blocks, he is a fantastic player."
Champions League :Lampard Ready To take On liverpool
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has made himself available for Tuesday's Champions League semi-final against Liverpool.Lampard pulled out of the side that defeated Everton on Thursday after spending the last seven days with his mother, who is still described as "very ill".
However, a statement released by his agent Steve Kutner on Monday morning announced the England international is ready to play at Anfield.
"Frank Lampard has made himself available for tomorrow night's Champions League match at Liverpool after spending the last seven days at the bedside of his sick mother," said the statement.
"Although still very ill, her condition has now stabilised. Hopefully there is light at the end of a very dark tunnel.
"Frank would like to acknowledge the consideration shown to him by Chelsea FC and the media during this time of immense strain for himself and his family."
However, a statement released by his agent Steve Kutner on Monday morning announced the England international is ready to play at Anfield.
"Frank Lampard has made himself available for tomorrow night's Champions League match at Liverpool after spending the last seven days at the bedside of his sick mother," said the statement.
"Although still very ill, her condition has now stabilised. Hopefully there is light at the end of a very dark tunnel.
"Frank would like to acknowledge the consideration shown to him by Chelsea FC and the media during this time of immense strain for himself and his family."
Thursday, April 17, 2008
2008 Olympics Draw:U-23 Coaches Off for China
NFA Deputy Secretary General (General Services), Barrister Musa Amadu will today lead out the duo of National U-23 team head coach Samson Siasia and his women’s team counterpart Jossy Lad to China for the 2008 Olympics football tournaments Draw Ceremony taking place on Sunday. The Draw Ceremony on Sunday formally kicks off the build-up for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, for which Nigeria has qualified for both men’s and women’s tournaments. The trio will travel aboard Emirates Airline, which takes off in the afternoon from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. To reach the finals, Siasia’s boys beat Ghana’s Black Meteors to the tape with eight points against seven, while Jossy Lad’s girls also conquered Ghana’s Black Queens, in a group that also included South Africa. Meanwhile, Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association, Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi turned 50 on Wednesday, and said he is more than ever before determined to work hard to see that Nigeria football returns to the top at international level. “The challenge before us now is to sit down and work, work very hard. The glory days of Nigeria football must return. That calls for a lot of sacrifice, a lot of diligence and a lot of self –denial. “Football at international level is big deal. It is not anything to be treated with levity and at our level, administration has to be more up-and-doing. We have the players, we have the ambition, so why can’t we rule the world?”Lulu Abdullahi spoke from Cairo, Egypt where he is attending a meeting of the Inter –Clubs Committee of the Confederation of African Football, of which he is a member.The NFA Chairman, who is also a member of the FIFA Futsal and Beach Soccer Committee, has been in the saddle for the past 20 months, during which time Nigeria has qualified for all major international tournaments. On Saturday in his native town of Idah, Lulu Abdullahi will be conferred with the high chieftaincy title of Omachi-Attah, by the Attah Igala, Alhaji (Dr) Aliyu Obaje.
Nigeria :Amodu Intend To Expose Local Players
Super Eagles new coach Shaibu Amodu is believed to have sold to the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) the idea that it would make reason to deploy a weak national team for the friendly match against Austria in Vienna next month. The match against the Austrians, which holds on May 26 on a FIFA international window, was arranged by the former Eagles coach Berti Vogts before his dismissal following the dismal outing of the team at Ghana 2008.Amodu was last week appointed by the NFA as the substantive chief coach to put Nigeria’s World Cup 2010 campaign on track.But it is understood that while he has expressed his concern about the Austrian fixture to the NFA he has also made it clear that he was not prepared to send out his main team for the encounter.According to NFA sources, Amodu’s concern is that since the Eagles are due to meet South Africa in a World Cup and Angola 2010 qualifier in Abuja five days later, there would be no logic in stressing his main team by making them to play two matches in under a week.THISDAYSports learnt that one option available to Amodu which he and his assistants are weighing up is to raise two different teams from the pool of Nigerian local and foreign based players for the fixtures against both the Austrians and Bafana Bafana.The Austrian match could also provide the platform for some of the members of the triumphant U-17 that won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Korea late last year to be integrated by the NFA into the senior national team.The Austrian friendly will present a tough scenario for officials because it will be the first top flight encounter to be played by the team under a new coach since the players and the former technical crew headed by Vogts were flayed for not living up to expectation in Ghana.Amodu has held talks with Nwankwo Kanu and his proposed trip to Europe to gain the support of the players has already been sanctioned by the NFA.
Monday, April 14, 2008
AC Milan Vs Inter Milan, Who Takes Barcelona Star Ronaldinho?
AC Milan 'have an advantage' over their city rivals Inter in the negotiations to sign Barcelona star Ronaldinho, according to the player's agent and brother, Roberto de Assis.
Click here
AC Milan made their interest in the Brazilian known at the beginning of April when both coach Carlo Ancelotti and club president Silvio Berlusconi announced their intention to bring him to the San Siro at the end of the season.
More recently neighbours Inter have joined the hunt, with their president Massimo Moratti warning on Sunday 'if the market is open to Milan, it is open to us too'.
Speaking to French TV station Canal+ yesterday, De Assis reiterated no deal had yet been done between Milan and Barcelona, but said the Rossoneri remain in the driving seat for any possible deal.
'Milan are enthusiastic about the signing of Ronaldinho,' he said.
'People are a lot more together on where we stand for next season, but that's not to say the deal is done.
'At the moment we (Ronaldinho and De Assis) have a contract with Barca and we can't say the move is definite. But Milan have an advantage.'
Whichever Milan club he choices, it now seems highly likely Ronaldinho he will leave the Nou Camp at the end of the season.
When asked by Canal+ if his brother was happy at Barca, De Assis replied: 'There's respect. I'm not saying there's happiness, but there's respect.
'It is not only a bad season for Ronaldinho, but for all the team. It isn't a nice situation, but that's how it is.'
Sir Alex Ferguson Plans To Spend Strengthen His Squad
United may be embroiled in a fascinating climax to the current campaign, but Sir Alex Ferguson is already planning to strengthen his squad for next season.
The United manager has assembled a squad of sufficient strength in depth to challenge for the Premier League and Champions League this term, but he has earmarked areas which need further reinforcements.
"I don't need to spend, but I will," Sir Alex is quoted as saying in the News of the World. "I think there is an area where we are short and we can stock up on that a bit.
"It is not easy getting the best players here. But we have to because when you have a lot of quality in your squad you have to be absolutely correct on who you bring in.
"A player has a chance to come to a club like United and he would say 'that's my challenge to be in the team.' That's what good players do."
Sir Alex brought in Owen Hargreaves, Carlos Tevez, Anderson and Nani last summer and, after the quartet's unquestionable success this season, the Scot admits he will have one eye on the future when he re-enters the transfer market.
"I don't think I will bring in as many as last season and if we buy players it will probably be young ones," he said. "This year Tevez, Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson have been really fantastic for us. Those four players have made a big contribution to our season."
Wenger conceded the end of his team's ambitions for the season
Emmanuel Adebayor has backed Arsene Wenger's "vision" for Arsenal and declared the Gunners will come out fighting "like a killer" next season.
Wenger conceded the end of his team's ambitions for the season following defeat at leaders Manchester United on Sunday, which left Arsenal nine points off the pace with only four games to play.
Having also lost a dramatic Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool last week, the Gunners - knocked out of the FA Cup at Old Trafford and in the Carling Cup semi-finals by eventual winners Tottenham - are set for another campaign without a trophy.
Nevertheless, French coach Wenger, 58, continues to hold unquestioning belief his young side can deliver and feels they will be stronger from the experience of what has been a rollercoaster season, with Arsenal once five points clear at the top of the table before losing striker Eduardo da Silva to a horrific broken leg at the end of February.
Adebayor, who put the Gunners ahead at Old Trafford only to see the champions fight back, maintains the man who brought Arsenal three league titles and four FA Cups, as well as an appearance in the 2006 Champions League final, has not lost his touch.
"Arsene is a great man and a great manager," declared Adebayor, who now has 20 Premier League goals this season.
"He has achieved a lot of things with this club. For sure he is going to be here.
"He has a vision to bring a lot of good players to this club like Alex Hleb, Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue, Cesc Fabregas and William Gallas. They are his players. So, for sure, we will win something, no doubt about that."
Adebayor, 24, continued: "We will never give up. Last season we finished fourth so we have made a lot of progress and we deserved something.
"I still believe we are still one of the best teams in the world. We know how to achieve things and we know how to play football.
"But next season we have to come out like a killer to do something. We have the quality."
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Olympic Games :Siasia Decide To Throw Camp Open
Samson Siasia says his final list of players for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will surprise soccer loving Nigerians.
“I have told my players to buckle up because there won't be sentiments as regards picking players for the Olympics. That is why I laughed when people said they know the players I will take to the Olympics.
“We are looking out for the best that will do this nation proud. I also want to make a name and win something for myself too and if I want to do this then I should be ready to present the best for the assignment in Beijing," Siasia told KickOffNigeria.com.
He disclosed that it was too early to mention the names of the final squad that would campaign in the Olympics saying that many factors would decide that.
"We won't be able to say what players are sure for the Olympics because in football anything can happen. We can't rule injury or other problems out.
"So as we pray for all players to be injury free before the start of the Games, we should also consider drop in form of some players before the Olympics. So we won't be able to say precisely who and who will not make the team now until few days to the competition.
"But all the players that participated in the qualification matches are in the team that will engage in series of tours and friendly matches in our build up for the Olympics," the Olympic team handler disclosed at the weekend.
“I have told my players to buckle up because there won't be sentiments as regards picking players for the Olympics. That is why I laughed when people said they know the players I will take to the Olympics.
“We are looking out for the best that will do this nation proud. I also want to make a name and win something for myself too and if I want to do this then I should be ready to present the best for the assignment in Beijing," Siasia told KickOffNigeria.com.
He disclosed that it was too early to mention the names of the final squad that would campaign in the Olympics saying that many factors would decide that.
"We won't be able to say what players are sure for the Olympics because in football anything can happen. We can't rule injury or other problems out.
"So as we pray for all players to be injury free before the start of the Games, we should also consider drop in form of some players before the Olympics. So we won't be able to say precisely who and who will not make the team now until few days to the competition.
"But all the players that participated in the qualification matches are in the team that will engage in series of tours and friendly matches in our build up for the Olympics," the Olympic team handler disclosed at the weekend.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Portsmouth beat West Brom to reach their first FA Cup final
Kanu's tap-in goal and a clinical defensive performance in the second half saw Portsmouth beat West Brom 1-0 in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final. Pompey held on to reach their first FA Cup final since winning the competition in 1939 as they wrecked hopes of a first all-Championship showdown.
Kanu, twice an FA Cup winner with Arsenal, continued his love affair with the competition with a simple finish in the 54th minute after former Pompey goalkeeper Dean Kiely could only push out Milan Baros' shot.
Baros had other chances to wrap it up but with Sol Campbell and Sylvain Distin rock solid in defence, David James was barely troubled despite a late West Brom rally in which Robert Koren hit the top of the crossbar.
Portsmouth will face either Barnsley or Cardiff in the final on Saturday May 17.
Pompey arrived for their first Wembley appearance in 69 years with a record of seven wins in their previous nine games and lying sixth in the Premier League.
Apart from cup-tied striker Jermain Defoe, all their top players were in place but for a long time you could not tell them apart in terms of quality from promotion-chasing Albion, playing their fourth semi-final since winning the FA Cup in 1968.
The occasion seemed to overwhelm both sides for too long but Kanu's scrambled goal 10 minutes into the second half gave them enough inspiration to go through.
Albion, spearheaded by prolific veteran Kevin Phillips, who has 24 goals this season and five in the previous seven games, were first to fire as Pompey made a stuttering start.
Phillips clipped a shot over James' crossbar from 20 yards and in the sixth minute England goalkeeper James spilled a tame effort by Gera and was thankful to see Campbell clearing up the loose ball.
Albion continued to dictate the pace, although Hermann Hreidarsson, passed fit before the kick-off after an Achilles injury, almost sent Baros clean through the inside left channel, his pass just a shade heavy.
It took nearly 30 minutes for Pompey to raise their first shot on target, and that an optimistic 35-yard free-kick by Muntari which went straight down Kiely's throat.
Baros' frustrating first half was epitomised when he shrugged off Martin Albrechtsen and fired over from the edge of the area, only to be booked by referee Howard Webb who had already whistled for a foul.
James caused Pompey another flutter trying to keep Johnson's back-header from going out for a corner, palming it straight back towards the lurking Phillips but recovering just in time.
But Pompey were at last beginning to exert some pressure towards half time and Muntari got much closer for a strike after a determined solo run and drilled his shot just off target.
Redknapp resisted the temptation to make changes at the interval and the decision was justified when Pompey nosed ahead with a streaky goal in the 55th minute.
The ball finally ran for Baros following a free-kick which was turned back into the area by Glen Johnson and the Czech striker's shot was palmed out by Kiely.
The keeper scrambled across his line to get another despairing touch but Zoltan Gera inadvertently got in the way and the ball rebounded to Kanu who had the easiest job in the world to tap home.
Albion boss Tony Mowbray called for a double substitution on the hour. He had started with Czech Roman Bednar supporting Phillips up front but sent on Chris Brunt and quarter-final hat-trick hero Ishmael Miller for Bednar and midfielder James Morrison.
But Pompey were looking a different side now, full of running and Baros should have made it 2-0 on 65 minutes.
Kiely had already had to charge out of his area to stop him collecting a long, through ball but the striker - still to score during his loan spell with Pompey from Lyon - should have left him helpless from a Kranjcar pass.
Kiely deserved big credit for blocking Baros' hesitant shot.
Baros left the action with 20 minutes left to be replaced by David Nugent but it was West Brom who threatened next, Koren's snap-shot clipping the bar in the 73rd minute.
Muntari was just wide with a cross-shot and Nugent had the chance to seal it but failed to beat the brave Kiely and Pompey were finally able to breathe more easily after Miller's shot from a Carl Hoefkens cross passed inches wide with six minutes left.
Kanu, twice an FA Cup winner with Arsenal, continued his love affair with the competition with a simple finish in the 54th minute after former Pompey goalkeeper Dean Kiely could only push out Milan Baros' shot.
Baros had other chances to wrap it up but with Sol Campbell and Sylvain Distin rock solid in defence, David James was barely troubled despite a late West Brom rally in which Robert Koren hit the top of the crossbar.
Portsmouth will face either Barnsley or Cardiff in the final on Saturday May 17.
Pompey arrived for their first Wembley appearance in 69 years with a record of seven wins in their previous nine games and lying sixth in the Premier League.
Apart from cup-tied striker Jermain Defoe, all their top players were in place but for a long time you could not tell them apart in terms of quality from promotion-chasing Albion, playing their fourth semi-final since winning the FA Cup in 1968.
The occasion seemed to overwhelm both sides for too long but Kanu's scrambled goal 10 minutes into the second half gave them enough inspiration to go through.
Albion, spearheaded by prolific veteran Kevin Phillips, who has 24 goals this season and five in the previous seven games, were first to fire as Pompey made a stuttering start.
Phillips clipped a shot over James' crossbar from 20 yards and in the sixth minute England goalkeeper James spilled a tame effort by Gera and was thankful to see Campbell clearing up the loose ball.
Albion continued to dictate the pace, although Hermann Hreidarsson, passed fit before the kick-off after an Achilles injury, almost sent Baros clean through the inside left channel, his pass just a shade heavy.
It took nearly 30 minutes for Pompey to raise their first shot on target, and that an optimistic 35-yard free-kick by Muntari which went straight down Kiely's throat.
Baros' frustrating first half was epitomised when he shrugged off Martin Albrechtsen and fired over from the edge of the area, only to be booked by referee Howard Webb who had already whistled for a foul.
James caused Pompey another flutter trying to keep Johnson's back-header from going out for a corner, palming it straight back towards the lurking Phillips but recovering just in time.
But Pompey were at last beginning to exert some pressure towards half time and Muntari got much closer for a strike after a determined solo run and drilled his shot just off target.
Redknapp resisted the temptation to make changes at the interval and the decision was justified when Pompey nosed ahead with a streaky goal in the 55th minute.
The ball finally ran for Baros following a free-kick which was turned back into the area by Glen Johnson and the Czech striker's shot was palmed out by Kiely.
The keeper scrambled across his line to get another despairing touch but Zoltan Gera inadvertently got in the way and the ball rebounded to Kanu who had the easiest job in the world to tap home.
Albion boss Tony Mowbray called for a double substitution on the hour. He had started with Czech Roman Bednar supporting Phillips up front but sent on Chris Brunt and quarter-final hat-trick hero Ishmael Miller for Bednar and midfielder James Morrison.
But Pompey were looking a different side now, full of running and Baros should have made it 2-0 on 65 minutes.
Kiely had already had to charge out of his area to stop him collecting a long, through ball but the striker - still to score during his loan spell with Pompey from Lyon - should have left him helpless from a Kranjcar pass.
Kiely deserved big credit for blocking Baros' hesitant shot.
Baros left the action with 20 minutes left to be replaced by David Nugent but it was West Brom who threatened next, Koren's snap-shot clipping the bar in the 73rd minute.
Muntari was just wide with a cross-shot and Nugent had the chance to seal it but failed to beat the brave Kiely and Pompey were finally able to breathe more easily after Miller's shot from a Carl Hoefkens cross passed inches wide with six minutes left.
Amodu Named As Super Eagles Coach
After weeks of speculation Nigerian football fans will next week be told that Shaibu Amodu will return to take charge of the Super Eagles.
In fact the Board of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) will make the announcement next Monday after their emergency meeting called specifically to tackle the coaching issue.
Sources told THISDAYSports that the decision to settle for Amodu, who was sacked along with Stephen Keshi after guiding the Eagles to the bronze medal at Mali 2002, was taken after the preferred choice Dream Team handler Samson Siasia declined the offer.
Instead the former international opted to stay with his U-23 Eagles as they prepare for this summer’s Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
The Glass House had been leaning towards the U-23 coach to take over from Berti Vogts, who was relieved off his duties after the Eagles poor showing at Ghana 2008.
In planning to make their position known Monday, it was learnt that Glass House bigwigs had secured the green light from the National Sports Commission to bring back the former BCC Lions handler at a meeting they had yesterday.
Amodu, along with Siasia, Keshi and a few others had been interviewed for the position last month by the Technical Committee of the FA but to the surprise of many rather than announcing their preferred candidate the Glass House named assistant technical director James Peters as interim Eagles coach.
However, it was made crystal clear by the FA official that in offering the one time Orlando Pirates handler the job, he should be ready to work under a foreign coach whenever one is employed.
“We’ve made it clear to him (Amodu) that he is on probation until when we feel he deserves to be confirmed. But even then he will still have to be ready to work with a foreign coach if we so choose to hire one,” explained the FA official.
The FA’s largest financiers Globacom have already made it clear that they would be ready to pick up the wage bills of any ‘high profile’ foreign coach the Glass House settles for.
The FA has been under increasing pressure to put it coaching house in order especially with the Nations Cup and South Africa 2010 qualifiers kicking off next month.
After Nigeria failed to make the last World Cup finals in Germany and the Eagles dismal performance in Ghana, they had no room for further error.
In fact the Board of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) will make the announcement next Monday after their emergency meeting called specifically to tackle the coaching issue.
Sources told THISDAYSports that the decision to settle for Amodu, who was sacked along with Stephen Keshi after guiding the Eagles to the bronze medal at Mali 2002, was taken after the preferred choice Dream Team handler Samson Siasia declined the offer.
Instead the former international opted to stay with his U-23 Eagles as they prepare for this summer’s Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
The Glass House had been leaning towards the U-23 coach to take over from Berti Vogts, who was relieved off his duties after the Eagles poor showing at Ghana 2008.
In planning to make their position known Monday, it was learnt that Glass House bigwigs had secured the green light from the National Sports Commission to bring back the former BCC Lions handler at a meeting they had yesterday.
Amodu, along with Siasia, Keshi and a few others had been interviewed for the position last month by the Technical Committee of the FA but to the surprise of many rather than announcing their preferred candidate the Glass House named assistant technical director James Peters as interim Eagles coach.
However, it was made crystal clear by the FA official that in offering the one time Orlando Pirates handler the job, he should be ready to work under a foreign coach whenever one is employed.
“We’ve made it clear to him (Amodu) that he is on probation until when we feel he deserves to be confirmed. But even then he will still have to be ready to work with a foreign coach if we so choose to hire one,” explained the FA official.
The FA’s largest financiers Globacom have already made it clear that they would be ready to pick up the wage bills of any ‘high profile’ foreign coach the Glass House settles for.
The FA has been under increasing pressure to put it coaching house in order especially with the Nations Cup and South Africa 2010 qualifiers kicking off next month.
After Nigeria failed to make the last World Cup finals in Germany and the Eagles dismal performance in Ghana, they had no room for further error.
Chelsea kept the pressure on Manchester United
A Richard Dunne own-goal and a Salomon Kalou strike agave Chelsea a 2-0 win over Manchester City which kept the pressure on Manchester United.Avram Grant's side took the lead in the sixth minute at Eastlands when Dunne turned a Nicolas Anelka cross past goalkeeper Joe Hart.
Kalou then doubled his side's advantage in the 53rd minute when he stroked home Michael Essien's cross from the left to leave Chelsea two points behind Sir Alex Ferguson's side having played an extra game.
Fulham moved a step closer to relegation after goals from Danny Collins, Michael Chopra and Kenwyne Jones gave Sunderland a 3-1 win at Craven Cottage.
Collins scored on the stroke of half-time with a glancing header and Chopra doubled the advantage with a superb volley in the 54th minute.
David Healy pulled a goal back with a spectacular long-range effort in the 74th minute but Jones restored the Black Cats two-goal cushion two minutes later with a low shot.
A brace from Gareth Barry helped Aston Villa to a comfortable 4-0 victory over Bolton which meant Wanderers remain four points adrift from safety in 18th place.
A close-range header from Barry gave the home side the lead at Villa Park in the ninth minute and Gabriel Agbonlahor made it 2-0 in the 56th minute with a neat finish inside the six-yard box.
Barry collected his second with low shot from 20 yards and Marlon Harewood headed the fourth from a Barry cross in the 85th minute.
Ryan Taylor struck twice go give Wigan boss Steve Bruce a 2-0 win over his former club Birmingham who were reduced to 10 men.
Taylor dispatched an Antonio Valencia cross from the right in the 15th minute and then bundled the ball home from close range in the 55th minute.
Birmingham captain Damien Johnson was shown a straight red card in the 37th minute for a nasty tackle on Josip Skoko.
A goal each from strikers Obafemi Martins, Michael Owen and Mark Viduka helped Newcastle to their third consecutive win with a 3-0 demolition of Reading at St James Park.
Martins fired home in the 18th minute after he latched onto Nicky Butt's pass and Owen doubled the advantage two minutes before the break when he lobbed the ball over Hahnemann.
Viduka slotted home from inside the penalty area in the 58th minute after he was found by Habib Beye to round off the scoring.
Morten Gamst Pedersen's strike cancelled out Dimitar Berbatov's early goal to give Blackburn a point against Tottenham at Ewood Park.
Berbatov broke the deadlock in the seventh minute when he latched on to Jermaine Jenas' pass and bundled the ball home.
But Pedersen equalised in the 30th minute when he comfortably tapped home a David Bentley cross home from inside the six-yard box.
Kalou then doubled his side's advantage in the 53rd minute when he stroked home Michael Essien's cross from the left to leave Chelsea two points behind Sir Alex Ferguson's side having played an extra game.
Fulham moved a step closer to relegation after goals from Danny Collins, Michael Chopra and Kenwyne Jones gave Sunderland a 3-1 win at Craven Cottage.
Collins scored on the stroke of half-time with a glancing header and Chopra doubled the advantage with a superb volley in the 54th minute.
David Healy pulled a goal back with a spectacular long-range effort in the 74th minute but Jones restored the Black Cats two-goal cushion two minutes later with a low shot.
A brace from Gareth Barry helped Aston Villa to a comfortable 4-0 victory over Bolton which meant Wanderers remain four points adrift from safety in 18th place.
A close-range header from Barry gave the home side the lead at Villa Park in the ninth minute and Gabriel Agbonlahor made it 2-0 in the 56th minute with a neat finish inside the six-yard box.
Barry collected his second with low shot from 20 yards and Marlon Harewood headed the fourth from a Barry cross in the 85th minute.
Ryan Taylor struck twice go give Wigan boss Steve Bruce a 2-0 win over his former club Birmingham who were reduced to 10 men.
Taylor dispatched an Antonio Valencia cross from the right in the 15th minute and then bundled the ball home from close range in the 55th minute.
Birmingham captain Damien Johnson was shown a straight red card in the 37th minute for a nasty tackle on Josip Skoko.
A goal each from strikers Obafemi Martins, Michael Owen and Mark Viduka helped Newcastle to their third consecutive win with a 3-0 demolition of Reading at St James Park.
Martins fired home in the 18th minute after he latched onto Nicky Butt's pass and Owen doubled the advantage two minutes before the break when he lobbed the ball over Hahnemann.
Viduka slotted home from inside the penalty area in the 58th minute after he was found by Habib Beye to round off the scoring.
Morten Gamst Pedersen's strike cancelled out Dimitar Berbatov's early goal to give Blackburn a point against Tottenham at Ewood Park.
Berbatov broke the deadlock in the seventh minute when he latched on to Jermaine Jenas' pass and bundled the ball home.
But Pedersen equalised in the 30th minute when he comfortably tapped home a David Bentley cross home from inside the six-yard box.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Mourinho Move To Inter Milan Not True-Massimo Moratti
Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has broken his silence regarding the speculation linking Jose Mourinho to the Nerazzurri According to recent reports, the former Chelsea boss has been lined up as a replacement for current coach Roberto Mancini at the end of the season.
Moratti, however, has denied all knowledge of such a move.
"The assumption of Mourinho is an idea that others have, but it's not the truth," said Moratti.
Things have not gone well for Inter ever since their Champions League exit to Liverpool last month, in the aftermath of which Mancini announced he would leave the San Siro at the end of the season.
Although he later retracted his comments, Moratti has repeatedly had to deny he is looking for a new coach.
The ongoing speculation has affected the Nerazzurri players, who have failed to win in the last three games and have seen their lead over Scudetto contenders Roma cut to just four points with seven games remaining.
Moratti believes that a coaching change would be detrimental for his side, though.
"In my opinion, the situation should not be altered," said Moratti. "Because it allows us to go forward without having to experience any disturbance."
Inter travel to Bergamo to meet Atalanta on Sunday while Roma host Genoa this weekend.
Moratti, however, has denied all knowledge of such a move.
"The assumption of Mourinho is an idea that others have, but it's not the truth," said Moratti.
Things have not gone well for Inter ever since their Champions League exit to Liverpool last month, in the aftermath of which Mancini announced he would leave the San Siro at the end of the season.
Although he later retracted his comments, Moratti has repeatedly had to deny he is looking for a new coach.
The ongoing speculation has affected the Nerazzurri players, who have failed to win in the last three games and have seen their lead over Scudetto contenders Roma cut to just four points with seven games remaining.
Moratti believes that a coaching change would be detrimental for his side, though.
"In my opinion, the situation should not be altered," said Moratti. "Because it allows us to go forward without having to experience any disturbance."
Inter travel to Bergamo to meet Atalanta on Sunday while Roma host Genoa this weekend.
Berti Vogts Grab Azerbaijan coaching job.
Former Super Eagles coach Berti Vogts was considered ahead of Philippe Troussier who was also a one time former coach of the Nigerian national team for the Azerbaijan coaching job.
Vogts was at the weekend confirmed by the Azeibajan football board as the new coach to replace Macedonian Gjoko Hadzievski who was sacked in the wake of the national team’s poor showing in their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.
But from available facts the German, who left Nigeria in acrimony last month following the Eagles’ atrocious Nations Cup campaign, was considered the right man to handle Azerbaijan from a shortlist that included the widely travelled Troussier.
Troussier was in charge of the Eagles from April-September 1997 and successfully plotted the team through France 98 qualifying campaign before losing his job after he fell out with the sports authority.
Interestingly, Troussier declined an offer to return to Nigeria in 2005 to take charge of the Eagles’ sinking German 2006 campaign because he doubted the team’s chances to overcome the odds.
He was approached by Nigeria Football Association (NFA) sponsor, Globacom which later appointed and was responsible for Vogts’ salaries as well as his severance package for the 11 months he spent in Nigeria.
Vogts will now sign a two- year contract later this week to help lift the football fortunes of Azerbaijan which occupies a lowly 119th position in the world, just ahead of Liechtenstein but behind Burkina Faso. The German will be tasked with guiding the country through a difficult 2010 UEFA qualifying group.
Vogts was at the weekend confirmed by the Azeibajan football board as the new coach to replace Macedonian Gjoko Hadzievski who was sacked in the wake of the national team’s poor showing in their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.
But from available facts the German, who left Nigeria in acrimony last month following the Eagles’ atrocious Nations Cup campaign, was considered the right man to handle Azerbaijan from a shortlist that included the widely travelled Troussier.
Troussier was in charge of the Eagles from April-September 1997 and successfully plotted the team through France 98 qualifying campaign before losing his job after he fell out with the sports authority.
Interestingly, Troussier declined an offer to return to Nigeria in 2005 to take charge of the Eagles’ sinking German 2006 campaign because he doubted the team’s chances to overcome the odds.
He was approached by Nigeria Football Association (NFA) sponsor, Globacom which later appointed and was responsible for Vogts’ salaries as well as his severance package for the 11 months he spent in Nigeria.
Vogts will now sign a two- year contract later this week to help lift the football fortunes of Azerbaijan which occupies a lowly 119th position in the world, just ahead of Liechtenstein but behind Burkina Faso. The German will be tasked with guiding the country through a difficult 2010 UEFA qualifying group.
"Cristiano Ronaldo is the best in the world," Bernd Schuster
Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster has hailed the qualities of Cristiano Ronaldo and hopes his club can sign him "in a few years".With the Portugal international having a long-term contract at Old Trafford and rated by many as the best player in the world at present, Schuster is under no illusions about his club's chances of landing the 23-year-old anytime soon.
"In these types of things it is best to be realistic. Cristiano Ronaldo right now is a 10 out of 10, the best in the world," said Schuster.
"But I don't see Manchester United as being in the business of selling."
That does not mean Ronaldo, who took his tally to 36 goals this season during Tuesday's Champions League triumph over Roma, will be off-limits in the future though, according to Schuster.
"In the short term I cannot see it as being possible, but I think in a few years that he could wear the Madrid shirt in the Bernabeu," Schuster said in Spanish newspaper AS.
"He is the star at Old Trafford and until he wins a Champions League and some more Premier League titles they are not going to allow him to escape.
"For me, Cristiano Ronaldo is already better than Kaka after the Brazilian's loss of form at Milan this season. Some day he will be with us."
Schuster also spoke highly of Chelsea striker Drogba and Sevilla's Luis Fabiano, who is currently the leading scorer in La Liga this season with 22 goals.
"For me they also seem very good," Schuster said. "Madrid, if they sign, have to aspire to get the best.
Meanwhile Schuster heaped glowing praise on the Ajax striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, opening the way for a possible summer move.
"This lad is very similar to Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Marco Van Basten. He is a spitting image of them. It seems that they have made a clone in a laboratory," said Schuster of the Dutch international.
"He has qualities of Van Nistelrooy and Van Basten. He moves in a similar way, is tall, shoots with two feet, does well in the air and is a good goalscorer.
"As well as that, these guys have a good schooling, learn things easily and are good professionals. This gives some security when signing them," added Schuster, who already has four Dutch players in his squad in Van Nistelrooy, Royston Drenthe, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder.
"Here he will not score 30 goals (a season) like there, but maybe he will have five less."
"In these types of things it is best to be realistic. Cristiano Ronaldo right now is a 10 out of 10, the best in the world," said Schuster.
"But I don't see Manchester United as being in the business of selling."
That does not mean Ronaldo, who took his tally to 36 goals this season during Tuesday's Champions League triumph over Roma, will be off-limits in the future though, according to Schuster.
"In the short term I cannot see it as being possible, but I think in a few years that he could wear the Madrid shirt in the Bernabeu," Schuster said in Spanish newspaper AS.
"He is the star at Old Trafford and until he wins a Champions League and some more Premier League titles they are not going to allow him to escape.
"For me, Cristiano Ronaldo is already better than Kaka after the Brazilian's loss of form at Milan this season. Some day he will be with us."
Schuster also spoke highly of Chelsea striker Drogba and Sevilla's Luis Fabiano, who is currently the leading scorer in La Liga this season with 22 goals.
"For me they also seem very good," Schuster said. "Madrid, if they sign, have to aspire to get the best.
Meanwhile Schuster heaped glowing praise on the Ajax striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, opening the way for a possible summer move.
"This lad is very similar to Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Marco Van Basten. He is a spitting image of them. It seems that they have made a clone in a laboratory," said Schuster of the Dutch international.
"He has qualities of Van Nistelrooy and Van Basten. He moves in a similar way, is tall, shoots with two feet, does well in the air and is a good goalscorer.
"As well as that, these guys have a good schooling, learn things easily and are good professionals. This gives some security when signing them," added Schuster, who already has four Dutch players in his squad in Van Nistelrooy, Royston Drenthe, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder.
"Here he will not score 30 goals (a season) like there, but maybe he will have five less."
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Torres Form Is Our Major Boost-Rafael Benitez
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez believes 28-goal Fernando Torres will be the inspiration for another European triumph against the odds The Reds will need their 23-year-old talismanic frontman at his very best when they face Arsenal at the Emirates on Wednesday in the first-leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
Few pundits make them favourites to progress in the competition against Arsene Wenger's aristocrats, but the Gunners are on a run of shaky form heading into the clash.
Benitez will point to shock European successes against Inter Milan, Juventus, AC Milan, Chelsea, Barcelona and Marseille when the chips were down to reinforce Liverpool's case.
And it is Torres, their £20million hitman, that Liverpool will look to for the goals that could fire them into their ninth European Cup semi-final, and third in four seasons.
Skipper Steven Gerrard said earlier this week that as long as Liverpool give Torres the ball, they believe he will always score.
That belief comes from Benitez too.
He said: "Fernando knows he is a key player for us, and he knows that if we play well, he will score goals.
"Three times now in a week we play Arsenal, twice in Europe and on Saturday in the league, and I would expect Fernando to work just as he has done before.
"This, though, is Europe and I know he wants to play well and score more goals.
"The partnership between Gerrard and Torres is improving with every game. On the pitch they understand each other perfectly, they are both clever players and a it is easy for them to work together.
"Although of it maybe Fernando has some trouble with Steven's scouse accent!"
Benitez, who has only Daniel Agger and Harry Kewell missing ahead of the match, added: "It is the understanding on the pitch between Fernando and Stevie that is the key, and everyone can see how good that has become.
"The players believe Fernando will score, always. They have trust that if they get the ball to him and create chances for him, he will score.
"Stevie has said as much this week, and he is the closest to him; he can see the quality and ability from close quarters.
"He knows just how dangerous Fernando is. Not only in training sessions, but Stevie has seen Torres score 28 goals and he is impressed, he is giving credit that is due and we can all see it.
"Maybe he is better than when he was in Spain. It is different for him here, in Madrid he was going out wide to receive the ball, he was working hard to receive the ball.
"He was having to go at defenders from different positions. But here he has Gerrard close by, so he can stay higher up the pitch and wait for the passes, that has seen him score more goals."
Liverpool have won five successive European games, scoring 19 in the process, and Benitez believes Torres has the temperament to keep that run going against the Gunners.
"Torres scores in big matches. Against Inter Milan, and also Porto and Marseille in Europe, plus important goals against Chelsea and Everton, he has scored against them all.
"He is so competitive and with a very good mentality. Against the top sides you must be focused and confident in yourself.
"He can do this, because if you do not show that attitude against the very top defenders, things become very difficult. But Torres can handle the big occasion.
"Arsenal have a fine style and will play that way. But they know Torres is scoring goals, he is on fire and he will be a big problem for their defenders."
And because Liverpool have so often confounded the critics with European displays far superior to their domestic form, Benitez feels that his team believe they can reach another final.
He said: "Our players believe this trophy is now the most important because it is something they can win. So the determination of the players will be very high.
"There is great respect between the players because they know each other well, so the games could be very exciting."
Benitez will clearly use the 'G&T' double act of Gerrard and Torres as the tonic to inspire Liverpool, and he disagrees with the theory that he will be ultra-defensive in north London.
He said: "We have scored 100 goals this season, which is not bad! When people sometimes say we are defensive, what they really mean is that we are good in defence and also good in attack. "The key to progressing past Arsenal will be to work really hard as a team in defence, because we will be playing against a team that is very offensive. After that it is about determination and going forward to try to win.
"They play very offensively and it's very attractive for the supporters. These are the positive things. When they attack and attack, they have problems in defence, but that is normal. "Our idea is to win and score. It's always important to get an away goal in this type of competition."
He added: "When we play in Europe we have a lot of confidence, and we are playing against Arsenal who people forget we beat 4-1 at Anfield last season. They only mention the cup defeats.
"We can beat them if we do our job and we work as hard as we were working before."
Few pundits make them favourites to progress in the competition against Arsene Wenger's aristocrats, but the Gunners are on a run of shaky form heading into the clash.
Benitez will point to shock European successes against Inter Milan, Juventus, AC Milan, Chelsea, Barcelona and Marseille when the chips were down to reinforce Liverpool's case.
And it is Torres, their £20million hitman, that Liverpool will look to for the goals that could fire them into their ninth European Cup semi-final, and third in four seasons.
Skipper Steven Gerrard said earlier this week that as long as Liverpool give Torres the ball, they believe he will always score.
That belief comes from Benitez too.
He said: "Fernando knows he is a key player for us, and he knows that if we play well, he will score goals.
"Three times now in a week we play Arsenal, twice in Europe and on Saturday in the league, and I would expect Fernando to work just as he has done before.
"This, though, is Europe and I know he wants to play well and score more goals.
"The partnership between Gerrard and Torres is improving with every game. On the pitch they understand each other perfectly, they are both clever players and a it is easy for them to work together.
"Although of it maybe Fernando has some trouble with Steven's scouse accent!"
Benitez, who has only Daniel Agger and Harry Kewell missing ahead of the match, added: "It is the understanding on the pitch between Fernando and Stevie that is the key, and everyone can see how good that has become.
"The players believe Fernando will score, always. They have trust that if they get the ball to him and create chances for him, he will score.
"Stevie has said as much this week, and he is the closest to him; he can see the quality and ability from close quarters.
"He knows just how dangerous Fernando is. Not only in training sessions, but Stevie has seen Torres score 28 goals and he is impressed, he is giving credit that is due and we can all see it.
"Maybe he is better than when he was in Spain. It is different for him here, in Madrid he was going out wide to receive the ball, he was working hard to receive the ball.
"He was having to go at defenders from different positions. But here he has Gerrard close by, so he can stay higher up the pitch and wait for the passes, that has seen him score more goals."
Liverpool have won five successive European games, scoring 19 in the process, and Benitez believes Torres has the temperament to keep that run going against the Gunners.
"Torres scores in big matches. Against Inter Milan, and also Porto and Marseille in Europe, plus important goals against Chelsea and Everton, he has scored against them all.
"He is so competitive and with a very good mentality. Against the top sides you must be focused and confident in yourself.
"He can do this, because if you do not show that attitude against the very top defenders, things become very difficult. But Torres can handle the big occasion.
"Arsenal have a fine style and will play that way. But they know Torres is scoring goals, he is on fire and he will be a big problem for their defenders."
And because Liverpool have so often confounded the critics with European displays far superior to their domestic form, Benitez feels that his team believe they can reach another final.
He said: "Our players believe this trophy is now the most important because it is something they can win. So the determination of the players will be very high.
"There is great respect between the players because they know each other well, so the games could be very exciting."
Benitez will clearly use the 'G&T' double act of Gerrard and Torres as the tonic to inspire Liverpool, and he disagrees with the theory that he will be ultra-defensive in north London.
He said: "We have scored 100 goals this season, which is not bad! When people sometimes say we are defensive, what they really mean is that we are good in defence and also good in attack. "The key to progressing past Arsenal will be to work really hard as a team in defence, because we will be playing against a team that is very offensive. After that it is about determination and going forward to try to win.
"They play very offensively and it's very attractive for the supporters. These are the positive things. When they attack and attack, they have problems in defence, but that is normal. "Our idea is to win and score. It's always important to get an away goal in this type of competition."
He added: "When we play in Europe we have a lot of confidence, and we are playing against Arsenal who people forget we beat 4-1 at Anfield last season. They only mention the cup defeats.
"We can beat them if we do our job and we work as hard as we were working before."
El-Hadji Diouf Ready To Quit Bolton In Summer
El-Hadji Diouf has shocked Bolton by telling them he will quit the club in the summer even if they avoid relegation from the Premier League The Trotters are embroiled in a desperate battle to beat the drop and are currently four points off safety.
And Diouf has revealed that he has no plans to remain at the Reebok Stadium - even though he has more than a year left on his current contract.
"If Bolton stay in the top division or not, I will not stay next year for sure," Diouf told L'Observateur.
"Teams are interested in me; an agreement between three parties is the only thing missing and I will leave in peace.
"Whether Bolton remain in the league or not, it is my last year. But it does not prevent me from respecting and admiring Bolton."
Diouf claims up to five clubs are interested in signing him and although he wants to remain in England, the former Liverpool ace also says he could switch to Spain or Italy.
"For the moment, four or five clubs are very interested. They come to see me every weekend. I do not want to reveal their identity, I prefer to make a surprise of it and when the moment comes," he continued.
"My priority is to stay in England. But Spanish and Italian clubs are following me.
"For the moment, I am concentrating on trying to do everything to prevent Bolton from being relegated.
"We are trying to get out of the relegation zone as quickly as possible."
And Diouf has revealed that he has no plans to remain at the Reebok Stadium - even though he has more than a year left on his current contract.
"If Bolton stay in the top division or not, I will not stay next year for sure," Diouf told L'Observateur.
"Teams are interested in me; an agreement between three parties is the only thing missing and I will leave in peace.
"Whether Bolton remain in the league or not, it is my last year. But it does not prevent me from respecting and admiring Bolton."
Diouf claims up to five clubs are interested in signing him and although he wants to remain in England, the former Liverpool ace also says he could switch to Spain or Italy.
"For the moment, four or five clubs are very interested. They come to see me every weekend. I do not want to reveal their identity, I prefer to make a surprise of it and when the moment comes," he continued.
"My priority is to stay in England. But Spanish and Italian clubs are following me.
"For the moment, I am concentrating on trying to do everything to prevent Bolton from being relegated.
"We are trying to get out of the relegation zone as quickly as possible."
NFA To Name New Coach For Eagles Next Week
The Nigeria Football Association (NFA) is set to name substantive coaches for the Super Eagles within the next one week just as it claimed former coach Clemens Westerhof is not in the plans of the Glass House.
NFA’s Secretary General Bolaji Ojo-Oba, in a telephone chat with THISDAYSports yesterday, said that the Glass House is worried that the vacant position formally occupied by Berti Vogts is yet to be filled and that they are looking forward to making a pronouncement within the “next few days or at most a week”.
“We know Nigerians are passionate about our activities and we cannot continue to slow down the pace even as we are also being very careful not to rush in the employment of an incompetent hand.
“We have been receiving phone calls from Nigerians who want the best for the team and within the next few days the NFA board will meet to confirm the next coach and thereafter the names would be made public. The NFA will not delay in taking necessary action once a position has been reached by the board,” Ojo-Oba confirmed yesterday.
So far, former coach, Shaibu Amodu and Dream Team handler, Samson Siasia are believed to be favourites following the initial interview conducted by NFA early last month.
Meanwhile, contrary to reports last week that the NFA had concluded plans to hire Dutchman Clemens Westerhof to pilot the Super Eagles into the 2010 Word Cup qualifying round of matches, the Glass House yesterday denied the claim.
NFA scribe, Bolaji Ojo-Oba said the former national team handler is not in their plans to replace Berti Vogts.
“We have been in touch with Westerhof since he returned to Nigeria and it is normal thing in life but since he was not among the coaches that were interview last month, there is no way he would be given such the job.”
Westerhof, who took Nigeria to its first World Cup finals in USA ’94 and Nations Cup win in Tunisia earlier same year, was in Abuja last week where he held talks with NFA officials thus fueling the speculation that the man who held sway between 1989-94 may be on his way back to the same position.
“It is absolutely false that Westerhof is being considered but we are looking into the possibility of engaging him to pilot home grown team that will play at the inaugural Domestic Nations Cup tournament which will come up in Cote d’Ivoire.
“The NFA knows the potentials of the man and his capabilities if given the tools to work and as soon as we conclude the financial implications and the board approves it,” he explained.
The scribe also assured Nigerians that the NFA will in the next one week name the coaches that will handle the Super Eagles because further delay may affect the plans of the Glass House in the qualifying matches of the World Cup.
NFA’s Secretary General Bolaji Ojo-Oba, in a telephone chat with THISDAYSports yesterday, said that the Glass House is worried that the vacant position formally occupied by Berti Vogts is yet to be filled and that they are looking forward to making a pronouncement within the “next few days or at most a week”.
“We know Nigerians are passionate about our activities and we cannot continue to slow down the pace even as we are also being very careful not to rush in the employment of an incompetent hand.
“We have been receiving phone calls from Nigerians who want the best for the team and within the next few days the NFA board will meet to confirm the next coach and thereafter the names would be made public. The NFA will not delay in taking necessary action once a position has been reached by the board,” Ojo-Oba confirmed yesterday.
So far, former coach, Shaibu Amodu and Dream Team handler, Samson Siasia are believed to be favourites following the initial interview conducted by NFA early last month.
Meanwhile, contrary to reports last week that the NFA had concluded plans to hire Dutchman Clemens Westerhof to pilot the Super Eagles into the 2010 Word Cup qualifying round of matches, the Glass House yesterday denied the claim.
NFA scribe, Bolaji Ojo-Oba said the former national team handler is not in their plans to replace Berti Vogts.
“We have been in touch with Westerhof since he returned to Nigeria and it is normal thing in life but since he was not among the coaches that were interview last month, there is no way he would be given such the job.”
Westerhof, who took Nigeria to its first World Cup finals in USA ’94 and Nations Cup win in Tunisia earlier same year, was in Abuja last week where he held talks with NFA officials thus fueling the speculation that the man who held sway between 1989-94 may be on his way back to the same position.
“It is absolutely false that Westerhof is being considered but we are looking into the possibility of engaging him to pilot home grown team that will play at the inaugural Domestic Nations Cup tournament which will come up in Cote d’Ivoire.
“The NFA knows the potentials of the man and his capabilities if given the tools to work and as soon as we conclude the financial implications and the board approves it,” he explained.
The scribe also assured Nigerians that the NFA will in the next one week name the coaches that will handle the Super Eagles because further delay may affect the plans of the Glass House in the qualifying matches of the World Cup.
Arsenal :Adebayor To Start quarter-final clash against Liverpool
Leading scorer Emmanuel Adebayor looks set to return to the Arsenal attack for Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final clash with Liverpool.The Togo frontman was rested to bench against Bolton on Saturday, but is in line for a recall to the starting XI at The Emirates. Midfielder Abou Diaby is available for the European tie, as his suspension for the red card at the Reebok Stadium is for domestic games.
Emmanuel Eboue could slot back onto the right side of defence, which would allow England squad man Theo Walcott another chance to impress down the right wing after coming off the bench in the 3-2 victory at the weekend.
Full-back Bacary Sagna (ankle), midfielder Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) remain sidelined, while striker Eduardo is out for the season with a broken leg.
Arsenal (from): Almunia, Eboue, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Hleb, Flamini, Fabregas, Walcott, van Persie, Adebayor, Lehmann, Diaby, Bendtner, Hoyte, Senderos, Gilberto, Denilson.
Emmanuel Eboue could slot back onto the right side of defence, which would allow England squad man Theo Walcott another chance to impress down the right wing after coming off the bench in the 3-2 victory at the weekend.
Full-back Bacary Sagna (ankle), midfielder Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) remain sidelined, while striker Eduardo is out for the season with a broken leg.
Arsenal (from): Almunia, Eboue, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Hleb, Flamini, Fabregas, Walcott, van Persie, Adebayor, Lehmann, Diaby, Bendtner, Hoyte, Senderos, Gilberto, Denilson.
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