Friday, May 02, 2008

England: EPL Weekend Preview



The Manchester United striker is losing his battle to be fit for the visit of West Ham, plus the rest of the team news

Saturday, 03 May 2008
15:00 Aston Villa v Wigan
15:00 Blackburn v Derby
17:15 Bolton v Sunderland
15:00 Fulham v Birmingham
12:45 Man Utd v West Ham
15:00 Middlesbrough v Portsmouth
15:00 Reading v Tottenham

Sunday, 04 May 2008
13:30 Arsenal v Everton
16:00 Liverpool v Man City

Monday, 05 May 2008
16:00 Newcastle v Chelsea

Preview

Germany: Bundesliga Weekend Preview



Another busy round of Bundesliga action gets underway this weekend with Bayern Munich looking for the point that will clinch their 21st league title, while the battle for survival becomes ever fiercer at the bottom of the table

With just four games left the sides at the bottom are leaving it late s they bid to secure their Bundesliga survival

Friday 2nd May
20:30 Borussia Dortmund - Nürnberg

Saturday 3rd May
15:30 Hansa Rostock - Hamburg
15:30 Arminia Bielefeld - Bochum
15:30 Schalke - Hannover
15:30 Werder Bremen – Energie Cottbus
15:30 Stuttgart – Eintracht Frankfurt
15:30 Hertha Berlin - Karlsruhe

Sunday 4th May
17:00 Wolfsburg – Bayern Munich
17:00 Duisburg – Bayer Leverkusen

Preview

Italy: Serie A Weekend Preview



Inter Milan will retain their Serie A title if they beat a hungry AC Milan on Sunday in what has been billed as one of the most important city derbies ever

03 April 2008
15:00 Torino - Napoli
15:00 Cagliari - Fiorentina
15:00 Empoli - Udinese
15:00 Siena - Juventus
15:00 Atalanta - Livorno
15:00 Lazio - Palermo
15:00 Parma - Genoa
15:00 Catania - Reggina

04 April 2008
15:00 Milan - Inter Milan
15:00 Sampdoria - Roma

Preview 1
Preview 2

Spain: La Liga Weekend Preview



Round 35 in Spain

Real Madrid go into this game knowing that they could seal the Liga title with a win over Osasuna in Pamplona

Saturday 3 May 2008
20:00 At. Madrid - Recreativo
22:00 Zaragoza - Deportivo

Sunday 4 May
17:00 Sevilla - Valladolid
17:00 Almería - Betis
17:00 Villarreal - Getafe
17:00 Levante - Espanyol
17:00 Athletic - Mallorca
17:00 Racing - Murcia
19:00 Barcelona - Valencia
21:00 Osasuna - R. Madrid

Preview

England: Lawro



Reading v Tottenham

Reading are in a bit of trouble and will have one eye on the Fulham-Birmingham match, but I'm going to go for the home win and that should banish any fears of relegation

You never know which Tottenham will turn up. Since their win in the Carling Cup final they've completely dropped off and I think Juande Ramos will experiment with the team a little bit.

Their poor run of form will have told him everything he needs to know about his players as he starts to build for next season, because you find out so much more when you're team are playing poorly than when they are winning all the time

Verdict: 2-0

Lawro's predictions

Liverpool: Change Ahead



It promises to be an interesting summer at Anfield as the club face up to the need for greater depth if they are to challenge next season
Blood-letting back on the agenda with Benítez to lead the cull

Concern was growing on Merseyside last night over whether Liverpool's co-owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, will ever find the £300 million for the club's proposed new stadium
Shadow Stanley Park

Champions League loss to Chelsea may prompt the Arab investors to restart their attempts to take over the Anfield club
Liverpool's European exit may force DIC bid

North America: MLS



The New York Red Bulls secured a point on Thursday night by drawing Toronto FC 1-1 at BMO Field
Red Bulls Earn Point in Toronto

Miami FC announced the signing of defender Avery John, the Trinidad and Tobago international who spent the last three years playing for the New England Revolution
Miami FC signs Avery John to shore up defense

Goal.com USA's Pat Walsh gives praise to the Columbus Crew, who came out of nowhere to finish the month in first place in the Eastern Conference
Walsh: Stay Gold

Euroland: News



There's not much cracking off in Euroland today. Having watched the evil empire that is Bayern Munich getting a whiping that would make a Berlin Dominatrix blush, most people probably brought out the single malt. Combine that with the sophoriphic effect of the Fiorentina v Rangers game and everyone's sleeping in.

Frank Rijkaard will leave Barcelona at the end of the season, a close colleague of the Dutch coach said yesterday
Colleague's blog reveals that Rijkaard will leave Barca

A court ruling over Franck Ribéry could force FIFA into a worldwide cull of agents
Ribéry ruling puts agents on the spot

England: EPL News



Premier Shorts: Today in the EPL

Chelsea are livid that Alan Curbishley has said it would be 'an injustice' for United not to win the title
Chelsea fury as Curbishley says Ferguson is 'Mr Amazing'

The departure of the club's managing director was the result of a row over future policy on foreign shareholders
Edelman exit may boost Arsenal spending

Manchester United striker, dogged by a hip injury, is highly doubtful to play against West Ham United tomorrow
Rooney injury could leave United light

Reading have suspended midfielder Emerse Fae and centre-back Ibrahima Sonko for two weeks for refusing to play in a reserve team match
Royals suspend Sonko and Faé for 'refusal to play'

Reading chairman John Madejski acknowledges his club have experienced a "reality check" this season but remains confident that a single goal can reverse an alarming tailspin towards the relegation places
Madejski refuses to panic

Olivier Kapo has vowed to stay with Birmingham through thick and thin- even if the skinny of it means that he will be a Championship football next season
Kapo Prepared To Go Down With The Ship

Champions League



rank Rijkaard, doomed but surely not dishonoured at Barcelona after winning one Champions League title of imperishable beauty with players like Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi, may well have provoked the best of all possible scenarios when Man Utd and Chelsea collide in three weeks' time
Fergie must fight Chelsea fire with skill and adventure of old

It will be the hottest ticket in town - not a seat at the Champions League final, but the invitation to join Roman Abramovich to celebrate the event
Abramovich aims to parade power and glory

Sir Alex Ferguson has not got the opponents he wanted in Moscow and has good reason to fear Chelsea's zest
Ferguson must fear Chelsea's freshness

Chelsea manager visits Auschwitz after semi-final win
Avram Grant confronts horrors of past

Strike!



Every summer in the EPL there's a drawn out story that goes on and on, a story that has mild interest for the first couple of days but from then on bores the crap out of everyone. Gerrard to Chelsea, Henry to Barca, the Tevez bollocks, etc. This year it looks like there's going to be a few: how many Arsenal players will stab Wenger in the back, Liverpool melodrama and now Sven leaving City. They're all probably going to bore us to tears, but the City players at least want to start things off right by going on strike. Sven, typical sensible Swede that he is, has averted the mutiny. Why Sven? If this story is going to drag on for weeks at least let it start will a bit of real drama.

A mutiny was narrowly avoided at Manchester City when Sven-Goran Eriksson stopped a player walk-out
Eriksson talks angry City players out of strike

Thursday, May 01, 2008

UEFA Cup Update: Fuck Rangers




Well, that was just brutal. After St. Pete and Munich showed us all how a semi-final should be played (read: plenty of scoring), Fiorentina assaulted the Rangers bunker for a total of 210 minutes, outshooting them in that period 35-11. Rangers set out to keep a clean sheet for two whole legs and the neutral observer would have to credit Walter Smith's side for sticking to the plan, if that neutral observer hadn't clawed their eyes out from boredom after the first 125 minutes had elapsed. Rangers did a masterful job of conceding midfield possession completely, forcing Fiorentina possession wide and denying the crosses, and the plan certainly worked. Fiorentina were unable to cross accurately and their forwards couldn't get their heads on anything (aside from the forehead of the artful Daniel Cousin, sent off in extra time in the second leg for his third headbutt). In the end it came down to penalties and both keepers excelled. Bobo Vieri ended the tie by making the mistake of heaping too many toppings on his sundae; he stutter-stepped to juke the keeper, went for placement in the top corner and added power in case Rangers keeper and man-of-the-match (in Bobbie's book) Neil Alexander made the guess of the century. As the misguided effort sailed up and over the bar Rangers fans everywhere certainly applauded their side's commitment to excellence in entertainment and looked forward to penalties in the City of Manchester Stadium later this month. No, I'm not bitter at all. I've never been much of a Celtic fan but I'm starting to re-consider.

UEFA Cup Update: Zenit abuses Bayern



After last season's debacles in the Bundesliga the Bayern board cleaned house and brought in a host of new talent to reassert the club's dominance in the domestic and European leagues. While the Bundesliga championship is secured, Zenit St. Petersburg reminded Bayern that the measuring stick for European success is considerably longer, delivering a compreshensive defeat over two legs. Thanks for the memories Ollie Kahn and Ottmar Hitzfeld, it's been a great ride.

English Fear



Why do English stars perform like lions for their clubs and lambs for their country?
England fear factor curbs club champions

Euroland: News



Barca fell at Old Trafford last night to Man Utd in the Champions League semi-final. It wasn't just the end of the season, but the end of an era. But Ewan Macdonald argues that this is nothing for the blaugrana faithful to be afraid of...
Barcelona's Exit, A Blessing In Disguise

The EC's regulation of sports agents has been delayed, blocking legislation for years
Euro action on agents? File under maybe

Former Chelsea manager is expected to relaunch his career in Italy as a replacement for Roberto Mancini at the San Siro
Inter Milan tempt Mourinho to return

French club pays for fans' comments
Paris St Germain banned from next League Cup

North America: MLS News



New York faces a Toronto squad keyed by several former Red Bulls (Yanks can catch this game on ESPN2, 7 p.m. ET)
Old Acquaintances

The Chicago Fire signed Paraguayan defender Lider Marmol Tuesday
Fire sign Paraguayan defender Marmol

The Brazilian Football Federation has announced that the national team will play two friendlies in the United States of America in late May/early June
Brazil Announce US-Based Friendlies

UEFA Cup Semi-Final 2nd Leg: Zenit Vs Bayern



Uefa Cup, Semi-Final, 2nd leg
Zenit St Petersburg v Bayern Munich
Thursday 1st May, 18:30 (CET)
Petrovsky, St Petersburg
Preview

Zenit St Petersburg hope their worn-out pitch will help them reach a first European final by upsetting favourites Bayern Munich in the return leg of their Uefa Cup semi-final today
Zenit hope imperfect pitch will aid final quest

Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has claimed that nothing has been decided following the first leg
Rummenigge: Zenit Cannot Relax

UEFA Cup Semi-Final 2nd Leg: Fiorentina Vs Rangers



Uefa Cup, Semi-Final, 2nd leg
Fiorentina v Rangers
Thursday 1 May 2008, 20:45
Stadio Franchi, Florence
Preview

Walter Smith has dismissed claims that Rangers have lacked flair in Europe this season
Smith shrugs off criticism of tactics

Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli believes his team's fans can make ththe Artemio Franchi stadium difference at the Artemio Franchi stadium tonight
Prandelli: Our fans will make the difference

Dr. Evil to own EPL club?



Is there anyone the Premier League would consider unsuitable to own a football club?
Taking the unfit and improper person test

Champios League: News



It was a night that no self-respecting Chelsea fan would have missed for the world, so where was Roman Abramovich?
Absent Abramovich gets his home brew

t could be dismissed as sour grapes from a coach who knows he is to be fired, but Frank Rijkaard had a point yesterday when he added a barbed caveat to his glowing tribute to the strength of English club football
Rijkaard criticises 'lack of beauty'

Thousands of Manchester United supporters facing more expense as they try to get on board for the Champions League final
Fans angry at 'rip-off' over Moscow visas

Barcelona will begin their rebuilding project by allowing no less than ten first team players to leave during the summer with Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry heading the list, according to a report
Barcelona Set To Sell Ten Players

England: EPL News



Premier Shorts: Today in the EPL

Arsenal face a summer of fending off bids for key players with Emmanuel Adebayor the latest to have his future cast in doubt by overtures from Milan
Adebayor warns Arsenal as Flamini nears exit

Arsene Wenger views the Manchester City and England Under-21 midfield player as ideal replacement for Mathieu Flamini
Arsenal cast net in direction of Johnson

Middlesbrough have told AZ Alkmaar they should take their claim over Afonso Alves to Heerenveen
Boro deflect £5.9m Alves dispute

Thaksin Shinawatra is determined to dismiss the Swede after only one season and the fallout could be significant
Eriksson sacking could lead to City exodus

Sunderland winger Ross Wallace has vowed to prove to manager Roy Keane that he does have a future on Wearside
Wallace angles for Black Cats reprieve

Champions League Semi-Final Second Leg: Chelsea 3 Liverpool 2



Frank Lampard last night struck the most poignant and significant goal of his fine career, driving home an extra-time penalty to help take the Blues to Red Square
Frank Lampard is spot on as Chelsea triumph

Chelsea are the preferred opponents of the Manchester United diehards who could not bear defeat by Liverpool
Bridge Nouveau riche yet to earn tribute of song of hatred

A trophyless season will do Liverpool's manager no favours in Anfield's civil war
Benítez left with empty feeling and unclear future

Rafa Benitez's file on Didier Drogba was all to do with his diving, which was maybe not the least of the Liverpool manager's regrets
Drogba stays tall to banish the clouds of controversy

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Champions League: Addendum



After last year's infamous comment, how does Jorge Valdano see Chelsea versus Liverpool this time around?
'I have to be loyal to myself when I write'

Chelsea striker says attacks over 'diving' show "weakness" in Liverpool ahead of Champions League semi-final return
Benitez hits below the belt, says Drogba

Champions League Semi-Final Second Leg: Chelsea Vs Liverpool



It's difficult to see this game being anything other than very tight. Chelsea have received a deserved amount of flak for being defensive and boring, but you couldn't blame them for shutting up shop tonight. With Torres, Gerrard and Kuyt, who's been excellent in the CL this year, Liverpool always retain a goal threat, but it's hard to see beyond Chelsea with their strength at home. So Liverpool to win 2-1.

The Champions League offers both Rafael Benítez and Avram Grant their only chance to secure their futures
There is only one lifebelt

For John Terry, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, one booking will rule them out of the Champions League final
Trio risk missing Champions League final

Whatever alternative methods Grant is working on at Chelsea's training ground, some form of mind control, as practised by Uri Geller, a compatriot, cannot be ruled out
Avram Grant could yet prove the doubters wrong

Tactic Time. David Pleat tries desperately to redeem himself after yesterday's poor showing. And it's quality work: were it not for Dave we would have never guessed that 'Gerrard is the key'. Don, perhaps giddy after his good work yesterday, returns to his usual formula, the tried and trusted 'key battles'.

Champions League Semi-Final Second Leg: Manchester United 1 Barcelona 0



The quality and goals weren't all there, but we got the exciting game hoped for. Over the two legs I thought MU, mainly due to Fergie's selection, made hard work of what should have been a pretty easy task. Barca had loads of possession but hardly ever really threatened. Only Messi seemed to realise attacking the goal increases the chances of scoring. Fuck me, that kid can play soccer. Ronaldo looked bright, but Messi's ball control was spellbinding. That said, why Rijkaard didn't bring on Henry and Gudjohnsen earlier is beyond me.
MU showed what an excellent defense they have. I'd always thought Wes Brown was an average player made better by those around him, but over the two legs he was exceptional. Not even the biggest MU hater would deny Paul Scholes his moment of glory [well The Editor might]. I remember watching an interview years ago on French TV in which Zidane was asked which contemporary player he enjoyed watching the most. The moderator listed 5 or 6 players only to be amazed to hear that Zidane studied videos of Scholes in order to improve his game.

The champions of England have set up a all-English Champions League final through the brilliance of an Englishman, Paul Scholes
Scholes cannon sends Red Army to Moscow

Nobody deserves a trip to the Champions League final more than Paul Scholes
Little big man reaps the reward

Tony Cascarino: Analysis
Shrewd Alex Ferguson passes tactical test

Whenever the Argentine prodigy touched the ball, the crowd booed. It wasn't disrespect or displeasure or any accusation of dark intent. It was pure terror...
Messi sets shining example Ronaldo must match

Campo Worship



I don't know why I was so surprised when my friend told me he had a crush on Iván Campo
Hearts a-flutter for Iván Campo

Euroland: News


It's easy to see how Ron could get confused

More details are emerging about Ronaldo's escapades with a few trannies. He said his foot injury has left him a touch confused. Well looking at the pictures the injury must be pretty bad. Meanwhile Inter are too skint to buy Ronaldinho and according to The Telegraph Jose Mourinho is pimping himself after 7 months silence. 7 months silence, are they bloody deaf?

Brazilian football star caught up in row over transvestites after local football victory celebrations end with three in motel
Three Ronaldo girls all had men's tackle

Internazionale president Massimo Moratti said yesterday that Ronaldinho was expensive and the club were unlikely to try to outbid city rivals Milan to sign him from Barcelona
Ronaldinho too expensive for Inter, claims Moratti

God can rarely have worked in such mysterious ways as he has in Romania
Steaua giveth ... and Steaua taketh away

Silent for seven months, Jose Mourinho is suddenly everywhere
Mourinho surges onto campaign trail

The Rangers defender Carlos Cuellar is confident of upsetting the odds and helping the Glasgow side into the Uefa Cup final
Cuellar is back into battle on four fronts


England: EPL News



Premier Shorts: Today in the EPL

Eriksson has told his Manchester City squad he will take charge of them for the final two games of the season unless club owner Thaksin Shinawatra brings forward plans to dismiss him
Scolari and Bilic top City list
Thaksin Shinawatra not fit to run Man City

A huge question mark hangs over Younes Kaboul's future at Tottenham after he launched an astonishing attack on manager Juande Ramos
Kaboul's future in doubt

As his team try to avoid setting the lowest Premier League points total, Paul Jewell promises radical changes next season
Derby look to avoid league-worst record

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan will try to hold on to keeper Steve Harper
Keegan warns Liverpool off Harper bid

Midfielder may not have given up on the title, but the Spaniard has one eye on how Arsenal can improve next season
No relent in Fabregas's 'perfect' quest

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Champions League: Addendum



Stats show that most teams drawing 0-0 away in the first leg progress, so why are teams so fearful of that scoreline
A goalless away draw is still a positive result

Samuel Eto'o believes Manchester United's defeat to Chelsea in the Premier League will work in Barcelona's favour ahead of their Champions League showdown at Old Trafford tonight
Eto'o: United will be running scared

Americans in England: Storylines Abroad



Goal.com USA's Matthew Braine wraps up the week that was for the Americans in the EPL.

Phil Ball in Spain


Having predicted that Deportivo would go down this season after a wretched first twenty games and seventeen measly points, scrapping goalkeepers and an anonymous looking line-up, four months down the line they beat Barcelona to record their 32nd point from the 45 disputed since this column condemned them to the drop. Statistics proclaim them the best side of the second half of the season, still anonymous looking but a lot more effective.

The beach at La Coruña

The Monday MLS Breakdown: The Stars Come Out


In looking back at the weekend that was in Major League Soccer, Goal.com USA's Kyle McCarthy zeroes in on two of America's top players in Landon Donovan and Sacha Kljestan, while also giving out his weekly superlatives and Goal.com Power Rankings.

Champions League: Second Semi Preview



The Chelsea vice-captain is in shock after the death of his mother last week and is unlikely to play a part tomorrow
Lampard set to sit out second leg

Fernando Torres says he will make up for the chances he squandered in the first leg of Liverpool's Champions League semi-final with Chelsea when the two sides meet again in the return at Stamford Bridge tomorrow night
Torres: I'll 'respond' against Chelsea

Tony Cascarino's thinking on tomorrow's game
Crouch or Cole could make all the difference

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech believes Chelsea go in to tonight's Champions League semi-final second leg against Liverpool as favourites thanks to John Arne Riise's spectacular own goal at Anfield
Petr Cech believes Chelsea have the edge

No stopping Ribéry



What Ribéry did next: the Frenchman has the Bundesliga bowing at his feet, but complacency could ruin Bayern's European adventures. Herr Honigstein reports...
Monster of Munich has all but secured another title for Bayern

Fiorentina cutting it close


Does SSN contributor Bobbie BS have this very same hat?

With confidence on the slide and tricky games to come, Fiorentina may yet relinquish fourth spot to Milan. Signor Bandini reports...
Fiorentina falter as Milan wait in the wings

Sex pot improves Güiza's game



Two pieces by Sid Lowe today: you lucky readers.

Daniel González Güiza has turned his career around since getting together with the infamous Nuria Bermúdez. Señor Lowe reports...
How dirty Nuria rescued one of Spain's greatest talents

3 Trannvesties 1 Ronaldo = Sex Scandal



Classy. Crocked Milan star Ronaldo has become involved in a sex scandal in Brazil, with claims that he spent Sunday night in a hotel in Rio with three transvestites
Ronaldo Has Sex With Three Transvestites

Champions League Semi-Final Second Leg: Manchester United Vs Barcelona



Let's hope this return semi doesn't disappoint like the first. It's hard to believe two such attacking teams won't put on a better show. I still fancy Barca, just. ManU have looked a touch nervy recently and have a poor record defending a 0-0 in the Champions League. Vidic is crucial for the home side, not just due to his defending, but it means Hargreaves can play as a defensive midfielder. But the onus is on United to attack, which could open things up for Messi and co. One goal for Barca and United are in trouble. Deco's return is a massive boon; not only does he keep the ball moving but he enables Barca to play 10 yards further upfield. Yaya Toure looks top draw. Didn't he have a trial at Arsenal?

Sir Alex Ferguson predicts an open match in Tuesday's second leg as Barcelona pledge to stick by attacking instincts. Martin Samuel's opinion:
United seek edge in style battle

The Nou Camp has a new local hero in Bojan Krkic, a 17-year-old striker many fans feel should play tonight
Bojan Krkic: beware the Barça-boy made good

The Tactic Twins are looking to outdo each other again. David takes the easy road by simply assessing the key battles. Don, probably embarrassed by his shody work over the weekend, has put a bit of effort in. Here's his opinion. Alan Hanson tries to get in on the act, but who wants to read the thinking of a miserable Jock?

Sid Lowe, usually writing for The Guardian, pops up at The Telegraph with a piece on the good old boys at Barca
Barcelona aim for final encore against Man Utd

Frank Rijkaard has said that Cristiano Ronaldo would be blamed if Manchester United lose
Rijkaard tries to rattle Ronaldo

England: EPL News



Premier Shorts: Today in the EPL

This is a crazy as it is predictable:
Sven-Goran Eriksson is on the brink of the sack after Manchester City's 3-2 defeat at home to Fulham
Eriksson preparing for exit from City

Manchester United report to FA on battle with Chelsea groundstaff may include claim Patrice Evra was allegedly called 'immigrant'
Manchester United act on Chelsea 'race row'
Chelsea and United row too serious to ignore

Kevin Keegan is hoping to reinforce Newcastle United's defence by recruiting Richard Dunne from Manchester City this summer
Newcastle have eye on Dunne deal

Niall Quinn is adamant that there will be no problems securing the manager's future - so long as the club match his ambitions
Sunderland confident of tying down Keane

England: Derby 2 Arsenal 6



As predicted the Rams provided easy shooting practice for The Gunners. They did put up a bit of a fight early on, then one of there central defenders had to pass the ball, and everything fell apart. Arsenal never really had to move out of second gear. Both teams could work on their goal celebrations.

Emmanuel Adebayor bagged a hat-trick as the Gunners ran riot at Pride Park
Adebayor's hat-trick kicks Derby when they are down

Monday, April 28, 2008

Scotland: Celtic beat Rangers



Things are far from over in Jockland after an exciting 3-2 win for Celtic in the Old Firm derby. Barry Robson's second-half penalty put Celtic five points clear at the top of the table. Sounds pretty good for Celtic fans until you see Rangers have three games in hand...
Rangers' season begins to unravel

North America: Major League Soccer



In a region not known to coddle second-raters, it is not much fun to be the least distinctive sports franchise in town. But that is the unfortunate position of the Red Bulls
An Identity Stuck in the Swamps of New Jersey

With David Beckham attracting the spotlight, the Galaxy's "other" star Landon Donovan has been free to shine
Double Trouble
Beckham delighted with first LA derby win

Goal.com USA's Pat Walsh wonders what happened to all the stellar goalkeepers in Major League Soccer
Not Keeping the Faith

Champions League: Pre-match Guff



There's the typical pre-match blabber before this week's CL semis: Henry is bigging-up Barca, Fergie is moaning about refs [probably], everyone is hoping for some attacking soccer between Barcelona and Manchester United, while the Guardian is wondering who'll get a goal for Liverpool [Torres, Gerrard maybe?].

Thierry Henry was recalling memories of past Old Trafford glories last night as he prepared for his first match on English soil since his move from Arsenal last summer
Barça able to rise to occasion, says Henry

To have any chance against Barcelona Alex Ferguson needs to show faith in his attacking talents
Vidic absence gives glimpse of why Utd shine in attack
Fandel's appointment likely to further Fergie's fury

Liverpool have not scored at Chelsea in eight matches, a run they have to end on Wednesday
Who’ll get a goal for Rafa?

This week Liverpool, driven by a powerful sense of injustice over the antics of the Chelsea striker, fancy their chances as underdogs to reach their third Champions League final in four years
Rafa slams Drogba

English fans should prepare themselves for the logistical and bureaucratic nightmare that is Moscow, says Martin Samuel
Uefa’s great Russian Champions League rip-off

Like Rams to the Slaughter...



In tonight's EPL game Arsenal boss Wenger has intimated he'll field some of his younger players against already relegated Derby. Hard to say if this is good or bad news for Rams fans. What is certain is that Derby's central defenders, who seem to have the turning circle of an articulated lorry, will be considering calling in sick before the game.

Arsène Wenger claimed Gael Clichy is the top flight's best left-back before tonight's trip to Derby
Wenger flags up Clichy's star quality

Modric snapped up early



With Arsenal star Eduardo missing through injury Croatia's chances of doing well at the Euros have lessened, but there's still a good possibility Luka Modric will stand out during the tourny. So it looks like Spurs have made a smart move by nabbing him early doors. He'll probably injure himself now and miss half the season...

Newcastle United were surprised that the Croatian midfielder signed for Tottenham Hotspur - and so was the player himself
Modric heads for White Hart Lane
Luka Modric's finesse can work for Spurs
Goal.com Profile: Luka Modric