Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Ancelotti Can Lead Chelsea To Champions League Glory- Terry Speaks

John Terry has claimed that Chelsea will be out for redemption in the Champions League this season, with the pain of the loss on penalties against bitter rivals Manchester United in the 2008 final still hurting.

The center-back will forever be remembered as the man who missed the spot kick that would have won it for the Blues in Moscow, slipping over as he went to strike the ball. The ball slew off his right boot and smashed into the upright, giving United a lifeline - which they made the most of.

Terry said that the pain of the loss had galvanized the squad, with most who played part in that match still with the Blues today.

“What has happened to us in the past still hurts massively. That was why it was very important we kept the backbone of the side together,” Terry said to The Daily Mirror.

“We have experienced some bad times together. Of course, there have also been some good times, but the bad ones will live with us forever. That is something we all want to make amends for, to put things right.

“Together we’ve come so close and after so many years of doing so well in this competition and not winning it, this is the chance to finally do it.

“Now we’ve got players of the right age and experience and also the right quality to push on this year and make it ours. That’s what we’re looking to do.”

With the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti, who has won the Champions League trophy twice with AC Milan, Terry feels that Chelsea now have the leader with the requisite experience to lead them to glory.

He continued: “The first thing that Italian managers have is that they are very well organized tactically. We do a lot of defending and working together as a team.

“If you look at his Milan side over the years, they’ve been very well organized too. Everybody knows their job and ensures they do it correctly.

“That’s something he’s come in and got us doing, making sure we fight and work hard for each other.

“We know that if we’re organized we’re going to be very difficult to break down and with the quality we’ve got up front, we know we’ll always be able to score goals as well.

“Carlo is a very good man, somebody we can go to and approach while at the same time we all have huge respect for what he’s done in the game.

“To have him on board and pass on his knowledge and experience and get us organized and doing the tactical work is really good.

“He knows when to relax and when to focus and those are things that are really key. He knows exactly what players want and that’s the key to the success we want.”

Ancelotti Can Lead Chelsea To Champions League Glory- Terry Speaks

John Terry has claimed that Chelsea will be out for redemption in the Champions League this season, with the pain of the loss on penalties against bitter rivals Manchester United in the 2008 final still hurting.

The center-back will forever be remembered as the man who missed the spot kick that would have won it for the Blues in Moscow, slipping over as he went to strike the ball. The ball slew off his right boot and smashed into the upright, giving United a lifeline - which they made the most of.

Terry said that the pain of the loss had galvanized the squad, with most who played part in that match still with the Blues today.

“What has happened to us in the past still hurts massively. That was why it was very important we kept the backbone of the side together,” Terry said to The Daily Mirror.

“We have experienced some bad times together. Of course, there have also been some good times, but the bad ones will live with us forever. That is something we all want to make amends for, to put things right.

“Together we’ve come so close and after so many years of doing so well in this competition and not winning it, this is the chance to finally do it.

“Now we’ve got players of the right age and experience and also the right quality to push on this year and make it ours. That’s what we’re looking to do.”

With the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti, who has won the Champions League trophy twice with AC Milan, Terry feels that Chelsea now have the leader with the requisite experience to lead them to glory.

He continued: “The first thing that Italian managers have is that they are very well organized tactically. We do a lot of defending and working together as a team.

“If you look at his Milan side over the years, they’ve been very well organized too. Everybody knows their job and ensures they do it correctly.

“That’s something he’s come in and got us doing, making sure we fight and work hard for each other.

“We know that if we’re organized we’re going to be very difficult to break down and with the quality we’ve got up front, we know we’ll always be able to score goals as well.

“Carlo is a very good man, somebody we can go to and approach while at the same time we all have huge respect for what he’s done in the game.

“To have him on board and pass on his knowledge and experience and get us organized and doing the tactical work is really good.

“He knows when to relax and when to focus and those are things that are really key. He knows exactly what players want and that’s the key to the success we want.”

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Does Amodu deserves another chance?

Under-pressure Nigeria coach, Shuaibu Amodu, has pleaded with the technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to give him another chance to ensure Nigeria still qualify for next year's World Cup.

He asked that he be given more support, while blaming the players for not beating the visiting Tunisians in a must-win game on Sunday.

At the dressing room immediately after the match, Amodu, in the presence of the sports minister and other top officials, accused the players of lacking tactical discipline.

HIDDINK HINTS AT PREM RETURN

Guus Hiddink has hinted he would be interested in a return to the Premier League.

Hiddink, who is preparing his Russia side for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier with Wales, remains a big fan of English football after his four-month spell at Chelsea last term.

The Dutchman guided Chelsea to FA Cup final success before returning to his job with Russia.

Hiddink expects to take a break from football after next summer's World Cup finals, but he has indicated he would consider a move back to England if the opportunity arose.

"I had a wonderful time there and before I worked for Chelsea I was often [watching] the Premier League," Hiddink told The Guardian. "I love to be in England to smell the atmosphere. So, missing it? Of course missing it. But I love to work with the guys in Moscow as well."

"Of course. England is very attractive. It's unique in that the level of competition is high. But I have to make a judgment whether I stop for a few months, or half a year or a year, or do something different within football. I don't know yet. I am ageing in our profession.

"But as long as football gives me the energy and I am not repeating myself - because that is a trap, being a long time in the business that you go on automatic pilot."

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