Liverpool Hit by Injury Worries

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is facing up to the worst injury crisis of his five years at the Reds' helm ahead of Sunday's visit of champions Manchester United.

Benitez will oversee a succession of scans and medical examinations on a host of his top stars following Tuesday night's 2-1 Champions League defeat at home to Lyon.

Liverpool have lost four successive matches for the first time since 1987, and are now in danger of dropping out of the title race and failing to advance from their Champions League group.

Benitez said: "We have just too many problems, I cannot remember an injury situation like this."

Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson both missed Tuesday night's game with groin injuries, while Steven Gerrard limped out of the match in the first half with a recurrence of the problem he picked up while playing for England last week.

Winger Albert Riera is also in need of a scan on his hamstring while teenager Martin Kelly's impressive full debut was ruined by an ankle injury.

And Benitez claimed his troubles do not end there.

He said: "There are other players with other problems, I have no idea what team I can put out against Manchester United until we have had the players tested and seen by the medical team."

Benitez, however, refuted suggestions that playing Gerrard was too much of a gamble and insisted his team can still qualify from Group E and reach the last 16.

Lyon maintained their 100% record at the top of the pool with Tuesday night's win, while Fiorentina's 4-3 victory in Hungary against Debrecen puts them in pole position to grab the second qualification spot.

Liverpool now must raise their game in their final three matches in order to progress further. They are away to Lyon in a fortnight, then travel to Budapest on November 24 before their final home game against Fiorentina on December 9.

The hosts led at half-time on Tuesday night through Yossi Benayoun, before crumbling under pressure to concede goals to substitutes Maxime Gonalons and Cesar Delgado - the latter in stoppage time.

Benitez said: "It was not a gamble to play Gerrard. He wanted to play and had trained normally for two days.

"He was given the all-clear by the doctor and it was just bad luck what happened. He felt something wrong in his groin, and it was wise to come off."

Liverpool have launched amazing recoveries in group stages in previous seasons to advance in Europe's premier club competition, and will need another one now.

Nigerians In the Israeli League: Favourable or Not?

As we very well know, most of our Nigerian players are aiming high: joining one of the glamorous and exciting career-building European leagues. It's cool, but some, and overtime, increasing numbers are finding their bearings and are migrating to Israel. Yes, Israel is small, but crazy about soccer.

One may comment that Israel is small, but we should konw that despite its size, it competes quite favourably in european competitions, for example the Champions League as well as the UEFA Cup. These make it suitable for Nigerian players seeking a headway for our upcoming Nigerian talents.

One good thing that scores well in Nigeria's favour is that the Israelis are actually searching for African Players. Yes, you just have to believe that: they are looking up to Nigerian Players. Reason: sheer physical strength and endurace.

Take an example from our next-door neighbour: Ghana. Ghana's midfielder Derek Boateng, after playing for several seasons in Greece and Sweden, suddenly leapt and found himself in Israel. So far, he has signed with the Israeli Club, Betar Jerusalem. His reason: he heard that Betar Jerusalem was about to challenge in the Champions league. The one-time player for AIK Stockholm and Panathinaikos said that since his joining the team, they have won one championship and are on their way to a second one. How about that for career advancement?

One point in favour of our Nigerian teams building up their careers in the Israeli leagues is the relative minimization of competition. What I mean is, our talents have the opportunity of showcasing their prowess without the hassles of the bigger European leagues. More bang for your buck? You could say that, and I would agree totally.

Listen to more good news in our favour: During the last African Cup of Nations' in Ghana, Israeli scouts attended with an ear to the ground, searching for players to conscript to their teams.
Israeli leagues now have players from Rwanda, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Zambia and they intend to take more. I candidly this is a welcome approach as it will strenghten the Championship muscles of some of our green boys so they can go out and do greater things. Don't you agree?

So far, Betar (The Israeli team I mentioned earlier) which is owned by a certain billionaire Jew, Arkadi Gaydamak, is now leading the Israeli league by eleven whole points. Now, get this: If Betar Jerusalem wins the title, that would put them at the top rung of the ladder, and give them a chance to attain the group stage of next season's Champion's league. Who says Derek won't feel the breeze, too?

The basic philosophy guiding this recent African player hunt on the part of the Israelis is the fact that for a Nigerian footballer, even though he may not be skilled, he would most of the time be physically fit. Fitness is the watchword: that is what they are looking out for.
Candidly, I believe that the Israeli league would be a satisfactory means of building and strengthening our Nigerian Players. Don't you?


Feel free comment on this piece: either in favour of it, or against, it would be appreciated.

Fatai Amoo on Obagol, Ogbuke Plus Probable End to English Euro Dominance

Super Eagles’ assistant coach, Fatai Amoo, is feeling up beat about the scoring form of Newcastle of England’s Obafemi Martins and Hoffenheim of Germany’s Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi in their club football and the fact that they have now won a place in the hearts of their respective coaches.

Both players have only scored four goals each for their clubs and i don't think that is enough for us all to start jubilating. We have seen it before when Obafemi in particular came out blazing and then the expectations rise, but he suddenly went under. Amoo, an ex-international, said he is very impressed with their performances. That is expected from a coach any way, but we all know the truth. Not that i am being a pessimist.

We will be able to know if it is time for huhuru when they perform against credible opposition if the rumoured friendly games ever come to be.

Amoo said he is happy that the players have hit form for their clubs, and if they can maintain their present form when the final round of the 2010 World/Nations Cup qualifying series kicks off it will be good for the country. That's what i mean-transferring that form to country

“I’m excited seeing the players scoring for their clubs,” Amoo said. “This is a good development for the boys and the country, if they keep this present form intact,” he said.

On whether Martins, a former Inter Milan of Italy forward, can still reclaim the top striker's spot in the super Eagles from Getafe of Spain’s Ikechukwu Uche, he declined  to comments.

“Martins is one of the Super Eagles’ players invited for the international friendly match against Colombia, the question of him getting back the number 9 jersey will depend on his performance during training.”

In Europe the scare and poor performances of English teams continued yesterday after Liverpool secured a scrappy win against Athletico Madrid and Chelsea lost incredibly to Roma. Yesterday saw Arsenal once again failed to deliver despite having most of the possession dropping two valuable points in a goalless draw at the Emirates against Fernanache. Manchester United secured a late goal away to celtic with a Ryan Giggs header to saved them from an Ugly draw. Are teams finally finding an answer to England's Euro dominanation?

Wenger's Transfer Policy Making Sense as United and Chelsea Face Credit Crunch

News:

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has unveiled new clothes boutiques in Lisbon and Madeira. The CR7 stores are part of his plans for a future after football, and the Portugal international also revealed he fancies acting in movies, saying: "As for Hollywood - maybe in 10 years' time."

Meanwhile, LEADING Premier League clubs could be thrown out of Europe, unless they sort out their finances, warned UEFA today.

It is reported that West Ham became the first major victims of the credit crunch when their chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson saw his major stockholding in Landsbanki wiped out when the troubled Icelandic bank was nationalised.

Seems lie the problem in wall street is catching up with Europe.
And now UEFA general secretary David Taylor has warned Europe's biggest clubs - like debt-ridden Chelsea and Manchester United - that they risk being kicked out of the Champions League if they fail to put their finances right. A few weeks ago they had been indications the UEFA planned to probe club finances which was welcome by Arsene Wenger despite the face-off between the Arsenal Gaffer and Mitchel Platini the UEFA president.
He said: "There would be forms of communication, even warnings, even reprimands before one would ever get to a situation of exclusion but it's absolutely possible. That is the ultimate sanction.”
Leading UEFA officials will meet on Monday to come up with fresh ways to put the squeeze on clubs who are succeeding on borrowed money.
Taylor's remarks came 24 hours after Football Association chairman Lord Triesman revealed English football clubs had amassed a debt of £3billion, and that last season's top four Premier League teams accounted for a third of that.

Champions League Finals: Moscow Officials Worried

More and more English fans supporting Manchester united and Chelsea have continued to troop into Moscow for tonight's champions league finals and as usual security officials are worried about hooligans.

The game isn't the type that could spark off any kind of hostilities but with English fans involved, anything is expected. Again the game is set for a late start and that again seems another area of worry for the officials as they claim will people a lot of time to drink. For now Russians officials say drinking in public places will not be taken lightly. Supporters either comply or face the consequences.

More troubles? The pitch is said also to be in a bad shape. However, i don't think  that should affect any of the teams tonight. After all, Old Trafford is not such a beauty and Chelsea isn't the type of team that will need a smooth pitch to deliver.

I guess they can both cope with the pitch......... so no skin pain.

Any way, i may come back to post something, if anything happens just before the game. Especially if it's worth talking about. See ya!

European Champions League 2008: Last Men Standing

This season has been so beautiful for English football and even if an English team fails to win the Champions league which is unlikely the game certainly has benefited enormously this year. Incidentally three English teams made it to the last four (and that is something i know doesn't happen very often) in the same year England has failed to make it to Euro Cup. Maybe this is now well compensated for.

 

This year, of the four coaches whose team scaled the hurdles to move to the semis, three have savour the feeling of winning it in the past except one. Among Fank Rijkaard, Alex Ferguson, Avram Grant and Rafa Benitez, only Grant is the new comer and whether this will decide who finally goes away with Europe's most prestigious cup championship is yet to be see.

Rijkaard has won it both as a player and a coach. Rafa Benitez has won it once with Liverpool and has been three semi Finals in the last four years.

Alex Ferguson did it in the treble year more than 15 years ago. In current form Rafa Benitez will appear to be above the rest. However, even Avram who is the least experienced could prove to be a difficult nut to crack.

He's got a crack team who have rediscovered their killer instinct just at the right time and in current form across Europe one can not afford not to rate them as among the best three.

Which of this men does this year belong to?

What are Arsenal's Chances Of Winning A Title This Season?

Going by Arsene Wenger's selection for the Saturday's game against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal seems to think their chances of getting to the Champions League Final and winning it is more realistic than winning the premier league title now. Emmanuel Adebayor was rested for a greater duration of the game which ended 1-1 after Peter Crouch found the back of the net to put Liverpool ahead and a Bretdner strike that could only rescue a point for the once table toppers.

Adebayor really must be in a good shape for the Gunners to get anything out of the Tuesday trip to Anfield else, I see no reason why an out-of-form Robin Van Persie should be paired with an inexperienced Theo Walcot against a crack team like Liverpool. With the 1-1 draw, Arsenal seems to have finally conceded the title to Manchester United.

It is really sad that the season seems to be crashing at these young Gunners at this time after a very impressive first half and will be a pity if they fail to capture at least a title.

But what are their chances of a title this season? Presently apart from Emmanuel Adebayor slowing down, the defense will be the major department of the team that could make or mar Arsenal's hope of a title this season. At the moment only Senderous and Clichy seem to have the right focus to help the team and apart from an occasional William Gallas goal scoring spells, nothing else is really inspiring about the Arsenal last four. Kolo Toure and Gallas have become a shadow of themselves having so much problem holding back opposing strikers especially in aerial balls and understanding each other. Their lack of coordination has seen Arsenal concede some very bad goals resulting in 6 draws, a lose and just one win in the last 8 premier league games. With Bacary Sagna set to be out for another 2 weeks and Djouru still out the manager will have to continue with this four and to me this is where the problem lies.

For Arsenal to move to the next stage of this Champions League and further brighten a title hope, they need to at least score a goal at Anfield without conceding any. My doubt is not in whether they will score but whether they can avoid conceding a goal. They seem to have forgotten how not to concede.

Arsenal Vs Liverpool (Champions League Quarter Final Preview-2008)

 

Among the English quartet that have made it to the quarter final stages of the champions league, only the game between Arsenal and Liverpool seems really worth talking about.

Though bookmakers support Arsenal to win the match, many analysts have questioned such stance especially with the gunners currently at a slowed pace and almost a shadow of themselves in their last two premiership game after the historic victory at San Siro.

The Quarter final fixtures is as follows:

Champions League quarter-final draw:
1 Arsenal v Liverpool
2 AS Roma v Man Utd
3 Schalke 04 v FC Barcelona
4 Fenerbahce v Chelsea

Champions League semi-final draw:
1 Arsenal/Liverpool v Fenerbahce/Chelsea
2 Schalke/Barcelona v AS Roma/Man Utd

Before this draws, Wenger is said to have expressed is desire not to be paired with an English team and many have since interpreted this to mean fear.

I think if you ask Manchester united, they'll also tell you they'd prefer to play against some other team than play Arsenal. The thing is that playing a local team puts one against a team too familiar of your style and thus can be difficult sometimes.

Liverpool being what they are in Europe, more people think they should carry the day. But this is one Champions League game I will prefer not to say anything. The reason is that, Liverpool seems to always have the know how in Europe. But now they will be playing against Arsenal, a team that has already dominated them this season in the league right there at Anfield. Though with Arsenal's current form, anything can happen. From the beginning of this season, I have said the season will be decided by who is hungriest for a title when the chips are down. So whether Liverpool will carry the day or not, it isn't going to be as easily as they found Inter Milan.

My prediction is that, I don't see Liverpool escaping a defeat in the Emirates Stadium. How well they can turn that around in Anfield may be the decider.

Arsenal outclassed AC Milan with a style that suggested they can reach a second CL Finals

Arsenal outclassed AC Milan with a style that suggested they can reach a second Champions League final in three seasons
Can they get to the Final again. Ancelloti agreed that his team was Outclassed by Arsenal. Does this mean that this Arsenal this is unbeatable especially when they are complete. You can actually count the number of games they have lost this season on your finger tips.
In all these games, they team lost , they was always an injury crisis, or resting of players for a different championship. Ofcourse by the time the big players are deployed it was usually over.
Yesterday we saw an Arsenal team without Kolo Toure and Van Persie make history in San Siro. Doing what no English tem has ever done and in Style. Though it is too early to say, but Is this another run to the final for Arsenal?

Join the debate

Arsenal VS Ac Milan : Preview

Arsenal has lost thrice this season and in all have come back with a win. They have been outstanding in the league despite being ruled out from the start of the season till now. They had a first champions League Final taste in a season when everything at home seemed to be going bad for the team. They were the exact opposite of what they were in the league when it comes to Europe.

Last season the team was knocked out of all all competitions within just 13 days and some are afraid this could repeat itself this season having already been knocked out of the Carling Cup and FA Cup by Spurs and Manchester United respectively.

However the team is confident the can bounce back from a disappointing 4-0 defeat at Old Trafford especially with all first team players except Alumnia available for tonights tie.

On paper, clearly the gunners are the underdogs in today's game as youth, hunger and quality come against experience and maturity and quality.

On the other end Ac Milan comes into this game with a boost of returnee players like Kaka and Alexandre Pato.
The team has everything apart from experience and quality but have failed to get it right in Seria A unlike their Champions league second round opponent.

The team is said to have started slowly in the past 3 or 4 seasons in the same pattern only to pick up in march and April and this is getting close to April but can it always be that way. The Gunners in comparison to this Milan team is no march but in the past we have seen this same inexperienced team go past teams like Juventus, Real Madrid etc.

In all of this one thing is sure. Quality football is in the offing and the entire football enthusiast across the world is waiting to see which one pays off- Youth/Experience or Hunger/Maturity ?

Arsenal (from): Lehmann, Sagna, Gallas, Toure, Clichy, Eboue, Fabregas, Flamini, Hleb, Adebayor, Eduardo, Fabianski, Senderos, Bendtner, Gilberto, J Hoyte, Traore, Walcott, Denilson.