En la jornada 5 de la UEFA Champions League, el Barcelona derrotó en casa cómodamente 2-0 al Internazionale con tantos de Piqué y Pedro.
El Real Madrid venció apenas 1-0 al FC Zürich, mientras que AC Milan no pasó del empate a uno ante el Marseille en San Siro.
Chelsea amarró el primer lugar de su grupo y Manchester United cayó en Old Trafford 0-1 ante Besiktas, el United no perdía en casa por Champions desde 2005 cuando perdieron 0-1 ante el AC Milan con gol de Crespo.
Liverpool venció al Debrceni 0-1, pero pese a ello quedó eliminado debido a la victoria de Fiorentina 1-0 Lyon.

RESULTADOS

Woodman, Producer Ray, and Emile Desjardins break down the eight groups of four in the UEFA Champions League. The Jacks analyze the first five rounds of play and forecast the scenarios that will unfold in round 6. Who is in? Who is out? Which traditional powerhouses are going to miss out on the Final 16? Tune in to the first ever Jack of All Sports soccer podcast!

Click here to listen! – http:\\jackofallsports.podbean.com

Don’t forget to join the Jacks at Slainte Irish Pub in Fells Point on Tuesday, December 8th from 6-8 pm as we host a live broadcast previewing the World Cup 2010. The eight groups of four will be announced Friday, December 4th and we will be getting the first impressions of the “who’s who” in the soccer world. Find out who the U.S. will play and if they have a chance to make it out of the group stage next summer in South Africa.

24 November:
* Rubin Kazan – Dynamo Kyiv 0-0. Central’nyj stadion Kazan’:23185 spect.
- Rubin Kazan: S. Ryzhikov;César Navas,L. Salukvadze,C. Ansaldi,R. Sharonov(53.V. Kaleshin);G. Karadeniz(75.P. Bystrov),S. Semak,A. Ryazantsev,C. Noboa;A. Bukharov,A. Domínguez.
- Dymano Kyiv: A. Shovkovskiy;A. Yussuf,Betao,T. Mikhalik, R. Eremenko;M. Ninkovic(86.T. Ghioane),O. Vukojevic,Gérson Magrão;A. Milevskiy,A. Shevchenko,A. Yarmolenko.

* Debreceni VSC - Liverpool FC 0-1 (0-1)./D. N’Gog ‘4. Puskás Ferenc Stadion (Budapest): 41500 spect.
- Debreceni VSC: V. Polekszics;Z. Szélesi,L. Bodnár,M. Mijadinoski,M. Fodor(78.T. Dombi);Z. Laczko,N. Meszaros,P. Czvitkovics,Z. Kiss;P. Szakály(62.A. Coulibaly),G. Rudolf.
- Liverpool FC: Pepe Reina;J. Carragher,G. Johnson,D. Agger,Fábio Aurélio(89.A. Dossena);E. Insúa,J. Mascherano,S. Gerrard(90.A. Aquilani);Lucas,D. Kuyt,D. N’Gog(77.Y. Benayoun).

* AC Fiorentina - Olympique Lyon 1-0 (1-0).J. Vargas (pen)’28. Stadio Artemio Franchi: 34301 spect.
- Fiorentina: S. Frey;P. Krøldrup,D. Dainelli,L. De Silvestri(86.G. Comotto),J. Vargas;M. Gobbi,R. Montolivo,M. Santana(71.M. Donadel),C. Zanetti(80.M. Jørgensen);M. Marchionni;A. Gilardino.
- Olympique Lyon: H. Lloris;Cris,J. Boumsong,L. Gassama,A. Cissokho;K. Källström,Michel Bastos(67.Lisandro López),J. Makoun,M. Pjanic;B. Gomis(79.Ederson),S. Govou(74.C. Delgado).

* FC Barcelona - Inter Milano 2-0 (2-0).Gerard Piqué ‘10;Pedro ‘26. Camp Nou: 93524 spect.
- FC Barcelona: Victor Valdés;Carles Puyol,E. Abidal(89.Maxwell),Dani Alves,Gerard Piqué;Andrés Iniesta(90.Jonathan),Xavi,Seydou Keita,Sergio Busquets;T. Henry,Pedro(85.Bojan Krkic).
- Inter Milano: Julio Cesar;Lucio,J. Zanetti,Maicon,W. Samuel;C. Chivu,E. Cambiasso(45.S. Muntari),D. Stankovic(71.M. Balotelli),Thiago Motta;S. Eto’o,D. Milito(82.R. Quaresma).

* Glasgow Rangers - VfB Stuttgart 0-2 (0-1)./S.Rudy ‘16;Z.Kuzmanovic ‘59. Ibrox Stadium: 41468 spect.
- Glasgow Rangers: A. McGregor;S. Whittaker,D. Weir,S. Papac,D. Wilson;K. Thomson(76.J. Fleck),L. McCulloch,S. Davis,K. Miller(68.N. Novo);K. Boyd,K. Lafferty(85.D. Beasley).
- VfB Stuttgart: J. Lehmann;Ricardo Osorio,M. Delpierre,A. Boka,G. Niedermeier;C. Träsch,A. Hleb,Z. Kuzmanovic(75.T. Hitzlsperger),S. Rudy(89.T. Gebhart);Cacau(82.J. Schieber),P. Pogrebnyak.

* Unirea Urziceni - Sevilla FC 1-0 (1-0).I. Dragutinovic (OG)’44. Stadionul Steaua (București): 10007 spect.
- Unirea Urziceni: G. Arlauskis;V. Maftei,E. Mehmedovic,G. Galamaz,V. Bordeanu;Ricardo(90.R. Pădurețu),I. Apostol,S. Frunză(64.T. Bălan),P. Brandan;M. Bilașco,D. Varga(89.Semedo).
- Sevilla FC: Javi Varas;I. Dragutinovic,F. Navarro(70.D. Perotti),A. Konko,S. Sánchez;Lolo(63.Renato),D. Zokora,Jesus Navas,D. Capel(63.Luis Fabiano);F. Kanouté,Álvaro Negredo.

* AZ Alkmaar - Olympiakos Piraeus 0-0. DSB Stadion: 16213 spect.
- AZ Alkmaar: S. Romero;G. Swerts,S. Pocognoli,H. Moreno,N. Moisander;Mendes da Silva,S. Schaars(89.M. Martens),B. Holman(78.Ari),P. Wernbloom;M. Dembélé(68.G. Pellè),J. Lens.
- Olympiakos Piraeus: A. Nikopolidis;O. Mellberg, R. Bravo,G. Galitsios,Leonardo;Michal Zewlakow,E. Maresca,Dudu Cearense,J. Zairi(90.A. Pantos);Oscar Gonzalez,K. Mitroglou.

* Arsenal FC - Standard Liège 2-0 (2-0).S.Nasri ‘35;Denilson ‘44. Emirates Stadium: 59941 spect.
- Arsenal FC: Almunia;W. Gallas(45.M. Silvestre),T. Vermaelen,A. Song,K. Gibbs;E. Eboué,Cesc Fábregas,S. Nasri(60.T. Walcott),Denilson(66.T. Rosicky);A. Arshavin,C. Véla.
- Standard Liège: S. Bolat;L. Mulemo,Marcos,M. Sarr,R. Goreux;Felipe,E. Mangala,W. Dalmat(64.M. Traore),A. Witsel;M. Carcela-Gonzalez ‘86,D. Mbokani(68.G. Cyriac).

25 November:
* CSKA Moskva - VfL Wolfsburg 2-1 (0-1).T.Necid ‘58;M.Krasic ‘66/E.Džeko ‘19. Luzhniki stadium: 13478 spect.
- CSKA Moskva: I. Akinfeev;V. Berezoutski,S. Ignashevich,A. Berezoutski,G. Schennikov;E. Rahimic,M. Krasic,E. Aldonin,P. Mamaev;A. Dzagoev,T. Necid.
- VfL Wolfsburg: D. Benaglio;Ricardo Costa,A. Madlung,M. Schäfer,S. Riether;Z. Misimovic,C. Gentner,M. Hasebe,Josue;O. Martins(68.K. Ziani),E. Džeko.

* Girondins Bordeaux - Juventus Torino 2-0 (0-0).Fernando ‘54;M.Chamakh ‘90. Stade Jacques Chaban-Delmas: 32195 spect.
- Girondins Bordeaux: C. Carrasso;M. Ciani,M. Planus,B. Trémoulinas,M. Chalmé;J. Plasil,A. Diarra,Fernando,G. Wendel;M. Chamakh,Y. Gouffran(75.A. Traoré).
- Juventus Torino: G. Buffon;F. Grosso,G. Chiellini,N. Legrottaglie,M. Caceres;M. Camoranesi,Diego,M. Sissoko(88.C. Marchisio),Felipe Melo;Amauri(77.S. Giovinco),A. Del Piero(68.C. Immobile).

* Bayern München - Maccabi Haifa 1-0 (0-0).I.Olic ‘62. Allianz-Arena: 58000 spect.
- Bayern München: H. Butt;P. Lahm,D. Van Buyten,M. Demichelis,H. Badstuber;B. Schweinsteiger,M. van Bommel,D. Pranjic(70.A. Ottl);I. Olic(81.A. Tymoschuk),M. Gomez,T. Müller.
- Maccabi Haifa: N. Davidovitch;T. Masilela,A. Osman(74.E. Golasa),D. Keinan,S. Maimon;E. Mshumar,J. Culma(69.L. Rafaelov),B. Kial,V. Dvalishvili(63.S. Arbeitman);Y. Katan,M. Ghadir.

* Manchester United - Besiktas Istanbul 0-1 (0-1)./R. Tello ‘20. Old Trafford: 74242 spect.
- Manchester United: B. Foster;G. Neville, N. Vidic,W. Brown,Rafael(74.M. Carrick);Ji-Sung Park(68.M. Owen),Anderson,D. Gibson(74.P. Evra),G. Obertan;D. Welbeck,F. Macheda.
- Besiktas Istanbul: R. Recber;M. Ferrari,I. Toraman(67.E. Güven),I. Üzülmez,I. Kas;I. Koybasi,M. Fink,F. Ernst, R. Tello(75.U. Inceman);E. Dag,Bobo(84.B. Karadeniz).

* Real Madrid - FC Zürich 1-0 (1-0).G. Higuaín ‘21. Estadio Santiago Bernabéu: 67867 spect.
- Real Madrid: Iker Casillas;Sergio Ramos,Raúl Albiol,Pepe,Álvaro Arbeloa(58.R. Van der Vaart);
Marcelo,Kaka(90.E. Granero),Xabi Alonso,L. Diarra;Raúl(69.Cristiano Ronaldo),G. Higuaín.
- FC Zürich: J. Leoni;A. Rochat,H. Barmettler,F. Stahel,H. Tihinen;P. Koch,D. Djuric(88.M. Schönbächler),
X. Margairaz,S. Aegerter;M. Gajic(76.J. Vonlanthen),A. Alphonse(85.A. Mehmedi).

* AC Milan - Olympique Marseille 1-1 (1-1).M.Borriello ‘10/Lucho González ‘16.
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza: 49063 spect.
- AC Milan: Dida;A. Nesta,M. Oddo(28.I. Abate),G. Zambrotta,Thiago Silva;A. Pirlo,Ronaldinho,C. Seedorf,
M. Ambrosini;M.Borriello,Alexandre Pato.
- Olympique Marseille: S. Mandanda;G. Heinze,L. Bonnart,S. Diawara,T. Taiwo;Lucho González(66.
B. Kone),F. Abriel,B. Cheyrou(85.F. Morientes),E. Cissé;M. Niang(73.H. Ben Arfa),Brandão.

* FC Porto - Chelsea FC 0-1 (0-0)./N. Anelka ‘69. Estádio Do Dragão: 38410 spect.
- FC Porto: Beto;B. Alves,C. Săpunaru(80.E. Farias),Rolando,Álvaro Pereira;R. Meireles,Cristian Rodríguez,F. Belluschi(71.Fredy Guarin),Fernando;Silvestre Varela(59.Hulk),Radamel Falcao.
- Chelsea FC: P. Cech;J. Terry,Ricardo Carvalho,B. Ivanovic;M. Ballack(67.M. Essien),Deco(76.J. Cole),F. Malouda,J. Obi Mikel,Y. Zhirkov;D. Drogba,N. Anelka.

* APOEL Nicosia - Atlético Madrid 1-1 (1-0).N.Mirosavljevic ‘5/Simão ‘62. Neo GSP (Strovolos): 21178 spect.
- APOEL Nicosia: D. Chiotis;Paulo Jorge,M. Ilia(70.M. Breska),C. Kontis,Nuno Morais;K. Kosowski(76.Marcin Zewlakow),S. Poursaitidis,C. Michael(71.J. Broerse),N. Alexandrou;Helio Pinto,N. Mirosavljevic.
- Atlético Madrid: Sergio Asenjo;T. Ujfalusi,Juanito,L. Perea,Álvaro Domínguez;Simão(90.A. López),
J. Jurado(79.Maxi Rodríguez),Cléber Santana,I. Camacho;S. Aguero,D. Forlán(87.J. Reyes).

Dos goles de Gonzalo Higuaín en los últimos dos encuentros depositaron al Real Madrid en la cima de la Liga Española y el grupo C de la UEFA Champions League

Con el cierre de la quinta fecha de la fase de grupos de la UEFA Champions League 2009/2010, el panorama de cara a los compromisos de octavos de final parece ser más claro para algunos equipos, mientras que para otros, a falta de una fecha para concluir esta instancia, las oportunidades se acabaron. A los tres equipos clasificados en la cuarta jornada disputada hace apenas dos semanas -Chelsea, Porto y Sevilla-, se sumaron entre el día martes y miércoles, Manchester United, Bordeaux, Fiorentina, Olimpique de Lyon y Arsenal. De esta manera, ya son ocho los equipos que se aseguraron un lugar entre los mejores dieciseis de la máxima competición europea a nivel de clubes.

En cuanto a las actuaciones argentinas, la más destacada fue la del delantero del Real Madrid Gonzalo Higuaín. El ex-atacante de River Plate marcó el único gol en la victoria que obtuvo su equipo frente al FC Zurich en el estadio Santiago Bernabeú. De esta manera, el conjunto blanco quedó bien posicionado de cara a la última jornada de la fase de grupos y espera confiado el derby del próximo fin de semana frente la Barcelona en el cual defenderá la punta de la Liga Española.

El gol de Lucho González fue fundamental para que su equipo, el Olimpique de Marsella, mantenga intactas sus chances de clasificar a la instancia de octavos de final del máximo certamen a nivel de clubes de Europa

Por su parte, con un Lionel Messi reservado de cara al clásico español, el equipo catalán también llega en alza después de la contundente victoria sobre el Inter, que lo coloca en la cima del grupo F, con buenas perspectivas de clasificación de cara a la última fecha de la fase de grupos.

Otro argentino que tuvo una destacada actuación fue Luis González en el empate de su equipo, Olimpique de Marsella, en su enfrentamiento con el Milán en el estadio San Siro. El ex-volante de Huracán y River Plate marcó el único gol de su equipo, que sirvió para obtener un importante empate que lo coloca con posibilidades de clasificación en el grupo C. En la próxima jornada recibirá al Real Madrid.

La última fecha de la fase de grupos se disputará entre el 8 y 9 de diciembre.

Rodada com algumas zebras e mais alguns classificados:

Grupo A:

Bordeaux 2×0 Juventus: o time francês é a grande surpresa e está incrível. Bateu a Juve em casa com dois gols de cabeça e é líder disparado e classificado.

Bayern 1×0 Maccabi: com um gol solitário, os alemães ainda sonham. O time ocupa uma fraca terceira colocação e pode ficar de fora. Na última rodada Bayern e Juve se enfrentam pra ver quem fica e quem sai.

Grupo B:

CSKA 2×1 Wolfsburg: os alemães saíram  na frente mas vacilaram e agora têm que esperar a última rodada. Os gols do CSKA foram de Necid e Krasic. Agora ambas equipes possuem 7 pontos e sonham em chegar às Oitavas.

Manchester 0×1 Besiktas: o time inglês já havia dado sinais de fraqueza na última partida em 3×3 com o CSKA. Perdeu, embora já classificado.

Grupo C:

Real Madrid 1×0 Zurich: com a cabeça no clássico contra o Barça, os merengues suaram pra vencer. O gol foi marcado por Higuaín, após passe de Kaká. Agora, os espanhóis são líderes do grupo.

Milan 1×1 Olympique: a maldição do San Siro permanece e o Milan não venceu em casa ainda nessa Champions. O gol de Borrielo deixou os italianos em vantagem por 6 minutos, já que Lucho empatou pouco depois. Grupo embolado e as duas vagas serão definidas apenas na última rodada.

Grupo C:

Chelsea 1×0 Porto: ambos classificados, os times jogaram sem grande emoção. O gol do Chelsea foi marcado por Anelka. Na última rodada, as equipes definem apenas quem será primeiro e quem será segundo.

Apoel 1×1 Atlético de Madrid: mais um resultado medíocre dos espanhóis, que já estavam eliminados. A equipe do Chipre não assusta ningém, mas o Atlético conseguiu dois bravos empates com eles.

Grupo E:

Fiorentina 1×0 Lyon: um gol de pênalti que deu a liderança e a classificação à Viola. A Fiorentina faz uma campanha excelente e convincente. O Lyon já estava classificado e não apresentou um esforço muito grande.

Debrecen 0×1 Liverpool: a reação do Liverpool veio tarde demais. O time venceu, porém a combinação de resultados eliminou o time. Fazia tempo que o Liverpool não fazia uma aparição tão fraca num torneio. Resta a Europa League.

Grupo F:

Barcelona 2×0 Internazionale: Piqué e Pedro foram os autores dos gols que deram a vitória ao Barça. A Inter apenas assistiu e agora precisa reagir na última rodada, senão será mais um grande a ficar de fora.

Rubin 0×0 Dynamo: empate frio em Moscou. Porém, esse resultado permite que ambas equipes ainda tenhamchances reais de vaga. O Barça tem 8 pontos, a Inter e o Rubin estão com 6 e o Dynamo tem 5. Para o grupo que era barbada…

Grupo G:

Sevilla 0×1 Unirea: jogando sem pressão, o Sevilla vacilou e perdeu a invencibilidade. Quem agradece é o time romeno, que assume a segunda posição e pode deixar o Suttugart de fora da briga.

Rangers 0×2 Stuttgart: outra derrota do fraquíssimo time escocês. O Stuttgart aproveitou e não marcou bobeira. Agora, na última rodada, os alemães disputam a vaga contra o Unirea.

Grupo H:

AZ Alkmaar 0×0 Olympiacos: empate sem graça que manteve a disputa da segunda vaga ainda viva para os gregos. O AZ está eliminado. 

Arsenal 2×0 Standard: boa vitória do time inglês, que disparou na ponta. Os gols foram feitos por Nasri e Denilson.

Classificados: Bordeaux, Manchester, Chelsea, Porto, Fiorentina, Lyon, Sevilla e Arsenal. Restam metade das vagas para serem definidas na última rodada.

As grandes decepções até o momento são Liverpool, Atlético de Madrid, Internazionale, Juve e Bayern. A surpresa muito grata fica por conta de Fiorentina e Bordeaux.

POSTADO POR NÓIA

O FC Porto , já apurado para os oitavos-de-final, perdeu ontem as últimas hipóteses de vencer o Grupo D da Liga dos Campeões em futebol, ao cair novamente por 1-0 frente ao Chelsea, agora no Dragão. O avançado internacional francês Nicolas Anelka marcou aos 69 minutos e voltou a ser o “carrasco” do “onze” de Jesualdo Ferreira, que já tinha perdido por 1-0 em Stamford Bridge, em Londres, a 15 de Setembro. Com este resultado, o Chelsea, a segunda equipa inglesa a vencer no reduto do FC Porto – depois do Manchester United, a época passada, com um golo de Cristiano Ronaldo -, passou a contar 13 pontos, contra nove dos tetracampeões lusos.

  in Expresso

Resumo do Porto 0 – Chelsea 1

Cristiano Ronaldo volta após 56 dias parado

Ontem, aconteceu a 5ª rodada da Champions League, e infelizmente, um grande time foi eliminado, e é o Liverpool. Mesmo vencendo o seu jogo, viu a Fiorentina vencer o Lyon. Agora os ” reds ” jogam a Liga Europa.

Mas essa não é o principal acontecimento, mas sim, a grande vitória do Barça em cima da Inter. Mesmo o Barça entrando em campo, com chances de ser eliminado, o Barça, mesmo sem Messi e Ibraimovic, deu show, e venceu por 2 a 0, com gols de Piqué e Pedro.  Ontem, o Real também venceu, mas por 1 a 0, gol de Higuain. Mas o que deixou a torcida motivada, foi a volta de Cristiano Ronaldo, que deu um showzinho a parte.  Unico time espanhol que perdeu, mas ja esta classificado é o Sevilla. Fora de casa, perdeu por 1 a 0, para o Urinea Urziceni.

Os times ingleses estão tranquilos, menos o Liverpool, é claro. O Manchester perdeu por 1 a 0 do Besikitas, mas já esta classificado. O Arsenal venceu por 2 a 0 e está tranquilo na liderança do grupo. O Chelsea, ainda não perdeu na Liga, ontem venceu por 1 a 0, gol de Anelka, e também está tranquilo na chave. O Liverpool, nesse momento, só luta na Liga Europa.

Times que preocupão muito, são os times italianos, três tem chance de não ir para as oitavas de final. A Juventos, só precisa pontuar, até com um empate, passa, por que joga com o terceiro colocado, o Bayer. O Milan tem que vencer o Zurich na Suiça, se empatar, tem que torcer por um tropeço do Olimpique de Marseille em cima do Real. A Inter tem que vencer o Rubin Kazan para passar. Só a Fiorentina que é líder do seu grupo, e está classificada para as oitavas.

Todos os resultados estão abaixo:

Grupo A – Bordeaux 2 a 0 Juventus – Bayer de Munique  1 a 0 Maccabi Haifa

Grupo B – M. United 0 a 1 Besikitas – CSKA 2 a 1 Wolfsburg

Grupo C – Real Madrid 1 a 0 Zurich – Milan 1 a 1 Olimpique de Marseille

Grupo D – Porto 0 a 1 Chelsea – APOEL 1 a 1 Atlético de Madrid

Grupo E – Debreceni 0 a 1 Liverpool – Fioretina 1 a 0 Lyon

Grupo F – Rubin Kazan 0 a 0 Dynamo de Kiev – Barcelona 2 a 0 Inter

Grupo G – Rangers 0 a 2 Stuttgart – Urinea Urziceni 1 a 0 Sevilla

Grupo H – Arsenal 2 a 0 Standard de Liegue - AZ 0 a 0 Olimpiacos

Liverpool crashed out of the Champions League last night despite winning their match against Debrecen in the Hungarian capital.French international David Ngog’s first half strike put the Reds ahead of Debrecen in the must-win group-stage match. Liverpool, who won the Champions League in 2005 and were runners-up two years ago, needed to not only win their match but also needed Lyon to beat Fiorentina order to reach the Final 16 for the knock-out stages of the competition.

Unfortunately for the Reds, Fiorentina beat Lyon 1-0 in their match in Tuscany, ensuring that Fiorentina progressed at Liverpool’s expense. This is the first time in six years that Liverpool has failed to make it past the group stages of the European competition. Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was left ruing the late goals conceded by his team against Lyon. They had been beaten 2-1 by the French champions at Anfield before drawing 1-1 at the Stade Gerland.

“It was our own fault in the end, the late goals we have conceded along the way have cost us,” said Benitez. “We have been so good in the last few years that maybe people think it is easy to qualify in all competitions. You have to be disappointed. We knew we had to win and we did. We can’t change what happened in the other match, but at least we did our job. If you look at the games, two late goals made a massive difference.”

Liverpool is expected to suffer a budgetary shortfall of about £2.4m for this season as a consequence of their group exit and this could be made worse if they continue their run of bad form in the Premier League and  fail to finish in the top four, adding another £10m loss. This would have a significant impact on the asking price of £100m for a 25% stake in Liverpool, which the owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are looking to sell.

Rafael Benitez, however, played down the financial aspect of failing to progress to the knock-out stage.”

“You have a budget at the beginning of the season and it assumes that we have qualified for the group stages of the Champions League. We did this. Two or three more games maybe, in terms of money, won’t make such a big difference. The main thing for us is to finish in the top four and to be in the Champions League group stages again next year”, said the Liverpool manager.

Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow, insisted that Liverpool could withstand the financial impact of the early elimiation and added that Rafael Benitez’s position as Liverpool manager will not be undermined by Champions League exit.

Christian Purslow said, “This will have no bearing on Rafa whatsoever. He signed a new five-year deal four months ago and in those terms he is four months into a five-year journey. You don’t deviate from long‑term plans for people and the way to take the club to the next level because of two late goals against Lyon, and that’s what it boils down to.”

Liverpool will now be playing in the newly formed Europa League with the likes of Valencia, Benfica and neighbours Everton.

Liverpool plays crucial Merseyside derby match at Goodison Park in the Premier League on Sunday.

It’s depressing to wake up at half past three in the morning hoping to catch a Manchester United victory and the first two names you see on the teamsheet are Ben Foster and Gary Neville. It’s even more disheartening trying to get back to sleep two hours later having seen them lose their first Champions League group match at home in eight years to a team who lost 8-0 to Liverpool on their last visit to England.

Still, Besiktas should be allowed to enjoy their moment, which undoubtedly their maniacal supporters will be doing. After all, smaller sides seldom feature in the Champions League headlines and a win at Old Trafford is a remarkable achievement considering that no Turkish team has won in England for eight years.

Top spot in the group should have been sealed last night but Fergie’s fledglings, in baseball terms, stepped up to the plate and struck out. There was a real lack of urgency and pressure from the men (or boys) in red which translated into a flat, disjointed performance against the Turkish champions. I guess Wolfsburg’s defeat in Moscow just prior to kick-off gave the players a false sense of confidence.

Gabriel Obertan and Danny Welbeck were the only ones to really emerge with any credit on a night when Anderson showed the world that having bags of potential alone is not enough to make one a quality footballer. He was the senior man in the central midfield and should have stamped his authority on the game but was time and again let down by his poor touches and wayward passing. I wonder if we will still be talking about how the Brazilian could be a great player when he is in his thirties.

Someone who is in his thirties but no longer a great player is Gary Neville, who looked as lost as Kanye West at a Taylor Swift concert. Today’s game, today’s players and today’s balls are all too fast for the club captain and retirement sooner rather than later is the inevitable option.

One thing that Neville can teach Federico Macheda is that you give 110 percent for that badge on your jersey situated above your heart. The young Italian displayed a defiant and petulant attitude that would even put Mr Grumpy himself – Dimitar Berbatov – to shame. It looks like he thinks he’s better than he actually is. It will be a waste to see a player with so much undoubted talent fall by the wayside and I hope Sir Alex Ferguson will be able to polish this gem and maybe add some detergent to clean his mouth.

A week after Ben Foster describe his life at United as frustrating, I would use that very same word to describe his performance on the night. The Turkish champions had two shots on goals in ninety minutes and he let one of them in. It might have taken a slight deflection off Rafael but he was nonetheless flat footed and not quick enough to get across the goal, not helped by his dubious starting position. It’s a testament to just how dire the England goalkeeping situation is that he still looks a certainty to be on the plane to South Africa next summer.

A bright spark on the night was Obertan who, despite some misplaced passes, provided good width and penetration down the right flank. It was a positive performance from the former Bordeaux starlet who not only displayed some excellent off the ball movement but also the confidence to want the ball played to him at every available opportunity.

I don’t agree that there was very little at stake in this match. Finishing as group runners-up not only increases your chances of facing Barcelona or Real Madrid in the next round but also means that United plays their first leg at home, where away goals could play a big part.

Of course, winning the group could still see United being paired up with either of the Milan sides. But compared to last season, I cannot confidently say that the Red Devils can get a goal or two at the Nou Camp or San Siro.

The youngsters whom Sir Alex placed his faith should have grabbed this opportunity on the big stage by the scruff of the neck. Instead, we are left wondering about the long term futures of the likes of Darron Gibson, Macheda and most alarmingly, Anderson. There is definitely potential in these players but what differentiates the Messis and Kakas of this world from the rest is the realization of that ability and performing when it matters most on the pitch.

This defeat has made it a somewhat drab Thanksgiving for Sir Alex as he gathers for dinner with wife Cathy and his three sons. Still, it’s a much happier place to be than at the Benitez household.

desde liverpoolfc.tv

Este es el último post que escribo con respecto al Liverpool en la UEFA Champions League de este año, a pesar de la victoria en cancha del Debreceni nos quedamos con las ganas de llevarnos la 6ta Orejona a las vitrinas del club. Ha sido -según yo-  una temporada desastroza, en la liga realmente vamos del nabo y en la Champions… pues, eliminados, y ahora la vista de los Reds se enfoca hacia la Europa League (antes conocida como UEFA Cup).

La Fiorentina le hizo la maldad al Lyon y nos mandaron a volar, las esperanzas de ganar algún trofeo se ven cada vez mas lejos.

Una Champions sin el Liverpool… ¿como iba esa frase?

Esperemos que se pueda ganar la Europa League, ya es hora de que algo bueno pase.

Empiezo por aclarar que no vi el encuentro. Leí la reseña de gazzetta.it . Parece que nos fue de lujo con el empate, si contamos que los franceses estrellaron el balón una vez en el travesaño y otra en el poste.

Es la champion’s league, se han conseguido los tres puntos, se ha……

BUENO, YO AHORA PREGUNTO, Y LO DIGO MUY, PERO MUY EN SERIO, ¿ALGUIEN HA ESTADO VIENDO EL PARTIDO DE SU EQUIPO Y….CASI SE HA QUEDADO DORMIDO?.

WELL, COMO YA SE QUE TENGO MUY MALA FAMA, YO NO CUENTO, digo que no cuento PORQUE, EFECTIVAMENTE, ME HE PUESTO A VER EL PARTIDO, BIEN “PROVISTO” DE “VARIAS COSAS”, COMO “ME HA GUSTADO SIEMPRE QUE SEA ALGO DE LA CHAMPION’S” O..SOBRE TODO, COMO LO QUE VIENE ESTE FINDE Y ….blablablablbla…..MAS…ejem……

…EJEM……otro PARTIDO PLANO, con un equipo, el visitante, QUE MEJOR LES VENDRIA JUGAR A LA PETANCA, es que SON MALOS QUE TE CAGAS, LO SABEN Y ASÍ SE LO TOMAN, HAN VENIDO DE TURISMO.

ANTE ELLOS, EL MADRID, QUE HA MARCADO UN GOL Y ……HA CONTRIBUIDO AL SUEÑO GENERAL

WELL, CLASIFICADOS, TRES BIEN, ALL RIGHT BOYS, ETC., ETC., PERO…..

¡¡¡¡¡¡COÑAZO, COÑAZO, COÑAZO!!! y, además…..POR MUCHO QUE ME JODA me queda claro que mucho van a tener que cambiar las cosas para que ESTE PRÓXIMO FINDE…….en fin….lo dejo así, JEJEJE, CREO QUE SE ME ENTIENDE.

Menos mal que, A PESAR DE “CIERTAS Y CIERTOS GILIPOLLAS”, aun siendo un ADICTO al futbol, TAMBIÉN me lo se tomar COMO LO QUE ES, ¡¡¡UN JUEGO!!!!.

¡¡¡Que nooooo!!!, que no hablo del partido, pero es que …¿que partido?, ESO HA SIDO UN COÑAZO, NO UN PARTIDO.

JAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJA, en serio, ¡¡¡¡LO DIGO EN SERIO!!!, un tio, tras de mi, sentado con su consumición, ¡¡¡joder!! pues como todos,  pero…….¡¡¡¡¡¡SE HA DORMIDO Y NOS HEMOS DADO CUENTA PORQUE RONCABA!!!!!!.

Y mas o menos lo entiendo porque….¡¡¡¡QUE COÑAZO DE PARTIDO!!!!!!!!!!.

“Jooooo, y entonces por que lo veis?”, ENTIENDO LA PREGUNTA, Y…NO LA PUEDO RESPONDER, A MI ME GUSTA EL FUTBOL, ESTOY “ENGANCHADO”, ME TRAGO LOS PARTIDOS HASTA EL FINAL INCLUSO AUNQUE SEAN COMO ESTE.

PERO SI PUEDO DECIR, DE MANERA OBJETIVA LO QUE HE VISTO Y LO QUE HE SENTIDO, cosa esta última que, efectivamente ¿a quien le importa?, pero…MIRA POR DONDE LOS BLOGS SIRVEN, ENTRE OTRAS COSAS, PARA ESO, YO ME ABRO UNO Y CUENTO LO QUE ME DE LA GANA, LE IMPORTE AL RESTO DE LA GENTE O NO.

Y SE ACABÓ LA CHARLA, ¿fulanito, menganita, zutanito, etc, ctc, aburriditos?, pos fale, RESTO, pos lo mismo.

YO HAGO LO QUE ME DA LA GANA.

GLORY UNITED.

HALA MADRID.

“MANQUE PIERDAN”, JAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJA.

. Ficha técnica:

1 – Real Madrid: Iker Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Raúl Albiol, Arbeloa (Van der Vaart, m.58); ‘Lass’, Xabi Alonso, Marcelo; Kaká (Granero, m.89), Higuaín y Raúl (Cristiano Ronaldo, m.69).

0 – FC Zúrich: Leoni; Stahel, Barmettler, Tihinen, Koch; Gajic (Vonlanthen, m.75), Aegerter, Rochat, Djuric (Schonbachler, m.88), Margairaz y Alphonse (Mehmedi, m.85).

Goles: 1-0, M.21: Higuaín.

Árbitro: Alain Hamer (LUX). Amonestó a ‘Lass’ (60) y Xabi Alonso (82) por el Real Madrid, y a Barmettler (55), Djuric (62) y Stahel (65) por el FC Zúrich.

Incidencias: encuentro correspondiente a la quinta jornada de la fase de grupos de Liga de Campeones, del Grupo C, disputado en el estadio Santiago Bernabéu ante la presencia de 69.000 espectadores, 2.000 de ellos suizos.

¿¿¿¿FOTOS??????, ¡¡JE!!, a ver, si me pongo a ello, “TRINCO”, seguro, pero…..ES QUE ….DE VERDAD, NO VALE LA PENA, casi lo mismo TOMORROW hago un resumen de COMO VA TODA LA CHAMPIÓNS, incluyendo a la gente eliminada y ya está.

La cosa es tan simple como que ahora mismo…ME APETECE MAS CERRAR DE UNA VEZ ESTO Y……Y LO MISMO NO APAREZCO HASTA EL SABADO O…VAYA USTED A SABER.

¡¡¡¡VIVA LA LIBERTAD INDIVIDUAL!!!!!

¿Alguien me puede hacer un favor?, ¡¡¡¡¡¡HAGAN CALLAR A ESE “PERIOLISTO TREPA” de Roberto “MENDRUGO” Gomez, ese MALDITO “LAMECULOS” DE MIERDA.

GOOD NIGHT.

I had initially thought I will do this at the end of the group phase. But we have achieved qualification and top spot, so it seems worthwhile to have a look at other groups as well. Here are some highlights from the group tables after 5 games,

• Arsenal on 13 points are joint leaders in points terms with Chelsea and Bordeaux.
• These three teams are also the only unbeaten teams in the tournament. Even Barcelona and United have lost.
• Arsenal with 12 goals are joint leaders in scoring terms. Madrid and Fiorentina are the other teams on 12. United have scored 7, Chelsea 9 and Barcelona 5!
• Arsenal’s 8 is the best goal difference in the tournament so far. Chelsea are next with 7.
• Liverpool have crashed out. Inter, Bayern Munich, Juventus and Milan can still go out.

I know our group was relatively easy. But so was Chelsea’s. If the likes of Olympiacos and Alkmaar are not considered tough opponents, the same can be said for Rubin Kazan, Marseille, Besiktas, and Dynamo Kiev.

United haven’t looked convincing at all, have they? Their second string lost at home to a team like Besiktas who had 1 point in four games. Their first team conceded 3 at home against CSKA. Chelsea have only managed two 1-0 victories away from home.

Madrid have spent hundreds of millions but they haven’t set the football world on fire. Juventus have spent big on the likes of Diego, Melo etc. But they aren’t dominating any competition. Barca have spent enormously on Zlatan but they too have to live with a couple of scoreless draws.

I know we have a habit of conceding sloppy goals. I also realize we have let ourselves down a few times. But the improvement over last season is clear for everyone to see. We can certainly do well to improve our attitude and desire at times. There is room for improvement in maintaining the shape of the team, defensive tactics and developing a killer instinct. But these are all achievable as long as all concerned have genuine belief and will to win.

Some fans still don’t think this squad is good enough. I am more worried if some of the players also think that way. I guess that is an argument that can only be countered by actually winning something.

: : : : : : : : :

Cea mai titrata competitie intercluburi din lume,UEFA Champions League,continua sa ne ofere meciuri realmente superbe si rezultate surprinzatoare.

Farmecul unic al acestei competitii nu se compara cu nimic in lume.

Unirea Urziceni ne-a facut mandrii ca romani invingand colosul numit FC Sevilla,campioana en-titre a Europei,FC Barcelona supravietuieste din cea mai echilibrata grupa a competitiei,in timp ce FC Liverpool spune adio competitiei supreme a fotbalului european si mondial.

Iata rezultatele etapei cu numarul 5 a Ligii Campionilor:

Grupa A

-Girondins de Bordeaux vs Juventus Torino 2-0 ( Fernando Menegazzo 54,Chamachk 90+2)

-Bayern Munchen vs Maccabi Haifa 1-0 ( Ivica Olic 62)

Grupa B

-CSKA Moscova vs VFL Wolfsburg 2-1 ( Thomas Necid 58,Milos Krasic 66,Edin Dzeko 19)

-Manchester United vs Besiktas Istanbul 0-1 ( Rodrigo Tello 20)

Grupa C

-AC Milan vs Olympique Marseille 1-1 ( Marco Boriello 10,Lucho Gonzalez 18)

-Real Madrid vs FC Zurich 1-0 ( Gonzalo Higuain 21)

Grupa D

-FC Porto vs Chelsea Londra 0-1 ( Nicolas Anelka 69)

-APOEL Nicosia vs Atletico Madrid 1-1 ( Miroslavjevic 5,Simao Sabrosa 62)

Grupa E

-FK Debrecen vs Liverpool 0-1 ( David N’Gog 6)

-AC Fiorentina vs Olympique Lyonnais 1-0 ( Vargas 29 pen)

Grupa F

-Rubin Kazan vs Dynamo Kiev 0-0

-FC Barcelona vs Internazionale Milano 2-0 ( Gerard Pique 10,Pedro Rodriguez 27)

Grupa G

-Glasgow Rangers vs VFB Stuttgart 0-2 ( Sebastien Ruddy 19,Zdravko Kuzmanovic 59)

-Unirea Urziceni vs FC Sevilla 1-0 ( Ivica Dragutinovic 45 autogol)

Grupa H

-AZ Alkmaar vs Olympiakos Pireu 0-0

-Arsenal Londra vs Standard Liege 2-0 ( Samir Nasri 35,Denilson 45+2)

Los blancos, gracias a un gol de Gonzalo Higuaín, doblegaron al Zúrich en la vuelta a los terrenos de juego de Cristiano Ronaldo.

Milan vs Marseille:
http://www.iraqgoals.net/ch7.html

Porto vs Chelsea
http://www.videolivestreaming.co.uk/channel1.php

Bayern vs Maccabi
http://www.iraqgoals.net/ch5.html

Manchester vs Besiktas
http://www.footv.net/spoor

APOEL-Atlético de Madrid
http://atdhe.net/10593/watch-apoel-nicosia-vs-atletico-madrid

Madrid vs Zurich
http://www.videolivestreaming.co.uk/channel3.php

Bordeaux vs Juventus
http://www.iraqgoals.net/ch2.html

Con un pobre juego del Inter, el peor que se le ha visto, el Barcelona paso por encima sin siquiera jugar Messi o Ibrahimovic y un gol de Pique junto con un gol de Pedro, puso al Inter contra las cuerdas en el partido
y en la clasificacion

“Sorry old boy, washing my hair that night”. Am I talking here about Fiorentina’s fans not being bothered to travel to Anfield for a meaningless game with Liverpool but saving their cash for a more cheerful Christmas? No, not really.

What a difference two months can make. When UEFA Champions League group stage caravan was ready to go, at the end of september, there were inevitable mass-media comments based on false assumptions that the “predictability of outcomes” and “the same sense of inertia enveloping the bloated early rounds” will generate a lack of interest and subsequently empty seats around the grounds, “as there is no obvious reason to desert the shampoo anywhere on the continent” in these autumn evenings apart from some big old clashes such as Juventus – Bayern, AC Milan – Real Madrid or Barcelona – Inter. I’ve cited from an oppinion going on the lines of Michel Platini’s alleged misjudgement to mix Europe’s finest, the cream of the elite, with some no-hopers.

Never mind the sarcasm which peppered the comment, “You can imagine the look on Jose Mourinho’s face when Inter were drawn in the same group as Rubin Kazan”, but some might argue that the chance itself for lesser clubs to face giants of the game is a step up on the ladder. The minnows can improve only by playing against the best in the trade.

And others might not be so imaginative yet they’ve noticed Pep Guardiola’s face when the current UEFA Champions League holders were defeated on Camp Nou by Gokdeniz Karadeniz 73rd minute strike. It was 2-1 for Rubin in Barcelona. Actually, not that much of a shock, after a 0-0 draw in Kazan, when the Russian champion was already sprinting towards back to back domestic titles.

It’s well documented the fact that Russian clubs take advantage on their day from the unusual spring-autumn format of the season. Only on this basis and the champions of the EURO 2008 semifinalist shouldn’t have been taken for granted. Not to mention their clubs resurgence in UEFA Cup, which was won by CSKA Moscow and Zenit Sankt Petersburg in 2005 and 2008 respectivelly. That’s a harvest double the amount of England’s, triumphant in UEFA Cup in the last 25 years only through Liverpool, in 2001, but this record can be adjusted in may, in Hamburg, with The Reds derailed from glamorous  UEFA Champions League to its poorer renamed cousin, UEFA Europa League. 

The shampoo will be deserted on wednesday the 9th of december in favour of a journey to San Siro for an exciting Inter – Rubin Kazan decider, with Jose Mourinho’s men and Karadeniz et co equal on points. What can you ask for more? Goliath hosting David and not the other way round, another inconvenience for Europe’s finest, through the eyes of western commentators, to have to pull their alike extraterestrial buses in some “Eastern European backwater”. Although there are human beings living and buying football tickets even there, apparently it seems a stage not glitzy enough for the uber-entities.

It was often the case – and a repeat scenario won’t be any surprise - that the bigger clubs prevailed despite a stuttering start or a poor form altogether in the group stage. The smart money will be on Jose Mourinho’s coat and hairstyle to be admired on the glamorous stage as well in spring but it has to be pointed out that no team is by any means qualified yet from this supposedly inbalanced group. And that says a lot about minnows’ progress. A 2-2 draw as Inter made in Milano against Dinamo Kiyv will do though for the Italian champions.   

 And who would have imagined that Fiorentina Firenze will go through the group stage for the first time in its history at the expense of a seasoned Liverpool side? Or who would have thought that unknown Unirea Urziceni will shatter Glasgow Rangers on Ibrox Park with a 4-1 which contributed to the elimination of Scotland’s champions before the last group games were played?

These are some questions to ponder about. The shampoo will be in use in Glasgow when Gers will travel to Seville for an academic outing against the top of the group Andalucians. Full credit to Dan Petrescu, once a versatile player not only for Chelsea, now a capable manager providing an answer in his own way to another ironic arrow targeting Michel Platini. The commentator was asking if the name of Urziceni is the acceptable contraction…

Well, it’s just a name and nothing else, no better or worse than Stuttgart. Urzica is a plant, a stinging nettle, and has therapeutic values. While Platini’s ideals, to evolve the game on the virtues of solidarity and universality, mentioned when he took helm of UEFA in january 2007, seem already to bear fruit. Or may be some observers discomfort is coming from the president’s suggestion that 4 representatives for England or Spain might be a bit too much and that indebted clubs might end one day thrown out of the competition.

Some might say that I’m very harsh and punitive on some wrong predictions. But I’ll argue that it’s not about some wild results that unexpectedly occured, say AC Milan – Zurich 0-1, Atletico Madrid – Apoel Nicosia 0-0, Bayern Munich – Bordeaux 0-2 or even Manchester United – CSKA Moscow 3-3, given that just an owngoal in the 93rd minute have undone the 2005 UEFA Cup winners at Old Trafford, where Besiktas has won as well, but it’s about the concept of rightly mixing in the group stage the mighty and powerful with some new faces.

Enough knock-out stages will then follow for the big clubs to grace the loftier stratospheres of the competition. But as New Zealand, Honduras or North Korea sneaked through in the group stages of 2010 World Cup final, so UEFA Champions League can do with a few underdogs. No harm but – as it was proved – some excitement.

And isn’t it ironic that it went full circle, if it is to quote again the commentary: “[...] another fixture to get hearts pumping; Unirea Urziceni, of Romania, versus, VFB Stuttgart”. You bet it is. Nothing else than a win will do for Die Schwaben to go through. And by the way, the club’s name is correctly spelled with f and not F. Verein fur Bewegungsspiele Stuttgart 1893 e.V.

Some minnows proved that Platini’s competition format has its merits and it’s just fair to point out that a former European champion both at club and national level, with Juventus Torino and France, who won as well both domestic competitions in Italy and his native country, winning Cup Winners’ Cup, UEFA Supercup and Intercontinental Cup among other trophees, might be more of a visionary with the game’s best interests at heart than some pundits can imagine.

Will Jose Mourinho succeed against Rubin? Or will he find the going as tough as Rafael Benitez did with Liverpool?

While being here and casting an eye on the backwater of Eastern Europe, just one more point to make. It’s surprising to say and admit that for all their travel, some football writers must lack some geography knowledge.  Why I’m saying this? The same error is repeated for decades, mistakingly including footballing nations as say Czech Republic or Hungary, you name them, in… Eastern Europe.

Well, it’s a well known fact even at kindergarten in mainland Europe that the continent’s eastern border consists of Ural Mountains, at meridian 60 E, which splits the Russian Federation into two: the European Russia and the Asian Russia. Take any map and you’ll notice that European Russian Federation is extremely wide, occupying the whole eastern front of the continent. That’s Eastern Europe…

Which leaves the lot, Czech Republic et all, nowhere else but in Central Europe. The meridians are giving an even more accurate view of what’s what in terms of positioning on our continent’s map, be it a footballing one or not. The 60 degrees E meridian is roughly where Urals are stretching from north to south, while the 30 degrees E meridian cuts across eastern Finland, Belarus and Ukraine. Meridian O passes Greenwich.

So how comes that Slavia or Sparta Prague, bang on the western side of 15 degrees E meridian, so much closer to London than to Moscow, are… eastern European clubs? It defies everything: maps, geography, logic, truth…

To emphasise the aforementioned point about the imbalance of power in the elitist Champions League, the columnist choose poor Unirea Urziceni as a perfect “example”, comparing David with mighty Real Madrid. Well, geographically wise, the same error… Urziceni, the town surprisingly holding the current domestic national title in Romania, even being in eastern Romania, is actually bang in central Europe, whichever way you want to study the map of real Europe, known at kindergarten. Somewhere at mid distance between the western points of say Ireland and Portugal and the Urals.

Unirea Urziceni, this unknown quantity with an unpronouncable name, was deemed as an unworthy opponent for the big and powerful, with the stroke of a keyboard. It took decades for minor Romanian outfits to break the horrendous state controlled hijacking of national football, with Steaua and Dinamo the big bullies on the scene. CFR Cluj made history last year by winning the title, despite all the machinations of Steaua. Cluj-Napoca, a provincial city from Transylvania, have defied the structures of power.

Unirea Urziceni followed the trend and, from nowhere, finished on top, due to Dan Petrescu’s managerial knowhow. His skills honed in Poland, at Wisla Krakow, the former Sheffield Wednesday and Chelsea London full back hit the jackpot by bringing the title in a place the size of Slough. Actually, I’m exaggerating, as Slough is quite big.

Instead of recognizing the amazing shift of power in Romanian football, where it seems that truth starts to prevail and Steaua and Dinamo find it harder and harder to control through corruption, sleaze and influence, some are questioning, placing in imaginary boxes and taking the mickey out of the newborn stars. And I say stars but they might be only comets, shining just for a while. It’s their moment, so why to pick them as “examples” in this infinite talk about the Champions League format moulded by Platini!? Because it’s convenient for some…

The simple truth is that Urziceni is not in eastern Europe, whateversome Western Europeans want to believe, and that Unirea did a wonderful job in following the footsteps of another minnow, CFR Cluj Napoca. A few more like them and we’ll escape the plague of associating Romanian football with the names of Steaua and Dinamo. 

I just assume that if Steaua would have won the title and represent Romania in Champions League, it wouldn’t have been picked as an “example” in the explanation about the imbalance of power in the group stages of the European elite.  Just because Steaua won the old European Cup in ‘86 with players cherrypicked from various minnows, some are assuming that it must be a powerful enough entity to be worthy of a home and away double with Real Madrid. Well, Olympique Lyonnais visited Bucharest recently and showed the real difference in power.

And if one day Steaua will pay even without interest the unpaid transfer sums for players… recruited in those days in the Army, then the mighty and powerful of the Iron Curtain block will be bankrupt and buried, while the “minnows” derided now will empower themselves at least for the merit of bringing talents to the footballing world.

And please don’t show to anybody at Steaua or Dinamo the UEFA Champions League group table with Urziceni in second place, with 8 points. Spare them of blushing for the 5 points gathered all together, with 3 goals scored and 12 conceded, in the eight games played in UEFA Europa League groups, scratching the bottom…

Steven Gerrard has admitted he is disappointed about getting knocked out of the Champions League Group stage, but insists Liverpool should move on and try and win the Europa League. Here is what he said:

“The disappointing thing was having to rely on other teams going into tonight,” said Gerrard.

“We’ve played fantastically well tonight and deserved the three points, so it’s disappointing that we won’t progress in the Champions League.

“You get what you deserve in this competition and the two late goals we conceded against Lyon have been crucial. But it’s gone now – it’s in the past and we’ve got to move on.

“We’re in the Europa League and we’ll go and try to win it.

“Tonight’s performance was encouraging and we can build on that. We’ve got a lot of players coming back from injury so hopefully it’s onwards and upwards from here.”