..::Football II::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Reina: Liverpool can beat Zenit without missing forwards

Brendan Rodgers' side goes into the Europa League game 2-0 down on aggregate and missing a host of big names, but the Spanish goalkeeper says the Anfield fans can turn the tie.

Pepe Reina insists Liverpool can still progress to the last 16 of the Europa League despite being 2-0 down on aggregate to Zenit St Petersburg and missing a host of attacking players for Thursday's clash.

Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho are ineligible for Brendan Rodgers' side while Fabio Borini is likely to miss the rest of the season with a dislocated shoulder, leaving options in forward areas thinly spread.

However, the Reds overcame Swansea at the weekend with an impressive 5-0 victory at home, and the Spanish goalkeeper has called on the famous Anfield crowd to cheer on their side once again.

"We'll be fine, there's no doubt the manager will work on [the formation] and we will produce a team that is capable of winning the game and go through to the next round," he told the club's official website. "As the manager said after the game, the next goal in the tie is going to be vital - and if we can score that goal, with Anfield right behind us, it will be very, very important. We always have great chances at Anfield - five or six chances in front of goal - and this will be no different.

"Two-nil was not what we went [to Zenit] for, but we could have scored two or three goals and it would have been a different story. But it is the way it is and 2-0 is a very tough result to overturn, but if there is one place that can do it, it's Anfield - there is no doubt about that."

Reina hailed the influence his team's supporters can have on the side while it is playing, and says a good atmosphere will be integral to any hopes Liverpool has of success on the night.

"Everybody knows about Anfield on a European night and I can tell you from experience, it's very impressive when you play against Liverpool at Anfield," he added. "The Chelsea second leg in 2007 was a good example. Anfield was rocking that night and I haven't been in an atmosphere like that since.

"It's up to both, players and fans. We have to show character from the beginning, especially in the first 15-20 minutes to get the people right behind us, but then they will lift us in the weak moments as they always do. I am really optimistic. It is a very difficult score to turn around, but with the supporters right behind us I think the mentality will be spot on."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Porto won by an offside goal, says Malaga's Pellegrini

Los Boquerones' boss has acknowledged the bad performance of his team, but also believes the Portuguese side only came out victorious because of a refereeing mistake


Malaga coach Pellegini has slammed the decision to give Porto a goal which he believed was offside, after the first leg last-16 Champions League encounter in Portugal.

The Andalusian side suffered a 1-0 defeat at Porto on Tuesday, thanks to midfielder Moutinho finding the net in the 56th minute, but the Chilean tactician was adamant the goal should not have been counted.

"Porto didn't really hurt us and the goal was offside," the 59-year-old told reporters. "I thought from the beginning that Moutinho was offside."

Pellegrini then went on to criticize his men for putting up a lackluster performance, especially when going forward, but remained hopeful of turning the tie around in the second leg.

"We were not a good Malaga because Porto pressed us well. We didn't create much space. Playing a game this badly, we didn't create many chances. I hope that, at home, we can reverse the situation.

"We can turn the scoreboard at home if we can play as [we normally do]. We played badly going forward," he concluded.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Real Madrid are my 'sweetheart', claims Chelsea interim boss Benitez

The Spaniard is only contracted at Stamford Bridge until the end of the season and has been mentioned as a possible successor to Jose Mourinho, who looks set to leave los Blancos Benitez has expressed his affection for Real Madrid, amid rumors that may be one of the favorites to replace Jose Mourinho at the Santiago Bernabeu.


The Chelsea interim boss was part of Vincente del Bosque's backroom team during his tenure with los Blancos before becoming a manager with Real Valladolid.

Benitez has since gone on to find particular success with Valencia and Liverpool and insists he is only focused on bringing similar joy to Stamford Bridge before the end of the current campaign.

"I have a contract [with Chelsea] until the end of the season and I am going to do everything possible for this club to have the best success," He told Radio Nacional de Espana. "Real Madrid have a determined manager with a contract and this deserves respect. As a manager, you always have your sweetheart. I have a link with the fans and they have treated me well.

"I arrived at [Real] Madrid when I was 13-years-old and I'm from Madrid. But I don’t want to get involved in this speculation because my words aren't always interpreted."

The 52-year-old also refused to rule out coaching the Spanish national team in years to come, but knows he will have to impress if he is to land such a role.

He added: "I can't rule out one day becoming national coach when Vicente [del Bosque] leaves. It's something I will look at in the future, although for this I have to continue in elite football and keep doing things well."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wilshere deserves better than Arsenal

The outstanding English player of his generation was one of the few Gunners players who did not shrink in the face of a superb Bayern Munich display on Tuesday.In his flash postmatch interview minutes after the final whistle, Jack Wilshere's face was the big giveaway.


He said the right things, of course. Arsenal is still in with a shout of qualifying for the quarterfinals despite a "tough" assignment in Munich, the first leg defeat was the fault of the players not the manager and Arsene Wenger's track record is unquestionable.


It was sensible and coherent stuff. Wilshire has been well trained to deal with the media. Behind closed doors, he is a feisty and emotional individual who is not afraid to speak his mind, as one or two of his colleagues have discovered during frank dressing room inquests this season.


In front of the camera or with a load of dictaphones pressed under his nose, Wilshere is more guarded. He knows where the boundaries lie.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ribery hails important Bayern goals at Arsenal

Strikes from Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller and Mario Mandzukic ensured Lukas Podolski’s shouldered attempt was nothing more than a consolation on Tuesday Ribery has hailed Bayern's "very important" goals at Arsenal in Tuesday's Champions League last 16 triumph.


The Bavarians head into the second leg with a 3-1 advantage over Arsene Wenger’s men, as goals from Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller and Mario Mandzukic made Lukas Podolski’s controversial strike nothing more than a consolation.The French winger told reporters after the match: "The first half was great for us, we played very well and we scored twice.


"The first goal of Arsenal’s was weird, but this can sometimes happen in football. Then the confidence came back for them and their supporters, but scoring the third goal is very important for us."


Muller, whose strike at the Emirates doubled the lead for Jupp Heynckes’ side after 21 minutes, refused to suggest die Roten had one foot in the quarterfinals.
"You've been in the business long enough to know that we as footballers dislike saying that we're half way there, or to say that we've already qualified," he said curtly.


"We played well, we reached a good result ahead of the second leg and I presume that we can progress, but we still have one game to go."


Bavarian goalkeeper Manuel Neuer believes it is all to play for in the Allianz Arena clash on March 13, and expressed that knockout stage progression was in their grasp if the focus is on the task at hand."The victory was an important step, [but] in the second leg our attitude must be good," the German shot-stopper said.


“We want to win this game, but need to show the right motivation and attitude. Then we will make it."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Friedel: Tottenham has to be wary of Lyon

The 41-year-old goalkeeper is likely to line up for Spurs against the Ligue 1 side on Thursday, and has warned his teammates against complacency in the Europa League clash Tottenham goalkeeper Freiedel insists his side must not take anything for granted as the club prepares to take on Lyon in the Europa League after winning the first leg 2-1 last Thursday.


Gareth Bale scored two fine free kicks to hand Andre Villas-Boas' side a slight advantage for the return leg, but Samuel Umtiti's wonder strike for the Ligue 1 side gives Remi Garde's side a chance of progressing to the quarterfinals.

And while 41-year-old Friedel is confident Spurs can hit the French side on the counter as the hosts go searching for goals on Thursday, he is under no illusions as to the task that lies ahead.

"It's two good teams both trying to progress and it's by no means a massive advantage - just a small advantage," he told reporters.

"They are going to have come out and try to score and hopefully that will leave it a bit open at the back and could leave chances for us."

Friedel is likely to continue in goal for the Premier League side despite No.1 goalkeeper Hugo Lloris having the chance to play against his former team in the clash at Stade de Gerland.

Tottenham is currently riding high in fourth position in the Premier League table, four points clear of nearest challengers and locals rivals Arsenal as it seeks to qualify for the Champions League next season.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Moutinho's goal shouldn't have counted, says Isco

After his team's loss to the Portuguese outfit, the newly-capped Spain international believes the opposition's winner should have been disallowed.
Malaga midfielder Isco says the goal scored by Porto's Moutinhoo during the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie should have been disallowed for offside.

The former Sporting man gave his side the lead in the 56th minute, with Porto going on to win 1-0, but Isco believes the decision by the official to grant the goal was the wrong call.

"The goal was illegal and it shouldn't have counted," the 20-year-old told Goal.com. "But that stuff happens."

The youngster then criticized the performance of his team, but also gave credit to the opposition for successfully shutting down the game of the Spaniards.

"It has been a bad game for us. We couldn't enjoy the ball and they made it very complicated for us at every moment," he said. "There is still a lot to play for and we must trust we can turn this around before our fans. We leave sad but we still believe we can advance."

The second leg of the tie will be played in Malaga on March 3. Prior to that, Manuel Pellegrini's men will resume Liga action with a trip to Betis on Feb 24.

 

[rcccc]

niyamai

mona niyamadha match eka kawene ban

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Kroos praises "outstanding display"

The Germany international opened the scoring in London, sending Jupp Heynckes' men on their way to an impressive victory over Arsenal in the Champions League
Toni Kroos has revealed his delight at the performance of Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Arsenal.

The 23-year-old set die Roten on their way to a comfortable 3-1 win over the Gunners, and declared that they had outplayed one of the continent's best teams in the process.

"During a long part of the game we showed an outstanding performance against a top European team. We played very confidently," Kroos told reporters after the game. "There was just one short phase where Arsenal were better and had some chances, but you cannot always prevent that."

Bastian Schweinsteiger echoed the statements of his teammate but refused to rule out the Gunners turning the tables in the return fixture.

"For me, the third goal was very important, but it is too early to write Arsenal off," he said. "In the first 30 minutes we did very well. We passed the ball and chased the opponents across the pitch. We were very efficient."

The Bayern midfielder picked up a yellow card that will rule him out of the game at the Allianz Arena, and said he was not sure it was deserved.

"Of course I did not want that [to miss the second leg]. I did not throw the ball away very far and it was not a foul by Thomas Muller before. There were many yellow cards tonight, there should have not been [as many] yellow cards."

The current Bundesliga leader will welcome Arsenal to the Allianz Arena on March 13 for the second leg.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arsenal defeat not on Wenger's shoulders, says Wilshere

he England midfielder says the Gunners' players must take the blame for the 3-1 loss against Bayern Munich that leaves them on the verge of elimination from the Champions League.Jack Wilshere has launched a defense of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger after the Gunners suffered a 3-1 defeat in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Bayern Munich.

The continental competition represents Arsenal's last realistic chance of winning a trophy this season after they were knocked out of the FA Cup and Capital One Cup by lower-league opposition.

Bayern scored three away goals to put themselves in the driver's seat ahead of the return fixture in Munich and add to the pressure on Wenger, but Wilshere insists that the Arsenal players must take responsibility.

"I don't think it's anything to do with the manager," Wilshere told ITV after the match at the Emirates Stadium. "He can put us on the pitch and motivate us, but we have to do it on the pitch, and at the moment we're starting badly and we're getting punished for it.

"I think the players will take responsibility. We're man enough to take it. He's been here for 16 years and he's done a great job, so for me you can't question him."

Wilshere refused to give up on Arsenal's chances of progressing to the quarterfinals despite the significant deficit the Gunners will need to overturn at the Allianz Arena.

"The players are man enough to take [responsibility] and we'll take it on the chin and move on to the weekend and the away leg," Wilshere said. "We have to get a few goals there, we know we need at least three goals, and we've got the players to do it. We just have to start better."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sneijder: Galatasaray going all out for victory

The Dutch midfielder is set to make his European debut for his new team on Wednesday when Schalke visits Istanbul, and the former Inter star believes his side can triumph.Sneijder has insisted that Galatasarey will be giving its all in search of victory on Wednesday when the club hosts Schalke in their Champions League last-16 first leg meeting.


The Dutch midfielder is delighted to be playing in the top continental competition once again, having helped Inter win it in 2010, and is looking forward to the clash with Jens Keller's side.


"The Champions League is the top tournament of Europe,” he told Galatasaray TV. “We’re ready for the match and can’t wait to play it. It’s going to be a magnificent match. We should play our game and go to Germany with an advantage. In my opinion, playing home is the same, being in a better position than our opponents is what's important.

"We know our opponents’ strengths and weaknesses against us, but what really matters is how well we play. As a team, we are ready for a top game and we are going to mind our own business and go all out for a victory."


Galatasaray qualified for the knockout stage of the competition by finishing second in Group H behind Manchester United.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Terry: Chelsea fans within their rights to boo Benitez

The Blues captain says that jeers toward the manager is warranted if the team continue to record disappointing results as it is his responsibility to pick the team Chelsea defender Terry argues that the club's fans are within their rights to boo Benitez if the team continues to perform poorly.


"That falls on us because if you are winning games, that gets taken away," the Chelsea skipper told The Independent.

"If you are losing games, the pressure is on the manager. He has to take responsibility because he is the one who picks the team. So if we are not [winning], naturally with all managers, it falls on his head unfortunately.

The former Liverpool boss, now the Blues interim first-team coach, has been vocally opposed by the team's supporters since his first game in charge against Manchester City in November.

Since his arrival, last season's European champions have slipped to 16 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester United and Terry says that this run of form must end or the criticism from the stands is inevitable.

"[The fans] pay their money so they are entitled to echo their thoughts. All we can do is concentrate on our jobs and that is winning games. If we can do that, it completely takes that away. We won [against Brentford] and I didn't hear much – it takes it away," Terry explained.

"The fans have their opinion and the players and the most important thing is the team winning games."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ben Arfa returns to Newcastle training after two months out

The French winger has had an injury-interrupted 2012-13 season due to hamstring problems but has handed Alan Pardew a boost ahead of his side's European clash with Metalist.Ben Arfa has returned to full first-team training with Newcastle United after almost two months on the sidelines with a hamstring problem.


The Frenchman has, when fit, been a standout performer in a stuttering Magpies side this season, but after various injury concerns all campaign he has not been seen in a black and white shirt since scoring in a 2-1 defeat at Fulham in December.

However, with the Magpies set to face Metalist Kharkiv for a place in the last 16 of the Europa League, Ben Arfa has boosted Alan Pardew's options.

"We are looking well and Hatem Ben Arfa has come back," Pardew told Sky Sports. "I am sure our fans are looking forward to hearing that and we had our full squad training which is great."


Ben Arfa is expected to fill a place on the substitutes’ bench as Newcastle travels to Ukraine to look to advance in Europe following a 0-0 draw at St James’ Park.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Xavi targeting cup final and European progress


The Barcelona midfielder is well aware of the crucial period coming up for the club, and he wants a win over Real Madrid domestically and to surpass AC Milan on the continent.Barcelona midfielder Xavi has his sights set on the Copa del Rey final and a place in this year's Champions League quarterfinals.

The Blaugrana are level 1-1 with Real Madrid having played one leg in the domestic competition, while they are set to face AC Milan at San Siro in the last 16 of the European competition on Wednesday.

"In a few days we play the Champions League and the Copa del Rey," Xavi told Sport.es. "There will be seven or eight tough games and we have high hopes to do well and get to the cup final and secure Champions League progress.

"We are in a good form but we are under no illusion as to how difficult it is. No matter how much they say that Milan are worse, they are an Italian team, with more European Cups than us and that historically are very difficult to beat. We will compete and prove who are best on the field."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

UEFA Champions League2013.02.20 Round of 16 Fixtures

UEFA Champions League2013.02.20 Round of 16 Fixtures

AC Milan Vs Barcelona

Galatasaray Vs Schalke

​

 

[asanka99]

mona niyamadha match eka kawene ban

mama bayern lover kenek bro

 

[rcccc]

mama bayern lover kenek bro

 

[Banks PLK]

RIP BARCELONA


didnt see much Messi playing

 

[asanka99]

 

[Wolverine GTR]

AC Milan 2-0 Barcelona: Boateng and Muntari leave Catalans on brink

A textbook smash and grab display from AC Milan was enough to upset Barcelona 2-0 in the opening leg of their Champions League round of 16 clash at San Siro on Wednesday.

Kevin-Prince Boateng opened the scoring during the second half in controversial circumstances after an apparent handball by Cristian Zapata in the buildup, and Sulley Al Muntari finished off a counter attack for the second goal with nine minutes to go.

Much like last season's 0-0 quarterfinal first leg meeting between the two sides, Barca monopolized possession, but was unable to convert its dominance into goals in the face of a defensive clinic from the Rossoneri, who now look like convincing favorites to advance to the last eight.

In the absence of the cup-tied Mario Balotelli, Massimiliano Allegri called on Giampaolo Pazzini to partner Stephan El Shaarawy up front, while Xavi passed a late fitness test to start in midfield for the visitors.

Early on, Phillipe Mexes was forced to head away a Jordi Alba cross dangerously close to the far post, but the first real opening came when Pazzini’s flick put El Shaarawy in the clear, but a poor first touch allowed Carles Puyol to remove the danger.

As expected, Milan was put under significant pressure by the tiki-taka football of Barcelona, but it was able to stifle the Blaugrana in great numbers, and force them to bide their time with patient passes outside the area.

Mexes was shown a 25th minute yellow card for tripping up Lionel Messi, but the first half passed with little incident as Barca could do little with all its possession, while Milan’s rare forays forward were snuffed out almost as quickly as they began.The second half progressed in much the same vein as the first with Barca on top, but, just before the hour mark, Milan would take the lead out of nowhere in hotly contested circumstances.

Kevin Constant laid off a free-kick to Riccardo Montolivo, whose shot appeared to cannon off the hand of Zapata. There was no call from the referee, however, and Barca was stunned as Boateng steadied himself to finish from the edge of the box.Animated protests from the visitors only led to a booking for Gerard Pique, and Barca's frustration continued in front of goal, with Andres Iniesta's fizzing drive from distance about the best it could muster in front of goal.

And with 81 minutes on the clock, Milan's optimism turned to flat out jubilation, when a sweeping move on the break saw M'Baye Niang release El Shaarawy into the area, who in turn teed up the streaming Muntari for a precise volley from inside the box.

The San Siro was rocking with pride and disbelief, and its elation crested as Barca simply could not find a way back into the match in the time that remained, setting up an enticing second-leg at Camp Nou in three weeks, with the Catalans needing to score at least twice.