Showing posts with label Champions League. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Champions League. Show all posts

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Europe Champions Again!!!

We've won it!!! Again!!!

What a dramatic game! Drogba sent off for slapping poking Vidic in front of the referee and linesmen in the dying moments of normal time. Giggs was so close to scoring only to be denied by Terry near the goal line. Ronaldo then missed his penalty in the shoot-out. I've had a feeling he would miss even before he stepped up. Then Terry, with van der Sar diving the wrong way, his would-have-been-winning-penalty looked like it was destined to hit the net until it missed in the last few moments. Very likely due to a slip.

It's sweeter that it's against Roman's millions this time. We definitely deserve it as we've not lost a single game in Champions League this season.

Fergie has also broken his penalty shoot-out jinx for big games.

"The first penalty shoot-out I've ever won in a big game. I think there was a bit of fate about it. We were fantastic in the first half and could have been three up but then they scored a lucky goal. They were better in the second half. I'm delighted for everyone. It's an amazing achievement. We deserve it."
Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Anticipating another great night

May 21 2008, Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow

Hope the same kind of euphoria will be coming soon.


Manchester United vs Bayern Munich, 1999 UCL Final

Bayern Munich was just 3 minutes away from lifting the UCL trophy when Teddy and Ole scored one each in stoppage time to win the game 2 - 1


Juventus vs Manchester United, 1999 UCL Semi-Final 2nd Leg
United was 2 - 0 down in the first 11 minutes of the game playing away but managed to make a miraculous come back and won 3 - 2


Manchester United vs Arsenal, 1999 FA Cup Semi-Final Replay
Becks scored early. Bergkamp equalised for the Gunners in the middle of the 2nd half. And then Captain Keano was sent off for the 2nd yellow card. Bergkamp's penalty was saved by Schmeichel on the 90th minute! Giggs did a solo run from before the half-way line to score the most amazing goal in extra time.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Special One Exits Chelsea

...by mutual consent, according to BBC Sports.

Not special enough for Roman Abramovich.

I was stunned to see the headlines moments ago. But looking back at the relationship between Jose Mourinho and Roman Abramovich in the past one year, perhaps it's not too surprising. But still, despite not a Blues supporter, I have to admit that he is a great manager.

His unbeaten home record in the EPL for 3 years will be hard to emulate.

His presence, his charisma and his combustible, unpredictable, impulsive, arrogant and irritating (to non-Blues fans) character will be sorely missed by the EPL. You really can't help loving and hating him at the same time.

My bet is Abramovich has probably made a terrible mistake. Chelsea's dominance may come to an end, together with his millions.

As for non-Chelski supporters:

Sheva 1 - 0 Mourinho. Let's keep it that way.

===

Famous Quotes from Jose

JOSE ON JOSE

"Please don't call me arrogant, but I'm European champion and I think I'm a special one."
Introducing himself to the English press after arriving from Porto in 2004.

"If I wanted to have an easy job... I would have stayed at Porto - beautiful blue chair, the Uefa Champions League trophy, God, and after God, me."
Making a mockery of those who suggest he is big-headed.

"For me, pressure is bird flu. I'm feeling a lot of pressure with the problem in Scotland. It's not fun and I'm more scared of it than football."
Insisting his side wouldn't catch a cold as Man Utd breathed down their necks.

"Look at my haircut. I am ready for the war."
Unveiling his new Action Man haircut.

WORDS OF WISDOM

"It's like having a blanket that is too small for the bed. You pull the blanket up to keep your chest warm and your feet stick out. I cannot buy a bigger blanket because the supermarket is closed. But the blanket is made of cashmere!"
On the injury 'crisis' at Chelsea in February.

"Young players are a little bit like melons. Only when you open and taste the melon are you 100% sure that the melon is good."
On developing Chelsea's young stars.

"The style of how we play is very important. But it is omelettes and eggs. No eggs - no omelettes! It depends on the quality of the eggs. In the supermarket you have class one, two or class three eggs and some are more expensive than others and some give you better omelettes. So when the class one eggs are in Waitrose and you cannot go there, you have a problem."
What turned out to be his parting shot to Roman Abramovich.

"I would love an Aston Martin but if you ask me £1m for an Aston Martin, I tell you, you are crazy because they cost £250,000."
Insisting not even Chelsea would pay over the odds for a defender.

"Sometimes you see beautiful people with no brains. Sometimes you have ugly people who are intelligent, like scientists. Our pitch is a bit like that. From the top it's a disgrace but the ball rolls at normal speed."
Describing Chelsea's sandpit of a pitch.

"We all want to play great music all the time, but if that is not possible, you have to hit as many right notes as you can."
Admitting the Blues weren't completely on song last season.

"Maybe the guy drank red wine or beer with breakfast instead of milk."
After a Sheffield United fan threw a bottle at Frank Lampard during Chelsea's 2-0 win at Bramall Lane.

"A player from Man City showed half of his ass for two seconds and it was a big nightmare. But this is a real nightmare."
Comparing Petr Cech's nasty injury with Joey Barton's bottom-baring antics.

THE WIFE

"She is the real manager of family life. You are the star outside, here you are not a star."
Mourinho admits his wife wears the trousers at home.

"It all depends on my wife. If I am at home, yes, I will see it. But maybe my wife would like to go somewhere. I would like to see it - I like to see football and it is a big game. But maybe I will have no permission."
Waiting to hear whether he'd be allowed to watch Arsenal-Man Utd.

"My wife is in Portugal with the dog. The dog is with my wife so the city of London is safe, the big threat is away."
Reassuring the population that his runaway Yorkshire Terrier had left the country with his wife.

PLAYERS

"A brilliant reaction. I hate it when players just walk off."
Following Arjen Robben's sharp exit down the tunnel after being substituted against Aston Villa.

"As you know Gallas had an unbelievable holiday. I hope he enjoyed it very much in Guadeloupe, which I think is a fantastic place to be on holiday, so he wanted to stay there for a long time."
On William Gallas missing the first team's trip to the United States because he was on holiday.

"I did it because I want to push my son to do the same. I also did it because I want to push the young players on my team to have a proper haircut, not the Rastafarian or the others they have."
Mourinho confirming he's a cut above the rest with his skinhead.

REFEREES

"When I saw Rijkaard entering the referee's dressing room I couldn't believe it. When Drogba was sent off I didn't get surprised."
Claiming Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard had met with Anders Frisk at half-time in their Champions League tie.

"If you ask me if I jump with happiness when I know Mr Poll is our referee? No."
Not a fan of Graham Poll.

"I could feel immediately the movement. To somebody that understands the game and feels the football, smells the situation, it was obvious."
Senses working overtime after a dodgy offside flag denies Chelsea a goal against Blackburn.

RIVALS

"Wenger has a real problem with us and I think he is what you call in England a voyeur. He is someone who likes to watch other people. There are some guys who, when they are at home, have this big telescope to look into the homes of other people and see what is happening. Wenger must be one of them - and it is a sickness."
Astonishing attack on Arsene Wenger.

"Three years without a Premiership title? I don't think I would still be in a job."
Putting the boot into Rafa Benitez.

"Many great managers have never won the Champions League - a big example is not far from us."
Reminding Wenger there's only room for one Special One in London.

"Liverpool are favourites because in the year 2007 we've played 27 matches and Liverpool play three or four."
Cranking up the pressure ahead of the Champions League semi-final second leg.

"If you're not a big club, you choose one competition and you fight in that competition and forget the others. Big clubs - we cannot do this."
Warming to his theme.

"I am happy to be six points behind. In my opinion, Manchester United did not take advantage of our bad moments."
Delighted Manchester United are so far ahead in the Premiership in January.

"I want to give my congratulations to them because they won. But we were the best team."
In typically gracious mood after his side's Carling Cup defeat by Charlton on penalties.

THE WORLD IS AGAINST US

"This is the only time we have had to play before United and that's because we control the fixtures. Just imagine if we didn't control them!"
Hitting back at Sir Alex Ferguson's claim that Chelsea engineered their game with Tottenham to take place just 39 hours after Spurs' Uefa Cup match in Seville.

"How do you say 'cheating' in Catalan? Barcelona is a cultural city with many great theatres and this boy has learned very well. He's learned play acting."
Claiming Lionel Messi got Asier Del Horno sent off in a Champions League defeat by Barcelona.

"During the afternoon it rained only in this stadium - our kitman saw it - they tried everything. There must be a microclimate here."
Bemoaning Blackburn's pitch-watering tactics after the Blues' hard-fought win at Ewood Park.

IN DEFENCE OF CHELSEA

"We have eight matches and eight victories, with 16 goals, but people say we cannot play, that we are a group of clowns. This is not right."
On his high horse after beating Liverpool.

"Entertaining? Too much!"
After the roller-coaster 3-2 win over Birmingham on the opening day of the season.

"I think I have a naive team. They are naive because they are pure and they are clean. We don't have divers, we don't have violent people."
On his clean-living Chelsea boys, after Florent Malouda won a dodgy penalty against Liverpool.

WHAT THE REST THINK OF HIM

"If Chelsea are naive and pure then I'm Little Red Riding Hood."
Rafa Benitez suspects Jose is telling porkies.

"My wife will be glad about Mourinho coming to Bramall Lane because he's a good looking swine, isn't he?"
Neil Warnock.

"He is almost a Yorkshireman with a Portuguese accent."
Warnock again.

"When Mourinho says training will last one-and-a-half hours it will never last a second longer."
Former Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen on Mourinho's worrying attention to detail.

"I find it out of order, disconnected with reality and disrespectful."
Arsene Wenger did not take too kindly to the 'voyeur' comments.

"Two finals in three years - not bad for a little club.''
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard twists the knife after his side, branded a "little club" by Mourinho, reached the Champions League final at Chelsea's expense.

Sporting Lisbon 0 - 1 Manchester United

The Red Devils opened their Champions League account with a 1 - 0 away victory at Sporting Lisbon. But overall, the performance of United is still frustrating compared to last season. Things might have been different if not for two great saves by Edwin van der Sar. The only encouraging fact is that we're the only team which have won away in tonight's fixture while other away teams have all suffered defeats. Arsenal, on the other hand has played very well against Sevilla at the Emirates.

Next up, Chelsea at home on Sunday. Hope we can take advantage of the Blues' injuries.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Devils tear Prada

I would love to see this headline in coming weeks!

United will be meeting AC Milan in 2 weeks' time. The hometown of Prada will be wary of us after our amazing 7 - 1 victory over their domestic rivals AS Roma.

Last night's game was really out of this world. I only switched on the TV at 8.10pm and was surprised to see us already leading 3 - 0. Unlike the 3 - 0 lead over Reading in FA Cup, we did not falter away this time. Instead, Old Trafford was transformed into a rifle range for the Devils. And we hit the bull's eyes almost effortlessly.

It was very difficult to decide who was the man of the match as everyone was playing so well , especially Giggs, Carrick, Smith, Ronaldo, Heinze and Rooney. Everyone must be very happy for Alan Smith who finally scored (a great goal!) since his comeback from a long and horrific injury.

It will be great if we end up meeting Chelsea in FA Cup and Champions League finals, and beat them. Treble against Chelsea - that will really make this season unforgettable.

Sunday, April 08, 2007

C'mon United!

After United's shocking loss to Pompey today, things suddenly look a bit unsettled for us both in the Premiership and UEFA Champions League.

United still has Chelsea to play. Boro, an on form Everton and Hammers which have shocked us earlier on this season can potentially be banana skins to us. The only consolation is that Chelsea has tougher fixtures ahead, with the likes of Arsenal, Bolton, Everton, West Ham and Blackburn. The desperate West Ham may be the king maker as they have been winning the last few matches (including Arsenal at Emirates) in their despearation to survive. Chelsea rarely has bad luck, always managing 1 - 0 win despite playing terribly. It's hard to see Cech conceding goals in league games, with most of Chelsea's dropped points during his absence. In the past we have always managed to excel in the second half of the season, hope this time around we will do it again.

As for Champions League, the historical statistics below indicate that we've been having bad dreams at the Theatre of Dreams. Hopefully this time we'll be able to defy the odds and secure a home win in return leg finally.

It has been a fantastic season for us so far. We've been scoring a lot of goals. But the amount of goals won't matter if we lose games that matter like what we've done in the past few seasons, e.g. beating Liverpool in league game (not winning the league in the end) and lost in FA Cup final to them one or two weeks later. I'll rather win games 1 - 0 like Chelsea than winning 4 - 1 on most games but lose by one goal margin in few others.

Really hope this will be our season. It does not have to be a treble, but at least the Premiership!

Previous Champions League encounters which we lost at home on aggregate in return legs.
2003-04 (Round of 16) 1st leg: Porto 2 Man Utd 1. 2nd leg: Man Utd 1 Porto 1 At Old Trafford, a Paul Scholes first-half goal looked to be enough for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men – until Costinha’s 90th-minute equaliser

1999-2000 (QF) 1st leg: R Madrid 0 Man Utd 0. 2nd leg: Man Utd 2 R Madrid 3 Roy Keane’s own goal and two Raul strikes put Madrid 3-0 up before replies from Paul Scholes and David Beckham. Too little, too late

1997-98 (QF) 1st leg: Monaco 0 Man Utd 0. 2nd leg: Man Utd 1 Monaco 1 David Trezeguet’s sixth-minute goal rocked lacklustre United, who went out on away goals

1996-97 (SF) 1st leg: B Dortmund 1 Man Utd 0. 2nd leg: Man Utd 0 B Dortmund 1 United were confident, but Lars Ricken scored at Old Trafford and United missed a hatful of chances. Eric Cantona told Ferguson the next day he would retire at the end of the season