UEFA Champions League Final Preview: Manchester United vs. Barcelona

Barcelona vc manchester united preview

By Alex Groberman
As good as Manchester United has been both this year and historically, the tear that Barcelona is on as of late is unprecedented. The biggest and brightest star for Manchester United remains the oft-controversial Wayne Rooney, who despite his ups and downs is a world class athlete capable of playing the game at any level. He, above all other players amongst the Manchester United ranks can go head to head with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez and come out on the other end unmoved.
Players like Javier Hernandez and Luis Antonio Valencia and Manchester United will also be key.
Still, the one thorn in Manchester United’s side all year has been a strangely inexplicable lack of consistency when playing away from home, outside of the comfort that Old Trafford provides. The team’s loss to Arsenal provided a perfect case in point example of the way this seemingly top of the line Manchester United club folds to good, but not better than them groups just because they are mildly out of their comfort zones.
Obviously Manchester United is an amazing strong club, but whether they have the guns to hang with opponents of this caliber still remains to be seen.

The UEFA Champions League’s best XI PLAYER,TEAM CHAMPION

Valdez has just conceded six goals in this season's Champions League campaign ... Andres Iniesta: The 26-year-old World Cup winner Barca midfielder has been

Portugal's Christiano Ronaldo reacts after the drawn World Cup group 1 qualifying soccer match against Denmark at Parken in Copenhagen, Denmark, Saturday Sept. 5, 2009. Portugal badly needed a victory in Copenhagen to have a realistic chance of qualifying for next year's World Cup in South Africa. The Portuguese team has won just two of its six qualifying matches and drew another.(AP Photo/Tariq Mikkel Khan/POLFOTO)

The UEFA Champions League has reached its business end for another season. The big boys have qualified for the quarter finals, but there have been few surprises.

So here is a look at my best XI, who were instrumental in their teams’ success so far.

GOALKEEPER
Victor Valdez: Barcelona’s number one is one the most underrated goalkeepers in the world. His performances often get overshadowed by the big names that Barca have at the other end of the field.

Valdez has just conceded six goals in this season’s Champions League campaign and has been consistent, but at times he doesn’t get the credit he deserves.

DEFENDERS
Dani Alves: Brazil has a history of producing full backs of great quality and Alves is another name to that long list. Alves is probably the best right-back in the world right now.

Barca right-back is exceptional both while attacking and defending with great touch and sense of defending. He also has the ability to create goals and he also can find the back of the net from time to time.

Nemanja Vidic: The ever dependable Manchester United captain has been solid as a rock. The six-foot two-inch Serbian is a no nonsense defender. Vidic dominates forwards completely. He is Manchester United’s player of the season for me.

John Terry: Chelsea’s captain has not been his steady self this season, but the newly installed English captain still makes my team given what he bring to the team. His enthusiasm and will to win lifts the team up. The man is a born leader.

Marcelo Vieira: Marcelo has come off age this season. The Real Madrid left-back has made the position his own with some stellar performances this season. He might not be the best left-back in Europe defensively, but he definitely is the best going forward. He runs all day and terrorises his counterparts with the intelligent runs that he makes.

Marcelo has the ability to put great crosses in. This 22-year-old Brazilian also has a cultured left foot which he uses to great effect.

MIDFIELDERS
Mesut Ozil: One of the Germany’s World Cup stars has been brilliant for the Madrid giants in his debut season. Ozil is the highest assist maker in this season’s Champions League with five.

His ball distribution is impeccable. The German has the ability to breeze past defenders at will with his pace and skill. Ozil’s consistent performances are keeping one-time FIFA player of year winner Kaka on the bench, which is something to be proud off.

Andres Iniesta: The 26-year-old World Cup winner Barca midfielder has been consistently at his best this season. Iniesta has become one of the best dribblers of the ball, and finds ways to go past numerous defenders with ease.

His vision on the ball makes him the best creative midfielder in Europe right now.

Gareth Bale: Spurs left-back turned left-winger is having an exceptional first Champions League season. The Wales international has single-handedly taken Tottenham Hotspurs into the quarters.

His performance against Inter Milan at the San Siro is the best individual performance of the season so far.

Cristiano Ronaldo: The Portugal captain is someone without whom any best XI is incomplete. Ronaldo is having another great season. The star scores a heap of goals and also creates them for his teammates. The Real Madrid no.9 brings that X-factor to the team.

FORWARDS
Samuel Eto’o: The Inter Milan no.9 is heading the top scorers chart in the Champions League. The Cameroon national team captain was one of the key factors in Inter Milan’s treble winning campaign last season.

This season this lanky center forward is doing it again for the Nerazurri. His pace, sublime skill and quality finishing makes him the most dreaded forward in Europe.

Lionel Messi: Messi could make this list anytime anyone thinks of making one. The little Argentinian mesmerises defenders with his control, pace and deadly finishing. The FIFA player of the year has already notched up eight goals this season with two assist to his name as well. Messi has the quality to win any game on his own.

At times it looks like the ball is tied to his feet as he breezes past defenders

Result of the Draw UEFA Champions League 2010/2011

Holders FC Internazionale Milano will meet FC Schalke 04 in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals after Friday's draw, though the tie of the round is perhaps the all-English meeting between Chelsea FC and Manchester United FC.




Sir Alex Ferguson's team denied Chelsea a first European Champion Clubs' Cup in a dramatic penalty shoot-out in Moscow three years ago, and the London club will have a shot at revenge next month. While Chelsea are reigning English champions, United currently lead them by nine points in the Premier League and have history on their side in the competition having been crowned Europe's finest three times.

The Inter-Schalke encounter has fewer precedents, but having required a late goal to edge out FC Bayern München in the round of 16 the Nerazzurri will not take German opposition lightly. Older fans will need no reminder that the teams have met at the business end of a major European competition before, Schalke beating Inter in Italy in the 1997 UEFA Cup final on penalties.

Nine-time trophy winners Real Madrid CF will come up against Tottenham Hotspur FC in their first quarter-final since 2003/04, after Cristiano Ronaldo's wish that "maybe it would be better to come up against Barcelona further down the line" was granted.

The Spanish rivals could yet face off in the last four, however, as the winners of their tie will take on whichever side prevails between FC Barcelona and quarter-final debutants FC Shakhtar Donetsk.


Quarter-final draw (5/6 and 12/13 April)
Real Madrid CF (ESP) v Tottenham Hotspur FC (ENG)
Chelsea FC (ENG) v Manchester United FC (ENG)
FC Barcelona (ESP) v FC Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)
FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) v FC Schalke 04 (GER)

Semi-final draw (26/27 April and 3/4 May)
1: Inter/Schalke v Chelsea /Manchester United
2: Madrid/Tottenham v Barcelona/Shakhtar

Final (28 May, Wembley)
Winner semi-final 2 v Winner semi-final 1

Uni Federasi Sepak Bola Eropa (UEFA) telah mengumumkan hasil undian perempat final Liga Champions, Jumat (18/3/2011). Dari hasil undian itu, duel sengit tersaji yakni Chelsea akan saling bunuh dengan Manchester United demi memperebutkan tiket semifinal.

"The Blues" akan terlebih dulu menjadi tuan rumah di leg pertama yang digelar 5 atau 6 April mendatang. Kemudian, giliran "Setan Merah" menjamu Didier Drogba dan kawan-kawan pada 12 atau 13 April.

Wakil Inggris lainnya yakni Tottenham Hotspur akan berjumpa dengan Real Madrid. Sementara Barcelona berhadapan dengan lawan yang cukup mudah yakni Shakhtar Donetsk.

Juara bertahan Inter Milan seperti berjodoh dengan tim Jerman. Tim besutan Leonardo tersebut akan menantang Schalke 04.

Hasil undian perempat final Liga Champions:

• Real Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspur


• Chelsea vs Manchester United


• Barcelona vs Shakhtar Donetsk


• Inter Milan vs Schalke 04

Semifinal Liga Champions (26/27 April dan 3/4 Mei)

• Inter/Schalke vs Chelsea/Manchester United


• Madrid/Tottenham vs Barcelona/Shakhtar


• Final (28 Mei, Wembley)

Pemenang semifinal 2 melawan pemenang semifinal 1

Quarter-final draw (5/6 and 12/13 April)
Real Madrid CF (ESP) v Tottenham Hotspur FC (ENG)
Chelsea FC (ENG) v Manchester United FC (ENG)
FC Barcelona (ESP) v FC Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)
FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) v FC Schalke 04 (GER)

Semi-final draw (26/27 April and 3/4 May)
1: Inter/Schalke v Chelsea /Manchester United
2: Madrid/Tottenham v Barcelona/Shakhtar

Hiddink casts net for new Turkey talent

Hiddink casts net for new Turkey talent
Published: Tuesday 8 February 2011, 9.28CET
Guus Hiddink has set about making radical changes to the Turkey squad since October's loss in Azerbaijan and has trawled Europe for new talent ahead of the friendly with Korea Republic.




When Turkey went down to a 1-0 defeat in Azerbaijan on 12 October, coach Guus Hiddink decided radical action was needed. That process continues with Wednesday's friendly against Korea Republic, the country Hiddink once led, in Trabzon.

Before taking the role in August, Hiddink had seen the Turkey squad in action during a tour of the United States and decided against major changes prior to UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying. Their Group A bid began well with September wins in Kazakhstan and against Belgium, but when they lost to Germany and Azerbaijan the following month, Hiddink felt the time was right to put plans that had been forming in his mind since the summer into fruition.

""You can lose to Germany and that's acceptable but we were beaten without showing any kind of resistance to the opposition"," Hiddink said. "That's what made me sad. On the other hand, the Azerbaijan defeat was a complete disaster." He immediately called up nine uncapped players for the 1-0 friendly loss in the Netherlands in November and 1. FC Nürnberg midfielder Mehmet Ekici and Hamburger SV forward Tunay Torun are in the squad for the first time this week as Hiddink casts his net for potential players throughout Europe.

Hiddink has been assiduous in that task, watching many games in Turkey and across the continent right down to under-15 level. He has also spoken directly to many potential players. The experienced older heads like Nihat Kahveci and Mehmet Aurelio have begun making way, as have established players including forwards Tuncay Şanlı and Semih Şentürk, who have not been appearing regularly at club level.

In their place Hiddink has looked to foreign-based – and developed – talents like FC Bayern München's Hamit Altıntop and Borussia Dortmund's Nuri Şahin as well as to Mehmet Ekici and Tunay. Kayserispor's German-born defender Serdar Kesimal has been installed as Servet Çetin's new partner in the middle. Trabzonspor AŞ forwards Umut Bulut and Burak Yılmaz, meanwhile, have come into a squad without a goal in three games, with Hiddink also searching for a Plan B should playmaker Arda Turan be unavailable.

All this could prove significant come the 29 March visit of Austria, currently a point ahead of Turkey and with a game in hand in second place in Group A. Another important trip, to Belgium, follows in June. "I don't think [leaders] Germany will drop many points in their remaining games," Hiddink said. "Our direct rivals will be Austria and Belgium. From now on, we'll battle for second place."http://www.uefa.com

uefa championship, league uea championship 2011, prediction uefa 2012, result

UEFA Executive Committee

The UEFA Executive Committee is UEFA's supreme executive body. It comprises the UEFA president and 15 other members elected by a UEFA Congress.

Members and vice-presidents
The Executive Committee does not include more than one representative of the same UEFA member association, and each Executive Committee member holds an active office within his member association. The Executive Committee elects a first, second, third, fourth and fifth vice-president, one of whom is chairman of the Finance Committee. The president is entitled to propose candidates.

Term of office
The term of office of the president and Executive Committee members elected by a Congress is four years. Eight members, or seven members and the president, are elected every two years. All members are eligible for re-election. A person aged 70 or more is not eligible for election or re-election. If a vacancy occurs, the next Ordinary Congress elects a replacement for the remaining term of office. If the vacancy occurs in the final year of a term of office, no replacement is elected.

Powers
The Executive Committee is empowered to make decisions on all matters which do not fall within the legal or statutory jurisdiction of the UEFA Congress or another organ. The Executive Committee manages UEFA, except to the extent that it has delegated such management, or unless such management has been delegated by the UEFA Statutes to the UEFA president or the UEFA administration.

Duties
The Executive Committee has the following untransferable duties:
– overall control of UEFA and the issuing of necessary instructions;
– definition of the organisational structure;
– form and supervision of the book-keeping;
– election of two internal auditors and the issuing of their terms of reference;
– appointment of the general secretary and deputy general secretary upon the proposal of the president;
– dismissal of the general secretary and deputy general secretary upon the proposal of the president, or by a decision supported by two-thirds or more of all members of the Executive Committee;
– overall supervision of the UEFA administration, including the general secretary and deputy general secretary, especially in terms of observance of laws, the Statutes, regulations and orders; approval of the annual business plan of the UEFA administration;
– compilation of a written report for presentation to the Ordinary Congress;
– examination of the administration's report to the Ordinary Congress.

The Executive Committee may delegate the preparation and implementation of its decisions or the supervision of business to one or more of its members. The committee is also authorised to delegate management, either fully or partly, to the president, to one or more of its members and/or to the UEFA administration.

Meetings
As a general rule, the Executive Committee meets once every two months, and is convened by the president. The president may invite third parties to attend meetings of the Executive Committee in an advisory capacity. The committee has a quorum of half plus one of its voting members, including the president or, in his absence, a vice-president.





Decisions
Executive Committee decisions come into immediate force, unless the Executive Committee decides otherwise. An Executive Committee member or the president does not take part in the deliberation of any matter or point of issue involving the member association and/or a club affiliated to the member association with which he is associated, or in any case in which a conflict of interest exists.
http://www.uefa.com

Madrid and Marseille lose ground in title reckoning

Madrid and Marseille lose ground in title reckoning
Published: Monday 31 January 2011, 0.55CET
Real Madrid CF face a seven-point gap to leaders FC Barcelona in Spain after a 1-0 defeat at CA Osasuna, while Olympique de Marseille lost ground in France. UEFA.com looks back.





Real Madrid CF must make up a seven point gap to pacesetters FC Barcelona in Spain after suffering a surprise 1-0 setback at struggling CA Osasuna, while it proved a good weekend for leaders LOSC Lille Métropole in France as a number of their rivals dropped vital points. UEFA.com looks back at the latest action from around the continent.

Spain
It was a potentially decisive weekend in the Liga, with Barcelona picking up the pace and Madrid failing to follow suit. Josep Guardiola's titleholders beat Hércules CF 3-0 on Saturday to register a record-equalling 15th straight league win and go seven points clear at the summit. That cushion remains intact following Madrid's 1-0 defeat at fifth-bottom Osasuna on Sunday – only José Mourinho's third defeat in all competitions since arriving at the Santiago Bernabéu in the summer. "I can't fault the players as they did their job," said the Portuguese. "We didn't deserve to lose the three points."

France
Lille continue to look convincing championship material after stretching their unbeaten Ligue 1 run to 11 matches with a 1-0 derby defeat of northern neighbours RC Lens. "We're making good progress, but the road ahead is still long," explained Lille coach Rudi Garcia, whose charges enjoy a four-point cushion to Paris Saint-Germain FC, 2-1 victors at AC Arles-Avignon. Olympique Lyonnais are another three points back after they succumbed 2-1 at Valenciennes FC and there was frustration for fellow hopefuls Stade Rennais FC and Olympique de Marseille as well, the former losing 5-1 at FC Sochaux-Montbéliard and the latter drawing 0-0 at AS Monaco FC on Sunday.

Italy
Two of Serie A's most in-form talents shone again as AC Milan stayed four points clear of SSC Napoli following victories for both. The Rossoneri recorded a 2-0 win at Calcio Catania on Saturday and, once again, Zlatan Ibrahimović was prominent, provoking Robinho's opener before notching his 13th effort in 20 league outings, after Mark van Bommel had been sent off on his Serie A debut. "I think by winning here we made a statement," said Ibrahimović. The following day, leading scorer Edinson Cavani plundered a hat-trick in Napoli's 4-0 handling of UC Sampdoria, and there was similar joy for Giampaolo Pazzini as the FC Internazionale Milano newcomer struck twice to help the champions turn a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 success against US Città di Palermo.

Germany
Borussia Dortmund returned to winning ways with a 3-0 victory at VfL Wolfsburg that maintained their handsome 11-point lead in Germany, with Bayer 04 Leverkusen still second after seeing off fifth-placed Hannover 96 2-0. "Today we played against the upcoming champions," said Wolfsburg coach Steve McClaren. "Dortmund were our strongest opponents all season." FC Bayern München are up to third, meanwhile, thanks to their 3-1 success at SV Werder Bremen, and bottom side VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach boosted their survival prospects by prevailing 1-0 at Eintracht Frankfurt for their second win in three games.

England
The FA Cup returned to centre stage in England and it proved a frustrating weekend for the underdogs, with Manchester United FC recovering from falling behind at Southampton FC to win 2-1 and Birmingham City FC turning a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 victory at home against second-tier Coventry City FC. "I wouldn't want to live through that too often with the stress levels," said Birmingham manager Alex McLeish. Arsenal FC had Cesc Fàbregas's late penalty winner to thank for seeing off third-division Huddersfield Town FC, but Notts County FC held Manchester City FC 1-1 and Crawley Town FC ensured a non-league presence in the fifth round by winning 1-0 at Torquay United FC.

Elsewhere
Fenerbahçe SK turned up the heat in the Turkish title race by handing leaders Trabzonspor AŞ – who finished with nine men to the hosts' ten – a 2-0 reverse that leaves them just two points ahead of Bursaspor and four clear of their conquerors on Sunday. There was a tightening at the top in Belgium too as frontrunners RSC Anderlecht could only draw 0-0 at KV Mechelen, allowing KRC Genk to close to within four points. As for PSV Eindhoven, they were thankful for Genero Zeefuik's 93rd-minute effort in a 2-1 defeat of bottom club Willem II that kept them ahead of FC Twente at the Eredivisie summit. In Scotland, finally, Celtic FC and Rangers FC won their way through to the League Cup final.
Related Items

* Osasuna shock Madrid
* Ambitious Freiburg see off Stuttgart
* Milan march on
* Lille four clear
* Dortmund stride on
* FA Cup round-up
* Cavani treble keeps Napoli rolling
* Barcelona stroll on after equalling Liga milestone
* United survive cup scare at Southampton
* Transfer round-up
* Marseille kept at bay by Monaco

©UEFA.com

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Young Boys seek spirit of Istanbul Published: Monday 16 August 2010, 16.54CET Two teams targeting a group-stage debut come face to face as BSC Young Boys look to repeat their surprise win against Fenerbahçe SK when they host Tottenham Hotspur FC. by Michael Schifferle

BSC Young Boys have already caused one upset by defeating Fenerbahçe SK in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round; now the Swiss side will attempt to pip Tottenham Hotspur FC to a place in the UEFA Champions League group stage.
Neither of the teams meeting in the first leg of their play-off in Berne on Tuesday have made the group stage before. Spurs are making their bow in the tournament in its modern format, though they did reach the 1961/62 European Champion Clubs' Cup semi-finals. Young Boys were semi-finalists even further back, in 1958/59, yet Vladimir Petković's men secured a 1-0 win over Fenerbahçe in Istanbul on 4 August to prevail 3-2 on aggregate with a display of real swagger that belied their mixed start to the Swiss Super League season.
Their domestic difficulties continued on Saturday, however, with a 1-0 home loss to previously winless Neuchâtel Xamax FC, leaving Young Boys with just five points from as many fixtures. Tottenham also failed to score in their Premier League opener, held 0-0 by Manchester City FC, but Young Boys chief scout Stéphane Chapuisat – who was at White Hart Lane – knows the scoreline did not reflect Spurs' performance. "Tottenham put City under a lot of pressure and played very aggressively with attacking wingers," the former Switzerland striker said. "They created several outstanding opportunities and could have won by a clear margin."
Young Boys coach Vladimir Petković was disappointed by his side's result on Saturday but hopes they can recapture the spirit of Istanbul on Wednesday evening. "These are the matches you play football for," he said. "We want to seize our small chance. If we play like we did against Fenerbahçe, with that much passion and maybe a little bit more efficiently, then we are not without a chance."
While Tottenham, whose captain Ledley King will be left out of the game on the artificial Stade de Suiss surface, are new to the competition, not all of their players are. Heurelho Gomes – a semi-finalist with PSV Eindhoven in 2006 – cannot wait to return. "It's great to be in the Champions League again," the goalkeeper said. "I played in it for four years at PSV and I know how good it is. It's amazing to play in the Champions League with Tottenham now. It's the most important club competition in the world. Yes, we have a tough game against Young Boys. They did really well to beat Fenerbahçe. We all hope to get past them but we know it will be difficult."http://www.uefa.com