Marrayes Site Just another KABALIWAN weblog

My favorite Fussball-Trikot: Griechenland Fussball Trikot kaufen

There are no fans like soccer fans. Most of use wouldn't know it because we probably don't leave the United States on a regular basis. Outside of this country soccer controls cities and towns. Little shops shut down while owners and their family sit in back rooms getting punch drunk while cursing at a small black and white television. It is the one predominating sport that is part of so many cultures around the world and in mine and many others opinion the only real sport.

Being a soccer player and a soccer fan I have come to realize that I love receiving soccer gifts. When I was in competitive play I am sure I would of loved it if my parents could afford for me to spend three months training in Brazil for the summer. It would have been beautiful and maybe even been able to pay them back for that if I became professional. But lets be reasonable. Besides I never used to ask for much. I was excited if I got a cool green Gatorade bottle to keep my water cool.

There are so many reasonable gift ideas for the current soccer fan. An obvious gift though very cheap would be a poster of the gift receivers favorite player preferably in an action shot. Another cheap gift could be as easy a a ball sized net attached to a string with a handle. This is very popular amongst soccer players and fans and used for training purposes not just for fun. It allows for the ball to be kicked or juggled without it getting away.

Another great idea and a little bit more costly but not over bored would be to splurge a little and get the fan and a few of his or her close friends a few tickets to a local team game. With professional leagues on a soar there are plenty of stadium or fields being turned into popular events. Even national teams from other countries come to play in the U.S. at popular football fields for tournament games and championship play.

For the more budgeted gift giver my last bit of advice would be to spring for a scarf or winter item plagued with logos or the name of receivers favorite team. The scarfs are very popular and also very stylish and can be found in almost any soccer or sports merchandising magazine. I am beyond a doubt sure that a scarf would float the boat of the fan whose gift you had in mind.

from: Monchas Blog

In 2007-08, Roma, playing largely with this set-up, would come within three points of winning the Serie A, losing the scudetto to Internazionale.

That brings us back to Dimitar Berbatov and the idea that, without Wayne Rooney, Berba should be automatically included in Saturday’s starting XI. Let’s consider Berbatov’s role, responsibilities, and what he will likely be asked to do on Saturday, should he be selected.

Though he will drift from his responsibilities, Berbatov will be tested with testing John Terry and Alex in the middle of Chelsea’s defense, but while Chelsea’s back line has become a collection of relatively slow options, playing Berbatov prevents United from fully exploiting this weakness, particularly if United tries to play through him, as they are apt to do when he drops back into midfield.

Although Berbatov is a skilled, creative player, his style slows down play. He is more apt to absorb play than build it. The ball is played to his feet and he will collect and consider. Often, this is a good thing, as it will allow players like Antonio Valencia and Nani to use their speed and find space, knowing Berba can find them.

But this tact is more apt to work against a disorganized defense – one which will find itself out of position and exploited by those off-the-ball runs. Berbatov’s deliberate manner will only help John Terry, Alex as well as John Obi Mikel, who is apt to poor decisions (and fouls) against active attacks. Michael Ballack will also have an easier time if United uses Berbatov as a central component of attack. Likewise, Frank Lampard’s Saturday gets much easier.

It’s no revelation to note Chelsea is older and slower, and though there is a beautiful element of skill and fluidity to their attack when they are rolling, Chelsea has has become more readily described as methodical than explosive – particularly over the last two months, particularly against quality opposition.

And that brings us to Manchester United and the personnel choices they face ahead of Saturday’s match.

What would be the virtues if Ferguson were to harken back to his experiences preparing for his Champions League battles with AS Roma, remember the viability of a striker-less attack and decide to set-up the same way, leaving his mercurial Bulgarian as a late game substitute, to serve as a outlet when preserving a lead or as a target when chasing a goal?

The biggest benefit is being able to get Ryan Giggs on the pitch. With Berbatov in, it’s difficult to get the playmaker (at least, he’s one of United’s best playmakers) into the starting XI without canceling out another, greater advantage.

Manchester United vs. Chelsea is one of those key fixtures that are booked in the personal calendars of football fans all over the globe as soon as the Premier League schedule is announced at the start of a new season. When such a game appears in April, it will more often than not have a bearing on which way the title swings, however, this Saturday afternoon’s battle at Old Trafford carries the weight of a Cup Final. ‘The Theatre of Dreams’ will witness this potential title decider as the teams are separated by just a solitary point and any result (even a draw) could prove detrimental in the race for the title.

Manchester United

A 2-1 defeat at the hands of a depleted yet hard working Bayern Munich side in the quarter final first leg of the UEFA Champions League and a minor ligament tear to star striker Wayne Rooney means that Manchester United, suddenly, look very vulnerable and shaken. After a brilliant run of results that saw them win seven on the trot in all competitions, the Red Devils’ loss to the Bavarians came as a rather rude and unexpected shock.

United took the lead as early as the second minute via Wayne Rooney (no surprise) and lead for almost the whole game until Franck Ribery’s deflected free kick brought the German Giants back into the tie. Ivica Olic sealed the victory in injury time after moving past two defenders and slotting past Edwin Van der Sar, who tried his best to keep his team in the game.

The key point for Man United has to be the absence of Wayne Rooney. The Englishman suffered a minor ligament damage and is sure to miss this huge 6 pointer at the top of the table. His 26 league goals have proved to be extremely vital for United, who haven’t been at their best for large chunks of the season. One feels that Sir Alex Ferguson will be mightily pleased with a point from this game considering their largely blunt forward line without the aforementioned talisman. With that United will ensure that they stay at the top for another week at the very least.

Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov will start up-front on his on and try to add to his decent tally of 12 league strikes. Ferguson loves packing the midfield and shutting up shop against the big sides and will probably stick to his preferred 4-5-1 formation at the weekend. Park Ji-Sung has been in amazing form in the big games and United have a tough call on who to pick with Nani, Valencia, Giggs, Scholes, Carrick and Fletcher all fit and available.

United have won their last 5 league encounters conceding 1 and scoring 13. In the last two games United have had to depend a little too much on their enduring goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, though the Dutchman has never let his team down.

Chelsea

12 goals in their last two games, one of them including a 7-1 thumping of Champions League hopefuls Aston Villa, that too in the absence of their star striker tells us that the Blues are more than ready to face the Red Devils on Saturday. Chelsea have the advantage of a week’s rest as they no longer play a part in the UEFA Champions League. Their top goal scorer Didier Drogba has scored 5 in his last 3 league games and is well rested and raring to go. Chelsea midfielders Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda are both relieving pressure off Drogba’s shoulders by popping up with more than the occasional goal, the two combining for 28 league goals this season.

Chelsea put 7 past Aston Villa in their last game sending a signal of intent across England. Lampard scored 4 while Malouda added a brace to turn Villa’s trip to the capital into a shamble. Chelsea have won 4 of their last 5 league games and are only behind United in terms of form. Ancelotti has made his team an infallible bunch, who are never short of confidence, sometimes even bordering on an arrogance.

The Italian is expected to go all guns blazing on Saturday with both Anelka and Drogba, ready to strike. The duo provide a brilliant blend of guile and power and together send chills across the spines of defenders. Michael Ballack and John Obi Mikel will attempt to boss the midfield while Lampard and Malouda will be expected to provide the creative sparks for the team. Brazilian Alex will start in the absence of Ricardo Carvalho. The burly defender hasn’t had too many starts under his belt this year and could be exploited by United, though their biggest opportunity lies on the flanks with Paulo Ferreira and Yuri Zhirkov providing far from reliable defensive cover.

Chelsea have the League’s best attack and 2nd best away record. Their goal difference is better than United’s which could be an added point come the end of the season. The Blues have scored 19 goals in their last 5 league encounters conceding just three.

Injury News

Man United: Rooney(ankle), Welbeck(knee), Brown(metatarsal), Owen(hamstring), Anderson(knee), O’Shea (thigh)

Chelsea: Carvalho(ankle), Ivanovic(knee), A.Cole(ankle), Essien(knee), Bosingwa(knee)

Head to head
The last 5 matches between these two sides clearly show that there is little to choose between them. Both teams have 2 victories with a draw in the middle. The reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge saw the hosts winning by a solitary goal from John Terry late in the game (read more). In the same fixture last year, Manchester United thumped Chelsea 3-0 thanks to goals from Vidic, Rooney and Berbatov (read more).

Form Guide

Manchester United (LWWWW)

Manchester United 4 – 0 Milan
Manchester United 3 – 0 Fulham
Manchester United 2 – 1 Liverpool
Bolton Wanderers 0 – 4 Manchester United
Bayern München 2 – 1 Manchester United

Chelsea (WWDLW)

Chelsea 4 – 1 West Ham United
Chelsea 0 – 1 Internazionale
Blackburn Rovers 1 – 1 Chelsea
Portsmouth 0 – 5 Chelsea
Chelsea 7 – 1 Aston Villa

Key Battle:
Drogba vs. Vidic: The Serb has problems with pace but with Drogba you get an amalgam of strength and pace that are overwhelming. Vidic will need to be at his best to deal with the threat of the super striker. The Ivorian has 24 league goals to his name and he may just want to impress new national manager Sven Goran Eriksson with a stellar performance against Manchester United.

Probable Line-ups:

Manchester United: Van Der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Scholes, Fletcher, Nani, Berbatov

Chelsea: Cech, Ferreira, Terry, Alex, Zhirkov, Malouda, Mikel, Lampard, Ballack, Drogba, Anelka

Prediction: Chelsea are rested and are looking strong in the attacking third. United are certain to miss Rooney and with the stakes so exceptionally high, it is quite likely that the two sides cancel each other out in a 1-1 draw.

File Photograph Copyright: Gordon Flood

This article is the exclusive copyright of TheSportsCampus.com and permission to reproduce the same has not been granted.

Newspapers today have revealed that the cash strapped Glaziers are secretly preparing to sell Manchester United's stadium in a bid to stave off a takeover from the 'Red Knights' investment group. The investment group that last week said it would not bid before the end of the season has now made a ' ubstantial' private offer to the club's owners.
Secret talks have been held between Manchester City's new Chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, and Joel Glazer.

Questions emerged about the Glazers ownership of United when it was revealed in December that the family have been struggling for several months to refinance part of the £699 million debt that was taken on when they bought the club in 2005. It now emerges that plans to sell Old Trafford are well advanced with a major hotel chain and a development company and that one of the options for Manchester Utd is a ground share with fierce rivals and rich neighbours Manchester City at “Eastlands.”

The 48,000 seat City of Manchester stadium was originally built for the commonwealth games of 2002 and is owned by Manchester city council. However the lease was granted with rights for BOTH teams. The city council felt they had to allow Manchester United an option on the ground in order to show fairness to both sets of rival supporters. But, with the spectacular ‘Theatre of Dreams’ at Old Trafford it was thought that United would never use this option.
But now, with an unwelcome takeover and the credit crunch putting an intolerable strain on the finances it seems that the Glaziers may just do the unthinkable.

We spoke to the planning office and they said there were a number of issues that needed to be cleared. Crowd control and parking issues and the fact that the Eastland stadium would not hold all of Man Utd's current season ticket holders. It is thought that United would restrict its season ticket holders for the 2011 season. More news later.

…
As to James Milner leaving I have no opinion really. Not enough 'facts' only speculation.
As for MON leaving, I can see that happening, in the summer, not before. It fits with MEN's style. If he gets criticized, or doesn't get his own way he will walk. Reports i have seen suggest that Mr. Lerner has asked MON to sell players that are only sitting on the bench. The inference I took from that was, “if you don't rate them enough to play them, sell them and replace them with players you will play but, less of them.” This would cut the wage bill, or allow some players to be paid more. Although I saw stats earlier on today that suggests the average premiership club pay for a player, is in the region of £29,000 per week, while the highest payers average £68,000+ per week. Don't forget that Villa players wages take 80% of the clubs income at present. That is financially unhealthy when you consider the amount of money we have inn debts to be repaid. Now I know the debts are to Mr. Lerners own company but, they do have to be repaid. There is also the talk that clubs in big debt will be barred from playing in european competitions. For the financial stability of the club and its long-term wellbeing, it would make sense to sell MIlner after the World-Cup, hoping he has a good tournament, increasing his price. By the same token, selling Ashley Young and Gabby Agbonlahor and replacing them with other players makes financial sense. This will of course tick MON off and he would probably walk.
If you look at Arsenal, they are in the top 4 every season and get to the end stages of the Champions League regularly without having spent great amounts on single players. With the possible exception of Vermaelen for £10 million and Arshavin for a total of close to £20 million. They have developed unknowns and sold on when they have needed to, for big profits. Henry was a cheap purchase for them and they turned him from an average winger into a high scoring forward and then cashed in.
I'm just really pointing out that buying success isn't always guaranteed when you spend big bucks.
I have had my mopans about MON this season. If you look back at the 606 board you'll see. My moans have been about his lack of learning. The last half of last season, he changed a winning formation and when there were no wins, (2 out of 17 games), he didn't learn from it but, started this season with the same personnel in the same formation. When he had been moaning about the players being tired because he had a small squad, ok. This season he has 32 names in the first team squad list, hardly a small squad. Yet there we go again, 3/4 of the way through the season the players are running on empty, as well as carrying injuries. Dunne and Milner, go into the Sunderland game with Achilles injury's. According to MON Petrov has been carrying an ankle problem for months and yet these players are asked to play 5 games in two weeks. There is just no sense to the mans decisions and this makes me think that he isn't up to managing successfully at the top level.