British clubs must savour Champions League

By Henry Winter

Those men dreaming of the Champions League final have differing ways of psyching themselves up for combat. Joe Cole plays keepie-uppie. Wayne Rooney smashes a ball against the wall outside the dressing room. Sami Hyypia plugs into his iPod and loses himself in a nu-metal world of Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit.
One motivation unites all: winning in Moscow on May 21.
All these Premier League stars know there will not be a better time to strike in Europe. Italian teams will return with a vengeance next season, having licked their wounds (Roma), changed their managers (Inter Milan) and rejuvenated their squads (AC Milan, if they qualify). Traditional powerhouses such as Real Madrid and Bayern Munich will be back, determined to reclaim the spotlight. Cole, Rooney and Hyypia have every incentive to seize the moment now.

The Premier League are halfway to an all-English final with Hyypia's Liverpool and Cole's Chelsea resuming their angry tango on Apr 22. Fired up by Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, Manchester United should deal with Barcelona.

The Catalans certainly deserve respect, particularly when mention is made of Bojan Krkic, Xavi and Eric Abidal, and Sir Alex Ferguson will ensure each of his players understands the scale of the assignment.

But if Ferguson analyses how Rafa Benitez masterminded Liverpool's brilliant outmanoeuvring of Barcelona last season, and his players execute a specific game-plan for catching the Catalans out, then United should progress to Moscow. Benitez ordered the pacey Craig Bellamy to run at Barcelona's slow central defenders, particularly Carles Puyol, and Frank Rijkaard's rearguard was torn apart.
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Pace is the key to unlocking Barcelona's defence, which is where Ronaldo races centre-stage. Ferguson deployed the Portugal winger through the middle in the away leg of the quarter-final against Roma, and his sudden appearance in the box completely confused the Italians' defence, allowing him to score a magnificent header.

Ferguson yesterday remarked that it was good news for United that Puyol was suspended for the first leg in the Nou Camp, yet Barcelona's celebrated captain can be the weak link. Expert at reading developing danger and intercepting passes, Puyol is vulnerable when speed is unleashed on him. Just ask Bellamy.

Puyol is a great sleeves-rolled leader of the side who wears the armband in Catalonia's colours with real pride, but United should certainly not be downhearted when he returns to the fray at Old Trafford. Ronaldo can do to Puyol what Romario did to Gary Pallister in 1994: give him the high-speed runaround.

Ronaldo embodies the check-list for the modern footballing athlete - swifter, higher, stronger - so it is only fitting that his ascent to European heights takes in the Olympic cities of Rome, Barcelona and Moscow, if he does burn off Rijkaard's side.

Rooney has unfinished business at the Luzhniki in Moscow, having gifted Russia a penalty there. So has his good friend, Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, who squandered a straightforward chance during last year's costly England visit.

FF

The authorities will be praying the semi-finals do not produce a United-Liverpool collision in Moscow, the traditional cauldron of North West tensions transferred to a land scarred by possible ambushes from supporters of Muscovite clubs. Few, though, would bet against a United v Liverpool final.

For all the chaos in the Anfield boardroom, there exists a unity of purpose in the dressing room when Europe comes around that makes Liverpool so formidable. Spanish players such as Fernando Torres, Pepe Reina and Xabi Alonso have completely bought into the Kop culture embodied by Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.

Torres, who wore a "You'll Never Walk Alone" armband while at Atletico Madrid, definitely feels part of the Anfield family, his recent prolific run producing one of the great new Kop anthems (sung to the tune of "When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again").

"His armband proved he was a red, Torres, Torres; You'll Never Walk Alone it said, Torres, Torres; We got the boy from sunny Spain, give him the ball he'll score again; Fernando Torres, Liverpool's No 9."

The duel between Torres and John Terry should define the semi-final. It would be the height of folly to write off a team containing Terry, Joe Cole, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, Michael Essien and Didier Drogba.

Chelsea's average coach, Avram Grant, has been so lambasted that his experience almost echoes the vilification that pursued the France coach, Aime Jacquet, all the way to the final of the 1998 World Cup, which he promptly won.

Grant boasts an outstanding squad but Benitez is comfortably the superior tactician. A countdown to the meltdown of a Liverpool-United final will surely begin after the semis.

www.telegraph.co.uk/winter

Rooney inspires Man United in FA Cup

updated 4:19 p.m. ET Jan. 5, 2008(AP)

Wayne Rooney was on the field for only 11 minutes but helped inspire Manchester United to a 2-0 FA Cup victory over Aston Villa on Saturday in a game watched by England’s new coach, Fabio Capello.

Entering as a late substitute with the score 0-0, Rooney began the move that led to Cristiano Ronaldo sliding home Ryan Giggs’ cross at the far post in the 81st minute. With a minute left, the England striker found Ronaldo with a crossing pass. When the Portuguese striker’s shot was blocked by a defender, Rooney was in position to score from 20 yards.

This was Capello’s first public appearance as England coach. The successful former coach at AC Milan, AS Roma, Juventus and Real Madrid has replaced Steve McClaren, who was fired in November after failing to get England to Euro 2008.

It was a fourth successive FA Cup triumph over Villa in seven years for United, the record 11-time champion whose latest victory came on a day of upsets in soccer’s oldest and most famous domestic cup competition.

League One Oldham triumphed 1-0 at Everton thanks to Gary McDonald’s winner at Goodison Park and Coventry won 4-1 at Blackburn, Maltese striker Michael Mifsud scoring twice. Another League Championship club, Sheffield United, won 1-0 at Bolton on a goal by David Carney, and League One Huddersfield ousted Birmingham City 2-1.

Defending champion Chelsea edged League Championship Queens Park Rangers 1-0 on an own-goal by visiting goalkeeper Lee Camp. Claudio Pizarro’s first-half shot hit the post and then rebounded off the goalkeeper’s body and into the net.

A week after Tottenham beat Reading 6-4 in the Premier League, the two teams drew 2-2 in the Cup. Dimitar Berbatov, who scored four times in the league game, netted both Spurs goals. Tottenham’s Tom Huddlestone was sent off only two minutes after going on as a substitute, aiming a head-butt at Reading’s American midfielder Bobby Convey in reaction to a tackle.

West Ham and Manchester City also face a replay after a 0-0 draw at Upton Park, but Wigan won 3-0 at Sunderland with goals by Paul Scharner and David Cotterill and Paul McShane’s own-goal.

Arsenal, a 10-time FA Cup winner, plays Sunday at League Championship Burnley. Liverpool goes to League one Luton.

Slick United ease through to last 16

anchester United FC secured their passage to the UEFA Champions League last 16 with two games to spare thanks to a 4-0 victory against FC Dynamo Kyiv. After Gerard Piqué and Carlos Tévez had found the net before the break – the first for each in this competition – Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo added late goals as the dominant hosts made it four wins from four and confirmed Dynamo's elimination in the process.

Strength in depth
Sir Alex Ferguson had reflected before the match on the strength of his squad, and the fact United were able to win so comfortably while giving an evening off to Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs and Owen Hargreaves bore testament to this. At the same time, it also underlined the lack of confidence in the ranks of a Dynamo side playing their first game under caretaker coach Oleh Luzhny but who never looked like getting their first points of an ill-starred campaign.

Slow start
United started with an unfamiliar back four including Danny Simpson and Piqué – two players with ten minutes' action between them previously this term – and for the opening quarter, their play lacked its customary spark. Indeed Dynamo's Carlos Corrêa might reflect he could have done better than fire wide when allowed a clear sight of Edwin van der Sar's goal. At the other end Rooney showed some invention with a teasing ball across goal, leading to a Nani shot deflected behind, but otherwise United were making little of their abundant possession against opponents seemingly set on containment.

Opening goal
That changed with Piqué's 31st-minute opener even if it came with a slice of luck – Michael Carrick's header from a Ronaldo free-kick deflecting off the back of Tévez's head and to the Spaniard, who headed the ball back into the opposite corner. Tévez got United's second in the 37th minute, when, after winning the ball inside his own half, he raced forward, exchanged passes with Rooney and let fly. Olexandr Shovkovskiy got his hands to the ball but could not keep it out.

Chances aplenty
Although Ruslan Rotan blazed wide from close range just before the break, Sir Alex felt secure enough to remove Van der Sar – complaining of a niggle in his toe – as a precaution, introducing Tomasz Kuszczak for the second half. His faith was justified as the substitute soon made a fine stop to deny Dynamo replacement Diogo Rincón. There followed chances aplenty at both ends, not least for Tévez who could have had a hat-trick. For the Ukrainian title-holders, Rincón just failed to connect with Marjan Marković's fierce cross-shot while Kuszczak frustrated Tiberiu Ghioane.

Rooney volley
Rooney added a third with a 76th-minute volley from Nani's cross before, in the closing moments, Ronaldo broke in from the left and found the far corner. The best Dynamo can hope for now is third place – a far cry from Luzhny's own days in the team when they were semi-finalists in 1999. That, of course, was the year Sir Alex first tasted UEFA Champions League glory and after his side's best start to a European campaign in five years he can already begin planning with confidence for a renewed assault on his favourite trophy in the spring.

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United Win Goal Fest In Ukraine

Manchester United have maintained their 100% record in the Champions League after outscoring Dinamo Kiev 4-2 in a hugely entertaining game in the Ukraine.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side raced into a 2-0 lead inside twenty minutes through goals from Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney, but as it looked like they were going to run riot Freddy Rincon pulled a goal back.

However, the concern was brief as Cristiano Ronaldo scored a third before half-time and with the home side looking dangerous he scored again with a controversial penalty. There was still time for Kiev to get on the scoresheet again, but United's win was never in doubt and they should now cruise through to the knockout stage of the Champions League.

United, who struggled to score in the opening matches of the season, have now scored four goals in their last three games and are looking an unstoppable force, although they will be sure to remember that at this stage a year ago they subsequently lost their next two matches and were in danger of missing out.

The home team were dispatched in such an easy fashion that it is hardly recognisably as a Champions League encounter and they could remain on level terms for just ten minutes before a wonderful goal from Giggs set up Ferdinand to header his first Champions League goal.

Eight minutes later Ronaldo fed Wes Brown and he squared the ball to Rooney for an easy-tap in and United looked like they could score at ease from here on in.

However, rather unexpectedly Rincon powered home a header from Carlos Correa's corner and there were a few moments of concern for the visitors, although their two-goal lead was quickly restored as Kiev again defended abysmally.

Giggs made the most of the free space on the left to swing in another perfect cross that Ronaldo, who left unmarked in the box directed his header past the helpless keeper.

There was distinct improvement from Kiev after the break and through Rincon they certainly had a danger man, although the striker did seem to struggle to stay on his feet at times. Correa weny close with a 25-yard free-kick and Rincon headed narrowly wide while Nemanja Vidic came close to giving away a penalty before the game was put beyond them.

A quick break from United led to their fourth when Tevez was fed down the right and his cross was handled by Gavrancic. However, referee Viktor Kassai originally awarded a free-kick before consulting his linesman, who informed him that the offence took place in the box and replays suggest that it was, but only by a matter of inches. Ronaldo coolly stepped up to score his second.

Bangoura struck low to reduce the deficit with Edwin van der Sar struggling in goal and the Dutchman was replaced shortly after, but there was no dramatic comeback.

Goal.com UK

ROUNDUP: Greece secure Euro 2008 qualification but England in shock

By Tom Merton

Hamburg (dpa) - Defending champions Greece booked their ticket to Euro 2008 with a 1-0 victory over arch-rivals Turkey in a qualifier Wednesday but England's hopes of making the finals hang by a thread after they went down 2-1 to Russia in Moscow.

Roman Pavlyuchenko struck twice in four minutes as Russia came from behind to beat England in the Group E qualifier while Ioannis Amanatidis was Greece's hero in the victory over Turkey, meaning they are assured one of the two qualifying berths from Group C.

Norway are favourites to secure the second qualifying spot in the group after winning 2-0 away to Bosnia-Herzegovina and can end Turkey's hopes with a victory when the two sides meet on November 17.

The Czech Republic also secured their progress to the finals with a stunning 3-0 win away to Germany, who were already assured of one of the two spots available from Group D after the weekend draw against Ireland.

Romania secured one of the qualifying spots from Group G thanks to a 2-0 win against Luxembourg while the Netherlands' defeat of Slovenia by the same scoreline means they too are virtually certain to qualify. The Dutch need only to beat Luxembourg at home in their next match to progress.

Co-hosts Austria and Switzerland qualify automatically.

In Group A, Portugal left it late before securing a crucial 2- 1 away win against Kazakhstan in Almaty thanks to goals from substitute Ariza Makukula and Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo. Dmitriy Byakov pulled one back for the home side in injury time.

The win moves Portugal on to 23 points in the group, one point adrift of leaders Poland but three clear of third-placed Serbia, who thumped Azerbaijan 6-1.

Scotland need to beat world champions Italy to ensure qualification from Group B after going down 2-0 to Georgia. Alex McLeish's side remain on 24 points, one clear of the Italians who have a game in hand - against the Faroe Islands.

France top the group on 25 points after a 2-0 home win against Lithuania and need to beat Ukraine - 5-0 winners over the Faroes - in their final match to be certain of making it to Austria and Switzerland.

Sweden sit top of Group F on 23 points after playing out a 1-1 with Northern Ireland while Denmark kept their slim qualifying hopes alive with a 3-1 defeat of Latvia.

But the shock result of the night came in Moscow which means Russia now trail England by two points, but they have a game in hand, and would expect to pull a point ahead by beating Andorra in their next qualifier.

That would leave England having to get a better result at home to Croatia than Russia achieved away to Israel in the final set of fixtures next month if they are to reach the finals in Austria and Switzerland next summer.

Wayne Rooney had given England the lead with a stunning volley after half an hour, which had Steve McClaren's dreaming of a result that would have won their qualification.

But after Steven Gerrard dragged a golden chance wide when unmarked just after half-time, Russia rallied.

Rooney gave away a 69th-minute penalty and the Spartak striker Pavlyuchenko, on his home ground, converted the resultant spot-kick. Four minutes later he was on hand to jab into an empty net after Paul Robinson had beaten away a shot from Yuri Zhirkov.

It is 14 years since England last failed to qualify for a major tournament, but elimination looms large.

McClaren At A Loss To Explain It

With England's qualification for the finals of Euro 2008 now dangling by a thread, dependent upon Israel taking points off Russia ahead of an English victory at home to Croatia, Steve McClaren's future as team manager is in the balance. Qualification for the two major international tournaments is the minimum requirement of the national team boss, on that criterion McClaren looks like falling short.
McClaren was at a loss to explain how his side managed to lose 2-1 to Russia last night after qualification - and Russia's elimination - looked assured with 20 minutes to go in Moscow.

"We had it in our grasp and ended up losing," said McClaren, whose side took a first-half lead.

"I've been involved in games like this before and there are no answers as to how it is possible to end up on the losing side.

"It's a bad position. We have to rely on Russia stumbling against Israel."

After England had gone ahead through a superb volley by Wayne Rooney, Russian substitute Roman Pavluchenko equalised from the penalty spot.

McClaren said of that decision: "It's an absolute disgrace. It's outside the box. The linesman didn't give it. It was the referee from quite some distance. Things like that turn games.

"We were comfortable. They were running out of ideas and that just turned the game.

"It was a mad four minutes after that and unfortunately we conceded a second.

"But I can't fault the players for the gameplan, the way they have endeavoured to work, the commitment, the blocks we got in, the headers.

"We've ended up losing a game that really, after 70 minutes, I never thought we would lose."

Qualification from Group E is now out of England's hands. If Russia beat Israel and Andorra then both they and Croatia will qualify and England will not.

But McClaren is clinging to the hope that Russia will find it difficult to win in Israel.

He added: "We're not giving up. We will take it to the end.

"Israel is a tough place to go. They have to go and win. They have still got a lot of work to do."

For England not to make the finals will be unthinkable

McClaren's opposite number, Guus Hiddink, was delighted with the way Russia battled back.

"I had a feeling that if we could manage to keep pressure on their defence we could get the equaliser and could turn it around - because they might start to panic," said the Dutchman.

"I am very proud of these guys."

GOAL.COM

Donadoni Hoping For Georgia Favour

Italy Coach Roberto Donadoni is hoping that Scotland slip-up against
Georgia in tomorrow's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier, while he expects
an enthusiastic performance from his Italy team against South Africa.
Group B leaders Scotland travel to Tbilisi tomorrow evening knowing that a victory will mean they only require a draw in their final game against Italy on November 17 to qualify for Euro 2008.

If the Tartan Army were to draw or lose then Italy would only need a draw themselves from the monster-clash in Glasgow.

Roberto Donadoni is very much hoping for the the latter as Scotland have an awesome home record and have never lost to Italy at home in their entire history.

"In their last game, South Africa caused problems for Scotland. I hope Georgia can do the same," admitted Donadoni. "I am accustomed to counting on my own strength, but a little favour in Tbilisi would not be a bad thing.

“It would be fun to play for everything in 90 minutes, but at the same time ugly to see a whole year’s work judged on the basis of one night.”

The Azzurri face 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa in Siena tomorrow and only two players who featured at the weekend against Georgia, Pasquale Foggia and Stefano Mauri, will be playing.

“I expect enthusiasm and collaboration from the players who are not used to wearing the Azzurri jersey. I think we will see team spirit from the lads," said the ex-Livorno tactician.

“There should not be talk of an experimental Italy, because the Italy squad remains the Italy squad at all times. Because these players have never worked together before, we’ll need even more cohesion as a unit.”

The race for Euro 2008

A look ahead to some of the crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers involving Barclays Premier League players.

England's encounter with Israel at Wembley is make or break for Steve McClaren's side. They trail the visitors by three points going into the game, and are aware that maximum points here and in Wednesday's home match with Russia are a necessity. McClaren will look to the likes of Joe Cole and Michael Owen to provide the firepower, and has also announced that Steven Gerrard is fit to take to the field, despite a broken toe. Chelsea's Tal Ben Haim and Yossi Benayoun of Liverpool will turn out for Israel. The latter has been generous in his praise of club-mate Gerrard this week, saying: "I think Steven Gerrard is the best midfielder in the world, so it is very important for England that he will play."

fire them

Croatia currently sit joint-top of the group on 17 points and have a straightforward looking task at home to Estonia. Croatia coach Slaven Bilic will be hoping that Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva can fire them to all three points. The former Dinamo Zagreb player has scored nine goals in 15 internationals.

Manchester United have a keen interest in Group A as Portugal host Poland. Portugal are currently playing catch-up as they sit down in third place, with Poland top on 19 points. Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani are set to take to the field for Portugal.

Arguably the most attractive looking fixture on paper this weekend is Italy's match with France. Les Bleus sit top of Group B, two points ahead of their opponents. William Gallas, Bacary Sagna, Lassana Diarra, Florent Malouda, Claude Makelele, Patrice Evra and Nicolas Anelka are all in the squad. Elsewhere in the group, Chelsea's Andriy Shevchenko is expected to play for Ukraine against Georgia, while there is a strong Barclays Premier League contingent in the Scotland squad to face Lithuania. Craig Gordon, Darren Fletcher and Shaun Maloney are among those set to be involved.

Wales host Germany in Cardiff knowing that they are all but out of the running to qualify for Euro 2008. They trail their opponents by 12 points but this match will have no shortage of Barclays Premier League players on show. Despite the points deficit, Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale, Wigan Athletic's Jason Koumas and West Ham United's Craig Bellamy all have the talent to trouble Germany. Jens Lehmann of Arsenal is expected to be fit for the match. The Republic of Ireland are a point behind second placed Czech Republic in this group. Spurs striker Robbie Keane is now his country's record scorer but has not netted an away goal in a competitive game for seven years. His side travel to Slovakia.

poor start

Aston Villa's Olof Mellberg, Manchester City's Andreas Isaksson and Bolton Wanderers' Christian Wilhelmsson are all in contention for what is a hugely significant match between Sweden and Denmark. Martin Laursen has started the season in impressive fashion for Aston Villa, and he is in the squad alongside Liverpool's Daniel Agger, and Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner. A defeat for the Danes could all but end their qualifying hopes as they trail Sweden by eight points, albeit with a match in hand. Upwardly mobile Spain travel to Iceland having recovered from a poor start. Liverpool duo Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso should feature.

There is now a strong Bulgarian influence in the Barclays Premier League, and Dimitar Berbatov, Martin Petrov and Stilian Petrov are all likely to be involved against Holland in Group G. They lead the Dutch by one point, but Edwin van der Sar, Ryan Babel, Dirk Kuyt, Robin van Persie and Co will be hoping to overtake their guests after Saturday's match.