All Anglo-Spanish Affair in Europe

Arsenal is to meet Barcelona in this season's CL Final in Paris. Meanwhile the UEFA Cup Final sees another English-Spanish encounter as Middlesborough take on Sevilla.

Jens makes the critical save

Team Barca












Maccarone - Boro's savior

Sevilla Players Rejoice

Why Such Losers?

Makelele unleashed a verbal riposte at Ferguson, claiming Jose Mourinho stands head and shoulders above his older counterpart and that the West Londoners are also on a higher footing than their northern equivalents. This is what he said...
''It took Ferguson seven years to win the league, it took Mourinho eight months.''

I cannot understand why the normally sensible Makelele made such a comment. Perhaps, he din't realize what everyone knows...Chelsea would have finished first even if David O'Leary had been manager...Chelsea just have bought their way to their 2nd title thanks to Roman Abramovich's funds.

Agreed Jose achieved a lot with Porto but then let him manage a team like Villa and make them champions in 7 years. Then I'll accept Jose is as good a manager as Fergie.

Maka Mentally Ill?

Btw, I have lost all respect for Liverpool. Have a detailed look here at what theKop fans have done at Old Trafford after their win over Chelsea in the FA Cup.

Not Funny at all!

Team Watch - Argentina

Argentina was the first nation to qualify for the World Cup but all is not rosy within the Argentine camp. There has been in-fighting, the squad doesn't look spirited enough, and a few injuries to key players doesn't help either.

There will be no Veron when the squad is announced later next month, thanks to in-fighting within the squad over the issue of the captaincy. When Jose Pekerman took over as manager of the team, he made Sorin the captain. Some of Argentina's senior players took the view that since the squad had already shown its preference, Sorin should do the honourable thing and hand the armband back to Ayala. However, they were reported to be none too pleased when that didn't happen, which, it seems clear, caused a definitive breakdown in relations between Veron and Sorin.

Sorin and Veron

In the recent Champions League game between Inter and Villareal, Veron and Sorin were repeatedly on the point of tearing strips off each other, and at half-time had to be separated by players from both teams. Pekerman has resisted calls to pick Veron to the World Cup. It seems nothing would change his mind, even Maradona calling for Veron to be picked.

Consequently, all Argentine hopes rest on playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme who has been in exceptional form in the past couple of seasons for Villareal. However, fatigue is a factor that would play a crucial factor on how he plays in the World Cup. for his team is still in the Champions League fighting Arsenal to make it to the finals in Paris in May.

Argentina would rely on Messi and Crespo to score the goals. However, their defence is where their weakness is, especially with defenders Ayala and Heinze yet to prove their fitness after recovering from long-term injuries.

After a horrendous WC in 2002, the players will be looking to do well in Germany although they are unlucky to be in the 'Group of Death' this time around too. Argentina will be lucky enough if it survives the stiff challenge posed by Holland, Serbia & Montenegro, and Ivory Coast.

Is The Race Over?

Although the race for the Premiership title was effectively over in the first week of January, there has been some renewed excitement lately due to ManUtd's amazing winning streak...the latest casualty being Arsenal who lost 0-2, thanks to Rooney's brilliance in a match that has set a new Premiership attendance of 70,908. United used the game to mark the 50th-anniversary of the first league title won by the team that became known as the Busby Babes, with the average age of their 1956 championship side just 22 years.

Rooney was denied in the first half thanks to some excellent goalkeeping by Lehmann, ably helped by the hands of defender Kolo Toure. But I am sure there is no way the referee could have made a correct decision without the help of replays. Rooney was however not going to be denied as his shot from an excellent cross from Silvestre landed zoomed past a hapless Lehmann, who proved Klinsmann made the right decision in making him Germany's number one keeper for the WC by making a number of fine saves in the first half. Rooney's cross to Park who shot home from close range killed off the game.

Henry's absence in the starting lineup did not seem to affect Arsenal as they made the brighter start to the game. However, ManUtd got into their groove after the first 20 minutes. The ManUtd defenders - Rio and Vidic have to be applauded for some great defending. Vidic has been a great partner for Rio in the defence and has stepped into the role with aplomb ever since he arrived this year.

However, Chelsea's continued winning ways means there is very little hope for ManUtd but I guess they have to keep their form going just to achieve the 2nd position and automatic qualifying for Champions League.

The relegation battle though is far from over. Sunderland is as good as relegated but the other 2 candidates would have to be one among these - Portsmouth, Birmingham City and West Brom. However, Portsmouth has been making some inspired progress lately and there is also remote chance that either Fulham or Aston Villa might get sucked into the battle. Another exciting finish in the prospect!

In La Liga, Real Madrid drew at home against Real Sociedad...a bad result considering Valenica went past them to 2nd place after a win and Barcelona could manage just a draw against Racing Satander.

AC Milan's win and Juventus' draw with Fiorentina means the gap at the top is less but it is still Juventus' title to lose just as Barcelona's and Chelsea's.

Bayern stumbled to an embarassing defeat, delaying their league title in Germany. However, the Dutch league saw PSV Eidhoven being crowned as champions. Celtic won the Scottish league as they beat Hearts 1-0. Also, get ready to see Reading next season in the EPL!

World Cup Watch - Young Guns II

Cesc Fabregas

Cesc has been a revelation for the gunners this season and more so in Europe, where he has been one of the top performers. At age 18, he is one of the youngest midfielders around and with injury to Xavi, he seems to have made his way to Spain coach Luis Aragones' plans too for the World Cup.

Cesc has proved he can perform at the highest level in Europe but it's an entirely different matter to take his good form into the World Cup. Spain has always been an underperforming side, the eternal underdogs and one of the fine teams who always seem to get knocked out in the quarters. Cesc is just one among a number of great talented players in Spain. Great speed and exceptional passing abilities makes him one of the emerging talents in the game. However, Cesc's relative inexperience at the national level would make Aragones to resist tempatation of fielding him in the starting XI.

Cesc is definitely a player to watch out for this WC and if he manages to keep Xavi out of the starting lineup, his performance will be even more keenly followed, none more so than the club keeping tabs on him - Real Madrid. But the biggest question is - Can he inspire Spain to achieve the long overdue glory that has eluded them so far?

Cristiano Ronaldo

One of the stars to watch out for, Ronaldo has been on song whenever he has played for Portugal, scoring goals at will in the WC qualifiers. He has matured a bit this season and under Sir Alex's guidance, has been trying to work on his physical side a bit more.

Portugal was unlucky to lose at home to Greece in the Euro Championships and breezed through their qualifiers easily topping their group. Ronaldo is likely to have stiff competition from Simao for a place in the starting XI but is likely to get the nod as he is equally adept in the air. He has to remain consistent in his play and the crosses he provides from the wing. Opposition teams are likely to get physical with him and his reputation as a diver although has come down, wouldn't help him one bit.

Portugal, being in an easy group, should qualify top of their group. However, making it past the 2nd round and quarters would be a tad difficult. Ronaldo is a key player for them and he needs to be at his best in creating goal-scoring opportunities for his team. He is definitely one of the youngsters to keep an eye on during the WC.

More than Just a Shirt!

ManUtd signed an agreement with insurer American International Group (AIG) in a new shirt deal worth £56.5m over four years, the biggest ever in UK.

The new shirt deal has not been without controversy. Earlier this week United were accused of "double dealing" by online casino firm Mansion. The company's chief negotiator claimed that Mansion and United had verbally agreed to a £70m shirt sponsorship deal before the football club pulled out. The club countered that it never holds exclusive talks and it was perfectly entitled to hold discussions with other firms.

Good news for ManUtd fans, but nothing beats the shirt with the Vodafone logo!

March of the Champions!

Missed chances by Lyon and Benfica has paved way for a pulsating clash between the mighty giants from Italy and Spain - AC Milan and Barcelona respectively. Arsenal produced a great performace over two legs against the Italian Champions Juventus and their prize is a comparitively easier clash against Spanish minnows Villareal.

AC Milan would have been left to rue the missed chances in the first leg at Lyon had it not been for Inzaghi's last gasp goal in the 88th minute. Sheva's strike in the 90th minute effectively settled the tie. Milan though deserved to go through just because they created the better chances over 2 legs and took their chances at the San Siro. Lyon did not make the Milan defenders work too hard...there was no sustained pressure on the Milan defence that was necessary to break them. Houllier has a great team and I am sure Lyon will come back stronger next season if they manage to keep hold of their key players.


I suppose Barca were a bit jittery after failing to score from a host of chances in Lisbon. Ronaldinho's penalty miss in just the 5th minute in the Nou Camp once again made everyone wonder if the Gods were on Benfica's side. However, Ronaldinho, the great player that he is, quickly atoned for his mistake by scoring from Eto'o pass in the 20th minute. Benfica too had a couple of chances to score but their failure to score over the 2 legs meant they had to go out. However, Ronald Koeman's side has to be applauded for overcoming the defending champions Liverpool and ex-champions ManUtd.


Arsenal are on a great run in Europe and their surprisingly comfortable victory over Juventus means they have the best chance to reach the finals in Paris, if Henry and Cesc remain fit and uninjured, that is.


Villareal, who were playing in a lower level league in Spain until about 7 years, have acheived a great distinction by reaching the semis in their debut run in Europe, thanks to the goal from Arruabarrena. Inter were a sorry side to watch as Villareal continued to create greater chances to extend their lead, while Inter and Adriano struggled. Perhaps, it is time for Adriano to move on. Real must be watching keenly. Manager Mancini looks set to be axed at the end of the season after yet another disappointing season.

2 Spanish sides, an Italian and an English one in the semis confirm these are surely the best 3 leagues in Europe.

El Classico and Other Moments

El Clasico resulted in a 1-1 draw as Ronaldo cancelled out Ronaldinho's penalty. Barca still hold a 11-point lead at the top over Real.


Ronaldinho received a special visit during training before the game from Vanessa, a deaf child who shouted out his name throughout the session. Afterwards, her father asked him to celebrate a goal in the manner of deaf and dumb people. And when he scored, that's just what he did.



Ronaldinho comforting compatroit Roberto Carlos after the Real fullback got sent off for arguing with the referee.

Saha scores a stunner in ManUtd's win over Bolton at the Reebok. ManUtd cut Chelsea's lead at the top to 7 points.






Henry scored a brace as Arsenal routed pitiful Villa 5-0 at Highbury. Huge result for the Gunners as rivals Tottenham lost 1-3 at Newcastle.


Robben's diving theatrics were futile as Chelsea were held to a 0-0 draw at relegation-threatened Birmingham.