The Best League In The World ???

In the next couple of weeks, four English clubs: Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool will be involved in the quarter final stage of the highest club competition tournament in Europe, The European Champions League. A phenomenal feat that would surely make any English natives hold their heads up high with pride and the right to claim, that today, the English Premier League is the best league in Europe and the world.

But, along with the phenomenon, comes an irony regarding English football itself. Despite having four clubs competing in the European Champions League quarter final, their very own national team failed to qualify for the EURO 2008 tournament in Switzerland and Austria. The question is why? Why can't they qualify when they have so many world class players and managers in their league?

The answer lies within the nationality of those world class players and managers. Take a look at the nationality compositions of the four clubs that made it through the quarter final. Exactly how many of them can be defined as "English?"

We have four top-class clubs and none of them are managed by an English manager. The closest thing that comes to an English manager is Alex Ferguson who is Scottish by nationality. Theo Walcott is the only top English player in the Arsenal squad, and he doesn't even see regular first team football. Liverpool only has two English players as regular starters: Steven Gerrard and Jammie Carragher. The same number goes for Chelsea.

With so many foreigners, I don't think it's fair to say that those who are involved in the quarter final can be called "English teams." Rather, they should be called a name that resembles global and European teams who use England as their base.

There has been a lot of criticism about too many foreigners playing in European clubs for quite some time now. But then again, this is the risk of progress, the risk of going global. European football, especially English football, has grown into an "international brand" for football since the early 90's. The Bosman rule, globalization, and the EU labor policies and laws make it possible for any player to work and play football in Europe, as long as they have the skills.

In recent years, we have also seen a number of huge investments in football clubs made by foreign investors. These investments are particularly taking place in England where investors see the most potential for growth and profit. Suddenly, we have a Russian oil tycoon, some American sugar daddies, and Dubai's crowned prince as owners of major European clubs. The football clubs have been taken away from their real owners, the fans. And to make things worse, most of the investors invested in football clubs just so they can sell their stocks back to gain profits. Their sincerity to put money into the long term success of the club is highly questionable.

As with any other investments, all that investors want are fast results. There is no time for them to wait for home-grown players to develop into world class footballers. They want to buy already established players, win some trophies as fast as possible, and increase the value of the club before selling it back to another blood thirsty investor.

Football clubs are being taken out of their roots all over England, and there's nothing the FA, UEFA or FIFA can do about it. They condemn the investments, but can do nothing because the reality is primarily concerned about the money. In a free global market, anyone who has the money is allowed to do whatever he pleases as long as it is within the law. And no law can prohibit the buying and selling of clubs.

This is the sad reality of global football, and it will affect the biggest football nations of Europe. Will they have strong clubs? The most definitely will, but will they have the usual strong national teams? That remains very doubtful...

Champions League Promises More Fun

There are just 8 teams left in the uefa champions league race out of the 32 that started.The Road to the final in Moscow is getting clearer by the day.The road promises to be fun and tough with four games coming up in April alone.

Yes, for the first time, both quarter-finals and both semi-finals will take place in one month, thanks largely to the looming European Championships.

As such, the importance of having a squad, and the effect of telling engagements in domestic competitions threatens to be greater than ever.

The Draw has paired Arsenal against Liverpool,Manchester Against Roma in a game that Roma will definitely want to win in search of revenge of last season's 7-1 defeat to Manchester United,Barcelona will be Up against Schalke In a tricky match that Barca is expected to win without much problems,Chelsea got their prayers answered when they were paired against Fenerbahce in a game that chelsea will must definitely win

Admittedly, Schalke and Fenerbahce are being considered relative outsiders, but the Germans progressed from a group containing Chelsea and Valencia, while the Turks dealt with Inter and PSV in proud fashion. Then, the steel shown to hold their own and win penalty shoot-outs on away turf can not be ignored either.

Barcelona and Roma, meanwhile, won both home and away, and showed that they can be unstoppable on their day.

It is also the right time to remember some of the legendary clubs that will not be here, talking about the likes of Nine time champions Real Madrid and the defending champions Ac Milan. Bernd Schuster's and Carlo Ancelotti's sides were sent out by two young and energetic sides that proved to Europe that football is not all about the big bucks. Roma and Arsenal, as such, will be very difficult to eliminate, for sheer ebullience if nothing else.

Then we have Chelsea and Liverpool, two sides that have been humiliated in the FA Cup this season (Barnsley take a bow), but who will prove to be an entirely different proposition over two legs. Absolutely nobody will be rested, and there is no chance they will be complacent, for both managers need silverware to secure their respective positions.

And finally, we have Manchester United, who have been installed as favourites for the competition by 90% of the bookmakers, due largely to the fact that they are a lot stronger than the side that looked lost at San Siro last April.

Of course, there is the individual angle as well. The likes of Cesc Fabregas and Cristiano Ronaldo are in the running for the Ballon d'Or, and can silence any doubters by guiding their team to glory. Lionel Messi is unlikely to be fit for the quarter-finals, but even he remains in the fray, along with new entrant Fernando Torres.

The Spaniard has not been mentioned as a candidate yet, but with 26 goals already, if he can guide Liverpool to the Champions League and score a few for Spain this summer, he will probably have 40 for the season. Francesco Totti is another player who has always been overlooked for major awards largely because of lack of silverware. Could European glory offer just the excuse to the jury?

Much will depend on the path that is laid out in front of them - whom they face, whether they play home or away first - and it will all be unveiled on Friday afternoon.

Updates:

1. The 8-0 hammering of Besiktas makes Liverpool the team with the most goals in the competition - 21 from eight games.

Barcelona and Arsenal come in second with 16, while Schalke are last, with just six in eight games. Meawhile, Barcelona are runaway leaders in terms of total shots on target - a mammoth 66.

Team Goals scored in 8 games Liverpool 21 Barcelona 16 Arsenal 16 Roma 15 Manchester United 14 = Chelsea 14 Fenerbahce 13 Schalke 6

2. On the defensive front, Chelsea have been the most miserly, having conceded just the two in eight games, which is what makes them one of the most difficult to knock-out.

Attack-minded Arsenal are the surprise second placed team with four, just ahead of Liverpool, Manchester United, Barcelona and Schalke. Fenerbahce conceded five at the last 16 stage to ensure they bring up the rear.

The list, more than anything, indicates just how mean you have to be to win this trophy in the modern era.

Team Goals conceded in 8 games Chelsea 2 Arsenal 4 Liverpool 5 = Barcelona 5 = Manchester United 5 = Schalke 5 Roma 8 Fenerbahce 11

3. Finally, if we measure success as the number of points picked up from eight games (allocating points even for the two knock-out games for the sake of analysis), we find Barcelona at the top of the pile, being chased down by Arsenal, Roma and Manchester United.

As an aside, Barcelona, Man Utd and Chelsea are the only unbeaten teams in the competition. Schalke bring up the rear after having practically squeezed through at every stage thus far.

Team Points from 8 games Barcelona 20 Arsenal 17 =Roma 17 = Manchester United 17 Liverpool 16 = Chelsea 16 Fenerbahce 14 Schalke 11

The Quarter finals promise to be full of intrigues,goals ,tackles and so much surprises.I just can't wait to see the games

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Arsenal Must Win Something

Arsenal haven't won anything since the 2005 FA Cup and Van Persie, who has spent much of this season out injured, says he cannot face the thought of a third consecutive campaign with no silverware.

But upon making his return to the first team fold, the Dutchman has vowed to fire the Gunners to Premier League and Champions League glory this season, honours he believes the squad fully deserve.

Winning A Must

"We have to win at least one trophy this season. If we don’t, then we would have played all the fantastic football for nothing," said the striker. “This is our moment and we need to win something. We all realise we are in a fantastic position and this has to be our year.

Double Dreams

"I am not a daydreamer," he continued. "I really think we can win the title and the Champions League this season. Why not? We have the qualities so we just need to stick together and believe in it. Belief can take you very far in football."

Arsenal have stumbled to four consecutive Premier League draws, surrendering the league lead to Manchester United at the weekend, while in the Champions League they face Liverpool in the quarter-finals.

"It is still in our hands to win the double and we have to take these opportunities because we have something special here at Arsenal," Van Persie added before going on to discuss his personal fitness. “Physically I can’t play a full 90 minutes yet but I’m getting there and I just need match fitness now," said the striker, who started his first league game for five months when Arsenal took on Middlesbrough on Saturday.

More Games Needed

"I need three or four games to really get back into my stride but I will give everything I have whenever I’m out on the pitch. It has been a very frustrating season for me. It started really well but now all I ever seem to do is talk about injuries. Yet I don’t feel as though I’m an injury-prone person.

"I suffered a thigh injury in October and then I came back too soon for the Carling Cup semi-final against Spurs and was out for another two months. I take full responsibility for that. It was all my fault. I was too emotionally involved because I was desperate to play.”

Van Persie and Arsenal travel to Chelsea on Sunday.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE : WHICH IS THE BEST LEAGUE IN EUROPE

For the very first time in the history of the champions league,4 teams from the same league (England) made have made it inot the quarter finals.Though this is not surprising since for the last 3 seasons we have always had at least 1 semi-finalist from England,last season witnessed the appearance of 3 semi finalist from England,something that will most likely repeat itself again should all the English Teams measure of to the standard expected of them in the quarter finals in April.

Even Spain and Italy at their best could only produce 3 quarterfinalist in between them,the question that comes to mind then is : WHICH IS THE BEST LEAGUE IN EUROPE? Or is it just a fluke ? Or is that the top four teams in England beginning to wake up ? Or is this the beginning of another dominance of England by English clubs,as was the case when Liverpool,Aston Villa and Nottingham forext won Seven European Cups In just eight seasons.

I just can not wait to see the games and most of the Excitement in the last 8 also involves English teams facing each other.The Gunners' Luck could only place them against veterans-Liverpool

Of the English quartet Chelsea will be the most happy, having drawn Fenerbahce, who on paper perhaps seem the weakest side left. However, Rick Parry of Liverpool revealed his relief at the fact that "at least we don’t have to go to Turkey." Whether this was a reference to the distances to travel or a fear of the Turkish dark horses was unclear.

It was also acknowledged by Parry that drawing an English side was bad luck, with the intriguing situation that the English four are looking some of the most competitive and strongest teams at the moment.

For the ever noisy English media the qualification of 4 Of their teams into the last 8 marks the beginning of an ear. Alex Ferguson, speaking before the draw, proclaimed that ‘the English league is the strongest in Europe’.

Even more telling than a Scot extolling the virtues of the English league was Kaka’s statement: "You can say that the Premier League is not only the best for this season but for what its teams have done over the last few years’." Soon after the draw in Nyon, a visibly relieved Txiki Begiristain, Barcelona's director of sport, also hailed the Premier League as "undoubtedly the strongest league in Europe."

You can blame the Englishmen once in a while for getting carried away, but when praise begins to come from those in the continent - there is most certainly some fire beneath all the smoke.

The fact of the matter is that seven quarter-finalists in two seasons and most possibly six out of eight semi-finalists over the same period is a feat not worth ignoring, even if Serie A and La Liga loyalists may attempt to shoot it down.

Manchester United who has been placed against Roma in a repeat of the quarter finals of last season will sure not be Happy to have Roma again,I am quick to warn the fans of the red devils not to expect a 7-1 win this time around.That said, the feisty reception the Red Devils' fans received in Rome last time round will worry some.

If they are to beat the Italian side they will have to play either Schalke or, more likely, Barcelona, a prospect that will have the mouths of fans the world over watering.

Meanwhile the winners of the all-English tie face either Chelsea or Fenerbahce. Chelsea and Liverpool have a habit of drawing each other in the knock out phases of cups. The Blues have, interestingly enough, often come off worse - unlike in the Premirship - and would be eager to seek revenge.

That said, I honestly think Arsenal has a better chance to progress than Liverpool ( forget the poor performance in the League ) though Liverpool seems to know how to play the ball when it comes to playing it in Europe so also their manager who has not been impressive in the local league but has a big chance in Europe.

This clash promises to be very interesting and full of goal and intrigues ,it is a tripple-header too, : too: the teams also meet in the league in the same week, so the sides will have plenty of opportunities to ‘get to know each other’.

This could be seen as the year the Premier League came of age, announcing itself to the rest of Europe as truly the strongest league on the planet. An all-English final would be the culmination of a true renaissance for the game in its country of origin.

Amid all the criticism directed at this country's football - some justified, some not quite - some of the great positives get forgotten, or deliberately ignored. Surely some credit is due.

I honestly think the dominance of the English League is real,and I look forward to a all English final in Moscow last in the year.I don't want to raise the dust here though but I stronghly believe in a Manchester united - Arsenal final,quote me anywhere

Benitez to go on attack at Inter

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez insists his side cannot afford to sit back and defend a 2-0 lead in their Champions League second leg tie at Inter Milan.

The Reds will be aiming to become the fourth English side in the last eight with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United already through.

"It is impossible for us to defend for a long time against such a great team," said the Spaniard.

"We will be looking to score, to hit on the break."

Benitez goes into the game without midfielder Xabi Alonso, who has been left out to attend the birth of his first child.

The Reds boss is believed to be frustrated at Alonso's decision, but Benitez will be counting on the hot goalscoring form of striker Fernando Torres against the Serie A leaders at the San Siro.

Torres has scored seven goals in his last four games, including two-hat-tricks, as he has taken his tally for the season to 25 goals in 34 games.

"I believe that Fernando Torres is the ideal player for this, if we score one then we will surely be through," added Benitez, whose side have won their last five games.

"We are playing well and we have great confidence.

"When we played Inter in the first game we had just been beaten by Barnsley in the FA Cup. Now we face them after five successive victories."

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who has been deployed behind the attack and in front of the the Reds midfield, has formed a promising partnership with Torres in recent games.

"We will be looking to hit them on the counter-attack, and Torres plays that game better than anyone," said Gerrard.

"But we will have to play as well as we have done anywhere this season."

Inter will be without Marco Materazzi after his sending-off in the first-leg and Gerrard believes his replacement will face a torrid task trying to contain Torres. "The lad who comes into their side for Materazzi will not be looking forward to his 90 minutes against Fernando," he said.

The growing partnership between Gerrard and Torres has seen the Spaniard describe his skipper as "one of the best players in the world".

And Gerrard is sure that Torres will be Liverpool's match-winner in the San Siro.

"He's brilliant, fantastic. I wouldn't swap him for any other striker anywhere," said the England midfielder.

"He has been massive for us and gives us so many different options up front. He's banging them in and always looks a threat every time he plays.

"You can play him on his own or with a partner and he just adapts perfectly.

"When you look at the impact he has made in just seven months here, it means that no-one now can make excuses about needing time to settle.

"He is just a kid really in football terms, and he is going to get better and better.

"That is a frightening thought, but not for us. It's frightening for the defences he is going to be coming up against."

Inter boss Roberto Mancini believes a packed San Siro will boost their chances of overcoming the 2-0 first leg deficit.

He said: "I believe a full stadium can make the difference. If the match is going well, the crowd could be decisive."

Mancini also hinted he may play five across the midfield despite the need for goals.

"With many unavailable, it could be a possibility," he said. "To overhaul a 2-0 scoreline we will have to be perfect from every point of view.

"We must play the perfect match, trying not to give Liverpool space. I am not pessimistic, I believe it is possible to go through."

Who Is Zidane?

Zinedine Zidane was unable to contact hospitalised star Ronaldo as he recovers from his horrific knee injury because the hospital operator didn’t know who the Frenchman was.

Ronaldo is in hospital in Paris having undergone surgery for the career-threatening ruptured tendon in his knee that he suffered in last Wednesday’s match with Livorno.

Messages of support have flooded in for El Fenomeno, who is set to be out of the game for at least nine-to-twelve months.

One of these well-wishers was none other than France legend Zinedine Zidane, who is a former team-mate of Ronaldo from their time together at Real Madrid.

Zidane yesterday rang up the hospital that Ronaldo is staying at in order to speak to his old colleague and friend.

When the hospital telephone operator asked who was calling, incredibly the name Zinedine Zidane was not recognised by the employee, thus the 1998 World Cup winner was not granted permission to speak to Ronaldo.

Zidane only retired from football in 2006, after winning one Champions League, one World Cup and one European Championship.

Cesc: To Beat Kaka Would Be Fab

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas spoke about the Milan game, and what it would mean to him if they were to beat Milan. He also stated that he wants to spend the rest of his career at the North London club.

Very Happy Here

Speaking in an exclusive interview with CNN, the Spanish international revealed that he has not yet entered discussions about extending his contract beyond its current expiry date but will only leave if he is no longer wanted at the club.

"I am very happy, everything is going well, I have got friends in the club," said the 20-year-old .
"I like the life and I am comfortable with the fans. If they don't want me here, then of course I would like to go back to Spain.

"But if the club wants me and the boss thinks I still can give a lot to the club, then I will stay here. I will be here for as long as they want me."

Wenger Ties Me To Arsenal

Fabregas, who was snatched from Barcelona's youth program in 2003, also said that manager Arsene Wenger was one of the main reasons for him wanting to stay.

"He has an eye to catch young players that he wants in the future, and that is something special," said Fabregas. "I have always been grateful for what he has done for me, what he has done for the club and I feel very lucky to be working under him."

Football Faster Than In Spain

In addition to this, he also highlighted the atmospheres of Premier League stadiums and the fast, attacking nature of the football as crucial factors in his love of the English game.

"Whenever you watch a football game here you can see the passion," he said.
"Even if the two lowest teams in the league are playing you can feel the passion. They always try to go forward, even if the game maybe technically is not the best you can feel they go to win.
"In Spain everything is slower and sometimes it takes 20 minutes to see something happen. But of course technically the Spanish league is very, very good."

Title Challenge

As for the Premier League title, Fabregas sounded a note of caution.
"We have to try to play nice football - not beautiful football, but football that really enables us to win. The fans believe in us and we are quite confident we can do it, but there is still a long way to go."

Beating Kaka And Pirlo Would Be Special

Inevitably, also spoke about this week's Champions League clash against holders AC Milan.
"We are all looking forward to it because it will be a very difficult game," he admitted.
"Everybody says they are not doing well in the league, but this kind of team can kill you in one second. They have massive players like Kaka and Andrea Pirlo - we have to be careful, but I still think we have a good chance."

"To beat a team that contains Kaka and Pirlo would be special for me," he continued.
"They are two of the best players in the world. We must pay close attention to them as they can hurt us. It’s important to cancel them out. If we do this, Milan will have problems.”

Kaka Looks Foward To "Beautiful" Game Against Arsenal

The contest pits the Milanese old guard against Arsene Wenger’s young guns. Kaka, whose real name is Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, recognises that Arsenal will offer a stern test of Milan’s credentials. Nevertheless, he backs the Rossoneri to dump the English side out of the competition and add to the club’s seven European triumphs.

"People have called this tie against Arsenal a match between an ageing team and a new young, up-and-coming side,” the reigning Fifa world player of the year said. “It is a fair comparison, because the average age in the first team here in Milan is 32, but that doesn't mean we'll struggle against them. Experience counts for everything at this stage of the Champions League.”

“This is a game we can enjoy. It can be beautiful.”

Despite Milan’s determination to succeed, Kaka does not underestimate the threat posed by Wenger’s team. Arsenal enjoy a five point lead in the Premiership over closest rivals Manchester United. However, the Gunners crashed out of the English FA Cup 4 –0 last Saturday against United. Many observers believe the Gunners boss decision not to play his strongest team showed that he had given priority to the match against the 2007 Champions League winners.

"This tie against Arsenal will be open and more interesting than if Milan had been drawn against Liverpool or Chelsea, teams that play more in the traditional English style," Kaka conceded. “They play football the way we like it to see it in Brazil, with style, changing position all the time, moving the ball among themselves so quickly.

“They have won Premier League titles, they were in the Champions League final a few years ago and they have real quality."

Wednesday’s Champions League match is seen as crucial to the Milan team which has not hit its best form this season and lies 21 points behind city rivals Internazionale in Serie A. Kaka sees the Champions League game as a chance for Milan to ignite their season.

"We were inconsistent in the first half of the season," said Kaka. "But we have recovered since the turn of the year and have lost only once in Italy since then, even if the top is still a long way off.

“That means the Champions League is the most important competition we're in - win that and your names are etched down in history, far more so than if you win the domestic league. We are too far behind in Serie A, so the priority is completely to win the Champions League again."

Champions League: The Spanish Challenge

Three Spanish sides, three group stage winners, three title hopefuls. Their fortunes have varied at home and abroad of late, but this Spanish trio remains serious about lifting the trophy in Moscow. First up, though, comes the knockout stage...

Roma v Real Madrid (Tue 19th Feb, 20:45 CET)

The Champions League may have been on hiatus since December, but hype ahead of this game has kept the tournament alive in spirit for the past two months.

The two sides have shared a CL group three times already this decade, with no love being lost between the two after a series of eventful encounters.

Madrid are ahead on recent head-to-head, but that's merely spurred Roma on further. More than one prominent giallorosso has come out swinging in the media, stating that the Spaniards' poor road form in the CL will be their undoing in the Eternal City.

Still, the blancos are no shrinking violets, either. They've been building up to their game for some time, which has given them an uncommon amount of focus, but it's perhaps also affected their Liga form.

For a Madrid side that looked nigh-invincible earlier in the season has stumbled a bit since New Year, scraping through matches against Zaragoza and Levante, before finally succumbing to defeats at Almeria and Betis.

Roma will be smacking their lips in anticipation of giving the blancos another going-over on the road - knowing full well that they've failed to win away in Europe so far - but they cannot be complacent by any means.

After all, Madrid have rested some of the squad for this one over the past couple of weeks, and have already left the Italian capital with a draw this season.

That 2-2 tie at Lazio may not have been ideal at the time, but a repeat result would put the Bernabeu men firmly in the drivers' seat as they welcome the Romans for a return game at their fortress.

This point is key. Madrid have won all their Liga and Champions League games at home this season, stumbling only in "lesser" cups. If they can leave Rome with a draw, they're in fine stead to advance. Roma will know this, and thus Iker Casillas will be under bombardment from the word go on Tuesday.

Celtic v FC Barcelona (Tue 19th Feb, 20:45)

Barcelona, meanwhile, face a tough test in Glasgow against home specialists Celtic.

The Bhoys are formidable opposition at their Parkhead base, as any European observer will know. Indeed, just like Madrid, Celtic hold an enviable 100% home record in the group stage.

The blaugrana do, too, with Celtic's fellow Glaswegians Rangers being among their scalps at Camp Nou. As such, they'll feel that they can dismiss the Celts in the second leg. However, they will also remember the goalless draw at Ibrox against the Bears, which will hardly be encouraging ahead of this game.

First, then, comes the trip to Celtic Park, a place to which Barcelona are no strangers. As recently as the 2004-05 campaign, the blaugrana left Glasgow with a win, but one need go back only another season to remember the Bhoys defeating Barcelona en route to their historic UEFA Cup final.

Much has changed since then, with Barcelona manging to lift the famous Champions League trophy in the interim. Frank Rijkaard, who is sai to be under pressure at Camp Nou, is eager to do so again, particularly in order to make up for a disappointing Liga campaign last season.

It seemed as if the stage was set for disappointment again this time as the blaugrana fell eight points off the pace in the Liga, but on Saturday evening, Barcelona's close-fought win at Zaragoza cut the deficit to five. Thus, unlike Madrid, Barcelona come into their CL game on the back of a win. Whether this serves to exhaust them, or spur them on to more success, remains to be seen.

Fenerbahçe v Sevilla (Wed, 20:45)

Finally, Sevilla travel to meet Istanbul outfit Fenerbahçe, who are the lowest-ranked side left in the competition.

However, their relatively modest standing in European football, and their associated coefficient, masks what could be a tough game for the Andalucians. The Yellow Canaries, after all, lost just once in the group stage, and that was away to Italian giants Inter.

Indeed, they managed a home victory over the nerazzurri, showing that the Turks' reputation for creating a fearsome atmosphere at the Şükrü Saracoğlu is far from unwarranted.

In just a few short seasons, though, Sevilla have styled themselves no longer as also-rans but as seasoned European campaigners, and with several intmidating arenas already left humbled by the Andalucians, coach Manolo Jimenez knows that his side neednot fear anyone.

Indeed, by topping a group containing Arsenal, Sevilla have already shown that they have what it takes to dine at Europe's top table, and not merely enjoy the fruits of the UEFA Cup.

Their Liga form has been mixed this season, with the tragic death of Antonio Puerta and eventual departure of coach Juande Ramos throwing things off-kilter, but the rojiblancos have recovered of late to claw into the UEFA Cup zone, and within touching distance of the Champions League spots.

Such domestic concerns will distract them a bit ahead of this clash, but it's worth noting that Sevilla fought successfully on three fronts last season. It's a big, tough squad in Andalucia - but one that may be broken up by wealthy suitors come the season's end. Whether this is a last hurrah or a gateway to better things for the club remains to be seen, but Fenerbahce must be overcome before any plans can be made.

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
The two sides known to churn out tactical low-scoring affairs whenever they meet, disappointed yet again, producing a rather uninspired draw at Stamford Bridge.

The result really helps neither side, as Chelsea blow away a chance to close in on second placed Manchester United, while Liverpool now find themselves further adrift of a Champions League place.

Rafa's Reds were the better team, and saw more of the ball than the hosts, but chances were hard to come by for either side - and they hardly flattered themselves by giving the ball away easily in what was largely a midfield scrap.

Peter Crouch had Liverpool's best chance of the game when he was picked out by a cross from the right in the first half, but headed straight at Petr Cech despite being under no pressure.

Michael Ballack almost snatched a 75th minute winner for Chelsea when a smart lob from John Obi Mikel - back from Ghana - found him in the box, but he opened his body a little too much and volleyed inches wide at the far post.

Lucas Leiva had an 81st minute chance, but Juliano Belletti just about did enough to force his header wide from just seven yards out. Dirk Kuyt and Claudio Pizarro also had late attempts, but the game was destined to end goalless.

In the end, both sides were forced to settle for a point, with the scoreline a very fair reflection of a game that failed to live up to its billing.

Chelsea are five adrift of Arsenal, but could be eight off the pace if Arsenal win tomorrow. Meanwhile, Liverpool are fifth, three points off local rivals Everton, but with a game in hand.

Collina: Two Refs On The Pitch A Good Idea

Referee designator Pierluigi Collina has supported UEFA President Michel Platini’s proposal of using more than one referee on the pitch.

Italian football is currently engulfed in a new controversy with officials being found to have made a worrying number of mistakes this season.

Many of the current crop of referees were brought in to replace the old guard who were removed following the Calciopoli crisis in 2006.

With poor refereeing a problem all around Europe, UEFA President Michel Platini has proposed that more than one referee be placed on the pitch to help minimise mistakes.

“I like Platini’s idea of two referees,” Collina stated.

“With two refs we can get a clearer idea of what’s going on, especially with the debatable episodes that happen around the box.”

One person who is certainly not in favour of implementing these changes is Cagliari President Massimo Cellino.

“We can’t put two, three or 10 referees out there – it’s as if we were sending out two goalkeepers,” he blasted.

“But I don’t think that six months is long enough to assess the work of our referee designator.

“Collina inherited a disastrous situation – there are still good refs and lots of new men, but many of the good old officials have quit.

“In my opinion the generation switch hasn’t happened yet and it can’t happen in six months, but it’ll get there.”

Pato Injury “Not Too Serious” Says Maldini

Pato Injury “Not Too Serious” Says Maldini

Milan captain Paolo Maldini believes that the injury that Alexandre Pato picked up against Fiorentina last night is not as serious as was first feared.

Pato Injury

Teenage wonderkid Pato came off the bench at the Stadio Franchi to score the only goal of the game in Milan’s 1-0 victory, however in the closing stages he badly turned his ankle as he challenged for a ball.

The Brazilian was stretchered off the pitch in serious distress, and there were initial fears that he may have sustained a very bad injury.

“At first I became worried about Pato’s condition,” admitted Maldini.

“He suffered a painful knock, perhaps a new feeling for him, but I don't think it's too serious because he hurt his ankle, not his knee. It's not as bad as what it seemed like on the pitch.”

Fourth Place

Maldini was delighted that Milan had picked up a crucial win as they hunt down Fiorentina in the final Champions League position.

"Finally we managed to do what we always need to do,” the legend stated.

“Unfortunately in the standings we are penalised by the fact we didn’t win much at home in the first round of matches, which is absolutely unlike Milan.

“Now we have to keep on going, our objectives must be large. Until twenty days ago the fourth place seemed like a utopia.”

Arsenal

Maldini also looked ahead to the Rossoneri’s mouth-watering Champions League tie with Arsenal in a fortnight’s time.

“Soon the Champions League will return, which will strain us both physically and mentally. Our intention is to be more consistent compared to the first part of the season,” the 39-year-old concluded.

Pato lives up to the hype

Actual football beats transfer speculation by so much it's ridiculous, so the restart of the Serie A season could not come soon enough.

Although Italians fans who subscribe to Sky Sports Italia will have had their festive fill of football with the dozen or so English Premier League matches the broadcaster aired; most of them bearing the distinctive characteristic of actual fans filling the background on all angles of camera shots.


Sadly the same thing can't be said about Italian grounds, where an early-season upward trend in attendance was followed, right after the November 11 riots following the fatal shooting of a Lazio fan by a police patrolman, by yet another decrease, although statistics are still incomplete.

That sound you heard in the background during the prolonged Christmas holidays for Serie A teams was the incessant hype machine touting the division's hottest new arrival, Brazilian budding superstar Alexandre Pato, who signed for Milan last summer but has only been eligible to play for the Rossoneri since the turn of the year.

Having spent the better part of 22 million euros to get him, Milan clung to him, or better yet the idea of him, like ivy.

In fact, it is well known that once Carlo Ancelotti's side started the season so poorly, falling way behind local rivals Inter in the title race while keeping a reasonable form in the Champions League, the official mantra was that Milan's season would not take shape or meaning until the World Championship for Clubs in mid-December.

To their credit the Rossoneri won and then bolstered their apparent resurgence by propogating stories that Pato had reportedly been doing terrific stuff in training.

While it would not be particularly helpful to know Pato's performances in midweek had raised Ancelotti's eyebrows, since the affable coach seems to wear a permanent mask of calm bewilderment, you have to sit up and take notice when some of the veterans in the side, among them Paolo Maldini, praise the newly arrived youngster, predicting a bright future for him.

This near Patolog... er, pathological anticipation of the young Brazilian's arrival on the big scene was finally dissolved on Sunday night when Pato made his debut for Milan in the home clash with Napoli.

The scene had been set: with a typical disdain for rationality and meteorological history, the match had been brought back from 3pm to 8.30pm - just what the doctor ordered for a mid-January match in cold Northern Italy - and with the rest of the Serie A program already completed, all eyes were going to be set upon Milan, Pato's debut and Ronaldo's return.

For once, the result met the anticipation, as Milan won 5-2, breaking their season-long winless streak at the San Siro in the Serie A, and Pato scored his first Italian goal with a coolly-taken strike 16 minutes from the end: running under a long pass/clearance by Massimo Ambrosini, the Brazilian trapped the ball and cut inside defender Maurizio Domizzi in one darting move, then placed the ball under advancing keeper Gennaro Iezzo, who had left the ground in anticipation of Pato lifting the ball over him.

A great piece of skill which left Pato on the brink of tears and sent headline writers, not to mention pun bandits, on a frenzy: many significant Italian words end with the four letters 'pato' and one can only wonder what will be next.

Although an impressive amount of triviality seems already to have been injected by hyperventilating newspapers in Milan's new approach to the season with the inevitable moniker for the Rossoneri's strike force, Ka-Pa-Ro (Kaka-Pato-Ronaldo), a reminiscence of the glorious Gre-No-Li (Gren-Nordahl-Liedholm) of the early Fifties.

Somehow, the new version lacks the aura and pomposity of the older one, and looks downright stupid to me. But then I do not have to influence readers.

What Milan's win means for the future is difficult to fathom, at the moment.

Last year, the Rossoneri's run to the Champions League final and to third place in Serie A was launched during the winter break, when the squad spent a few days training in the warmer surroundings of Malta.

At the time, Milan were already out of the Serie A title race, not least because they had started the season with a eight-point penalty following their involvement in the Calciopoli scandal: their immediate goal was to climb the table upto fourth place and automatic Champions League participation, but a few weeks after the Malta camp Carlo Ancelotti was facing another test of his coaching skills when Milan announced the signing of Ronaldo from Real Madrid.

Having already played in Europe with the Spanish side, Ronaldo was at once Cup-tied but vital to Milan's season, and Ancelotti basically had to draw up two different versions of the same team, one for domestic competition, one for Europe.

Mission accomplished on both fronts, as Ronaldo's goals - seven in 14 matches - lifted the Rossoneri to fourth place, while some great Champions League nights saw Milan advance to the final and eventually beat Liverpool in Athens to lift the European Cup for the seventh time.

Given the long tradition of superstitions that has always resided in footbal, it is not difficult to see why this year's break in the sun, this time in Dubai, was also seen as the panacea for most of the troubles Milan had seen in their path during the first half of the season.

And the grand manner which the Rossoneri dispatched Napoli, overcoming their own shortcomings in midfield and defence with an exciting display of attacking football, may also encourage comparisons with last year.

Ancelotti will have his work cut out again, though. The 4-3-1-2 formation used on Sunday, with Pato partnering Ronaldo up front and Kakà exploiting the space behind them, means Clarence Seedorf has to revert to being a midfielder, alongside Andrea Pirlo and Ambrosini (or Rino Gattuso).

Seedorf, one of the most vocal and influential members of the team, has already, discreetly but gently expressed his displeasure at leaving what he believes - with some evidence - to be his better position, alongside Kakà in a 4-3-2-1, and only a successful run of results will keep others whose place in the side may be under threat, like Alberto Gilardino, happy.

The irony of this all?

While Ronaldo, Kakà and Pato were stretching Napoli's defence, Inter were already on their way home, having overcome the winter-break syndrome which can affect sides returning from the Christmas holidays with a comfortable lead at the top.

Their win in Siena followed a familiar pattern: once ahead, albeit on a questionable penalty, Inter let their guard down for a moment, allowing Massimo Maccarone to equalise, then shifted gears as they've so often done and coasted home, their skill and physical superiority too much for Siena to deal with.

The introduction of Pato along with Ronaldo's surprising recovery from an apparently endless stream of injuries, should result in a better second half of the season for Milan.

But ironically the onus seems to be on Inter, for some time the better side, to prove their real worth in the Serie A, by increasing their already comfortable seven-point lead over Roma, and in Europe, by outlasting their rivals and getting their hands to the trophy after an awesome 43-year hiatus.

Forgive me for the cliché, but one swallow - or duck, the English translation for Pato - does not make a summer, but it could still make a season, and an interesting one, at that.

Spanish Debate: Sevilla's Improving Stars

As recently as this decade, Sevilla were considered the poor relations of Andalucia's biggest city. Until 2003, Real Betis had a larger average attendance than the rojiblancos, and in 2005 the verdiblancos finished two places above their city rivals in fourth.

Since then, though, Sevilla have eclipsed not only the Beticos, but even the likes of Valencia. By finishing above Los Che last season and reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League, they've certainly begun to look the part.

But we've seen short bursts of success before. Deportivo La Coruna, for example, were league champions in 2000, top-three finishers for the next four seasons, and regular knockout stage contenders in the Champions League. Now, they're flirting with relegation.

On the other hand, we've seen relatively unfashionable clubs establish themselves, if not as genuine challengers, then certainly top half fixtures. Villarreal, who are by most estimates a smaller club than Sevilla, have shown what prudent organisation and ambition can create as they rose from obscurity to Europe.

So which of these two paths are Sevilla more likely to take?

There is cause for thinking that it is the former. One glance at the Liga table suggests that all is not well. Eight defeats and 23 goals conceded in 18 games is hardly an enviable total for a side that lost only nine in total last season; at this stage in the 2006-07 campaign, indeed, Sevilla were top with two points to spare.

Now, they're mid-table, 18 points clear of the summit. The tragic death of Antonio Puerta, injury troubles and a managerial change - Manolo Jimenez in for Spurs-bound Juande Ramos - of course contributed to this total, but nonetheless it remains a disappointment.

Indeed, for all Sevilla's fine performances in Europe so far this season, they will do well to reach the Champions League spots, of which they are currently eight points short, before the season's end.

As such, there are worries about Nervion at the moment. However, there are, in my view, more reasons to be optimistic than there are problems.

For starters, things are actually getting better in the Liga. Sevilla have now gone five games unbeaten and have netted seven goals in their last two games, signalling a renaissance of sorts. A return from injury for most of the defensive line has helped in that regard, but so too, surely, did the confidence boost afforded by recent European successes.

The rojiblancos finished top of their Champions League group after defeating Arsenal, and now much be considered as not just UEFA Cup material but worthy guests at Europe's top table. A glance at the squad list would have suggested that anyway, but the proof is in the pudding, and Sevilla's players - after a 3-0 thrashing in their opening game - have shown their worth. Indeed, so much have they impressed that the IFFHS have once again - dubiously, say some - named Sevilla as Club of the Year for 2007.

Taking a longer view of the squad's prospects, it seems as if Sevilla have the kind of youth coming through that will help them adjust not only this season, but in years to come. The likes of Crespo and Fazio are just now breaking through to join the last big hit from the cantera, Jesus Navas, in the first eleven. These youngsters, combined with big-name veterans, are beginning to impress already, and as such there is a modest production line that will keep the side in talented players even if Sevilla can be outmatched in the transfer market by larger clubs.

On the subject of the transfer market, Sevilla actually have it quite good. Not all of the summer signings have worked out - Khalid Boulahrouz has been poor, Arouna Kone isn't quite operating at full potential and Tom De Mul has found little action - but there remain positive aspects to Sevilla's transfer activity.

Strangely, it relates to what they didn't do, rather than what they did. To wit, they refused to capitulate and sell star asset Daniel Alves.



Chelsea wanted Alves, and Alves wanted Chelsea, but despite a big-money bid from the Londoners, Sevilla told the player in no uncertain terms that he was going nowhere. Had a larger offer come in, he would probably have gone, but none was forthcoming, and the rojiblancos held their nerve.

Alves was visibly angry, and this showed in a series of less-than-perfect early season performances - and perhaps even in his deteriorating disciplinary record - but the old professional in him has resurfaced, culminating in a tremendous showing alongside Jesus Navas on the right flank against Betis in the Seville derby. He may have had his problems, but on his day he's one of the top right-sided players in the world, and this was abundantly clear on Sunday night.

Sevilla, for their part, can be proud at having managed to hold onto him. Combine his presence with that of the likes of Kanoute, and it's clear that the nucleus of an excellent side remains at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. They came through the summer relatively unscathed in that regard, with Ivica Dragutinovic turning down a lucrative move to Newcastle - "some things are more important than money" - and for this reason they must be taken seriously as a footballing force, rather than a selling club.

But as the cliche goes - well, almost - spend now, repent at leisure. Assembling such a side cannot have been cheap, and while Sevilla doubtless do not spend as much as Real Madrid, Barcelona, or perhaps even Atletico Madrid, their income is not as high, either. Deportivo are learning to their cost what even a few years of fiscal mismanagement can do to a club - bring it to the brink of relegation and ignominy - and the more pessimistic Sevillista may think that the same could happen to them.

In simple terms of fanbase, too, Sevilla have an advantage. Even during their Segunda seasons, they were frequently drawing 30,000 - more than title-winning Depor, and the likes of Real Zaragoza and Real Sociedad - and now average well over 40,000. Should they keep this level of support going, and work on their worldwide appeal, they can count on some loyal income in coming years.

The omens, then, are mostly good. Are they really the world's best team of 2007? Hardly. But they're certainly one of the better ones, and that doesn't look like changing anytime soon.