Defoe goal sends Spurs through on top
TUESDAY ROUND-UP:
A look at last night’s European action.
Manchester United and Tottenham have both qualified from their respective groups as leaders – theoretically allowing them to avoid more difficult opponents until later rounds.
Current holders, Inter Milan, missed their chance to steal the top spot off Spurs in Group A – Rafa Benitez’s side slumped to a 3-0 defeat to Werder Bremen, while Tottenham gave the Champions League yet more goals and entertainment in their 3-3 draw with FC Twente.
Manchester United had to finally surrender their commendable defensive record in last night’s action at Old Trafford. The United fans were hoping to see their side earn the credit of being the first club to ever go through a Champions League group stage without conceding a single goal – but Pablo Hernandez put pay to that in their final group game, with his opener on the half-hour.
Anderson made up for his earlier misses to volley in United’s equaliser; after Park’s shot was parried out by Vicente Guaita.
Rangers and Buraspor entered their fixture resigned to finishing either 3rd or 4th in their Group C; a 1-1 result ensured it was the Scottish side who ended in 3rd.
Top of Group B was reserved for Schalke, following their victory against Benfica. The Portugese side now slide down to compete in the Europa League – meaning it is Lyon who occupy that second progessive position in Group B, after drawing 2-2 with Hapoel Tel-Aviv.
Barcelona ran out unsurprising victors of Group D, beating Rubin Kazan 2-0 to ensure their place. The remarkable result of Group D came from Danish outfit, FC Copenhagen, whose 3-1 defeat of Panathinaikos awarded them the commendable record of being the first side from Denkark to ever reach the UEFA Champions League knockout stage.
WEDNESDAY’S PREVIEW:
A look ahead to tonight’s European action.
Drogba was adored in his time at L'OM
European nights are often loaded with emotion – and for our English sides, tonight holds no exception. First of all there is Didier Drogba’s much-anticipated return to Olympique de Marseille. In an interview with France Football, he described his return:
“I’m coming home. This is a meeting I’ve been waiting for ever since I left.
“How can I explain this passion which borders on insanity?”
“I felt as if someone had stabbed me in the heart. I didn’t want to leave. Full stop.”
But his success at Chelsea and in England was enough to subside the pain. He will return to the Stade Velodrome tonight with that same love for L’OM still burning in his heart – but not sympathetic; he will be looking to show them the Drogba they are missing. It will not be a performce to mock his ascendency, moreover a performance to display the wonderful striker that Marseille helped to mould.
Although the Ivorian was only at Marseille for one season, in comparison to his six years at the Bridge, it is the contextual rise to success that he gained at L’OM that makes him hold the club so dear. It is the mini-drama surrounding his return that makes most of the talking points for tonight’s match, with the Group F qualification being already decided between these two. (Chelsea winners and Marseille runners-up). One would expect less competetive sides to be fielded either way.
Arsenal need to get back on winning European form
Speaking of games loaded with emotion, Arsenal have found themselves the only English side yet to qualify – even behind their North London rivals, Tottenham. A loss tonight could indeed provoke emotion – albeit loaded with frustration and disappointment.
The Gunners were deemed to have landed themselves in a relatively so-called ‘easy’ group – needing to earn points against Shaktar Donetsk, FC Braga and FK Partizan. Having lost to Braga last week, and Shakhtar in the away fixture before, Arsenal found themselves frustratingly passing up the opportunity to qualify for the final 16 ahead of the final match-day. As well as leaking goals at the back, making matters worse, the Gunners have been firing blanks in front of goal on their travels, having slotted away just one in these last two away fixtures – remarkably mirroring their rampant home form in Europe.
With a trip to Old Trafford around the corner on Monday evening, this pressure is not a welcome addition to Arsenal’s attempted title-chase. While the Londoners are top of the League, United do still have a game in hand. Sir Alex’s side also have the benefit of having missed their game at the weekend, after Blackpool’s pitch was deemed unplayable in the snow.
Arsenal are currently second in the table, even on 9 points with Braga. If they fail to perform against rock-bottom Partizan – who are yet to do anything but lose – well, first of all it will be an unmitigated disaster and embarassment for Arsene Wenger’s side, but it will also leave them in the precarious position of having to rely on Braga to lose this evening too.
The Gunners need to regain their swaggering home Champions League form, for tonight’s fixture and hopefully beyond. Having slotted away six against Braga and reeling away 5-1 victors against Shakhtar – a similar result, if not scoreline, would be the perfect way to buoy Arsenal’s confidence.
They will welcome back Koscielny, having recovered from his concussion courtesy of Squillaci during the Fulham game – and a steadily-improving Robin van Persie may also be a starting figure for tonight. Influential Fabregas and Vermaelen look to be out considerably longer.
Real Madrid have already qualified top; can they stay unbeaten?
Group G is already wrapped-up, with unbeaten Real Madrid comfortably topping the group, and AC Milan following in reserve. Madrid look to be on a strong run of form, securing their top-place progression with a resounding 4-0 victory over Ajax. Plus they have ‘special’ European expert, Jose Mourinho, leading the healm – reducing their odds to win the competition as soon as he was appointed as manager.
Auxerre, however, do have something to play for – they are battling against Ajax to earn themselves a run in the Europa League – so tonight’s game with Madrid is a must-not-lose.
Madrid are of course feeling the self-inflicted repercussions of their sending-off debacle in the last round – as Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso saw red for laughable time-wasting tactics. Mourinho, for his part in this attempted tactical loophole, will also be banished from the sidelines. Adding to these suspentions is the influential injury list, and Casillas being rested – expect Madrid to field some of their younger and subsitute players, giving guys like Pedro Leon a chance to prove themselves as a worthy transfer.
Ajax will be trying to retain their place in European competition – albeit the Europa League – without a manager tonight against AC Milan. With the Italians already qualified, they will be similar to Madrid in their liklihood to select a less recognised team.
Pursuit of Nattiness 