Champs League Reaction Match Days 9 & 10

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My predictions took a Zidane headbutt to the chest on match days 9 & 10. I went 7-9 to headbutt my total to 49-31 and my accuracy rating down from 66% to 61%. Still not bad, but these match days were not my best.

Impressive teams: Werder Bremen- I hate to say I told you so but... (see other posts)
Celtic- they wanted it more over Man United
Benfica- can knock United out on the last match day again
Liverpool- Gerrard is on top of his game now... watch out
AEK Athens Pizza Express- I just wanted to show off my nick name for them. Impressive win over Milan. They could win the group over Milan if Milan slip to Lille and AEK beat Anderlecht.
Barca- Did what they had to do. Now they HAVE to beat Bremen

Dissapointments: Hamburg: 0 points from 5 matches... Ouch
Roma- you lost to Shahktar... enough said.
Chelsea- cinderella just put her slipper on at your expense.
MAN UNITED- I've been waiting to vent on this one. You can't lose that game. I know that Nakamura's free kick never should have happened because Jirosik took a dive, but Saha absolutely choked. Not only did he miss the penalty, but he missed a one on one with the keeper because he thought he was offside. Louis, no flag was up. You gotta pay attention to that. Now that Sir Alex has officially appointed C-Ron to take all of the penalties, Saha can now focus on just being the Ruud replacement (or lack thereof).

Stone Cold Lead Pipe Locks for match day 10

I just got back from the Mexican Mecca (El Torero), sorry my picks are late.

Barcelona all over Levski

Bremen and Chelsea draw, which sets up a huge final day showdown between Barca and Bremen

Bayern over spartak

Inter over sporting

Bordeuax and Galatasaray draw

Liverpool and Psv draw

Roma beat Shakhtar

Valencia beat Olympiakos

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SELECTIONS

I overslept so no official selection for the Spartak Moscow hosting Bayern Munchen match, but I will say that it was my 'rubber bullet game of the day', which, as all you longtime readers know, is the one european football match every day that I predict will end up with body armor and mustard gas and, since we're already in Russia, why not a few Molotov Cocktail's for good measure. On with the offical selections:


Chelsea and Werder Bremen play out a nil-nil draw. Chelsea have got their sights set on this Saturday's clash with top-of-the-table ManU and I think could care less about this match having already assured themselves the round of 16.

Barcelona puts on a clinic in an absolute must win at home against Levski Sofia

Inter hosting Sporting is going to be the game of the day. Sporting is a tough tough out, and Inter are going to have their hands full if they want to win this game and have a shot going into the group finale against Bayern. I still like Inter here but I'm starting to lean a lot more towards a draw. I'll make it official with Inter but I'm telling you this is going to be a lot close than the experts predict.

Bordeaux (yawn) gets by Galatasawhogives a shit 1-nil

Liverpool hosting PSV is another one I'm just not real confident about. My official selection will be Liverpool but PSV is playing some top-flight football in the Dutch league, and I know what you're saying: 'great, it's still the Dutch league' and that's a valid point but they're just playing the schedule in front of them and have been dominating teams of late. They beat Ajax in Amsterdam last week to cement their grip as the class of the league, and Liverpool had better bring their a game, and by that I mean Gerrard.

Valencia will sqeeze past Olympiakos, 2-1

Lastly, Roma goes on the road and takes Shakhtar Donetsk out of their misery 1-0. This game is going to be in a tough environment in Ukraine, not too far up the road from Borat, but I think Roma's ULTRAS fans are more than capable of holding their own, judging by the stories I've read about Italy's most notorius football fans.

Which reminds me...over the holiday and you're looking for something good to read? Check out a great book on football and the fascinating culture of hooliganism. Enjoy.

Stone Cold Lead Pipe Locks for Match day 9

Yea Klinnsi, I know. Only 4 more match days left in the group stage of the Champions League. Crunch time is upon us, and here are the predictions of the day. So give me:

Bucuresti over Dynamo in a Ukrainian Darby
Benfica will crush Kopenhagen to try and keep their Champs League hopes alive.
Porto over CSKA
Hamburg and the Arse play a really hard fought game, but Arsenal win at the Emirates.
Lille squeak by Anderlecht
AC Milan over AEK Athens Pizza Express
Lyon and Madrid fight out a draw at the Bernabeu
and finally, Manchester United win a dogfight at Celtic Park.

My record right now is 42-22 or a 66% accuracy rate. Watch it go up after a perfect day today.

18 months from now...

Guys, we have to do everything in our power to land some media credentials for Euro 2008. I know it's next summer, but we have to pool our resources and figure it out. We need to be in Switzerland and Austria for this gig, we just gotta. Think about how sweet that would be, living it up at Europe's biggest football party, having no agenda other than going to games and writing about them...that, my friends, is a dream job.

The day that Man U won the title (NO, NOT THIS WAY)

This little flashback piece is all about the day that Manchester United was handed the title:





The Madejski Stadium was packed to the brim,
Chelsea fans a many, Reading's times ten.
The referee's whistle started the game,
and twenty seconds in, a moment of fame.
With Stephen Hunt bearing down,
Petr Cech went to ground.
And while Hunt got up from that collision,
Cech is suffering double vision.
Was the play dirty, no one knows?
But now the Prem, to Man United it goes.

Now, I am a HUGE Manchester United fan and I HATE Chelski, but I didn't want to see Manchester United win the title in this way. I wanted to see them earn it. The BEST goalkeeper in the world was injured on that day, and without their #1 stopper, there is no way that Chelsea can win the Prem, let alone Europe. As for the game coming up in 9 days time, It is going to be a real barnburner, a real clashing, and a real...THUMPING. Sir Alex Ferguson is going get the team ready for this game like never before. He knows as well as anyone that this is the opportunity to put Chelsea in the rearview mirror. A six point lead over the current Champs would certainly give Sir Alex's boys a major confindence boost for the rest of the season. I like ManYoo to win this game 3-1 with Wayne, Cristiano, Rio, and all the other boys putting up the perfromance of the season, therefore picking up on the biggest drunkfest of the season stemming from Old Trafford all the way to Athens GA... Where the annual "Clean, old fashioned hate" game between UGA and Georgia Tech (American football) will have been decided the day before. (3:30 Eastern U.S. time, 11/25 CBS.) I like the boys in Yellow and Gold to win this game 24-17. And you CAN take both of those lines to Vegas Baby!

International preview

Lots of footy action for a wednesday, as the international friendly's highlight a lineup that also sees a few meaningful EURO Qualifiers as well. The two most meaningful games on the day are Croatia at Israel (EURO Qualifying) and the England at Holland friendly.

In the first match we'll see two of group E's four leaders (England and Macedonia the other two) face off with a lot on the line. Croatia is always a tough out in European play, but Israel is poised to make a run at something they've never done, atleast not in my lifetime, and that's make the finals of a major tournament. I think a draw would suit both clubs just fine, but expect a lot of fallout from this game as the loser would suddenly see themselves go from 1st to 5th place in a tough group E.

In the nightcap, disregard the friendly pretext, cause England are coming out with guns blazing. They feel disespected, and quite frankly, they've earned it. Since McLaren's debut when they hung up 4 on Greece I believe, England have layed eggs. And with qualification for Europe not a given this time around, the Redcoats need to step their game up and net some goals. This will be a road game, England are the underdog according to the bookies, and this game has all the signs of a Holland W or a draw. Are England capable of winning on the road? It should be interesting. All that said, I still like the boys in Orange.

Official picks for tomorrow:
Israel/Croatia draw
Ivory Coast over Sweden
Brazil over Switzerland
Belaris over Estonia
Holland over England
late night:
Chile over Paraguay

stay away from the parlays

MLS cup Review

Okay, I am really drunk right now after going to the Atlanta Hawks game/T.I. concert tonight so you'll have to forgive me if i sound a little crazy tonight.

The MLS cup is tomorrow (I know who cares). But I think we are in for a good game. .Both of these teams (for what little attention I have paid to the MLS this season) have both looked good. The Canadien Dwayne de Rosario for the Dynamo is one of the best players in the MLS, but the New England Revolution are going to win this game. I like my man Clint Dempsey to score and make it known that it should have been him going to Man Utd instead of Freddy Adu. Yes, Clint Dempsey is better than Freddy Adu.

As soon as you meet a guy, you are ready to shine his shoes.

As this has seemed to turn into "Let's team up on Sambo blog", I want to re-iterate some comments.

1. The Freddy Adu thing is complex. I came out and said things against Stephen's post because at the time I said them they were true. The new Sir Alex quotes came out two days after the original story broke. So don't say I wasn't paying attention to what Sir Alex was saying. Because he didn't say anything until two days after the story broke. I was correct two days ago, Stephen is correct now, and that is all we are trying to do here at the blog. And if you think that's drinking haterade, then I will chug it.

2. I have no beef with Freddy Adu. I think Sir Alex is going to be the best thing that has ever happened to him, but he can't try that "beef with the coach" shit he had with Peter Novak or else Fergie will get rid of him faster than a C. Ronaldo run from touchline to touchline.

3. If this seems like a very pro-Freddy blog, it is because Stephen met him. That's why he is defending him so staunchly.

4. How is our domestic league going to get better if all the good players are leaving? I don't agree with keeping them here when there are better leagues overseas, and I have no solution to this problem. Anyone?

5. The whole "brand" thing is overrated. Henry is sponsored by Reebok, and he plays for Arsenal(Nike) and France (adidas).

Now for Liverpool/Arsenal. This is probably going to happen one of two ways. It will either be a nil-nil bore or it will be a blowout. I am going to say that Liverpool is on the better form right now and call it a 3-1 Liverpool thrashing of Arsenal.

You want knowledge? Here it is, eat it.

What? Me Worry? This story is dedicated to our intern, Sambo. Make sure you pay attention to what Sir Alex is quoted as saying. Story courtesy of our boys at Soccernet.com

UNITED WILL SIGN ADU IF TRAINING GOES WELL

Manchester United are keen on signing Freddy Adu if the Ghanaian-born American teenager can prove himself, Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed.

The hotly tipped 17-year-old is due to come to United for a two-week trial and could sign in the January transfer window.

Asked if he was interested in signing the midfielder, Ferguson said: 'I think so, he's only a young lad but we have known of him for a long time.

'We tried to get him here some years ago but he signed for DC United and that stopped the progress of us keeping tabs on him.'

United had previously denied any interest in the American star, who has been a considered a massive prospect ever since Inter Milan offered a six-figures fee for him having watched him in just one junior tournament prior to his 14th birthday.

Chelsea have also been linked with Adu, reportedly turning down a solid offer to sign him on loan in January 2007, with a view to a permanent £5 million transfer deal.

If Adu does enough to persuade Ferguson to offer him a permanent contract, a fee would have to be negotiated with MLS who, as with all US-based players, own Adu's registration.

Adu made his professional debut in Major League Soccer at just 14 years of age, making him the youngest professional athlete in modern US pro sports.

Who ya got?

Liverpool/Arsenal this Sunday--I like the Gunners, but I see this game ending in a draw. Both of these teams need the three points, but who are they kidding. It's early but it ain't that early, the Prem is already a two horse race. Still, this is without a doubt the fixture of the weekend. And Wenger better not try any touchline shoving like last week; Rafa would kick his ass.

STOP THE PRESSES!!!

The dream scenario for Freddy Adu (and, subsequently, the U.S. Soccer Federation) is on the verge of happening. Football media outlets are reporting that Manchester United, at the request of Sir Alex Ferguson, are bringing in the youngster for a two week training period. If all works out, and the Ghanian-born American impresses, then Man U. will negotioate with the MLS to land Freddy during the January transfer window. There are still quite a lot of ifs in this equation, but American saw-ker might finally have just found it's savior. I mean, cmon, Landon Donovan and Taylor Twellman and Brian Ching are all great--in the contexts of the still-diluted talent pool of Major League Soccer. Donovan had a year in Germany and couldnt break through a Bundesliga first team, and while I'm not saying Freddy Adu will be making United's starting 11 anytime soon, it atleast indicates a step up in terms of quality.

Regardless, there's no way Freddy returns to DC United. He and coach Peter Novak outright hate each other, and Freddy has been dreaming of a move to Europe since his days at the IMG academy in Florida. What's really unfortunate about all this is the MLS owns the right for Freddy Adu, just like they do every other MLS player. Therefore they have 100% control over whether or not Freddy hops the pond and plays for Manchester United. Anyone who knows anything about the MLS knows that Freddy is their highest payed player and their biggest cash crop. So what's going to happen when United throw a few million on the table? If the MLS brass know what's good for them, while also considering what's good for the U.S. Soccer Federation, they give Freddy his walking papers and pocket a nice sum of cheese.

For more of this story visit the good lads at soccernet.com

Reaction: Champions League Days 7 and 8

I love football too sweetheart, but that doesn't mean you need to smuggle them under your shirt.

Now to business. Champions League days 7 and 8 were well... pretty crappy. None of the favorites were impressive (except Liverpool and Chelski) Now for my Impressive and Dissapointing teams:

Impressive: Liverpool- Gerrard is finally back on form, so watch out.

PSV Eidenhoven- this team continues to impress and ALWAYS does well in Europe; another dark horse. (speaking of Dark horse, why is James hating? I called Lyon a dark horse after 3 games. A lot can change in 3 games)

Chelsea- I hate to say it, but the EPL Champs are clicking on all cylinders. Drogba is the best striker in the world right now.

Benfica- they got the must have win against Celtic. They are still in with a chance.

Werder Bremen- Easily dispatched Levski. They control their own destiny and if they can somehow beat/draw Chelsea and beat/draw Barca (good luck) they will advance over Barca.

Dissapointments: Manchester United- losing to Kopenhagen... c'mon. And it gets worse because they were just dumped out of the Carling Cup by last place English 2nd division team Southend.

Valencia- I know going to the Ukraine to play is tough, but you are a contender for La Liga, you gotta win that game.

Barcelona- This team is severely weakened without Eto'o. They do not control their own destiny in Europe. Luckily for them, they get Levski next. But if Werder tie Chelsea, then the Barca/Werder clash becomes the most important match in Barca history. If you look back to my first ever post on this blog ["Meet Sambo" post] I said "Werder Bremen are no pushovers." I'm not going to say I told you so, but...

I took a beating on Matchday 7 with a 4 and 4 record, but slightly improved on matchday 8 with a 5 and 3 record. This brings my overall record to 42-22. My accuracy rate fell from 69% to 66%, but I promise it will go up.

Lennon's Prodigious Talent Official

36, 070 attended Sunday's Premiership match betwixt Tottenham and Chelsea. 16 years have the Hotspur faithful waited to beat the Blues at White Hart Lane. M. Dawson received the first booking of the match. He also scored his first goal of the season ten minutes after Claude Makelele netted a spectacle half-volley: steak-dinner. Both of the Prem. clashes watched today were voraciously paced. But the London Darby is later...

Robbie Keane spurred the winner to Aaron Lennon, whispered Chelsea target. The Irishman streaked down the left flank, left Khalid Boulahrouz seated with a marvelous bit of skill, crossing at the touchline. A driven ball taking a fortuitous bounce was collected and finished with composure by Lennon's yellow boots, past Hilario dressed as a crow. "The boy had one chance in the game and finished it perfectly. He missed so many openings last week at Watford, but this time he finishes so well on his left foot and you can't explain how he was so clinical this time. It was a special moment for Aaron," Martin Jol. That was the 52nd. Come the 71st, Steve McClaren among others saw skipper John Terry red carded. Martin Jøl's side claws three points as referee Graham Poll blows. Ironically, Mourinho was seen smiling at this game. He now may face FA hot water claims a Setanta article with an erroneous headline. Tottenham pencil in at 10th.

The spectacle of the day was not Marlon Harewood's yellow carded celebration, however. But the shoving match between Arsene Wenger and Alan Padrew. West Ham manager, Padrew, wears his emotions on his sleeve; chewing a bottom lip in anticipation or tapping his outstretched wristwatch. Apparently the Arsenal boss was upset by Padrew who later said, "It was shame because it was a tense game and we were under lot of pressure. I was celebrating the goal, that was all basically." The Hammers move up to 15th, below Man. City.

Meet Nacho Novo

I introduced the coolest name in the Premiership early in this blog (see: Danny Shittu), but alas, the UEFA Cup has brought a new celebrity into the mix. Allow me to introduce you to the coolest name in the Scottish Prem...Glasgow Rangers' favorite son: Nacho Novo. Don't let the name fool you, either, dude put up a goal today on my boys Maccabi Haifa.

Stone Cold Lead Pipe Locks for Match day 8

I know it seems late, but my car had some trouble. I swear on my Journalistic career that I haven't seen any of the scores to any of the games when I am making these predictions.

Porto over Hamburg
Arsenal takes care of Moscow
Madrid takes out Steaua
Lille and Athens draw
Benfica, at home and fighting for their Champions League lives, beat Celtic
Lyon beat Dynamo
AC Milan beats Champions League punching bag Anderlecht
and Manchester United, with a severely weakened squad, pull it out against Kopenhagen.