Friday, February 27, 2009

Carling Cup Final preview: Manchester United – Tottenham Hotspur

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur both play in their seventh League Cup final when they meet in the 2009 Carling Cup Final on Sunday, 1 March. Tottenham Hotspur are going for their fifth League Cup win in seven final appearances and Manchester United for their third.

After their win in 2008, Spurs could become the third team to win the League Cup in back-to-back years.

According to Infostrada Sports, Nottingham Forest and Liverpool are the only teams to have previously won two League Cup finals in a row.

Most Carling Cup Final appearances
# Club Years

10 Liverpool 1978, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1995, 2001, 2003, 2005
7 Aston Villa 1961, 1963, 1971, 1975, 1977, 1994, 1996
7 Manchester United 1983, 1991, 1992, 1994, 2003, 2006, 2009
7 Tottenham Hotspur 1971, 1973, 1982, 1999, 2002, 2008, 2009
6 Nottingham Forest 1978, 1979, 1980, 1989, 1990, 1992
6 Arsenal 1968, 1969, 1987, 1988, 1993, 2007
5 Leicester City 1964, 1965, 1997, 1999, 2000
5 Chelsea 1965, 1972, 1998, 2005, 2007
4 Norwich City 1962, 1973, 1975, 1985
3 West Bromwich Albion 1966, 1967, 1970
3 Manchester City 1970, 1974, 1976
3 Middlesbrough 1997, 1998, 2004

Most Carling Cup Final wins # Club Years

7 Liverpool 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1995, 2001, 2003
5 Aston Villa 1961, 1975, 1977, 1994, 1996
4 Nottingham Forest 1978, 1979, 1989, 1990
4 Chelsea 1965, 1998, 2005, 2007
4 Tottenham Hotspur 1971, 1973, 1999, 2008
3 Leicester City 1964, 1997, 2000
2 Manchester City 1970, 1976
2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1974, 1980
2 Norwich City 1962, 1985
2 Arsenal 1987, 1993
2 Manchester United 1992, 2006

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Thursday, February 26, 2009

Is any team able to defeat Manchester United?

Manchester United drew 0-0 at Internazionale on Tuesday, to increase their unbeaten Champions League run to 20 matches and break the record they shared with Ajax and Bayern München.

The last team to beat Manchester United in the Champions League was AC Milan in the 2006/2007 semifinal second leg.





Longest undefeated streaks in Champions League
# Club Start date Won Drawn Match that ended streak


20 Manchester United 19 Sep 2007 11 9 Still running
19 Ajax 14 Sep 1994 14 5 Ajax – Panathinaikos (03 Apr 1996) 0-1
19 Bayern München 14 Mar 2001 13 6 Real Madrid - Bayern München (10 Apr 2002) 2-0
16 Manchester United 23 Oct 2001 10 6 Maccabi Haifa - Manchester United (29 Oct 2002) 3-0
16 Manchester United 04 Mar 1998 7 9 Olympique Marseille - Manchester United (19 Oct 1999) 1-0
15 FC Barcelona 14 Sep 2005 10 5 Chelsea - FC Barcelona (18 Oct 2006) 1-0
14 FC Barcelona 01 May 2002 11 3 FC Barcelona - Juventus (22 Apr 2003) 1-2
14 FC Barcelona 25 Nov 1998 10 4 Chelsea - FC Barcelona (05 Apr 2000) 3-1
14 Olympique Lyon 08 Dec 2004 10 4 AC Milan - Olympique Lyon (04 Apr 2006) 3-1
14 Liverpool 08 Dec 2004 8 6 Benfica - Liverpool (21 Feb 2006) 1-0

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Lyon – Barcelona: “It’s an even tie”

Far from agreeing with those who say Barça are favourites in the last 16 of the Champions League, Leo Messi believes that at this stage of the competition “anyone can beat anyone else” and so “it’s going to be a tough game”.

Just a fortnight ago Leo Messi was in France playing for Argentina in a friendly against France at Marseille. But this Tuesday the game at Stade de Gerlande will be competitive as Barça are back in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Leo Messi knows that Lyon think Barça are favourites but he doesn’t agree. “It’s an even tie,” he said. “At this stage of the competition anyone can beat anyone else and it’ll be a tough game.” The only advantage he sees is having the second leg at home.
After the weekend’s defeat to Espanyol, Leo Messi sees the Lyon match as a chance for the team to get back on a winning track. “It’s a great opportunity,” he noted.

Even though he was there when Barça won the Champions League in Paris, the Argentine didn’t play in the game as he’d only just come back from serious injury. So he’s particularly anxious to win the competition again. “I felt part of that win but not much,” he said. “That’s why I’d like to win it again and play in all the games.”

Messi is key in Josep Guardiola’s side while Lyon have Benzema. “He’s a great player and really important for them,” said the Argentine. “He really makes a difference.”

He also spoke about the threat posed by Juninho from free-kicks. “He’s one of the best free-kick takers around,” he said, “so we have to be careful not to give them away around the box.”

Source: FC Barcelona Press

Inter Milan - Manchester United: Berbatov´s Euro Dream

Dimitar Berbatov is confident of fulfilling his dream of winning the Champions League, despite United being up against one of the best teams in the competition.

The Reds face Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan in their last 16 tie, the first leg of which takes place at the San Siro on Tuesday night.

Like United, Inter are currently riding high in their domestic league and remain on course for a fourth successive Serie A title.

Berbatov is relishing the chance to pit his wits against the Italian champions as he aims to move a step closer to realising his European dream.

"I came here to win the Champions League," he told reporters at the pre-match press conference.

"Manchester United are capable of doing that again. We have the team and the players.

"We are facing a very good team on Tuesday. But we have good players as well. It will be a great game to watch and hopefully we can take a good result back to Old Trafford for the second leg."

Source: Man Utd Press

Arsenal - AS Roma: “I must improve on my solid start”

Samir Nasri is determined to improve on the impressive start he has made to his Arsenal career.

The Frenchman announced his Emirates Stadium arrival in perfect fashion, scoring the only goal on his debut against West Brom on the opening day of the season.

Nasri has since added Premier League goals against Everton and Hull either side of a superb match-winning brace against Manchester United in November.

Despite his solid start, the 21-year-old is not “completely happy” just yet.

“I’m content with my form,” Nasri told the Official Matchday Programme. “But I know I can do better as well. Of course I am never completely happy - you have to keep working, progressing, continuing to make improvements.

“For a professional that is very important.”

“I had to get into the rhythm of the Premier League but I think I have managed to acclimatise having strived to do so. I feel fine now and I’ve played in all the games recently.”


Source: Arsenal Press

Atletico Madrid - FC Porto: “It is going to be a tough match, but even”


One of the Portuguese players on Atlético de Madrid, Nuno Maniche, attended to the Spanish and Portuguese press alongside his manager, Abel Resino. The midfielder will experience a special encounter, as he played at Porto for three seasons.

“It’s going to be a special match because I spent three very nice years there in which I won everything that a football player can win. It’s a stage of my life that I’m never going to forget. Now I’m at Atlético de Madrid and I’m professional, so I belong to these colours. Obviously I’m going to do everything I can to beat Porto,” said the international footballer.

Maniche revealed some of the secrets of the Portuguese team. “They’re a great team and have very good individuals. I’m sure that it’s going to be a tough match, but even,” he argued.

“Porto is a side that is used to a competition such as Champions League. The game on Tuesday is going to be very important for both teams. We both have chances of winning and we’re going to use our weapons,” he emphasized.

When asked whether there have been many changes at Porto since he left the Portuguese squad, Maniche assured that “there are still three or four players from the time I was there, but the foundation of the team is still the same. If I score, I won’t celebrate it. We’re two teams with lots of desire in this competition and with lots of motivation."

Nuno Maniche didn’t want to miss out on the chance to send a message of support to the family of the young ‘Alevín’ (one of the youth system teams) players who had an accident on 21 February in Las Rozas and said that “we’re very sad about that piece of news. I want to send the family a hug and we’re hoping for a miracle. We want to beat Oporto to dedicate a victory to him.”

Source: Atlético Madrid Press

Friday, February 20, 2009

Schalke 04 and Borussia Dortmund go for Manchester United

Today, Schalke 04 host Borussia Dortmund in the 74th league edition of the highly anticipated Revierderby. This marks the showcase of arguably the most football crazy region in all of Europe, since both clubs rank among the top six in Europe when it comes to average attendance per league home match.

Borussia Dortmund draw 72,400 spectators to each home match and on a European level rank second only to England’s Manchester United, according to Infostrada Sports.

Schalke 04, averaging well over 61,000 spectators each home match, are ranked sixth in Europe.

Highest average attendance per 2008/2009 domestic league home match – European clubs
Avg Team Stadium Competition Spectators Matches

75,280 Manchester United Old Trafford Premier League (ENG) 828,076 11
72,400 Borussia Dortmund Signal Iduna Park Bundesliga (GER) 796,404 11
71,958 Real Madrid Bernabéu Liga BBVA (ESP) 863,500 12
69,000 Bayern München Allianz-Arena Bundesliga (GER) 621,000 9
66,384 FC Barcelona Camp Nou Liga BBVA (ESP) 796,604 12
61,496 Schalke 04 Veltins-Arena Bundesliga (GER) 553,465 9
60,010 Arsenal Emirates Stadium Premier League (ENG) 720,115 12
58,150 AC Milan San Siro Serie A TIM (ITA) 697,794 12
57,319 Celtic Celtic Park Premier League (SCO) 745,151 13
54,858 Hamburger SV HSH Nordbank Arena Bundesliga (GER) 548,584 10

Raúl, the recordman

Raúl scored his 308th and 309th Real Madrid goal in all competitions on Sunday, 15 February, opening the scoring and netting the fourth goal in Real’s 4-0 win at Sporting Gijón. He therefore overtakes Alfredo di Stéfano to become Real Madrid’s all-time top scorer in all competitions.

Raúl’s second goal equalled Alfredo di Stéfano’s Real Madrid goalscoring record in La Liga.

All-time top scorer Real Madrid – all competitions
# Name Nation Era

309 Raúl ESP 1994 – …
307 Alfredo di Stéfano ARG/ESP 1953 – 1964
290 Carlos Santillana ESP 1971 – 1988
243 Ferenc Puskás HUN/ESP 1958 – 1966
208 Hugo Sánchez MEX 1985 – 1992
181 Francisco Gento ESP 1953 – 1971
172 Pirri ESP 1964 – 1980
171 Emilio Butragueño ESP 1984 – 1995
155 Amancio ESP 1963 – 1976
130 Míchel ESP 1984 – 1996
127 Fernando Hierro ESP 1989 – 2003
124 Pahiño ESP 1948 – 1953
121 Juanito ESP 1978 – 1987
104 Luis Molowny ESP 1946 – 1957
103 Ronaldo BRA 2002 – 2007
101 Iván Zamorano CHI 1992 – 1996
100 Fernando Morientes ESP 1997 – 2003 , 2004 – 2005

All-time top scorer Real Madrid – La Liga
# Name Nation Era

216 Raúl ESP 1994 – …
216 Alfredo di Stéfano ARG/ESP 1953 – 1964
186 Carlos Santillana ESP 1971 – 1988
164 Hugo Sánchez MEX 1985 – 1992
156 Ferenc Puskás HUN/ESP 1958 – 1966
126 Francisco Gento ESP 1953 – 1971
123 Pirri ESP 1964 – 1980
123 Emilio Butragueño ESP 1984 – 1995
119 Amancio ESP 1963 – 1976
108 Pahiño ESP 1948 – 1953
102 Fernando Hierro ESP 1989 – 2003

Raúl’s goals for Real Madrid per competition
# Competition

216 La Liga
64 Champions Cup/Champions League
18 Copa del Rey
7 Spanish Super Cup
3 Intercontinental Cup/Club World Cup
1 European Super Cup
309 Total

Friday, February 13, 2009

Internazionale – AC Milan preview: the match of the week

On Sunday, 15 February, league leaders Internazionale host AC Milan in the Serie A. Since 1983/1984, when AC Milan most recently re-entered the Serie A, 15 players have played for both AC Milan and Internazionale in the Milanese city derby.

According to Infostrada, Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf can make his 18th appearance in the city derby having played 5 for Internazionale and 12 for AC Milan.
Hernán Crespo (Inter) and Giuseppe Favalli (AC Milan) are the only other current squad members to have represented both clubs in the city derby.
Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan) and Francesco Toldo and Patrick Vieira (Inter) have represented both Milanese clubs but have not played for both sides in the city derby.

Players that have played for AC Milan and Internazionale in the Milanese city derby - Serie A last 25 years

Apps Player Nation Last club AC Inter Goals Last derby Home team

17 Clarence Seedorf NED AC Milan 12 5 2 28 Sep 2008 AC Milan (1-0)
11 Christian Vieri ITA AC Milan 1 10 1 11 Dec 2005 Inter (3-2)
10 Sergio Battistini ITA Internazionale 4 6 0 20 Mar 1994 AC Milan (2-1)
9 Christian Panucci ITA Internazionale 7 2 1 05 Mar 2000 AC Milan (1-2)
7 Dario Šimic CRO AC Milan 3 4 0 11 Dec 2005 Inter (3-2)
6 Roberto Baggio ITA Internazionale 4 2 2 05 Mar 2000 AC Milan (1-2)
6 Thomas Helveg DEN Internazionale 4 2 0 21 Feb 2004 AC Milan (3-2)
6 Ronaldo BRA AC Milan 1 5 5 11 Mar 2007 Inter (2-1)
5 Maurizio Ganz ITA AC Milan 2 3 1 08 Nov 1998 AC Milan (2-2)
5 Hernán Crespo ARG Internazionale 2 3 1 04 May 2008 AC Milan (2-1)
4 Andrés Guglielminpietro ARG Internazionale 3 1 0 21 Oct 2001 Inter (2-4)
4 Cristian Brocchi ITA AC Milan 3 1 0 04 May 2008 AC Milan (2-1)
4 Giuseppe Favalli ITA AC Milan 1 3 0 04 May 2008 AC Milan (2-1)
3 Francesco Coco ITA Internazionale 2 1 0 23 Nov 2002 AC Milan (1-0)
2 Domenico Morfeo ITA Internazionale 1 1 0 23 Nov 2002 AC Milan (1-0)

Ryan Giggs: The Immortal


On Sunday, 8 February, Ryan Giggs scored the winning goal in Manchester United’s 1-0 win at West Ham United. It was Giggs’ first goal in the 2008/2009 Premier League season.

Giggs has now scored at least one goal in 17 different Premier League seasons.
This makes Giggs the only player to have scored in every Premier League season since its inception in the 1992/1993 season, according to Infostrada.

The only player who comes close to Giggs is Gary Speed, who scored in 16 Premier League seasons. However, he currently plays for First Division side Sheffield United and will not add to his total this season.

Paul Scholes (Manchester United) and Nicky Butt (Newcastle United) are still to score in this Premier League season.

Most Premier League seasons with at least one goal scored - Players
# Name Nation Club (# PL seasons for club while scoring)

17 Ryan Giggs WAL Manchester United (17)
16 Gary Speed WAL Leeds United (4), Everton (2), Newcastle United (7), Bolton Wanderers (4)
14 Dwight Yorke TRI Aston Villa (6), Manchester United (4), Blackburn Rovers (2), Birmingham City (1), Sunderland (1)
14 Alan Shearer ENG Blackburn Rovers (4), Newcastle United (10)
14 Andy Cole ENG Newcastle United (2), Manchester United (8), Blackburn Rovers (3), Fulham (1), Manchester City (1), Portsmouth (1)
14 Paul Scholes ENG Manchester United (14)
14 Robbie Fowler ENG Liverpool (11), Leeds United (2), Manchester City (4)
14 Teddy Sheringham ENG Nottingham Forest (1), Tottenham Hotspur (7), Manchester United (4), Portsmouth (1), West Ham United (2)
13 Nicky Butt ENG Manchester United (9), Newcastle United (3), Birmingham City (1)
13 Kevin Campbell ENG Arsenal (3), Nottingham Forest (2), Everton (6), West Bromwich Albion (2)
13 Les Ferdinand ENG QPR (3), Newcastle United (2), Tottenham Hotspur (6), West Ham United (1), Leicester City (1), Bolton Wanderers (1)
13 Emile Heskey ENG Leicester City (4), Liverpool (5), Birmingham City (2), Wigan Athletic (3), Aston Villa (1)


Note: The total number of Premier League seasons with at least one goal scored can differ when divided among the separate clubs as a player can score for more than one club in each PL season due to in-season transfers.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Tottenham Hotspur – Arsenal: the match of the week

On Sunday, Arsenal travel to their North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. The Gunners have an excellent record against Spurs in recent years.

Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 18 Premier League matches against Tottenham, since losing 2-1 at White Hart Lane on November 7, 1999. This is Arsenal’s longest ever unbeaten run against their rivals according to Infostrada.

If Arsenal avoid defeat on Sunday, it will equal their longest ever run without a defeat against another Premier League side – level with their 19-matches unbeaten against Chelsea (1995-2005) and Aston Villa (1999-2008).

Arsenal’s longest unbeaten streaks against a specific club – Premier League
Matches Opponent From Until

19 Aston Villa 16 May 1999 01 Mar 2008
19 Chelsea 16 Dec 1995 20 Apr 2005
18 Tottenham Hotspur 19 Mar 2000 Still running
18 Manchester City 28 Sep 1992 04 May 2006
15 Leicester City 11 Feb 1995 Still running