Matchday five of the Europa League kicks off on Thursday with a generous helping of 24 games on the schedule, giving even the average soccer fan plenty of options to decide which is worthy of their undivided attention.
About half the groups are pretty much decided, though this competition has a history of providing some shocking results in years past.
There is however some very tight races going on that might go down to the wire, with Thursday's matches being highly significant as the final leg of the group phase approaches in two weeks time.
Specifically, Group A and D are wide open, both involving Premier League sides that would be hard done not to make it into the Round of 32 in the new year. Here are five matches to keep a close eye on.
To read the rest of my article on the Top 5 Europa League matches to watch on Thursday, click on the link below....
http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2012/11/22/uefa_europa_league_lazio_tottenham/
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Mancini Mistakes Costly
If you ask Jose Mourinho, Manchester City had virtually zero chance of getting past the group stage of the Champions League with two matches to play.
The "Special One" made it clear at the pre-match press conference that even a loss at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday would just delay the inevitable for his counterpart Roberto Mancini. A maximum of six points was left to be won for City, and it's hard to argue with Mourinho's logic. Even if City managed a clean sweep and finished off with eight points, the prospect of Dortmund and Madrid failing to earn one and two points respectively were a long shot at best.
And so it came to pass.
Wednesday's match marked Mourinho's 100th in the Champions League, a tremendous achievement by the 49-year-old manager. The special occasion ended on a positive note, with Madrid clinching a spot in the next round after playing out a 1-1 draw that also eliminated City.
To read the rest of my analysis on Manchester City v Real Madrid, click on the link below....
http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/champions_league/2012/11/21/uefa_champions_league_michalakos/
The "Special One" made it clear at the pre-match press conference that even a loss at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday would just delay the inevitable for his counterpart Roberto Mancini. A maximum of six points was left to be won for City, and it's hard to argue with Mourinho's logic. Even if City managed a clean sweep and finished off with eight points, the prospect of Dortmund and Madrid failing to earn one and two points respectively were a long shot at best.
And so it came to pass.
Wednesday's match marked Mourinho's 100th in the Champions League, a tremendous achievement by the 49-year-old manager. The special occasion ended on a positive note, with Madrid clinching a spot in the next round after playing out a 1-1 draw that also eliminated City.
To read the rest of my analysis on Manchester City v Real Madrid, click on the link below....
http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/champions_league/2012/11/21/uefa_champions_league_michalakos/
Thursday, November 15, 2012
A Not-So-Classic Rivalry
Arriving at their swanky plush Amsterdam hotel in the buildup, Germany’s attitude remained positive before its friendly encounter Wednesday night with eternal football rivals the Netherlands.
Confidence was high despite the absence of six key first-team regulars and the added negative of a previous poor result against Sweden last month.
The 4-4 draw against the Swedes in Berlin was a humbling experience, as the Germans surrendered four unanswered goals in the last half hour at the Olympic Stadium. It was an unimaginable end to a 100 per cent qualifying record that stretched back to the Euro 2012 qualifiers.
The Dutch came into Wednesday’s match having won all four of their World Cup qualifying matches thus far under new manager Louis van Gaal, who took over the job after Bert van Marwijk’s resignation following an embarrassing Euro 2012 campaign.
To read the rest of my anaysis on Netherlands v Germany, click on the link below....
http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2014-world-cup/2012/11/14/netherlands_germany_fifa_friendly/
Confidence was high despite the absence of six key first-team regulars and the added negative of a previous poor result against Sweden last month.
The 4-4 draw against the Swedes in Berlin was a humbling experience, as the Germans surrendered four unanswered goals in the last half hour at the Olympic Stadium. It was an unimaginable end to a 100 per cent qualifying record that stretched back to the Euro 2012 qualifiers.
The Dutch came into Wednesday’s match having won all four of their World Cup qualifying matches thus far under new manager Louis van Gaal, who took over the job after Bert van Marwijk’s resignation following an embarrassing Euro 2012 campaign.
To read the rest of my anaysis on Netherlands v Germany, click on the link below....
http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2014-world-cup/2012/11/14/netherlands_germany_fifa_friendly/
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Liverpool Lifeless In Europe
Unfurled in a populated section of seats inside Lokomotiv Stadium was an interesting banner by Anzhi supporters, depicting Guus Hiddink on horseback leading the cavalry, cloaked in armour and charging into battle with Samuel Eto'o and Yuri Zhirkov on his flanks, and the rest of the squad closely following.
It was an elaborate piece of artistry by the adopted home side for Thursday's Europa League affair against Liverpool.
The atmosphere was rather boisterous from a good number of travelling Anzhi supporters, doing their best to give off the feeling of a home match for the team in yellow, chanting and banging drums for 90 minutes, while jeering the visitors whenever they had possession. The electronic advertising boards helped promote the message, displaying the slogan "Anzhi is a place of peace". That notion is a bit premature considering UEFA deemed Makhachkala unsafe for European competition.
Surprisingly, a small contingent of Reds supporters were seated relatively close to opposing fans. The arrival of Liverpool to the area made this a big ticket match for locals, though large sections of the stadium bizarrely were left unoccupied
To read the rest of the match analysis of Anji Makhachkala v Liverpool, click on the link below....
http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2012/11/08/uefa_europa_league_liverpool/
It was an elaborate piece of artistry by the adopted home side for Thursday's Europa League affair against Liverpool.
The atmosphere was rather boisterous from a good number of travelling Anzhi supporters, doing their best to give off the feeling of a home match for the team in yellow, chanting and banging drums for 90 minutes, while jeering the visitors whenever they had possession. The electronic advertising boards helped promote the message, displaying the slogan "Anzhi is a place of peace". That notion is a bit premature considering UEFA deemed Makhachkala unsafe for European competition.
Surprisingly, a small contingent of Reds supporters were seated relatively close to opposing fans. The arrival of Liverpool to the area made this a big ticket match for locals, though large sections of the stadium bizarrely were left unoccupied
To read the rest of the match analysis of Anji Makhachkala v Liverpool, click on the link below....
http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2012/11/08/uefa_europa_league_liverpool/
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Liverpool Ready For Anji In Europa League
Match-day four of the Europa League kicks off on Thursday, with 24 matches on the schedule.
European football's second-tier competition might not have the flash and glamour of the Champions League. But this year’s edition has seen the bar raised significantly, with plenty of quality match-ups between some of the continent’s most popular clubs.
Here are five to watch on Thursday.
To read the rest of my article, click on the link below....
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Buttner The Heir To Evra
When a teammate scores a goal, the reaction on the bench is joyous and celebratory, full of fist pumps and high-fives.
The Manchester United dugout followed this trend following Alexander Buttner’s debut goal, the third of four conceded by opponents Wigan Athletic recently at Old Trafford.
Up in the stands, Patrice Evra was caught wide-eyed by the television cameras, glaring off into the distance. His expression was priceless, and for good reason. The newcomer’s highlight-reel goal was pure class, adding weight to the argument that his position at left-back was immediately under threat.
To read the rest of my article on Alexander Buttner, click on the link below....
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