Teen With Powerful Father Enjoys Training With Manchester United
The final CL matchday has only a smattering of intrigue to work through today, as most of the good clubs had the nerve to secure passage to the knockout rounds during Matchday 5. Still, we’re not entirely flying blind; let’s work through some scenarios and fixtures after the jump.
GROUP A
Juventus v. Bayern Munich
Maccabi Haifa v. Bordeaux
Liverpool will finally have some high-profile company in the Europa League, as the loser of that Juve/Bayern tilt faces the walk of shame down to Little Cup. In fact, anything less than a win will doom Louis van Gaal’s side, who shall be struggling tonight without Franck Ribery or Luca Toni in the lineup. Considering Juve’s recent form, including an impressive win over Inter at the weekend, it’s looking certain that ze Germans are primed for humiliation.
GROUP B
Besiktas v. CSKA Moscow
Wolfsburg v. Manchester United
Fergie’s fellows are aiming to lock up 1st place in the group tonight, something they can do with a draw or better away from home. Their task becomes a little more complicate when you consider that they have only one or two healthy defenders in the squad. Thirteen of the first-team squad are suffering with injuries — including Rio Ferdinand (out indefinitely), Wes Brown (will be fit for Saturday), John O’Shea, Jonny Evans (both out until January) — and they’ve even called in 19-year-old Oliver Gill (NEPOTISM ALERT! Son of MUFC Chief Exec David Gill) and a couple of other teens to pad out the bench. Expect a back four involving Evra, Carrick, Park and Fletcher, all of whom are hoping that the Bundesliga side’s potent offense doesn’t catch fire tonight.
Meanwhile, CSKA must win in Turkey and hope that Wolfsburg draw or lose if they’re to sneak into the knockout stages. Definitely doable for the Russians.
UPDATE: Teams are in for the United tilt, and with a ravenous Wolfsburg XI like the one named, why would Fergie bother with that much effort?
Wolfsburg: Benaglio, Schafer, Barzagli, Ricardo Costa, Riether, Josue, Gentner, Hasebe, Misimovic, Dzeko, Grafite. Subs: Lenz, Simunek, Ziani, Johnson, Madlung, Pekarik, Dejagah.
Man Utd: Kuszczak, Park, Fletcher, Carrick, Evra, Gibson, Scholes, Nani, Welbeck, Anderson, Owen. Subs: Foster, Valencia, Obertan, Eikrem, James, Gill, Stewart.
GROUP C
Marseille v. Real Madrid
Zurich v. AC Milan
Group B’s scenarios work here as well; Marseille must win at home to a qualified Real side and hope for a Rossonieri gaffe in Switzerland if they’re to get a spot in the knockout stages. Considering the Italians lost 1-0 at home to Zurich in Matchday 3, anything’s possible.
GROUP D
Atletico Madrid v. FC Porto
Chelsea v. APOEL Nicosia
Chelsea and Porto are already in the next round (the Mourinho Effect, clearly), but still all to play for regarding the Europa League; APOEL could pip La Liga’s most disappointing team for that Europa League spot if they get a point or better at Stamford Bridge and the Spaniards lose.
UPDATE: Chelsea lineup is in… one wonders why Essien and Drogba are partaking in this kick-about. Presumably to tempt the injury gods…?
Chelsea: Turnbull, Belletti, Terry, Carvalho, Zhirkov, Mikel, Essien, Joe Cole, Kakuta, Malouda, Drogba.
Subs: Hilario, Ivanovic, Lampard, Anelka, Bruma, Borini, Philliskirk.
Apoel Nicosia: Chiotis, Poursaitides, Broerse, Paulo Jorge, Haxhi, Morais, Michael, Charalambidis, Pinto, Kosowski, Zewlakow.
Subs: Kissas, Papathanasiou, Satsias, Elia, Jean Paulista, Mirosavljevic, Breska.
Which one is everyone watching in the first time slot? I can’t decide.
Also, disappointed that the Juve-Bayern tie is tape delayed.
I’m on the Marseille v. Real Madrid tilt.
So United have three in the back with Evra, Carrick and Fletcher, and then Park and Nani are wingbacks?
Hi, I’m Bruno!
1-0 already to Porto.
Dear lord! Free-kick goal from Ronaldo. Over the wall and leaving Mandanda flailing
Juve-Bayern. Not sure why. Bayern is painful to watch most of the time.
I have Marseille-Real Madrid as well. 1-0 to Madrid from Cristiano Ronaldo’s free kick.
HAHAHA Suck it, Chelski.
Marseille now need a minimum of 2 goals and a Meelan draw/loss to advance. Or 1 goal and a loss.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL, LUCHO!
L’OM tie it up at 1s.
Bayern actually look interested in scoring in this game. Header off the post by Olic from a deep cross, pouring numbers forward as they can. Juve only with a lackluster counterattack that came to nothing.
There’s one for Marseille.
Gigi Buffoon playing, in spite of the fact that he is scheduled for knee surgery… tomorrow.
late flag on an offside call on the Brandao goal. Good call, though.
Trezeguet gooooooooooooooooooooooool.
also, Johnny Evans is out until January because he’s a rapist
Will he be spending the holidays with Robin Van Persie, NYK?
The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man’s job as BM’s manager is looking less and less secure. BM must win, Juve only needs a draw.
I love me some Trezegol.
@WSR – I knew that would draw you out!
Penalty to Bayern!
wow! Marseille dodge a bullet on a prolonged goalmouth scramble
HOLY SHIT! How did Madrid not put that in? Brave defending from OM throwing themselves in front of those shots.
And Bayern’s GOALKEEPER takes and converts the penalty.
It worked, but I can’t talk long. I’m supposed to getting stretched out for when Park gets hurt. I get to watch Grafite blow past me.
Chelsea go down 1-0, now are 2-1 thanks to lovely goals by Essien and Drogba, and now Essien is badly hurt with a pulled hammy. What an eventful half-hour at the Bridge
Zurich up 1-0 over AC Milan. If these results hold, I think the Rossonieri join LFC in the Europa League
I can’t believe Bayern had their GK take their penalty kick. Props to Butt.
And now Bayern has their 4,212th corner of the game.
nice handball from Xabi Alonso to prevent the break
oh just noticed Van der Vaart is getting a run out. Madrid would like to get his price tag up I suppose.
Michael Owen continues to terrorize Germans.
i would like to take this half-time opportunity to tell you all how very f**king exhausted I am.
That is all.
Bayern takes the lead off an Olic poke-in-rebounder off Buffoon.
Wolfsburg gets the goal they deserve.
Trezeguet sends a sitter over the bar. Trezecrap.
stupid Albiol
2-1 to Madrid after that corner. Things are looking bleak for the French.
PK on Casillas! He comes out to the side and takes out Niang, who goes off injured.
And Lucho Gonzalez hits the bar with the PK. What s**te.
And all me streams ha’ died, and I’m too tired to care.
Mandanda has been terrible today. Comes out of the box to make a tackle on Ronaldo, but The Diving One recovers and settles into the empty net
Ho-lee s**t. CSKA snatches it at the death.
Disappointed about Wolfsburg missing out, although I still have the faint hope that UEFA grows a spine and punishes CSKA for this drug fiasco.
Wow, Wolfsburg and Juve are both out…
F**k United and their leather jacket inside wearing at a bar fans. Owen f**king sucks.
Always dependable for a summation of the day’s events, Georger. Well done.
If you’re looking for something to do instead of work/school yet; Leeds and Kettering are in the 100th minute of their FA Cup replay. Winner gets Man United.
http://atdhe.net/10874/watch-leeds-united-vs-kettering
I look forward to all the retarded “Owen should be in South Africa” articles after this game though.
“If you’re looking for something to do instead of work/school yet; Leeds and Kettering are in the 100th minute of their FA Cup replay. Winner gets Man United.”
Plenty of good seats still available too, wow.
LEEDS!
LEEDS! AGAIN!
Grella scores!
America 2. England 0.
Grella again! 2 goals for the American since coming on in extra time.
Four goals for Leeds in extra time.
Eddie Johnson got the lone goal in Fulham’s 1-0 win over Arsenal in today’s reserve game. Bring him to South Africa!
Good job Eddie, now here’s a nice spot on the transfer list.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2763665/KO-is-end-of-world-for-Eddie.html