Champions League 2010/2011 - The Story So Far...

The Championsssssssssssssssssss

Well it Started on the 29th of June

76 Teams from 52 Associations

Some of the teams had taken their league's by storm in the previous season while others sneaked in the back door & many teams were great in their leagues to finsh in the champions league places the previous season, Lets forget about the Qualification rounds and head straight to the group stages !

 

32 Teams 8 groups, battle for places in the knockout stages !

A brief overview of the how some of the teams did in their groups

Group A:

Tottenham Hotspur

Inter Milan

FC Twente

Werder Bremen

Tottenham joined the "big boys" league when they successfuly piped Manchester City to fourth place the previous season, Harry Redknapp & his Spurs team must of been "glad" with the teams drawn in thier group, With Spurs cruising 2-0 Werder hit back as the game ended 2-2 & Spurs must of been finking what could be on the horizon in their Champions League campaign, But it didnt seem that way as Spurs thrashed FC Twente formally managed by ex England boss Steve Mclaren 4-1, Spurs were feeling confident of progressing their tails were up as they headed to the San Siro to play Inter Milan in what turned out to be an extraordinary game, at Half time spurs looked down and out! commeth the hour comeeth the boy! Gareth Bale, A Gareth Bale hattrck in the 2nd half ensured Spurs were still no pushover in the Champions league as they lost 4-3, giving Maicon nightmares! 

In the second round of group matches Gareth Bale & Co were on fire and were destined to qualify for the knockout stages, The Return of Inter Milan at White Hart Lane, No one expected it but thats football Spurs were flying as Inter were well and truly beaten 3-1 and this would be an earmark of an exciting campaign for Spurs in their Champions League debut. So it proved to be as Bremen were brushed aside 3-0 more excitment was to come in their final group game against FC Twente, In an exciting entertaining game Spurs drew 3-3 despite taking the lead 3 times! the draw ensured Spurs a point and top of thier group in their debut season as they qualifed for the knockout stages alongside Inter Milan, Spurs officaly became the "Entertainers" of European football...welcome to the "big boys" league arry!

Group B:

FC Schalke

Lyon

Benfica

Hapoel Tel Aviv

In this group Lyon were favorites to progress along side Benfica, but Schalke with their new formed strike partnership in Real Madrid legend Raul  & dutch hit man Klass Jan Huntelaar had something to say about that! Hapoel Tel Aviv came and went in the group. FC Schalke topped the group with Lyon in 2nd place while Benfica were sent to the Europa League after finishing 3rd

Group C:

Manchester United

Valencia
Rangers

Bursaspor

Manchester United came into this group as favorites to qualify for the knockout stages, but in their first game United drew with Rangers 0-0 in which Antonio Valenica sufferd a serious ankle injury which had kept him out for 5months but his namesake team Valencia smashed 4 goals past turkish outfit Bursaspor, next a vist to the Mestella where another draw was on the horizon but the ever growing "Chico" Hernandez came off the substitue bench to claim all 3 points for United against Valencia. Bursaspor came to Old Trafford looking to get hammerd but that did not happen as United only won 1-0 as they lead the group by 2 points before the next round of matches.

United ran out 3-0 winners away to Bursaspo which all but ended the turkish teams chance of qualifying for the knockout stages, United then travelled to glasgow in what would always be a tough game as United won 1-0 through a Wayne Rooney penalty. Manchester United came into the last game of the group to set a new record for not conceding a goal in the group stages but Valenica struck to end any chance of that but they got their reward to top the group when Anderson made it 1-1, United & Valencia were through to the knockout stages.

Group D:

Barcelona

FC Copenhagen
FC Rubin Kazan
Panathanikos

Barcelona as expected were favourites to progress but it wasnt easy for them after their first game when they had whooped Panathanikos 5-1 but Rubin Kazan ensured it did not happend to them as they drew 1-1  Barcelona then topped the group after beating FC Copenhagen 2-0 but in the return game a resolute Copenhagen ensured barcelona left with just only a point after a 1-1 draw, but after 2 wins from 2 the spanish champions were through.

Group E:

Bayern Munich 

Roma

Basel

Cluj

Bayern Munich entered the group stages as last season's beaten finalists and were expected to qualify from the group and they did from 5 wins out of 6, which included a 3-2 defeat against Roma who followed them through to the knockout stages in second place.

Group F:

Chelsea
Marsille

Spartak Moscow
MSK Zilina

Chelsea made it to the knockout stages despite losing to Marseille in the final group game who finsished in second place which ensured Spartak Moscow finshed 3rd to join the Euro flops in the Europa League and MSK Zilina sent packing !

Group G:Real Madrid
AC Milan
Ajax
Auxerre

This group was everyone's "Group of Death" as nine times European winners Madrid were pitted against Italian masters AC Milan, Dutch giants Ajax and french outfit Auxerre. As it was expected Mourinho's Madrid went through alongside AC Milan, Real Madrid were unbeaten in this group and also a thrilling 2-2 draw against AC Milan at the San Siro was on of the highlights in the group

Group H:

Shaktar Donetsk
Aresnal
Braga
Partizan

In the final group Shaktar Ensured they topped the group ahead of Aresnal despite Aresnal begining their campigan off to a flyer with a 6-0 win against Braga and also thrashing Shaktar at the Emirates 5 - 1 but the wheels came off for Aresnal after back to back defeats to Shaktar and Braga, Aresnal old boy Eduardo scored the winner against Aresenal  which put Shaktar top of the table follwed by Arsenal, & Braga ended up to in the Europa league while Partizan misreable European Campaign was put to an end as they finshed bottom.

Last 16 Knockout Stage

From 32 we were left with 16 to battle for a place in the Quarter Finals

The last 16 proved to have some exciting games* & 1 or 2 shocks

AC Milan V Spurs
Valencia V Schalke

Roma V Shaktar Donetsk

Aresnal V Barcelona

FC Copenhagen V Chelsea

Lyon V Real Madrid
Marseille V Manchester United
Inter Milan V Bayern Munich 

* Teams in bold went through 

Spurs caused a shock as they went to the San Siro and won 1-0 not many teams do that, there was even a scuffle between "Italian Hardman" and Spurs assistant coach Joe Jordon, But at the Lane in the 2nd leg Spurs held on with a resolute defensive display and were through to the Quarter Finals with a memorable result.

Schalke upset the odds when they had beaten Valencia

Shaktar Donetsk caused a shock when they had knocked out Roma, beating them in Rome and hammering them in Ukraine

Arsenal were pitted against Barcelona in what would eventually be were Arsenal's season had hit the distruction button but not before a superb Aresnal perfomance in the first leg at the Emirates ensured Aresnal were still in the tie but the second leg Barcelona went about their business like they always do. Arsenal even had a record to hold despite being knocked out - they were the first team in Champions League history to not have any shots in a match, Aresnal were trully outclassed and outplayed by Barcelona

FC Copenhagen came into this match against Chelsea unbeaten at home but Chelsea changed that after beating them 2-0 but the 2nd leg proved diffrerent a subdued Chelsea performance ensured it stayed 2-0 on aggrerate as Copenhagen were knocked out

Lyon V Madrid is always a good game but no for Madrid. In recent seasons Madrid were knocked out by Lyon and hadnt reached the Quarter Finals for the first time since 2004, but that was all about to change as Lyon old boy Karim Benzema scored in both legs including the 3-0 win at Bernabau which ensured Madrid a Quarter Final place.

Manchester United travelled to France looking for an away goal but it wasnt meant to be as United's defence stood strong and ensured the 2nd leg at Old Trafford was alive for both teams, United edged it an good nervy performance.

A repeat for last seasons champions league final, Inter Milan V Bayern Munich was an exciting clash in the first leg Bayern scored the away goal but the 2nd leg Inter Milan shocked Bayern by scoring 3 times to send the german's packing!

So its now down to the last eight and the Champions League Quarter Final draw brought out some mouthwatering games... Mourinho V Harry, A battle of Clash of the titans.. Its gonna be BIG!

Quarter Final: 1st leg (5/6 April) 2nd leg (12/13 April)
Real Madrid V Spurs
Chelsea V Manchester United
Barcelona V Shaktar Donetsk
Inter Milan V Schalke

Semi Final: 1st leg (26/27 April) 2nd leg (3/4 May)
Inter/Schalke v Chelsea /Manchester United
Madrid/Tottenham v Barcelona/Shakhtar




and then there were 8.....

Gary Neville - RedNev - Legend!

As you may have heard Gary Neville Manchester United's right back retired from football, Loved by many hated by some(many of them scousers). Surely be missed by United fans!

Gary Neville was a great player throughout the years for Manchester United here are some of RedNev's career highlights.

1991 - Signs an apprentice for Manchester United
1992 - Part of the famous class of '92 which won the FA Youth Cup (Giggs, Beckham,Scholes,Butt & Brother Phil)
1992 - Makes debut in a Uefa Cup game against Torpedo Moscow
1995 - Makes England debut
1996 - Member of the United team that won the Double
1997 - scores his first club goal in a 3-3 draw against Middlesbrough
2000 - Wins a fourth Premier League title, making 250 appreances
2002 - Wins 50th England Cap in a friendly against Holland, Misses World Cup due to injury
2003 - Wins a sixth Premier League medal
2005 - Named club captain

602 Appearances for Manchester United - FIFTH highest in United History
85 England Caps

8 Premier League titles
3 Fa Cups
2 League Cups
3 Charity Shields
1 Champions League
1 InterContinental Cup
1 Fifa Club World Cup
5 times in Premier League team of decade


What next for RedNev? A seat alongside Paddy Crerand on MUTV? SkySports call? or even coaching United reserves...Whatever next for Gary Neville he will always have a special place in the hearts of every united fan

Gary Neville - YOU ARE AN ABSOLUTE LEGEND!

The Great Debate: Lionel Messi v Cristiano Ronaldo

This is a debate which has been going on for along while now and I have come to my OWN conclusion to who is better between the two fantastic footballers.

Cristiano Ronalo & Lionel Messi have never won the World Cup, during the 2010 World Cup Ronaldo's Portgual were knocked out by a classy Spain side in the knockout stages while Lionel Messi's Argentina were beaten by a brilliant young german side.




Cristiano Ronaldo plays more as an Individual player which some fans may argue its a good thing whereas Lionel Messi is a team player, but my opinion is being a team player is important as it will have many benefits such as team spirit, moral is high & no one is underpressure whereas playing more as an Individual is challenging as its a big pressure on the player and also it is my damage team spirt.

Many people have said Ronaldo is better than Messi because he has never played in the English Premier League they may have this as a point, I feel this is where Ronaldo may be better because he has played in a physical and stronger league while at the moment in Spain with Real Madrid he is finding it very easy to play in apart from playing Messi's Barcerlona!

Lionel Messi  has won Two Champions League & Four League Titles with Barcelona
Cristiano Ronaldo has won One Champions League and Three Leage Titles with Manchester United

Messi has been at Barcelona since he footballing career began, Ronaldo left Sporting Lisbon to join Manchester United thereafter Real Madrid, Bascially Messi has been at one club since hes began playing professionally.

Lionel Messi has won 43 Individual awards including the recent Ballon D'or which he has won 2 years running while Cristiano Ronaldo has won 36 Individual awards.

Well ive come to the conclusion Lionel Messi is slightly better due to the fact he is a team player

Hope this can be great evidence when your enter "THE GREAT DEBATE" ;)****





****As I have only started making blogs, the quality and what I have said about both players may not be liked by some people I apologise as its my first blog about comparing two players







 



 

Football Review of the Year 2010 - Part Two

Here is part 2 of my football review of the year 2010,  its in no particular order. Feel Free to read, comment and share.

Enjoy!

Spain win world cup:
After England's Shambles, Brazil getting knocked out, Mardonna's Argentina getting knocked out by a young German team someone had to win the world cup and it was Classy Spain beating Holland in the final.


Paul The Octopus:
He aint no normal octopus! He became famous worldwide during the 2010 world cup after predicting all of Germany's World Cup results correct aswell as the World Cup final. Sadly after the world cup he retired soon after he died.


England curse keeps ticking:
England's world cup curse just keeps ticking, Started off with the Terry Saga, Then Cashley and Rooney's Injury. England went into the World Cup with fans and media backing them to bring the world cup home, sadly the world cup began with a draw to USA following a Robert Green howler. So into the 2nd game against Algeria, a 0-0 draw England were booed off the pitch leading to Wayne Rooney's comments at the TV Camera "Nice to see your home fans booing ya". The final game was against Slovenia a 1-0 win was not enough for England to avoid the Germans in the next round as England finished 2nd. An England v Germany clash was on the Agenda for the 2nd Round, England were outfought, outplayed, punished, and Beaten by a young German side 4-1, leading to "we was robbed", "sack capello" the list goes on...


Fulham Reach Europa League Final:
Fulham remarkable story continued in The Europa league final beating giants such as Juventus, Wolfsburg and Hamburg Fulham reached the Final. A tense final Athletico Madrid beat Fulham 2-1 after English club nemesis former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan scored in Extra Time. Soon after a great Europa League campaign Manager Roy Hodgson moved onto manage Liverpool


Harry the bargain Hunter:
Harry Redknapp is known for his "wheeling and dealing" in the transfer market. Well this was no different. Arrived on the scene at White Hart Lane Rafael Van Der Vaart. Harry snapped him up for a bargain price of less than 10million. As spurs sit in fourth place and are in the knockout stages of the Champions League Harry Redknapp bargain buy continues to shine aswell as his squad..Watch out for more spurs bargain buys in the January transfer Window!

Berbatov Joins 5 STAR list:
Dimitar Berbatov started off his united campaign poorly, criticism from fans but this season they've seen Dimitar Berbatov reborn!...As he tops the Premier League scoring charts this season Berbatov is starting to become a huge United player. As United thrashed Blackburn Rovers 7-1 Berbatov became only the fourth player to score five in a premier league game matching the feats of Andy Cole, Alan Shearer & Jermain Defoe

First time in a Premier League weekend every club score:
On the weekend of the 27/28th November every premier league team scored, which made the record of every team scoring in a single weekend, the last goal on that weekend was by Aaron Lennon of Spurs who made it 2-1 against Liverpool, Also on that weekend another record was broken, The highest number of goals in a Premier League weekend since the Premier League became a 20 team league from 95-96 - 41 goals  were scored, (8-10 November 97,21-22 Feb 04 & 27-28 November 10) 


Newcastle's controversial owner Mike Ashley sacks Chris Hughton:
Newcastle United's owner Mike Ashley has been criticised by fans and media since he brought the club, and he was about to leave the club when they were relegated to championship. before their championship winning season Chris Hughton became manager and took them back into the Premier League breaking records on the way, During the start of the season Newcastle were tipped to go down again but they thrashed Aston Villa in their first home game of the season, along the way beating Arsenal at the Emirates, Beating Chelsea in the league cup but following a dip in form Manager Chris Hughton was sacked controversially by the clubs owner which proved a wrong decision after fans protested before the game against Liverpool calling mike Ashley to leave. 


Manchester United finish the year top unbeaten from the start of the season*
Following Chelsea winning the league last season, Wayne Rooney's Transfer saga & the "Noisy Neighbours" Man City's Rich rise, the new season was not going to be easy, but Manchester United sat 31st Dec 2010 top of the League and Unbeaten since the losing to Chelsea last season, some performances have not been great but they have got the results hopefully come may Manchester United end the season unbeaten top of the league and have the tag "Best/Greatest team in England" eclipsing Liverpools league titles after equalling them 2 seasons ago. 


England lose 2018 - Fifa Accused!:
After a disappointing 2010 World Cup in South Africa by the England football team, England's 2018 bid team were going for something better and hopefully revive England's fortunes. But it was not to be England lost out to Russia in the bid having only 2 points which meant they got knocked out the first round. Fifa was accused by many as Russia and Qatar successfully were given the right to host the World cup 2018(Russia) 2022(Qatar). Fifa was called a shambles by many as media, fans and managers accused fifa of a "probe"

Arsenal Draw Barca in Champions League Knockout stages:
Messi's Masterclass scoring four goals against Arsenal at the Nou Camp well this season Arsenal finished second in their Champions League group and praying not to get Barcelona, well no one read the script as Barca were paired against Arsenal. Revenge for Arsenal & Wenger? Or another "Messi" show. The First leg will be held on 16th Feb 2011 at the Emirates.

Togo Attack during African Cup of Nations:
Before the start of Togo's first game in the 2010 African Cup of Nations Togo's Team bus was attacked, reportedly killing the driver and several players wounded, Togo withdrew from the tournament leading to Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor retiring from the International scene 


Glentoran's Matty Burrows Goes Head 2 Head with Barca's Messi for Goal Of the year!:
Irish League team Glenortorans Striker Matty Burrows scored a wonderful backheel goal which fifa have decided that it should be nominated for goal of the year, as 2 goals were shortlisted Matty Burrows goal was shortlisted alongside Lionel Messi, The pair have been named on a 10-man shortlist for the Fifa Puskas Award, The Goal of the year will be announced on January 10th 2011. Here you can see which of the 10 goals have been nominated

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRBmZqwFFYg&feature=player_embedded



*Non Biased

Football Review of the Year 2010 - Part One

Feel free to read and add your comments, No i did not Copy anyone or anything. this is strictly my own piece!

Part Two is published!

Enjoy!


Team Terry V Team Bridge:
Dominated the front and back pages of the newspapers, John Terry having an affair with Wayne Bridge's Ex
Wayne Rooney Saga:
Rooney is caught cheating with a prostitute, news comes out after the world cup. coincidentally during a poor world cup for the Manchester United Striker hampered by ankle injury just before world cup!
Roo Turn:
Sir Alex comes out to the press and says Wayne Rooney wants to leave united, Rooney insist he wants to leave...TWO days later Rooney Signs 5 Year Deal
Tevez U-Turn:
Carlos Tevez came out and said he wanted to leave city due to falling out with club officials, A week later he withdrew his transfer request
Barca Thrash Mourinho's Madrid:
One of the biggest games of 2010, Mourinho V Guardiola, Messi v Ronaldo....3points at stake, pride at stake...for all the hype and build up to the game Barca Thrash Madrid 5-0
Turkish coach stabs brother 6times on pitch:
Yes Really!...Happened in The Turkish Second division, As Mersin Idman Yurdu the second division sides coach Yuksel Yesilova was stabbed by his elder brother who attended the match as a spectator and jumped onto the field stabbing Yuksel. The attack was due to personal reasons
Newcastle Rise back to the premier League:
After being relegated the following season after such a poor campaign, Newcastle brought in Chris Hughton As manager, as he reshuffled the squad Newcastle United dominated the championship and were promoted back to the Premier League as champions
Blackpool upset odds:
When Blackpool reached the "promised land" aka The premier League, some pundits fans and media were saying they will not stay up, but they continued to upset the odds beating Liverpool at Anfield and even going TOP of the league...for 2 hours on 14 August after thrashing wigan 4-0
Chelsea fall:
After a great start to the season scoring 12 goals in 2 games and taking the premier league by storm, some people were saying Chelsea will win the title in DECEMBER! but that was not to be as 1 win in 7 games put Chelsea out of the top four
Liverpool's big fallout:
Where to start? After sacking rafa benitez the clubs owners brought in Roy Hodgson after a successful spell leading fulham to the Europa league final, as the clubs owners believed Roy Hodgson could change the team around it wasnt meant to be, poor results, poor performance which led to fans (still) calling for Hodgson to be sacked. The only positive outcome for Liverpool in 2010 was having new owners installed in October
Bale Sensation:
The rise of Gareth Bale! After a poor start to his Tottenham career, Manager Harry Redknapp showed faith and allowed Bale to play on the left of midfield, couple of games into the season Bale became the Welsh wonderkid, turning champions league and premier league defenders inside out, tormenting Inter Milan in the group stages of the champions league...If only he was English hmmmm!
Mourinho wins Champions League with Inter:
The So called "Special One" never fails wherever he goes apart from being booted out by Chelsea after a fall out, Champions league winner with Porto, soon after he left Chelsea Mourinho moved to Italy to manage Inter Milan. In his first season he won the league title, the following season was a gem for Mourinho as he won the first treble in Italian history (League Title, Coppa Italia & Champions League), While winning the champions league with Inter Milan he became the 3rd manager in football history to win the champions league with two different teams.