After a long, excruciating wait for a return to European glory, Madrid has found itself back among Europe's elite champions, thanks to their ex-Manchester United goal-scoring hero.
What's that you say, Real Madrid were knocked out of the Champions League way back in the first knockout round?
But of course, I meant those cross-town losers, Atlético Madrid.
Early in the season, back in October, we wrote about the sorry state of football at the Vincent Calderon. Los rojiblancos were at the bottom of the La Liga table, and things did not look good.
However, the arrival of coach Quique Sanchez Flores has changed Atlético's fortunes, propelling them up to 9th in the table, bringing home the Europa League championship yesterday against a valiant Fulham, and a Copa del Rey final still to come.
Key to this resurgence has been the partnership between Sergio "Kun" Aguero and Diego Forlan. Forlan of course is the aforementioned goalscorer cast aside by Man U after a comical two years that saw him take eight months to score his first goal, yet he still endeared himself to the Man U faithful for his tireless work and a brace led the Red Devils to victory over Liverpool at Anfield in 2002. He's no Dimitar Berbatov, despite having actually scored fewer goals than Berbatov has for Man U. Still, I'm not sure many people who followed his work believed he would become so prolific once leaving England, but I guess the talent was always there.
Aguero was the danger man all game against Fulham, and it was only a matter of time before Atlético's pressure led to goals, and Forlan showed a goalscorer's instinct to win the match in extra time. It was a disappointing ending for Fulham, who had a magical run getting here with upsets and epic victories along the way over the likes of Roma, Juventus, Wolfsburg, and Hamburg. I was hoping for an American victory in the final, and though Clint Dempsey played a massive part in Fulham's run, in particular his stunning winner against Juve, but luck ran out for Dempsey and the Cottagers and Atlético's superior attacking class prevailed.
Pending the La Liga finish and Copa del Rey final, it could quite something if Real's new galactico's finish without hardware and the "other" Madrid side brings back a double.
Showing posts with label Europa League. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Europa League. Show all posts
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Friday News Roundup
There are a lot of news pieces the past few days I want to cover, some good, some not so good.
Starting with the bad news, reports indicate the MLS players union voted 350 to two in favor of a strike if a new collective bargaining agreement can't be reached before the start of the season in two weeks. For a still relatively new league going into a key year, with expansion, increased attention to the sport because of a World Cup year, and the league ever-nearing the goal of having all it's teams in soccer-specific stadia, this could end up a disastrous turn of events.
This is not to say I don't 100% support the players in their fight with management, as I've already written about. Importantly for a league that struggles to legitimize itself at the gate in many markets is a situation I currently find myself in that is probably being repeated across the country.
DC United is desperately trying to get my friends and I to pay the remaining balance on our season tickets before the season starts, having already missed the designated deadline. Yet we're refusing to pay a cent further until we know we'll actually be seeing a product in return for our investment. My friend even laid into our poor DC United season ticket account manager explaining in no uncertain terms how we feel regarding the league's control over player rights and restricted movement, particularly when a hard salary cap limits how much salaries can ultimately increase (and it's a laughably low salary cap at that). We're not talking the NBA or MLB here.
The larger point is that I'm sure we're not alone in our stance, and that has to be seriously hurting the bottom line of numerous teams out there. A strike is still not certain, with the league saying that mediated talks this week have been productive even though the players are standing strong in their position. MLS needs to make concessions and it needs to do it soon. We're happy to give your our money, knowing full well I could spend my time watching the best players in the world on TV or simply spend my money watching the best hockey player on Earth in a much nicer stadium in downtown.
....
I'd like to give a nod to former DC United striker Alecko Eskandarian, who appears to be retiring, without actually using that word. Esky was never going to be a star, but he could have been a very productive MLS player, and will always be remembered as the 2004 MLS Cup MVP in DC United's 3-2 comeback victory over Kansas City. But unfortunately, serious concussions derailed his career.
I'll also love him for embarrassing the NY Red Bulls, which is always a fun thing to do. After scoring against the newly renamed Red Bulls in April of 2006, Esky ran to the sidelines, took a can of Red Bull, took a swig, then promptly spit it out on the Giants Stadium turf. He was fined for his antics, but I laughed. And it's just entertainment after all, so you can't ask for much more.
Maybe most importantly, with Yura Movsisyan now at Randers, there is no one to hold the mantle for Armenian footballers in MLS. Anyway, even though Alecko was probably too "Jersey" for my liking, I hope Alecko the best.
...
Following up on news that Jermaine Jones was with the US National Team in Amsterdam for their recent friendly against the Netherlands is some interesting quotes from Tim Howard in an interview with Grant Wahl of SI. Speaking about the team, he said that they are "hoping that Jermaine Jones makes it" and recovers from his injury problems to play in the World Cup.
Apparently the meeting, the first between Jones and the rest of the team, went well and Howard thinks Jones will fit in nicely because "he's got a lot of tattoos, he likes his music." Good to know the requirements of how to fit in with the USMNT. I think we can probably get Allen Iverson (if he's sober) and LeBron James on the team in time.
Still, the key point by Howard was that this version of the US team welcomes new comers with open arms (unlike say the reaction to the late addition of David Regis to the 1998 team). The players know well that Jones is highly regarded and feel that his addition would provide a boost to the squad and will welcome him accordingly. In fact, Howard compared the morale boost of adding a difference maker to the addition of Landon Donovan at Everton, while also noting that Charlie Davies would provide the same boost.
I previously gave up on Jones and was going to assume he was out of the picture for this World Cup, but hoped he would enter the team after that. I also worried about the chemistry issues if he just came in and took a starting spot from someone. Now, while still a little skeptical about his injury recovery, I'm suddenly much more interested in seeing Jones return to action and seeing him integrated into the team. With Clint Dempsey returning to action this week and Davies and Oguchi looking positive in their comebacks, one can only hope the injury situation will completely turn around and give the US the boost Howard was talking about for a sustained run in South Africa.
...
Lots of European action, so I'll hit on a few highlights.
A day after Arsenal crushed Porto, Manchester United was not to be outdone, routing AC Milan 4-0 on the back (or head rather) of Wayne Rooney. He's now reached 30 goals on the season and talk is turning toward him taking aim at Cristiano Ronaldo's 42 goals for Man U two seasons ago.
While there is a lot of soccer still to be played this season, this summer, and the opening of next season, but it appears Rooney is positioning himself to win worldwide honors. At the moment, I think I'd vote for him as best player on the planet over Leo Messi and others. His form has been just unstoppable recently. He doesn't give you the same flash as Ronaldo or Messi and he doesn't score as many awe-inspiring strikes as Ronaldo, such as the famous free kick against Portsmouth in the 42 goal campaign or his Champions League blasts against Porto and Arsenal last year. But Rooney's work-rate is second to none and by improving his heading of the ball this year he's turned himself into a more complete striker.
Regardless of the merits about whether Man U is better off without Ronaldo, which I still doubt when you consider their slight weakness in midfield compared to other top teams like Chelsea and Barca, you can't argue that Rooney hasn't benefited (yes that's a double negative).
Speaking of Ronaldo, he couldn't prevent Real Madrid from disappoint again despite scoring an early goal for los merengues. Truly astounding that this talented team still can't get it right. And Lyon is still a marvel.
Meanwhile, the Europa League round of 16 is poised with intrigue after the first legs of some very interesting ties. Liverpool continue to disappoint, losing by a goal to nil against Lille (how about those French clubs!). Some other nice matches include Valencia-Weder Bremen and Benfica-Marseille tied at 1 and Atletico Madrid-Sporting Lisbon goalless.
In Turin, Juve outclassed Fulham in Clint Demspey's return to action with a 3-1 victory. Juve's stated goal for this year is to climb the Serie A table and secure Champions League football for next season, but it appears they are poised for a run in the Europa League. I do want to point out that the attendance at the Stadio Olimpico was announced at 11,406. That number would be piddling for an MLS match (the last two seasons, very down years for DC United, saw them have an average attendance of 16,000 in 2009 and almost 20,000 in 2008), let alone for a big European match.
Of course that's because it's really only a "big" match for Fulham. The Cottagers are calling it one of the biggest in club history, while for Juve it's a big drop from battles against the likes of Man U and Real Madrid on the European stage. Although the Champions League is expected for a big club like Juve, the Europa League is nothing to be ashamed of, and in fact it could well prove to be more intriguing that the Champions League this season. I'll be happy to see Juve take it seriously and attempt to win the whole thing. Not sure they will, but Italian soccer could use any good news it can get.
Starting with the bad news, reports indicate the MLS players union voted 350 to two in favor of a strike if a new collective bargaining agreement can't be reached before the start of the season in two weeks. For a still relatively new league going into a key year, with expansion, increased attention to the sport because of a World Cup year, and the league ever-nearing the goal of having all it's teams in soccer-specific stadia, this could end up a disastrous turn of events.
This is not to say I don't 100% support the players in their fight with management, as I've already written about. Importantly for a league that struggles to legitimize itself at the gate in many markets is a situation I currently find myself in that is probably being repeated across the country.
DC United is desperately trying to get my friends and I to pay the remaining balance on our season tickets before the season starts, having already missed the designated deadline. Yet we're refusing to pay a cent further until we know we'll actually be seeing a product in return for our investment. My friend even laid into our poor DC United season ticket account manager explaining in no uncertain terms how we feel regarding the league's control over player rights and restricted movement, particularly when a hard salary cap limits how much salaries can ultimately increase (and it's a laughably low salary cap at that). We're not talking the NBA or MLB here.
The larger point is that I'm sure we're not alone in our stance, and that has to be seriously hurting the bottom line of numerous teams out there. A strike is still not certain, with the league saying that mediated talks this week have been productive even though the players are standing strong in their position. MLS needs to make concessions and it needs to do it soon. We're happy to give your our money, knowing full well I could spend my time watching the best players in the world on TV or simply spend my money watching the best hockey player on Earth in a much nicer stadium in downtown.
....
I'd like to give a nod to former DC United striker Alecko Eskandarian, who appears to be retiring, without actually using that word. Esky was never going to be a star, but he could have been a very productive MLS player, and will always be remembered as the 2004 MLS Cup MVP in DC United's 3-2 comeback victory over Kansas City. But unfortunately, serious concussions derailed his career.
I'll also love him for embarrassing the NY Red Bulls, which is always a fun thing to do. After scoring against the newly renamed Red Bulls in April of 2006, Esky ran to the sidelines, took a can of Red Bull, took a swig, then promptly spit it out on the Giants Stadium turf. He was fined for his antics, but I laughed. And it's just entertainment after all, so you can't ask for much more.
Maybe most importantly, with Yura Movsisyan now at Randers, there is no one to hold the mantle for Armenian footballers in MLS. Anyway, even though Alecko was probably too "Jersey" for my liking, I hope Alecko the best.
...
Following up on news that Jermaine Jones was with the US National Team in Amsterdam for their recent friendly against the Netherlands is some interesting quotes from Tim Howard in an interview with Grant Wahl of SI. Speaking about the team, he said that they are "hoping that Jermaine Jones makes it" and recovers from his injury problems to play in the World Cup.
Apparently the meeting, the first between Jones and the rest of the team, went well and Howard thinks Jones will fit in nicely because "he's got a lot of tattoos, he likes his music." Good to know the requirements of how to fit in with the USMNT. I think we can probably get Allen Iverson (if he's sober) and LeBron James on the team in time.
Still, the key point by Howard was that this version of the US team welcomes new comers with open arms (unlike say the reaction to the late addition of David Regis to the 1998 team). The players know well that Jones is highly regarded and feel that his addition would provide a boost to the squad and will welcome him accordingly. In fact, Howard compared the morale boost of adding a difference maker to the addition of Landon Donovan at Everton, while also noting that Charlie Davies would provide the same boost.
I previously gave up on Jones and was going to assume he was out of the picture for this World Cup, but hoped he would enter the team after that. I also worried about the chemistry issues if he just came in and took a starting spot from someone. Now, while still a little skeptical about his injury recovery, I'm suddenly much more interested in seeing Jones return to action and seeing him integrated into the team. With Clint Dempsey returning to action this week and Davies and Oguchi looking positive in their comebacks, one can only hope the injury situation will completely turn around and give the US the boost Howard was talking about for a sustained run in South Africa.
...
Lots of European action, so I'll hit on a few highlights.
A day after Arsenal crushed Porto, Manchester United was not to be outdone, routing AC Milan 4-0 on the back (or head rather) of Wayne Rooney. He's now reached 30 goals on the season and talk is turning toward him taking aim at Cristiano Ronaldo's 42 goals for Man U two seasons ago.
While there is a lot of soccer still to be played this season, this summer, and the opening of next season, but it appears Rooney is positioning himself to win worldwide honors. At the moment, I think I'd vote for him as best player on the planet over Leo Messi and others. His form has been just unstoppable recently. He doesn't give you the same flash as Ronaldo or Messi and he doesn't score as many awe-inspiring strikes as Ronaldo, such as the famous free kick against Portsmouth in the 42 goal campaign or his Champions League blasts against Porto and Arsenal last year. But Rooney's work-rate is second to none and by improving his heading of the ball this year he's turned himself into a more complete striker.
Regardless of the merits about whether Man U is better off without Ronaldo, which I still doubt when you consider their slight weakness in midfield compared to other top teams like Chelsea and Barca, you can't argue that Rooney hasn't benefited (yes that's a double negative).
Speaking of Ronaldo, he couldn't prevent Real Madrid from disappoint again despite scoring an early goal for los merengues. Truly astounding that this talented team still can't get it right. And Lyon is still a marvel.
Meanwhile, the Europa League round of 16 is poised with intrigue after the first legs of some very interesting ties. Liverpool continue to disappoint, losing by a goal to nil against Lille (how about those French clubs!). Some other nice matches include Valencia-Weder Bremen and Benfica-Marseille tied at 1 and Atletico Madrid-Sporting Lisbon goalless.
In Turin, Juve outclassed Fulham in Clint Demspey's return to action with a 3-1 victory. Juve's stated goal for this year is to climb the Serie A table and secure Champions League football for next season, but it appears they are poised for a run in the Europa League. I do want to point out that the attendance at the Stadio Olimpico was announced at 11,406. That number would be piddling for an MLS match (the last two seasons, very down years for DC United, saw them have an average attendance of 16,000 in 2009 and almost 20,000 in 2008), let alone for a big European match.
Of course that's because it's really only a "big" match for Fulham. The Cottagers are calling it one of the biggest in club history, while for Juve it's a big drop from battles against the likes of Man U and Real Madrid on the European stage. Although the Champions League is expected for a big club like Juve, the Europa League is nothing to be ashamed of, and in fact it could well prove to be more intriguing that the Champions League this season. I'll be happy to see Juve take it seriously and attempt to win the whole thing. Not sure they will, but Italian soccer could use any good news it can get.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Europa League Draw Set
A day after the Champions League groups were drawn, the inaugural Europa League groups were set today. There are 12 groups of 4 teams, playing a double round robin, mirroring the Champions League. The top two teams in each group advance, at which point the 8 third place finishers from the Champions League groups will join them. There are some very interesting groups:
Group A
Ajax
Anderlecht
Dinamo Zagreb
FC Timisoara
Ajax will like their chances here, with Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb. Anderlecht have a storied European history and will not be an easy out either.
Group B
Valencia
Lille
Slavia Prague
Genoa
This is a killer group. Valencia is an elite team and will be favored to advance far in the competition. However, their group is stacked four deep. Lille may be the weakest team in the group, Slavia is only two years removed from being in the Champions League, and Genoa is a talented, attacking squad despite losing their top players over the summer to Inter.
Group C
Hamburg
Celtic
Hapoel Tel Aviv
Rapid Vienna
Hamburg will like their draw here. Celtic have a strong chance of advancing, though Rapid Vienna may be a tricky proposition for the Scots.
Group D
Sporting Lisbon
Heerenveen
Hertha Berlin
FK Ventspils
Another strong group, with Sporting, Heerenveen and Hertha all capable of advancing. Sporting just missed out on the Champions League, losing their playoff to Fiorentina. Heerenveen has a long history of employing an attacking 4-3-3, though they are fragile in the back. Hertha, interestingly enough, apparently are so good that they have Kaka sitting on their bench. Not that Kaka.
Group E
Roma
FC Basel
Fulham
CSKA Sofia
This will be an interesting group, with Roma strong favorites, but from there on out it could be any of the remaining three teams finishing second. Fulhamerica will not be pleased with having to travel to Sofia. Basel is quite a pleasant city however.
Group F
Panathanaikos
Galatasaray
Dinamo Bucharest
Sturm Graz
Greek side Panathinaikos facing off against Turkish side Galatasaray is one of the highlights of the Europa League group stage. Those ought to be intense matches. The Romanian league isn't the worst, so Dinamo Bucharest won't be the worst either. Sturm Graz filed for bankruptcy three years ago, so how good can they be?
Group G
Villarreal
Lazio
Levski Sofia
Red Bull Salzburg
Villareal and Lazio will be strongly favored here. Levski Sofia have had their moments in Europe but I won't pretend to know about them. Apparently Red Bull focuses all their resources on winning that impossible goal, the Austrian Bundesliga, while disregarding their MLS outfit. Let's predict they don't get far.
Group H
Steaua Bucharest
Fenerbahce
FC Twente
FC Sheriff
Fenerbahce has spent big in recent years to build a strong team, evidenced by their surprise run to the Champions League quarter finals in 2007-08. They're the big boys here, along with Steaua, the other half of Bucharest's two football powers. FC Twente for those who don't know is managed by English cast-off Steve McClaren. Finishing second in the Eredivisie is a very nice accomplishment. Getting embarassed 6-0 by Arsenal in the Champions League qualifying playoffs, not so much. Let's hope FC Sheriff plays Bob Marley at its home games.
Group I
Benfica
Everton
AEK Athens
BATE Borisov
Another tricky goup. The Portugeuse giants spent big this summer bringing in some young Brazilian future stars as well as Javier Saviola, whose speed and quickness made him one of the most dangerous players on Winning Eleven despite being on Barca's bench. Everton are a question mark after their mixed displays so far this early season, AEK Athens will provide a tough road match for all, and BATE made it to the Champions League group stage last season, so they could be fiesty as well.
Group J
Shakhtar Donetsk
Club Brugge
Partizan Belgrade
Toulouse
Shakhtar are the defending champions, having won the final UEFA Cup. They will be heavy favorites to advance. Partizan and Toulouse will be tough outfits making this another good group, with any team capable of advancing.
Group K
PSV Eindhoven
FC Copenhagen
Sparta Prague
CFR Cluj
PSV has historically been one of the big boys in the Netherlands and they usually put in a very good showing in Europe, traditionally in the Champions League. Last season saw a much weaker team and they are no sure thing to advance this season. They also have Carlos Salcido, so I'll be rooting against them. Sparta has produced quite a few notable Czech footballers over the years, though you probably never heard of them until after they left Prague. Cluj shocked everyone last year when they beat Roma and tied Chelsea in the Champions League group stage, so even I would venture to say they shouldn't be taken lightly.
Group L
Werder Bremen
Austria Vienna
Athletic Bilbao
Nacional
Werder Bremen, last year's beaten UEFA Cup finalists, will be the heavy favorites in Group L, the 12th and final group. Austrian Vienna finished third in the Austrian Bundesliga, so I bet they won't be scaring anybody. Hala Madrid will tell you that Bilbao will be reaching the semifinals of this competition by virtue of hailing from Spain, and while that may be a stretch, I'm inclined to think they can progress comfortably here. Nacional is famous for producing Cristiano Ronaldo. However, they averaged 2,000 fans a game in their 5,000-seat stadium in Portugal last year. The University of Maryland does better than that.
Group A
Ajax
Anderlecht
Dinamo Zagreb
FC Timisoara
Ajax will like their chances here, with Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb. Anderlecht have a storied European history and will not be an easy out either.
Group B
Valencia
Lille
Slavia Prague
Genoa
This is a killer group. Valencia is an elite team and will be favored to advance far in the competition. However, their group is stacked four deep. Lille may be the weakest team in the group, Slavia is only two years removed from being in the Champions League, and Genoa is a talented, attacking squad despite losing their top players over the summer to Inter.
Group C
Hamburg
Celtic
Hapoel Tel Aviv
Rapid Vienna
Hamburg will like their draw here. Celtic have a strong chance of advancing, though Rapid Vienna may be a tricky proposition for the Scots.
Group D
Sporting Lisbon
Heerenveen
Hertha Berlin
FK Ventspils
Another strong group, with Sporting, Heerenveen and Hertha all capable of advancing. Sporting just missed out on the Champions League, losing their playoff to Fiorentina. Heerenveen has a long history of employing an attacking 4-3-3, though they are fragile in the back. Hertha, interestingly enough, apparently are so good that they have Kaka sitting on their bench. Not that Kaka.
Group E
Roma
FC Basel
Fulham
CSKA Sofia
This will be an interesting group, with Roma strong favorites, but from there on out it could be any of the remaining three teams finishing second. Fulhamerica will not be pleased with having to travel to Sofia. Basel is quite a pleasant city however.
Group F
Panathanaikos
Galatasaray
Dinamo Bucharest
Sturm Graz
Greek side Panathinaikos facing off against Turkish side Galatasaray is one of the highlights of the Europa League group stage. Those ought to be intense matches. The Romanian league isn't the worst, so Dinamo Bucharest won't be the worst either. Sturm Graz filed for bankruptcy three years ago, so how good can they be?
Group G
Villarreal
Lazio
Levski Sofia
Red Bull Salzburg
Villareal and Lazio will be strongly favored here. Levski Sofia have had their moments in Europe but I won't pretend to know about them. Apparently Red Bull focuses all their resources on winning that impossible goal, the Austrian Bundesliga, while disregarding their MLS outfit. Let's predict they don't get far.
Group H
Steaua Bucharest
Fenerbahce
FC Twente
FC Sheriff
Fenerbahce has spent big in recent years to build a strong team, evidenced by their surprise run to the Champions League quarter finals in 2007-08. They're the big boys here, along with Steaua, the other half of Bucharest's two football powers. FC Twente for those who don't know is managed by English cast-off Steve McClaren. Finishing second in the Eredivisie is a very nice accomplishment. Getting embarassed 6-0 by Arsenal in the Champions League qualifying playoffs, not so much. Let's hope FC Sheriff plays Bob Marley at its home games.
Group I
Benfica
Everton
AEK Athens
BATE Borisov
Another tricky goup. The Portugeuse giants spent big this summer bringing in some young Brazilian future stars as well as Javier Saviola, whose speed and quickness made him one of the most dangerous players on Winning Eleven despite being on Barca's bench. Everton are a question mark after their mixed displays so far this early season, AEK Athens will provide a tough road match for all, and BATE made it to the Champions League group stage last season, so they could be fiesty as well.
Group J
Shakhtar Donetsk
Club Brugge
Partizan Belgrade
Toulouse
Shakhtar are the defending champions, having won the final UEFA Cup. They will be heavy favorites to advance. Partizan and Toulouse will be tough outfits making this another good group, with any team capable of advancing.
Group K
PSV Eindhoven
FC Copenhagen
Sparta Prague
CFR Cluj
PSV has historically been one of the big boys in the Netherlands and they usually put in a very good showing in Europe, traditionally in the Champions League. Last season saw a much weaker team and they are no sure thing to advance this season. They also have Carlos Salcido, so I'll be rooting against them. Sparta has produced quite a few notable Czech footballers over the years, though you probably never heard of them until after they left Prague. Cluj shocked everyone last year when they beat Roma and tied Chelsea in the Champions League group stage, so even I would venture to say they shouldn't be taken lightly.
Group L
Werder Bremen
Austria Vienna
Athletic Bilbao
Nacional
Werder Bremen, last year's beaten UEFA Cup finalists, will be the heavy favorites in Group L, the 12th and final group. Austrian Vienna finished third in the Austrian Bundesliga, so I bet they won't be scaring anybody. Hala Madrid will tell you that Bilbao will be reaching the semifinals of this competition by virtue of hailing from Spain, and while that may be a stretch, I'm inclined to think they can progress comfortably here. Nacional is famous for producing Cristiano Ronaldo. However, they averaged 2,000 fans a game in their 5,000-seat stadium in Portugal last year. The University of Maryland does better than that.
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