Costa Rican club Saprissa booked their place in the last four of the CONCACAF Champions League with a 2-1 win over Olimpia.Saprissa led 1-0 from the first leg at home through Armando Alonso Rodriguez’s goal and it was the midfielder who broke the deadlock in Thursday’s return fixture at Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano.Defender Gabriel Badilla set up his Costa Rica international teammate Rodriguez, who beat Olimpia goalkeeper Noel Valladares to open the scoring in the 25th minute.The Honduran hosts levelled seven minutes into the second half when striker Roger Rojas met Wilfredo Barahona’s corner to power the ball home and make it 1-1 on the night and 2-1 on aggregate.But Olimpia’s hopes of mounting a comeback were dashed just after the hour mark.Substitute Luis Cordero – who had only been on the pitch for five minutes after replacing Josue Martenez – struck to make it 2-1 and restore the two-goal aggregate cushion for Saprissa.They will now meet Real Salt Lake in the last four after the American side defeated Columbus Crew in an all-Major League Soccer quarter-final.Elsewhere, Monterrey will take on Cruz Azul in all-Mexican semi-final.
Despite all the excitement of last weeks Champions League semi-finals, it’s hard to disagree that the games have raised a few more questions than answers. I’m not about to enter a debate on the ‘right way’ to play football, due to Chelsea’s tactics being spot-on in terms of taking on Barcelona, as with the Blues current personnel, a pure footballing encounter would have been akin to leading Lambs to the slaughter. Instead one of the real issues, for me, is the away goals rule, which appears to be becoming more and more out-dated.
Both of last weeks ties were affected by the rule, with the away sides in the two second legs both advancing. The Real Madrid example highlights many of the drawbacks in regard to the ruling, and the impact it can have on the spectacle. Bayern Munich set out their stall early on, looking to defend their lead, due to Madrid’s strike at the Allianz Arena, yet when the Spaniards scored early on the Bavarian side’s game plan was hindered. Real Madrid quickly notched another, before some woeful defending gave Bayern the chance from the spot, which they duly took making it 2-1 on the night, and all square in the tie. From here the game descended into a boring spectacle with both sides wary of committing men forward, due to the danger of being hit on the break. As a result the game fizzled out and ended in a penalty shoot-out.
The away goals rule had a similar impact at the Camp Nou, with Barcelona racing to a 2-0 margin, taking the lead on aggregate. A temporary lapse in concentration allowed Ramires in to net the vital goal, and swing the tie in favour of the Londoners. From here Barcelona continued to push, but Chelsea had the luxury of sitting back, before Fernando Torres notched a late strike to put the tie to bed.
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The rule was introduced in 1965 during the Cup Winners Cup, in a bid to deter the trend of away teams in European competition using negative tactics. Prior to the rule, below 20% of two-legged Continental ties ended in an away win, with sides all too aware that the strength of home advantage would be the deciding factor. As a result attacking during the away tie, and risking conceding vast quantities of goals for very little reward, was seen as pointless, promoting defensive football.
At the time the rule was a radical and necessary change, promoting an optimism in away sides during their travels, who knew that one goal, could effectively equate to one-and-a-half, in the event of the scores being level at the end of 180 minutes. At first away home teams still had the overwhelming advantage, but as time has moved on the home and away legs have almost switched roles, with the traveling club, at times, having the advantage.
Although it is still rare to see a team being trounced at their own stadium, they are getting beaten more and more, with the figure of away sides achieving victory reaching around 35% in recent years. This is due to a variety of factors that are levelling the playing field, rendering the away goals rule almost obsolete. Perhaps the biggest issue is the fact that players are no longer entering the unknown during away legs, with many having already played at a certain venue, or even having performed for the side they are taking on, as was the case with Arjen Robben during last Wednesday’s clash. Due to this, the mysterious factor of venturing away from home is almost removed, as the majority of teams across Europe take each other on frequently during competition or exhibition games.
Travel improvements have also swung the odds toward arriving sides, who no longer turn up dazed and fatigued after their journey. During the early days of European competition, communication links were far from the level of now, with teams frequently having long and arduous trips to far-flung areas of the continent. Nowadays travel arrangements are far more efficient, with flights across Europe rarely taking over four hours and mobility in other nations being similar to that at home.
The introduction of the rule was necessary at the time, turning a 3-1 loss into a more positive outcome for the away side than a 2-0, encouraging attacking and exciting football. However, as is the case with most things in life, it has become out-dated and is now actually hampering the game.
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After the two week international break, where England have put themselves on the brink of qualification for the Euro Championships, a welcome return to the Premier League action is nearly upon us. It seems like an eternity since Rooney was sticking three past Arsenal and Dzeko hammered four past Tottenham, but in just over 48hrs the battles will resume.
Three games in, the Premier League has been exciting and at its entertaining best with goals aplenty. While the usual suspects remain at the top end of the tree, few would have expected the likes of Wolves, Newcastle and Wigan making up the top 8. Mick McCarthy (ever the optimist) claims that all he cares about is where the next 30pts are going to come from to ensure Premier League safety.
Elsewhere it has been a bad start in North London – with both clubs in the bottom four and suffering heavy defeats at the hands of the Manchester Clubs and Messrs Wenger and Redknapp will be hoping that their NEW transfer window signings will kick-start their stuttering starts to the season. Arsenal could have no fewer than five players making their debuts at the Emirates this Saturday, as Wenger finally puts his hand in his pocket, to freshen up his squad.
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It promises to be an absolute feast of football, but to give you a taste of the thrills and spills we have witnessed so far in the opening weeks of the Premier League season – go to the excellent ESPN Goals App for a review of season so far.
Click here to download the ESPN Goals App – a must have for every football supporter!
The Premier League is meant to be the most competitive contest in football. Pundits and players alike insist no other country offers the same level of passion, controversy and unpredictability as our very own sporting institution.
It’s a wonderful attraction that is watched by millions across the world but given there are so many sides vying for top spot, is it fair for clubs to measure their success by whether or not they finish in the top 4?
It should be said that Premier League success isn’t the be-all and end-all when gauging a club’s progress but it does have a major say in whether a manager is backed by the club’s owners. Cup success is very important but as Kenny Dalglish recently found out, it doesn’t disguise a team’s shortcomings when 38 league matches have highlighted their more pressing weaknesses. With that in mind perhaps teams should focus their efforts on their league form even if they’re unlikely to triumph.
Fans will probably list the same group of clubs that are likely to challenge at the top next season with Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea and Liverpool pushing Manchester United and Manchester City. It’s an obvious set of six teams but since only one of them can be victorious, is it understandable the rest would take pride in simply competing?
Teams judge their success by weighing up their achievements against their ambition but it seems strange that a trophyless fourth place league finish would be deemed more valuable than winning a domestic cup. After all fans enjoy titles and officially there’s nothing achieved by finishing fourth. Of course qualification for Europe’s greatest tournament is prize enough but this isn’t always guaranteed and it doesn’t offer the same prestige as having a title written into the history books.
Arsenal supporters will testify to this and after 8 seasons without a trophy are desperate for some genuine success. Frustration has led to some fans slating manager Arsene Wenger but while their concerns are fairly justified, would they be happy to sacrifice one of their top 4 finishes to finally claim the trophy they crave?
If Liverpool’s sacking of Dalglish is anything to go by then the answer is probably not. Winning the League Cup is something Arsenal have been close to achieving but they wouldn’t have kept faith with Wenger if they were finishing 8th in the league to accomplish it. While some fans berate Arsenal’s stagnating trophy cabinet, others appreciate the fact they’ve consistently qualified for the UEFA Champions League and the financial sustainability that it’s brought to the club. This is particularly important in the business of running a football club but future historians won’t remember the Gunners’ bank balance and instead will note the years they did and didn’t win titles.
Sentiment aside, if one manager is celebrated for a trophyless era of Champions League qualification while another is sacked for winning trophies amidst a truly awful league campaign then the yardstick for success must be finishing in the top 4.
It should be clarified that it’s not simply finishing in the top 4 that is so badly sought after but qualification for the Champions League. Tottenham’s failure to qualify despite finishing fourth has led to many believing they will be unable to keep their best players or continue to compete at the highest level. Money is such a controlling factor in football nowadays that in order to maintain financial stability clubs know it’s more important just to partake in Europe’s elite competition than to actually gain any domestic success.
Chelsea’s tumultuous season would’ve been dismissed as an underachievement had they merely lifted the FA Cup and finished in a disappointing 5th place. Instead their victory against Bayern Munich goes down as the greatest night in their history and no one remembers their unacceptable league form.
It’s a sad state of affairs when clubs would rather finish fourth than win a cup but given the league is so competitive and the rewards so high, it becomes more and more understandable that they prioritise their league form. This may lead to weakened cup sides but if the rewards of winning the cup have been so dramatically dwarfed by the prize of merely qualifying for Europe then clubs have to focus on their bank statement and not their trophy cabinets in they’re are to progress.
Finishing in the top 4 may not guarantee success but it certainly provides a guideline for teams desperate not to fail.
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Would you prefer your team finished in the top 4? Would you be happy if your team won a trophy at the expense of Champions League football?
Let me know your views and opinions by following me on twitter – Tweet me @Alex_Churcher
Liverpool have confirmed the signing of Denmark international midfielder Christian Poulsen on a three-year contract from Juventus.
The 30-year-old former Sevilla and Schalke enforcer has joined the Reds for a fee in the region of £4.5million, having spent the last two seasons in Italy.
Poulsen has won more than 70 caps for his country and featured for the Danes at the World Cup finals in South Africa earlier this summer.
Poulsen's compatriot Daniel Agger is confident that his fellow Dane will fit in well on Merseyside.
He commented:"Christian would be a perfect addition to most of the big clubs in Europe, so he will certainly fit in here.
"He is a top player and will make us stronger. We need to have big signings so we can compete and he is one of those players.
"Christian will improve the team, but we need more improvements if we want to be at the top of the league this season."
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"Maybe he will find the pace of here a bit of a culture shock; he will have to get used to the extra high tempo.
"He has played in Italy, Spain and Germany and done very well, so I don't see any reason why he shouldn't be a success with Liverpool."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Sir Alex Ferguson believes the FA Cup has lost its magic, largely down to the removal of replays and semi finals now being played at Wembley. The United boss was speaking ahead of the Manchester derby as the Scot hopes to get revenge for the 6-1 beating they received earlier in the season.
Elsewhere in the news Newcastle vow to hold onto Ba; Liverpool must take a stand over abuse, while West Ham’s move to the Olympic Stadium is in jeopardy.
David Silva benefits from second season syndrome – Guardian
Neil Warnock facing the axe at QPR – Daily Telegraph
Liverpool ‘must take a stand’ over abuse – Independent
A derby United cannot afford to lose – Guardian
West Ham move in jeopardy – Independent
Toon vow to hold onto Ba – Mirror
Man United want Modric to keep Rooney happy… but he’ll cost £50m – Daily Mail
United join chase for Bolton defender Gary Cahill – People
Liverpool target will not be sold, vows Aston Villa chief – Mirror
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Henry arrival delays Podolski bid with £8m offer on ice until the summer – Daily Mail
Napoli manager Walter Mazzarri has admitted his future at the club is in doubt despite helping the club to their best season in two decades.Mazzarri is in his second season in charge, having joined seven games into the start of last term, and has helped Napoli into a near-guaranteed third placing in the Italian top flight this campaign, as they sit eight points clear of Lazio with three games remaining.
Napoli will travel to Lecce on Sunday, before finishing the season against giants Inter Milan and Juventus, and Mazzarri was sceptical on his job security for next term, despite steering the club to its best finish since winning the Scudetto in the 1989-90 season.
“The fact that I say it’s not granted I will remain in Napoli should be enough to the club. Does (Chelsea manager Carlo) Ancelotti have doubts? Let’s have a look at how many managers are having doubts now, and how many managers will surely remain where they are for next season,” Mazzarri said.
“I think any manager will make his considerations at the end of the season and after that decide whether to remain or not, sometimes out of his own choice, sometimes the club’s choice.”
Mazzarri, however, was more intent on securing third place in the league, as Napoli still require two points to make a formality of their participation in the Champions League next term.
“Our aim tomorrow (Sunday) will be the same as Lecce’s, because first of all we must reach the Champions League, that’s our fundamental aim, so I believe, our motivation to win is even greater than theirs, or equal anyway,” he said.
“The fact that they will have one of their most important players back on the pitch will be a further drive for us, because we know (David) Di Michele is a strong player.”
Tottenham Hotspur have been handed renewed hope in their reported interest in trying to sign Brazil striker Luis Fabiano from Spanish side Sevilla.
The 29-year-old had previously ruled out a move to White Hart Lane, but appears to have had a change of heart.
He is quoted as telling ESPN: "I must admit it's only in the last few weeks I have understood just how big Spurs' ambition is."
The South American frontman had previously stated:"I have heard Tottenham Hotspur made an inquiry about me.
"But, with all respect, that is not somewhere I am going to be able to win the Premier League or the European Cup in the next three or four years.
"There would be no point in me joining Tottenham. I might as well stay at Sevilla, as it's the same thing.
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"Sevilla are actually bigger when you look at how much we have been in the European Cup, so there would be no point me moving to a smaller team."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
With Liverpool now following up their inquiry with a firm offer for young Rangers defender Danny Wilson, just who is the young Scot?
The 18 year old centre half was a revelation down at Ibrox last season and his ascension to the starting eleven came by circumstance after an injury to first choice defender Algerian Majid Bougherra.
Since that moment Wilson didn’t look out of place and was earning rave reviews for his composure, ability in the air and positional sense on the deck, and it is extremely rare for a young defender to have these qualities in abundance which explains Liverpool’s strong interest in him as well as a plethora of Premier League clubs. In total he’s made 24 appearances, scoring one goal.
The fee being floated about is around the £5m mark which considering the player’s age and relative inexperience seems a fair price outright, with the price likely to be topped up by bonuses and appearance clauses for the future if he delivers on his considerable potential.
David Weir seems to think it won’t be too much of a problem and believes he is destined for the top:
“Danny will handle it,
“He has handled everything else that’s been thrown in his path. He’s a good football player and a nice lad.
“I don’t think it’s rocket science, he just needs to keep doing what he’s been doing. If Danny does go then he will keep doing what he’s doing and stay the same lad that he is.
“He’s a great lad, he has been good to work with, and I wish him every success.”
Wilson is one of the hottest defensive prospects in Europe right now for his age and Liverpool now are front of the queue for his signature, but the consequences of him departing so young could have repercussions for the Glasgow outfit who will soon have to look at replacing captain and fellow centre half David Weir who at 40 years of age is no spring chicken.
With Smith’s hands tied by the club’s crippling debt, losing Wilson could represent a major loss for the former Scotland captain’s heir apparent and although the fee bandied about right now would be useful in the short-term, in the long-term it would hurt Rangers more than they would care to admit.
Written by James McManus
Click on image to see a gallery of the BEST BABES at the World Cup this summer
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Steve Kean claimed his first win as Blackburn boss this week to placate rumours of a mutiny at Ewood Park. Exactly how much faith the new owners have in Kean’s leadership may be in evidence over the next few weeks, as they look to bankroll squad reinforcement.
Sunderland were played off the park at Old Trafford on Boxing Day and with a number of key players still missing, Blackburn will fancy their chances of taking something from their trip to Tyneside. Rovers must be aware, however, of the Black Cats’ fearsome record at the Stadium of Light over the last 12 months.
Titus Bramble should return to relieve some of Steve Bruce’s selection headaches, and with a formidable strike force up front, Sunderland will certainly possess some threat to Kean’s attempts at steadying the Blackburn ship.
Major defensive weaknesses could still come back to haunt Sunderland here, particularly if Bramble is lacking in match sharpness, but with Nikola Kalinic serving a domestic suspension for his sending off against West Brom, these shortcomings may not be exposed by an occasionally toothless Rovers.
Prediction: 1-1
Click to see the match odds at Paddy Power below
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