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Crunch time for Euro elite
(FIFA.com) Friday 21 March 2008
The weekend ahead could prove decisive in the continent's five major championships. With just a handful of games left, this is no time to be dropping points.
Premier League frontrunners Manchester United have the chance to open out a significant advantage at the top, as do Olympique Lyonnais in Ligue 1, Inter Milan in Serie A and Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. Over in Spain, where Real Madrid's lead looks almost unassailable, attention is now turning to the battle for second place.
FIFA.com previews the weekend action in Europe's major leagues, not to mention another instalment in an exceptionally tight Turkish title race.
Premier League: All set for Grand Slam SundayThe fixture computer did its job in throwing up a spectacular double-header on Matchday 31, with the top four facing off in another round of do-or-die encounters.
Manchester United made the most of their game in hand last Wednesday, defeating Bolton Wanderers 2-0 to extend their lead over Arsenal to three points. And the Red Devils will have the opportunity to take a potentially decisive step towards the title when they host Liverpool. Rafael Benitez's fast-improving side need the points themselves, however, with local rivals Everton breathing down their necks in fifth place.
Third-placed Chelsea had to be content with a point after leading for most of their spectacular 4-4 draw at Tottenham in midweek. Victory over the Gunners at Stamford Bridge, however, will see them move second.
The question: Perhaps feeling the effects of their barnstorming run in the UEFA Champions League, Arsenal have been faltering of late. Do they have what it takes to keep Chelsea at arm's length and stay on Manchester United's trail?
The big games: Manchester United-Liverpool, Sunday 23 March, 14.30 and Chelsea-Arsenal, Sunday 23 March, 17.00 (both CET).
The quote: "Things can change quickly over a season. A few months ago we were off the pace, but now we're in an excellent position," John Terry, Chelsea captain.
Ligue 1: Lyon set to land knockout blow
Fully recovered from their disappointing European exit, Lyon look to be well set for a seventh consecutive league title. Les Gones are six points clear of the pack with nine games remaining and could virtually wrap things up with victory over surprise strugglers PSG. Second-placed Bordeaux, meanwhile, face a tricky assignment away to Valenciennes.
At the other end of the table the relegation trapdoor remains wide open. Although Metz have long since been resigned to their fate, only six points separate the six sides above them with Toulouse, who were contesting the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League only last autumn, the most perilously placed.
The question: Having slumped since their shock UEFA Cup exit, can Olympique Marseille get back on track at home to Sochaux?
The big game: Olympique Lyon-PSG, Sunday 23 March, 20.55 CET.
The quote: "I don't get the impression that the team's completely dead, far from it. My feeling is that the players want to get out of this," Paul Le Guen, PSG coach.
La Liga: Barcelona sense Villarreal pressure
Real Madrid's topsy-turvy form does not seem to have dented their title credentials. Despite six league reverses so far this season, Los Merengues still hold a seven-point lead over Barcelona. The Catalan giants should have nothing to fear when Valladolid come to town on Sunday. But after a draw and a defeat in their last two games, Frank Rijkaard's men need all the points they can get, particularly with third-placed Villarreal, who visit doomed Levante, now hot on their heels.
Elsewhere, Sevilla have a golden chance to leapfrog Atletico Madrid into a UEFA Champions League slot when they welcome the Colchoneros to the Sanchez Pizjuan on Saturday.
The question: The much-criticised Ronaldinho has already missed 17 games this season. Will the Brazilian be making a rare start against Valladolid this weekend?
The big game: Sevilla-Atletico Madrid, Saturday 22 March, 20.00 CET.
The quote: "The jealous people who are trying to unsettle me will never get what they want. No one can destroy Ronaldinho and no criticism in the world can ever stop me from wanting to play," Ronaldinho, Barcelona player.
Serie A: AC Milan feeling the heat
AC Milan have seen their season implode following three defeats on the bounce. After Arsenal spiked their guns in Europe, Roma and Sampdoria put the skids under their bid to return to the UEFA Champions League, leaving the Milan giants four points behind Fiorentina in fourth and the small matter of 22 behind leaders Inter. The Rossoneri's desperate home form has proved their undoing this season, with Carlo Ancelotti's side picking up only four wins out of 14 games at the San Siro.
Roma's title aspirations took a severe dent on Wednesday when they went down 3-2 to Lazio, a painful defeat that saw them drop seven points behind Roberto Mancini's league leaders.
The question: Can AC Milan revive their bid for a place in next year's showpiece European club tournament with victory away to Torino on Saturday?
The big game: Inter Milan-Juventus, Saturday 22 March, 20.30 CET.
The quote: "The championship's not over yet. Roma are used to pulling off the impossible." Luciano Spalletti, Rome coach.
Bundesliga: Bayern keen to reassert themselves
Following their shock 2-0 defeat to Energie Cottbus, Bayern will be keen to reassert their authority when they entertain Bayer Leverkusen, who moved third last Sunday after sweeping aside Nurnberg 4-1.
Former Bayern coach Felix Magath could lend his old club a helping hand when his Wolfsburg side play host to second-placed Hamburger SV on Saturday. Having scored only 35 goals in 24 games, the lowest tally in the top seven, the northerners will need to brush up their finishing skills if they are to exert any pressure on the leaders. Werder Bremen, who currently lie fourth, could close the gap on the leaders when they travel to Arminia Bielefeld on Sunday.
The question: Can Bayern Munich stay on course for a league, cup and UEFA Cup treble?
The big game: Bayern Munich-Bayer Leverkusen, Saturday 22 March, 15.30 CET.
The quote: "We shouldn't be under any illusions - the title is going to Bayern. But we are improving all the time and that has helped us to move up to the top of the table," Rudi Voller, Bayer Leverkusen's sporting director.
ElsewhereThere is no question that the Turkish championship is the tightest in Europe. Besiktas hold a slender one-point lead at the top and need maximum points from their visit to Buyuksehir if they are to keep closest challengers Fenerbahce and Galatasaray at bay. The Istanbul giants entertain rockbottom Kasimpasa and sixth-placed Denizlispor respectively.
(FIFA.com) Friday 21 March 2008
The weekend ahead could prove decisive in the continent's five major championships. With just a handful of games left, this is no time to be dropping points.
Premier League frontrunners Manchester United have the chance to open out a significant advantage at the top, as do Olympique Lyonnais in Ligue 1, Inter Milan in Serie A and Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. Over in Spain, where Real Madrid's lead looks almost unassailable, attention is now turning to the battle for second place.
FIFA.com previews the weekend action in Europe's major leagues, not to mention another instalment in an exceptionally tight Turkish title race.
Premier League: All set for Grand Slam SundayThe fixture computer did its job in throwing up a spectacular double-header on Matchday 31, with the top four facing off in another round of do-or-die encounters.
Manchester United made the most of their game in hand last Wednesday, defeating Bolton Wanderers 2-0 to extend their lead over Arsenal to three points. And the Red Devils will have the opportunity to take a potentially decisive step towards the title when they host Liverpool. Rafael Benitez's fast-improving side need the points themselves, however, with local rivals Everton breathing down their necks in fifth place.
Third-placed Chelsea had to be content with a point after leading for most of their spectacular 4-4 draw at Tottenham in midweek. Victory over the Gunners at Stamford Bridge, however, will see them move second.
The question: Perhaps feeling the effects of their barnstorming run in the UEFA Champions League, Arsenal have been faltering of late. Do they have what it takes to keep Chelsea at arm's length and stay on Manchester United's trail?
The big games: Manchester United-Liverpool, Sunday 23 March, 14.30 and Chelsea-Arsenal, Sunday 23 March, 17.00 (both CET).
The quote: "Things can change quickly over a season. A few months ago we were off the pace, but now we're in an excellent position," John Terry, Chelsea captain.
Ligue 1: Lyon set to land knockout blow
Fully recovered from their disappointing European exit, Lyon look to be well set for a seventh consecutive league title. Les Gones are six points clear of the pack with nine games remaining and could virtually wrap things up with victory over surprise strugglers PSG. Second-placed Bordeaux, meanwhile, face a tricky assignment away to Valenciennes.
At the other end of the table the relegation trapdoor remains wide open. Although Metz have long since been resigned to their fate, only six points separate the six sides above them with Toulouse, who were contesting the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League only last autumn, the most perilously placed.
The question: Having slumped since their shock UEFA Cup exit, can Olympique Marseille get back on track at home to Sochaux?
The big game: Olympique Lyon-PSG, Sunday 23 March, 20.55 CET.
The quote: "I don't get the impression that the team's completely dead, far from it. My feeling is that the players want to get out of this," Paul Le Guen, PSG coach.
La Liga: Barcelona sense Villarreal pressure
Real Madrid's topsy-turvy form does not seem to have dented their title credentials. Despite six league reverses so far this season, Los Merengues still hold a seven-point lead over Barcelona. The Catalan giants should have nothing to fear when Valladolid come to town on Sunday. But after a draw and a defeat in their last two games, Frank Rijkaard's men need all the points they can get, particularly with third-placed Villarreal, who visit doomed Levante, now hot on their heels.
Elsewhere, Sevilla have a golden chance to leapfrog Atletico Madrid into a UEFA Champions League slot when they welcome the Colchoneros to the Sanchez Pizjuan on Saturday.
The question: The much-criticised Ronaldinho has already missed 17 games this season. Will the Brazilian be making a rare start against Valladolid this weekend?
The big game: Sevilla-Atletico Madrid, Saturday 22 March, 20.00 CET.
The quote: "The jealous people who are trying to unsettle me will never get what they want. No one can destroy Ronaldinho and no criticism in the world can ever stop me from wanting to play," Ronaldinho, Barcelona player.
Serie A: AC Milan feeling the heat
AC Milan have seen their season implode following three defeats on the bounce. After Arsenal spiked their guns in Europe, Roma and Sampdoria put the skids under their bid to return to the UEFA Champions League, leaving the Milan giants four points behind Fiorentina in fourth and the small matter of 22 behind leaders Inter. The Rossoneri's desperate home form has proved their undoing this season, with Carlo Ancelotti's side picking up only four wins out of 14 games at the San Siro.
Roma's title aspirations took a severe dent on Wednesday when they went down 3-2 to Lazio, a painful defeat that saw them drop seven points behind Roberto Mancini's league leaders.
The question: Can AC Milan revive their bid for a place in next year's showpiece European club tournament with victory away to Torino on Saturday?
The big game: Inter Milan-Juventus, Saturday 22 March, 20.30 CET.
The quote: "The championship's not over yet. Roma are used to pulling off the impossible." Luciano Spalletti, Rome coach.
Bundesliga: Bayern keen to reassert themselves
Following their shock 2-0 defeat to Energie Cottbus, Bayern will be keen to reassert their authority when they entertain Bayer Leverkusen, who moved third last Sunday after sweeping aside Nurnberg 4-1.
Former Bayern coach Felix Magath could lend his old club a helping hand when his Wolfsburg side play host to second-placed Hamburger SV on Saturday. Having scored only 35 goals in 24 games, the lowest tally in the top seven, the northerners will need to brush up their finishing skills if they are to exert any pressure on the leaders. Werder Bremen, who currently lie fourth, could close the gap on the leaders when they travel to Arminia Bielefeld on Sunday.
The question: Can Bayern Munich stay on course for a league, cup and UEFA Cup treble?
The big game: Bayern Munich-Bayer Leverkusen, Saturday 22 March, 15.30 CET.
The quote: "We shouldn't be under any illusions - the title is going to Bayern. But we are improving all the time and that has helped us to move up to the top of the table," Rudi Voller, Bayer Leverkusen's sporting director.
ElsewhereThere is no question that the Turkish championship is the tightest in Europe. Besiktas hold a slender one-point lead at the top and need maximum points from their visit to Buyuksehir if they are to keep closest challengers Fenerbahce and Galatasaray at bay. The Istanbul giants entertain rockbottom Kasimpasa and sixth-placed Denizlispor respectively.