Manchester City need to learn European lessons

Manchester City managed to snatch a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Spanish La Liga side Villarreal.

City got the victory courtesy of an injury-time winner from Argentinian substitute Sergio Aguero.

City boss Roberto Mancini didn’t want to use the striker but the Premier League leaders really needed a goal the win.

Lacklustre

Manchester City looked very lacklustre and didn’t play like they usually do in the English top flight. In the Premier League the movement of the likes of David Silva and Samir Nasri is too much for most opponents.

However in the Champions League the pair have failed to reproduce their league form. The key to City’s style and pace of play is dictated by the duo. When they don’t produce the team seem to struggle. The key to City’s success in recent seasons is the pace that the team play at.

Isolated

For a lot of the Villarreal game lone striker Edin Dzeko looked isolated and struggled to hold the ball up. Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini spotted the fact that Dzeko was lacking support up front and changed it after just 38 minutes.

He substituted winger Adam Johnson and brought on Gareth Barry with Yaya Toure moving into more of an attacking role just behind Dzeko. Dzeko looked far more threatening when usual strike-partner Sergio Aguero came off the substitute bench.

Different

Manchester City players know that the Champions League is different from the Premier League but they are struggling to adapt their game. It’s City’s debut season in the Champions League and it will take some time for the whole club to get accustomed to Europe’s elite competition.

Lots of English clubs in their Champions League debut season have failed to get out of the group stage. Its not uncommon because it takes time for teams to get used to playing at the top level of European football.

Mistakes

Mistakes are punished far more in the Champions League than they are in the Premier League. It’s a step up that sometimes teams struggle to make. City were punished in the first few minutes against Villarreal with the opening game. City will need to cut out the silly little mistakes if they are to progress in the Champions League this season.

Lessons

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has experienced the Champions League before with Inter but he seems to now be learning his Champions League lessons. He acted quickly against Villarreal when he realised that the game wasn’t going his sides way.

Mancini is starting to show his true managerial skills this season. City fans haven’t always been convinced by the Italian but he is starting to show them that he could be the man to bring real success to the club. He is starting to earn his vast wages and doing a decent job.

Super-sub

Argentinian superstar Sergio Aguero was again the hero for City. The striker has been struggling with injury problems in recent weeks and was only supposed to come on in an emergency. Mancini obviously thought last night was an emergency situation.

Aguero was in the right place at the right time as he scored from close-range in injury-time. Aguero is the sort of clever player who always seems to be in the right place at the right time. City will need the former-Atletico Madrid striker to be at his best for this weekends derby with Manchester United.

Balance

Manchester City’s qualification for the knockout stages is in the balance but its looking brighter now than it did before their last minute winner last night. City still have tough trips to Villarreal and Napoli and also a home game with Bayern Munich.

This group has definitely been a tough introduction to the Champions League for City. However if Manchester City want to be the biggest club in Europe they will have to start to figure out how to negotiate these tricky games.

Will Manchester City qualify for the knockout stages?

View the original article here

UEFA Hand Real Madrid Boss Jose Mourinho Five Match European Ban

Jose Mourinho has been given a five-match European ban for his conduct after Real Madrid’s Champions League semi-final first-leg against Barcelona.

Uefa said it was “inappropriate” for the Madrid coach to accuse them – and referees – of trying to help Barcelona win, following Real’s 2-0 home defeat.

Mourinho served one match of the ban in the second leg, and another of the five games is suspended for three years.

Madrid have announced they will appeal against Mourinho’s punishment.

“Real Madrid considers this resolution still suffers from the same defects found at the start of the disciplinary case, which made it impossible for our coach to use his right to defend himself,” read a statement on the club’s website.

They claim that the exact statements for which the disciplinary case was opened are “still unknown”.

European football’s governing body also banned Barcelona keeper Jose Pinto from the Champions League final, while Real’s Pepe – who was sent off in the match – has been handed a one-match ban.

Former Chelsea manager Mourinho – who has also been fined 50,000 euros by Uefa’s control and disciplinary panel – will miss Madrid’s first three European games next season for his sending-off, and the outspoken comments that followed, after the club’s first-leg loss. (BBC Sport)

This is not all together surprising as UEFA, as inept as they appear to be, are not likely to stand idly by as a manager accuses them of being in cahoots with Barcelona. I was actually expecting a longer ban and one wonders whether Jose Mourinho will be at Real Madrid next term to serve the suspension as many sources believe the Bernabeu side may opt to axe the ‘Special One’ this summer.

Even former president Ramon Calderon has stated that the Portuguese boss has harmed the club’s reputation and clearly losing out to Barcelona in La Liga and the Champions League is not something the club’s board will take lightly, not least because Mourinho spent a small fortune on the likes of …. only to see his side end up even further behind their Catalan rivals than before.

Manuel Pellegrini was sacked last summer even though he collected a record haul of 96 points in the La Liga season and finished just three points adrift of Barcelona. This term the gap is currently eight points and Barcelona can secure the title this weekend if results go their way.

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Tagged Under: jose mourinho, real madrid

Mike Ashley Outlines European Ambitions For Newcastle United

5 comments by Jack Atchinson on March 30th, 2011

St James’ Park owner wants a return of European football every season to the North-East.

European giants to battle for Neymar; Borussia Dortmund chasing Croatian hotshot

European giants to battle for Neymar

A number of European giants including Juventus, Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United had their scouts watch Santos striker Neymar as Brazil and Scotland squared off at the Emirates.

Brazilian hotshot Neymar impressed the visiting scouts as he scored both goals for Mano Menezes’ side and he is likely to be a subject of a real bidding war in the summer.

Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici was present, confirming that the Bianconeri were interested in the 19-year-old.

The Old Lady had previously had their scouts watch Neymar at the Under-20 South American Championship in Peru.

Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United also had their representatives at the Emirates, just like few other European clubs.

Chelsea came really close to signing the Brazilian prospect in January and they are likely to reignite their interest at the end of the season, although the Blues will face a stiff competition from Juventus, Barcelona and Manchester United.

Santos are holding out for

European giants to battle for Neymar; Borussia Dortmund chasing Croatian hotshot

European giants to battle for Neymar

A number of European giants including Juventus, Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United had their scouts watch Santos striker Neymar as Brazil and Scotland squared off at the Emirates.

Brazilian hotshot Neymar impressed the visiting scouts as he scored both goals for Mano Menezes’ side and he is likely to be a subject of a real bidding war in the summer.

Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici was present, confirming that the Bianconeri were interested in the 19-year-old.

The Old Lady had previously had their scouts watch Neymar at the Under-20 South American Championship in Peru.

Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United also had their representatives at the Emirates, just like few other European clubs.

Chelsea came really close to signing the Brazilian prospect in January and they are likely to reignite their interest at the end of the season, although the Blues will face a stiff competition from Juventus, Barcelona and Manchester United.

Santos are holding out for

La Liga wrap: Sevilla, Mallorca continue European pursuit

Sevilla closed the gap on fifth-placed Espanyol with a 3-0 win over Sporting Gijon in La Liga on Tuesday.

Gregorio Manzano’s side looked hard pressed to finish in the Europa League qualification places after a slow start to the season.

But they have now climbed level on points with sixth-placed Athletic Bilbao and are just two points behind Espanyol in fifth following a comprehensive victory over Sporting.

Brazil forward Luis Fabiano opened the scoring for the hosts from the penalty spot in the 29th minute at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan after he was brought down by Sebastian Eguren inside the area.

Eguren received his marching orders for the foul on the Brazilian, leaving Sporting a man short with an hour still to play.

Just eight minutes later and Sevilla were 2-0 up and cruising when Diego Perotti converted a fast break with a right-footed shot from inside the area.

Alvaro Negredo completed the scoring on 65th minute when he collected Ivan Rakitic’s through-ball and beat Ivan Pichu in the Sporting goal.

Earlier, Mallorca did Sevilla a favour by coming from behind to beat out-of-sorts Espanyol 2-1 away from home.

Stuttering Espanyol have been replaced in the top four by Villarreal and have now lost five of their last six matches.

They took the lead through Alvaro Vasquez 19 minutes into the match the Estadio Cornella El-Prat, but were fortunate not to be behind after Gonzalo Castro missed a ninth-minute penalty for visitors Mallorca.

Cameroon forward Pierre Webo equalised from a Sergio Tejera free-kick on 63 minutes, before Emilio Nsue followed up a parried shot from Akihiro Ienaga to strike the winner with seven minutes to go.

The win lifts Mallorca to 10th, just six points behind faltering Espanyol.

Wed 2 March, 2011

Moyes chasing European spot

David Moyes wants Everton to catch the teams chasing European qualification spots and has a score to settle against Bolton Wanderers.

When he was Preston manager, Moyes was beaten in a play-off game by Bolton in 2001 – an afternoon he has not forgotten.

“When I was manager at Preston they beat me in the end of season Championship play-offs around 10 years ago and they have been in the Premier League ever since,” Moyes said.

“It has always been hard to travel to Bolton because they have always had good managers – especially Sam Allardyce.”

“Bolton have done very well this year and Owen Coyle has got them playing good football. I hope our players will be up for the challenge and we know it is going to be a hard game.”

“We have been trying to catch up with teams like Bolton and hopefully if we can go on a run of three or four wins then we can be on the tails of the teams outside of the European places.”

“We’re only in February and we’ve got to hope the best is yet to come. In the past few seasons that’s been how it’s worked out so we are hoping it will be that way again.”

“A lot of teams at the lower end of the Premier League are playing really well and it can be quite unpredictable. There are lots of good games but also some that are very tight.”

“It’s very close and I don’t think there is a lot between the teams at the top and the teams at the bottom. Last week the team at the bottom

Moyes chasing European spot

David Moyes wants Everton to catch the teams chasing European qualification spots and has a score to settle against Bolton Wanderers.

When he was Preston manager, Moyes was beaten in a play-off game by Bolton in 2001 – an afternoon he has not forgotten.

“When I was manager at Preston they beat me in the end of season Championship play-offs around 10 years ago and they have been in the Premier League ever since,” Moyes said.

“It has always been hard to travel to Bolton because they have always had good managers – especially Sam Allardyce.”

“Bolton have done very well this year and Owen Coyle has got them playing good football. I hope our players will be up for the challenge and we know it is going to be a hard game.”

“We have been trying to catch up with teams like Bolton and hopefully if we can go on a run of three or four wins then we can be on the tails of the teams outside of the European places.”

“We’re only in February and we’ve got to hope the best is yet to come. In the past few seasons that’s been how it’s worked out so we are hoping it will be that way again.”

“A lot of teams at the lower end of the Premier League are playing really well and it can be quite unpredictable. There are lots of good games but also some that are very tight.”

“It’s very close and I don’t think there is a lot between the teams at the top and the teams at the bottom. Last week the team at the bottom

Pastore hints at Juventus move; European giants to battle for Pirlo

Pastore hints at Juventus move

Palermo star Javier Pastore reveals that he would rather join Juventus than Barcelona, despite earlier saying that his dream was to play for Barca.

Speaking to journalists while in Argentina camp, Pastore was asked whether he would rather sign for Juventus or Barcelona.

Pastore hints at Juventus move; European giants to battle for Pirlo

Pastore hints at Juventus move

Palermo star Javier Pastore reveals that he would rather join Juventus than Barcelona, despite earlier saying that his dream was to play for Barca.

Speaking to journalists while in Argentina camp, Pastore was asked whether he would rather sign for Juventus or Barcelona.

Rovers 1 Fulham 1: Home draw triggers European bidding war for Allardyce

By: Dave | September 19th, 2010

Re: Manager’s position, Real Madrid CF

Dear Señor Florentino Perez,

Bonjour and hasta la vista, I am sure that I need not introduce myself to you, given my international reputation as a football manager of the highest quality, but I shall nonetheless. I am Mr Sam Allardyce, currently manager of Blackburn Rovers FC in a pointless corner of the world known as East Lancashire. They used to have loads of cotton mills and that, but now they make money by selling fake crystal meth or stealing sheep. The weather is always terrible, and the staple Balti pies are made from recycled hot dogs and Bovril. Their only contributions to the cultural world are Jim Bowen’s casual racism and Diana Vickers. The football club somehow managed to become Premier League champions in 1995 but went on to appoint a series of managers who were much worse than me, and so they found themselves in the relegation zone in 2008. Luckily they realised that I was a football genius and so begged me to come and run the team. Since then I’ve saved them from relegation by signing a spitting, drink-driving wife-beater and a selection of centre forwards whose only attributes are that they are massive and don’t mind chasing inaccurate long balls from the defenders. Last season I led them to a triumphant top-ten finish, and they beat Burnley twice. Anyway, I’m sick of this horrible place and have been desperately looking for a way out since they told me that I can’t sign Kevin Davies. I note that you are currently languishing in second place in La Liga, and so I intend to save you from the perils of the useless and overrated Mourinho by offering my services as your new manager.

Let me begin by outlining the highlights from my glittering CV. After a distinguished playing career at the likes of Huddersfield Town, Limerick and Tampa Bay Rowdies, I was appointed manager of Notts County and led them to the Division 3 title after only one season in charge. Realising that I was too good for them, I went to Bolton Wanderers and earned ‘legendary’ status by coming second in the Carling Cup Final and once qualifying for the UEFA Cup. I felt that I wanted more job security and so moved to Newcastle United where I was unfairly dismissed because they wouldn’t let me sign Kevin Davies. I had won the hearts of the famous Geordie fans though, and they will always look back on my time there with fond memories, certain that I would have won the league with more quality signings such as David Rozehnal and Claudio Cacapa. I’m sure you’ll agree that this pedigree makes me unsuitable for such a lowly job as Blackburn Wanderers manager, and that my brand of direct football could save Reel Madrid from obscurity.

In England, I was the first manager to use sports psychologists and ProZone, which transformed Kevin Davies from a big lump of turgid DNA waste into the sophisticated striker of today. I also patented a cunning style of play which everyone says is brilliant. I don’t want to give too much away (I know that the pathetic ‘Special One’ will steal anyone’s tactics in his efforts to win trophies), and it’s hard to describe such an intricate, complex style of play in a few words, but it involves smashing the ball as long and as high as possible into the opposition’s box and hoping that my 6’7” centre half gets his head on it. In our match against Fulham on Saturday this worked particularly well, although I had to tell the wife-beater I signed to push their goalkeeper out of the way, as he was taller than most. Unfortunately, Fulham tried to play football on the floor and were passing and moving quickly. I wouldn’t call this approach ‘cheating’ as such, but it’s not really how the game should be played. All the journalists and pundits agreed that we don’t want to see this style of football in the Premier League and that their equaliser was ill-deserved. We were unlucky to come away with a draw, and it was the referee’s fault that we created nothing in the second half.

I’m sure that you are sick and tired of the likes of Mourinho, Capello, Hiddink and del Bosque continually touting themselves as top quality managers who’ve won championships and European Cups, and are keen to recruit someone who made the likes of Per Frandsen and Stelios Giannakopolous into world-class players of international fame. Everyone thinks that I should have got the England job, but whilst the FA continues to tolerate Capello I am free to take control of Real, and turn them into a successful team. I am happy to sign a ten-year contract for only £150,000 per week, and my only demand is that I must be allowed to sign Kevin Davies and El Hadji Diouf (we can sell Kaka and Ronaldo to fund the transfers – my son can handle all the paperwork). The poor quality of the balti pies in Lancashire has warped the minds of the Blackburn fans to the point where they would happily let Mourinho take over their team, rather than have the best manager in Europe (i.e me) in charge, so a swap deal would be the perfect solution for everyone.

I’m sure that you won’t want to let such a fantastic opportunity pass you by, and I hope my modesty doesn’t hide the fact that a lot of people say I’m the greatest manager of the modern era.

Yours sincerely,

Sam Allardycio

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PrintShare.wp-notable img {border: none;margin-left:5px;}  Comments   |  Add your comment kabir | September 19th, 2010 at 3:56 pm

Brilliant!

Joe Wright | September 20th, 2010 at 6:14 am

Outstanding! Allardyce’s comments are comedy gold, I just hope Mouriniho deems it fit to respond.

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