Europa League preview: Villarreal seek to spark revival

Villarreal must turn around their stuttering form if they are to avoid Europa League elimination at the hands of Napoli on Thursday.

The Spanish outfit host Napoli at the El Madrigal for the second leg of their round-of-32 tie following a goal-less first outing in Italy last week.

While carrying a 0-0 aggregate into their home leg is certainly advantageous, Villarreal have been less than impressive of late and will need to improve if they are hold off Walter Mazzarri’s men.

Villarreal have gone winless in their past four fixtures across all competitions, beginning with a 1-0 loss to Spanish strugglers Levante that ended an unbeaten record at home.

That defeat sparked a torrid February run that has since included a 1-0 away loss at Deportivo La Coruna, their goal-less trip to Napoli and a 1-1 stalemate at the El Madrigal to bottom-placed La Liga outfit Malaga.

Juan Carlos Garridos’ men have not kept a clean sheet at home since January 3, more than a mere worry given Napoli’s penchant for scoring this season.

Prolific Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani (20 goals in 26 appearances) has been instrumental in a league campaign that has seen Mazzarri’s side draw within three points of league leaders AC Milan.

In stark contrast to Villarreal, the Italians have gone unbeaten in their last four fixtures and lost just two of their past 11 across all competitions.

But Napoli also have a crucial trip to Milan to contend with on Monday, and Villarreal will be hoping the distraction of taking on the Serie A leaders will play into their favour on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Scottish outfit Rangers carry an injury-depleted side and a 1-1 aggregate into their second leg at Sporting Lisbon.

Steven Naismith, Jamie Ness, Lee McCulloch and Kirk Broadfoot are all ruled out through injury, while Nikica Jelavic is ineligible and Kyle Hutton is in doubt with illness.

Sporting, who avoided a 1-0 loss in the away leg when Matias Fernandez nabbed an 89th-minute equaliser, have been defeated at home just three times in the Portuguese Liga this season and will prove an exceedingly difficult prospect for the Scottish champions.

Elsewhere, Manchester City host Aris and Liverpool welcome Sparta Prague after both Premier League clubs secured 0-0 draws in their away legs.

Dutch Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven can end Lille’s campaign when the French outfit travel to the Netherlands with a 2-2 aggregate, while Paris Saint-Germain hold the same advantage following a 2-2 draw at Belarusian champions BATE Borisov last week.

Twente can wrap up their tie at home after defeating Rubin Kazan 2-0 in their away leg, as can Bayer Leverkusen, whose 4-0 victory at Metalist Kharkiv should be enough to see them through to the round of 16.

Anderlecht have some ground to make up if they are to turn around their 3-0 loss at home to Ajax last week, as do Sporting Braga, who fell 1-0 at Lech Poznan in the opening leg.

Dynamo Kiev carry a healthy 4-1 aggregate into their home leg against Besiktas, while VfB Stuttgart will look to turn around their 2-1 loss at Benfica.

Young Boys hold a 2-1 advantage going into their away leg at Zenit St Petersburg, and Spartak Moscow will feel confident of advancing after a 3-2 win at FC Basel last time out.

Wed 23 February, 2011

Europa League preview: Villarreal seek to spark revival

Villarreal must turn around their stuttering form if they are to avoid Europa League elimination at the hands of Napoli on Thursday.

The Spanish outfit host Napoli at the El Madrigal for the second leg of their round-of-32 tie following a goal-less first outing in Italy last week.

While carrying a 0-0 aggregate into their home leg is certainly advantageous, Villarreal have been less than impressive of late and will need to improve if they are hold off Walter Mazzarri’s men.

Villarreal have gone winless in their past four fixtures across all competitions, beginning with a 1-0 loss to Spanish strugglers Levante that ended an unbeaten record at home.

That defeat sparked a torrid February run that has since included a 1-0 away loss at Deportivo La Coruna, their goal-less trip to Napoli and a 1-1 stalemate at the El Madrigal to bottom-placed La Liga outfit Malaga.

Juan Carlos Garridos’ men have not kept a clean sheet at home since January 3, more than a mere worry given Napoli’s penchant for scoring this season.

Prolific Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani (20 goals in 26 appearances) has been instrumental in a league campaign that has seen Mazzarri’s side draw within three points of league leaders AC Milan.

In stark contrast to Villarreal, the Italians have gone unbeaten in their last four fixtures and lost just two of their past 11 across all competitions.

But Napoli also have a crucial trip to Milan to contend with on Monday, and Villarreal will be hoping the distraction of taking on the Serie A leaders will play into their favour on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Scottish outfit Rangers carry an injury-depleted side and a 1-1 aggregate into their second leg at Sporting Lisbon.

Steven Naismith, Jamie Ness, Lee McCulloch and Kirk Broadfoot are all ruled out through injury, while Nikica Jelavic is ineligible and Kyle Hutton is in doubt with illness.

Sporting, who avoided a 1-0 loss in the away leg when Matias Fernandez nabbed an 89th-minute equaliser, have been defeated at home just three times in the Portuguese Liga this season and will prove an exceedingly difficult prospect for the Scottish champions.

Elsewhere, Manchester City host Aris and Liverpool welcome Sparta Prague after both Premier League clubs secured 0-0 draws in their away legs.

Dutch Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven can end Lille’s campaign when the French outfit travel to the Netherlands with a 2-2 aggregate, while Paris Saint-Germain hold the same advantage following a 2-2 draw at Belarusian champions BATE Borisov last week.

Twente can wrap up their tie at home after defeating Rubin Kazan 2-0 in their away leg, as can Bayer Leverkusen, whose 4-0 victory at Metalist Kharkiv should be enough to see them through to the round of 16.

Anderlecht have some ground to make up if they are to turn around their 3-0 loss at home to Ajax last week, as do Sporting Braga, who fell 1-0 at Lech Poznan in the opening leg.

Dynamo Kiev carry a healthy 4-1 aggregate into their home leg against Besiktas, while VfB Stuttgart will look to turn around their 2-1 loss at Benfica.

Young Boys hold a 2-1 advantage going into their away leg at Zenit St Petersburg, and Spartak Moscow will feel confident of advancing after a 3-2 win at FC Basel last time out.

Wed 23 February, 2011

Wolves look to continue revival

Wolverhampton head into Saturday’s clash with Liverpool hoping to do the double over the Merseysiders.

Mick McCarthy’s side remain in the bottom three but were unfortunate to lose 4-3 at Manchester City last week and trounced Doncaster 5-0 in the FA Cup on Tuesday.

And McCarthy wants his side to build on those results, which came after a recent upsurge in form that included a stunning 1-0 victory at Anfield in December.

But McCarthy does not want to focus on that game, although he was more than happy with his side’s visit to Eastlands last week.

“The biggest positive we can take is other teams would have capitulated at four – ours didn’t,” said McCarthy. “They tried to shut the game down but our lads didn’t let it happen.”

He added: “Going to Anfield and winning was a nice thing to do. But this is a different game, a different place and they have a different manager. Fortunately we don’t.”

Wolves’ new signing, Liverpool-born Adam Hammill, will definitely be in the squad.

And McCarthy believes the former Barnsley man could be a real Premier League star, although he insists that the 22-year-old’s arrival will not lead to the departure of either Matt Jarvis or Stephen Hunt.

“He’s got ability and a goal in him on either flank,” the former Ireland boss explained. “He was released from Liverpool but he is now in the Premier League and has got the opportunity.”

“And when speaking with Adam and his agent I told them I hope he knows that we have two good wingers here, Jarvis and Hunt, who are not going anywhere.”

Dave Edwards was not well this week with flu symptoms and failed to train on Friday. He will definitely be out of contention for the game with Liverpool as well as Geoffrey Mujangi Bia who has a tight hamstring.

Fri 21 January, 2011

Wolves look to continue revival

Wolverhampton head into Saturday’s clash with Liverpool hoping to do the double over the Merseysiders.

Mick McCarthy’s side remain in the bottom three but were unfortunate to lose 4-3 at Manchester City last week and trounced Doncaster 5-0 in the FA Cup on Tuesday.

And McCarthy wants his side to build on those results, which came after a recent upsurge in form that included a stunning 1-0 victory at Anfield in December.

But McCarthy does not want to focus on that game, although he was more than happy with his side’s visit to Eastlands last week.

“The biggest positive we can take is other teams would have capitulated at four – ours didn’t,” said McCarthy. “They tried to shut the game down but our lads didn’t let it happen.”

He added: “Going to Anfield and winning was a nice thing to do. But this is a different game, a different place and they have a different manager. Fortunately we don’t.”

Wolves’ new signing, Liverpool-born Adam Hammill, will definitely be in the squad.

And McCarthy believes the former Barnsley man could be a real Premier League star, although he insists that the 22-year-old’s arrival will not lead to the departure of either Matt Jarvis or Stephen Hunt.

“He’s got ability and a goal in him on either flank,” the former Ireland boss explained. “He was released from Liverpool but he is now in the Premier League and has got the opportunity.”

“And when speaking with Adam and his agent I told them I hope he knows that we have two good wingers here, Jarvis and Hunt, who are not going anywhere.”

Dave Edwards was not well this week with flu symptoms and failed to train on Friday. He will definitely be out of contention for the game with Liverpool as well as Geoffrey Mujangi Bia who has a tight hamstring.

Fri 21 January, 2011

Inter revival continues under Leonardo

Inter Milan coach Leonardo feels his side is firmly back on track after they posted their fourth win in succession under the Brazilian’s stewardship.

Inter cruised to a 4-1 win over Bologna on Saturday, thanks to a brace from striker Samuel Eto’o, a win that lifted the reigning champions to fourth in Serie A.

The match was notable for another reason, with Inter captain Javier Zanetti matching Beppe Bergomi’s record of 519 Serie A appearances for the Nerazzurri.

But most pleasing for Leonardo was the resounding result, which he believes sends a clear message that his team is back on track after the disastrous reign of Rafael Benitez.

“I think this is the Inter we saw for such a long time. It’s a team with clear ideas and a clear vision of its football,” Leonardo said.

Inter moved to within eight points of league leaders AC Milan – the club where Leonardo made his name – but the Brazilian said any thoughts of overhauling their fierce rivals was premature.

“I respect Milan, but right now I have a rapport with Inter. There are a lot of games to go, so it’s not the time to be making calculations,” he said.

“This was an important victory against a Bologna side in good form. It is wonderful to see Samuel Eto’o and Diego Milito seek each other out on the field. Harmony in a team is essential.”

Sun 16 January, 2011