UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LATEST
(1945 GMT unless stated)
Group E
AaB Aalborg 0-1 Celtic
Villarreal 0-0 Man Utd
Group F
Bayern Munich 0-0 Steaua Bucharest
Fiorentina 1-2 Lyon
Group G
Arsenal 0-0 Dynamo Kiev
Fenerbahce 0-2 FC Porto
Group H
BATE Borisov 0-1 Real Madrid
FT Zenit St Petersburg 0-0 Juventus
 |
606: DEBATE
|
|
By Jonathan Stevenson
|
2054: GOAL Aalborg 0-1 Celtic
2051: Wayne Rooney takes a tumble in the Villarreal penalty area, under challenge from Fabricio Fuentes, but referee Roberto Rosetti rightly does not point to the spot. Meanwhile, William Gallas appears to accidentally clear a Robin van Persie shot off the Dynamo line. He's like Action Man.
2050: That man Juninho hammers yet another free-kick against the crossbar, this time it slams down off the underside and bounces just the wrong side of the line - for Lyon, that is.
2050: "(See 2044) They were giving odds of 300/1."
James, Exeter, via text on 81111
2048: Second halves are getting under way across Europe. Hopefully, they embarrass the first halves with a goal glut. Shame on you, first 45s.
2046: Back under way at El Madrigal and Marcos Senna has indeed been taken off at the break, with Bruno coming on in his place.
2044: "What odds on none of the big four scoring this week after the weekend's drought?"
Darren, Durham, via text on 81111
No chance. I'd give you a million to one, were I a bookmaker.
2041: Danny the Stat loves half-time. He's not like you and me - never forget that: "What a day for young Cesc Fabregas - not only is he skippering the Gunners, he's also top of the Player Rater with 6.75. Imagine how proud he'll be on the phone to his family. Elsewhere, young Cliff Richard-alike Cristiano Ronaldo has "moved it" (ask your parents) to a whopping 7.60. Don't like these scores? Change them by voting."
Player Rater
2037: "Why is Carrick's first touch always so bad?!"
PragueImp on 606
Join the debate on 606
Hey, that's one of the most technically gifted English footballers you're talking about there.
2035: "Arsenal haven't scored in 245 minutes of football."
A freezing, fragile, frustrated Gooner, via text on 81111
2033: "This is where Danny the Stat comes into his own: "Small reminder for you Group F fans out there. Fiorentina have to beat Lyon, otherwise the French side qualify for the knockout stages..."
2032: Half-time at Aalborg and at the Emirates. William Gallas did just put the ball in the Dynamo net, but he was rightly ruled offside. He's box office isn't he?
2030: It's half-time at El Madrigal after a pretty flat first half. Marcos Senna, injured, is unlikely to come back out for the second period.
2029: GOAL Fiorentina 1-2 Lyon
Game over? Pah. Moments after Adrian Mutu heads against the crossbar Alberto Gilardino shows him how to do it, brilliantly nodding in a cross from the right. If you want to learn how to score with your head, watch this boy.
2028: "Why does Wenger insist on playing a centre-mid as a winger? Denilson is just dead wood out there."
DougCoglan on 606
Join the debate on 606
2026: Wayne Rooney lays the ball off to Cristiano Ronaldo and his screaming half-volley from 25 yards is brilliantly tipped on to the bar by Diego Lopez.
2025: Robin van Persie sends in another vicious free-kick from the right that Mikael Silvestre can only direct over the bar from point-blank range. It did come at him frighteningly quickly, to be fair to the Frenchman.
2024: Group E stands for EMPTY so far - no goals in either game, but Aalborg's Michael Jakobsen leaps like a wallaby and his header is palmed over the bar by Artur Boruc.
2023: My word William Gallas could do without that sort of calamity today. He is way too casual and lets Ismael Bangura take possession, the Dynamo player surging through on goal only to see his shot clip the outside of the post. Poor, from Gallas.
2022: Porto almost finish off Fenerbahce and it would have been a goal to savour. Tomas Costa escapes down the left to meet a long ball over the top and he beats Volkan Demirel all ends up with a delicate lob that looks goalbound... but bounces back into play off the far post. The Turkish side are still in this game but they have got to pull their socks up. Quickly.
2019: If Robin van Persie had a right foot... The ball lands at his feet from another Carlos Vela cross, but the Dutchman cannot shoot immediately with his right foot, gets in on to his left and his shot is saved by Stanislav Bogush.
2018: "AaB Aalborg - that's just an obscene amount of 'A's."
donkamero on 606
Join the debate on 606
2016: "Does anyone know the reason for Sir Alex picking O'Shea ahead of Rafael, the only other right-back at the club? Please enlighten me someone!"
Sian, Wales, via text on 81111
2014: GOAL Fenerbahce 0-2 FC Porto
Lisandro Lopez gets his second of the game, but it's a goal shrouded into controversy. The Argentine controls a throw-in with his arm blatantly, has his first shot blocked and then fires in the rebound.
2013: Carlos Vela's cross evades the Dynamo Kiev players and Aaron Ramsey lashes a shot wide.
2011: GOAL Fiorentina 0-2 Lyon
Game over? Not yet, but Lyon are rampant tonight. Karim Benzema collects Juninho's pass, runs forward 10 yards and then cracks a shot into the bottom corner from 25 yards. Great hit, great goal. Horribly fluorescent yellow shirts, however.
2009: Man Utd started well in Spain but Villarreal have played their way into the match. Santi Cazorla forces a decent save from Tomasz Kuszczak with a long-range strike.
2007: Juninho Pernambucano, who must have scored about a million free-kicks in his Lyon career (it's roughly 50), hammers in an absolute crackerjack from nearly 40 yards that smashes against the crossbar. What an effort.
2006: "How about Nani looking like a young Michael Jackson?"
Ben in Warrington, via text on 81111
I'm on board with that one and no mistake.
2004: GOAL Fenerbahce 0-1 FC Porto
Bruno Alves lifts over a cross from the right and Volkan comes for the ball, massively fails to get it and it falls for Lisandro Lopez to acrobatically volley into the net.
2004: It's wide open at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium and both Fenerbahce and Porto have had decent chances in the first 15 minutes. Porto's Raul Meireles has just had a fierce shot tipped over by Volkan Demirel but the Turkish side saw the best opening come and go when Alex met an enticing low cross from six yards out, only to fire over.
2003: Robin van Persie rifles over a free-kick from the right that Stanislav Bogush does well to punch away from the mixer. He put some danger on that one.
2002: Here's Danny the Stat: "As it stands - in Group H, Real Madrid are joining Juventus in the knockout stages. And - for you Group F fans - Lyon and Bayern Munich fans are joining them in every conceivable way."
1959: GOAL Fiorentina 0-1 Lyon
The French champions are up and running in Italy, Karim Benzema getting the ball on the byline down the left and his clever pull-back converted by Jean Makoun.
1957: "Completely random, but does anyone else think Cristiano Ronaldo looks like a young Cliff Richard?"
Dan, Gateshead, via text on 81111
I don't - anyone else?
1956: Celtic waste two great chances in the opening 10 minutes - Georgios Samaras completely misses the ball when sliding in on the six-yard line and Shunsuke Nakamura who blasts over. Lively start from Celtic who look more like Norwich in the green and yellow tonight.
1955: William Gallas needs some treatment after a clash with his own player, Carlos Vela, nothing intentional though, you understand? Gallas eventually gets up, and gets a decent round of applause from the home fans. Ahh.
1954: Cristiano Ronaldo does not like a challenge from Ariel Ibagaza as he shoots at goal and the two men exchange words. The referee has a word with both players. Wayne Rooney has the ball in the net shortly afterwards but the flag has already been raised for offside.
1953: Stanislav Bogush stands tall to deny Aaron Ramsey, after the Welshman collected Carlos Vela's cross and shot goalwards.
1951: GOAL BATE Borisov 0-1 Real Madrid
Champions League legend Raul settles some early nerves and turns up the heat a little bit by collecting Royston Drenthe's left-wing cross and smashing a left-foot shot in-off the crossbar. Quality finish.
1949: Here's the very, very latest from Danny the 'as it stands' Stat: "As it stands [told you so] at kick-off - Man Utd will qualify, Celtic are out (but could still claim a Uefa Cup place) and Arsenal will be top of their group with one to play - but not definitely through..."
1947: The BATE Borisov-Real Madrid game is being played in temperatures of about -10C. I feel ill just thinking about it.
1946: William Gallas, I can confirm, is not being booed. Amen.
1945: The remaining seven Champions League matches on this ludicrously cold Tuesday night are in the process of getting under way across Europe. Steel yourselves.
1943: Arsenal club captain Cesc Fabregas leads the Gunners out at the Emirates. I wonder what Arsene Wenger said in his team-talk. William Gallas crosses himself.
1941: "(See 1932) Don't boo Gallas whatever you do! After the drama of the last 10 days, the last thing we need is booing from the fans!"
An optimistic Gonner, nice and warm at home, via text on 81111
1938: Celtic must win, remember, to keep any faint Champions League last 16 hopes alive. They have won one point from their previous 17 away group games in this competition. How embarrassing.
1936: "I'm a little worried about us playing against Santi Cazorla. The kid's got crazy potential."
Trooper_ShadowSlayer on 606
Join the debate on 606
He sure has. He also told Real Madrid to 'do one' in the summer. Here's his exact quote: "There are many other things in football besides Real Madrid. It's clear that it is possible to say "no" to them." Evidently.
1932: "Stevo, do you think us Arsenal fans should boo William Gallas?"
An extremely cold Gooner at the Emirates, via text on 81111
No, absolutely not, no way. He's a magnificent defender when he's on form, and you cannot afford to upset him - have you seen how he reacts to stuff? Now he's not captain, he might just go back to being the old William Gallas.
1929: That does mean, however, that Javier Saviola gets a rare start for the Spanish champions. There's a guy who I cannot understand. I was in Barcelona when he signed for them seven years ago, and he was widely tipped to become the best player in the world. But it seems he's quite content to spend his career sitting on the bench. Come to the Premier League, Savi, you could do some real damage. A lovely player to watch when he's in form and flying.
1926: "I can't believe Stevo thinks Real Madrid will draw 1-1 with Borisov - I know it's away but come on, they should win this game."
villayouthsquad on 606
Join the debate on 606
But don't forget, this is a Real without Ruud van Nistelrooy, Arjen Robben, Mahamadou Diarra, Ruben de la Red, Gonzalo Higuain and Fabio Cannavaro.
1921: Full-time Zenit St Petersburg 0-0 Juventus
That did not deserve to be a goalless draw. The Russians are up against qualifying now, and a wasteful Danny looks suitably gutted.
1919: "Arsenal have fielded the most left-footers I have ever seen in a team, I count seven - have they broke some kind of record there?"
Anonymous, via text on 81111
What a fabulous spot that is. It's just a shame you didn't leave your name, so people could know who the new Danny the Stat is.
1916: What an Arsenal team that is. Arsene Wenger is staking an awful lot on tonight. Would you bet against teenagers Aaron Ramsey and Carlos Vela turning on the style? As for William Gallas...
1914: Cristiano Ronaldo starts for Man Utd despite limping out of the goalless draw with Aston Villa on Saturday. Boss Sir Alex Ferguson makes five changes, bringing in Jonny Evans, fit-again Darren Fletcher, Nani, Anderson and goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak. Former United striker Guiseppe Rossi plays for Villarreal, as does ex-Arsenal favourite Robert Pires.
1913: "I can't quite believe Tevez is on the bench, surely this is going to end his United career?"
hammydigrasi on 606
Join the debate on 606
1910: At the risk of making it Danny o'clock tonight (the Stat, Baker etc), the Zenit version goes agonisingly close once again to breaking the deadlock at a freezing-looking Petrovsky Stadium. He rolls the ball millimetres wide from an angle. Whoosh.
1909: VILLARREAL v MANCHESTER UNITED LINE-UPS
Villarreal: Diego Lopez, Javi Venta, Rodriguez, Fuentes, Capdevila, Santi Cazorla, Senna, Eguren, Pires, Rossi, Ibagaza.
Subs: Viera, Edmilson, Franco, Cygan, Fernandez, Angel, Bruno.
Man Utd: Kuszczak, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Carrick, Nani, Anderson, Rooney.
Subs: Foster, Giggs, Park, Vidic, Rafael Da Silva, Gibson, Tevez.
Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Italy).
1906: ARSENAL v DYNAMO KIEV LINE-UPS
Arsenal: Almunia, Djourou, Gallas, Silvestre, Clichy, Denilson, Fabregas, Song Billong, Ramsey, Vela, Van Persie.
Subs: Fabianski, Wilshere, Bendtner, Gibbs, Hoyte, Merida, Simpson.
Dynamo Kiev: Bogush, Betao, Diakhate, Asatiani, El Kaddouri, Eremenko, Vukojevic, Ghioane, Aliev, Milevskiy, Bangoura.
Subs: Shovkovskiy, Dopilka, Sablic, Correa, Shatskikh, Cernat, Yarmolenko.
Referee: Alain Hamer (Luxembourg).
1904: "Vela finally starts for us. It's gonna be a walk in the park - 3-0. Just wish though that we had played Wilshere instead of Denilson but hey, something tells me Arsene knows best."
Chip it like Vela on 606
Join the debate on 606
1902: AALBORG v CELTIC LINE-UPS
AaB: Zaza, Bogelund, Olfers, Jakobsen, Pedersen, Caca, Augustinussen, Johansson, Risgaard, Enevoldsen, Curth.
Subs: Kenneth Nielsen, Due, Saganowski, Nomvethe, Braemer, Sorensen, Kristensen.
Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Wilson, Nakamura, Scott Brown, Robson, Loovens, Samaras, McDonald.
Subs: Mark Brown, Naylor, Hartley, Maloney, Sheridan, O'Dea, Caddis.
Referee: Konrad Plautz (Austria).
1900: Stevo's Predos (never, ever bet on them):
AaB Aalborg 1-2 Celtic
Villarreal 2-2 Man Utd
Bayern Munich 2-0 Steaua Bucharest
Fiorentina 2-1 Lyon
Arsenal 3-0 Dynamo Kiev
Fenerbahce 1-1 FC Porto
BATE Borisov 1-1 Real Madrid
1857: "I hope that Arsenal adopt a more direct style of play tonight. Yes, they're pretty on the eye, but they need to show that they can be flexible and mix it when required. Sure you'll agree, Stevo, that this Arsenal team is way off Euro's best."
Mike, London, via text on 81111
Yep, they need to start winning when they play badly - the sign, if ever there was one, of a great team.
1854: Oh Danny, how could you? Zenit carve Juve open thanks to the tricky genius of Andrei Arshavin and he finds Danny in the box, but the Portuguese delays too long and Claudio Marchisio gets in a block. Moments later, Pavel Pogrebnyak crashes a shot against the post from 25 yards. Blimey.
1850: Tell you what, I can't believe Zenit and Juve are still locked at 0-0. There have been some glaring chances in St Petersburg, most of them falling to the Italian side. Just under half an hour to go, and the Russians really could do with all three points. Will keep you posted.
1847: And also, you shouldn't forget this piece of information: If you're out and about, you can follow this text commentary and get all the scores on your mobile. From a UK phone, text FOOTBALL to 81010, it will cost you 10 to 15p and you will receive in return a link to our mobile site. Click on that, and you'll be straight through. The cost of being online on your phone will vary. Thanks for listening.
1845: Humour me for a moment while I indulge in a couple of pieces of business. First up, don't forget to get involved with 606 on BBC Radio 5 Live (and this website) tonight at 2200 GMT, hosted of course by the incomparably zany Danny Baker, on the journey of a lifetime. Any comments on Danny's 606 thread could make it into the programme - if they're good - so get commenting.
Get involved with Danny Baker and 606
1843: BBC Radio Scotland's intrepid Chick Young understands there will be no changes to the Celtic starting line-up from the weekend win at St Mirren. That means no place for Aiden McGeady or Paul Hartley, while defender Gary Caldwell will continue in midfield.
1839: I trust you'll want to get involved tonight, whether you're at home, at work, at the Emirates, at El Madrigal or the Energi Nord. Blitz me with your texts on 81111 and debate me up on 606. Know, though, that people at football grounds who text in (especially from abroad) are Stevo's friends for life.
Join the debate on 606
1835: The headline news, for those of you desperate to know the potential permutations ahead of another night of Champions League drama, is this:
- If Manchester United win, they qualify for the last 16.
- If Arsenal win, they too qualify for the last 16.
- If Celtic lose, they are out of the Champions League and the Uefa Cup as well.
More to follow, courtesy of your friend and mine, the one and only Danny the Stat. He's poring over the finer details as I type these very words.
1830: On 1 January, 1988, Arsenal manager George Graham appointed 21-year-old centre-back Tony Adams as captain of the club. Over the next 14 years, despite well-documented personal problems, Adams led his beloved Gunners to four league titles, three FA Cup wins, a League Cup win, a European Cup Winners' Cup triumph and a Uefa Cup final.
Twenty years later, rocked by a succession of humbling defeats and left punch-drunk by the shameful outburst from William Gallas which rightly cost him the captaincy, current boss Arsene Wenger has turned to another 21-year-old to revive his club's flailing fortunes.
Step forward Cesc Fabregas, one of the world's most extravagantly-gifted young footballers. Can the Spanish midfield maestro take his cue from Adams and bring the glory days back to Arsenal?
Only time will tell.
No comments:
Post a Comment