Europe: Spain, Italy, England Title Games

[vipnerd]

This weekend:

Real Sociedad hosts Real Madrid ... could be a pretty defining game for La Liga ...

Also it is the Milan derby ... AC Milan - Inter ... I think Juve can pocket half the scudetto after this weekend ...

And in the EPL ... it is the last chance for Newcastle UTd. ... http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-newcastle&prov=reuters&type=lgns ... if they got any after last weekends defeat ...

[vicman]

sociedad 4-2

man u. 6-2 on the road

[vipnerd]

Originally posted by vicman

sociedad 4-2

man u. 6-2 on the road

Real Sociedad just rolled over Real Madrid ... it was 3-0 and 4-1 at a point in the first half ... Madrid's defense sucks when it is put some pressure ... if both of them and Deportivo tie in points ... Real Sociedad wins the title for better goal-average between the three ... the following is a translation of what a columnist in Diario As from Madrid wrote:

"Real’s defensive zone looked like Bagdad, ‘cause Nihat, De Pedro, Kovacevic, Karpin and Xabi Alonso were burglarizing while the “white†marines (Hierro, Helguera, Flavio and co.) looked impassively how the empire's treasures were stolen."

This weekend Real Madrid hosts Barza ... lets see how they recover ... Real Sociedad - Rayo Vallecano and Deportivo - Sevilla are the other games relative to the title ...

Man U rolled over Newcastle ... they started down 1-0 to go 1-6 ... what striked me the most was the fierceness with which each goal was struck ... few times I've seen that many goals shot so strong ... amazing team when they are on a roll ... after Real Madrid's Sunday defeat I'm more convinced Man U can turn over their tie with Real ... this Wednesday at 3 pm EST on Fox Sports World and Fox Sports World Espanol they show the game between Arsenal and Man Utd. LIVE! ... one of the best games I ever watched was the 2-1 game between both for the FA Cup a couple years ago ... can't wait ...

Juventus came back in the last five minutes to tie the game with Bologna 2-2 ... all the Italian reporters on the Sunday Sports show talked of the "character" of Juve to save a point ... indeed they showed the "character" so typical of Juve ... after Milan's win 1-0 in the Milan derby over Inter ... Juve are now six points clear on top ... on the way to their 26th scudetto ... and a back to back title ... did you guys watch Rui Costa's pass to Inzaghi? ... OMG elegance and precision in the passing ... "hunger" in the definition ...

This weekend Juve plays Roma ... Milan meets Empoli and Inter meets Brescia ... should Juve win, it's almost over ...

[vicman]

if real, sociedad and la coruna end up tied in point, real has the better goal difference, they would win the title, unless there is some sort of playoff system.

i hate juventus, a 95th minute goal, wtf is that?

sometimes the politics in the game just gross me out. part of the reason i lost all interest in the world cup after the second round last year.

arsenal-man u. tommorow!

[vipnerd]

Originally posted by vicman

if real, sociedad and la coruna end up tied in point, real has the better goal difference, they would win the title, unless there is some sort of playoff system.

It is determined by head to head results between them ... in this case Real Sociedad has a GD of +1 ... Real Madrid +0 ... Deportivo has a GD of -1 ... didn't figure it out ... read it yesterday on AS from Madrid ...

[vicman]

Originally posted by vipnerd

It is determined by head to head results between them ... in this case Real Sociedad has a GD of +1 ... Real Madrid +0 ... Deportivo has a GD of -1 ... didn't figure it out ... read it yesterday on AS from Madrid ...

oh ok, so thats the first criteria. there are differences among the different leagues.

you see the 10 year premiership awards?

best 11: Schmeichel, Adams, Desailly, Irwin, Beckham, Vieira, Scholes, Giggs, Cantona & Shearer.

best pic:

[vipnerd]

Originally posted by vicman

oh ok, so thats the first criteria. there are differences among the different leagues.

you see the 10 year premiership awards?

best 11: Schmeichel, Adams, Desailly, Irwin, Beckham, Vieira, Scholes, Giggs, Cantona & Shearer.

best pic:

What did Liverpool lose in that pic?? ... BTW ... what a line-up ...

[vipnerd]

Just to keep yo guys interested a bit more ...

Arsenal spurred by history in title crunch match

By Bill Barclay

LONDON COLNEY, England, April 15 (Reuters) - Arsenal are determined their bid to make history by becoming the first club to win successive English league and FA Cup Doubles will not be derailed by Manchester United on Wednesday.

Arsene Wenger's team, already through to the FA Cup final, trail United by three points with a game in hand before Wednesday's encounter at Highbury, which should go a long way to deciding the destiny of the title.

"We want to be a team that makes history," Wenger told reporters on Tuesday. "We want to achieve big things. That is what is really pushing us and motivating us.

"We have something in front of us that means we can make history. That's why we go for it, and not for any other reason."

Wenger believes Arsenal have a psychological edge over United because they won the title decider between the two teams at Old Trafford last May 1-0 to seal the Double.

Arsenal's 2-0 Old Trafford victory in the FA Cup fifth round in February is also significant, according to the Frenchman.

"It has an impact," he said. "The last time we played them in the cup it had a big significance and we won then as well.

"We want to focus on being at our best tomorrow night. We are not thinking about Man United too much. We just want to express our strengths, our togetherness, our mental strength, our qualities."

Wenger should have captain Patrick Vieira fit to play in midfield despite the French international's sore knee. He must decide whether to recall fit-again playmaker Robert Pires, who is in the squad after shaking off an ankle problem.

Wenger is spoilt for choice in midfield, with Pires, Freddie Ljungberg, Ray Parlour, Sylvain Wiltord and Gilberto Silva vying for places alongside their skipper.

But it is his team's mental, rather than physical, attributes that Wenger rates highest.

"This team has a deep strength which I believe in," he said. "When you don't expect them to express that strength, they always express it.

"It's important when the recent history of the team gives you the belief that, even when everything is against you, you can do it. I believe that will be important tomorrow night.

"When you prepare for a game like this, you only think how you can win it and you do everything to win it.

"You don't think about the consequences of winning or not winning. It's like preparing for a boxing fight. You prepare to win the fight. If you lose, you cope with it afterwards."

Pick of Arsenal and United player head-to-heads

By Mitch Phillips

LONDON, April 15 (Reuters) - Wednesday's top-of-the-table showdown between Arsenal and Manchester United at Highbury throws up several fascinating head-to-head comparisons between some of the best players in the premier league.

Below we look at four of the key pairings:

- - - -

Patrick Vieira v Roy Keane

In the battle for midfield supremacy Vieira has emerged as the undoubted master as Keane has struggled to regain his old authority following his long injury lay-off.

Vieira has been operating on another plane all season, providing a text-book example of the all-round midfielder in virtually every game he plays.

Crunching tackles, an eye for the killer pass and the touch to deliver it, combined with supreme fitness, mark the Frenchman out as special -- hence the annual list of Europe's top clubs fruitlessly chasing his signature.

Keane had all of the above attributes but they have appeared to wither on the vine and the Irishman is currently a shadow of the player who has inspired United for a decade.

His hip surgery has left him shuffling around in front of his defenders like an arthritic pensioner and the Irishman's performances, like his tirades, appear to have lost their bite.

He was horribly exposed during United's 3-1 mauling by Real Madrid last week and badly needs a big game to restore his reputation.

- - - -

Thierry Henry v Ruud van Nistelrooy

It is difficult to separate two supreme international strikers, both of whom are at the peak of their powers.

Henry has electric pace, sublime touch and an almost serene calmness in front of goal.

He has scored 27 club goals this season, even managing a rare header. However, the last 10 games have produced just two as his one real weakness -- over-elaboration in the search for the perfect finish -- has seen chances slip away.

It is not something Van Nistelrooy could ever be accused of. The Dutchman is a classic centre forward who thrives in the opposition penalty area where his strength and predatory instinct have helped bag him 36 goals for United this season.

Included in that tally is a remarkable 11 from the penalty spot -- from where he has yet to miss.

Most of his goals are close-range but, as his superb 50-metre goal-of-the-season contender against Fulham last month showed, he has ball control that is the envy of most wingers.

- - - -

Sol Campbell v Rio Ferdinand

Partners for England, the two men at opposite ends of the pitch on Wednesday offer distinctly different illustrations of the central defender's art.

Campbell is a 21st century version of the old school centre half.

He is immensely strong, uncompromising in the tackle, powerful in the air and is fast enough over five metres to get a desperate foot in even when an attacker appears to have gone past him.

On the down side he can be caught out positionally occasionally and, for a man of his size and aerial ability, has a negligable impact in attacking situations.

At 29 million pounds ($45.51 million) Ferdinand is the world's most expensive defender. His problem at the moment is that he appears to believe that makes him the best -- which he is not.

He makes up for a slight build with his speed and mobility but the former West Ham United man is no Bobby Moore and has been caught in possession far too often this season, often with costly consequences.

One thing he does share with Campbell is an almost total inability to find the net or even look dangerous up front, despite religiously trotting forward for every free kick and corner David Beckham delivers.

- - - -

David Seaman v Fabien Barthez.

Seaman turns 40 in five months and though at times he appears to possess the reactions and mobility of expected of a middle-aged man, he remains first choice for club and country.

Despite the criticism of his often-concrete feet, the old warhorse remains generally solid and reliable -- attributes all-too-hard to find in the modern goalkeeper and worth more than any amount of showboating.

He also retains the ability to make the occasional stupendous save -- as witnessed by superlative effort late in last Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Sheffield United.

Barthez's antics used to be considered endearing when he was at the top of his game but now, as with most relationships close to their sell-by-date, they have become intensely irritating.

The French World Cup winner is still a top-class all-round keeper but his handling errors, fluffed clearances and headstrong charges out of his area have not amused manager Alex Ferguson this season and have acted as a beacon of hope for otherwise overwhelmed opponents.

Five famous Arsenal v Manchester United clashes

By Bill Barclay

LONDON, April 15 (Reuters) - Arsenal and Manchester United meet at Highbury on Wednesday in a game that will go a long way to deciding this season's premier league title.

Following is a brief look-back at five memorable encounters between two of English soccer's biggest clubs: - - - -

Feb 15 2003, Manchester United 0 Arsenal 2, FA Cup fifth round, Old Trafford:

The most recent meeting and one of the most explosive. United's Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Ruud van Nistelrooy were all booked as the hosts tried unsuccessfully to rough Arsenal up.

Scholes, in particular, incurred the wrath of the Arsenal players with a crude challenge from behind on Patrick Vieira -- Arsenal's Robert Pires described the tackle as that of "a butcher". Van Nistelrooy, in unusually bullish mood, was also lucky not to be sent off.

Arsenal showed the stuff of champions by weathering the storm before picking United off with a goal in each half by Edu and Sylvain Wiltord. But it could have been a different story had United winger Ryan Giggs not missed an open goal with the score at 0-0.

- - - -

May 8 2002, Manchester United 0 Arsenal 1, premier league, Old Trafford.

The sweetest of title deciders for Arsenal. Arsene Wenger's men started the game five points ahead of United, so victory clinched the championship in the backyard of their biggest rivals, to the fury of around 60,000 United fans.

Wiltord scored the winner after 56 minutes with a low finish after Freddie Ljungberg's shot was parried by United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, and United captain Keane left the pitch with a face like thunder.

The result meant Arsenal became the first top-flight side for more than a century to remain unbeaten away from home in the league all season and condemned United to a first trophyless campaign since 1998. It also completed another Double, with Arsenal having beaten Chelsea 2-0 in the FA Cup final four days earlier to match their achievement of 1998.

- - - -

Feb 25 2001, Manchester United 6 Arsenal 1, premier league, Old Trafford

One of the most humiliating defeats in Arsenal's history as United, on their way to winning their seventh title in nine seasons, tore the Londoners to shreds. Striker Dwight Yorke claimed a hat-trick in the first 22 minutes and it was 5-1 at halftime as Arsenal's Latvian stand-in central defender Igors Stepanovs endured a personal nightmare.

Roy Keane, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham completed the rout for United, while Thierry Henry hit Arsenal's only riposte, putting Arsenal level for all of two minutes.

Arsenal suffered an equally agonising end to the season, finishing runners-up to United in the league for the third successive year and losing the FA Cup final to Liverpool by conceding two late goals to Michael Owen.

- - - -

April 14 1999, Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2 aet, FA Cup semi-final replay, Villa Park

A game that had everything: a sending-off, a penalty save, and a wonder-goal winner in extra time.

David Beckham gracefully fired United in front after 17 minutes before Dennis Bergkamp's deflected shot levelled the scores after 69 minutes. Keane was then sent off for a second yellow card offence and depleted United looked down and out when a tired Phil Neville clumsily brought down Ray Parlour to concede a last-minute penalty.

But Danish goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel plunged left to keep out Bergkamp's spot kick, setting the stage for a dramatic extra time period.

The tie was settled after 109 minutes when Giggs intercepted a wayward Patrick Vieira pass. The Welshman snaked past Arsenal defenders Lee Dixon, Martin Keown and Tony Adams and crashed the ball high past David Seaman into the Arsenal net before setting off on a bare-chested romp down the touchline, pursued, it seemed, by half of Manchester.

United went on to complete the greatest season in their history, beating Newcastle United 2-0 in the Cup final, clinching the league title and sealing a historic Treble by beating Bayern Munich 2-1 in the most dramatic Champions League final in history thanks to two goals in the dying minutes.

- - - -

May 12 1979, Arsenal 3 Manchester United 2, FA Cup final, Wembley.

Probably the most extraordinary FA Cup final of all, played out in front 100,000 disbelieving fans at Wembley. Liverpool were the dominant team in the country but United had knocked them out thanks to Jimmy Greenhoff's headed winner in a semi-final replay.

Terry Neill's Arsenal, shocked by 1-0 by Ipswich Town in the previous season's FA Cup final, raced into a 2-0 lead with first-half goals by Brian Talbot and Frank Stapleton.

United looked finished and when defender Gordon McQueen pulled a goal back after 86 minutes, it seemed merely a consolation. Amazingly, though, Sammy McIlroy equalised two minutes later.

But just as everyone was gathering their senses in preparation for extra time, Graham Rix crossed from the left, United goalkeeper Gary Bailey flapped and Arsenal striker Alan Sunderland, resplendent in moustache and afro-style perm, dashed in at the far post to claim an outrageous victory.

:D