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Borussia Dortmund come into the season as the reigning Bundesliga Champions, but it will be interesting to see if they are a one-hit wonder, or if this young team really is one that will start a new dominance in Germany. They will also take part in their first Champions League season for 9 years when they open up Group F in front of their passionate support.

Dortmund has started inconsistently in their domestic League, going 2-1-2 over the first 5 games of the season. That leaves them down in 11th position in the Bundesliga, but this is a competitive League and they are only 5 points behind Bayern Munich in first place with every team having lost at least 1 game this season. They are 2-0-1 at home in their opening games, scoring 6 goals and conceding 3.

In fact, the defeat to Hertha Berlin at home at the weekend was their first in 18 in all competitions. Of those 18 games, Borussia Dortmund have won 13 including against the likes of Bayern Munich, Werder Bremen and Hamburg. (continue reading…)

Gary Lineker says Manchester United will only win Saturday’s Champions League final at Wembley if Barcelona play badly.

Barca beat United in the 2009 final and are tipped by many to repeat their Rome success this weekend.

“If Barcelona turn up, they win,” said former England captain Lineker, who has also played for the Spanish giants.

“Barca have got to have a bad day for United to realistically have a chance. Either that or United get lucky.”

Lineker did concede that, with the game being a one-off played in England, United had a chance of prevailing, but insisted that La Liga champions Barcelona were heavy favourites.

“The fact it is in England and they will probably get the vast majority of the support and it is 90 minutes, not two legs, gives them a better chance,” said the BBC presenter.

“But if they played 10 times, United might win one or two of them, there would maybe be a couple of draws and Barca would win the rest.”

Both sides head into Saturday’s final as recently crowned champions of their respective domestic leagues. (continue reading…)

United, holding a two-goal lead from the first leg of the semi-final in Germany, were never in danger of surrendering their advantage at Old Trafford and ran out comfortable winners - presenting the possibility of revenge for their defeat at the hands of Barca boss Pep Guardiola and his side in the 2009 final in Rome.

Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson revealed that he suffered a sleepless night pondering a team selection that showed eight changes from the 1-0 defeat at Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, with Wayne Rooney not even on the bench, but his decision was vindicated by an emphatic victory margin that allowed United to ease into their third final in four years.
Antonio Valencia and Darron Gibson scored twice in five minutes in the first half as the Premier League side faced only token resistance from their Bundesliga opponents, who shocked holders Inter Milan in the quarter-final.

And, even though Jose Manuel Jurado pulled a goal back for the visitors before the interval, it was never more than a minor interruption to a night of Old Trafford celebration. (continue reading…)

Real Madrid CF coach José Mourinho, buoyed by Cristiano Ronaldo’s availability, said a goalless home draw against Tottenham Hotspur FC would represent a “good result”. His Spurs counterpart and “friend” Harry Redknapp, meanwhile, looks set to have Gareth Bale at his disposal as he plans to stick to his forward-thinking principles despite the daunting surroundings of the Santiago Bernabéu.

José Mourinho, Madrid coach
It’s time to think about the Champions League. This is a match many teams would like to play in and not all can. It’s a few years since Madrid reached this round and a few years since the Bernabéu saw this stage. Whoever is playing in the quarter-finals has only got to think about that.

A draw at home is always a good result in the Champions League, especially if it’s 0-0. Harry Redknapp is my friend and I’m very happy because when I was in England he didn’t have the chances he has now. If I don’t reach the final I want him to do it. He would be ready to face the challenge of being coach of the England team. (continue reading…)

Barça play host to Arsenal in the Champions League last 16 (20:45, TVE1) aiming to overturn the 2-1 result at the Emirates. Barça are without Pique and Puyol, whilst for Arsenal Cesc and Van Persie are doubtful.
Barça are on a mission: Overturn the 2-1 defeat by Arsenal in the first leg 3 weeks ago. If they succeed they’ll reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League. It is, therefore, the moment of truth, where failure is not allowed. They won’t be alone, as they will get the support of a packed Camp Nou crowd, faithful to the team that has helped them dream over the past three seasons.

English doubts

The days prior to the return leg has been shadowed by uncertainties in the two clubs team selections. Xavi, Valdes and Jeffren have all recovered for Barça, but Puyol is still out and Pique suspended. Arsenal, meanwhile, will travel without Song and Walcott, but Van Persie, who days earlier had been discounted by Arsenal, will travel with the team. Wenger also has doubts about Cesc and Wilshere, although everything points to the fact that they’ll finally play.

Encouraging precedent
Barça manager Pep Guardiola , who was discharged from hospital on Monday morning following 5 days treatment on his herniated disc, will also be there. His team comes into the game in good shape after winning the four league games following the defeat in London. The major Barça doubts surround the heart of the defense, due to the absence of Pique and Puyol. It’s the same scenario as in the quarterfinals of last year, when everything turned out perfectly: 4-1 with Messi as the superstar and into the ’semis’. (continue reading…)

1. Commit ‘Robbery’

The enterprising duo of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery started together for only the 10th time in the Bundesliga as Bayern overcame Mainz at the weekend. In ‘Robbery’, FC Hollywood have two of the finest wingers in the world. Robben is the quicker of the two, Ribery the more subtle. Each is a potential matchwinner. It is an encouraging bonus for Louis van Gaal to  be able to call upon the pair for the first time in the competition this season. Bayern utilise Robben and Ribery as inverted wide-men, meaning that the opposition full-backs will be forced to defend on the wrong foot should either of Bayern’s fliers get hold of the ball in the right areas. They carry a significant goal-threat of their own as well as the capabilities to conjure scoring chances for others. FCB will not come to San Siro with the intention to defend - they have not got the resolve to do so - and will instead be reliant on their formidable offensive threats, chiefly Robben and Ribery. If the German side’s midfield and backline could move the ball quickly to the flanks it would increase the chance of a vital away goal being plundered. (continue reading…)

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola expects more attacking football when Arsenal travel to Camp Nou looking to defend their 2-1 lead.

The Gunners launched a stirring second-half comeback in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 clash at Emirates Stadium having been on the back foot for much of the first half.

David Villa fired the visitors into a deserved lead but the hosts improved after the interval with late goals from Robin van Persie and substitute Andrey Arshavin securing a famous success in an enthralling encounter.

Barcelona know they must find the net on home soil when the two sides meet again on 8th March, live on Sky Sports HD2 and Sky Sports 2, with Guardiola content with the way his side performed in North London despite the defeat. (continue reading…)

The day before the draw for the Champions League Knockout Round back in December, Arsène Wenger left his usual press conference with a knowing smirk on his face.

The Arsenal manager said he knew, just knew, the team his side would face – but would not reveal their identity. The prevailing presumption was Barcelona and, less than 24 hours later, the Spanish champions were duly delivered.

That self-same smirk returned at the end of his media work on the eve of the first leg at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday. Wenger was wished good luck as he rose from his chair.

“Thanks,” he smiled. “We’ll need it.”

The Frenchman is not given to playing a subservient role in the build-up to a major match. But this time he has lavished fulsome, unfettered praise on his opponents. The best in Europe, the best in the world and possibly the best ever – all have been offered by Wenger.

Pep Guardiola has ventured down the same road when he has spoken to the media. The Barca manager admits he did not want Arsenal in the draw. They can ‘leave you chasing shadows’. They ‘worry’ him. (continue reading…)

Here is what Rossoneri tactician Massimiliano Allegri had to say today at Milanello: “In their last games, Tottenham have done well even in Bale’s absence. They’re an organised, pacy team, formed by technically gifted individuals. It’s a Champions League last sixteen encounter, it will be very difficult, also because in total it will last 180 minutes. Seedorf? He’s likely to play, because, apart from the injuries, we’ll also have to do without our January signings in the Champions League. Gattuso, Seedorf, Flamini, Merkel and Jankulovski are available in midfield and also Thiago Silva can be an option in front of the defence. I’ll make a decision on the line-up later today. Either Oddo or Abate will play at right-back. Whoever will play will be ready for a great game. Abate has recovered, while Oddo has done well in recent matches. I think Milan’s objective can’t be other than going as far as possible in the Champions League. (continue reading…)