UEFA Power Rankings 20 February 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

Below are my weekly power rankings for the top (8) clubs teams in UEFA. These rankings are a combination of their play in domestic and UEFA competitions.

Real Madrid continue to be in the top spot while there's little change in the rest of the power rankings.

Manchester United made a successful debut onto the Europa League stage winning 2-0 away against Ajax, in the first leg of the round of 32. United take a comfortable lead back to Old Trafford, courtesy of second half goals from Ashley Young and Javier Hernandez, but will be without Antonio Valencia for up to four [.

If Manchester United knock Ajax out of the Europa League on Thursday, they will not play another game on Saturday for the rest of the season.

The following changes were announced today:
QPR (H) Sun 8 Apr (1.30pm Sky)
Wigan (A) Wed 11 Apr (7.45, not televised)
Villa (H) Sun 15 Apr (4pm Sky)
Everton (H) Sun 22 Apr (12.

Manchester United vs Ajax 1-2 Europa League 2012 Highlights Hernandez Ozbiliz Alderweireld Goal Video is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Manchester United vs Ajax 1-2 Europa League 2012 Highlights Hernandez Ozbiliz Alderweireld Goal Video is a post from Soccer Blogger.

Manchester United vs Ajax 1-2 Europa League 2012 Highlights Hernandez Ozbiliz Alderweireld Goal Video is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Manchester United vs Ajax 1-2 Europa League 2012 Highlights Hernandez Ozbiliz Alderweireld Goal Video is a post from Soccer Blogger.

Kickoff from White Hart Lane at 7:00PM GMT/2:00PM EST

Liverpool's youngsters return to NextGen Series action today, with their quarterfinal matchup with Tottenham's U19s taking place in London. The brief break in senior squad action allows for attentions to turn to a competition that, on the whole, has been a terrific advertisement for youth football on the continent.

Eredivisie: 19° Giornata, Analisi e commento Di Stefano Lazzarato Cade la capolista Az scavalcata dal Psv e raggiunta dal Twente. Male anche l'Ajax con un solo punto nelle ultime tre trasferte tra campionato e coppa. In coda 17esima sconfitta consecutiva in trasferta per il Vvv (contando lo scorso torneo).

By Chris Wright

In which former Arsenal saint Dennis Bergkamp rattles off a beautiful first-timer, latching onto Frank De Boer's (not a bad coaching set-up they've got there!) enticing cross-field arc during an Ajax training session yesterday afternoon.

Granted, it's not the finest goal he's ever scored and it's not really the finest camera angle of 'not the finest goal he's ever scored' but it's Bergkamp, and I'm all over anything that graceful Dutch silkworm does like a sticky paste.

By Chris Wright

In which former Arsenal saint Dennis Bergkamp rattles off a beautiful first-timer, latching onto Frank De Boer's (not a bad coaching set-up they've got there!) enticing cross-field arc during an Ajax training session yesterday afternoon.

Granted, it's not the finest goal he's ever scored and it's not really the finest camera angle of 'not the finest goal he's ever scored' but it's Bergkamp, and I'm all over anything that graceful Dutch silkworm does like a sticky paste.

Trademark volley from the non-flying Dutchman Bergkamp still got it by soccermr Ajax's coaching team like to roll back the years from time to time. Take this video, for instance. Frank De Boer play a lovely Hollywood pass, Dennis Bergkamp gets on the end of it and works his magic by firing in a glorious [.

Trademark volley from the non-flying Dutchman Bergkamp still got it by soccermr Ajax's coaching team like to roll back the years from time to time. Take this video, for instance. Frank De Boer play a lovely Hollywood pass, Dennis Bergkamp gets on the end of it and works his magic by firing in a glorious [.

Arsenal legends Dennis Bergkamp and Tony Adams are squaring up for a head-to-head clash – with the winner securing a coaching role at the Emirates.

The former Gunners are frontrunners to replace Steve Bould within the coaching staff at the club at the end of the season.

Bould is poised to replace the retiring Pat Rice as Arsene Wenger's No.

Johan Cruijff and Ajax' youth coaches feel they are winners after the court's decision that the appoitment of Van Gaal and Sturkenboom were unlawful. "The court has been quite clear: the behavior of the board was wrong," says the law firm of Baker & McKenzie, which representend Cruyff, Jonk, Bergkamp, [read more]

There is a long long way to go before the end of the season, but some papers just can't help creating the occasional Arsenal transfer rumour anyway. Today the Metro reports that the Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen is being lined up by both Arsenal and Tottenham with a view to a £10m bid this summer, [.

This week, FC Barcelona's Juvenil A side lost to Dutch side Ajax Under-19s. This loss led to their knockout from...

After embarrassingly exiting the Champions League last December, Manchester United have now set their eyes on winning the Europa League after concerns arose on whether his team was committed to Europe's second tier club competition.

After a little spat with UEFA president Michel Platini over comments he made after his side's shocking defeat to FC Basel in the Group Stage of the Champions League last December, Ferguson has maintained that he will field a strong side for United's clash with Ajax in the round of 32.

This time last year, I was traipsing around Central America, so we weren't able to bring you our traditional Predictification entries. Well, this year, we're stable, albeit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and we are coming back with a vengeance. Okay, not so much a vengeance, but we are bringing back the feature.

Glasgow Rangers' foray into administration appears set for Tuesday.

The club faces a deadline imposed by the Court of Session to appoint an administrator today. Should Rangers fail to meet that deadline, Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs would be allowed to step in and detemine who takes over the club's dealings, something that would undermine the club's control while it goes through and tries to climb out of financial turmoil.

The biggest match of the week without a doubt has to be the Milan-Arsenal fixture tonight. With both clubs looking to bag all points on offer and secure an advantage heading into the last leg, tension is starting to creep up on the players and coaches as well.

According to Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger, their biggest threat to a quarter final berth is Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Speaking in Amsterdam ahead of tomorrow night's game against Ajax, Sir Alex Ferguson has described what prompted Paul Scholes' decision to retire and the positives that have come because of his U-turn.

"It's hard to describe Scholes," said Ferguson. "Honestly, on Saturday, he was unbelievable.

Europa League on GolTV: Lazio - Atletico Madrid at 1pm, Stoke City - Valencia at 3pm, and Ajax - Manchester United at 5pm. The last one is probably of most interest to US fans, with both teams usually associated with the Champions League. Copa Libertadores on Fox Deportes: Nacional - Libertad at 5pm and Godoy Cruz - Penarol at 7:30pm.

Dennis Bergkamp has said that his former club Arsenal should go back to their English roots in order to satisfy their trophy-thirst that has now gone unfulfilled for almost seven years.

The Gunners last lifted a major trophy back in 2005, when they defeated Manchester United in the FA Cup final, and Bergkamp was a part of that side.

In a strange turn of events Liverpool will now host the NextGen Series semi-final against Ajax at Anfield on the 14th of March.

Liverpool lost to Tottenham in the quarter-finals but we're recalled to the competition after Spurs fielded an ineligible player.

We'd like to wish the boys all the best in their Semi-Final against Ajax and lets hope they put it all in and make the Final which will be on the 25th of March.

Ajax Amsterdam v Manchester United Preview, Prediction, TV Listings, Betting Odds Europa League 16 February 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

Manchester United play their first match ever in the UEFA Europa League with a first leg match against Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam. The match will take place at the Amsterdam Arena in Amsterdam, Netherlands on Thursday, February 16, 2012.

Footballers, eh? Not the brightest bunch we are sure you will agree. But you would have thought that after playing this season in the Champions League, Manchester United's players would be used to having the basics ready for an away trip in Europe – Pants, check. Louis Vuitton washbag, check. Dr Beats headphones, check.

- Ajax are currently 6th out of 18 teams in the Eredivisie this season having won just 4 of their 9 games at home.
- Ajax have won just one of their last four games, losing against 14th placed FC Utrecht at home and 4th placed Feyenoord away.
- Miralem Sulejmani is Ajax's top scorer this season with 12 goals in 26 appearances.

Yes, Predictification is back! And if you think we have a lack of confidence in our UEFA Champions League predictions, you ain't seen nothing yet! The Europa League, as was its predecessor the UEFA Cup, is nearly impossible to predict. Why? Well, some clubs put in their best lineups while others put in scrubs because they place less emphasis on this tournament than they do in their own domestic leagues.

An NSC FYI: the tardiness of this post is my fault, not Jacob's...When you think of elite player development, no two clubs come to mind more quickly and vibrantly than Barcelona and Ajax.Rightfully so. Seven of the 11 players Pep Guardiola started against Osasuna on Saturday came out of La Masia with five of his seven substitutes also having come through the club's system.

De Gea, Jones, Evans, Rio, Fabio, Nani, Carrick, Cleverley, Young, Rooney, Chicharito. Subs: Amos, Smalling, Park, Welbeck, Scholes Valencia, and Pogba.

"CONFIRMED LINE-UP: Ajax vs UNITED" was originally published at The Republik of Mancunia.

Ajax vs Manchester United 2012 Europa League Highlights 0-2 Young Hernandez Goals Video is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Ajax vs Manchester United 2012 Europa League Highlights 0-2 Young Hernandez Goals Video is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Ajax vs Manchester United 2012 ( Ajax Man Utd video below) Final score and result:- Ajax vs Manchester United 0-2 ( Young, Hernandez) Amsterdam, Arena, Amsterdam- 16 February, 2012- 18.

This just has to be one of the great photos about fans being arrested by mounted policeman near sex shops in the Amsterdam Red Light District as Manchester United is visiting in the Europa League, doesn't it?

From the presence of the large beast under the "Live Sex" sign to the rather angry gentleman in front losing his marbles to the frightened onlookers finished off by the gentleman in the bottom right coolly drinking his suds while it all transpires, this is just wonderful all around.

FC Porto vs Manchester City 1-2 Europa League Highlights 2012 Video Goals Varela Pereira Aguero is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

FC Porto vs Manchester City 1-2 Europa League Highlights 2012 Video Goals Varela Pereira Aguero is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Porto vs Man City 2012 ( Porto Manchester City Video below) Final score and result:- Porto vs Manchester City 1-2 ( Silvestre Varela/ Pereira own goal, Aguero) Estadio do [.

Manchester United took care of Ajax today 2-0 in a competition that they aren't all familiar with The Europa League and Ashley Young scored his first goal since September. Though Young is fit and firing again after a ... Continue reading →

United estuvo bajo mucha presión por parte del Ajax en la ciudad de Amsterdan pero el portero De Gea tuvo una gran actuación y dejo en cero a los holandeses. Ashley Youngen el segundo tiempo puso adelante a los red devils. El mexicano Javier Chicharito Hernandez doblo la ventaja del Manchester United en la Europa League.

szólj hozzá: Ajax 0-2 MU All Goals

Tom Cleverly shows glimpses of his special talent. Many see him as the next Paul Scholes. Man Utd won through goals by Ashley Young and Chicharito Hernandez. The win was marred by Antonio Valencia's hamstring injury which could see him away for a month.

Goals by Ashley Young and Javier Hernandez gave Manchester United a commanding 2-0 win over Ajax at the Amsterdam Arena in their first leg Europa League tie. Related posts:Europa League Last 32 & Last 16 Draw: Manchester United Face Ajax FC Porto 1-2 Manchester City: Europa League Video Highlights Manchester United Path In The Europa [.

Sergio Aguero came off the bench to score the winner as Manchester City overcame FC Porto 2-1 at the Estadio Dragao in the first leg of their Europa League clash The visitors went behind when Silvestre Varela poked home the opener although Mario Balotelli's presence saw Alvaro Pereira accidently turn the ball beyond his own [.

By Chris Wright

A couple of goals from Javier Hernandez and Ashley Young were enough to see Manchester United run out 2-0 winners over Ajax in their maiden foray into 'Thursday Night, Channel Five' football (their first outing in UEFA's knock-down tournament since 1995) last night a game that was altogether closer than we had been repeatedly told it was going to be by all and sundry beforehand.

By Chris Wright

A couple of goals from Javier Hernandez and Ashley Young were enough to see Manchester United run out 2-0 winners over Ajax in their maiden foray into 'Thursday Night, Channel Five' football (their first outing in UEFA's knock-down tournament since 1995) last night a game that was altogether closer than we had been repeatedly told it was going to be by all and sundry beforehand.

Before Thursday night's game against Ajax, Sir Alex Ferguson admitted he was looking forward to watching Christian Eriksen, who has been linked with a whole host of top clubs.

Eriksen didn't have a particularly good game but Ferguson sang the lad's praises anyway.

"He's a good player a typical Ajax player who is good on the ball but we already knew that," he told TV3+.