big games - Most popular for 2010
Viewing all posts which authors have tagged ‘big games’.
You can also subscribe to this tag's feed.
I have always been at the front of the line in taking shots at Landon Donovan - too soft, vanishes
in big games.
Well, Donovan has made me eat my words in his successful stint with Everton in the English Premier
League. His success is proving many of his critics wrong (starting with me), and his stock has gone
up significantly in world football.
I am not sure if I should be confident about this game or be worried. Till I read the reports
today I was quite sure we will get through to the next round without any problems.
Porto's away record in general and their history with English teams is in our favor. The
performance I saw at the Estadio Do Dragao left me convinced the game at the Emirates will be a
cakewalk.
Trust Chelsea eh?. For those of you who have followed the Chels your whole lives and have
"blue-blood" it will come as no surprise that we let another one slip yesterday and blew another
chance to extend our lead at the top of the Premier League.
As per my match preview I could see the game would be difficult as it always is against David
Moyes' well organised and disciplined side.
Title Race
I wrote before the season started that I expected Chelsea to win the title, and I still stand by
that. It is turning out to be a really interesting title race this year as none of the top teams
are as dominant as in previous years, which means everyone drops points.
How will the Fire fare going forward in 2010? (Getty Images)
Today is the start of a new series. As teams get into training camp and new players come on
board its worth looking into each club to see how they are stacking up and what else they need to
do to get ready for the 2010 season. I got this idea from the post I did a few days back on how the
Philadelphia Union were looking.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has vowed to bolster his defensive ranks over the
summer hiatus, after admitting that his side have been guilty of some 'average' defensive
performances last year.
Former Ajax centre-back Thomas Vermaelen has proven to be a shrewd acquisition
on Wenger's part, but sporadic injuries have marred an otherwise impressive debut season in the
Premier League for the Belgian.
Inter have succeeded in completing a historic treble and credit must be given to everyone at the
club from president Massimo Moratti for his persistence in pursuing the dream of emulating his
father by winning the Champions League to Jose Mourinho for his exemplary preparation ahead of keys
matches and for his superior motivational skills.
Inter Milan is bringing a full star-studded squad to Dallas tonight. (Getty Images)
Tonight is a pretty big deal for FC Dallas. They host the UEFA Champions League winners from
Italy, Inter Milan at Pizza Hut Park. This is easily the biggest friendly in the club's history and
definitely the biggest match PHP has hosted (excluding two MLS Cups of course).
Tonight's game promised to give one of the closest indications so far of who could become
European champions this year, but in truth, nobody could've predicted what followed. Barcelona
dissected their rivals with precise, incisive play that arguably would have torn absolutely any
team in the world apart.
Arsenal 2-2 Everton
A point gained or two points dropped? Both; the former for us, and the latter for Everton.
Let's face it, we were very lucky indeed, scraping a late draw on a day when nothing went right
and few people covered themselves in glory. It was a bad day in the office, one to file away in the
recesses of the mind.
The title of the post says it all. Jose came back to Chelsea and said "I never lose at Chelsea" and
he was right. Before I speak about the game and the players, the fact of the matter is that Jose
has out-foxed Ancelotti twice now in the matter of weeks and has beaten us twice.
There are people who will have different opinons on the why and how etc but its there in black and
white.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has insisted he would not swap Fernando Torres for anybody, not
even Wayne Rooney.
Manchester United's Scouse star has shot through the stratosphere with 32 goals already this
season, a return which has led some pundits to dub him the best striker in the world.
With Manchester United reaching the quarter-finals in Europe yet again, there has been talk of
what can be done to mark the occasion if we reach the next round.
The impressive 'BELIEVE' mosaic, which was put in place by Stretford End Flags, has been used
for two European Cup semi-finals, two League Cup finals, as well as the European Cup final in
Moscow.
I'm not sure what many people understood from yesterday's article. So many felt that I was
trying to claim Arsenal are far superior to Barcelona. Some tried to comment that almost every
Barca player is better than his Arsenal counterpart.
Le Boss conveyed my thoughts with the perfect words in his press conference,
I do not deny their quality, because Barcelona have an exceptional team but we are an
exceptional team as well.
It was often said through out much of the last ten years that England's midfield was its
strongest point. With Beckham in his pomp and Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard ably assisted by a
constant rotation of players wedged in to the left midfield position, it often felt a little
hollow.
Colorado is on the rise. (Brian Stevens)
I hate to say my thoughts and notes for this week will be kept rather brief. I honestly wasn't
able to view a lot of this past weekend's action other than highlights though I did jot a few notes
down that I did gather from what I did see.
Seattle's Hot Feet, Columbus Struggles
I don't know what is bigger, Blaise Nkufo going from near-bad DP status to solid all in one game
OR the fact that the Columbus Crew have been dominated in league play for two straight games giving
up seven goals in that time.
I know many fans are frustrated by the result. I was not that disappointed with this game
because I felt it was a great game of football. Too often big games tend to end up as boring
encounters but both teams made sure this one didn't turn into a drab affair.
We didn't have some of our big names on the pitch but till the first goal went in it was
anyone's game.
With Sunday's conclusion to the 15th season of Major League Soccer, we can now look at the final
unofficial attendance numbers for the league. Average attendance was up 4% over 2009, and the
league broke the 4 million mark in total attendance for the first time ever, thanks to the addition
of Philadelphia and a new stadium in New York.
Good Player Guide #14 Javier Pastore is a post from: Just Football
Javier Pastore
(Palermo / Argentina)
He has been described as "a phenomenon" by Javier Zanetti and "somebody who will one day win the
Golden Ball" by his president at Palermo, and offers are already trickling in from the world's
elite clubs.
By Chris Wright
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has admitted that it was his side's repeated
failure to 'rise to the occassion' that saw them lose out 1-0 to Manchester United last Monday:
"The difference on the night (against United) was that we were scared of losing but they were
not scared of winning.
The away section at Villa Park on Tuesday evening was, not surprisingly, a noisy, joyful place
after Fernando Torres scored a goal of huge magnitude.
But while the hymn that is dedicated to him was sung long and loud, with plenty of bouncing, he
wasn't the only Liverpool player to be feted in verse by the travelling contingent – the identity
of the man in question, though, may come as a surprise.
Tevez is a stud, not a dud
That break seemed like it lasted forever. Boxing Day
fixtures, the New Year, then a bit of FA Cup action, some snow mixed in between, and now we're back
to the Premier League this weekend...
I. Tottenham @ Liverpool: One of these two teams most certainly will not make
the Top 4.
The number of goals conceded by the Gunners has much to do with the side's expansive style of
football.
______________________________________________________________________________
The history of tactics, as Jonathan Wilson puts it, is the history of the manipulation of
space.
Big Tom has Tottenham fans dreaming of the Champions LeagueTottenham sit in 4th place - in a Champions League spot - with only 15 games to go in the season,
but I just don't see them making Europe's greatest club competition...
Something about their poor performances when facing the top sides just rubs me the wrong way.
A Tight Affair
On a night when Wenger could have entered the history books by registering his 300′th
league win as a manager, Arsenal flattered to decieve & left the gaffer wondering what
could have been. With proceedings tighter than ever at the summit, nothing less than a victory was
what the doctor ordered.
The Israeli was recently touted for a £7 million move to Dinamo Moscow, with some sources even
claiming that a deal had been agreed.
The Reds have denied that there was ever any chance of Benayoun leaving, but it is now being
claimed that the playmaker was indeed keen on a move to Russia.
STARTERSI had a thought last night that all these injuries to Team USA members right now is actually a good
thing. This means that when it comes time for the big games in South Africa all of our players will
be rested, repaired and ready to go, while other countries will feel their injuries at the wrong
time.
After a difficult fortnight the results from tonight's games have brought back some cheer and
hope. The doom mongers who were predicting a free fall and fight for fourth must have received a
nice slap as Arsenal emerged as the only top team to win three points on the night. The gap at the
top has narrowed while that against the chasing pack has increased.
Another busy week in the world of football with a full programme of mid-week Premier League
matches, the Copa del Rey semi-finals in Spain, the ongoing saga of Portsmouth's possible demise
and the 2012 European Championship draw that took place in Poland last weekend. On this week's
podcast we turn our attention to the Champions League as the knock-out stage begins.
Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it. |
Subscribe: Predictions
Champions League Part II, big games in the Premier League Merseyside vs Manchester, and a quick
look at Serie A and La Liga. Our guest this week is Paul, who is a Manchester United fan.
On this week's show we have another in our series on World cup stars. We also review the
footballing week, introduce another English for Football phrase and look ahead at some of the big
games coming up in the next week. Remember you can also:
Read our football news review in the good, the bad and the ugly Check out a new football expression
in English for Football Follow the weekly predictions battle between Damon and Damian in the
Predictions competition For learners of English check out our Football Language Resources page
with: Football glossary (a huge collection of football vocabulary, football cliches and football
phrases) Worksheets and transcripts from previous podcasts
Automatically receive the
podcast each week by clicking here
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher feels that he and his team-mates have reacted well to the
criticism that came their way earlier on in the season.
The centre-back believes that he worked hard to get his form back after the Reds' well-documented
early-season woe.
But he is still surprised by the intensity of some of the criticism that came his and Steven
Gerrard's way, with fans' expectations of local stars much higher than for other players.
Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it. |
Subscribe: Predictions
Two big games from Ligue 1, a top of the table clash in Holland and a host of derbies that
include the Eternal Derby from Greece, the Superclásico from Buenos Aires and the small matter of
Manchester United against Liverpool.
Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it. |
Subscribe: Predictions
The Champions League quarter-final first legs, big games at the top of the Bundesliga and Serie
A and a set of huge derbies involving teams from Madrid, Istanbul and Mexico City.
Arjen Robben joined Chelsea in the summer of 2004 after being so close to signing for Manchester
United.
The talented winger, who is now at Bayern Munich, claims he has no regrets over his
decision.
"I sensed there was some disappointment when Bayern were drawn to play United, but I can see
good omens for me in this game," said Robben.
Arsenal 2 Barcelona 2
It was all about scoring the third goal of the game.
Because aside from Porto, all our big games this season had hinged on the third goal, one way or
the other. Away to United and City, at 1-1 it was anybody's game. Much the same can be said of our
trip to Anfield.
The first of many big games for Newcastle kicks off today, with the very real prospect of promotion
making it's first outing of the season. Today's visit to London Road to face struggling side,
Peterborough United, could result in guaranteed automatic promotion, should we come away with the
three points and Nottingham Forest fail to [.
Everyone, including Arsene, knows that Barcelona are odds on favourites to go through,
especially after the recent additions to the Arsenal injury roster.
We've four first choice players missing from the team that started a week ago at the Emirates.
And not just any four Cesc, Arshavin, and Song were arguably the three most valuable players in
that starting line-up!
I can empathise with Aston Villa following their defeat against Chelsea yesterday. These big games
can be swung by the big decisions and yesterday Howard Webb, England's World Cup referee, choked
for the umpteenth time this season. Firstly a clear penalty was denied as Mikel took Agbonlahor
down in the box, secondly John Terry got away with a horrendous reckless lunge on James Milner in
the
I just received the following reference from the coach of a potential recruit for my college
team. I don't know about you, but the way he describes this player gives me goosebumps!
"He is very much like Brendan, a stalwart in defense, probably better skill on the ball than
Brendan, not quite as big, but very tough and physical, takes smart angles, learns his lessons
quickly, knows his strengths and plays to them.
