17 February & 11 March Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) v Chelsea FC (ENG) FC Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) v FC Bayern München (GER) 18 February & 10 March FC Schalke 04 (GER) v Real Madrid CF (ESP) FC Basel 1893 (SUI) v FC Porto (POR) 24 February & 18 March Manchester City FC (ENG) v FC Barcelona (ESP) Juventus (ITA) v Borussia Dortmund (GER) 25 February & 17 March Bayer 04 Leverkusen (GER) v Club Atlético de Madrid (ESP) Arsenal FC (ENG) v AS Monaco FC (FRA)
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Chelsea 17 February
Jose Mourinho said on Saturday that he wanted a Parisian draw for ease of travel and access. And, although he didn't say this, perhaps ease of challenge. Chelsea certainly don't look like they're going to have as tough a time as last season, when they needed a brilliant late salvo to narrowly eliminate PSG. Too much has changed since then. Mourinho's side have made almost a quantum leap in evolution of their play, while Laurent Blanc's outfit have just looked more and more laboured, reflecting the limitations of their manager. Blanc's potential sacking could change things, but probably not enough to change the outcome: Chelsea going through.
Verdict: Chelsea
Manchester City vs. Barcelona 24 February
The tie of the round for the second year in a row, but one that also has turned a bit since last season. City did not initially kick on in Europe given the early struggles of their group, but the gritty way in which they ultimately got through -- with the entire spine of stars missing -- could represent a transformative moment. By contrast, Barca still look in transition, and more a collection of stars rather than cohesive unit that has made them the competition's touchstone side over the past half-decade. Now, they're all too reliant on their forward line.
It may still be asking a lot but if City have their own stars in, they have a big chance to reach the quarterfinals for the first time ever. That fact alone seems so out of place with a tie that is genuinely 50-50. This is set to be tight, and be decided by those players who can maximise the smallest of margins. Barca need Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar to click. City need Yaya Toure on top form and Sergio Aguero at full fitness.
Verdict: Manchester City
One of last season's glamour ties, Manchester City vs. Barcelona could reverse on last term's results.
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Atletico Madrid
One of the most refreshing ties of the round, and not just because it is the first time the competition has seen this pairing. There is also the contrast in styles, and the upwardly mobile nature of both sides, who are managed by two of the brightest young coaches in the game: Diego Simeone and Roger Schmidt. The one big difference is that Simeone already has blazed far brighter, having reached the final last season and won the Spanish league in what seemed such an unlikely fashion. That pedigree and tournament experience should stand to them. On the other side, Leverkusen, for all their fine football, also illustrated their flaws by allowing first place in the group to slip. They shouldn't even be in this tie. It will mean they probably go out.
Verdict: Atletico Madrid
Juventus vs. Borussia Dortmund 18 March
Perhaps the most engaging tie after City-Barca, and the one that might just be the most difficult to predict. It is a pairing that comes at a particularly curious time for both teams, not least given what this competition has come to mean for them -- a prospect only deepened by the fact it represents a repeat of the epic 1997 Champions League final.
That spell should really have seen Juventus win more European Cups than they did, having won only one out of three finals between 1996 and 1998, and it still colours so much of what they do -- especially given how the stock of Serie A has fallen. The trophy has become their obsession, and is the real big remaining challenge for the club as they continue to dominate Italy. A problem has been that they have come nowhere near replicating their domestic form.
The same can be said for Dortmund, but in a very different way. The Champions League has come to be their one source of solace in what has been an atrocious campaign. While they now look in real danger of a genuine relegation battle, they have usually been sparkling in Europe. The wonder is what will give, what will have the bigger say. Juventus, however, won't have a better opportunity against one of the notional best sides.
Verdict: Juventus
Real Madrid coolly discarded Schalke last spring, and there's little to suggest anything will change this season.
Schalke vs. Real Madrid 18 February
Real Madrid official Emilio Butragueno was caught by cameras basically trying to suppress a smile when this draw was made, and it's not hard to see why. Real Madrid have made a habit of racking up hugely impressive knockout wins against lesser sides -- including a 9-2 aggregate win over Schalke at this very stage last season -- and, with the form they're on and the forwards they've got, this is likely to be along the same lines.
Verdict: Real Madrid
Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Bayern Munich
No real challenge for the super-favourites at Bayern, which cannot be said about Shakhtar's campaign. It seems trivial to discuss the situation in Ukraine in the context of football, but there's no denying that it has made Shakhtar's challenges so much harder this season, especially because they don't have the advantage of being able to play at home. They've done well to get this far, and with some fine football on the way. It's still, however, where their European season is likely to end. Bayern are just too good.
Verdict: Bayern Munich
Arsenal vs. Monaco
Wenger finally gets the break he so badly wanted from a sequence of severely tough knockout draws, but he does get a return to somewhere he knows even better than a last-16 exit. The Arsenal manager returns to the club where he spent seven years between 1987 and 1994. His stint at Monaco did see Wenger reach this competition's semifinals for the first of just three times, and this draw may at least see him return to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2010. The fact Monaco got through despite the fewest goals scored for a qualified team in history reflects their lack of firepower, as well as their reduced activity in the transfer market. This is not the new force that seemed to be rising last season.
Verdict: Arsenal
Basel vs. Porto
Not the most glamorous occasion, but potentially one of the feistiest and hardest to call. These are two upwardly mobile teams who have made a habit of defying resources over the past few seasons, and offering big surprises. It makes this very hard to predict, although Porto's higher quality should just be enough.
1. Van Persie wins a tactical battle
The first-ever Premier League meeting between two Dutch managers was
inevitably an interesting tactical battle, with Louis van Gaal desperate
to outwit Ronald Koeman, who had served beneath him at both Barcelona
and Ajax. It was another Dutchman, however, who had the last laugh.
Van Gaal reverted to a three-man defence, with Marcos Rojo and Paddy
McNair flanking Chris Smalling, who lasted only 18 minutes before
departing through (yet another Manchester United defensive) injury,
replaced by Jonny Evans.
Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young pushed on as wing-backs, but the
two Southampton wide forwards, Sadio Mane and Shane Long, showed no
interest in tracking them, and stayed in narrower, more advanced
positions where they could counter-attack.
It made for an open game: United's wing-backs were in oceans of space
when they had the ball, but Southampton were in a good position to
start breaks. Another difference was in terms of pressing, a concept
practically invented by the Dutch. United made little effort to close
down high up the pitch, letting Southampton play out while the hosts got
tight in midfield, with Victor Wanyama and Steven Davis trying winning
the ball quickly and capitalising on stray passes.
It's difficult to remember much Van Persie did aside from scoring two goals -- United only had three shots
in total -- but that's the mark of a clinical striker. United went
ahead through a terrible defensive mistake: Jose Fonte's backpass was
badly underhit, although Fraser Forster probably could have read the
situation quicker and time stood still as he dallied as Van Persie raced
onto the ball.
Forster wouldn't have been able to intercept the accidental
through-ball but he could have narrowed the angle better. Either way,
the Dutchman's finish was extremely cool.
His second was better; again, extremely simple, but majestically
taken. Wayne Rooney's whipped, inswinging free-kick found him at the far
post and he prodded the ball confidently between Forster's legs with
the outside of his trusty left foot, to give United a somewhat
surprising victory.
Van Persie's goals were reminiscent of his double strike in a 2-1
victory at Liverpool in his final season at Arsenal. That day, Arsene
Wenger's side were battered throughout but his brilliance snatched a
victory that barely seemed deserved considering the balance of play.
He did that frequently in his final campaign at the Emirates to haul
an otherwise unimpressive side into third place and, despite poor recent
form, that's his task for this season, too. 2. More defensive issues for United
United's first-half performance was reminiscent of their recent
display in the 2-1 victory at the Emirates, where they were outplayed
for the opening 25 minutes, relied on David De Gea to remain in the game
and then counter-attacked well in the second half following a switch to
a four-man backline.
At St. Mary's, with a back three, they again looked completely
uncomfortable. Problems with injury persist and Van Gaal continues to be
unable to count upon reliable partnerships at the back.
Losing Smalling was a big blow, and Van Gaal's subsequent decision to
remove McNair just before half-time was understandable after the
youngster endured a difficult game, which culminated with him hooking
the ball to Shane Long in a dangerous goalscoring position.
Amazingly, the players appeared to have no idea what this
substitution meant, with Michael Carrick frantically screaming at
Herrera and the bench with his arms outstretched, asking whether he was
supposed to continue in midfield, or at the back.
It turned out to be the latter -- United kept the 3-1-4-2 shape --
but it's amazing that such poor communication can happen at this level
and summarises their all-round problems with Van Gaal's approach. United
are still completely unable to defend in a variety of situations, and
the three-man defence doesn't seem to be solving anything.
Theoretically the alignment provides spare men at centre-back, yet
the players showed no understanding of their positional
responsibilities. Graziano Pelle bullied with his strength, while Dusan
Tadic was able to peel off Carrick and race in behind, completely
exposing the flat backline with one simple run.
United's defence is still very much a work in progress, and things
haven't improved much at the back since the start of the season. 3. Brave Saints lack cutting edge
United aren't the only ones suffering from significant injury
problems. Southampton were troubled in midfield without Morgan
Schneiderlin and Jack Cork, plus Toby Alderweireld, who moved into that
position against both Manchester City and Arsenal. Jay Rodriguez,
meanwhile, is a long-term absentee.
The midfield shortage forced Koeman to change his system slightly.
Usually he likes to play with three standard central midfielders and
three forwards, an approach that changed in the recent 1-1 draw against
Aston Villa, when two midfielders played behind a front four.
Koeman admitted that was a tactic to expose a makeshift Villa
defence, but it didn't work and there was no link between midfield and
attack with Shane Long as a second striker. The Saints manager changed
that in the second half against Villa, instead putting Tadic centrally.
It was better, and that's how Southampton started here.
Tadic was responsible for much of his side's good play in that No. 10
role, floating between the lines and then charging in behind
dangerously. His dribbling is less obvious in central positions but his
clever, floated balls into the box caused plenty of problems.
It was his shot that deflected through to Pelle for the equaliser and
in the second half he really took command. His floated cross to the far
post found Long, who should have done better than heading straight at
De Gea, then his ball into Pelle prompted an overhead kick for the
Italian, and a half-hearted shout for handball.
Tadic's substitution with 20 minutes remaining was a real surprise
and Southampton lost their creative spark. They had the chances to win
this game, but lacked a clinical edge.
Last season they were outplayed by top teams. This campaign they
compete well but find themselves unable to capitalise upon their best
periods. It's more encouraging for Saints fans, but also more
frustrating.
CARSON, Calif. — Just as former teammate David Beckham did, Landon Donovan closed out his Major League Soccer career with a trophy in his hands.
“I’m
in a little bit of a daze, to be honest,” said the man who’s almost
universally regarded as the best American player of all time. “There’s a
lot of excitement, some sadness. There’s uncertainty and just pure joy
for this team and what we did.”
For the 32-year-old Donovan, who made his final appearance in a US
jersey against Ecuador this autumn, this was his sixth MLS Cup — the two
that he won with San Jose (2001, ’03) plus three others with the Galaxy
(2005, ’11, and ’12).
“Landon has done the real [expletive] in the game,” observed LA coach Bruce Arena, who also directed Donovan in two World Cups. “He’s done it all. He’s got very little left to give.
“I’m
so happy that he’s made this decision. He’s able to go out a winner.
Wouldn’t we all wish to be able to leave what we do the way Landon left
today, as a winner?”
Nearly as exciting for Donovan as the Tiffany’s trophy was knowing that he’ll never have to pull on a practice jersey again.
“I
don’t have to do any of the no-fun parts of the job now,” he said.
“Along with that, I don’t get experiences like today, either.”
Donovan,
who played the full 120 minutes, was employed in three positions — in
the midfield, up front (to give the attack some zip), and back in the
midfield to help sew things up.
And after being given a
questionable caution during added time in the first half, Donovan played
the final 75 minutes knowing that another yellow card would have
resulted in his expulsion and left LA playing with 10 men. Robbie Keane, who scored the winner, also was given a yellow two minutes into overtime.
Full marks for grit
The Galaxy, which kicked the Revs halfway to Tijuana when they met here in July, awarded them full marks for their grit.
“I
give New England a lot of credit,” said Arena. “They battled. They were
very disciplined. They knew what they had to do. They did a good job.
They pushed us as hard as we could be pushed.”
Fatigue a factor
It may have been a combination of a transcontinental flight
Thursday and Sunday’s warmth (temperatures were in the mid-70s), but the
Revolution lost their legs as the second half wore on.
“As the minutes went on, guys were starting to feel it,” said striker Charlie Davies, who came off for Patrick Mullins in the 72d. “It hurt us.”
By the start of overtime New England already had used its three substitutions with Daigo Kobayashi replacing Scott Caldwell in the 58th and Andy Dorman coming in for the cramping Lee Nguyen in the 91st.
The Galaxy didn’t go to their bench until the 90th minute when Alan Gordon and Dan Gargan came in for Stefan Ishizaki and Robbie Rogers.
Had the match gone to a penalty-kick shootout, as it did in 2006
against Houston, the Revolution would have been without their top
scorers in both the regular season (Nguyen) and playoffs (Davies).
FIFA unveils shortlist of 23 candidates for this year's Ballon d'Or
Ballon d'Or holder Cristiano Ronaldo and four-time winner Lionel
Messi are among 23 players on FIFA's shortlist for this year's award
honouring the world's top player.
The list was compiled by the FIFA Football Committee with the help of
France Football. It will later be trimmed to three finalists, with the
winner announced at a ceremony in January.
Messi won the award four straight years from 2009-2012, while Ronaldo won it in 2008 and 2013.
The award was presented by solely by France Football until 2009, and
the news outlet joined with FIFA's Player of the Year Award for the 2010
edition.
The shortlist:
Gareth Bale, Wales, Real Madrid Karim Benzema, France, Real Madrid Diego Costa, Spain, Chelsea Thibaut Courtois, Belgium, Chelsea Angel Di Maria, Argentina, Manchester United Mario Gotze, Germany, Bayern Munich Eden Hazard, Belgium, Chelsea Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden, Paris Saint-Germain Andres Iniesta, Spain, Barcelona Toni Kroos, Germany, Real Madrid Philipp Lahm, Germany, Bayern Munich Javier Mascherano, Argentina, Barcelona Lionel Messi, Argentina, Barcelona Thomas Muller, Germany, Bayern Munich Manuel Neuer, Germany, Bayern Munich Neymar, Brazil, Barcelona Paul Pogba, France, Juventus Sergio Ramos, Spain, Real Madrid Arjen Robben, Netherlands, Bayern Munich James Rodriguez, Colombia, Real Madrid Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal, Real Madrid Bastian Schweinsteiger, Germany, Bayern Munich Yaya Toure, Ivory Coast, Manchester City
South Africa shocked by murder of national soccer captain
South Africa's
national soccer goalkeeper and captain Senzo Meyiwa has been shot dead
by burglars during a break-in, a killing that shocked the country and
turned the spotlight once again on gun violence here.
At an emotional news conference
on Monday, Meyiwa's colleagues paid tribute to the 27-year-old, who was
hit by a single round in the chest on Sunday night as he confronted two
intruders at the home of actress and singer Kelly Khumalo.
Meyiwa, who was shot in Vosloorus township southeast of Johannesburg, was dead on arrival at hospital, police said.
His
death highlighted the problem of gun violence in South Africa only days
after Paralympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius was jailed for five years for
shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp last year.
This
weekend's Johannesburg derby between Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs and
Orlando Pirates - the club Meyiwa joined as a 13-year-old and ended up
leading - was postponed as a mark of respect. The derby is usually
played in front of 90,000 fans.
"Don't
think such a good man as Senzo can go and vanish. His spirit will
live," said Shakes Mashaba, coach of the Bafana Bafana national side,
tears streaming down his cheeks and his voice quavering with emotion.
"He would always be the leader." Even
though South Africa's murder rate has been gradually dropping, it
remains one of the world's most violent countries, with police recording
more than 17,000 murders last year, or 31 per 100,000 people - seven
times the rate in the United States.
Dani Alves has agreed to join Manchester United on free transfer as his contract with Spanish giants Expire next Season .
Dani Alves will make his long awaited
switch to the Premier League at the end of the season, with an
agreement already reached to join Louis Van Gaal's Manchester United. The
Brazilian's contract is set to expire next summer, and with no
extension talks in place - Alves looks set to make his Old Trafford
switch . The Barcelona full-back is still a mainstay of the Luis Enrique's starting-eleven, but it appears this will be his final fling for the club he's made 193 appearances for. The
Brazilian's contract is set to expire next summer, and with no
extension talks in place it looks as if Barca will wash their hands of
the 31-year-old. Rafael is United's current first-choice
right-back, but will surely be displaced should Alves join Louis van
Gaal's United revolution.
Latest reports indicate that Barcelona
want to sign versatile Colombian star Juan Cuadrado, who frequently
operates as a wing-back in a 3-5-2 formation with his national side.
He signed a one-year extension to his contract in May but asked to leave when Juventus approached United over his availability.
Evra would have been competing for a starting berth next season against£27m signing Luke Shaw.
"After a great deal of thought I have decided the time is right for me to leave," Evra said.
"It is the biggest decision of my career as this club is, and will always remain, in my heart."
Evra made 379 appearances for United and as well as Premier League success, he helped the club win the Champions League in 2008, three League Cups and the Club World Cup.
He was part of the France squad at the 2014 Fifa World Cup squad in Brazil and played in four out of their five games, including the quarter-final defeat by Germany.
As he departed, Evra also thanked former manager Sir Alex Ferguson and the club's fans.
"An immense thank you to Sir Alex for making it all possible, for giving me the privilege to be a captain and to understand that nobody is bigger than the club," he said.
"My biggest thanks go to the fans. We have had some fantastic times together and every single time I stepped out in that shirt I knew I was playing for a very special club."
Juventus will pay an initial £1.2m for Evra, plus an extra £300,000 if they qualify for the Champions League in 2015-16.
Red Devils executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has told United fansto expect more signings over the next few weeks as new manager Louis van Gaal attempts to build a side capable of competing for the Premier League title.
As the new season is about to start , the big teams have started shopping . Its not clothes they are fighting for but mighty players . Some have succeeded to get their targets , others just didn't put enough money . Its all about money in these transfer windows . Here are the few big fishes that were successfully caught by BIG clubs .
Luiz Suarez (From liverpool to Barcelona) - The controversial uruguayan is signed buy Europes giants Barcelona . Barcelona was targetting Suarez from 2-3 months . Though he will not be able to play the starting 4 months of the season due to the ban , but will prove out to be a big weapon with Messi and Neymar with him in the attack .
Alexis Sanchez ( From Barcelona to Arsenal) - The Chillean just agreed to an arsenal deal . The former barcelona striker is known for his athletisicm and pace . He was excellent in this world cup .
Tony Kroos ( From Bayern Munich to Real Madrid ) - Just after winning the World Cup with Germany a few days ago , Tony kroos made a big move to Real Madrid to break the headlines .
Debuchy - (From Newcastle to Arsenal ) - Arsenal made their second big signing in the form of Matheiu Debuchy . The transfer fee of this France fullback is around £12 million .
CARSON, Calif. — Just as former teammate David Beckham did, Landon Donovan closed out his Major League Soccer career with a trophy in his hands. 
