Champions League « Set Piece Analysts

Milito Shines in Champions League Final

By Jeff Kassouf, on May 22nd, 2010

Argentine forward Diego Milito scored both goals in Internazionale’s 2-0 win over Bayern Munich, powering the Italian club to its first UEFA Champions League title since 1965.

Milito stole the show with spectacular goals in the 34th and 70th minutes and cemented his place in Champions League history. So too did Inter Milan Manager Jose [...]

Manchester City 0:1 Tottenham – Peter Crouch goal clinches night to remember for Spurs

By Ray Curren, on May 5th, 2010

Tottenham will play Champions League football next season, as Peter Crouch’s 82nd minute goal was the game-winner as Tottenham broke Manchester City hearts, 1-0, at the City of Manchester Stadium Wednesday night.

Spurs stand four points ahead of City in the race for fourth in the English Premier League with only one game to play,.

Tottenham can [...]

Liverpool-Chelsea preview: Ancelotti's message,

By Ray Curren, on May 1st, 2010

No excuses.

Although there are some – including on this site – that believe Chelsea would be “unworthy” champions of the English Premier League this season, champions they will be (most likely) if they can find a way to beat Liverpool at Anfield tomorrow afternoon.

The good news for the Blues, who lead Manchester United by a [...]

Champions League Redux: Cris and Motta Red Cards, Late Camp Nou Drama

By Johnathan Starling, on April 28th, 2010

Cris’s tackle was a yellow card offense, and his clapping was an immediate second yellow card.
The fifty-ninth minute tackle by Cris on Van Bommel was a stupid one to make. The first rule of thumb people need to realize (see Andy Gray) is this: it does not matter if the tackler gets the ball first. [...]

The Race for Third Place in the UEFA Country Ranking

By Johnathan Starling, on April 27th, 2010

With Bayern Munich’s 3-0 victory Tuesday at the Stade Gerland, the race for third place in the UEFA County Ranking standings, currently being battled out between Italy and Germany, picked up plenty of steam. It could also be the day the entire race swung in Germany’s favor. While this will mean nothing for the 2010-2011 [...]

Champions League Redux: Refereeing Decisions, Alves, Robben

By Johnathan Starling, on April 21st, 2010

1) Both Samuel Eto’o and Sergio Busquets deserved to be booked for their dissent towards the referee.
While I can understand the players frustration about the calls that were made in these instances, that is no excuse for showing any blatant form of protest. Yes, Eto’o, while it looked like it was a 50-50 ball, you [...]

Sympathy for the devil: Mourinho, Inter will have plan for Barcelona, Messi

By Ray Curren, on April 18th, 2010

“So, Lone Star, now you see that evil will always triumph because good is dumb.”
- Dark Helmet

My expertise does not lie with either La Liga or Serie A, but – to me – the UEFA Champions League semifinal encounter between Barcelona and Inter Milan is absolutely fascinating.

On one side stands Lionel Messi, Pep Guardiola, and [...]

Tottenham 2:1 Chelsea - Spurs prove Arsenal win was no fluke

By Ray Curren, on April 17th, 2010

Tottenham have been hovering around fourth place for the last few months, but a look at the April run of consecutive games against the top three in the table – Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United – led to skeptics.

But after beating Arsenal, Tottenham took the fight to Chelsea Saturday evening at White Hart Lane, with a [...]

Chelsea 1:0 Bolton - Anelka goal gives Blues an ugly, but important three points

By Ray Curren, on April 13th, 2010

It was far from beautiful, and Owen Coyle may feel aggrieved that has squad wasn’t given a penalty kick, but in the end, Chelsea is three points closer to its first Premier League title in four years, as the Blues are four points clear with four games to play after a 1-0 win over Bolton [...]

Manchester United 3:2 Bayern Munich – Arjen Robben upstages Wayne Rooney as Bayern advances

By Ray Curren, on April 7th, 2010

The night started with the shocking return of Wayne Rooney.

But there was a villain at Old Trafford Wednesday night making a return, a villain they knew all too well: Arjen Robben.

The Dutch midfielder, who won two Premier League titles over Manchester United while at Chelsea, was always expected to come back for Bayern Munich in [...]