Missing The AIM 2012 Excitement: Torres Benched on Chelsea’s UEFA Champions League Defeat to Juventus

THE LATEST UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEWS – Chelsea, which played on Tuesday’s Champions League without a definite striker on the centre, left Fernando Torres out on the bench following reports that the club’s management is growing increasingly frustrated with his performance.

Juventus denied Chelsea to win w1th ease in the game through a 3-0 result. The outcome triggered further internal pressure within the Blues, with the futures of Torres and manager Roberto di Matteo in danger.

Torres, whose form at Chelsea contrasted to his days at Liverpool, faces an impending return to his former club Atletico Madrid should the London club successfully acquire Radamel Falcao from the La Liga outfit.

Photo credits:

Fernando Torres [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 21 November 2012, from <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2235953/Fernando-Torres-dropped-Chelsea-game-Juventus.html>

UEFA Champions League News: Juventus Held in Nordsjaelland Draw

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THE LATEST UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEWS – Juventus’ Champions League football experience failed to impress new boys Nordsjaelland as the Italians failed to beat the Danish hosts 1-1.

Nordsjaelland played past through rivals Juventus through a first-half free kick goal from Mikkel Beckmann – his side’s first goal in the Champions League. Mirko Vucinic, who came in as a substitute, scored a late equalizer for the Bianconeri.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2012-13: Preview Manchester United vs. Braga

Match Date: October 24, 2012 (Wednesday)
Match Time: 2:45 am (+08:00 GMT)
Venue: Old Trafford (HOME: Manchester United)

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Manchester United will play host to Portuguese outfit Braga in their next UEFA Champions League fixture – the third qualifying round of the competition. United currently sit on top of Group H with six points from two wins, while Braga is in third with three points from one win and one loss.

Match Preview

*HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON (Last Five Matches)      
  None; both teams will meet for the first time in this season’s UEFA Champions League   

The Manchester United squad have trekked into the unknown in their previous Champions League match this season when they fought Romanian champions and Group H second-placers CFR Cluj. United face another challenge of dealing with unfamiliar opponents Braga in the pitch, since the Portuguese side have not played past through rival English top-flight club yet. 

United would not pit in Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand in defence. The tested back-line duo will exchange places with Scott Wootton and Alexander Buttner. Midfielders Shinji Kagawa, Ryan Giggs and Tom Cleverley could figure a comeback in the starting line-up, while possibilities for starter positions remain for Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia and Nani. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has the option of starting all of his four-man striker-force – Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Danny Welbeck and Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, although in varying positions up front.

Braga captain Alan will be a threat United must reckon. He recorded an impressive performance during their 2-0 away win against Turkish side Galatasaray, having scored the second goal. Another potentially dangerous attacker is Eder, the club’s new main striker. He already scored four goals for his new club this season. Ruben Micael, on loan from Atletico Madrid, is a skilled playmaker that has made five goals since his move this season.