Champions League Preview: Defending Champions Chelsea to Deal with Opening Hurdle against Juventus; Bayern Meets Valencia Once Again

Chelsea vs. Juventus: Great Challenges Await English and Italian Top Teams

Chelsea will start their campaign to defend their Champions League title against two-time winner and Serie A Scudetto holders Juventus. Roberto di Matteo, manager of The Blues, will be wary of their difficult opening challenge in their title defence this season. Massimo Carrera, standing in behalf of suspended manager Antonio Conte, welcomes his side’s opening challenge against the champions of the tournament.

Saying that Chelsea will try to fulfil the “impossible” challenge of defending their title, di Matteo recognizes the highly competitive nature of the competition. He added that their placement in Group E, alongside domestic champions Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine and Nordsjaelland of Denmark, makes their challenge much more difficult.

Carrera ensured that his side is properly oriented on the techniques that they will execute against 2011-12 winners Chelsea. Calling their Chelsea fixture as a “big test”, Juventus is out to seek their third Champions League title amidst the Calcioscommesse scandal that caused their manager Conte’s 10-month suspension.

John Terry, John Obi Mikel and Juan Mata will be playing for Chelsea after recovering from their respective injuries. Juventus will not see Simone Pepe and Simone Padoin play at Stamford Bridge. Despite their 42-game undefeated run at the Serie A, their lack of a formidable strike force remains their key problem.

Bayern Munich vs. Valencia: Meeting at This Year’s Group Opener since Their 2001 Final

Bayern Munich will play host to their 2001 final opponent Valencia. Bayern, who reached the final last season but lost to eventual winners Chelsea, will strive to make a comeback following their favourable form in this season’s Bundesliga. Both managers – Jupp Heynckes of Bayern and Mauricio Pellegrino of Valencia, ensured that their respective sides do not hold any grudges on their 2001 final anymore.

Heynckes recognize the strength of Valencia’s current line-up, which he considers a great challenge for their campaign. He claims that his side does not think of their defeat to Chelsea last season, noting that playing their best games, without talking about next year’s final for the meantime, remain their current focus.

Pellegrino is wary that giving Bayern too much respect might cause them to commit mistakes – even small ones that can cost their chances. He remains concentrated on Valencia’s chances in the tournament, despite their intimidating contest against Bayern.

New signing Javi Martinez will appear for the team on Thursday, while Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery have confirmed their availability for the match. Striker Mario Gomez remains sidelined due to injuries, prompting Mario Mandzukic to make another starting role for the team.

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Photo credits:

Chelsea vs. Juventus [Photograph]. (2009). Retrieved 19 September 2012, from <http://www.serieatalk.com/serie-a-teams-failing-in-champions-league-1039 >

Arsenal Prepares New Contract for Manager Arsene Wenger

Arsenal’s long-time manager Arsene Wenger is bound to receive a new contract from the club. The club made the decision despite another failed effort to win the Premier League title last season, which stretched their title drought to seven years as they clinched the third spot with Manchester United and champions Manchester City leading in the tables

The move appears to be an affirmation of the moniker “In Arsene We Trust”, which is a popular slogan among Arsenal fans. Currently, Wenger is facing a challenge to lead the club in light of high-profile departures of ex-captain Robin van Persie to Manchester United and Alex Song to Barcelona. New signings Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla replaced the duo.

Wenger’s current contract lasts until 2014. Speculations that the manager will leave Arsenal once his deal expires have been widespread. Ivan Gazidis, chief executive of The Gunners, stays firm in his stand that the Frenchman knows best in leading the club to title victories.

Saying that he is highly satisfied with the way Arsenal is moving forward, Gazidis affirmed that Wenger is the man they need to spearhead the club’s progress. He called the manager an “incredible man who loves [Arsenal]”.

Apart from van Persie and Song’s exits, Arsenal suffered the transfers of big-name players prior to 2011-12. Former captain Cesc Fabregas moved to Barcelona. Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy played for Manchester City to win the title in their first season with the club.  

Gazidis acknowledged that they are concerned with the club not winning a league trophy since 2004. He followed up with assurance that they are doing their best in playign against tough oponnent sides to win titles this year.

The chief executive fended off accusations that the board is satisfied with just top-four league finishes. He added that they are trying to win using “a certain way of playing football that [the club takes] pride in”.

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Photo credits:

Arsene Wenger [Photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 14 September 2012, from < http://www.viasat1.com.gh/v1/vnews/sports.php?postId=551 >

Dimitar Berbatov Displeased At Man Utd’s Ferguson

Former Bulgarian national team captain Dimitar Berbatov left Premier League side Manchester United to secure a £5 million-worth transfer to Fulham.

Berbatov sent his goodbyes to his former teammates at United following his release. He did not give the same polite treatment to manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who he criticised for giving him unfair treatment at the club last season.

Arsenal Gain First Win Over Weak Liverpool Side

Arsenal’s road towards impressive football predictions for this season’s Premier League look more assured as they dealt with a downtrodden Liverpool squad in a 2-0 victory.

The clean sheet gave recognition to Arsenal’s Robin van Persie replacements Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla, with both scoring their first goals for the club following their first two goalless draws. Abou Diaby kept impressive control of the midfield, to the delight of manager Arsene Wenger.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers faces more pressure in light of another disappointing defeat at the start of the season. Striker Andy Carroll’s West Ham United loan transfer placed the manager under further stress after his club failed to bring in a replacement before the closing of the transfer window.