United aim to break Chelsea jinx
Villa eyes end to goal drought in Champions League quarters.
LONDON:
Manchester United will be chasing their first victory against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in nearly a decade as the English giants collide in a Champions League quarter-final.
United are riding high in the Premier League after a weekend which saw them open up a seven-point lead at the top of the table. But Sir Alex Ferguson is aware of the threat Chelsea can pose, where his side has not won since 2002.
Ferguson argued Chelsea’s strong record against United owed much to good fortune.
“They’ve had important breaks against us,” said Ferguson. “Everyone recognises that in the last-four games the major decisions have gone Chelsea’s way.”
Ferguson believes his team is capable of repeating their 2008 Champions League final victory over Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea have their own concerns to address with David Luiz being ineligible for the match.
Pedro, Maxwell available for Barca
Barcelona arrive at the quarter-finals, where they face Shakhtar Donetsk, in impressive form as they are now eight points clear of Real Madrid after defeating Villarreal 1-0 at the weekend.
This clash will provide Barca striker David Villa with the ideal stage to end a goal drought. Villa last found the net for his club against Real Mallorca on February 26, a barren run of six games.
“You always get worried when you’re not scoring but you have to stay calm,” said Villa. “The only way to put that behind is to work hard in training.”
Published in The Express Tribune, April 6th, 2011.
Manchester United will be chasing their first victory against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in nearly a decade as the English giants collide in a Champions League quarter-final.
United are riding high in the Premier League after a weekend which saw them open up a seven-point lead at the top of the table. But Sir Alex Ferguson is aware of the threat Chelsea can pose, where his side has not won since 2002.
Ferguson argued Chelsea’s strong record against United owed much to good fortune.
“They’ve had important breaks against us,” said Ferguson. “Everyone recognises that in the last-four games the major decisions have gone Chelsea’s way.”
Ferguson believes his team is capable of repeating their 2008 Champions League final victory over Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea have their own concerns to address with David Luiz being ineligible for the match.
Pedro, Maxwell available for Barca
Barcelona arrive at the quarter-finals, where they face Shakhtar Donetsk, in impressive form as they are now eight points clear of Real Madrid after defeating Villarreal 1-0 at the weekend.
This clash will provide Barca striker David Villa with the ideal stage to end a goal drought. Villa last found the net for his club against Real Mallorca on February 26, a barren run of six games.
“You always get worried when you’re not scoring but you have to stay calm,” said Villa. “The only way to put that behind is to work hard in training.”
Published in The Express Tribune, April 6th, 2011.