Arsenal have been dealt a massive blow ahead of their Champions League clash with Barcelona after Arsene Wenger revealed influential midfielder Cesc Fabregas could be missing for the Catalan's visit.
The Spaniard missed training on Monday and Tuesday after suffering severe bruising to his knee in the Gunners' 1-1 draw at Birmingham on Saturday.
A statement on the Arsenal website gave fans hope, claiming Fabregas will be available for selection against Barcelona at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
However, in his press conference on Tuesday Arsene Wenger was far from convinced about the 22-year-old's chances of taking part in the Champions League quarter-final.
"He did not train this morning (Tuesday) and at moment he is not fit to play," Wenger told reporters.
"We will give him 24 hours more, but I don't know if he will be available.
"If the game were Tuesday, he would not play."
Several commentators have suggested Fabregas may still play a part, even if he is not fit enough to be named in the starting XI.
However, Wenger has categorically ruled out naming the midfielder on the bench if he fails a late fitness test.
"If he is not capable to play, I would not take a gamble and put him on the bench," he added.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
THIERRY HENRY: I'LL BE AN ARSENAL FAN FOREVER Mar 30, 2010 2:17:00 PM Former Gunner says he has a 'special relationship' with Arsenal fans.
Thierry Henry claims he was feeling “very emotional” as he prepared to fly to London on Tuesday for an epic Champions League return to Arsenal.
European champions Barcelona take on the Gunners in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday, with Henry likely to start on the left of a three-man attack in his first appearance at the Emirates for almost three years.
“I am very emotional,” he was quoted as saying in the Express. “It will be a strange game for me.European champions Barcelona take on the Gunners in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday, with Henry likely to start on the left of a three-man attack in his first appearance at the Emirates for almost three years.
“Before the draw I said that I did not want to meet Arsenal. But now it is what we have been given and we will have to be at our best.
“It was the one team I did not want for reasons that everyone knows, but that is what happened.
“To return home is strange and even more so in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.”
Henry scored 226 goals in eight seasons with Arsenal and was recently voted the best player in the club’s history in a poll on the official website.
“Since I joined Barcelona I have only been back to Arsenal on one occasion, when they played Blackburn three or four months ago,” he said.
“This will be only the second time. I do not know how people will react. I have a special relationship with Arsenal fans. They are great. Incredible. They always support you and help the team.
“I am now an Arsenal supporter. I will always be one. When Arsenal play and I can see the game, you can be sure to find me in front of a television.”
BARCELONA COACH PEP GUARDIOLA AIMING TO PUT ON A ‘GOOD SHOW’ AGAINST ARSENAL Mar 30, 2010 9:45:00 PM The Blaugrana coach notes Arsenal are much more
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has declared that playing possession football will be key in Wednesday's mouthwatering UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Guardiola believes both sides will try to play to their strengths and insists that whichever side can dominate possession of the football will have the upper hand.
"They will play to their strengths and so will we, and we'll judge the result after as the return leg will decide the game. Scoring away is important to progress to the next round and we go with the intention of attacking in a controlled manner and to defend every ball in a very intense and aggressive way. They want the ball, we do too, it will be a key. The idea is to score goals, that's the objective," he told a press conference.
"It's an honor to come to this stadium to play against a mythical club, a very good opponent for many years who are an example of how to play good football. We will try to put on a good show for the people.
"They will be more careful and closer together, be supportive when they do not have the ball, they'll be vigilant and will go for the game."
The Catalan coach also stated that his counterpart Arsene Wenger is one of the world's greatest coaches, crediting the Frenchman with imposing a style on the Gunners that the whole world enjoys to watch.
"I think he [Wenger] will make every attempt to convince the players to put together a good performance and beat us. He's is one of the best coaches in the world, has won many titles and trophies and has changed the mentality of this club. Before he arrived here Arsenal was different. Now the whole world admires the style of Arsenal, and we are honoured to play against them and try to beat them," he noted.
Guardiola also warned that Arsenal have more in their armoury than Barcelona born Cesc Fabregas, pointing to their result against Porto in the previous round as proof of their potency.
"He [Fabregas] is just is very, very good, and I'd guess that the team is better with him but without him here they beat Porto 5-0, because they have very dynamic players in his position. Tomorrow I will know whether he plays or not, but if they say he won't, I won't take that because I do not believe it," he added.
"Since he was very young he's been brilliant at arriving into the area, he has a great character and it's normal that he has scored so many goals. He has many levels, he was half formed at our place and his formation finished here. He is very important to them, but they beat Porto without him too," he concluded.
Guardiola believes both sides will try to play to their strengths and insists that whichever side can dominate possession of the football will have the upper hand.
"They will play to their strengths and so will we, and we'll judge the result after as the return leg will decide the game. Scoring away is important to progress to the next round and we go with the intention of attacking in a controlled manner and to defend every ball in a very intense and aggressive way. They want the ball, we do too, it will be a key. The idea is to score goals, that's the objective," he told a press conference.
"It's an honor to come to this stadium to play against a mythical club, a very good opponent for many years who are an example of how to play good football. We will try to put on a good show for the people.
"They will be more careful and closer together, be supportive when they do not have the ball, they'll be vigilant and will go for the game."
The Catalan coach also stated that his counterpart Arsene Wenger is one of the world's greatest coaches, crediting the Frenchman with imposing a style on the Gunners that the whole world enjoys to watch.
"I think he [Wenger] will make every attempt to convince the players to put together a good performance and beat us. He's is one of the best coaches in the world, has won many titles and trophies and has changed the mentality of this club. Before he arrived here Arsenal was different. Now the whole world admires the style of Arsenal, and we are honoured to play against them and try to beat them," he noted.
Guardiola also warned that Arsenal have more in their armoury than Barcelona born Cesc Fabregas, pointing to their result against Porto in the previous round as proof of their potency.
"He [Fabregas] is just is very, very good, and I'd guess that the team is better with him but without him here they beat Porto 5-0, because they have very dynamic players in his position. Tomorrow I will know whether he plays or not, but if they say he won't, I won't take that because I do not believe it," he added.
"Since he was very young he's been brilliant at arriving into the area, he has a great character and it's normal that he has scored so many goals. He has many levels, he was half formed at our place and his formation finished here. He is very important to them, but they beat Porto without him too," he concluded.
SIR ALEX FERGUSON UNHAPPY WITH CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PERFORMANCE AGAINST BAYERN Mar 30, 2010 6:03:00 PM Manager frustrated by carelessness in 2-1 defeat
Sir Alex Ferguson was disappointed after watching his Manchester United side throw away an early lead to lose 2-1 against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg.
The United manager gave an honest appraisal after late goals from Franck Ribery and Ivica Olic - the latter in stoppage time - overturned a lead given to United by Wayne Rooney in the second minute.
“We didn’t play well enough,” he told Sky Sports.
“We kept giving ball away [and keeping possession] has been a major part of our game in previous years.”
United dominated the first half but the hosts controlled the second half and scored two goals in the final 13 minutes of the match.
“Bayern were the better team, they pressed the ball everywhere,” he continued.
“It was a disappointing performance possession wise. But we’re better than that, we kept giving it away and that was our downfall.”
Ferguson believes his side were a little unlucky for Ribery's goal, which deflected in off Rooney's heel, but admitted they had only themselves to blame for Olic's winner, as Patrice Evra was dispossessed in his own penalty area.
“The first one was a lucky deflection, but they deserved it,” he added.
“The last goal, well the game was done [but we’ve] given a terrible goal away.”
So United will go into the second leg at Old Trafford behind but they do have an away goal which could prove vital and Ferguson was adamant his side will improve.
“At Old Trafford it will be a different game,” Ferguson continued.
“We will be much better; we won’t be giving ball away as we did tonight. The away goal is an advantage, but we’ll be going all out to win the game."
The United manager gave an honest appraisal after late goals from Franck Ribery and Ivica Olic - the latter in stoppage time - overturned a lead given to United by Wayne Rooney in the second minute.
“We didn’t play well enough,” he told Sky Sports.
“We kept giving ball away [and keeping possession] has been a major part of our game in previous years.”
United dominated the first half but the hosts controlled the second half and scored two goals in the final 13 minutes of the match.
“Bayern were the better team, they pressed the ball everywhere,” he continued.
“It was a disappointing performance possession wise. But we’re better than that, we kept giving it away and that was our downfall.”
Ferguson believes his side were a little unlucky for Ribery's goal, which deflected in off Rooney's heel, but admitted they had only themselves to blame for Olic's winner, as Patrice Evra was dispossessed in his own penalty area.
“The first one was a lucky deflection, but they deserved it,” he added.
“The last goal, well the game was done [but we’ve] given a terrible goal away.”
So United will go into the second leg at Old Trafford behind but they do have an away goal which could prove vital and Ferguson was adamant his side will improve.
“At Old Trafford it will be a different game,” Ferguson continued.
“We will be much better; we won’t be giving ball away as we did tonight. The away goal is an advantage, but we’ll be going all out to win the game."
CL DEBATE: IF WAYNE ROONEY IS INJURED, ARE BAYERN MUNICH FAVOURITES TO KNOCK OUT MANCHESTER UNITED? Mar 31, 2010 7:22:00 AM After Rooney hobbled off
Bayern Munich coach Louis Van Gaal said it best post-match last night when he summed up the importance of Wayne Rooney to Manchester United, declaring: "He is their most important player and if you look at the statistics, then you see that Rooney has scored 31 goals. After Rooney, their second top-scorer is the opposition with own goals.”
Van Gaal actually got his figures wrong. Rooney has scored 34 goals, while the club's third top-scorer is own goals, 10 of them, just behind Dimitar Berbatov with 12. But, the point remains.
Arjen Robben even went as far to say in the build-up to the first leg that United are “almost a one man team”. "Rooney has been phenomenal this season,” the Flying Dutchman explained. “But at the moment he seems to be their only solution: What about if he doesn't function?”
We should soon find out how United function without Rooney as the 24-year-old seems almost certain to miss the return leg at Old Trafford next Wednesday after hobbling off at full time last night with an ankle injury. A diagnosis of the seriousness of the problem hasn’t been forthcoming just yet, but judging from the images a twisted ankle at the very least has been suffered.
The injury threatens to derail United’s season at the worst time as they also host Chelsea in a key top-of-the-table Premier League clash this weekend. The alternatives to Rooney in attack are not great. With Michael Owen and Danny Welbeck injured, and Federico Macheda having struggled all season with fitness and form, Berbatov is the only ready replacement in the starting XI. And the Bulgarian has never impressed since his whopping £30.75 million move from Tottenham Hotspur in 2008. This term, Berbatov has scored 12 goals in 35 appearances, and none in Europe.
Rooney is United’s only world class player in the front two departments. Without the England star, the Red Devils suddenly become far more ordinary and workmanlike, losing that special spark that every team needs.
An added bonus for Bayern will be the return of two key players in Manchester – Bastian Schweinsteiger and the aforementioned Robben. The latter, when fit, is second only in the world to Lionel Messi in terms of skill and penetration. Meanwhile, Schweinsteiger’s quantity will be important against the tenacious Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick.
Home advantage will still count for a lot next week, but one thing is for certain – if Rooney misses the second leg then Bayern’s chances of qualification improve immeasurably.
Van Gaal actually got his figures wrong. Rooney has scored 34 goals, while the club's third top-scorer is own goals, 10 of them, just behind Dimitar Berbatov with 12. But, the point remains.
Arjen Robben even went as far to say in the build-up to the first leg that United are “almost a one man team”. "Rooney has been phenomenal this season,” the Flying Dutchman explained. “But at the moment he seems to be their only solution: What about if he doesn't function?”
We should soon find out how United function without Rooney as the 24-year-old seems almost certain to miss the return leg at Old Trafford next Wednesday after hobbling off at full time last night with an ankle injury. A diagnosis of the seriousness of the problem hasn’t been forthcoming just yet, but judging from the images a twisted ankle at the very least has been suffered.
The injury threatens to derail United’s season at the worst time as they also host Chelsea in a key top-of-the-table Premier League clash this weekend. The alternatives to Rooney in attack are not great. With Michael Owen and Danny Welbeck injured, and Federico Macheda having struggled all season with fitness and form, Berbatov is the only ready replacement in the starting XI. And the Bulgarian has never impressed since his whopping £30.75 million move from Tottenham Hotspur in 2008. This term, Berbatov has scored 12 goals in 35 appearances, and none in Europe.
Rooney is United’s only world class player in the front two departments. Without the England star, the Red Devils suddenly become far more ordinary and workmanlike, losing that special spark that every team needs.
An added bonus for Bayern will be the return of two key players in Manchester – Bastian Schweinsteiger and the aforementioned Robben. The latter, when fit, is second only in the world to Lionel Messi in terms of skill and penetration. Meanwhile, Schweinsteiger’s quantity will be important against the tenacious Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick.
Home advantage will still count for a lot next week, but one thing is for certain – if Rooney misses the second leg then Bayern’s chances of qualification improve immeasurably.
BAYERN MUNICH CONFIRM ARJEN ROBBEN SHOULD BE FIT TO FACE MANCHESTER UNITED Mar 31, 2010 8:41:00 AM Danger man should play at Old Trafford
Manchester United's task in overcoming the 2-1 deficit after the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Bayern Munich has been made a little trickier with the news that winger Arjen Robben should be fit to face the Red Devils in a week's time.
The Dutchman missed Tuesday night's first leg victory over United with a calf problem, but Bayern coach Louis van Gaal confirmed to reporters that the winger would be fit for the weekend clash with Schalke 04.
"Arjen is doing well, he has no problems for Saturday," van Gaal told reporters.
"We travel to Schalke with no injuries."
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge also revealed that the Bavarians were going into the weekend's game full of confidence.
"We will have a tailwind behind us going to Schalke on Saturday," Rummenigge added.
"We want to go there and emerge as league leaders. This is a very big game, but we know our team has quality and is able to win these games."
The Dutchman missed Tuesday night's first leg victory over United with a calf problem, but Bayern coach Louis van Gaal confirmed to reporters that the winger would be fit for the weekend clash with Schalke 04.
"Arjen is doing well, he has no problems for Saturday," van Gaal told reporters.
"We travel to Schalke with no injuries."
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge also revealed that the Bavarians were going into the weekend's game full of confidence.
"We will have a tailwind behind us going to Schalke on Saturday," Rummenigge added.
"We want to go there and emerge as league leaders. This is a very big game, but we know our team has quality and is able to win these games."
REPORT: WAYNE ROONEY OUT FOR TWO TO FOUR WEEKS WITH A SPRAINED ANKLE Mar 31, 2010 8:40:00 AM The striker will miss a very important time for his clu
REPORT: WAYNE ROONEY OUT FOR TWO TO FOUR WEEKS WITH A SPRAINED ANKLE
Mar 31, 2010 8:40:00 AM
The striker will miss a very important time for his clubMar 31, 2010 8:40:00 AM
The striker will miss a very important time for his club.Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney has suffered a sprained ankle that will keep him out for between two and four weeks, Sky Sports sources have revealed.
The England striker went down in agony towards the end of the Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich on Tuesday, and left the Allianz Arena later in the evening walking with the aid of crutches and a protective cast on his right foot.
If the initial diagnosis is correct, he will certainly miss United's vital Premier League clash with Chelsea on Saturday, and the second leg against the German club next Wednesday.
But if the injury does keep Rooney out only for two weeks, he may be available for his side's derby fixture with Manchester City on April 17.
But the news will be a relief to Fabio Capello and England, as these early reports indicate the 24-year-old will not miss the World Cup in South Africa this summer.
Last night Bayern's manager, Louis van Gaal, was worried for United after the loss of their talisman.
"He is their most important player and if you looked at United's statistics you would see their second highest scorer had been their opponents. They had 11 own goals. That's how important Rooney is," the Dutchman said.
But Rooney's teammates are confident they can cope without their leading scorer.
"It can happen in the season," goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar said of Rooney's injury after the game.
"You always want your best players available but we know the players coming in can also do a good job
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