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18-08-2009, 10:40 AM | #1 |
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UEFA Champions League - Matches
Champions League Play-Off Preview: Celtic – Arsenal
A mouth-watering tie is in prospect as the two heavyweights go head-to-head for a place in Europe’s top competition The Auld Enemy Having already seen off the challenge of Dinamo Moscow, Celtic head into a daunting-looking tie against Arsenal chasing the glittering prize of Champions League qualification. Whilst the Hoops will undoubtedly be the underdogs, this still promises to be a stiff test for the Gunners, and manager Tony Mowbray has admitted the game is crucial to the Scots. Of course, Celtic are no strangers to Europe’s top competition and have already beaten the likes of Milan and Manchester United at Celtic Park in recent seasons, meaning Arsenal dare not take their trip to Glasgow for granted. Mowbray’s men warmed up for the game with a 3-1 away win over Aberdeen at the weekend, which bodes well for their midweek exploits. Winger Aiden McGeady grabbed a brace to inspire the Hoops to victory, and Celtic certainly possess enough firepower to cause the Gunners problems. The home side will also be boosted by what will surely be a fantastic atmosphere in Glasgow, with plenty of intensity as Scotland takes on England. First team coach Mark Venus has already admitted he is expecting a special night and is hoping that the Premier League outfit underestimate his side. Dare Not Lose Arsenal, meanwhile, head into their fourth consecutive appearance in the qualifiers with the one tie they probably wanted the least. Previous seasons have seen the likes of Twente, Sparta Prague and Dinamo Zagreb simply swept aside, but this promises to be a much tougher assignment altogether. Indeed how the Gunners’ young players cope with the intensity of the atmosphere at Celtic Park may go a long way to deciding the tie. Arsenal stopper Manuel Almunia has insisted it would be a tragedy if the north Londoners failed to make it through, yet their weekend’s exploits should see them head to Scotland full of confidence. Despite many commentators having written Arsene Wenger’s side off before a ball had even been kicked, the Gunners began their campaign in fine style at Goodison Park on Saturday. Everton were crushed 6-1 in a superb display that must have sent chills through those watching up in Glasgow. FORM GUIDE Last Five Results Celtic Aug 15: Aberdeen 1-3 Celtic Aug 8: Man City 2-1 Celtic Aug 5: Dinamo Moscow 0-2 Celtic Aug 1: Celtic 1-2 Sunderland July 29: Celtic 0-1 Dinamo Moscow Arsenal Aug 15: Everton 1-6 Arsenal Aug 8: Valencia 2-0 Arsenal Aug 2: Arsenal 3-0 Rangers Aug 1: Arsenal 2-1 Atletico Madrid July 29: Hannover 0-1 Arsenal TEAM NEWS Celtic Glenn Loovens is a doubt whilst Stephen McManus is definitely out. Shaun Maloney should be fit and Gary Caldwell is expected to return to the defence. Possible Starting XI: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, Loovens, O’Dea, N’Guemo, Donati, McGeady, McDonald, Fortune, Maloney Arsenal After missing the trip to Everton on Saturday, Abou Diaby should return to the squad after injury but the game comes too soon for Theo Walcott who is expected to miss out. Possible Starting XI: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Song, Fabregas, Denilson, Arshavin, Bendtner, Van Persie PLAYERS TO WATCH Celtic Republic of Ireland international Aiden McGeady bagged a brace at the weekend against Aberdeen, and Mowbray will be hoping he can continue that form on Tuesday night. The 23-year-old admitted this weekend that he feels Arsenal are beatable and he will be hoping to prove that at Celtic Park. Arsenal Andrey Arshavin could make his Champions League debut for the Gunners, having been ineligible last season, and his trickery may be exactly what is required to break down Celtic. The Russian has flourished in the Premier League but will undoubtedly relish his European bow and he could be the man to make the difference. PREDICTION This is undoubtedly a difficult fixture for both sides, although European nights at Celtic Park often bring out the best in the Hoops. A fantastic atmosphere will await the Gunners, and whilst a win may be a tough ask, they possess enough quality to grab at least one away goal and give themselves the upper hand in the tie. Celtic 2-2 Arsenal (Gill Clark, Goal.com) |
18-08-2009, 11:12 AM | #2 |
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Re: UEFA Champions League - Matches
Fabregas doubt for Gunners
Arsenal could be set for an injury blow ahead of the first leg of their Champions League play-off clash with Celtic at Parkhead. The Gunners have injury doubts over Bacary Sagna, Cesc Fabregas and Denilson, with captain Fabregas given only a 50-50 chance of playing. |
19-08-2009, 08:30 AM | #3 |
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Re: UEFA Champions League - Matches
Gunners beat unlucky Celtic
An own goal by Celtic skipper Gary Caldwell and a lucky deflection to Cesc Fabregas' first-half freekick by William Gallas gave Arsenal a 2-0 win in the first leg of their Champions League play-off at Parkhead. |
19-08-2009, 08:38 AM | #4 |
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Re: UEFA Champions League - Matches
18/08/09
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19-08-2009, 04:33 PM | #5 |
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Re: UEFA Champions League - Matches
Abel Resino Siap Tebar Ancaman
Rabu, 19 Agustus 2009 - 14:49 wib Defanie Arianti - Okezone ATHENA - Pelatih Atletico Madrid Abel Resino yakin, pertarungan melawan Panathinaikos pada playoff Liga Champions Kamis (20/8/2009) dini hari akan berlangsung sengit. Namun, Resino percaya anak-anak asuhnya mampu menunjukkan permainan terbaik. Rojiblancos mungkin kalah pamor dari Barcelona maupun Real Madrid. Tapi, bukan berarti Sergio Aguero dkk tidak memiliki mentalitas juara. Resino menekankan, laga kontra Panathianikos adalah saat yang tepat untuk menunjukkan kualitas Atleti sebenarnya. "Kami tahu (pertandingan) ini akan sulit, lawan kami cukup berat. Meraih kemenangan di sini (Athena) akan sangat bagus untuk masa depan institusi ini," papar pelatih 49 tahun itu. Lebih lanjut, Resino pun mengungkapkan keyakinannya terhadap armada Rojiblancos. Pasalnya, Atleti telah menghabiskan masa pra-musim dengan sesi latihan ketat. "Kami menjalani pra-musim dengan ketat guna melakoni momen ini dalam kondisi terbaik. Memang belum tepat seperti yang kami inginkan tapi kami siap menghadapi Panathinaikos," tegasnya seperti disitat Marca, Rabu (19/8/2009). |
19-08-2009, 08:39 PM | #6 |
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Re: UEFA Champions League - Matches
tim sebelah menang 2-0
lumayanlah buat mereka |
20-08-2009, 08:16 AM | #7 |
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Re: UEFA Champions League - Matches
19/08/09
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20-08-2009, 07:43 PM | #8 |
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Join Date: Aug 2009
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Re: UEFA Champions League - Matches
Aletico menang uy... salah satunya goal dari ex United lagi... Diego Forland
manthab... Lyon juga menga gede tuh 5 - 1 hilang benzema ternyata masih garang juga nih Lyon |
25-08-2009, 11:49 AM | #9 |
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Re: UEFA Champions League - Matches
UEFA Champions League Play-Offs live in RCTI
2nd leg Rabu, 26/08/2009 01.30 WIB : A. Madrid Vs Panathinaikos Kamis, 27/008/2009 01.30 WIB : Arsenal Vs Celtic |
25-08-2009, 12:04 PM | #10 |
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Re: UEFA Champions League - Matches
dengan modal goal away (2-0) di kandang Celtic minggu lalu, sepertinya Gunners akan bermain save untuk mengamankan keunggulan mereka, terlebih 2 hari berselang mereka harus menyambangi marks United, yang bisa jadi lebih menjadi prioritas Prof Wenger.
dengan pertimbangan tsbm bisa jadi Prof Wenger akan banyak menurunkan pemain lapis keduanya besok malam ...., let's see .. |
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