UEFA Champions League - Group Draws

The biggest and the most prestigious tournament in Europe is back and back with a bang. The UEFA Champions league sees the top clubs of Europe take on each other for footballing glory and European supremacy. Clubs consider it the most prestigious trophy to add to the trophy cabinet. The biggest teams in Europe have all won the trophy on many occasions. Spanish giants Real Madrid FC head the list with an astonishing 9 Champions league trophies to their name. Italian Champions AC Milan have won it 7 times and English club Liverpool have 5 Champions league titles to their credit. Barcelona, Ajax and Bayern Munich have won four times each. It still remains the holy grail for some of the biggest clubs in Europe like Arsenal.

Manchester United have won it 3 times in 1968, the treble season in 1999 and beating Chelsea to the trophy in 2008.  The Red Devils also ended up second best to Barcelona in 2009 and 2011. The last season was a disappointment for United when they shockingly bowed out of the competition in the group stages.

Finally, it was an English club which lifted the Trophy in 2012. Chelsea had to tread the difficult path, beating Barcelona in the semi finals and then Bayern Munich on penalties in the final.

This season of the Champions league is tougher and challenging with the usual suspects Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Milan and defending champions Chelsea wanting to win the trophy and the likes of PSG and Manchester City strengthening their squad and considering this their top target.

The draw for the Champions League 2012-2013 was made on Thursday and the teams have been grouped as follows:

GROUP A

Porto(POR)

Dynamo Kyiv(UKR)

PSG(FRA)

Dinamo Zagreb(CRO)

GROUP B

Arsenal(ENG)

Schalke(GER)

Olympiacos(GRE)

Montpellier(FRA)

GROUP C

Milan(ITA)

Zenit(RUS)

Anderlecht(BEL)

Málaga(ESP)

GROUP D

Real Madrid(ESP)

Man. City(ENG)

Ajax(NED)

Dortmund(GER)

GROUP E

Chelsea(ENG)

Shakhtar Donetsk(UKR)

Juventus(ITA)

Nordsjælland(DEN)

GROUP F

Bayern(GER)

Valencia(ESP)

LOSC(FRA)

BATE(BLR)

GROUP G

Barcelona(ESP)

Benfica(POR)

Spartak Moskva(RUS)

Celtic(SCO)

GROUP H

Man. United(ENG)

Braga(POR)

Galatasaray(TUR)

RCFR Cluj(ROU)


Group D is the Group of Death this season with the Champions from every league being a part of it. Manchester City, Real Madrid, Ajax and Borussia Dortmund make up a group which offers some very exciting clashes in the group stage.

The first round of matches start from the 18th of September !!

Match Day 2 - Man Utd vs Fulham

When : 25-08-2012, Saturday

What : Manchester United vs Fulham

Where : Old Trafford

Attendance: 75,352

Referee: Kevin Friend

Result : Manchester United 3 - 2 Fulham

Scorers: Manchester United:  Robin Van Persie - 10th Minute  (Assist : Evra)

                                               Shinji Kagawa - 35th Minute (Assist: Cleverly)

                                          Rafael De Silva - 41st Minute (Assist: Young)

Fulham: Damien Duff - 3rd Minute (Assist: Ruiz)

                        Nemanja Vidic (Own Goal )- 64th Minute

Manchester United hosted Fulham at the Theatre of Dreams for their first home match of the 2012-2013 season. The fastest man on planet and a die hard Manchester United fan Usain Bolt was at OT to see the match. Having lost to Everton in their first match, United were under pressure to bounce back and make a statement of intent. Alex Ferguson's announced a starting line up that saw Robin Van Persie start his first premier league match for United. It was also the home debut for Van Persie and Kagawa. But the biggest talking point of the line up was Wayne Rooney dropping to the bench. With most of the defenders still injured, SAF had to partner Vidic with Michael Carrick in defense yet again. Rafael returned to the line up as a RB and Evra was at LB. Anderson and Cleverly were in the center of the midfield with Valencia on the right and Young on the left of the midfield. Van Persie started upfront with Kagawa playing behind him as a support striker. 

If United were looking to bounce back from the defeat then the start did not help matters.  Fulham scored a goal as early as the 3rd minute. Carrick fouled Ruiz just outside the box and conceded a free kick. Ruiz rolled the ball into the box and Duff was at the end of the pass giving Fulham a shock early lead. United then moved up a gear or two and started putting passes together. In the 10th minute a cross from Evra into the box did not look menacing untill Van Persie put his left foot through the ball for a stunning volley to put the ball in the back of the net for his first goal for the Red Devils. United kept up the momentum and hardly gave the ball away. For Fulham, Dembele put in a spirited effort, driving through United's midfield but hardly found support.

United continued to keep possession and it finally paid rewards. After moving the ball around the 18 yard box, United pressed and had a corner. Van Persie's corner was half cleared by the Fulham defense and Cleverly struck the ball from outside the 18 yard box. Schwarzer failed to hold on to the shot and kagawa was at the right place to tap the ball from two yards out for his first United goal and make it 2-1 for United. Rafael was lively and had a goal ruled out correctly for offside. But he persisted and when Young lofted the ball to the far post he headed the ball into the net to make it 3-1 for United. United were hardly worried in the half but De Gea had to react well to block a shot from Petric and divert it on to the bar.

The second half started in similar fashion with United keeping the ball and passing it around. Fulham tried to come more into the game and Dembele was again at the centre of their attack, making some brilliant runs and beating players for pace. But Fulham lacked penetration in the final third and never looked like scoring. But Fulham cam right back into the game as a result of a mistake from De Gea. As Briggs crossed into the box, De Gea came out but could not connect and the ball rolled into the net of the feet of Vidic for a bad own goal. With the lead down to one goal, there was a bit of panic in the United camp as they lost composure and Fulham attacked in search of an equalizer. SAF brought on Rooney and Wellback for Young and Kagawa as United looked to slow down things and look for a counter attack. As the final whistle drew near Fulham attacked and were almost rewarded with an equaliser only for David De Gea to deny them with a reflex save. In the last seconds of the match, David De Gea had to clear a David Ruiz header and make sure United had their first three points of the season. 

A worrying thing for United was the injury to Wayne Rooney. As Rooney tried to close down Hugo Rodallega's shot, the players boot caught Rooney on the thigh and left a severe gash. Rooney had to be stretchered off the field. 

Man Of The Match: Kagawa

Next Fixture: 

Southampton vs Manchester United 

When : 02-09-12 

Where : St. Mary's Stadium

Match Day 1 - Man Utd vs Everton

When : 20-08-2012, Monday

What : Everton vs Manchester United

Where : Goodison Park.

Attendance: 38,415

Referee: Andre Mariner.

Result : Everton 1- 0 Manchester United

Scorers: Fellani - 57th Minute (Header)

Assist: Darren Gibson

Manchester United traveled to Goodison Park for their first match of the season. Having lost out on the league title in the dying seconds of last season and losing it only on goal difference, United are hungrier for success and revenge. Their intent was clear in the transfer window, spending big on Van Persie and Kagawa.  United started the match in a 4-4-2 formation. 

Having been limited by injuries, United had a make shift defense with Carrick partnering Vidic in the centre of defense. Valencia played RB and Evra was at LB. Scholes and Cleverly played in the midfield with Nani on the left and Kagawa, starting his first premier league match, on the right side if midfield. Rooney and Wellback were the two upfront. Van Persie was on the bench as was Anderson, Berbatov, Rafael, Ashley Young and Lindergaard. 

Everton started the match on a brighter note. Fellani looked like the man on the mission right from kick off. He hardly gave the United midfield any time on the ball. He won almost everything in the air and received the ball every time Howard kicked it long. The Everton midfield of Gibson, Piennar , Osman and Neville pressed higher and played a quick tempo game that unsettled United. Baines stormed forward on every occasion and put in some brilliant crosses from set pieces. Nani was booked as early as the 3rd minute of the match for a a reckless challenge and Scholes was booked in the 13th Minute for challenge from behind. 

United though had their chances and Wellback troubled the Everton back line with his pace. For United, kagawa looked sharp and played well, cutting open the Everton defense on two occasions with a neat through ball, only for Wellback's shot to be blocked by the defenders. Rooney was not his usual self and his first touch was pretty average and his passing was also not accurate. But the biggest disappointment for United on the night was Nani. He seemed absolutely clueless and kept running into Baines and later into Hibbert when he switched flanks. Cleverly and Scholes tried to keep ball in the midfield but were often outplayed by the Everton midfield . Valencia made a few forward runs and also did his job as a right back. Evra still seems to be out of form and was caught napping on a few occasions by Piennar and Osman.

 The bright spot for United was the return of Vidic. He was playing after 8 months but he looked a rock in defense dealing with the runs of Fellani and Jelavic. Carrick put in a decent effort as Vidic's defensive partner , blocking many passes but was helpless when Fellani out muscled and out jumped him for the goal . David De Gea tried to keep United in the game with some brilliant saves once again proving his shot stopping abilities. United looked like they were gaining some momentum when Cleverly had a shot cleared of the line and Wellback almost hit the target. The introduction of Van Persie raised the hopes of the travelling supporters but Everton held on to their lead and earned a well deserved 3 points. 

             

Overall United still looked a little bit rustic and the injuries have also not helped the team. It would take some time for the likes of Persie and Kagawa to get into the groove.

Man of The Match: Fellani

United's player of the Match : David De Gea

                                                                             

Next Fixture: 

Manchester United vs Fulham 

When : 25-08-12 

Where : Old Trafford

Sources: Guardian.co.uk
               football365.com

EPL is Back !!

Football is back....Club football..the English Premier league is back and it is back with a bang !! Three months after Manchester City won their first league title in 44 years....Winning it in the most dramatic fashion...scoring in the last minute of extra time ..the premier league is back to enthrall and entertain !!

The season promises a lot of action. The top clubs have been busy in the transfer window improving their squads. United have undoubtedly made the biggest transfer of the season so far - signing Van Persie from Arsenal. United have also bought in Kagawa and Powell to strengthen their squads. Chelsea have managed to sign the likes of Hazard and Oscar and look a force to reckon with. Arsenal may have lost their talisman, but they have managed to make a few good signings and look competitive for the season coming up. Liverpool start their season under their new manager and it would be interesting to see if Brendan Rogers can change their style of play. The defending Champions City have not made any major signings so far but expect them to make a big signing before the transfer window closes. This season also sees the arrival of foreign managers to English shores with Micheal Laudrup leading the way, managing Swansea. 

All in all the season looks to be a promising, all out action packed season and expect some very surprising results. The season could also see the rise of some of the hottest young prospects who have been around for some time. 

After years of thinking, i have finally decided to blog about the Red Devils this season. I would basically be writing  a match review after every match. I would ideally blog about United's match performance but would also put in a few highlights or surprises of the Week. 

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