All eyes on Rooney as its Manchester United vs Chelsea

With just into its second week of the new season, Premier League witnesses the greatest of the rivals, Manchester United and Chelsea taking on each other this Tuesday. Both the teams have new set of managing personnel with Sir Alex Ferguson announcing his retirement in May and handing over the responsibilities to his fellow countrymen David Moyes. Chelsea on the other hand welcome their most successful manager, Jose Mourinho who marks his second coming and promises to be a historical one this time.

With new additions, both teams need to prove their worth in what seems to be a new era for the two giant football clubs. Chelsea has signed Andre Schurrle, Marco van Ginkel and Mark Schwarzer this summer along with Lukaku who returned from his loan move to West Brom last season. He was amongst the goals, scoring 17 for them for Baggies last season. United have signed only one player Varela, a right full back along with Zaha who returned from Crystal Palace to which he was loaned to in January.

Both the clubs need to settle terms with Wayne Rooney, who probably wanted a move to Chelsea at the start of this season. There were rumors that the England striker requested for a transfer and was expecting to leave Old Trafford in early May itself. But Moyes dismissed the claims and answered the press saying "Rooney is not for Sale". Chelsea have already submited two bids for Rooney under £25 million mark which were rejected by United and have already sent a letter to Chelsea not to bid for the England International as he's not for sale.

With a score to settle on  and off the pitch as well Moyes has a challenge going into this game. With injuries to Hernandez, Nani, Young and Rafael, Moyes needs to look up to his young-guns to fire. Moyes played Rooney in the second half against Swansea in which he created two goals for the Red Devils which marked their first win of the new era under David Moyes. All eyes will be on Moyes and Rooney whether he'll make Rooney start or even play against the club to which the striker wants to move to.

All in all this one will be an exciting one for the fans.

by John Paul Komaravalli                                                                                        
posted on 8/26/2013

Categories: Manchester United, Premier League

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Champions League - The shift of power

Come the 25th of May and you would witness an all German final at Wembley. Yes, there has been a shift in power when both Barcelona and Real Madrid lost to the German giants Bayern Munich and Borrusia Dortmund. The defending Bundesliga champions, Dortmund had a close shave when Real Madrid came close in the second leg scoring 2 goals out of possible 3 which would take them through to the Champions League finals. The aggregate score line was Dortmund 4 - 3 Real Madrid.

Barcelona suffered a 7 - 0 aggregate loss to their rivals Bayern Munich, which was the worst loss for the Catalans after their dominance for nearly 10 years. Barcelona once again proved that they were highly dependent on Messi who sat out of the second leg with an injury. The Spanish giants didn't even manage to net even once in their home ground, instead gave out an own goal in their home leg tie.

The shift of dominance could now move to Germany from Spain with both Bayern and Dortmund looking impressive. Quardiola would be taking charge of Bayern from this summer and they winning the Champions League would be a stunning welcome for the Spaniard and also to their current manager. With a possible Rooney move from Manchester United, Bayern and Quardiola would look to make a stiff impact and continue their dominance in world football.

Dortmund, the defending champions may have lost the league to Bayern but would like to lay their hands on the Europe's major title this time. With many of their star players performing they would be counting on for a title this time. Lewondoski, Godze and Rues could move out at the end of the season, and rumors say that Lewondoski has already signed a contract with a popular club and would be joining them this summer.

Whatever the result may be at Wembley, the German teams have managed to leave a mark this season and hope to continue their dominance for the years to come.

by  John Paul Komaravalli                                                                                           
posted on 5/2/2013

Categories: Champions League

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Champions League Semi Final - Preview

The European Champions League this season has so far been amazing. Shock exists, record goals, towering headers, new cities, new fans it got all of it. Now into the semi final stage of the competition we have the top best four teams in Europe. Real Madrid, Borrusia Dortmund, Barcelona and Bayern Munich. The Spanish and the German sides dominate the competition whereas the English sides are missing out this time. You've got the top two sides of the Spanish and German Leagues lined up for this year's semi finals. We just can't wait to see who faces whom as the final draw takes place on the 12th of April in Nyon, Switzerland.

Real Madrid, the most favored side this season will have strong competition from Barcelona who look to make a hat-trick of Wembley wins. Bayern and Dortmund also have good chance if they end up in the final which can only be decided after the draw this Friday night. 

Cristiano Ronaldo, has been the most successful player so far in this competition while Messi lost out on this tag with his injuries. Jose Mourinho will be keen to make it a third Champions League title with a thrid different side, which will stand out to be a record. He already holds the record of winning four League titles with four different sides in four different countries; Porto in Portugal, Chelsea in England, Inter Milan in Italy and Real Madrid in Spain.

by John Paul Komaravalli                                                                                      
posted on 4/10/2013 

Categories: Champions League

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Manchester United keen on signing Julian Draxler

Manchester United are keen to sign their possible target Julian Draxler this summer. The German playmaker currently plays for Schalke who already scored 10 goals and made 5 assists so far this season. He plays in an attacking mid-field role and already has 3 International appearances for Germany.

The 19 year-old German International is the youngest player to complete 100 competitive appearances, who started his career at 17 and started netting the same year. This lad is regarded as the next greatest playermaker for Germany.

Chelsea are also in the race to sign this youngster but as per the Schalke's general manager Horst Heldt, who dismissed a possible switch saying "We want to keep him at our club as long as possible. Its our obligation to ensure he feels fine being with us."

by  John Paul Komaravalli                                                                                        
posted on 3/20/2013     

Categories: Manchester United, Transfers

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Arsenal target £20 million move for Stevan Jovetic

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wants to land Fiorentina's star striker Stevan Jovetic in this summer transfer window. The Montenegro International has been on the radar of several clubs such as Manchester City, Juventus and Arsenal. Arsenal wants to seal the deal soon as the striker would get more practice at the Emirates going on into the next season. Arsenal have been out of the Champions League, FA Cup and are in fight for the Champions League spot along with their rivals Tottenham and Chelsea who are currently ahead of them in the league table. 

Jovetic's national teammate Mirko Vicinic wants the striker to join him at Juventus rather than opting for the Premier League. He wants Jovetic to play alongside him in Turin as they both have good partnership up front even in the national side.

Montenegro will face England in their next World-Cup qualifier where in both Jovetic and Vicinic would be watched keenly by all the English fans. This match is scheduled on 26th of March. Montenegro are currently at top of the table with 10 points ahead of England who are in second.

by  John Paul Komaravalli                                                                                       
posted on 3/16/2013

Categories: Transfers

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Arsenal vs Bayern Munich, Champions League

Arsenal have found back in their 2nd leg tie against Bayern Munich, winning the match 2-0 but lost out to the German giants on away goals. The aggregate scoreline was 3-3, but Bayern scored three away goals when compared to Arsenal's two last night.

Arsene Wenger accepted that this would be a mission impossible task which he almost completed last night, on their trip away to Germany.

Champions League, Round of 16

Bayern Munich          0

Arsenal                     2   Giroud 3, Koscieiny 85

Oliver Giroud scored just after three minutes from kick off, encouraging the away side to go on and challenge the home side's massive lead in the first leg. The match went on to a roll went Koscieiny headed the ball into the Bayern net in the final ten minutes of the match.

All the Arsenal fans were excited and were chanting for the goal which would take them to the quarters but Bayern somehow managed to keep their European record of not losing to an English team since 1993 UEFA Cup.

Arsenal are now out of all major competitions and continue their search for the silverware which they last had in 2003.

by  John Paul Komaravalli                                                                                         
posted on 3/14/2013

Categories: Champions League

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Barcelona vs AC Milan, Barca comeback

Barcelona enter the quarterfinals of Champions League after they beat AC Milan 4-0 in their 2nd leg tie at Camp Nou last night. The Spanish giants were 2-0 down at the end of the 1st leg in San Siro but came back and once again proved their worth in the Champions League.

Champions League, Round of 16

Barcelona     4     Messi 5, 40, David Villa 55, Jordi Alba 90+2

AC Milan       0

Milan unlike in the 1st leg were sloppy right from the kick off, Barcelona just took five minutes to get on the scoreline with Messi launching a stunning long range kick 20 yards outside into the top corner.Barca doubled their lead before the end of first half with Iniesta finding Messi who put the ball past Abbiati in Milan's goal. It was 2-2 and all square on aggregate at the end of the first half.

It was all Barca then in the second half, within just ten minutes Xavi found Villa who finished perfectly making it 3-0 for the Catalans. Jordi Alba finished it off in the stoppage time with his brilliant run and finish making it 4-0 for the home side, completing their comeback and marching through to the quarterfinals of the Champions League.

by John Paul Komaravalli                                                                                        
posted on 3/12/2013  

Categories: Champions League

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Manchester United vs Chelsea, FA Cup

Manchester United face rivals Chelsea in their FA Cup Quarterfinal clash at Old Trafford this Sunday. After their unfortunate exit from the Champions League, United look regain their hold on FA Cup which they won last in 2004. With 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League, United want to make it a double this season with FA Cup up for grab.

News broke out that their star striker Wayne Rooney is set to leave United after he was dropped against Real Madrid in the mid-week. Ferguson dismissed the rumors that the England International will be quitting United and also confirmed that he will be starting in their match against Chelsea this Sunday. 

With squad fully fit, in form United will be looking to finish off Chelsea at home and march on to the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

by John Paul Komaravalli                                                                                      
posted on 3/9/2013

Categories: League Cup, Manchester United

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