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Old 17-03-2011, 05:19 PM   #171
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Default Re: [2010/2011] UEFA Champions League - News and Rumours

Mourinho wants no reunions

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...-clubs?cc=4716

Jose Mourinho said he hopes to avoid the "emotional difficulty" of facing former clubs Inter Milan or Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-finals after steering Real Madrid to the last eight for the first time in seven seasons.

Friday's draw will reveal who Madrid will meet next and with no seedings from the quarter-finals onward, there is a two-in-seven chance Mourinho will be lumped with one of Inter, with whom he won the title last year, or Chelsea.

If Madrid are to continue to progress after their 4-1 aggregate victory over Lyon, secured with a 3-0 second leg win in Spain on Wednesday night, the chances of meeting a club "in my heart" increase for Mourinho but it's a scenario he would like to avoid.

"I prefer to avoid Inter and Chelsea because, emotionally, it's difficult to play against ex-teams,'' Mourinho said. "If we get them, we get them. We're professionals. If I have to face those who were my people, I will do it, but I will be obliged to prepare myself more psychologically than against other teams that aren't in my heart.''

Mourinho also won the Champions League with Porto prior to his Chelsea days and he can look to the fact his resume is littered with Europe's biggest clubs with pride. His fantastic record in Europe was one of the reasons Real brought in the coach and it has paid dividends as they finally got past the hurdle that has felled them each season since 2004 thanks to goals from Marcelo, Karim Benzema and Angel Di Maria at the Bernabeu.

Mourinho was happy with his team's performance but played down the fact Madrid had finally reached the last eight after years of disappointment.

"Lyon are a good team, one of the best in this year's Champions League, but we deserved to win. We played a very complete game and we are in the quarter-finals,'' Mourinho said. "I'm happy and quite relaxed because it's normal that we've qualified for the quarters. Some day we had to get through - what wasn't normal was Madrid not getting through. Not getting through would have been a failure because Madrid always think about going further than the last 16. We're going in the right direction and the titles are going to arrive.''

Madrid had to wait until eight minutes before half-time to make the breakthrough against Lyon, when full-back Marcelo scored a fine goal. The home side then dominated the second period, and further goals from in-form striker Benzema - who took his tally to nine in seven goals after netting against his former club - and Di Maria sealed a convincing triumph.

Lyon coach Claude Puel felt Madrid were deserved winners, saying: "I think we did things well in the first half, especially in attack, and we had a certain amount of possession. We played quite well and seemed to be quite dangerous. However, we gave them too many opportunities, too many easy balls.

"In the second half, the second goal was very bad for us. We gave Real Madrid a big gift with that, and from that moment on we didn't have many opportunities. We didn't know how to improve our level of play. We came up against a very good team and all I can do is congratulate Real Madrid because they deserved the win.''

Regarding Madrid's chances of going all the way, Puel said: "I would say that Real Madrid can make it to the end. They have high individual quality, very good players with good acceleration, and if they carry on playing so strong in defence they have every chance to get to the final stages, but the path ahead is very long.''
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Old 18-03-2011, 12:22 PM   #172
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Default Re: [2010/2011] UEFA Champions League - News and Rumours

UEFA Champions League: Power Ranking the Coaches Among the Last Eight



With the last eight teams in the Champions League now confirmed, the race to crown the best club side in Europe is reaching it's peak.

Only Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Shakhtar Donetsk, Inter Milan and Schalke 04 remain. Each team has their own advantages, but each team also has their own weakness, even Barcelona.

The draw for the quarterfinal matches is due to be made on the 18th of March and will also decide which side of the draw meets who in the semifinals and the final as well.

Here is a look at the merits of each manager that led their team to the final eight.

8. Felix Magath (Sacked)


Club: Schalke 04

Round of 16 Opponents: Valencia

Group Stage Opponents: Olympique Lyonnais, Benfica, Hapoel Tel Aviv

Despite the club's poor league form (hence why he was sacked), Magath was the mastermind behind Schalke's progression the the last eight of the Champions League. The club may not have had the most difficult path through to the quarterfinals, but they have still overcome being the underdogs on more than one occasion to get as far as they are now.

Felix Magath is no longer manager of Schalke following a poor run of form in the Bundesliga, but having taken the team to the quarterfinal's of the Champions League deserves some credit.

7. Mircea Lucescu


Club: Shakhtar Donetsk

Round of 16 Opponents: Roma

Group Stage Opponents: Arsenal, Braga, Partizan Belgrade

Another manager not many people will have heard of, Lucescu is the head coach of another one of the quarterfinal's surprise packages. Shakhtar Donetsk managed to overcome both Arsenal and AS Roma to reach this stage of the competition and based on their showing so far, they should be able to give most of the other quarterfinal sides a run for their money.

Lucescu has done very well with limited resources at Shakhtar (in comparison to other top European sides) and taking them to the quarterfinals of the Champions League is a huge boost to the club. As per usual Lucescu has also ensured that the team hold a very healthy lead over all of their rivals at the top of the Ukrainian Premier League.

6. Carlo Ancelotti


Club: Chelsea

Round of 16 Opponents: Copenhagen

Group Stage Opponents: Marseille, Spartak Moscow, MSK Zilina

His trophy history with other teams would set him higher on this list, but since joining Chelsea he has not done as well as expected. The London team are at threat of dropping outside the top four this season and haven't been performing up to expectations recently.

With that said they have been able to manoeuvre their way into the Champions League group stage, with the help of a slightly easier draw. With that said, Copenhagen were no pushovers and gave Ancelotti's side a close run.

He should perhaps be doing better with the club considering the position he is in, but reaching the Champions League quarterfinals and sitting near the top of the Premier League table is still nothing to complain about.

Club: Chelsea

Round of 16 Opponents: Copenhagen

Group Stage Opponents: Marseille, Spartak Moscow, MSK Zilina

His trophy history with other teams would set him higher on this list, but since joining Chelsea he has not done as well as expected. The London team are at threat of dropping outside the top four this season and haven't been performing up to expectations recently.

With that said they have been able to manoeuvre their way into the Champions League group stage, with the help of a slightly easier draw. With that said, Copenhagen were no pushovers and gave Ancelotti's side a close run.

He should perhaps be doing better with the club considering the position he is in, but reaching the Champions League quarterfinals and sitting near the top of the Premier League table is still nothing to complain about.

5. Harry Redknapp


Club: Tottenham Hotspur

Round of 16 Opponents: AC Milan

Group Stage Opponents: Inter Milan, Werder Bremen, FC Twente

When Redknapp took over Tottenham in 2008 they were sitting at the bottom of the English Premier League having earned just two points from eight games. Since then he has taken them into their first Champions League campaign and through to the quarterfinals.

Tottenham have already beaten both Italian giants Inter Milan and AC Milan so far this competition and have been one of the most exciting attacking sides in the tournament. Redknapp's side are also in fifth position in the English Premier League this season, just outside a position that would give them another season of Champions League football.

He stands as the first Englishman to guide a team to the Champions League quarterfinals since the competition was rebranded in the early 1990s.

4. Leonardo


Club: Inter Milan

Round of 16 Opponents: Bayern Munich

Group Stage Opponents: Tottenham Hotspur, Werder Bremen, FC Twente

Admittedly, Leonardo wasn't in charge of Inter for their whole Champions League campaign, but since he has taken charge he has changed their fortunes for the better. In the group stages, the reigning Champions managed to come just second behind newcomers Tottenham. When they were drawn in the round of 16 to Bayern Munich, many fans wrote the club off after their performances this season.

Leonardo then entered and beat the odds to overcome their German opponents in a rehash of last season's final. While it was two late goals that secured Inter Milan's progress, Leonardo has managed to turn them from a significantly under performing side into one that looks like it could being to fulfil its potential again very soon

3. Sir Alex Ferguson


Club: Manchester United

Round of 16 Opponents: Marseille

Group Stage Opponents: Valencia, Rangers, Bursaspor

Fans will say he's lost it a bit over the course of the past year, but with his club in line to claim a 19th Premier League title this season equalling Liverpool's all time record there can be no denying his talent. Sir Alex has already led United to two Champions League winners trophies and is looking for his third this year.

The club won their group consisting of strong Spanish side Villareal, Scottish champions Rangers and Turkish side Bursaspor. They earned an easier draw in the round of 16 with Marseille, although the club proved they were no pushovers.

Sir Alex has not been on his best form this season, hence why he isn't higher on this list, but his record with the club speaks for itself.

2. Josep Guardiola


Club: Barcelona

Round of 16 Opponents: Arsenal

Group Stage Opponents: Copenhagen, Rubin Kazan, Panathinaikos

Pep Guardiola, the man who famously won an unprecedented sextuple in his first season in charge of the club. In 2009, Guardiola won La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, the Copa Del Rey, the Supercopa de Espana, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA World Club Cup. That sort of record speaks for itself.

Just one year later, Guardiola won the double with his magnificent Barcelona side consisting of La Liga and the Supercopa de Espana.

Since then his team have gone on to be dubbed by many as the best club side the world has ever seen, due to their patient approach to the game, their undeniable ability and the great results they get from that.

He may only be in his third year in charge of the club, but Guardiola has already made himself a Barcelona legend

1. Jose Mourinho


Club: Real Madrid

Round of 16 Opponents: Olympique Lyonnais

Group Stage Opponents: AC Milan, Ajax, Auxerre

It's difficult to outdo a man who won the sextuple in his first year and the double the year after, but Mourinho somehow does just that. Many fans will hate him for his ego, but regardless of opinion he's a great coach and he knows he is.

Having grown up as a youngster very interested in the tactical side of the game, Mourinho developed a knowledge and understanding that is rarely seen in football today. After a short playing career in the lower Portuguese leagues, he found his way up through the coaching ranks in his native Portugal.

He burst onto the European scene in 2004 when his Porto side beat all odds to win the UEFA Champions League. Since then, Mourinho has won the tournament with Inter Milan, as well as coming close with Chelsea and now trying with Real Madrid.

Thanks to his meticulous planning ahead of every match, Mourinho has not lost a home league game in over nine years, an all-time world record.

If the coach of your fierce rivals tells you you're one of the best coaches the world has ever seen then you better believe it.

People can argue about it all day, but if you ask me his record deserves the title 'special'.

Code:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/637553-uefa-champions-league-power-ranking-the-coaches-among-the-last-eight#page/1
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Old 21-03-2011, 09:53 PM   #173
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Default Re: [2010/2011] UEFA Champions League - News and Rumours

Platini : harga tiket tdk akan berubah...

UEFA stand by CL ticket pricing

Monday 21st March 2011 12:49
TeamTalk

UEFA have ruled out any change to the ticket prices for the Champions League final despite Michel Platini admitting they were too expensive.

The cheapest ticket on public sale for the final at Wembley on May 28 will be £150 plus a £26 booking fee and UEFA president Platini has said family tickets should be half the price they are on sale for.

But UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino said at a news conference in Paris on Monday: "The ticket prices for Wembley will not change - the ticket sales have already started and the president expressed his opinion about that."

The final will be the second time it has been played on a Saturday - a move Platini championed to enable more families to attend.

Platini said in French sports daily L'Equipe: "It's good that we have been alerted about it and we are going to look at it again in the future."

He added that the pricing "isn't brilliant".
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Old 23-03-2011, 09:59 AM   #174
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Default Re: [2010/2011] UEFA Champions League - News and Rumours

UEFA Champions League 2010-11: Assessing the 8 Quarterfinalists



There are now eight teams remaining in the hunt for the European Champion Clubs Cup, the trophy that awaits the winner of the 2010-11 UEFA Champions League at the hallowed grounds of Wembley Stadium.

Defending title-holders Inter Milan were lucky enough to make it through to the quarters via the away goals rule over last year's runners-up, Bayern Munich. The trophy could go to Spain or England, with heavyweights like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham in the fold.

Germany has a chance to surprise with FC Schalke 04, while the unlikeliest of countries, the Ukraine, are pinning their hopes on Shakhtar Donetsk to pull off another upset.

Bleacher Report takes a look at each of the eight quarterfinalists and their chances of moving on to the semifinals as the road to Wembley continues.

FC Barcelona


Manager : Josep Guardiola
Group D
Group Record : 4-2-0 (14 points)
Group Finish : First
Round of 16 : Defeated Arsenal FC 4-3 on aggregate (1-2, 3-1)
Quarterfinal Opponent : FC Shakhtar Donetsk

Pepe Guardiola can't believe his luck.

While Shakhtar Donetsk have been on the rise in the UEFA Champions League, it looks to be a straightforward affair for FC Barcelona, who should advance to the semifinals on the foot of Lionel Messi. The Argentinean leads the competition with eight goals, along with Inter Milan's Samuel Eto'o.

Messi, Adriano, Xavi Hernandez and David Villa should have no problems dismantling Shakhtar, who are a breath of fresh air from having to deal with a feisty Arsenal side in the Round of 16.

Chelsea FC


Manager : Carlo Ancelotti
Group F
Group Record : 5-0-1 (15 points)
Group Finish : First
Round of 16 : Defeated FC Copenhagen 2-0 on aggregate (2-0, 0-0)
Quarterfinal Opponent : Manchester United FC

Carlo Ancelotti may be getting his walking papers after Chelsea come on the losing end of a no-win situation against Manchester United in the quarterfinals, especially after failing to impress in their 2-0 victory over Copenhagen on aggregate.

Nicolas Anelka leads the team in Champions League goals with seven, but he can't do it alone. If the likes of Dider Drogba and Frank Lampard are unable to spread the ball around and John Terry is unable to get his defense to stifle a Red Devil side also keen on making its options available, Petr Cech could be picking the ball out of his net a few times, and Roman Abramovich may be on the lookout for a new manager soon.

FC Internazionale Milano


Manager : Leonardo Araujo
Group A
Group Record : 3-1-2 (10 points)
Group Finish : Second
Round of 16 : Defeated FC Bayern Munich 3-3 on aggregate via away goals rule (0-1, 3-2)
Quarterfinal Opponent : FC Schalke 04

The defending champions were lucky enough to advance to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League via the away goals rule. They could be on their way to conquering Germany, but without a fight from Schalke.

Samuel Eto'o is Inter's main scorer and provider, with eight goals and four assists to his credit. He can bury his chances, and if he wants an option, he can find it in Wesley Sneijder, who has three goals to his name. Goran Pandev also adds another dimension to the attack, having recorded three assists this year.

But this is all on Eto'o.

If he has space and gets open in their attacking third, look for his foot to help send Inter through to the semis.

Manchester United FC


Manager : Sir Alex Ferguson
Group C
Group Record : 4-2-0 (14 points)
Group Finish : First
Round of 16 : Defeated Olympique de Marseille 2-1 on aggregate (0-0, 2-1)
Quarterfinal Opponent :Chelsea FC

Manchester United are looking for a little retribution after their 2-1 defeat to Chelsea in Premier League action, and Gary Lineker gave them the perfect opportunity to get it: in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League.

Javier Hernandez is the Red Devils' main scorer, with three goals to his name, but the club has other capable weapons in Nani, Anderson, Darren Fletcher and the ever-reliable Wayne Rooney.

Manchester United also possesses one of the most consistent defenses in the competition, having allowed just two goals in their eight contests. Watch for Sir Alex to encourage his players to exert the same tenacity that brought them to this stage.

They should be through to the semis.

Real Madrid CF


Manager : Jose Mourinho
Group G
Group Record : 5-1-0 (16 points)
Group Finish : First
Round of 16 : Defeated Olympique Lyonnais 4-1 on aggregate (1-1, 3-0)
Quarterfinal Opponent : Tottenham Hotspur FC

Los Blancos may have lucked out on their draw, as they get to take on one of the new boys to the UEFA Champions League in Tottenham Hotspur.

Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo have shouldered most of the production for Real Madrid, contributing six and four goals, respectively. It will be up to the Spurs back line to stop this tandem from inflicting heavy damage early and often.

Also key to Real's chances is the play of Mesut Ozil (four assists) and Angel Di Maria (two assists), whose playmaking ability has helped make Los Blancos a scoring machine throughout the course of the competition.

All in all, Real Madrid are expected to be on their way.

FC Schalke 04


Manager : Ralf Rangnick
Group B
Group Record : 4-1-1 (13 points)
Group Finish : First
Round of 16 : Defeated Valencia CF 4-2 on aggregate (1-1, 3-1)
Quarterfinal Opponent : FC Internationale Milano

Not even the return of Ralk Rangnick can save Schalke 04, who could be on their way out of the UEFA Champions League at the hands of the defending cup holders, Inter Milan, in the quarterfinals.

Jefferson Farfan and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar need to increase their production against an Inter side that hasn't seemed to miss a beat from last season's campaign. Farfan has four goals to his credit, while Huntelaar has three.

Ivan Rakitic and Peer Kluge will need to pull a rabbit out of the hat to stop Inter Milan.

While they both have two assists to their credit this competition, it is not enough, and they need to get the ball to Farfan and Huntelaar quick, or Germany's road to Wembley ends at the hands of the same team that slayed fellow Bundesliga side/2009-10 UEFA Champions League finalist Bayern Munich.

FC Shakhtar Donetsk


Manager : Mircea Lucescu
Group H
Group Record : 5-0-1 (15 points)
Group Finish : First
Round of 16 : Defeated AS Roma 6-2 on aggregate (3-2, 3-0)
Quarterfinal Opponent : FC Barcelona

Shakhtar Donetsk have been on a roll, in spite of a glaring 5-1 defeat to Arsenal in the Group Stage. Eduardo, Darijo Srna, Douglas Costa and Luis Adriano form the nucleus of Shakhtar's vaunted attack.

Eduardo and Luis Adriano have four goals to their credit. Srna is the team's main provider with four assists, while Costa has recorded three.

However, in spite of their breakthrough campaign this season in the UEFA Champions League, they will realize that FC Barcelona is no AS Roma. No question, Shakhtar is going to put up a spirited fight, but they could be on their way out of the UEFA Champions League.

Tottenham Hotspur FC


Manager : Harry Redknapp
Group H
Group Record : 3-2-1 (11 points)
Group Finish : First
Round of 16 : Defeated AC Milan 1-0 on aggregate (1-0, 0-0)
Quarterfinal Opponent : Real Madrid CF

Tottenham Hotspur have been chugging along in their maiden campaign. They had to deal with going through a playoff against a feisty Young Boys Bern side before taking part in the Group Stage.

The Spurs have a trio of capable scorers in Gareth Bale (four goals), Peter Crouch (four goals, three assists) and Roman Pavlyuchenko (three goals), with Aaron Lennon (five assists) and Crouch pulling the strings in the midfield.

Tottenham, however, have their work cut out for them in the form of a Real Madrid side looking to hoist the cup at Wembley.

Crouch will need to get involved in delivering the ball to Bale and Pavlyuchenko, while finishing his own chances. If he fails to do that, the maiden campaign for the Spurs, which has exceeded their expectations thus far, could end here.


Code:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/639227-2010-11-uefa-champions-league-assessing-the-eight-quarterfinalists#page/1
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Old 23-03-2011, 11:13 AM   #175
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Default Champs League Draw Revealed -- Shock Pairings Set Stage For Epic Finale

Champions League draw: Analysis and verdict

The Champions League draw has thrown up some mouth-watering ties not least Chelsea against Manchester United in a repeat of the 2008 final
By : David Pleat -guardian.co.uk



Real Madrid v Tottenham Hotspur
Harry Redknapp will instil a 'no fear' mentality into his side ahead of this mouth-watering confrontation with Real, particularly with the second leg to come at home. This is a dream tie for neutral observers as well as for Rafael van der Vaart, who was the last of the Dutch contingent to be dispatched from the Bernabéu but will be determined to have the final say in that relationship. The Spanish team will pose a considerable threat. José Mourinho has overseen the re-emergence of Karim Benzema this season, but it is the back-up attacking play of the pacey Angel di María, the astute Mesut Ozil and the individualistic brilliance of Cristiano Ronaldo which will threaten most. The emerging Sandro and, maybe, a fit Tom Huddlestone will need to stifle and help Luka Modric provide the ammunition for Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale to attack the Spaniards' full-backs, Sergio Ramos and Marcelo. Great nights are in prospect but, crucially, the advantage of the second leg at the Lane could be key. Could Mourinho have to come to London and park the bus, as he did with Internazionale against Barcelona to yield last year's semi-final victory?

Verdict Spurs to progress 3-2 on agg

Chelsea v Manchester United
Chelsea have the power but have been underperforming lately. The superstitious will point to this being an opportunity to gain revenge for Moscow. But United do have the comfort of the second leg at Old Trafford. Squad strength will be key. United will need Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand available, whereas Carlo Ancelotti will be seeking to generate more threat from his front men. They will certainly need to be far less wasteful than they have been since Fernando Torres joined the club. The manager must also settle upon a forward partnership. By the time the second leg approaches, Torres should have regained form so Sir Alex will need Darren Fletcher, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs to be perfectly rested and fighting fit. Yet it should be noted that this competition provides Ancelotti with his only remaining opportunity to secure silverware this season. An intriguing tie awaits.

Verdict Chelsea to win 2-1 on agg

Barcelona v Shakhtar Donetsk
The Spanish giants will not relish the second leg in Ukraine and could well need to secure a two-goal advantage from the first clash. Shakhtar, group winners in the first phase and clear victors over Roma, were dark horses but have been unlucky with the draw. Confident of their squad, their owner, Rinat Akhmetov, chose not to reinforce his options during the January window, perhaps with good reason: this is a team that won group games against Braga and Arsenal and are 12 points clear of Dynamo Kyiv back home. That is an indication of their strength. Darijo Srna, at right-back, Dmytro Chygrynskiy at centre-back and Eduardo da Silva, who is plundering goals again, all have real class. But Barça's familiar middle three, and the trio up front, are all irresistible. Shakhtar must defend for their lives in the Camp Nou and hope the Catalans are off colour at the Donbass Arena. I doubt they will be able to progress further.

Verdict Barcelona to win 4-1 on agg

Internazionale v Schalke
Leonardo has proved a successful appointment since replacing Rafael Benítez and he will relish the opportunity to take on the Germans. Schalke will have their own incentives now that Felix Magath, their coach, has been dismissed and taken up the reins at Wolfsburg. Jefferson Farfán is a goal threat, the goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has many admirers, and Raúl has retained his goalscoring instincts, but I cannot visualise him being successful against the likes of Lúcio and Iván Córdoba, protected as they are by Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso. That pair will give Wesley Sneijder enough opportunities to get on the ball and supply Samuel Eto'o and Diego Milito. The second leg on German soil will be Schalke's hope, but Inter were not dispirited when 3-1 down on aggregate in Munich. Inter are hardened competitors who failed at Tottenham Hotspur. But this will be another story.

Verdict Inter to win 2-0 on agg

Code:
http://bleacherreport.com/tb/b8C9R
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Old 23-03-2011, 12:12 PM   #176
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Default Champions League Dream XI -- Revealing the Best of the Quarterfinalists

Champions League Quarter Final: Picking the Dream XI, Messi, Ronaldo and More



The 2010-11 Champions League is moving into its final stages and teams need to be on their top form in order to progress to the next round, especially those sides entering their ties as underdogs. Many of the best players in the world will be partaking in the remaining rounds, but they too will have to perform if they want to win Europe's most prestigious club tournament.

One side that would be very confident of qualifying would be an All-Star XI. If you could make such an All-Star XI out of the teams playing in the quarterfinals, picking at least one player from every team and no more than three from any one team, who would you pick? I am not picking more than three from every team to ensure that no one side dominates the XI.

Here is my team for the quarterfinal round.

GK Manuel Neuer


The 24-year-old goalkeeper and captain of Schalke has been impressive this season and has been heavily linked to both Manchester United and Bayern Munich. Manchester United seems to be his most likely division given the incredible hostility shown towards him in a recent match against Bayern, a match in which Neuer played a key role.

Neuer is likely to be busy against Inter Milan, and his efforts could be vital to keeping his side in the tournament as Schalke enter the tie as underdogs and face a potent attacking side in Inter Milan.

Ashley Cole


Chelsea's Ashley Cole is one of the best left backs in the world—possibly the best. He is brilliant going forwards, creating plenty of chances for his side while rarely being caught out of position thanks to his impressive pace.

He has failed to let off-field distractions such as a divorce and the accidental shooting of an intern, as well as legal issues due to speeding, distract him from doing his job. Chelsea suffered a slump in form earlier this season, but Cole continued to perform. He will need to keep doing so against Manchester United.

CB Vidic


Vidic has been better than ever this season, dominating at the centre of United's defence as the team's new full-time club captain. A dominating aerial presence, Vidic will never back down. Injury problems have meant that Vidic has played alongside a number of different players, but that has failed to phase him.

Manchester United may not have been at their best this season, but they can rely on Vidic to perform when it matters, namely against Chelsea in a few weeks time.

CB Dmytro Chygrynskiy


Dmytro Chygrynskiy was sold to Barcelona, but didn't fair too well in his season there. Pep Guardiola was still keen to keep the 24-year-old, however. Instead, he chose to return to Shakhtar Donetsk, despite being linked with a move to Arsenal—a signing they could have used.

He will have to be on top of his game as he faces his old team-mates who have a wealth of ability going forwards. If Shakhtar are to progress, it will be on the back of solid defence at the Nou Camp in the first leg.

RB Alves


Dani Alves may or may not be headed to Manchester City at some point in the future, but right now, he is a major threat for Spanish champions Barcelona. The Brazilian has contributed 18 assists in all competitions, a healthy number.

His performances against Arsenal were undoubtedly aided by his outstanding team-mates, but the ease with which he found space and the skill with which he attacked defenders confirm once again that Alves is a wing back of incredible ability who Barcelona will not want to have to replace.

LM Gareth Bale


Gareth Bale recently signed a contract extension at White Hart Lane, something that Harry Redknapp and co. will be particularly happy about given that the Welshman is now one of Europe's hottest properties.

Bale's incredible performances against Inter Milan were full of speed, skill and a good final ball. They are enough to earn him a spot on this list, and he will need to put in more performances like those if Tottenham are to overcome Real Madrid, one of Europe's most successful clubs. Bale has now fully recovered from a back injury that kept him out of much of Spurs' tie against AC Milan, and he is raring to go.

CM Rafael Van Der Vaart


Van der Vaart has been an inspiration since moving to Tottenham Hotspur last summer. The former Real Madrid man has been largely responsible for Spurs Premier League success this season, as well as their remarkable Champions League run.

Facing his former team in the quarterfinal will provide van der Vaart with a chance to show his old club what he is truly capable of after two unsuccessful seasons there.

CM Xavi


Barcelona's most capped player of all time, Xavi, has been incredibly influential at the heart of Barcelona's midfield, dominating play against Arsenal recently.

Without him, players such as Messi cannot play as they do. Xavi finished third behind team-mates Messi and Iniesta for the FIFA Ballon d'Or, but many think it should have been the 31-year-old veteran picking up the award.

RM Cristiano Ronaldo


ough he may be not be fit for the first leg of Real's quarterfinal tie with Tottenham, if he does play, he will likely have a huge impact on the game.

Ronaldo is the only player in the world good enough to be compared with a certain Argentinian, and although Madrid will be confident of seeing off Spurs, they will be aware that the London club has done rather well at being the underdog this season. Having Ronaldo back might just calm some nerves.

ST Messi


What is there to say about Lionel Messi that hasn't been already said? Not much, really.

The Argentinian genius has once again mesmerised audiences, eight games, eight goals and two assists give a pretty good impression of how good Messi has been. This season has been his most productive yet. In all competitions, he has scored 45 times in 42 games and provided 21 assists.

If he keeps playing like he has been, Barcelona are going to be very hard to stop.

ST Eto'o


Eto'o is joint top scorer in this season's Champions League with eight goals in nine appearances.

The Cameroon international has been in good form this season. He will need to perform as Schalke have plenty of ability going forward as well; Raul and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar are not to be laughed at, and Eto'o may be required to help outscore the Champions League legend and one of the legend's former Real Madrid strike partners.

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Default Re: [2010/2011] UEFA Champions League - News and Rumours

8 Players to Watch in UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals

With the Champions League quarterfinals set, there are interesting match ups in all four of the games to come in two weeks.

From an all English clash, to a dream match up for Tottenham, and two match ups that could see giant killing, every match up has a chance to shine.

These eight players featured here are the ones that are most crucial to their club's success in the Champions League quarterfinals.

Wesley Sneijder, Inter Milan


Sneijder was the main cog to the Inter machine last season on the way to the Champions League title.

This season is no different, and if Inter want to ease past Schalke, the Dutchman and his crosses into the box for Samuel Eto'o and company will be key.

Raul, Schalke


The all-time leading scorer in European play is quietly having another quality season.

In his first season in Gelsenkirchen, the Spaniard has 15 goals in all competitions.

With a good complement of attacking players alongside him, like Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Jefferson Farfan, the Spaniard should see a few goalscoring opportunities against Inter.

Nani, Manchester United


After surviving an injury scare a few weeks ago, Nani is back in the United lineup and will have to be a strong presence on the wing against Chelsea.

With all the focus from the media being on United's forwards, Nani is very important as well because he will be able to open the game and let the forwards use a lot of room in the middle of the pitch.

Fernando Torres, Chelsea


Torres has a chance to finally show why Chelsea spent so much money on him in the January transfer window.

The Spanish forward has not scored for the Blues in six matches, and what a story it would be if he scores his first Chelsea goal against Manchester United to put the Blues through to the semifinals.

Heurelho Gomes, Tottenham


Tottenham have made it to the quarterfinals and to continue their dream run, Gomes will have to come up big in goal.

Facing a Real Madrid team that has numerous attack options, Gomes needs to be attentive for every second of the 90 minute match because Madrid can strike at any second.

Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid


Ramos will most likely be handed the duty of marking Tottenham winger Gareth Bale in the quarterfinals.

The skillful Real Madrid fullback will have his hands full with Bale, but he is one of the few fullbacks in the world that is fully capable of shutting down Bale.

Xavi, Barcelona


The midfield maestro for Barcelona is one of many excellent players that the Catalans possess.

Xavi not only sets up the run of play in midfield but can also feed the talented forwards like David Villa and Lionel Messi.

If Xavi plays like the world-class player he is, there is no way Barcelona will lose to Shakhtar Donetsk.

Eduardo, Shakhtar Donetsk


The former Arsenal man is having a good season for Shakhtar Donetsk and has led them to the quarterfinals.

The only problem is that Donetsk are facing Barcelona.

If Eduardo gets a chance at goal, he will need to make sure he takes advantage of it because you never know how many chances that Barcelona defense will allow.

Code:
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Default Re: [2010/2011] UEFA Champions League - News and Rumours

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UEFA Champions League: Predicting the Quarterfinals, Semifinal and Final
By Adi-Oula Sebastian (Barcelona Featured Columnist)



It’s time for yet another International break. This is by the far the worst possible timing for another round of dull and predictable qualifying games.

With the notable exception of the Russian Premier League, the rest of Europe enters the final stretch of the season, including the UEFA Champions League. The draws have been made and some interesting matches can already be deemed “must watch.”

So let’s channel the spirit of Paul the Octopus and make some bold predictions regarding the outcome of the upcoming Champions League ties.

Quarterfinals


Real Madrid vs. Tottenham Hotspur

With all due respect to Harry Redknapp’s squad, playing an Inter Milan side under the tutelage of Rafa Benitez or defeating an AC Milan side revolving around notorious big-game bottler Zlatan Ibrahimovic isn’t quite like facing Jose Mourinho’s superstar team.

After all, even the “Special One” couldn’t manage to get the best out of Ibrahimovic in the knockout stages of the Champions Leauge.

That said, under Mourinho’s guidance, Florentino Perez's least convincing signing, Karim Benzema, has begun to find the kind of form again that made him one of Europe’s most sought-after strikers.

With Benzema finally coming into his own, Cristiano Ronaldo scoring goals for fun and a disciplined backline led by Ricardo Carvalho, it’s an uphill battle for Tottenham Hotspur, whose strikers' combined total is less than what Karim Benzema has scored all season.

Winner: Real Madrid

Inter Milan vs. Schalke 04

Felix “Quälix” Magath is gone, pardon me; has been dismissed. It seems as if every time he guides a side into the DFB Cup Final and underperforms in the league, he is shown the door.

While Schalke 04 can still count on the services of the Champions League's all-time leading goalscorer, Raul, die Königsblauen are simply out of their depth against the current title holders, Inter Milan.

Winner: Inter Milan

Quarterfinals Continued


Chelsea vs. Manchester United

The must-see tie of the quarterfinals is a replay of the 2008 Champions League final. For some reason, critics argue that Manchester United aren’t very convincing, neither domestically nor abroad.

Yet, Manchester United are still doing well in all three major competitions (League, Cup and CL) whereas Chelsea imploded around mid-season only to recover in recent weeks.

Chelsea’s most convincing signing of the season, David Luiz, arrived in a deadline deal in January and is cup tied.

Fernando Torres, on the other hand, is not—but he has yet to regain his confidence, and where else if not against his preferred victim, Nemanja Vidic?

This will be a very close contest between two sides who know each other inside out. Much will depend on whether El Nino can find his scoring boots again.

Nevertheless, in his current form, pinning their hopes on Fernando Torres could prove costly for Chelsea.

Winner: Manchester United

FC Barcelona vs. Shakhtar Donetsk

Barca have to face off against their perceived, and to a certain degree justified bogey-team in Shakhtar Donetsk.

The Ukrainian side are the current runaway leaders in their domestic league, while FC Barcelona protect a valuable five-point lead in their own.

However, this is the UEFA Champions League, where all bets are off. Anything can, and in the past, has happened between these two sides.

The Ukrainians are no pushovers and Barca have yet to record an away victory in the knockout stages of the competition under Pep Guardiola.

Spectators can expect Shakhtar Donetsk to park a Boeing 747 in the Camp Nou as well as in the Ukraine.

Although I’m not used to watching a landing strip for over 180 minutes, I think I’ll make an exception this time around. If a side possesses the quality to dismantle a Boeing 747, it is FC Barcelona.

Winner: FC Barcelona

Semifinals


FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo has never scored against FC Barcelona, and Lionel Messi has never scored against a Jose Mourinho-managed team.

However, Messi provided two assists for David Villa in the last Clasico while CR7 remained fairly anonymous. Against FC Barcelona, CR7 usually regresses into an even more selfish player. One has to applaud his constant trying, but he is trying too hard to do it all by himself.

Jose Mourinho will most likely make CR7 and company watch the “highlight” reel of his Inter Milan side against FC Barcelona over and over. But unlike his then-Inter side, Real Madrid boasts two of world football's marquee hotheads, Sergio Ramos and Pepe.

The latter continues to confuse the pitch with a Kung Fu dojo, while Sergio Ramos is setting new records for Red Cards received at Real Madrid.

Expect the Mad Men to do something crazy.

Winner: FC Barcelona

Semifinals Continued


Manchester United vs. Inter Milan

Last season, Wayne Rooney single-handedly drove Manchester United’s campaign. This season, the white Pele has practiced the art of stealth.

For reasons unknown, he is still in the starting 11. Chicharito and Dimitar Berbatov have both scored more than Rooney, but he is still preferred over them. According to the English press, "Wazza" is on the same level as Lionel Messi and CR7…no comment.

For all I know, he is not even on the same level as Samuel Eto’o, and neither is CR7. Samuel Eto’o delivers when it matters the most; three Champions League titles are a testimony to that.

He isn’t a big-game bottler like Ibrahimovic or CR7 and performs superhuman feats in important ties.

Winner: Inter Milan

Final


FC Barcelona vs. Inter Milan

Leonardo isn’t known to instill a defensive mentality into his teams—far from it, Inter Milan look incredibly fragile at the back.

But then again, the Champions League final is a one-off game. In an open game that is not dominated by “anti-football,” there’s no better side than FC Barcelona.

Even though a fit and in-form Samuel Eto’o will cause Barca problems, Captain Catalunya a.k.a. Carlos Puyol will be there to rise to the occasion.

And on the other end of the pitch, there’s also Barca’s MVP attack: Messi, Villa, Pedro.

With both tacticians, Pep Guardiola and Leonardo, having a penchant for attacking football, one can expect a goal-fest worthy of a final.

Winner: FC Barcelona

Code:
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Old 28-03-2011, 04:12 PM   #179
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Default Re: [2010/2011] UEFA Champions League - News and Rumours

UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal: Key Battles of Manchester United vs. Chelsea

Manchester United vs Chelsea Champions League 2011:
First Leg: 06 April 2011 – Stamford Bridge
2nd Leg: 12 April 2011 – Old Trafford

As a English Premier League fan, the assurance of having at least one, hopefully two representatives in the Champions League semi-final is an exciting boost for the EPL. As a Manchester United fan, I hope United can reopen the same wounds left in 2008, when United pipped Chelsea to Europe's ultimate honor, in a penalty shoot-out in Russia.

Manchester United, and Chelsea are two of the greatest current EPL teams. If the EPL as a whole wasn't as strong as it was, than it would basically be the La Liga. Thankfully though, the constant challenge from Arsenal and Liverpool, as well as the potentially dangerous Tottenham and Manchester City, make the EPL Title, and the four Champion League spots, highly contestable, and profitable until the end of the season.

The clash of the English giants is one of the more entertaining fixtures in the EPL, but will also be one of the more exciting matches in the Champions League quarter final draw.

Each team will be fighting for supremacy in Europe, just like they have been fighting so in their domestic league.

Prediction

Since the first leg is at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea will want to secure a favorable result at home, as a result is less likely to happen at Old Trafford. Although Chelsea is a strong side, Stamford Bridge is not the fortress it once was. I predict that the first leg will be a draw, 1-1, since United's experience in Europe and return of key players will be able to hold Chelsea off at the Bridge. When Chelsea travels to Old Trafford, I think United will put the game away. I believe a 2-0 result at Old Trafford will see United through 3-1 on aggregate, where either Inter Milan, or Schalke will be waiting.

Think otherwise on my prediction or verdict for key battles? Let me know.

Fernando Torres vs Nemanja Vidic


Fernando Torres has so far failed to justify his hefty €50 million fee Roman Abramovich agreed to pay for him in the January transfer window. As supportive as Carlo Ancelotti has been regarding Torres' contributions in the form of darting runs, and creating space; the owner would rather have Torres doing what he paid him for. Scoring buckets of goals.

Althugh in Fernando Torres' new jersey he has failed to score a goal, a certain Serbian defender will not let that statistic change his marking style on Torres.

In the past three seasons, Nemanja Vidic has been sent of four times while playing against the Spanish Torres. In the recent Premierl League meeting between Chelsea and Manchester United a match that saw Chelsea win 2-1, Vidic again opted for an early shower.

It is safe to say that Fernando Torres has always been a constant thorn in Nemanja Vidic's side. Although Torres is strugling to regain his top form, Vidic is struggling to regain his fitness. Having to face an opponent like Fernando Torres after returning from injury, isn't likely to delight Vidic.

Verdict

Given Fernando Torres' terrible form, the trend of Nemanja Vidic seeing red will likely be the only way Torres can threaten Manchester United's back line. If Vidic can refrain from receiving his marching orders, a result in United's favor seems even more likely.

Frank Lampard vs Darren Fletcher


Both Frank Lampard and Darren Fletcher have shone in recent clashes between the two perennial title contenders. With Chelsea likely to operate with a three-man midfield, the battle for supremacy in the middle of the park will be vital to the outcome of the match.

Lampard still seems to be looking for his best form after a long injury lay-off and would love to truly get his season up and running in this encounter.

Meanwhile Fletcher has been a prominent member of the Manchester United midfield in the league this season and continues to impress for the Red Devils. Fletcher has been a tireless servant for United, often getting stuck in when he needs to, and also doing his part in creating attacking opportunities.

Verdict

Although Frank Lampard has been struggling to regain his form and fitness, class is permanent. I expect Lampard, as one of the senior members of the squad, to come up big against United. Fletcher will surely cause Lampard some problems, and make the midfield battle anything but a cake walk, but in the end I see Lampard having a slight edge over Fletcher.

Ashley Cole vs Luis Nani


Ashley Cole has been one of the best left backs in the Premier League, second only to Patrice Evra. Cole adds width to Chelsea's attack, and has the ability to serve dangerous crosses into the box. Ashley Cole is strong, fast, and has good field awareness.

If any defender has the ability to slow down Nani, Cole certainly does. However, to avoid a reckless foul, Ashley Cole will have to make sure he doesn't dive in at the Portuguese winger. Cole's attacking instincts could also resort Nani to playing defense, especially given the uncertainty as to who will be deputizing the right-back slot with John O'Shea, and Rafael out of the first leg due to injury.

Nani has been in superb form this term, and appears to have improved his all-round game immensely.
He has scored 9 goals and set up 16 this season in all competitions and has a league efficiently ratio of a goal or assist every 92.86 minutes.

His pace, trickery and delivery have been a nightmare for defenders, and his stats are testament to his tremendous creativity. His uncertainty, and the unpredictability that surrounds him on the pitch, often gives defenders little chance to read his next step.

Verdict

With the form Nani has been in, its simply too hard for any defender to slow down Nani. Of course unless your name is Jamie Carragher, and kicking an opponent twice in the leg only still allows you to stay on the field.

Michael Essien vs Paul Scholes


These two midfield generals have known about each other for a while, as this picture depicts the battle going back to 2004. Michael Essien may now be wearing a different teams jersey, but Paul Scholes will have played enough matches against Essien to be familiar with the Ghanaiana midfeilder. Both players are capable of playing up field, or sitting in the pocket and spreading the attack, and both players are crucial aspects of their teams formation, and style of play.

At Paul Scholes' age, most people need glasses to read text right in front of them. All the while Scholes is still pinging 40 yard balls side-to-side. Scholes' powerful presence and inherent leadership qualities make him one of the most respected players currently playing.

Even at 36 years of age, Sir Alex is still trying to tie down his veteran fledgling to an extended one year contract. Scholes may need rest throughout the season, and might not be as resilient as he once was, but the clash against Chelsea won't be a game Sir Alex is willing to rest his midfield gem, or bench his valuable experience.

Although eight years his junior, Essien has certainly been around for a while and has arguably been Chelsea's most consistent performer since moving form Lyon in 2005. He is a real driving force in the middle with his tough tackling, powerful runs and incredible shooting. Essien is considered a linchpin in Chelsea's midfield, much like Paul Scholes.

Verdict

This is one of the key battles that is a total tossup, and one I look most forward to watching develop. Both players are capable of playing up field, or sitting in the pocket and spreading the attack.

John Terry vs Wayne Rooney


This hotly contested battle between the two Englishman will be one of the key battles on the feild. Wayne Rooney and John Terry are old friends, but also very familiar rivals in the Premier League. Both stars embody the culture of their club, and are viewed as leaders on the pitch.

For Chelsea to edge Manchester United, a fully functional John Terry is crucial. The newly re-instated England stalwart will have to count on his defensive skill and experience in shutting down some of the most talented players in the world.

Wayne Rooney has an immense amount of raw power, and the ability to make something out of nothing. That being said, Terry will likely employ a deep defensive line to cater to the pace and power of United's attack.

Despite Rooney's appetite for the game, Rooney has been less than prolific against Chelsea. Netting two goals in their 19 meetings is a testament to the trouble John Terry can cause Rooney.

However, Rooney's recent deeper role will allow him to create space, which will hopefully open up gaps for Javier Hernandez, Dimitar Berbatov, or Nani to exploit.

The pressure will be on both of these players. Wayne Rooney is carrying United's banner, whereas John Terry is Chelsea's captain fantastic. This key battle is truly important for both teams, as both key players have the ability to change a match.

Verdict

Wayne Rooney's hunger will prove too much for John Terry to deal with this time around. In their last meeting, David Luiz was the one who handled Wayne Rooney, and was rather successful at it. Without Luiz this match, John Terry will be fully tested in dealing with the engine that is Wayne Rooney.

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Old 01-04-2011, 05:46 PM   #180
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Default Re: [2010/2011] UEFA Champions League - News and Rumours

UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals: Picking the Highest Earning XI from Last 8



The UEFA Champions is the most prestigious club competition in the world, and therefore it features the most expensive football players in the world.

With the amount of money on the line for clubs in the competition, the biggest clubs are willing to spend a lot of money on the top players in the world in the hopes that these players can bring them success in the competition.

While there are some surprising teams who are among the last eight teams left in the tournament, it is not much of a surprise that most of these players are employed by the same few teams with the most money.

This is not a list of who has the highest transfer value, since that is a very subjective number and is really dictated simply by how much a club is willing to pay for a certain players.

Furthermore, some players have risen from their own team's academies, making any transfer value for them unknown.

In addition, players who signed contracts two or three years ago may not be making as much money as less talented players who just signed new contracts this season.

This is also not a list of who is the best starting XI, or who is playing the best, or even which XI players would form the best team.

This is the starting XI of players who make the most money in wages, the most expensive team money can buy.

This is not just the best XI players, but rather XI players who can be on the pitch at the same time. I chose to use a 4-3-3 formation for this team.

The wage figures may not be accurate to the dollar, as no two sites report the same figures, and several players from Spain don't have their wages reported at all.

But without further ado, here is not just the most expensive starting XI, but rather, the most expensive match day squad from the last eight teams in the UEFA Champions League.

The Bench: (1/2)


Fernando Torres (£9.1 million a year: Chelsea)

Despite Torres' massive £50 million transfer fee when he moved to Chelsea, his wages fall just short of putting him in the starting XI.

This could be a good sign for this team, as Torres has struggled mightily since moving to Stamford Bridge and has yet to score a goal.

Being on the bench is not foreign to Torres, as he spent most of Spain's World Cup campaign on the bench recovering from an injury.

Samuel Eto'o (£9.1 million: Inter Milan)

Despite his age, the UEFA Champions League's most prolific scorer is continuing to rake in more money than almost every other footballer in the world.

Eto'o earned his money by scoring 18 Champions League goals in 41 appearances for Barcelona.

After becoming just the second player ever to score a goal in two different Champions League Finals in 2009, Eto'o moved to Italy to sign a big-money contract with Inter.

That money has been well spent by the Italian club, as Eto'o helped Inter win the Champions League in his first season with the club, becoming the fourth player to ever win the Champions League two years in a row with different teams.

Xabi Alonso (£4.5 million: Real Madrid)

In the world of professional football, the money goes to the players who are scoring the goals.

After the strikers, only the attacking midfielders make money that could even be compared to the amount strikers make.

That explains the drop-off in salary between the strikers and Xabi Alonso, who plays one of the most important positions on the field.

Alonso's ability to hold the ball and start attacks was a major reason why Real Madrid lured him away from Liverpool and made him one of the highest paid holding midfielders around.

Wesley Sneijder (£5 million: Inter Milan)

After making a quick rise through the Ajax youth academy, Sneijder moved on to Real Madrid.

After Real Madrid went on a massive shopping spree in the summer of 2009, Inter Milan saw an opening and signed the Dutch midfielder.

Sneijder's ability to use both feet, score from distance and launch deadly free kicks helped him land one of the more lucrative contracts for a midfielder.

Sneijder was a great investment for Inter, as he was a major reason that they were able to win the Champions League in 2010.

The Bench: (2/2)


Carles Puyol (£4.3 million: Barcelona)

Puyol is considered by many to be one of the best center backs in the world.

He has been Barcelona's captain since 2004, leading them to La Liga titles in 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2010. He has also led them to two Champions League titles.

He captained the Barcelona team that won an unprecedented six major trophies in the year 2009.

While he isn't the captain of the Spanish national team, he has been a major reason behind Spain winning Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.

There are very few negative things to say about Puyol other than he had poor timing when he signed his latest contract.

Puyol signed a contract extension with Barcelona back in 2009, and if he had waited just one more year before signing a new one, he would be making a lot more money then he is now.

Nemanja Vidic (£4.68 million: Manchester United)

For as much money as Rio Ferdinand makes, Nemanja Vidic has proven not only to be Manchester United's best defender, but possibly their most important player.

Vidic provides an incredible presence on the United defense. When United set a record for consecutive clean sheets back in 2009, Vidic was the only player who was consistently in the lineup.

His ability to defend against anyone and score on set pieces made extending his contract at Old Trafford a priority last summer.

Victor Valdes (£5.2 million: Barcelona)

Victor Valdes has been reining in the trophies recently for Barcelona.

He is the most successful goalkeeper in Barcelona history, winning four La Liga titles, two Champions League titles and a Copa Del Ray title.

In addition, he led Barcelona to the Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Super Cup and UEFA Club World Cup titles in the year 2009.

It is no surprise that Barcelona has made him the joint-highest paid goalkeeper in the world. Unfortunately though, that is still not enough to put him in the starting XI of this team.

Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas (£5.2 Million: Real Madrid)


Casillas and Valdes both play for the two biggest clubs in Spain, are the same age and both earn the same amount of money.

So if the two of them were to play for the same team, who would be the No. 1 choice? Luckily, we have the Spanish national team to decide that for us.

Valdes has made just three appearances for the Spanish national team, which comes nowhere near the 119 caps of Casillas.

In addition, Valdes didn't even earn his first cap until 10 years after Casillas earned his. Valdes was included in Spain's squad for the 2010 World Cup.

Like his fellow countrymen, Casillas has also won four La Liga titles and two Champions League titles.

Casillas also won two Intercontinental Cups, before the tournament was rebranded as the FIFA Club World Cup.

Casillas is the second-most capped goalkeeper in Spanish national team history, and he is just seven caps behind Andoni Zubizaretta for the most all time.

He is also the most capped goalkeeper of all time in the UEFA Champions League.

Casillas serves as the captain for both Real Madrid and the Spanish national team.

As captain of Spain, he led the country to their first European championship in 44 years when Spain won Euro 2008. He followed that up by leading the country to their first-ever World Cup win in 2010.

With all the club and international success Casillas has had, he is earning every Euro that Real Madrid is giving him.

If that isn't enough to put him into the staring XI, how many other players have done this in a postgame interview following the World Cup final?

Just like the Spanish national team, Casillas edges out Valdes in the staring XI for this team.

Left Back: Ashley Cole (£4.8 Million: Chelsea)


Considered one of if not the best left back in the world, Ashley Cole made a £25 million move from Arsenal to Chelsea at the start of the Roman Abromovich era.

Cole's great speed and ability allow him to neutralize even the best right wingers in the world, often taking away one of Chelsea's opponents' best attacking options.

But Cole's value is not just in his defending. Cole is one of the best defenders in the world on the ball, as he flies up the left wing to help start the Chelsea attack.

Cole's terrific attacking ability makes him a nightmare for opposing managers. In five seasons at Chelsea, Cole has scored six goals and set up countless others.

Cole has also been an almost permanent fixture for the English national team since 2001. Cole's 88 international caps are the most by a black English player in English football history.

While Cole flies up the wing and helps to make the English attack even more potent, he has played in more international matches without scoring a goal than any other player in English history.

Even if he isn't scoring goals, Cole is providing incredible value to both England and Chelsea. With the skills that Cole brings to the table and a rich Russian owner, he deserves to be the highest paid left back in the world.

Center Back: John Terry (£6.5 Million: Chelsea)


Say what you want about John Terry's antics on the field—or even off the field for that matter—but there is one thing that is certain: John Terry can defend better then almost anyone in the world.

Terry became Chelsea's captain when Jose Mourinho took over the club at the start of the 2004-05 campaign. Terry immediately led Chelsea to back-to-back Premier League titles.

In 2004-05, Terry led Chelsea to the best defensive record in Premier League history.

Terry also led Chelsea to FA Cup triumphs in 2007, 2009 and 2010. His name will live forever in Wembley Stadium history, as he was the first captain to ever lift the FA Cup trophy in the new Wembley Stadium.

As if that wasn't enough, he also became the first player to score an international goal at the new Wembley, when he scored in a 1-1 draw against Brazil.

Not only is Terry a fantastic defender, but he is a major scoring threat on set pieces as well. He has scored six goals in 58 appearances for England.

Last season, he scored a crucial goal at Stamford Bridge to defeat Manchester United 1-0.

Terry's heading ability had nothing to do with how many people Didier Drogba fouled on the play while in an offside position on the goal.

The win was crucial, as Chelsea beat United by a single point to win the 2010 Premier League title.

In 2007, English manager Steve McLaren named Terry the English captain.

He remained the captain until new manager Fabio Capello stripped him of the title in 2010 following off-the-field issues, but he was reinstated as captain in 2011 following an injury to Rio Ferdinand.

While Terry will always be remembered for slipping and missing his penalty during the 2008 Champions League Final, he still makes more money than everyone else because he is that important to every team he plays for.

Center Back: Rio Ferdinand (£5.6 Million: Manchester United)


We will have to go to the bench for a substitution on this one, but that doesn't change the fact that Ferdinand is the second-highest paid defender in the world behind John Terry.

Ferdinand has spent the better part of the last three years battling injuries, and is currently battling a back injury that may keep him out the rest of the season.

Ferdinand moved to Manchester United from Leeds United in 2002 for a fee of around £30 million, making him the most expensive defender in Premier League history.

His United career got off to a rocky start when he was suspended eight months for missing a drug test.

When Ferdinand finally did settle in to Old Trafford, he quickly became one of the best defenders around.

Over time, Ferdinand began being considered one of the best central defenders in the world, and he was becoming a leader around Old Trafford.

Due to injuries to club captain Gary Neville, Ferdinand often split wearing the United armband with Ryan Giggs, helping to lead United to Premier League titles in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

Ferdinand captained United in the 2008 Champions League Final, where United defeated Chelsea on penalties.

In total, he has won the Premier League title four times, a Champions League title, two league cups and a FIFA Club World Cup.

Ferdinand has made 88 appearances for the English national team, scoring three times. In 2010, manager Fabio Capello named Ferdinand the new English captain after taking the armband away from John Terry.

However, Ferdinand got injured in training prior to the World Cup, forcing him to give up the armband to Steven Gerrard.

In 2011, Capello took the armband away from Ferdinand, giving it back to Terry in a move that sparked a lot of controversy.

When Ferdinand was at his peak, he was perhaps the best central defender in the world. Now, however, he often forces his partner Nemanja Vidic to cover for his mistakes or loss of ability.

When he is healthy he is still very good, but he spends too much time on the training table to justify making the kind of money he is making.

Right Back: Dani Alves (£6.1 Million: Barcelona)


Dani Alves is easily one of the top two right backs in the world.

The other one is Alves' fellow countryman Maicon, making sure the two of them are always competeing for the starting right back spot on the Brazilian national team.

While many people believe Maicon to be the best right back in the world, the details of his contract are nowhere to be found. Even so, it is hard to believe that he would be making more then Alves.

During his six years at FC Sevilla, Alves helped the club to two UEFA Cups and a Copa Del Ray. Barcelona bought Alves for about £30 million, making him one of the most expensive defenders in the world.

Like Ashley Cole, Alves' value comes from his ability to fly up the wing and join the attack. Alves is arguably better then Cole in this regard, as he has scored 11 goals in his first three seasons at Barcelona.

Alves has helped Barcelona win La Liga titles in each of his first two seasons with the club, and has helped them to the top of the table in La Liga this season.

He missed the 2009 Champions League final due to a yellow card suspension.

Alves has made 46 appearances over the last five years for the Brazilian national team, scoring five goals.

As Alves continues to frustrate left wingers and excite fans with his great runs, Barcelona just sits back and smiles at their good investment.

Midfield: Kaka (£6.5 Million: Real Madrid)


Funny how Kaka can crack the staring XI of this list while he can barely crack the starting XI at his own club.

While Kaka is constantly being outshined by Mesuit Ozil at Real Madrid, Kaka's paychecks sure give him something to brag about (Ozil makes just £3.9 a year).

Kaka was the first player signed during Real Madrid's summer signing spree in 2009. Kaka was lured away from AC Milan with a €68.5 million deal.

At the time, Kaka was well worth the money, coming off of a season where he scored 19 goals in just 36 appearances for AC Milan.

He was also just two years removed from leading AC Milan to a Champions League title and he was still capable of breathtaking moments like this.

Kaka helped Milan to the Serie A title just once in 2004 during his time at the San Siro, while also leading them to Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup titles in 2007, claiming the Ballon d'Or trophy as the world's best player that year.

As a member of the Brazilian national team, Kaka has scored 27 international goals and played a part in helping Brazil win the 2002 World Cup.

In the summer of 2009, there was no doubt that Kaka was one of the most talented players in the world, just two years removed from a season where he won both the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards.

At the time, the signing was a great move for Real Madrid, and very few people questioned the move.

However, Kaka has struggled to make an impact in his two seasons at the Bernabau, scoring just 11 goals in 44 appearances.

While for a normal midfielder those would be great numbers, the expectations for Kaka are a bit higher.

As he struggles to even get into matches at Madrid, there is no doubt that in hindsight, he is being a tad bit overpaid.

Midfield: Xavi: (€7.5 Million: Barcelona)


In most cases, the midfielders who make the most money are the midfielders who score the most goals.

Xavi seems to be the exception to this rule. While he may not be the most prolific goalscorer, no one can argue how important he is to his team.

While Xavi doesn't score many goals, that doesn't mean he can't score them. Not only does Xavi have the ability to attack and score goals, but when he does score, they are usually at crucial times.

Xavi's true value comes from his ability to play as a holding midfielder. Xavi's ability to hold the ball and his superb passing skills are a major reason why Barcelona are able to keep possession of the ball for the majority of the time in all their matches.

During the 2009-10 season, Xavi was called the best midfielder in modern football as well as one of the greatest central midfielders of all time by Spanish journalists.

He has helped Barcelona to five League titles, two Champions League titles, and the FIFA Club World Cup.

He played an influencial role in Spain's Euro2008 championship, as well as their 2010 World Cup victory.

In the 2010 World Cup, Xavi's 669 pass attempts were 104 more then the next player on the list. This just shows how great Xavi's passing ability is, and how much Spain relied on him to distribute the ball and get attacks started.

Xavi has already taken home a plethora of individual honors, being named the World Soccer Player of the year in 2009, the man of the match in the 2009 UEFA Champions League final, La Liga Spanish Player of the Year in 2005, and the UEFA Champions League midfielder of the year in 2008-09.

These are just some of the individual accolades he has received. He also finished third for the Ballon d'Or in both 2009 and 2010.

There is no doubt that Xavi is the engine behind both the Barcelona and Spanish attacks, and it is not a coincidence that both teams have dominated in recent years with Xavi in the center of their formations.

As he continues to be one of the most dynamic players in the game, he continues to get paid like one.

Midfield: Frank Lampard (£6.6 Million: Chelsea)


It is no surprise that Chelsea seem to have a bunch of players on this list.

Russian owner Roman Abromovich wants success in the Champions League and he is clearly willing to pay top dollar (or pound) to try to achieve that success.

While Frank Lampard's Champions League resume may not be the greatest one out there (he has led Chelsea to just one Champions League final, though he did score in the final), Lampard has earned his paycheck with his great play in the Premier League.

The free kick specialist and passing maestro has totaled 111 goals and 84 assists in nine Premier League seasons for Chelsea.

He has won three Premier League titles and three FA Cups with Chelsea. In 2008 he was named the UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year.

Unfortunately for Lampard, things aren't so great for him outside of the Premier League.

He has made 81 appearances for the English National team, but he has had a rocky relationship with the English fans, culminating in Lampard getting booed when he came on as a substitute in a Euro2008 qualifying match.

Many fans even thought that Lampard should have been benched due to poor performances for England.

While Lampard has scored 21 goals for England, that number is slightly inflated because he has been England's penalty taker for years.

Lampard also drew the ire of the fans when he went over two years without scoring an international goal despite being England's penalty taker.

He broke the streak when he scored in a 4-0 win over Slovakia in March of 2009.

While Lampard did score on a penalty in England's recent win over Wales, the player admitted that he thought he was going to be dropped from the starting XI, and no longer thinks he is an automatic choice for Fabio Capello.

Lampard's Champions League record is simply average as well. In 82 Champions League appearances with Chelsea he has scored just 21 goals and picked up just 11 assists.

Compare those numbers to his 2009-10 Premier League campaign, where he scored 22 goals and picked up 17 assists, in just 36 appearances.

While Frank Lampard is definitely one of, if not the best attacking midfielder in the Premier League, if I were going to pay top dollar for a midfielder, I would want him to be a consistent performer in every competition, something that Lampard has failed to do.

Forward: Lionel Messi (€9.5 Million: Barcelona)


Who is the best football player in the world?

Two years ago if you asked that question you would spark a debate as to whether the best player was Lionel Messi of Barcelona, or Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United.

If you ask that question today, you will get one simple answer: Messi.

Ignore the fact that Messi has struggled playing for the Argentinian national team.

Pegged as the next Maradona, he has failed to bring Argentina the glory they have hoped for, and he has scored just 16 times in 54 national team appearances. A pretty low return for someone with Messi's standards.

He did however lead Argentina to a gold medal at the 2008 Olympics. But Argentina is starting to reform their team, build around Messi, and play a formation similar to the one Messi plays in at Barcelona.

At Barcelona, boy has that formation worked. Credit it to the formation, the freedom Messi is given to roam around the field or the quality of the players around him, at Barcelona Messi is showing the world how talented he is.

This season alone Messi has already scored 45 goals in just 42 appearances.

Think he's the only one scoring? Think again. Messi's playmaking abilities have also helped him pick up 21 assists.

For those keeping track, that makes Messi resonsible for 66 Barcelona goals in 42 appearances this season.

Over his entire career Messi has already scored 173 goals and assisted on 70 others in just 256 appearances in a Barcelona shirt.

He has won the Ballon d'Or in 2009 and 2010, picking up the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2009 as well.

While he may suffer a little bit from Sidney Crosby syndrome, (yelling at the referee everytime someone touches him or takes the ball away from him), there is no doubt he is the most talented player in the world.

I saw him play live at the USA vs. Argentina match recently and he is worth every dollar I spent on a ticket. Seeing Messi play live is an absolute must for every football fan in the world.

Like his club teammate Carlos Puyol, the only reason Messi isn't the highest paid player is because other players have signed contracts since he signed his.

With the way Messi is producing right now, Barcelona are going to have to give him more then €9.5 million a year when his next contract comes around.

Forward: Wayne Rooney (£10.4 Million: Manchester United)


The negotiations for Wayne Rooney's latest contract got so messy that several reports came out saying Rooney would be leaving Manchester United as early as January 2011.

Even worse, he would be joining former Red Devil Carlos Tevez at United's hated rival Manchester City.

Amid all the reports and both sides fighting in the media, the situation ended with Rooney putting pen to paper on a new contract that doubled his wages at Manchester United.

During the time of the negotiations, Rooney just couldn't keep his name out of the British tabloids. Rooney was going through personal troubles off the field, and on the field it wasn't getting much better.

He had not scored a goal, for club or country, since United's Champions League quarterfinal match against Bayern Munich on March 30th.

Meanwhile Sir Alex Ferguson had suggested that Rooney was still not over an ankle injury that he picked up in that Champions League match, while Rooney suggested that those claims were rubbish.

The war of words simply escalated the contract dispute, fueling the rumors that Rooney would leave.

When all was said and done, Rooney signed a new contract and went off to Oregon to rehab his ankle, which happened to be injured just as Fergie had said.

While things have gotten better since Rooney returned for United, he has yet to regain the form that saw him score 34 goals in all competitions last season.

However, he has modified his game this season, becoming more of a playmaker and creator, which has helped him pick up 11 assists this season, the second most on the team.

Furthermore, he is a large reason why Dimitar Bertatov is enjoying his most successful season in a United shirt, scoring 20 goals this season.

While Rooney has only been able to find the back of the net seven times this season, he has still proven over his entire United career that he is their most important player.

Rooney is the engine that makes United run, and if it costs £10.4 million a year to make that engine run, then that is how much United will have to pay.

Forward: Cristiano Ronaldo (€11 Million: Real Madrid)


Several factors led to Cristiano Ronaldo becoming the highest paid football player in the world.

It starts with Ronaldo bursting onto the scene and dazzling the world with his fancy tricks and great footwork at Manchester United.

Pretty soon Ronaldo began growing from a winger with great tricks into an incredible goal scorer.

After Ronaldo scored 12 goals in all competitions during the 2005-06 season, he nearly doubled his goal total the following year, scoring 23 goals and assisting on 19 others, helping United win their first Premier League title in three years.

Unfortunately, United's Champions League campaign crashed out when they were beaten by Kaka and AC Milan in the semifinals. Ronaldo would then finish as the runner up to Kaka for the 2007 Ballon d'Or.

The following season was when Cristiano Ronaldo put himself in the argument for the best player in the world.

Ronaldo scored 42 goals in all competitions, leading United to a second straight Premier League title, and this time, United would win the Champions League as well.

In additon to club success, Ronaldo won Ballon d'Or and the FIFA Player of the Year awards in 2008.

The groundwork for a mega contract with Real Madrid was then laid shortly after the Champions League final, when Ronaldo announced his intentions to move to Real Madrid.

Ronaldo was convinced to stay at United for one more season, where he would try to lead United to becoming just the second team to ever win back-to-back Champions League titles.

Ronaldo scored 26 goals in all competitions and United won a third straight Premier League title, but their bid for back-to-back Champions League titles came up short when they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League final.

After seeing rivals Barcelona win back-to-back La Liga titles, and now winning the treble as well in 2009, Real Madrid was anxious to return to the summit of Spanish football.

With a new president, Real Madrid went on a major summer spending spree, looking to sign all of the available top players.

After signing Kaka, they turned their attention to Ronaldo, coming off three straight Premier League titles and a desire to move to Real Madrid.

Real Madrid and Manchester United agreed to a record £80 million fee for Ronaldo.

With the Ronaldo vs. Messi debate still going strong, Real Madrid was eager to claim that they had the best player in the world.

Their first move was to make him the highest paid player in the world. Ronaldo signed a six year contract that pays him €11 million a year.

Individually Ronaldo has proven to be worth the money at Real Madrid, where he has scored 70 goals in 77 appearances.

However, that has not been enough for Madrid to catch Barcelona at the top of La Liga, or to bring any trophies to the Bernabau just yet.

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