AC Milan v Manchester United is available as a live blog below as well as an internet stream to watch live online.

Manchester United v AC Milan
UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg
Old Trafford – Manchester, England
19:45 GMT – 10 March 2010

David Beckham will return to Old Trafford for the first time since leaving the club in the summer of 2003 as AC Milan travels to face Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League.

Manchester United v AC Milan Preview

Manchester United holds a 3-2 lead on aggregate after the first leg and is well on their way to the quarterfinals. AC Milan had a strong start in the first leg but they faded in the second half and now need a 2-0 win to advance to the next round.

Wayne Rooney will be fit for the match and scored two goals in the first leg. The striker has been in terrific form and have a season similar to Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2007-08 season in which he had 42 goals in 49 matches. Rooney currently has 28 goals in 35 matches and already surpassed his highest scoring season by five goals (23 in 2006-07). For AC Milan, their young striker Pato will likely not be available for the match due to an injury.

The main storyline that has received the most attention is David Beckham’s first return to Old Trafford since transferring to Real Madrid seven years ago. Beckham is not guaranteed a start and he could be relegated to a second half substitute. With Pato out, Milan will need Ronaldinho to step up and create chances. The Brazilian has showed signs during the season but at times he can seem uninspired on the pitch.

A good start is absolutely necessary for Milan who will have to attack and can’t afford to play conservatively. If they can score one or two first half goals while keeping Manchester United scoreless then they will have a good chance. This is a lot easier said than done and Man United have been very tough to beat at Old Trafford in the Champions League. AC Milan could surprise but this isn’t the same team that won the trophy in 2006-07.

Manchester United v AC Milan Prediction

Man United will win 2-1 and 5-3 on aggregate.

Manchester United v AC Milan Live Blog

“Manchester United v AC Milan – Live Blog – 10 March 2010” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.

Manchester United v AC Milan – Live Blog – 10 March 2010 is a post from: Football Reloaded

History suggests Chelsea or Manchester United might just fancy meeting Arsenal in the Uefa Champions League quarter-finals. Arsene Wenger wishes to make it clear the feeling is entirely mutual.

Wenger made no effort to be careful what he wished for as he virtually floated in to pore, and purr, over Arsenal’s artistry as they swiped Porto aside 5-0 at the Emirates.

He has been accused of flying in the face of logic before – therefore it should come as no surprise that Wenger rolled out the welcome mat for two teams who have inflicted four defeats, three of them emphatic, on Arsenal this season.

Wenger insists revenge is not his motive, and his explanation that “we can’t do any worse than we did in the league” does not exactly present the most convincing argument.

But no-one does conviction and confidence, even when it is wholly misplaced, quite like Wenger and this was Arsenal’s manager at his most bullish in the afterglow of a demonstration of almost all that is good about his team.

Small details may yet derail his plan. Jose Mourinho will not be too amenable when he takes Inter Milan back to Chelsea next week in a position he loves, namely defending a lead.

And of course Manchester United have memories of dismantling Arsenal in last season’s Champions League semi-final, as well as at the Emirates in January, to call on should the sides meet again this season.

It is hard to imagine Chelsea or Manchester United reeling back in terror at the thought of facing Arsenal when they have proved so superior in direct opposition this season.

None of this was knocking Wenger out of his stride when he admitted if he had a choice he would take an all-Premier League encounter, although he added he was also guarding against developing “a negative obssession with not drawing Chelsea or Manchester United.”

Wenger, for all his cerebral approach to management, still loves one very basic human emotion of the sport. He enjoys proving people wrong.

You can see it as Arsenal edge their way back into a Premier League title race that looked lost after defeats to Manchester United and Chelsea. You can sense it in his relish at the notion of challenging, and defying, the odds that would be against Arsenal should they meet the two other English superpowers.

Arsenal’s post-game huddle emphasised their team spirit. Photograph: AP

And, after witnessing the manner in which Arsenal demolished Porto, it was easy to see why Wenger was so upbeat as he said: “If I don’t smile tonight I will never smile.”

Chelsea and Manchester United may allow themselves a smirk of their own at Wenger’s audacity given their record against Arsenal, but his confidence in his team is pretty much clad in concrete. Unbreakable.

A note of caution though. While the variety and creativity of Arsenal’s game was enough to put paid to Porto, better sides may take more ruthless advantage of uncertainties at the back when placed under serious pressure.

Arsenal wobbled at the start of the second half before regaining their composure and reasserting their vast supremacy. They may not get away with it against a Didier Drogba (let’s face it, when do they ever get away with it against Drogba?) or a Wayne Rooney.

But having been critical of Arsenal before this season, with total justification, it is only right they should be applauded for a performance to delight any purist. On nights like this they are a pleasure to watch.

The unlikely spearhead was the man dubbed “Barndoor Bendtner”, and the striker with the Devon Loch approach to a finish, after Arsenal’s win against Burnley on Saturday.

If Wenger is confident, then Nicklas Bendtner is regarded by plenty as over-confident. And that is putting it mildly. Even Wenger allowed himself a wry grin when he revealed “his confidence level always remains relatively stable.”

It is this indestructible self-belief that allowed Bendtner, helped by a ringing endorsement from Wenger in his programme notes, to shrug off his nightmare against Burnley and lead Arsenal’s dismissal of Porto with a hat-trick.

Arsenal’s fans are sometimes accused of impatience, but they threw their weight of support behind Bendtner. And while the goals he scored would have taken a lot of missing, he justified Wenger’s declaration before the game that “he will score the next one”. He did – and the one after that for good measure.

He was helped by another of those mesmerising displays from Andrey Arshavin. The Russian set up goals for Bendtner and Emmanuel Eboue, and held Porto’s defence in his spell all night.

This loping little man, when on song, has an uncanny knack of almost hypnotising defenders who are frozen to the spot with indecision in front of him as he makes another of his surges into opposition territory.

Arshavin was the ring-master – but the real high spot was Arsenal’s third goal from Samir Nasri. It provoked all manner of comparisons from Archie Gemmill for Scotland against the Netherlands in 1978, to Ricky Villa for Spurs against Manchester City in the FA Cup final three years later. At a push you could even stretch it to a Diego Maradona moment.

Nasri slalomed in from the right flank, taking out a succession of Porto defenders, some of them twice, before smashing a finish past Helton. It finished Porto off and it was fitting it should do so.

It was the crowning moment of a virtuoso Arsenal attacking display. The doubts must remain about whether they would possess enough to take out Chelsea or Manchester United should they meet over two legs, as Wenger wishes.

Would they have the strength? Would the failings that have let them down against Chelsea and United this season surface again?

Well, we know the answer to one thing. Arsene Wenger would just love the chance to find out.

You can follow me throughout this season at twitter.com/philmcnulty and join me on Facebook.

Wenger eyes Chelsea or Man Utd is a post from: Football Reloaded

Manchester United v AC Milan

Manchester United v AC Milan is available as a live blog below as well as an internet stream to watch live online.

Manchester United v AC Milan
UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg
Old Trafford – Manchester, England
19:45 GMT – 10 March 2010

David Beckham will return to Old Trafford for the first time since leaving the club in the summer of 2003 as AC Milan travels to face Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League.

Manchester United v AC Milan Preview

Manchester United holds a 3-2 lead on aggregate after the first leg and is well on their way to the quarterfinals. AC Milan had a strong start in the first leg but they faded in the second half and now need a 2-0 win to advance to the next round.

Wayne Rooney will be fit for the match and scored two goals in the first leg. The striker has been in terrific form and have a season similar to Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2007-08 season in which he had 42 goals in 49 matches. Rooney currently has 28 goals in 35 matches and already surpassed his highest scoring season by five goals (23 in 2006-07). For AC Milan, their young striker Pato will likely not be available for the match due to an injury.

The main storyline that has received the most attention is David Beckham’s first return to Old Trafford since transferring to Real Madrid seven years ago. Beckham is not guaranteed a start and he could be relegated to a second half substitute. With Pato out, Milan will need Ronaldinho to step up and create chances. The Brazilian has showed signs during the season but at times he can seem uninspired on the pitch.

A good start is absolutely necessary for Milan who will have to attack and can’t afford to play conservatively. If they can score one or two first half goals while keeping Manchester United scoreless then they will have a good chance. This is a lot easier said than done and Man United have been very tough to beat at Old Trafford in the Champions League. AC Milan could surprise but this isn’t the same team that won the trophy in 2006-07.

Manchester United v AC Milan Prediction

Man United will win 2-1 and 5-3 on aggregate.

Manchester United v AC Milan Live Blog

“Manchester United v AC Milan – Live Blog – 10 March 2010” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.

Manchester United v AC Milan – Live Blog – 10 March 2010 is a post from: Football Reloaded

Fiorentina 3-2 Bayern Munich
UEFA Champions League
9 March 2010

Fiorentina grabbed a 2-0 lead but Bayern Munich stormed back to advance on away goals on Tuesday.

The home side looked like it was heading for the quarterfinals with goals from Juan Vargas in the 27th minute and Steven Jovetic in the 54th minute. They would get one more from Jovetic in the 64th minute but it wouldn’t be enough. As they led 2-0 before Jovetic’s second goal, Bayern came back with a goal from Mark Van Bommel to level the match at 3-3 on aggregate.

After Jovetic scored to make it 4-3, Bayern’s Arjen Robben made it 4-4 and the German side led on away goals. Fiorentina would have to get one more to advance but couldn’t as Bayern Munich advanced to the quartefinals.

Fiorentina 3-2 Bayern Munch Video Highlights

“Fiorentina 3-2 Bayern Munich – Video Highlights – 9 March 2010” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.

Fiorentina 3-2 Bayern Munich – Video Highlights – 9 March 2010 is a post from: Football Reloaded

Arsenal 5-0 Porto
UEFA Champions League
9 March 2010

Arsenal came out aggressive and would grab an early lead they would never relinquish on Tuesday.

The Gunners were clearly the better team for the match and scored two goals in the first half. The first was a through ball for Arshavin that deflected off a defender in the box where Nicklas Bendtner was able to reach it and score. The second was an Arshavin pass into the box to a wide open Bendtner who scored to make it 2-0.

Arshavin was the man of the match and was constantly creating chances for Arsenal. The second would see the flood gates open as the Gunners scored three more goals. Until their third goal, it still remained tight at Porto just needed one goal at that point to level the match on aggregate. A terrific indivual effort from Samuel Nasri would give Arsenal the third goal. He beat three defenders on the dribble and then scored with a shot from a tough angle. It was a fantastic play and the turning point of the match.

Arsenal would add two more goals as Eboue would run into an Arshavin through ball and score in the 66th minute. Eboue also earned a penalty in stoppage time that Bendnter would convert to get his hat trick. Arsenal will learn their quarterfinal opponent on March 19 when the draw is released.

Arsenal 5-0 Porto Video Highlights

“Arsenal 5-0 Porto – Video Highlights – 9 March 2010” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.

Arsenal 5-0 Porto – Video Highlights – 9 March 2010 is a post from: Football Reloaded

So Arsene Wenger is satisfied with his decision to re-sign Sol Campbell. In a press conference ahead of his side’s second leg tie with Porto he said:

Sol wants to win and he can spread that through the team and give advice. We want to win this game but we also need to be patient maybe and it is important to keep your head. He gives us a good mixture, it is not only him, but there is a good blend of youth and experience.

Astute comments right? After all, blending youth and experience is a proven recipe for success in professional football, one blueprinted and utilized extensively by Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, a man who recently won his 35th trophy.

And Arsene Wenger, a man we are all thankful to for bringing technical, heavily stylized football and with it, precocious youngsters who have often matured into fantastic players on the world stage, has won a few trophies as well. So we’re good then? No, actually we’re not – Wenger, unusually, has got something very wrong here.

How can a man who has continually refused to offer plus 30 year old players, anything more than a one year deal, come out with comments like that and not listen to his own point?

He has continually jettisoned players deemed too old, or those unwilling to accept the discriminatory, stingy contracts offered to them, instead of recognizing their potential value to the club as educators and paragons of conduct - to say nothing of rewarding years of stellar service.

During the first epoch of his reign, signings such as Patrick Vieira, Robert Pires, Freddie Ljunberg, Thierry Henry, Emmanuel Petit and Sol Campbell were fortunate enough to have an established old guard there to teach them the values and principles of the club, not just in voice, but in example too.

Yet at the point the cycle was set to be renewed, instead of keeping any of these incredibly successful, talented, and experienced players – many of whom had been involved in a record breaking season in which Arsenal were undefeated in the league – they were sold to make way for budding footballers whose education was consequently spent almost exclusively in each others company.

This led to some enterprising, youthful football and some fantastic moments – but when the heat was on, when it really counted at the business end of the season, they folded. Experience of failure can be an important thing, but continued exposure to it is not necessarily good for a players psyche. The act of winning is simply the best way to foster a winning mentality.

Arsenal have been trophy less for 5 years now, and again, instead of recognizing the value of senior players, it’s rumoured William Gallas is being offered only a one year deal which may force him to leave the club. Considering his athleticism, ability, and experience, is offering him 2 or 3 years really that much of a gamble? And yet here’s Wenger at his press conference self-congratulating and lauding the impact Campbell’s return has made.

In defense of his policy, Wenger would likely say that he had to get rid of the older players to give his up and coming batch playing time; the chance to develop, but look at Manchester United: how would they have fared in the past few years without Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, or Ryan Giggs?

These players act as conduits; spirits of the football club who perpetuate the zeitgeist. They help them to understand when to play and when to knuckle down, and play a crucial role in their development from boys to men. Neville, Giggs and Scholes have done just that at Manchester United, and the benefits are manifested, not just in their success, but in the comments made by the young players at the club who are continually describing how infectious their professionalism and winning mentality is; which amounts to a spectacular advantage to have at your football club.

Arsenals youngsters are that good they could well win something soon, potentially this season, but they may well have got there a lot quicker with some older heads around.

“Wenger should rethink his policy on plus 30’s” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.

Wenger should rethink his policy on plus 30’s is a post from: Football Reloaded

It is parked in the potholed car park of Brentford’s training ground in west London. Off in the distance I can see trainees chasing after footballs that seem to be dancing across the lush turf of their own volition. Inside the vehicle, the 19-year-old Pole sat next to me is demonstrating the extraordinary power of his stereo.

Wojciech Szczesny is tall, self-confident, outspoken and engaging. It is also possible he is the long-term solution to what is widely perceived to be Arsenal’s goalkeeping problem.

At present, Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski are taking turns between the sticks for the Gunners, but neither man has looked assured. Fabianski, for example, was at fault for both goals as Arsenal were beaten 2-1 by Porto in the first leg of the Champions League last-16 tie. Almunia will get the chance to keep the Portuguese side at bay on Wednesday as Arsenal target a place in the quarter-finals.

So where does Szczesny fit in? Well, he is currently on loan at Brentford until the end of the season after joining the Gunners as a 16-year-old in 2006. The former Legia Warsaw player has been earning rave reviews for his performances in League One and is showing the kind of promise that convinced Arsene Wenger to bring him to England.

In January this year, Wenger said of Szczesny: “We have identified Wojciech as a future great, great goalkeeper. I really believe in him that he will one day be Arsenal’s number one. He has all the qualities you want from a goalkeeper.”

Szczesny hopes to fulfil Wenger’s prediction sooner rather than later.

“When I return to Arsenal I want to be fighting to be first choice,” said the teenager, who says he will stick with his number 53 shirt until the number one becomes his. “You have to believe you are good enough to take someone’s place and I want to take that of whoever is number one at Arsenal.”

Ironically, that could be fellow Pole Fabianski, who also made the move from Legia to Arsenal, albeit in 2007, after Szczesny was already at the Emirates. In fact, it was Szczesny who helped his compatriot adjust to his new surroundings and overcome the language barrier.

Szczesny saves a penalty at Wycombe while playing for Brentford

Speaking to Szczesny, it appears he would have no qualms about relegating Fabianski down the pecking order at Arsenal, and I have no doubt that the youngster has the mental attributes to reach the very top in a position that leaves a player more exposed than any of his team-mates.

It strikes me that Szczesny is the type of person who thrives on adversity, the sort of sportsman who finds it difficult to raise himself for a meaningless friendly but who will perform at his very best if his ability is being questioned.

“I don’t want people to say that I am all right or average,” added Szczesny. “I want people to say I am the best and they love me, or the worst and they hate me.”

It is with obvious satisfaction that he describes a game against Gillingham during which the opposition fans were subjecting him to abuse.

“I love pressure and I absolutely love getting stick from fans,” he said. “The Gillingham supporters were giving it to me but we were winning and that made me feel so nice.”

I am told that Szczesny, who usurped the competent Lewis Price at Griffin Park, made a sensational start to his Brentford career, an opinion that the keeper himself shared when explaining that he felt unbeatable during his first seven or eight performances.

Brentford were struggling near the relegation zone when they initially signed Szczesny on a short-term deal in late November. They have conceded 10 goals in the 13 games the keeper has played since then, moving up the table and away from danger in the process.

However, when I met up with Szczesny prior to their match at Leeds, he was far from satisfied with his most recent performances, arguing he had become “too casual”.

“Being at Brentford has been a tough lesson,” he told me. “Staying focused for the full 90 minutes is difficult but it is something I have to learn. I don’t think I would be doing that playing for Arsenal reserves.

“As a person, I am over-confident and I have always been like that. But as a goalkeeper that is very important because if you make a mistake and stop believing in yourself then you are really going to be weak.”

Szczesny trains with Arsenal during the early part of the week if Brentford do not have a match on Tuesday or Wednesday evening, receiving feedback from the Gunners training staff on his development. But if he feels in need of some extra advice or wise council then he usually calls up his dad.

That’s because Maciej Szczesny is a former Poland international keeper, now a prominent football pundit on television. In fact, the younger Szczesny reckons his old man is so outspoken that he often takes stick back home for what his father has said.

Szczesny returns to Warsaw as often as he can, too, staying in his flat that overlooks the plot for the redeveloped national stadium – being built for Euro 2012 – while he visits friends and, in particular, his girlfriend. His car is littered with used plane tickets.

A new stadium is being built in Warsaw for Euro 2012

Szczesny, labelled the new Iker Casillas back in his homeland, made his full debut for Poland last year in a friendly against Canada, while his solitary first-team appearance for the Gunners came in a Carling Cup tie against West Brom earlier this season.

On the back seat of his car, next to an empty Curly-Wurly wrapper, is a copy of the DVD of the match against the Baggies, and it is obvious that Szczesny is disappointed he did not have more opportunities to press his claims.

A nasty gym accident in November 2008 didn’t help. He broke both arms and now sports a thin six-inch scar up each forearm.

But he is now fully focused on becoming the Arsenal number one. He trained with Bolton before opting to join the Gunners and talks in hellish terms about the twice daily training sessions he was put through with Wanderers. Arriving at Arsenal, he told me, was like arriving in a different world.

There is a refreshing honesty to Szczesny, who lives in an age of dull media platitudes but who clearly has plenty of opinions and is not afraid to share them.

I finish by asking him where he sees himself in a year. The answer is direct and honest: If he is not challenging for the first-team jersey at Arsenal then he will look to go out on loan again, hopefully with a Premier League club but if not then a Championship one.

After he had driven off and I climbed on my bike for the long ride home, it occurred to me that I had not asked him whether he thought he could become as good as Casillas, so I texted him the question.

Later that afternoon, he replied: “Unfortunately I do not know the answer to that question but if you ask me whether I believe it then surely the answer is ‘yes’.”

The answer to Arsenal’s goalkeeping problems? is a post from: Football Reloaded

Franck Ribery – Bayern

Fiorentina v Bayern Munich
UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg
Stadio Artemi Franchi – Florence, Italy
9 March 2010 – 19:45 GMT

Bayern Munich will take a 2-1 lead from the first leg into the second leg against Serie A side Fiorentina in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Fiorentina v Bayern Munich Preview

Bayern Munich heads into the match on good form as they are unbeaten in their last 18 matches and top of the Bundesliga table. Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, who both didn’t start last weekend against FC Cologne, should be available to start on Tuesday. In the first leg, Bayern had a late goal from Miroslav Klose to give them a 2-1 lead.

Fiorentina did get an important away goal in the first leg and can advance with a 1-0 win on Tuesday. The Italian side has not reached the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League/European Cup since 1970. It’s one of the biggest matches in the club’s history. They will likely not be in the Champions League next season as they are in the middle of the Serie A table. Even the Europa League seems out or reach for Fiorentina next season.

Bayern are looking to get back to their rich history when they won the Champions League in 2001. They have the deeper and more talented team to advance to the quarterfinals. The question is if they can turn play to their potential and get a solid performance in Florence.

Fiorentina v Bayern Munich Prediction

Bayern Munich will be able to get a 1-1 draw and advance 3-2 on aggregate.

Watch Fiorentina v Bayern Munich Live Online

You can watch Fiorentina v Bayern Munich live online as well as all other Champions League games. Read our live Champions League football page for more details.

“Fiorentina v Bayern Munich – Preview – 9 March 2010” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.

Fiorentina v Bayern Munich – Preview – 9 March 2010 is a post from: Football Reloaded

Arsenal v Porto

Arsenal v Porto is available as a live blog below as well as an internet stream to watch live online.

Arsenal v Porto
UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg
Emirates Stadium – London, England
19:45 GMT – 9 March 2010

Arsenal hosts Porto on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 in the UEFA Champions League looking to overcome a 2-1 deficit from the first leg.

Arsenal v Porto Preview

Porto had a 2-1 win in the first leg and have proven capable of playing with clubs in the larger leagues. Arsenal did not look great in the first leg and will need to improve their form if they want to advance. A 1-0 victory would put them through but a 2-1 win would require extra time. The Gunners will be without captain Cesc Fabregas who has been the heart and soul of the club for the last few season. William Gallas will also be unavailable for the match.

Porto does not have any injury concerns and will be at full strength for the match. They’ve yet to win at London in a UEFA Champions League match and lost 0-4 at Arsenal in 2008. Despite the history, Porto are a dangerous team with attacking players Falcao, Marian Gonzalez, Cristian Rodriguez, and Hulk. Arsenal will need striker Nicklas Bendtner to convert chances. Bendtner has come under scrutiny this season for his lack of finishing and had numerous chances during Saturday’s EPL match against Burnley.

Arsenal should be able to create chances but will have to take advantage of them if they want to advance. Porto has had trouble scoring goals on the road in the Champions League, especially in England, so a 1-0 win for the Gunners is realistic. The Portuguese side will likely play conservative and look for chances on the counterattack.

Arsenal v Porto Prediction

Arsenal will win the match 1-0.

Arsenal v Porto Live Blog

“Arsenal v Porto – Live Blog – 9 March 2010” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.

Arsenal v Porto – Live Blog – 9 March 2010 is a post from: Football Reloaded

Wigan 0-1 Liverpool
English Premier League
8 March 2010

Liverpool once again struggled to score goals on the road as they lost 0-1 at Wigan on Monday. Wigan Athletic started out a bit slow but started to work their way into the match.

Most of the possession was with Liverpool but they failed to turn that into goals. Fernando Torres has a few decent chances but his rust form injuries showed in the match. Overall, the team seemed to lack the quality and finishing that let to a second place finish last season. Wigan would grab the lead in the 35th minute as Hugo Rodallega scored on a cross from Emmerson Boyce.

The goal was scored because Liverpool gave the ball away in the final third and Wigan took advantage of that chance. The win puts Wigan in better position to avoid relegation while the loss for Liverpool hurts their chances of a 4th place finish. It could be the Europa League and not the Champions League next season for Liverpool.

Wigan 0-1 Liverpool Video Highlights

Rodallega 35′ (1-0)

“Wigan 1-0 Liverpool – Video Highlights – 8 March 2010” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.

Wigan 1-0 Liverpool – Video Highlights – 8 March 2010 is a post from: Football Reloaded