Barcelona vs. Man Utd

Who will win?

Uefa charges Drogba and Bosingwa

Uefa has charged Chelsea players Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa for insulting the referee after their Champions League exit at the hands of Barcelona.

Disciplinary proceedings have also been initiated against Chelsea for the improper conduct of their players and the throwing of missiles by their fans.

Uefa has asked for a response by 29 May and will deal with the case on 17 June.

The Blues lost their semi-final after a series of controversial refereeing decisions by Tom Henning Ovrebo.

The Norwegian turned down a host of strong penalty appeals from Chelsea during their 1-1, second leg game at Stamford Bridge on 6 May that saw Barca go through on away goals.

Drogba and several team-mates surrounded Ovrebo after the final whistle to remonstrate with the Norwegian official over several of his decisions.

Ferdinand faces ‘toughest battle’

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand says the race to be fit for the Champions League final in Rome is “the toughest battle of his career.”

Ferdinand has missed three games with a calf injury and has been told he must prove his fitness against Hull on Sunday to have any chance of playing.

“It’s perhaps the most important injury battle of my career,” he said ahead of next Wednesday’s clash with Barcelona.

“I’ve not thought about not playing in the final. It’s as simple as that.”

Ferdinand last played for United in the Champions League semi-final, second-leg victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on 5 May, shortly before suffering his calf injury in training.

He had already been doubtful for that game because of a rib injury sustained in the first leg, while he has also been plagued by back and groin problems this season.

If Ferdinand is not fit for the game against Barcelona next week, his place in the team is likely to go to Jonny Evans.

However, 30-year-old Ferdinand said he was so preoccupied with thinking about his injury, he was not thinking too much about the game in Rome next week.

“I trained with the ball on Wednesday and did some running, so I’m doing all the movements I need to be doing before a game,” he said.

“I haven’t even thought much about the actual details of the final. I’ve been so engrossed in my injury that I haven’t thought about much else.

“I’ll start thinking about the actual match when I’m sitting on the plane to Rome.”

“You’ll have to ask the manager if I’m playing, but physically I’d be able to do it, no problem.”

source:bbcsports

Barca clinch Spanish league title

Barcelona clinched their 19th Spanish league title without kicking a ball after title-rivals Real Madrid lost 3-2 at Villarreal on Saturday.

It left Pep Guardiola’s side with an unassailable lead ahead of their match at Mallorca on Sunday.

On Wednesday Barcelona won the Copa del Rey when beating Athletic Bilbao 4-1.

Barca could become the first Spanish side in history to win the treble if they beat Manchester United in the Champions League final on 27 May.

The Catalan club’s title triumph was their first in three years and is their first domestic double for 11 seasons.

Their Copa del Rey victory was the first time they had won the cup since 1998 and was their first piece of silverware in two seasons.

Barcelona currently have 86 points and a goal difference of plus 72 with three games left, while Madrid have 78 points with two to play.

Their triumph came on the same day that their Champions League rivals United claimed their third successive English Premier League title with a 0-0 draw against Arsenal.

The pair meet in Rome with United looking to defend their European title.

Barcelona’s success this year has vindicated their decision to part company with long-standing coach Frank Rijkaard at the end of last season and appoint former player Guardiola as manager.

For 38-year-old Guardiola, a Catalonian by birth, this week’s triumphs are his first as manager of the club he spent 11 years playing for.

source:bbcsports

Ferguson hungry for four in a row

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson barely savoured winning his 11th Premier League title beforetargeting a fourth consecutive triumph.

The 0-0 draw with Arsenal gave United their 18th league crown, and equalled the record of rivals Liverpool, but the Scot is already hungry for more glory.

“The great challenge now is to try to win it next year because that would be something special,” he said.

“A 19th league title would give us a special place in the club’s history.”

Ferguson added: “I am already thinking about next year. You have to do it here. There is nothing else for it. You just drive on.

“I do take a lot of pride from equalling Liverpool. When I came down here they were the top guns. My job was to try to change that.

“I never thought we could get 11 titles – never in a million years.”

But before the 67-year-old can start to mastermind another league campaign, he will lead his team out in Rome in 10 days for the Champions League final against Barcelona.

Ancelotti plays down Chelsea link

AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti has played down rumours that he is to become Chelsea’s next manager.

BBC Sport understands that Ancelotti is Chelsea’s number one target to replace interim manager Guus Hiddink, who is at the club until the end of the season.

Hiddink, who took over from Luis Felipe Scolari in February, returns to his job as Russia manager in May.

“I don’t have to give my availability. The time has not yet come for me to be replaced at Milan,” said Ancelotti.

Ancelotti also said that the constant speculation surrounding his future at the Italian giants was not something that he worried about.

“It is not a problem that concerns me,” added the 49-year-old.

Chelsea were reported to be interested in Ancelotti last year after previous boss Avram Grant left the club, but Milan prevented any approach.

Former Barcelona boss Frank Rjikaard is also thought to be a Chelsea target, although Hiddink could also decide to stay on permanently at the end of the season.

But Italian Ancelotti, who is contracted to Milan until June 2010, is committed to the Serie A club.

He is also desperate to complete a hat-trick of Champions League victories with Milan.

“It’s easier to win in Europe with Milan than with other clubs so I am staying here,” he added.

Ancelotti is the longest-serving manager in Italy’s top flight after joining the Rossoneri in 2001.

He led Milan to success in the Champions League in 2003 and 2007 and Serie A in 2004 after joining them in 2001 from Juventus.

source:bbcsports

Should Man Utd Keep Tevez?

Tevez proved his worth when he scored for United against Wigan on Wednesday. He’s been at United for almost 2 years and after what supporters will agree has been an impressive performance by the Argentine, he still has not been offered a deal to stay. Do you think Man Utd should keep him or let him go?

I’m Back Guys, let’s talk soccer

Sorry people. I took some time off but now i’m back so we can talk soccer!! Let your comments flood in!

Tevez affair sparks war of words

A war of words has broken out between Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Carlos Tevez’s adviser over the striker’s future.

Ferguson said a deal to keep Tevez at Old Trafford after his loan expires in the summer had been put on the table

Tevez’s adviser Kia Joorabchian confirmed a meeting had taken place with chief executive David Gill.

But he added: “It is categorically untrue Manchester United made an offer to try to persuade Carlos to stay.”

The Argentine proved his worth to United on Wednesday night as he scored in the 2-1 win over Wigan, a victory that moved the club to within one point of a third consecutive Premier League title.

Tevez, 25, has hinted he will leave as he has not been offered a permanent deal but Ferguson said talks had begun.

“He knows I want him to stay. We spoke today and chief executive David Gill has had meetings with him,” added Ferguson.

“We have given him an offer and we hope he accepts. The problem is we are not negotiating with a football club.”

Tevez’s registration is kept by Joorabchian and he claimed United have not taken up the option to buy Tevez after his two-year loan deal expires. A spokesman for Joorabchian said: “In 2007 Manchester United agreed a two-year loan deal for Carlos Tevez and at the same time agreed the terms that would make the transfer permanent.