Champions League 2012-13: The week of cup clashes

In the week, where teams were free of Champions League matches, there were cup clashes planned in most of the countries. About these and other matches of the previous weekend will be the story this time.

The major matches of the week:

The main football rivalry of Netherlands, called De Klassieker, took place last Sunday. Ajax was back after the famous win over Manchester City in the Champions League. The team was ready to show some quick football, but the circumstances prevented the champions of doing this. Christian Eriksen, who is getting closer to his top form, scored a nice goal, wittily cutting opponent’s two defenders before beating the keeper. Ajax decided to close down and break Feyenoord’s enthusiasm afterwards, but the team was making too many mistakes in the back. Feyenoord got the equalizer on the 23^rd minute. The second half started as the first one, where Ajax

Champions League 2012-13: The week of superior Juventus and Leo Messi

There are three matches played in the Champions League group stage. Two of most interesting teams represent the northern part of Germany – Gelsenkirchen and Dortmund. Schalke 04 and Borussia will be in the focus of the next article telling about Champions League participants. But before we need to sum up the performance of Champions League 32 in the previous week-end and see what to expect from the upcoming.

The major matches of the week:

Before enjoying the Champions League week 3 matches, we had all eyes on Italian Serie A, where the two leaders had to meet face to face.

Napoli is considered to be the only force able to stop Juventus, so the clash was expected to be cruel. Napoli suggested some harsh football, and Juventus had to accept. There were 41 fouls committed during the match. The teams were pretty solid and concentrated. Not losing seemed to be a big achievement for both, judging by the way the teams played. It was football with no risky counterattacks and no mistakes. And exactly when the hope to see a goal in the central match of the week was diminishing,

Champions League 2012-13: The second matchday, Part II

Go to Part I
Group E

Nordsjælland-Chelsea 0-4 (Mata (2), David Luiz, Ramires)

Despite the score, Nordsjælland was not totally smashed by the Champions of Champions. In fact, the Danish champions considered an unnecessary goal after a childish mistake in the midfield. They had several chances to equalize afterwards, including an episode where the ball hit the post. Only after David Luiz scored a beautiful goal from a free kick the home side stopped playing. Chelsea’s Mata was in a great form.

Champions League 2012-13: The second matchday, Part I

On the 2^nd and 3^rd of October the 32 teams completed the Champions League 2012-13 second matchday. It is still not clear who is going to leave the tournament and who advance to the play-offs, but some blurry picture of the strengths and weaknesses is already seen, when results of matchday 1 and matchday 2 are summed up. There are already teams, who earned some important points and can elaborate on this; and there are some that need to come into the fight, if they plan to leave a mark in this year’s Eurocups. Let’s take a closer look at the matches played in the second round of the group stage, where half of the matches were won by the visitors.

Group A

Porto-PSG 1-0 (James Rodriguez)

This was one of the central matches of the round, where

Champions League 2012-13: The week of derbies

The major matches of the week:

This was one of the biggest week-ends of the season, where fans have difficulties in choosing the right match to watch.

Let’s start with El Classico. There was a 7 point difference between the teams, while Barcelona had all its matches won so far. The starting line-ups didn't include any surprise decisions. Barca had Mascherano and Adriano in the central defense, due to Puyol's injury and Pique's disqualification. Despite the rumors, Oezil was on in Real’s starting eleven.

Champions League 2012-13: FC Porto and Malaga CF

FC Porto, Portugal

UEFA Ranking: 8

Champions League participations: 17 (missed only 1994-95, 2002-03, 2010-11) - - best result – Champions (2003-04)

Total transfer amount of all players: 173,8 mln €

The most expensive players: Joao Moutinho

TOP 10 BOOKS ON TACTICS

1. Football and Chess: Tactics Strategy Beauty

Why are football and chess 'beautiful games'? Do top football coaches read the pitch as a chess player reads the board? What is the connection between Jose Mourinho's defensive cunning and Grandmaster Wilhelm Steinitz's 'principles of defence'? The global popularity of football and chess remains unmatched by any other game. In this book, Adam Wells argues that stereotypical views of the games have concealed a deep connection between them. The first study of its kind, this book explores a rich world of tactics, psychology and aesthetics. Structural principles are analysed using real life examples to show how these connections play out on the board and in the field. This book is accessible to fans of either game, including football fans with no previous knowledge of chess. Readers will see how chess can be a pulsating, dynamic game, whilst appreciating that football shares much of the mystery and structural beauty of the world's greatest board game.

2.  FC Barcelona - A Tactical Analysis: Attacking

Champions League 2012-13: The week-end after Champions League Day 2

We enjoyed Champions League matches during the week, but let’s look back and see what happened in Europe in the week-end preceding the Champions League matchday 2. And there was a lot to watch! 

Champions League will be discussed right before the 3^rd matchday, and before this we will have a chance to watch closely the only two teams that not only won their two first matches, but also kept clean sheets. These two teams are Porto and Malaga.

Let’s start with Eredivisie.

Champions League 2012-13: The first matchday

It is always fascinating to watch the first round of Champions League group stage. It is especially interesting in the prospective of challengers and underdogs, who get only 6 chances to justify their presence in the tournament. Some of them have already achieved something tangible, something they will be proud of even if they do not build up on the successful start.

Let’s look at the 16 incredible matches closely.

Group A

PSG-Dynamo 4-1