วันอังคารที่ 28 เมษายน พ.ศ. 2552
Chelsea boss Guus has title Blues
Guus Hiddink all-but conceded that Chelsea were out of the Premier League title race after Wednesday's failure to overcome a stubborn Everton.
In a dress rehearsal for the FA Cup final at the end of May, neither side managed to break the deadlock in a game dominated by goalkeepers on a night when both sides failed to take any of their chances.
Chelsea's Petr Cech and Everton's Tim Howard produced fine solo performances to preserve the stalemate which, coupled with Manchester United's 2-0 victory over Portsmouth, put an end to any remaining title ambitions for Hiddink's side.
"We said before the game that the two followers of Manchester United must not waste any points to keep in the race but the facts are we lost two points tonight," said Hiddink.
"You must be realistic that maybe mathematically there is still a chance but also on the other hand, you cannot waste any points.
"We always said the pressure was more on Liverpool and Chelsea regarding the title race because United have a game in hand.
"That's how the facts are. It is difficult but we now have to focus on only two other roads - the Champions League and later on in May, against Everton again in the FA Cup final.
"Everyone is disappointed. We knew it was difficult to go for the title so when you drop two points there is disappointment of course. But this team is able to cope with that and focus ourselves on the difficult game against Barcelona next week."
Hiddink was also keen to divert praise to Cech, who shook off some lacklustre recent displays to put in a gutsy showing.
"Everton had some dangerous counter-attacks and in those counter-attacks I'd like to pick out one player - Petr Cech. He made some good saves.
"At the end he was very brave especially regarding his past (head) injury. He put his head into a dangerous situation and had a good performance.
"He showed tonight what he is capable of as he has done in the past. But every player has a right to have a period when he is not at peak performance.
"Maybe one or two might be rested or not playing as much as normal in the league but we have to focus more on the upcoming Champions League games."
Everton boss David Moyes was delighted with his side's point after their gruelling victory over Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final at the weekend.
"It was a good point under the circumstances after playing 120 minutes on Sunday," said Moyes.
"We didn't have a massive amount of recovery before coming here to play a team who are in good form. So I think a point was a good result for us.
"We had some good chances but I thought Joseph Yobo and Joleon Lescott were terrific at the back. I thought all the boys at the back were very good.
"We kept a clean sheet for 120 minutes on Sunday and for another 90 tonight, so they are doing well.
"We have to be resilient. When you are up against a very good team who have spent heavily, there will be times when you are under pressure and you need to have defenders who can cope.
"The players feel great, they have been playing great all season and I have to say well done to them. This was another terrific effort from them.
"It means a lot to me to finish fifth. If we do it this year it will be four top six finishes out of five. So what we've done is a decent effort and Everton are becoming a side that is competing at a top level."
In a dress rehearsal for the FA Cup final at the end of May, neither side managed to break the deadlock in a game dominated by goalkeepers on a night when both sides failed to take any of their chances.
Chelsea's Petr Cech and Everton's Tim Howard produced fine solo performances to preserve the stalemate which, coupled with Manchester United's 2-0 victory over Portsmouth, put an end to any remaining title ambitions for Hiddink's side.
"We said before the game that the two followers of Manchester United must not waste any points to keep in the race but the facts are we lost two points tonight," said Hiddink.
"You must be realistic that maybe mathematically there is still a chance but also on the other hand, you cannot waste any points.
"We always said the pressure was more on Liverpool and Chelsea regarding the title race because United have a game in hand.
"That's how the facts are. It is difficult but we now have to focus on only two other roads - the Champions League and later on in May, against Everton again in the FA Cup final.
"Everyone is disappointed. We knew it was difficult to go for the title so when you drop two points there is disappointment of course. But this team is able to cope with that and focus ourselves on the difficult game against Barcelona next week."
Hiddink was also keen to divert praise to Cech, who shook off some lacklustre recent displays to put in a gutsy showing.
"Everton had some dangerous counter-attacks and in those counter-attacks I'd like to pick out one player - Petr Cech. He made some good saves.
"At the end he was very brave especially regarding his past (head) injury. He put his head into a dangerous situation and had a good performance.
"He showed tonight what he is capable of as he has done in the past. But every player has a right to have a period when he is not at peak performance.
"Maybe one or two might be rested or not playing as much as normal in the league but we have to focus more on the upcoming Champions League games."
Everton boss David Moyes was delighted with his side's point after their gruelling victory over Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final at the weekend.
"It was a good point under the circumstances after playing 120 minutes on Sunday," said Moyes.
"We didn't have a massive amount of recovery before coming here to play a team who are in good form. So I think a point was a good result for us.
"We had some good chances but I thought Joseph Yobo and Joleon Lescott were terrific at the back. I thought all the boys at the back were very good.
"We kept a clean sheet for 120 minutes on Sunday and for another 90 tonight, so they are doing well.
"We have to be resilient. When you are up against a very good team who have spent heavily, there will be times when you are under pressure and you need to have defenders who can cope.
"The players feel great, they have been playing great all season and I have to say well done to them. This was another terrific effort from them.
"It means a lot to me to finish fifth. If we do it this year it will be four top six finishes out of five. So what we've done is a decent effort and Everton are becoming a side that is competing at a top level."
Hiddink Predicts Nou Camp Goals
Guus Hiddink has put the nation on goal alert after predicting Chelsea and Barcelona could serve up another feast of football in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at the Nou Camp on Tuesday night.
Chelsea and Liverpool produced one of the most exhilarating matches seen in the Champions League when they drew 4-4 in the quarter-final, second leg at Stamford Bridge a fortnight ago.
Chelsea secured their semi-final spot 7-5 on aggregate after fighting back from two goals down at the interval and Hiddink hinted there could be more exciting times ahead against Barca.
"I think both teams have a style to attack when they can," declared Hiddink. "Barcelona like to attack and Chelsea are not a team who have the strategy to sit back and wait until it happens.
"The team have shown a lot of initiatives and that's why I think it is more or less an open clash, with two teams who like to go forward."
After their 4-4 draw with Liverpool, Hiddink knows his side cannot afford to start in a sluggish fashion against Barcelona.
He continued: "It is the whole squad's responsibility to make sure we have a concentrated start.
"I have seen Barcelona play many times in the last weeks and also before.
"For a long time I have been a Barcelona admirer and an admirer of their philosophy.
"The players not only play for themselves but also a great club and they know it, in a side which is very attacking and attractive - it makes it typical of the Barca style."
Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto'o and Thierry Henry have scored 90 goals between them in all competitions this season.
However, Argentina international Messi is perceived as the biggest threat with 21 goals to his name so far this season.
The subject of how to stop the winger has dominated the pre-match build-up following the suspension of England left-back Ashley Cole.
It has left Chelsea without a recognised replacement following the sale of Wayne Bridge to Manchester City in January and an untimely knee ligament injury to Paulo Ferreira.
The answer for the Dutchman is to place his faith in Portugal international Jose Bosingwa, and Hiddink remains confident the full-back's vast European and international experience will be the key to success.
Normally a right-back, Bosingwa switched to the other flank in the Barclays Premier League win over West Ham on Saturday but Messi is certain to provide him with more problems than Luis Boa Morte did at Upton Park.
Hiddink added: "Messi had big promise and, within a short period, he has made it happen completely.
"I like very much the way he plays, he does like the stardom of playing and it's very effective. It looks very simple but it is very difficult.
"But I have full confidence that Bosingwa can do the job."
Chelsea and Liverpool produced one of the most exhilarating matches seen in the Champions League when they drew 4-4 in the quarter-final, second leg at Stamford Bridge a fortnight ago.
Chelsea secured their semi-final spot 7-5 on aggregate after fighting back from two goals down at the interval and Hiddink hinted there could be more exciting times ahead against Barca.
"I think both teams have a style to attack when they can," declared Hiddink. "Barcelona like to attack and Chelsea are not a team who have the strategy to sit back and wait until it happens.
"The team have shown a lot of initiatives and that's why I think it is more or less an open clash, with two teams who like to go forward."
After their 4-4 draw with Liverpool, Hiddink knows his side cannot afford to start in a sluggish fashion against Barcelona.
He continued: "It is the whole squad's responsibility to make sure we have a concentrated start.
"I have seen Barcelona play many times in the last weeks and also before.
"For a long time I have been a Barcelona admirer and an admirer of their philosophy.
"The players not only play for themselves but also a great club and they know it, in a side which is very attacking and attractive - it makes it typical of the Barca style."
Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto'o and Thierry Henry have scored 90 goals between them in all competitions this season.
However, Argentina international Messi is perceived as the biggest threat with 21 goals to his name so far this season.
The subject of how to stop the winger has dominated the pre-match build-up following the suspension of England left-back Ashley Cole.
It has left Chelsea without a recognised replacement following the sale of Wayne Bridge to Manchester City in January and an untimely knee ligament injury to Paulo Ferreira.
The answer for the Dutchman is to place his faith in Portugal international Jose Bosingwa, and Hiddink remains confident the full-back's vast European and international experience will be the key to success.
Normally a right-back, Bosingwa switched to the other flank in the Barclays Premier League win over West Ham on Saturday but Messi is certain to provide him with more problems than Luis Boa Morte did at Upton Park.
Hiddink added: "Messi had big promise and, within a short period, he has made it happen completely.
"I like very much the way he plays, he does like the stardom of playing and it's very effective. It looks very simple but it is very difficult.
"But I have full confidence that Bosingwa can do the job."
PEP WARY OF `PHYSICAL` CHELSEA
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola wants to see his players dominate a "physical" Chelsea side when they meet in Tuesday night's Champions League semi-final, first leg at the Nou Camp.
Guardiola, who won the Champions League as a Barca player in 1992, has led the Catalan giants all the way to the last four in his first season as coach.
Barcelona are also top of the Primera Division and face Athletic Bilbao in the final of the Copa del Rey next month.
A possible treble is therefore still on for the Catalans but the Champions League is likely to be the hardest to win of those three competitions and Guardiola hopes his players can avoid getting dragged into a physical battle against Chelsea.
"They are a very strong team physically and have a lot of experience," he said.
"From a physical point of view, they are much more powerful than us, so my players will have to dominate."
Guardiola is particularly concerned by the threat Guus Hiddink's side pose from set-pieces.
"People like (Branislav) Ivanovic, (John) Terry, (Michael) Ballack and (Didier) Drogba are strong in the air, so the less free-kicks and corners we give away the better - because they are better than us in that respect," he said.
After Tuesday night's first leg, the two sides meet again in London on May 6, and Guardiola believes the second match will decide which team progresses to the final in Rome later next month.
"It will be decided in London and we won't be relaxed, whatever the result on Tuesday," he said.
Guardiola was part of the Barcelona side that overcame a 3-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge with a stunning 5-1 win at the Nou Camp in 2000.
That success - which saw the Catalans advance to the semi-finals, where they were then beaten by Valencia - was inspired by Luis Figo.
"We played well that night and Figo was immense," Guardiola said. "But we have players like him who can inspire us this time."
Barcelona also knocked out Chelsea on the way to the title in 2006, having been eliminated by Jose Mourinho's side the previous season following a 4-2 defeat in London.
Nevertheless, Guardiola insists Barcelona will remain true to their attacking philosophy in the two games against Hiddink's side.
"We will play our attacking game - that's the only way we know how," he said.
Xavi also claimed the Catalans will set out to attack.
"If we play like we can and we maintain our attacking philosophy, they will suffer. We'll look to imprint our rhythm and intensity on the game from the very first minute," he said.
Nevertheless, Xavi believes Chelsea will be difficult to beat.
"They are complicated team to play against - they have a lot of individual talent and they're physically strong," he said.
Guardiola, meanwhile, admits he is living out a dream as coach of Barca.
He started out as a ball-boy at the club, before progressing through the youth system to become a key component in Johan Cruyff's legendary 'Dream Team'.
Guardiola starred as Barcelona won a string of titles - many as team captain - under Johan Cruyff, Bobby Robson and Louis Van Gaal.
And now, in his first season as coach, Guardiola is excited by his side's Champions league adventure.
"I'm like a little boy with new shoes," he said.
"I'm immensely happy, I'm living a dream and I don't know when it will be repeated so I want to enjoy it to the maximum."
Guardiola, who won the Champions League as a Barca player in 1992, has led the Catalan giants all the way to the last four in his first season as coach.
Barcelona are also top of the Primera Division and face Athletic Bilbao in the final of the Copa del Rey next month.
A possible treble is therefore still on for the Catalans but the Champions League is likely to be the hardest to win of those three competitions and Guardiola hopes his players can avoid getting dragged into a physical battle against Chelsea.
"They are a very strong team physically and have a lot of experience," he said.
"From a physical point of view, they are much more powerful than us, so my players will have to dominate."
Guardiola is particularly concerned by the threat Guus Hiddink's side pose from set-pieces.
"People like (Branislav) Ivanovic, (John) Terry, (Michael) Ballack and (Didier) Drogba are strong in the air, so the less free-kicks and corners we give away the better - because they are better than us in that respect," he said.
After Tuesday night's first leg, the two sides meet again in London on May 6, and Guardiola believes the second match will decide which team progresses to the final in Rome later next month.
"It will be decided in London and we won't be relaxed, whatever the result on Tuesday," he said.
Guardiola was part of the Barcelona side that overcame a 3-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge with a stunning 5-1 win at the Nou Camp in 2000.
That success - which saw the Catalans advance to the semi-finals, where they were then beaten by Valencia - was inspired by Luis Figo.
"We played well that night and Figo was immense," Guardiola said. "But we have players like him who can inspire us this time."
Barcelona also knocked out Chelsea on the way to the title in 2006, having been eliminated by Jose Mourinho's side the previous season following a 4-2 defeat in London.
Nevertheless, Guardiola insists Barcelona will remain true to their attacking philosophy in the two games against Hiddink's side.
"We will play our attacking game - that's the only way we know how," he said.
Xavi also claimed the Catalans will set out to attack.
"If we play like we can and we maintain our attacking philosophy, they will suffer. We'll look to imprint our rhythm and intensity on the game from the very first minute," he said.
Nevertheless, Xavi believes Chelsea will be difficult to beat.
"They are complicated team to play against - they have a lot of individual talent and they're physically strong," he said.
Guardiola, meanwhile, admits he is living out a dream as coach of Barca.
He started out as a ball-boy at the club, before progressing through the youth system to become a key component in Johan Cruyff's legendary 'Dream Team'.
Guardiola starred as Barcelona won a string of titles - many as team captain - under Johan Cruyff, Bobby Robson and Louis Van Gaal.
And now, in his first season as coach, Guardiola is excited by his side's Champions league adventure.
"I'm like a little boy with new shoes," he said.
"I'm immensely happy, I'm living a dream and I don't know when it will be repeated so I want to enjoy it to the maximum."
Hiddink Acknowledges That Drogba Is A Core Component Of Chelsea's Hopes Of Slaying Barcelona
Chelsea's hopes of beating Barcelona on their own patch this evening in the curtain-raising leg of their Champions League semi-final could hinge on whether powerful match-changer Didier Drogba has a good game or not, according to Guus Hiddink - who is fast approaching the conclusion of his temporary tenure as boss of the Stamford Bridge side.
The cultured and experienced Dutchman - who won a European Cup with his PSV side in the 1980s - told Sky Sports, "He’s very important. He is a very charismatic player, fighting for the team.
"He’s also very efficient with his productivity and he knows what to do. He knows, also, what not to do. That’s very important." Drogba went down in Champions League infamy when he was shown red during last year's final in Moscow against Manchester United.
"You can’t make any relation between then and now," Hiddink claimed.
"I don’t know exactly the reasons for the red cards but I think now he’s very committed in the way he’s playing.
"I thought the red card in Moscow last season was something in a little dispute — it was not something out of nothing — but he’s now focused on his work and not on extra things," he concluded.
The cultured and experienced Dutchman - who won a European Cup with his PSV side in the 1980s - told Sky Sports, "He’s very important. He is a very charismatic player, fighting for the team.
"He’s also very efficient with his productivity and he knows what to do. He knows, also, what not to do. That’s very important." Drogba went down in Champions League infamy when he was shown red during last year's final in Moscow against Manchester United.
"You can’t make any relation between then and now," Hiddink claimed.
"I don’t know exactly the reasons for the red cards but I think now he’s very committed in the way he’s playing.
"I thought the red card in Moscow last season was something in a little dispute — it was not something out of nothing — but he’s now focused on his work and not on extra things," he concluded.
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