PRE-MATCH BRIEFING: APOEL V CHELSEA
Two thousand miles from home, Chelsea aim for the Champions League win that has been elusive outside of England. Club historian Rick Glanvill and club statistician Paul Dutton look closely at the match in the Med.
TALKING POINTS
Champions League novices APOEL have the task of facing a Chelsea side still stinging from domestic defeat at the hands of Wigan. The fact that the Nicosia side use the same formation as the Latics will give some indication as to whether Carlo Ancelotti's Christmas tree needs a few more bright lights to decorate it.
After the virus that laid him low last weekend, Joe Cole could provide one of them. Didier Drogba - arguably Chelsea's best performer on Saturday - serves the second of his three Uefa bans, José Bosingwa his second of two. With Ashley Cole and Mikel both limping away from the DW Stadium, the depleted Blues will be digging deep for victory in the Pancyprian Gymnastic Association Stadium again tonight, despite the more obvious importance of a home title tussle against Liverpool on Sunday.
KEY STAT
Chelsea are targeting a first away win in the Champions League group stage since 2007.
Greek Cypriots APOEL are making their home debut in the Champions League group stage. Arch-rivals Anorthosis Famagusta became the first side from the Mediterranean island to achieve that feat last season, but only managed one win (against Greek side Panathanaikos), three draws and two defeats.
Situated 44 miles south of Turkey and 500 miles off the coast of Greece, Cyprus is occupied by both Turkish and Greek Cypriots, often unhappy neighbours. APOEL are regarded as having nationalist supporters (which has spilled over into swastikas appearing in the home stands on occasion). The initials by which the club is known stand for Athletic Football Club of the Greeks of Nicosia. In fact political events have often accompanied on-field moments.
In mid-November 1963, APOEL recorded the worst defeat in the history of Uefa club competitions: 1-16 away to Sporting in Lisbon.
Two weeks later Greek Cypriot president Archbishop Makarios proposed changes to the island's young constitution that prompted minority Turkish Cypriot representatives to quit the government and usher in a period of dangerous uncertainty. This culminated in the Turkish invasion a decade later, and the division of the island into north and south. (Anorthosis had to relocate south to Larnaca in 1974.)
Tens of thousands of Cypriots were displaced and many sought refuge in London, the island having previously been occupied by the British. Naturally, there is a team called APOEL in north London's Cypriot Football League.
There was a more recent Chelsea export in the other direction: Portugal B international Nuno Morais joined APOEL in the summer of 2007 when his Chelsea contract had expired, having been with the Blues since 2004. His debut against Scunthorpe in the 2004/05 FA Cup at Stamford Bridge was his only start and he made a further eight appearances as a sub, including Bayern Munich away. The defender played for the Cypriots in their creditable 0-0 away draw with Atlético on Matchday One of this competition. He wears the same number as John Terry: 26.
In 1983 Turkish Cypriots set up a separate state in the north that was recognised only in Istanbul. Three years later the island's politics once again spilled into the sporting arena as APOEL were drawn against Turkish side Besiktas in the 1986/7 European Cup. The Greek Cypriot government forbade APOEL from playing Turkish opposition, and Uefa banned the club for a year as punishment.
APOEL competed in the European Cup in five seasons, failing to make it further than the first round. This is their fifth campaign in the Champions League.
Their form this season has been disastrous, with three league and Champions League defeats already - one fewer than the whole of last season. They are planted in mid-table of the Marfin Laiki Championship with five points from four matches, their worst start for 38 years.
However, a 3-0 win over struggling Doxa Katokopia at the GSP (pronounced Gah See Pee) stadium, with two goals from big summer signing from Murcia, Adrian Sikora, restored faith that their excellent home form will again underpin the quest for silverware.
Although APOEL's official colours are blue and yellow, most supporters have adopted a Petr Cech-style flaming orange. The stadium is a small open bowl, but the banked seats are close to the pitch and the passionate fans generate a considerable din.
Things can degenerate, however: their last home defeat was in May against fierce city rivals Omonia, a game abandoned at 2-0 to the visitors because of crowd trouble (one of five Cypriot matches to succumb to such trouble last season). The Cyprus FA ruled that the result should stand but no points be allocated.
Less violent spirit on and off the pitch saw APOEL through a tough assignment against Copenhagen in the final qualifying round for the group stage. They trailed 0-1 from the away leg, but triumphed 3-1 in Nicosia.
Following APOEL's draw in Madrid, doubts must have arisen in Atlético's minds that they can progress from the group. Their visit to Porto, impressive at the Bridge two weeks back, takes on renewed importance for both teams.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Chelsea Banned from transfer market
Club have been banned from making any player transfers for the next two transfers windows by FIFA on Thursday.
FIFA, football's world governing body, have banned Chelsea after French Ligue 1 club RC Lens made an official complaint over Chelsea's signing of their young player Gael Kakuta in 2007.
RC Lens claimed that Chelsea 'Tapped-up' the French Under-17 player, who moved to Stamford Bridge in 2007, with Chelsea having been found guilty of forcing Kakuta to break his contract with the club.
18-year-old Kakuta has been banned for 4 months and been fined €780,000 (£680,000) due to a breach of contract with his old club in the summer of 2007.
FIFA's Dispute Resolution Chamber (also known as the DRC) has looked into the transfer and has banned Chelsea from signing any new players during the next two transfer windows, which means The Blues won't be able to make any player transfers until January 2011.
FIFA relseased the following statement on their website: "On the occasion of its last meeting held on 27 August 2009, the Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) was called to pass a decision in a contractual dispute opposing the French club Lens to the French player Gael Kakuta and the English club Chelsea.
"The French club had lodged a claim with FIFA seeking compensation for breach of contract from the player and requesting also sporting sanctions to be imposed on the player and the English club for breach of contract and inducement to breach of contract respectively.
"The DRC found that the player had indeed breached a contract signed with the French club. Equally, the DRC deemed it to be established that the English club induced the player to such a breach.
"As a result the player was condemned to pay compensation in the amount of €780,000, for which the club, Chelsea, are jointly and severally liable, and sporting sanctions were imposed on both the player and Chelsea in accordance with art. 17 par. 3 and 4 of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.
"A restriction of four months on his eligibility to play in official matches has been imposed on Kakuta. Chelsea are banned from registering any new players, either nationally or internationally, for the two next entire and consecutive registration periods following the notification of the present decision.
"Furthermore, the club, Chelsea, have to pay Lens training compensation in the amount of €130,000."
Chelsea are yet to make a statement, but are expected to appeal the decision.
Further updates will appear here shortly.
FIFA, football's world governing body, have banned Chelsea after French Ligue 1 club RC Lens made an official complaint over Chelsea's signing of their young player Gael Kakuta in 2007.
RC Lens claimed that Chelsea 'Tapped-up' the French Under-17 player, who moved to Stamford Bridge in 2007, with Chelsea having been found guilty of forcing Kakuta to break his contract with the club.
18-year-old Kakuta has been banned for 4 months and been fined €780,000 (£680,000) due to a breach of contract with his old club in the summer of 2007.
FIFA's Dispute Resolution Chamber (also known as the DRC) has looked into the transfer and has banned Chelsea from signing any new players during the next two transfer windows, which means The Blues won't be able to make any player transfers until January 2011.
FIFA relseased the following statement on their website: "On the occasion of its last meeting held on 27 August 2009, the Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) was called to pass a decision in a contractual dispute opposing the French club Lens to the French player Gael Kakuta and the English club Chelsea.
"The French club had lodged a claim with FIFA seeking compensation for breach of contract from the player and requesting also sporting sanctions to be imposed on the player and the English club for breach of contract and inducement to breach of contract respectively.
"The DRC found that the player had indeed breached a contract signed with the French club. Equally, the DRC deemed it to be established that the English club induced the player to such a breach.
"As a result the player was condemned to pay compensation in the amount of €780,000, for which the club, Chelsea, are jointly and severally liable, and sporting sanctions were imposed on both the player and Chelsea in accordance with art. 17 par. 3 and 4 of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.
"A restriction of four months on his eligibility to play in official matches has been imposed on Kakuta. Chelsea are banned from registering any new players, either nationally or internationally, for the two next entire and consecutive registration periods following the notification of the present decision.
"Furthermore, the club, Chelsea, have to pay Lens training compensation in the amount of €130,000."
Chelsea are yet to make a statement, but are expected to appeal the decision.
Further updates will appear here shortly.
Arsenal defeats Olympiakos in champions league
Late goals from Robin van Persie and Andrey Arshavin saw Arsenal beat Olympiacos at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday but it was so nearly a night of frustration for Arsène Wenger's side.
The Greek champions kept their hosts at bay for 78 maddening minutes. Arsenal were always on top but a mixture of visiting keeper Antonis Nikopolidis and some profligate finishing maintained the stalemate.
Frustration was just taking over when the deadlock was broken. The excellent Cesc Fabregas fed Eduardo on the left and Van Persie converted from close range. With four minutes remaining, Arshavin completed the scoring with a cheeky backheel from the Spaniard's pass.
All in all, it was a pleasing night for Wenger's men. They now have six points from two games and are in control of Group H.
But this had been a game of patience.
Wenger made two changes from Saturday. As against Standard Liege on Matchday One, Emmanuel Eboue came in for Bacary Sagna at right back.
Meanwhile Tomas Rosicky replaced Nicklas Bendtner on the right. The Danish striker was feeling the effects of a minor car crash over the weekend.
Olympiacos had Olof Mellberg, Emirates Stadium's first goal-scorer, in their line-up and Zico as manager. Of course, the Brazilian had a super-stellar playing career, far outstripping his opposite number tonight. But, on the strength of this evening's one-way affair, Wenger was in charge of the better team.
There were scares for both keepers in the first 15 minutes. Olympiacos striker Vassilis Torosidis nearly caught out Vito Mannone with an impudent chip from the right flank. Fortunately for the Italian the effort drifted wide.
Shortly afterwards Arshavin tried to find Rosicky at the back post and Antonis Nikopolidis, rather cackhandedly, palmed the ball away.
It was the start of a busy night for the grey-haired keeper.
On the quarter-hour, Fabregas thumped a cross-field ball to Clichy, whose instant control allowed him to breeze past his marker and reach the byline. The Frenchman cut the ball back and Arshavin's low first-time shot was saved by the stretching Nikopolidis
Then, in the 17th minute, Fabregas conjured the ball between his feet and juddered the bar with a shot from the edge of the area. Van Persie collected the rebound and set-up Rosicky who forced a full-length save from Nikopolidis.
A couple of minutes later, some trademark Arshavin trickery allowed him to prod a shot towards goal. Nikopolidis turned the ball aside.
Midway through the half, Fabregas was again denied by Nikopolidis. This time he shovelled his shot away.
It started to look like the Euro 2004 winner was the only thing standing between Olympiacos and a drubbing. The Greek champions were now looking devoid of attacking intent.
In the 32nd minute, Van Persie threaded a corner through the penalty area and Thomas Vermaelen timed his run, escaped his marker then somehow failed to convert. A head-in-hands moment for the free-scoring Belgian defender.
A header from Torosidis reminded the Arsenal defence that he was still around but Van Persie ran straight up the other end fired a rising shot over the bar.
Five minutes before the break, the Dutchman, rather aptly, Cryuff-turned his marker one way then the other before seeing his shot saved at the near post by Nikopolidis.
As the whistle approached, the keeper tipped a free-kick away from Vermaelen and Diaby nudged a header past the far post. It had been all Arsenal for the last half-hour.
Olympiacos needed an overhaul at the break. Zico settled for one change - Ieroklis Stoltidis for Jaouad Zaïri. It seemed to help.
In the opening minutes the visitors fashioned their first real chance.
The Greek champions kept their hosts at bay for 78 maddening minutes. Arsenal were always on top but a mixture of visiting keeper Antonis Nikopolidis and some profligate finishing maintained the stalemate.
Frustration was just taking over when the deadlock was broken. The excellent Cesc Fabregas fed Eduardo on the left and Van Persie converted from close range. With four minutes remaining, Arshavin completed the scoring with a cheeky backheel from the Spaniard's pass.
All in all, it was a pleasing night for Wenger's men. They now have six points from two games and are in control of Group H.
But this had been a game of patience.
Wenger made two changes from Saturday. As against Standard Liege on Matchday One, Emmanuel Eboue came in for Bacary Sagna at right back.
Meanwhile Tomas Rosicky replaced Nicklas Bendtner on the right. The Danish striker was feeling the effects of a minor car crash over the weekend.
Olympiacos had Olof Mellberg, Emirates Stadium's first goal-scorer, in their line-up and Zico as manager. Of course, the Brazilian had a super-stellar playing career, far outstripping his opposite number tonight. But, on the strength of this evening's one-way affair, Wenger was in charge of the better team.
There were scares for both keepers in the first 15 minutes. Olympiacos striker Vassilis Torosidis nearly caught out Vito Mannone with an impudent chip from the right flank. Fortunately for the Italian the effort drifted wide.
Shortly afterwards Arshavin tried to find Rosicky at the back post and Antonis Nikopolidis, rather cackhandedly, palmed the ball away.
It was the start of a busy night for the grey-haired keeper.
On the quarter-hour, Fabregas thumped a cross-field ball to Clichy, whose instant control allowed him to breeze past his marker and reach the byline. The Frenchman cut the ball back and Arshavin's low first-time shot was saved by the stretching Nikopolidis
Then, in the 17th minute, Fabregas conjured the ball between his feet and juddered the bar with a shot from the edge of the area. Van Persie collected the rebound and set-up Rosicky who forced a full-length save from Nikopolidis.
A couple of minutes later, some trademark Arshavin trickery allowed him to prod a shot towards goal. Nikopolidis turned the ball aside.
Midway through the half, Fabregas was again denied by Nikopolidis. This time he shovelled his shot away.
It started to look like the Euro 2004 winner was the only thing standing between Olympiacos and a drubbing. The Greek champions were now looking devoid of attacking intent.
In the 32nd minute, Van Persie threaded a corner through the penalty area and Thomas Vermaelen timed his run, escaped his marker then somehow failed to convert. A head-in-hands moment for the free-scoring Belgian defender.
A header from Torosidis reminded the Arsenal defence that he was still around but Van Persie ran straight up the other end fired a rising shot over the bar.
Five minutes before the break, the Dutchman, rather aptly, Cryuff-turned his marker one way then the other before seeing his shot saved at the near post by Nikopolidis.
As the whistle approached, the keeper tipped a free-kick away from Vermaelen and Diaby nudged a header past the far post. It had been all Arsenal for the last half-hour.
Olympiacos needed an overhaul at the break. Zico settled for one change - Ieroklis Stoltidis for Jaouad Zaïri. It seemed to help.
In the opening minutes the visitors fashioned their first real chance.
Dudu swung over a corner from the left, Mellberg won a header on the edge of the six-yard box and Mannone palmed the ball off the toes of Torosidis.
It would have been much more than a sucker-punch had it gone in and Arsenal retorted.
In the 52nd minute, Fabregas won the ball in midfield and Eboue fed Van Persie on the edge of the area. Nikopolidis spilled his initial shot and, as Michal Zewiakow mopped up the rebound, the Dutchman slid in. He earned a booking for his trouble.
Arsenal continued to attack. Diaby's cut back just failed to find Arshavin then Arsenal had claims for a penalty when Dudu appeared the bat the ball down. However frustration was starting to rise.
Wenger brought on Eduardo for Rosicky after 66 minutes as Arsenal re-doubled their efforts.
It was a scene that had been played out so many times in the first season at Emirates Stadium. Arsenal - on top, in control and slightly desperate - chasing a goal when they should be way in front.
In the 73rd minute, Van Persie was again denied by Nikopolidis and Gallas was flagged offside as he attempted to turn in the rebound.
Just before Wenger threw on another striker, Diaby was denied twice - once when Nikopolidis diverted his shot around the post and then, from the corner, when his shot was blocked from close-range.
The Frenchman then made way for Carlos Vela. The Mexican's entrance was followed closely by the opener but he had nothing to do with it.
Fabregas threaded a ball to Eduardo in the left channel. He waited for his moment then weighted his pass into the area. Van Persie arrived on cue to sweep the ball home from close range.
Olympiacos physically slumped. They raised themselves for a final rally but were finally sunk by Arsenal's second four minutes from the end.
Fabregas sent over a low ball from the right and Arshavin clipped a backheel past the keeper.
It was a happy end to a game that, for long periods, had Arsenal fans tearing their hair out.
Arsene's Reaction to Arsenal win Over Olympiakos Fc
On the result...
"I'm very happy because we had a great first half with outstanding quality. Unfortunately we couldn't take advantage of it and at half time it was 0-0. It's difficult to maintain that pace and quality for 90 minutes. In the second half our physicality dropped a little and our fluency went a little bit as well. It's important then not to make a mistake and to dig deep and hope that they die a little bit more than us and take advantage in the last 20 minutes. That's what happened. I think we dominated from the first to the last minute and Olympiacos defended very well. They were well organised and disciplined and gave absolutely everything for 90 minutes."
On Antonis Nikopolidis' performance...
"Their goalkeeper was not only good but intelligent as well. He read everything and you could see why he played in the Greek national team for such a long time. It is one of the best [goalkeeping displays] I have seen recently. I saw a good one from Vito Mannone on Saturday."
On Olympiacos' defensive approach...
"I expected that because they are a team who groups well in their half and waits for the opponent. We wobbled on one or two set-pieces because they are very strong at those. Maybe because we didn't let them come out, they didn't come out."
On Andrey Arshavin...
"When you play against a team who defends with 10 men in their half it is important to have players who can play in a very small space and Arshavin is a specialist at that. He was sharp tonight and determined and in these types of games he is always a threat."
On two high-intensity games in quick succession...
"We have five days to recover now. It is always difficult to play two games. The game at Fulham was very, very intense and in the second half we dropped a little bit physically. It's very difficult for any team to maintain the quality we had at that pace."
On not underestimating the opposition...
"Olympiacos have played in the Champions League for 10 straight years. They have quality. Wherever you go in Europe it is a difficult game. If you look at the results tonight you will see that. To win at this level without conceding a goal is always fantastic."
On Robin van Persie being a good value buy...
"I believe that like any player in the world who is a big name, Robin was not as big when he arrived. We've got some very good players who made their name here."
On not buying many new players...
"When you look at the players who did not play tonight, you see why we are not desperate [to buy players]. Now that the Club has announced good financial results, people want me to splash it out straight away. At the moment there is no transfer market, you cannot buy anybody; the window is closed. Even if you want to buy the players at Waitrose you cannot. There is no supermarket. It is only during transfer periods that we can buy new players."
On getting the goals late...
"I felt that for them to keep that focus, that concentration and the goalkeeper that quality for 90 minutes would be difficult. I always had hope but it's true that we played 4-2-4 at one stage and that is always a gamble because you can be caught on the break. I felt we kept composure and kept going. What I liked in our performance tonight was that we always played with a desire to keep the discipline in the team because that is very satisfying. We did not do anything crazy. We have matured and a game like that shows it."
On Eduardo...
"Eduardo is a quality player. He was not fit enough to start the game today because he had a little muscle problem but we still put him on the bench even though we were scared that he could get injured. But we had no other resources than to bring him on and again he made the difference."
On the fans...
"The crowd was very good tonight."
On Theo Walcott's return from injury...
"We played against Olympiacos Under-20s and he played for 60 minutes and came through well. He will be available for England selection and for us on Sunday."
[Tuesday, September 29, 2009]
"I'm very happy because we had a great first half with outstanding quality. Unfortunately we couldn't take advantage of it and at half time it was 0-0. It's difficult to maintain that pace and quality for 90 minutes. In the second half our physicality dropped a little and our fluency went a little bit as well. It's important then not to make a mistake and to dig deep and hope that they die a little bit more than us and take advantage in the last 20 minutes. That's what happened. I think we dominated from the first to the last minute and Olympiacos defended very well. They were well organised and disciplined and gave absolutely everything for 90 minutes."
On Antonis Nikopolidis' performance...
"Their goalkeeper was not only good but intelligent as well. He read everything and you could see why he played in the Greek national team for such a long time. It is one of the best [goalkeeping displays] I have seen recently. I saw a good one from Vito Mannone on Saturday."
On Olympiacos' defensive approach...
"I expected that because they are a team who groups well in their half and waits for the opponent. We wobbled on one or two set-pieces because they are very strong at those. Maybe because we didn't let them come out, they didn't come out."
On Andrey Arshavin...
"When you play against a team who defends with 10 men in their half it is important to have players who can play in a very small space and Arshavin is a specialist at that. He was sharp tonight and determined and in these types of games he is always a threat."
On two high-intensity games in quick succession...
"We have five days to recover now. It is always difficult to play two games. The game at Fulham was very, very intense and in the second half we dropped a little bit physically. It's very difficult for any team to maintain the quality we had at that pace."
On not underestimating the opposition...
"Olympiacos have played in the Champions League for 10 straight years. They have quality. Wherever you go in Europe it is a difficult game. If you look at the results tonight you will see that. To win at this level without conceding a goal is always fantastic."
On Robin van Persie being a good value buy...
"I believe that like any player in the world who is a big name, Robin was not as big when he arrived. We've got some very good players who made their name here."
On not buying many new players...
"When you look at the players who did not play tonight, you see why we are not desperate [to buy players]. Now that the Club has announced good financial results, people want me to splash it out straight away. At the moment there is no transfer market, you cannot buy anybody; the window is closed. Even if you want to buy the players at Waitrose you cannot. There is no supermarket. It is only during transfer periods that we can buy new players."
On getting the goals late...
"I felt that for them to keep that focus, that concentration and the goalkeeper that quality for 90 minutes would be difficult. I always had hope but it's true that we played 4-2-4 at one stage and that is always a gamble because you can be caught on the break. I felt we kept composure and kept going. What I liked in our performance tonight was that we always played with a desire to keep the discipline in the team because that is very satisfying. We did not do anything crazy. We have matured and a game like that shows it."
On Eduardo...
"Eduardo is a quality player. He was not fit enough to start the game today because he had a little muscle problem but we still put him on the bench even though we were scared that he could get injured. But we had no other resources than to bring him on and again he made the difference."
On the fans...
"The crowd was very good tonight."
On Theo Walcott's return from injury...
"We played against Olympiacos Under-20s and he played for 60 minutes and came through well. He will be available for England selection and for us on Sunday."
[Tuesday, September 29, 2009]
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