| Welcome to Soccer Futbol Forum. We hope you enjoy your visit. You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. Join our community! If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features: |
| UEFA Cup 2006-7 | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 27 2007, 08:32 AM (1,081 Views) | |
| valenciano | Apr 5 2007, 02:49 PM Post #16 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Thursday's quarterfinal results, home team listed first, Bayer Leverkusen 0 Osasuna 3 Sevilla 2 Tottenham 1 Espanyol 3 Benfica 2 AZ 0 Werder Bremen 0 Osasuna pulls a Liverpool on Bayer Leverkusen and hammers them 3-0 on the road. You can count that matchup as being over. The other three are, like the other Champions quarters, still very much up for grabs. I watched Sevilla-Tottenham and it was a lively game with chances at both ends, Spurs jumped out to a quick lead with a Keane goal, Sevilla then responded with a gift penalty as Robinson touched the ball then tripped Adriano but Kanoute scored the penalty against his old team. Then Kerzakhov, who has been a good winter signing scored the winner for Sevilla. In the 2nd half both teams had chances to score and this score sets up a good return match. Espanyol jumped out to a 3-0 lead over Benfica at Montjuic then the portuguese got 2 goals within a few minutes of each other midway in the 2nd half to give them a great chance in the 2nd game. |
![]() |
|
| Manzanares | Apr 5 2007, 07:17 PM Post #17 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Osasuna were like a whirlwind against Leverkusen. The Germans didn't know where they were coming. You know it took awhile for Osasuna to get used to their new coach Ziganda after Aguirre's departure this past summer but Osasuna have really built up a nice team and at home they are as tough as anyone. Soldado, Milosevic and Webo alternate among themselves but playing any two of those three and there is an effective attack. Then David Lopez on the left and Juanfran on the right give the team good play on the wings and Raul Garcia in midfield is for me a younger version of Ruben Baraja. Osasuna can go home in good knowledge that they can reach a European semifinal for the first time in the club's history. Sevilla-Spurs was a good end to end game. I agree with valenciano that was not a penalty but with this score, Spurs will have to attack in game 2 in London and that should mean an entertaining game. Kanoute has been scoring a lot of penalties but his other goals have dried up as he's battling a persistent groin injury. I wonder how effective he'll be down the stretch of the season? But his new partner, as noted, has been a real pleasant surprise since his arrival. I like Spurs attack with Keane and Berbatov. Well you know Espanyol will be regretting allowing 2 away goals after leading 3-2. But with the way Raul Tamudo, Luis Garcia and Ivan de la Pena are playing together I think Espanyol can trouble any defense no matter where they play. And Pablo Zabaleta is finally back after a long injury layoff and is playing well. A young Zanetti perhaps? |
![]() |
|
| rosarino | Apr 12 2007, 02:30 PM Post #18 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
If the Champions League has a distinct English flavor this season, the UEFA Cup is Spanish. Sevilla (2-2, 4-3 overall over Tottenham), Osasuna (1-0 today, 4-0 overall over Leverkeusen) and Espanyol (0-0, 3-2 overall over Benfica) all have advanced to the semifinals. Sevilla will play Osasuna and Espanyol will face off against the lone non Spanish team, Werder Bremen who easily defeated AZ 4-1 on aggregate. |
![]() |
|
| Manzanares | Apr 12 2007, 09:39 PM Post #19 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Sevilla-Tottenham was a pretty good match. Sevilla attacked from the beginning of the game. Smart move on the road only up by a goal. One of the more comical own goals you see was put in by Spurs' Malbranque as he miskicked aclearance on the goaline after only a few minutes. Then Kanoute showed surprisingly mobility and quick feet for a big guy as he danced past a few Tottenham players for the 2nd after 8 minutes. With that score, Spurs needed 4 to win and Sevilla kept up the pressure the rest of the half. In the 2nd half Sevilla let up took off Daniel Alves to save him for their big weekend match against Valencia, Spurs finally started to push and got a couple of goals to raise their hopes but that was it. 2-2 on the game but Sevilla through 4-3 on aggregate. Osasuna did what they needed to do beating Leverkusen after their big leg 1 victory while Espanyol shut the doors and stopped Benfica. Meanwhile Werder Bremen showed they are a legitimate threat for the UEFA Cup title with an easy win over Louis van Gaal's AZ. On current form you'd rate Sevilla and Werder Bremen the favorites to make the final with Osasuna and Espanyol the outsiders but these quarterfinal games show they can't be underestimated either. It is good to see Osasuna reach this point for the first time. |
![]() |
|
| Simon | Apr 13 2007, 03:10 AM Post #20 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Unfortunately I haven't been able to see any of the UEFA Cup quarter finals. Seems like I missed a good couple of games between Sevilla and Spurs, two of the more entertaining sides around. Spurs aren't the finished article yet, but Martin Jol is clearly taking them in the right direction. They play some superb football at times but they can be profligate in front of goal at times and too often they let soft goals in that cost them. The opening ten minutes of yesterday's game would be a great example of that. But they're a young side and next season they should really be pressing for a Champions League spot. Despite the presence of three Spanish sides, I might still lean towards Werder Bremen as the UEFA Cup favourites. I've been very impressed when I've seen them this season and they would have progressed in the CL had they not had the misfortune to be drawn in a group with Barcelona and Chelsea. The way they've disposed of Ajax and AZ Alkmaar has been excellent. Werder just seem to have the bit between their teeth in the UEFA Cup this season. Sevilla are the best side out of the four, but surely they must concentrate on their unique opportunity to win the league in Spain? The championship is easily the biggest prize on offer to them, and they've only ever won it once before. |
![]() |
|
| Pepe | Apr 25 2007, 04:55 PM Post #21 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
The semifinals start tomorrow with Sevilla-Osasuna and Werder Bremen-Espanyol. Simon's analysis of Werder Bremen is on target in my mind. This is a team playing very well now and with Diego and Klose they have two of the better players in all of Europe. Espanyol are an inconsistent team, they're making a good run in the UEFA now but you also have to wonder how far they can carry this. But Bremen will have to watch out for De La Pena, Tamudo and Pandiani in Espanyol's attack. The other semifinal is like a Spanish league match. Hopefully they'll give a better show than the all English Champions League semifinal today and I think they can. Sevilla are a very exciting attacking team who move from defense to offense very quickly and with a lot of technique. Osasuna are another team who pass the ball well but like Espanyol they are a team who run hot and cold but are on a good tournament run now. From a consistency view you'd expect Werder Bremen and Sevilla to make the final and if they do that would be an excellent matchup. In the meantime I'll be wishing these semifinal games are good ones. |
![]() |
|
| Merengue | Apr 26 2007, 09:44 AM Post #22 |
|
Administrator
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I'm looking forward to these UEFA Cup matchups, especially Osasuna-Sevilla and like Pepe I hope this isn't a case like yesterday's Champions League game where two league rivals know one another so well they end up cancelling each other out. Sevilla hasn't won for 4 years at Osasuna in league play as the Pamplona club's stadium is one of the more difficult to play at (as is Sevilla's) for visiting teams. Both teams are entering this game healthy. In the other semi Espanyol host Werder Bremen and I too think the German team should be favorite over both legs if not tonight. Espanyol will be without the suspended Luis Garcia and Zabaleta, two of their better players but Werder will miss the injured Mertesacker, Wome and Borowski. So Wome won't get a chance tonight to play against his old club. As Pepe noted Diego and Klose make for a dynamite combo for Werder but Espanyol's de la Pena and Tamudo are a pretty good combo too so it should be enjoyable to watch how each teams attackers play. |
| http://twitter.com/#!/SocrFutbolForum | |
![]() |
|
| xeneize | Apr 26 2007, 09:32 PM Post #23 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Espanyol's counters were too much for Werder Bremen and Espanyol won the first leg 3-0. Osasuna had more of the play against Sevilla and won 1-0 but unlike Espanyol's margin of victory Osasuna's is far from safe going to next week's game in Sevilla. |
![]() |
|
| Manzanares | Apr 26 2007, 09:46 PM Post #24 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
What a game from Espanyol. De La Pena was the conductor of their lethal counter attacks. Bremen started off pretty well but once Espanyol started linking their passes together they controlled the match and with the score 2-0, Bremen's goalie Wiese was sent off for bringing Tamudo down on a breakaway- red card and thus ended Werder Bremen's chances. Coro scored a late third goal for Espanyol and at 3-0, and most important no away goals permitted to Bremmen, the parakeets (pericos) are in excellent shape for their first European final since 1988. I think Osasuna will regret they couldn't score more than a goal against Sevilla. The navarrans really shut Sevilla down but apart from Soldado's nice headed goal off a David Lopez free kick they missed too many chances and at 0-1 down Sevilla will be in good position in the next leg. Unless Werder Bremen pulls off a miracle next week this will be an all Spanish UEFA Cup Final. |
![]() |
|
| enganche | Apr 26 2007, 11:34 PM Post #25 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
De la Pena was excellent and although Espanyol's counter attack was dangerous all game, they scored their first two goals off of corner kicks. A short angled pass to Rufete who crossed perfectly for Moises to head in for the first goal and Pandiani beat his defender to the ball and redirected an inswinging corner for the second. Coro's last goal was on a counter. This win definitely gives Espanyol some room for error in the return in Germany. |
| Prefiero morir de pie que vivir arrodillado | |
![]() |
|
| Pepe | Apr 27 2007, 07:45 AM Post #26 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I also think Osasuna will come to regret not scoring more than one goal against Sevilla in a game which looked accessible for Osasuna. They were outplaying Sevilla, especially in midfield but just couldn't find that second goal. I was confused why Ziganda took out Soldado, who not only scored the goal and was the team's most effective forward but also picked up a card which will rule him out for the return game in Sevilla. I would have thought the better move would have been to keep Soldado on the field and insert Webo for Milosevic who was having some troubles in this game. With the way Osasuna are defending lately they'll have a chance of course next week but Sevilla are the type of team who usually don't forgive at their Sanchez Pizjuan stadium and I can't see Osasuna shutting down Kanoute and his teammates a second time. Espanyol were a real joy to watch. As others commented, De La Pena was superb running the team and outplayed Diego in the battle of talented playmakers. But it was Espanyol's ability in the air which I think caught Bremen by surprise. This is the current Copa del Rey champions and they are showing they have become a good tournament team, while they can't assume they'll qualify for the final now, this 3 goal margin gives them a lot of options going into the second game at Bremen. |
![]() |
|
| Simon | Apr 27 2007, 08:01 AM Post #27 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Werder Bremen never really stood much of a chance against Espanyol, as I believe I said earlier in the thread. Or something like that. :rolleyes: |
![]() |
|
| Merengue | Apr 27 2007, 10:07 AM Post #28 |
|
Administrator
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I was as surprised as others here at how well Espanyol did in the air against Werder Bremen. Ok, I do know Espanyol have a good aerial attack and are good at set pieces but I really didn't expect them to damage Werder Bremen that much in the air. And as everyone has already said, de la Pena was great. He is such a fun player to watch and I'm with pepe that he got the better of Diego in their high profile battle of the playmakers. I'll join the consensus here in saying Osasuna will regret not scoring more than a goal in a game where they dominated Sevilla. Next week's game will be difficult for them on the road in Andalucia. I had bittersweet feelings about Soldado and Juanfran with Osasuna, happy that both played well but a little sad thinking that they should both still be wearing a Real Madrid uniform now. Again I'll agree with pepe that Soldado propably should have stayed on, unless he had some injury we didn't know about, and Milosevic should have been the guy coming off for Webo. How about David Lopez though? The more I watch him, the more impressed I am. He's become a very good player for Osasuna. |
| http://twitter.com/#!/SocrFutbolForum | |
![]() |
|
| Manzanares | Apr 28 2007, 07:57 AM Post #29 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
It is true 2 of Espanyol's 3 goals came off of corner kicks but throughout the game Espanyol's counter is what caused so many problems for Werder Bremen. And unlike the first leg in the prior round against Benfica where Espanyol conceeded two late goals after being 3-0 up, this time Espanyol shut out Werder Bremen. In next week's return in Germany, Espanyol will have to play like they did in the 2nd game against Benfica when they just closed down their opponents and held them to a 0-0. But with their ability to counter, they should be able to keep Werder from an all out attack. |
![]() |
|
| valenciano | Apr 28 2007, 07:38 PM Post #30 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I was pleasantly surprised by Espanyol's play against Werder Bremen. Since I am an ardent anti Barcelona person I've always had some espect for Espanyol. I like what Ernesto Valverde is doing with that team. And for leg 2 they'll get Zabaleta and Luis Garcia back from suspension but I believe will miss Pandiani. When de la Pena is on he is very hard to stop but his problem of course is he occasionally takes games off. With the UEFA Cup their only chance for a medal this year you'd think they'd be ready for the return in Germany. Osasuna are another team who are difficult to play. Only down a goal I would think Sevilla will be the favorite but Osasuna has the midfielders and forwards, even without the suspended Soldado, to keep Sevilla honest. Should be an interesting second game. |
![]() |
|
| Go to Next Page | |
| « Previous Topic · UEFA · Next Topic » |





![]](http://z1.ifrm.com/static/1/pip_r.png)



5:04 PM Jul 10