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| UEFA Cup 2006-7 | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 27 2007, 08:32 AM (1,080 Views) | |
| valenciano | May 2 2007, 03:27 PM Post #31 |
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Since I wrote the above last week I've learned not only Pandiani but also Moises Hurtado will miss the game due to suspension while de la Peña and Jonatas will be out injured. Those will partially be compensated by the return of Zabaleta and Luis Garcia. Bremen will be without their goalie Weise and fullback Fritz (suspended) while Mertesacker and Borowski are hurt. Espanyol are trying to forget the 1988 UEFA Cup Final when they also took a 3-0 lead to Germany only to lose the return game by the same score and eventually the final itself on penalties to Bayer Leverkusen. Espanyol's two assistants, Bartole "Tintin" Marquez and Thomas N'Kono were on the field that night 19 years ago so I am sure they won't let the players forget about this and hopefully can avoid a repeat of that scenario. In the other semifinal Osasuna will be without their goalscorer Roberto Soldado who is suspended while Sevilla are entering the game without any injuries or suspensions. In order to win this I think Osasuna are going to have to pressure Sevilla's midfield and wings but that is much easier said than done as one of Sevilla's strengths is their ability to attack in so many different ways. |
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| Manzanares | May 3 2007, 08:05 PM Post #32 |
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It'll be Sevilla-Espanyol in the UEFA Cup Final. Sevilla defeated Osasuna 2-0, for an overall victory of 2-1 while Espanyol beat Werder Bremen 2-1 for a 5-1 total goals win. Sevilla cornered osasuna from the beginning of their game, came at them from all points of the attack and while Osasuna's tough defense held them back for good portion of the game, Luis Fabiano just kept battling 2 defenders and the goalie to score Sevilla's opening goal before the end of the first half. Renato got the 2nd on a quick counter after Osasuna had their best chance on the other end but Webo misfired and Sevilla went right at them and caught the defense flat footed as Reanto touched in a Daniel Alves cross. It wasn't a brilliant game from Sevilla like some of their other recent matches but it was an efficient game from them and as we discussed last week Osasuna ended up paying the price for not converting their dominance in leg 1 into more than a 1 goal advantage. In the other semi, Werder scored early and looked to be on their way of making it a competitive game when the ref harshly I thought gave a 2nd yellow and sent off Miroslav Klose for a dive. Down a man Werder stood no chance against a well drilled Espanyol who fought back and scored twice, the last one again coming via a header where they were so succesful in the first leg. So Sevilla and Espanyol will travel to Glasgow to play the UEFA Cup Final on May 16. |
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| cafetero | May 3 2007, 09:37 PM Post #33 |
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Sevilla keeps up their dream season and make the UEFA Cup Final for the 2nd straight season. I agree with Manzanares, they were just too much for Osasuna today. Too much skill, passing, speed and finishing. Klose already with a yelow embellished the play but I also think a sending off was a little hard in those circumstances. When he left, so did Werder Bremen's chances against Espanyol. |
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| Merengue | May 4 2007, 07:39 AM Post #34 |
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I'd agree with these comments. What I found interesting is that when Adriano went out injured, Sevilla put in Duda, a Portuguese left winger who has played very little this season. Duda went on to play a very good game and was taking most of the team's dead ball situations. I think this just goes to show how deep Sevilla are this year and that is why they've so far been able to handle playing in the three competitions (league, domestic Cup and UEFA) up to now and do well in all three. I never understood, particularly with Soldado suspended, why Osasuna didn't put Milosevic in the game yesterday? Klose's expulsion did change the game. He did dive when already with a yellow but it also took some balls from the ref to make that call. Espanyol were also able to help erase some of their bad memories from that 1988 UEFA Cup Final with this win in Germany. |
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| Merengue | May 14 2007, 09:45 PM Post #35 |
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I'm looking forward to the UEFA Cup Final. I think Sevilla and Espanyol will put on a good show. For those interested Reuters did a nice review of each of the players on the two teams. Espanyol's Penpix Sevilla's Penpix Sevilla's centerback Julien Escude is suspended and Javi Navarro may or may not be recovered in time to play but reports are left wing Adriano should be available after recovering from a leg muscle injury. As far as I know Espanyol are healthy and shouldn't have any absences. As they've done all UEFA Cup, Gorka Iraizoz, the #2 keeper, will start for Espanyol as he's been given the opportunity to play the Cup games this year while Carlos Kameni plays the league matches. Sevilla are logically the favorites and are looking to become only the 2nd team to repeat as UEFA Cup champions (Real Madrid did it back in 1985 and 86 with their legendary Quinta del Buitre team) but Espanyol have had a pretty good record over the years against Sevilla and their counter attack, as Madrid found out over the weekend, is deadly. This has the chance to be a very entertaining game as both clubs play an attractive style and will move the ball around quickly. And since both teams like to atatck via the wings that area of the field will be one to watch. Enjoy the match. |
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| Sergio | May 14 2007, 10:56 PM Post #36 |
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Thank you for the providing the previews of the teams. I agree this has the look of a good game and I don't think either team will be overly conservative. Espanyol's counter will be even better with Tamudo and de la Pena in the lineup. And Pandiani always seems like a threat especially in the air. But if Kanoute is healthy then I think Sevilla will win the game. Alves and Navas will provide a danger down their side of the field and even without Kanoute, Sevilla has some forwards who know the way towards goal. I'm looking forward to an open game between two teams who can play entertainingly. |
| "You left as a champion, you will always be in our hearts. Rest in Peace Christian Benítez." | |
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| TCK | May 15 2007, 06:46 AM Post #37 |
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Liverpool FC till I die
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Kanoute is an excellent player, full of skill and quality. I see him play at Tottenham a few times in games with Liverpool FC and I think he's at his peak right now. I think Espanyol will win though, it might come down to a Penalty Shoot Out in my opinion. 1-1. |
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www.myspace.com/davideproductions LIVERPOOL FC! | |
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| Pepe | May 15 2007, 07:08 AM Post #38 |
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I think the way both Sevilla and Espanyol play should make this an interesting game to view. There's contrasting styles, Sevilla's energetic, all action style against Espanyol's lethal counter attack. A nice contrast like that is what often makes for a compelling game. I'll agree with the consensus here that Sevilla are favored based on what they've accomplished this season and the fact they are a big match team, who almost always seem to play well in big games but Espanyol are in good form now and we've already discussed how dangerous de la Pena, Tamudo and Pandiani can be to any defense. |
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| enganche | May 15 2007, 03:25 PM Post #39 |
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I'm enjoying reading the pre match comments here but think I'll enjoy the game even more. I do like how these two match up and while the point about the battle on the wings is a good one but truth is both clubs are pretty solid in the center of midfield too. Poulsen of Sevilla has been wonderful in defensive midfield and whoeevr plays between Renato or Maresca will be a contributor for Sevilla. But de la Pena, when on his game, is as enjoyable a central midfielder as ther eis to see play. Kanoute is having a great season but his groin injury is really bothering him and he seems just a shadow of the player he was a month or two ago. It will be a good one but I think Espanyol pulls it off with their speed on the break. |
| Prefiero morir de pie que vivir arrodillado | |
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| Pique | May 15 2007, 11:05 PM Post #40 |
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Valencia in 2004, Sevilla last season and either Sevilla or Espanyol this year. That's 3 of the last 4 UEFA Cup champions from Spain. Pretty impressive and evidence of the depth in quality in the Spanish league. I like how Navas and Alves play and I think they'll be hard to contain but you do have to admire the way Espanyol have been playing. Using some reserves they had Real Madrid on the ropes at the Bernabeu before letting them off and eventually losing. If they can play like how they did in the first half at the Bernabeu, there could be an upset in Glasgow. |
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Esas son las leyendas de futbol mexicano, En todo Mexico hay un Chiva hermano! | |
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| Martin | May 16 2007, 07:11 AM Post #41 |
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There is some good pre match discussion here. I think most of the topics I wanted to discuss have been talked about already, Sevilla's attacking style versus Espanyol's counters; the threat both teams pose on the wings; the battle of the central midfielders; and Kanoute's injury struggles. I'd just add that with Escude suspended Sevilla's central defense loses some speed and they could be susceptible to Espanyol's quick counters. But Sevilla do seem like a big match team that rise to the occasion and I'd pick them to win what I think will be a good UEFA Cup Final. As a side note I was reading where Celtic fans are planning a warm welcome for Sevilla supporters as they enjoyed themselves so much in that city several years back (2003?) when Celtic played the UEFA Cup Final there. Good to see the hospitality being reciprocated. |
| Club Sportivo Desamparados | |
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| valenciano | May 16 2007, 10:10 AM Post #42 |
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I'm also looking forward to this game and think it will be enjoyable to watch. Espanyol are in very good form now but I think Sevilla's way to attack you in so many different ways will be the difference. Hopefully it will be a good show. |
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| TCK | May 16 2007, 12:47 PM Post #43 |
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Liverpool FC till I die
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1-1 at full time. If you look back at my previous post in this topic, you will see I predicted right!. Espanyol have the disadvantage of having ten men as Moises was sent off in the 68th Minute are a second yellow card. Riera scored for Espanyol and Adriano Correia scored for Sevilla. 4-2 on Penalty Shoot Outs to Espanyol is my prediction!. |
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| Simon | May 16 2007, 01:54 PM Post #44 |
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Good work on the 90 min score, TCK, even if you backed the wrong horse in the penalties. 2-2 final score Aet and Sevilla win 3-1 on pens. It was a good game, as predicted. Very enjoyable and dramatic. Not always brilliantly played, of course, Sevilla's finishing was terrible at times and they should have had the game wrapped up long before it ever went to penalties or even extra time. Kanoute was pretty anonymous but he popped up with a tidy finish to give Sevilla the lead at the end of the first period of extra time, and he scored his penalty. But it wasn't a great night for him in open play! He hit a couple of tame efforts straight at the keeper and blazed wildly over when he had a big chance to win it at the end of extra time. Sevilla overdo it at times on the edge of the box, too often looking for another pass when they had the chance to shoot. It almost cost them, but IMO they deserved to win and you have to like their attacking philosophy. Even when they were 2-1 up in extra time they never tried to waste time or shut the game down. The first half was excellent entertainment. The second half less so because of the sending off, but I think the referee was justified in that. The red card spoiled the end to end nature of the game we'd had previously. It had been tightly balanced but it became one way traffic. Credit Espanyol, they were dead on their feet and were kept in the game by Sevilla's bad finishing and by the great efforts of Gorka, and what a moment it was when Jonatas thrashed that equaliser in! It was totally out of the blue at a time when it looked like there was no way back for Espanyol. All in all, a good evening's viewing! Congratulations to Sevilla, maybe this exhilaration can further boost their title challenge? |
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| Manzanares | May 16 2007, 03:59 PM Post #45 |
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I think Simon has correctly summarised the match. It was entertaining and dramatic but Simon is right Sevilla probably should have wrapped that game up earlier but were overpassing near goal. Strange coming from them as usually they are a team not afraid to shoot from distance. Espanyol played well until the sending off (no arguments about the validity of that) but retreated when in a numerical disadvantage and didn't do much the rest of the way until Jonatas' late goal in the extra time. And what a goal that was. Palop was in great form throughout this game and it took a fine shot like that, or the deflection for Espanyol's first goal, to beat him. And speaking of Palop, he was superb in the penalty kicks, stopping three. All were nice saves too, it wasn't as if they were poorly taken. Palop scored late in injury time earlier in the tournament when Sevilla were going through a bad spell of play and the goalie's headed goal gave them a late win against Shaktor Donetsk. Now Palop again is Sevilla's hero. A bid of hard luck for Espanyol but at the same time you also can't deny Sevilla's merits. Simon was asking if this win can boost their title challenge. I think it has to. The Copa del Rey won't be played until after the season is completed and now with the UEFA Cup finished Sevilla has no more competitions to worry about while the league is going on so they will now be back to playing only once a week from here until the end of the season. That should mean they'll be in better physical and mental condition for the final 4 weeks of league play. |
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