Champions League - 2004/5 (merged)

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Ferguson salutes Rooney](BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Man Utd | Ferguson salutes Rooney)

Man Utd 6-2 Fenerbahce

Sir Alex Ferguson admitted Wayne Rooney’s debut for Manchester United was as good as any he has seen.

The 18-year-old England striker scored an amazing Champions League hat-trick in the 6-2 win over Fenerbahce.

Asked if he had ever seen such a fine debut, Ferguson said: "I don’t suppose so. It is a great start for him.

“That’s why we signed him as he’s got great potential. But I would rather talk about the game to be honest. He is only 18 and a young boy, don’t forget.”

And Ferguson warned United’s rivals that he expected the young striker - who was playing his first game in three months after breaking his foot at Euro 2004 - to get even better.

“He obviously tired in the last 20 minutes, but given that it was his first game since the European Championships you could expect that,” he said.

Given that Wayne and Ruud played together for the first time the future holds great promise

Sir Alex Ferguson

"I think he can only get stronger.

“The important thing for me as a coach is to allow the boy to develop naturally without too much public attention. I want him to be as ordinary as he can.”

Ruud van Nistelrooy also netted for United and Ferguson said he was excited about the prospect of the Dutch striker teaming up with Rooney.

“Given that Wayne and Ruud played together for the first time the future holds great promise,” he said.

WAYNE ROONEY
Age: 18
Height: 5ft 10in
Weight: 12st 8lbs
Premiership matches: 67
Premiership goals: 15
European matches: 1
European goals: 3
England caps: 16
England goals: 9
Rooney’s career statistics

“With Ruud and Wayne as a partnership it was excellent.”

And Van Nistelrooy himself was delighted to have finally played alongside Rooney in a competitive match.

“We are all delighted with his performance,” said Van Nistelrooy.

“If I was to pick out one thing to praise it would be his attitude. He is only 18, it is his debut and he knows all eyes are on him - yet he just goes out and does his own thing.”

Fenerbahce coach Christoph Daum was also extremely impressed with Rooney’s performance.

“It was an outstanding debut,” said Daum.

"It is something you dream of as a manager for a player to play in this way and to score in this way in his first game.

"If he does that, it makes you very happy and you’re a very lucky manager.

“Rooney is still very young and maybe he will become the player of the century. He is at the beginning now though.”

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand said: "Wayne’s debut was fantastic.

“To get a hat-trick is unbelievable, fairytale stuff. I do not think he knows what pressure is.”

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Champion's League top goal getters of all time




1.      Raúl               47          Real Madrid 
2.  Ruud van Nistelrooy     37      PSV, Manchester United
3.  Alessandro Del Piero     31         Juventus
    Thierry Henry           31      AS Monaco, Arsenal
5.  Filippo Inzaghi        29       Juventus, AC Milan
    Patrick Kluivert      29        Ajax, Barcelona
7.  Andrei Sjevtsjenko      28      Dinamo Kiev, AC Milan
8.  Fernando Morientes      26      Real Madrid, AS Monaco
9.  Mario Jardel            25      FC Porto, Galatasaray
    Giovane Elber               25      Bayern München, Olympique Lyon
11.     Rivaldo     24      Barcelona, AC Milan
12.     Jari Litmanen       23      Ajax, Barcelona, Liverpool
13.     David Trezeguet     22      AS Monaco, Juventus
14.     Marco Simone        20      AC Milan, PS Germain, Monaco
    Ryann Giggs           20        Manchester United
16.     Sergei Rebrov       19      Dinamo Kiev
    Luis Enrique        19      Barcelona
    Ole Gunnar Solskjær    19      Manchester United
    Luis Figo        19         Barcelona, Real Madrid
    Roy Makaay        19        Deportivo La Coruña, Bayern München
21.     Andy Cole        18         Manchester United
    Paul Scholes        18      Manchester United
23.     Simone Inzaghi       15         Lazio Roma
    Diego Tristan         15        Deportivo La Coruña
    David Beckham       15      Manchester United, Real Madrid
    Roberto Carlos  15      Real Madrid
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there is a full round of games again tonight - here are my predictions:

PSV-Panathinaikos: My prediction: 2-1 - this will be a close game, but PSV have the edge over Panathinaikos. Greek teams are always very strong at home, but away from home it's a different story.

Rosenborg-Arsenal: My prediction: 0-2 - Rosenborg is a strong side that always seem to qualify and do well in the Champions League - but Arsenal are probably too strong for them - even at home -Rosenborg will attack and that should give especially Thierry Henry very good chances for some breakaway goals.

Barcelona-Shakhtar: My prediction: 3-0 - Barca should win this game fairly comfortable, they have made some good transfers prior to this season and really look like they are among the favourites to win the Champions League this year. Shakhtar will defend with all their strenght, but they can't shut down Ronaldinho, Larsson, Giuly and Etoo.

Milan-Celtic: My prediction: 3-1 - Milan have had some problems lately(losing at home to newly promoted Messina etc.) - but they will redeem themselves against Celtic. Celtic are very strong at home - but they should have no chance at the San Siro.

Anderlecht-Inter: My prediction: 1-1 - Inter have been in a slump and I have a feeling they won't win at Anderlecht - Anderlecht have a decent track record at home in the Champions League and although Inter are the better team i think it will end up in a draw.

Bremen-Valencia: My prediction: 0-1 - this is a hard match to predict, but I think Valencia have the edge - their newcomers have been playing well especially Fiore and Di Vaio - i think Valencia will take a narrow win - Bremen haven't been playing their best football lately and Valencia are strong away from home.

Chelsea-Porto: My prediction: 2-0 - Mourinho faces his old team and he should have a great insight in how Porto plays and give that information to his players - Chelsea have a great team and the additions of Carvalho and Drogba have helped the team alot - Porto will probably play defensive football - but Chelsea will score a couple of goals for the win.

CSKA Moskva-PSG: My prediction: 1-0 - there are almost no European teams that enjoy coming to cold Moscow to play - this has resulted in quite a few impressive victories for CSKA in former tournaments - PSG are struggling and CSKA seem to be playing well - a win for CSKA in this one.

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^ I agree with most of the predicitions (not in terms of goals but in terms of results)

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Things mostly went as expected apart from Arsenal who dropped two points against Rosenberg away from home. Porto became only second team to score against Chelsea this season. Only two goals conceded in 9 games this season, thats awesome for Chelsea.

Tonight's results

AC Milan 3 - 1 Celtic
Barcelona 2 - 0 Shakhtar Donetsk
Anderlecht 0 - 3 Inter Milan
Werder Bremen 2 - 1 Valencia
PSV Eindhoven 1 - 0 Panathinaikos
Rosenborg 1 - 1 Arsenal
Chelsea 3 - 1 Porto
CSKA Moscow 2-0 PSG

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Valencia lost :eek:
and Arsenal didn’t win…how long till they will lose their first match since ages?

apart from that everything went according to plan

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Valencia was up for soooo long in the match and still lost.

But apart from that, point to be noted that 53 goals were scored in last two days. More than three goals per match. Good going.

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Tonights scores:

Real Madrid 1 - 0 Dinamo Kiev
Bayer Leverkusen 3 - 1 AS Roma
Fenerbache 1 - 3 Lyon
As Monaco 2 - 1 Olympiakos
Sparta Praha 0 0 Manchestar United
Juventas 1 - 0 Bayern Munich
Liverpool 0 - 0 Deportivo Lacruna
Ajax 3 - 0 Maccabi

Owen scored his debut goal for Real Madrid and they held on for a tough win against Dinamo Kiev. Juventas continuing their incredible run with a win over Bayern Munich.

Their are some mouth watering contests tomorrow with AC Milan lining up against Barcelona where as Inter Milan face Valencia.

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Milan - Barca shud be a wonderful match :k:

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Tonights Scores:

AC Milan 1 - 0 Barcelona
Chelsea 2 - 0 CSKA Moscow
Arsenal 2 - 2 Panathinaikos
PSG 2- 0 Porto
Inter Milan 5 - 1 Valencia
Werder Breman 2 - 1 Anderlacht
PSV 2 - 1 Rosenborg
Shakhtar Donetsk 3 - 0 Celtic

The match of the day was as exciting as it was supposed to be. Its a shame it did not produce more goals but both teams hit the post specially Barcelona.

But the ease with which Inter Milan beat valencia was really surprising and that too was an away game for Inter. While Arsenal again dropping points in CL match is not surprising anymore.

Did anyone catch the goal PSG player Coridon scored???? That was as freaky as the one Talha posted a whileback. It was an Incredibly freaky flying back flick!!!!!

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some good matches

both Milan sides have shown Italian football has re-overtaken Spain as the best nation

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by NeSCio: *
both Milan sides have shown Italian football has re-overtaken Spain as the best nation
[/QUOTE]

overtaken already?

Just cause their two teams lost a game? It was only a few weeks ago Real beat Roma.

In the last 5 years Italian teams have only had one real good season in 2003 where 3 of their teams reached the semis and AC Milan won.

I think its too early to pass judgement just yet.

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I'm sure the confirmation will come as the CL goes along

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by saby: *
Juventas 1 - 0 Bayern Munich

[/QUOTE]

I saw this match live and I think Bayern would have deserved a draw, although I dislike Bayern very much (as many of you know).

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Nes, I agree that Italian clubs have made a great start, both in Serie A and CL. But we all know how good and tactical these spanish sides can be. M is right when he says that its too early to pass the judgements as yet.

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yeah - it was great goal :dhimpak: and it can be seen here: http://www.pedling.com/goal.wmv

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^
Where the hell do you find all those videos??? and btw, your extensive knowledge of sports not only includes baseball, football, basketball but soccer aswell??? How do u manage that?

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i got sources…:smokin:

Soccer was my love when i was in the U.K. - i don’t get much chance to follow the Premier League and Champions League unless it get notice on SportsCenter or games are on ESPN, FOX Sports World - i followed all the leagues except the Asians - and if there are special tournaments like Euro - i order it..

i was interested in Baseball and American Football but got to know rules about Basketball from my Big Bro - no body really follows Ice Hockey in our family - there goes managing of time :slight_smile:

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Yeah when its euros or WC, i make sure that i watch it but it's beggining to become more of a chore rather than entertainment for me as my interest for soccer seems to fading pretty fast for some reason. League games are almost impossible to keep up with.
I like to think that i know lots about sports, especially hockey (ice), basketball, baseball and somewhat football but you seem to know stuff about everything.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by I'm Kool: *

I like to think that i know lots about sports, especially hockey (ice), basketball, baseball and somewhat football but you seem to know stuff about everything.
[/QUOTE]

...other stuff like what?