LE 500E........

=>"Reds take on Real "

Manchester United have been drawn against Real Madrid in the quarter finals of the Champions League. We profile Real ahead of the two-legged tie...

Team: Real Madrid

Stadium: Bernebeu

Champions League Form: LDWDWW

Last meeting: There is an ironic twist to this Champions League quarter final. The last time the two teams met was in the quarter finals of Europe’s premier competition. But back then, both games also coming in April, United were the current European champions.

This time, however, Real Madrid are the holders and many people’s favourites to clinch the European cup for the tenth time in their history.

That quarter final three years ago had started reasonably well, Fergie’ side held Madrid to a 0-0 stalemate in the Bernebeu, but on the return to Old Trafford it was a different story.

United were 3-0 down before the hour mark, and despite a spirited comeback with goals from Beckham and Scholes, the target of four goals was always going to be a tall order.

Opta analysis: The Spanish giants are many people’s favourites to lift the European Cup in May, largely due to the abundance of world-class talent in their ranks. It is hardly surprising then, that with 178 attempted shots and 98 efforts on target, no other side created more scoring opportunities than they.

It is a well-known fact that Spanish international, Raul, is currently the leading scorer in Champions League history with 41 goals in 71 appearances. However, what is not as well publicised is the fact that five of his seven goals in this season’s tournament have come from his left boot – the most by any player thus far.

The reigning European champions have many strengths, but holding onto possession of the ball is without doubt one of their main assets. Having completed 5636 passes in 12 Champions League Group games ( an average of nearly 470 per game) no other side could compete with the Spaniards in this area.

One to watch: Zinedine Zidane – Real have a host of individual talents to choose from but in Zidane they have, quite simply, the world’s most technically gifted player. He can unlock defences with one carefully crafted touch, and with the likes of Ronaldo and Raul playing in front of him, he has plenty to aim for.

Zidane was the pivotal point in France’s World Cup and European Championship-winning side. He scored the winning goal in last year’s final in Glasgow, executed with exquisite timing, pace and placement into the top corner.

=>Les autres matchs.....

( Reuters Soccer News Service )

Soccer-Real Madrid face Manchester United in quarter-finals | back |

NYON, Switzerland, March 21 ( Reuters) - European champions Real Madrid were drawn to play Manchester United in the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Friday.

The chance of a Milan derby in the quarters ended when Inter Milan were drawn to play Valencia and Ajax Amsterdam were drawn to play AC Milan.

Juventus will meet Barcelona in the other match. The two-legged quarter-finals will be played on April 8/9 and April 22/23.

Real and United last met in the semi-finals in April 2000 when the teams drew 0-0 in Madrid before Real won 3-2 at Old Trafford. Real went on to beat Valencia 3-0 in the final in Paris and lift the trophy for the eighth time.

Last year Real beat Bayer Leverkusen for their ninth success.

Ajax won the European Cup for the fourth time when they beat Milan in the final in 1995, while Inter manager Hector Cuper will relish the chance of a match against Valencia, who he took to the final in 2000 and 2001.

The winners of the Real-United match will meet the winners of the Barcelona-Juventus game in the semi-finals so there could still be a derby meeting between Real and Barcelona and Inter and Milan.

The winners of Inter-Valencia face either Ajax or Milan in the other semifinal.

The final takes place at Old Trafford, Manchester on May 28

=>les 1eres reactions....

"Inside United: Euro draw reaction "

United insiders have reacted with delight to the UEFA Champions League draw that has paired United with Real Madrid in the last eight.

We have spoken to Ryan Giggs and club managing director David Gill to get the club´s angle on the quarter-final draw - with more to come, including Sir Alex and Wilf McGuinness´ thoughts. Here´s what they told us:

"This year it´s particularly strong. There are teams who have hit forms and teams who have got tremendous history in the European Cup and the Champions League, like Real Madrid. The Champions League is the top of the tree - you get so much quality and that is seen now. They´re all going to be difficult games between now and the final, and you know you´re going to have to hit top form."
Ryan Giggs

"It was a bit like the FA Cup draw - we were out first against Arsenal then and now we´re out first against Real Madrid. They´ve got a great track record, but all the teams in the draw were fantastic. You look back to the 1999 season when we had to beat Inter Milan then Juventus to get to the final, and this time we´ve got to play Real then either Barca or Juve in the semis. We´ve played very well in Europe this year, we got through the second group stage very easily, playing some top class football. Clearly Madrid struggled, and could have gone out if Lokomotiv Moscow hadn´t put their late chance over the bar. We´re delighted to be in the quarter-finals.

"There´s the big chance for revenge for the 1999/2000 quarter-final defeat, and the fact that we´ve got the final here at Old Trafford on 28 May will be an added bonus for the manager and the players. We´ve got a great track record of getting to the quarter-finals and beyond in the last eight years - even Madrid haven´t done that. I don´t think we have to fear anyone and I´m sure Sir Alex will get the guys motivated for the challenge."
David Gill

petit "up"

Mon 900e message est pour man utd....plus qu´une dizaine d´heures et man utd peut prendre la tete du championnat ; -)

A quand le 1000eme???
Quelqu´un peut mettre les autres quarts siou plait???

Y´a fulham/Manchester et arsenal/????

QUARTS DE FINALE

REAL MADRID - MANCHESTER UNITED
INTER MILAN - VALENCE
AJAX AMSTERDAM - MILAN AC
JUVENTUS TURIN - FC BARCELONE

Les rencontres auront lieu par matches aller et retour les 8-9 avril et 22-23 avril prochains.

Arsenal v Everton

Highbury - Sunday, 23 March, 2003
Kick Off: 1605 GMT

appel a la solidarite mancunnienne!!!!

Personne ne connait une compagnie aerienne qui vende des billets A-R pour Dublin a moins de 80 euros, si possible moins de 45 euros...?

Precision: aller le jeudi 27 mars au matin et retour le samedi 29 mars au matin aussi....

=>Pu*** de compagnies aeriennes....il y en a chez qui le vol est a 7000FF ! !!!

=>desole pour ce hors-sujet mais ca devient pressant...j´espere que vous serez comprehensifs ; -)

Pas grave pour le hors sujet! Mais t´es quand même un peu a la bourre...
Le plus beau quart de final, c´est quand même celui de MU!

Moa j´ai une solution:

tu pars maintenant a pied et t´as une chance d´y arriver pour l´hiver... Mais, c´est vraiment tt de suite kil faut y aller. Sinon, il sera trop tard... ^^

clairement a la bourre!!!! mais bon ca s´est fait precipitamment avec un pote ; -)

ca me ferait *chier* qd meme de payer 80 euros le billet....

=>man utd-real ca va etre spectaculaire et offensif je pense....mais je pense qu´on est + fort defensivement et on joue le retour a old trafford.....

lol greenpepper ^^

=>ca me fait vraiment chier....je veux aller a dublin ; -(

=>vivement man utd-fulham....

=>les news quotidiennes....(je suis matinal aujourd´hui^^)

=>"Quarter final dates decided "

The dates for United´s quarter final Champions League clash with Real Madrid have been confirmed.

United will be away in the first leg on Tuesday 8 April, and at home on Wednesday 23 April.

The winner of the quarter final will go on to play either Barcelona or Juventus in the semi finals.

"Confirmed quarter final dates"
Real Madrid v Manchester United, Tues 8 April
Manchester United v Real Madrid, Wed 23 April

The dates for a possible semi final against either Juventus or Barcelona have also been confirmed by Uefa.

"Semi final fixture dates"
Manchester United/Real Madrid v Juventus/Barcelona, Tuesday 6 May
Juventus /Barcelona v Manchester United/Real Madrid Wednesday 14 May

=>intervieww de mikael silvestre......desole c un peu vieux=8/3/03 10:00 AM ( !)

Mikael Silvestre talks to Ben Hibbs about Laurent Blanc, beans on toast and...gravy!

How sad will you be to see Laurent Blanc retire at the end of the season? How would you describe his contribution to French football and what influence has he had on your career?
"He will be missed probably more by me and Fabien than anyone else. He has a great rapport with all the players though. All the time he is passing on his experience to the squad. He is 37 and he has played for so many clubs with different coaches - he has passed that on in the two years he has been here. He gives us a lot of his opinions on tactics and technique, which really helps us."

Do you think he will make a good coach then?
"Yeah, definitely. He’s got everything you need to be a coach. He could be a good coach in the future."

With all the football you have been playing, are you hoping for a rest this summer?
"Well, we have the Confederations Cup in France. I think that competition is too much. After a season with your club you want a rest. It’s going to be hard to be 100% for that tournament. It’s not a World Cup or a European Championship, but it’s a competition we will want to win because it is in France. "

You were most people’s choice for man of the match in the victory at Anfield earlier in the season. Does it give you confidence when fans and critics recognise your contribution?
"It’s flattering. But, if you are the best player on the field and your team is losing, it doesn´t mean a thing."

Is there friendly rivalry in the dressing room for the man of the match award? Do the defenders at the club get frustrated that it always seem to go to the forwards?
"I hope not. That’s why the best games we have played this season have been when we have played as a team. The Man of the Match is good for TV and the newspapers, but not for the players. We know what our players are capable of, so we don’t need it. "

Do the players ever have a joke about stories that appear in the papers?
"Yes, only if it is for a joke. To be honest I don’t read the papers. Everyday we are in the papers. If it´s not David, it’s the gaffer - that is just because we are Manchester United."

Fan Questions:

With so many good defenders in United’s squad, do you ever worry about losing your place? ( James Monaghan, Dumfries)
"It’s not a worry. You know you have to be at your best to keep your place in the team. Competition is good; you need it to perform all the time. The atmosphere between all the players is really good. With John O’Shea pushing for a place in the team it is the same as when I was challenging Dennis Irwin for that place. You accept it without making it easy for the player who wants to take your place. It is healthy."

Some players shout at the referee when a decision goes against them. You never seem to do this. How do you remain so calm? ( Jesper Peterson, Denmark)
"It’s part of my personality. If you see me shouting at the referee then you know I must be angry. The only time I had a yellow this season was against Liverpool. It’s not often that it happens. I do get angry in games I just keep it inside. It’s all about self-control."

You are a very fast player, and often beat defenders for pace when you make runs forward. Have you ever fancied yourself as a striker? ( Jeff Matty)
"No, no. I couldn’t. I think I should just concentrate on being a defender."

So you don’t ever play up front in training?
"No I don’t. Have you ever seen me scoring goals? [Mikael laughs] That’s why I stay at the back! I get forward but it’s more about passing the ball then scoring goals."

Fabien says he sometimes plays up front in training. Do you ever play up front in any of the five-a-side matches in training?
"He likes it. He gets frustrated sometimes because he doesn’t have a lot to do in goal. "

Who was your footballing idol when you were younger? ( Dean Noble)
"Michel Platini, he was a great player. I never tried to copy what he did but I used to just watch him and enjoy what he was doing for France. "

Who is the worst player in training? ( Ross Saunders)
"He’s gone now - it was Jordi [Cruyff]. But everybody in the current squad works hard in practice. You can’t hide yourself in training!"

Your English is very good for someone who has only been living in the country for a few years. Do you feel it is important to learn the language of the country you are in? ( Darshan Shah)
"It’s important if you want to feel at home. Me and my family are really settled here, we know people outside of the football club. We really know what the English life is like, we even eat beans on toast!"

Have you tried chips and gravy?
"Gravy? No. What is gravy?"

( Interview by Ben Hibbs.)

=>une petite interview de beckham.....

"Exclusive Interview: David Beckham Part I "

Simon Davies caught up with David Beckham in the build-up to the Reds´ massive League match against Fulham. It´s a must-win match for United, but Becks believes the lads can go all the way...

Starting with the Fulham match there are eight games to go in the League – do you think United can still catch Arsenal?

We have to believe we can. Obviously we’re not in the best of positions but it’s up to us to put it right. If we can stay in touch until we go to Highbury, then maybe there’s a chance. They might be a few points in front but if we can get a result there then they might get a bit nervous. They’re a world-class team, though.

Do you think the fact that the United squad has more experience of winning the title will gives us an advantage over the Gunners?

We have got that experience, but we’ve got to show it now that we’re being put to the test. We’re chasing them at the moment, and if we can carry on getting results – which we need to do for the rest of the season – then maybe we’ve got a chance.

How much do you pay attention to the Arsenal scores when you’re not playing – do you watch their matches if they’re on TV or do you listen to the scores on the radio if you’re in the car?

Yeah, you always watch or listen and you’re always secretly hoping that they’ll mess up the game. They don’t look like doing that often, but you never know in football.

If United win the League this year, will it be this team’s greatest ever Premiership achievement?

I think it will, as we’re up against a team who for the last couple of years have been competing with Manchester United. It will be a big achievement if we can do it as I regard Arsenal as a very good team.

United’s inconsistent performances in the league have probably been the most frustrating aspect of the season. Can you put your finger on why the team have been quite so up and down in the Premiership?

We’ve not been beating the teams we have in the past. On top of that we’ve not won the big games either. Five years ago we would have beaten these teams easily – it’s just not happening at the moment. It’s hard to know how we can beat Juventus then draw against Bolton, with all due respect. It’s not an excuse, but twelve o’clock kick-offs don’t help. We’re playing a world class team on the Wednesday then coming back to play on the Saturday morning. We’ve had that a lot this season, though, and it’s up to us to overcome it.

The players hate the noon kick-offs as much as the fans then?

It’s not easy to eat pasta at nine o’clock in the morning, I know that much! That puts you off quite a lot. That’s the thing that the players don’t like!

Which of your own performances in the league this season have given you the most satisfaction and why?

I’m not sure I can pick one out, really. I’ve been quite pleased with overall performances at times but it’s been hard this season. It’s been tough on the team as we’ve had some hard games in Europe but we’ve not really been performing in the League. It’s been a tough season.

A lot of fans and pundits have suggested this is your best ever season in a United shirt, is that an assessment you’d agree with?

I don’t know really. I just try and play my football and try to do well. It’s nice when people say things like that.

Who for you has been United’s player of the season then?

I think there’s not just one. Phil Neville, John O’Shea and Nicky Butt – players who don’t play every week. They’re Manchester United. They’re the players who win you titles and come in when you’re injured. They’re top class and they have been all season.

And the rest of the League? Who gets your PFA Player of the Year vote?

I’d go for Thierry Henry. He’s been amazing this season, and has scored some fantastic goals. He always look dangerous, and even though he plays for our main rivals he still gets my vote for Player of the Season.

What do you think are opponents Fulham’s strengths and weaknesses?

They’re very tough to play against. They showed that when they first came into the Premiership – their first game was at Old Trafford and it was a hard game for us. They’ve done that ever since, they make it hard for you by playing good football. It’s always tough against them.

You’re friends with Mohammed Al Fayed. Will you be personally welcoming him to Old Trafford?

If he’s there, I’ll say hello! I’m pretty good friends with him and he always makes a point of coming to see me when we play down there.

Has he ever tried to persuade you to sign for Fulham?

No! He wouldn’t do that!

There has been a lot of talk in the media about possible comings and goings at Old Trafford this summer. Do these rumours affect the dressing room?

No, not at all. People try to upset the bond that we’ve got and that won’t happen. Whatever people think, we all get on very well with each other. No-one has got a problem with anyone else. What happens outside the game doesn’t affect what we think of each other. What people have got to remember is that most of us have been together for ten years, and we all know what we’re all like. Rumours never upset us.

Although you’re one of the most famous footballers on the planet, which footballing legend have you enjoyed meeting the most?

My all-time hero was Bryan Robson…

Really? You never said…

Ha ha I know… But for me I was the most starstruck when I met him at fifteen. I’m still the same now. I’m like “God! It’s Bryan Robson!” I’ve met people like Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos – they’re really good people. The nicest I’ve met has been Alessandro del Piero. He’s a really top bloke.

And is there anyone you haven’t met that you’d like to?

Not really, to be honest. Growing up I wanted to meet all the top class players, and I’ve been lucky enough to do that. I’m sure there are a few still out there to meet though!

( Interview by Simon Davies.)

=>interview de Sir Alex ; -)

" Fergie´s View: Fulham preview "

Sir Alex Ferguson spoke to the press before Saturday´s game with Fulham. This is what the boss had to say...

Must win game
"They´re always must win games now, aren’t they? The good thing about the league at this moment in time – with the results last week – it tells you the topsy-turvy nature of football. We’re back in it, and for the first time this season it’s in our own hands. If we win our remaining games we win the league. You and I know it’s not as easy as that, but that’s the factual situation. But there are some fantastic games coming up against some really difficult opponents, teams trying for Champions League places, Uefa Cup places or trying to avoid relegation. It’s really very interesting."

Pressure on opponents
"I think pressure is a factor. It’s not easy at the end of the season, points can be dropped. The important thing is that we don’t drop as many points as our opponents, and we have a chance then."

Injury update
"Mikael Silvestre is not going to be fit, which is disappointing. He’s got an ankle injury. Wes Brown is coming on, as is Roy Keane, but Veron has no chance – he’s about three or four weeks away actually. Quinton Fortune has started training again, which is good news. Other than that we’re ok."

Going top of the league
"The first thing is to get top. That’s our aim tomorrow. We want to get there and we hope it will be a psychological advantage. It helps anyway."

Looking ahead to Fulham
"It’s not easy tomorrow. Jean Tigana always produces teams that want to play football. It should be a terrific game actually. They’ve steadied the ship well in the last few weeks and picked up some good results."

Transcript by Ben Hibbs.

=>qq news ds les journaux de ce matin . ...

"United can destroy us "

Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas has warned his team-mates: Any slip-ups and Manchester United will smash us. United pulled the plum clash of the European Cup quarter-finals yesterday when paired with the current kings of Europe. And Spanish international Casillas lost no time in insisting that Real must be at their peak for the first leg on April 8. He declared: "United have shown over and over again that they play great football. "We have to understand that if we have one bad game against them in our quarter- final they are capable of smashing us. It´s that simple. "Their reputation means they are the most difficult and dangerous rival we could have drawn in the Champions League and we cannot keep having below-par games like we have had so far this season."
Sports staff, The Sun

"Fergie is Real happy"

Alex Ferguson is walking on air after being drawn to meet holders Real Madrid in the European Cup quarter-finals. Manchester United´s boss said: "These are the games you live for. It is for moments like this that I decided not to retire. The two biggest clubs in the world facing each other and the thought of going to the Bernabeu and getting the right result. I believe my side can match them."
Neil Custis, The Sun

"Look out Becks "

David Beckham and Roberto Carlos will stand on the same pitch for the first time since England were dumped out of the World Cup. When England faced 10-man Brazil in the quarter-final in Japan last summer captain Becks suffered a nightmare and was outclassed by the Real Madrid star. But Carlos still believes Beckham and his Manchester United team-mates are the biggest threat to Madrid´s chances of keeping the European Cup. The two sides clash in the quarter-finals next month and Carlos said: "At the start of the competition I thought United were the biggest threat to our hopes of winning our 10th European Cup - and I still think that. "This is why we are so happy to play them now. I knew that if we wanted to win the competition we would have to beat them at some point and it is much better that we beat them sooner rather than later.
Vikki Orvice, The Sun

"Fergie will have last laugh "

It was not that long ago that we were saying the deep thinking professor of the game had outdone the roaring dinosaur. Yes, Arsene Wenger´s new breed of continental management had finally made sure the shift of power in football was in full swing. Alex Ferguson, meanwhile, was still resorting to the seemingly outdated hair-dryer treatment and landed a boot on his star player´s head. That was just five weeks ago. The Gunners, top of the league, had just destroyed Manchester United in the FA Cup. It seemed Fergie had finally cracked and Wenger´s men were marching to a memorable Treble. It would appear five weeks is a very long time in football for what do we have now? United are once again England´s sole representative in the European Cup.
Jimmy Greaves, The Sun

"It´s a dead heat"

The Premiership title race is going right down to the wire this season. Recent history proves there is nothing to choose between title rivals Arsenal and Manchester United. So it will be winner takes all when the giants clash on April 15 at Highbury. The boffins at OPTA have worked out exactly how many points they can expect from their remaining games by taking into account average points haul from all the previous corresponding Premiership clashes. Arsenal have averaged 1.7 points per game in the previous 10 league meetings with United at Highbury. Alex Ferguson´s team have taken an average 1.1 points from their Highbury trips. And they reckon that, excluding the April 15 showdown, both teams will end up with 76 points.
Mark Irwin, The Sun

"Nice looking trolley, Becks"

David Beckham took his Bentley for a quick shopping trip on Friday — and showed some fancy footwork on the streets. The England skipper, 27, parked the £166,000 silver Arnage T on the road then raced around six shops in just half an hour. Becks wore his trademark woolly hat and sunglasses for the spree in Manchester’s posh South King Street. And when asked if his team would beat Real Madrid in next month’s Champions League quarter final, the Manchester United midfielder smiled and replied: “Yes”.
News staff, The Sun

"United get Real "

Steve McManaman admitted Real Madrid players punched the air in delight yesterday when the Champions League draw pitted them against Manchester United. Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Roberto Carlos, Raul and Luis Figo were all at training when they learned they would face the Premiership club in the quarter-finals. And Real´s English exile said the whoops of delight were because United was the draw everyone at the Bernabeu had been praying for. McManaman, twice a Champions League winner and part of the line-up that dumped United out at the same stage three seasons ago, said: "The whole dressing-room was celebrating because it was the one we all hoped for. I know people are saying that this should have been the final, but everyone here in Madrid wanted Manchester United.
Sports staff, Daily Mirror

=>bcp d´infos du "sun" desole.....!