LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND – Frederic Veseli, a Swiss Under-17 defender, says he is “very happy” to be joining Manchester United, which pinched him from rival Manchester City. He moves onto the team’s reserve side initially.
Veseli, 19, went to Manchester City in 2008 from Lausanne Sport. He made his name in 2009 when he captained the Swiss team to the Under 17s World Cup championship.
BERN, SWITZERLAND – The Swiss Football Association came down hard on Sion FC 30 December in the long-running battle of the Valaisan egos, between Sion owner Christian Constantin and Sepp Blatter, head of Fifa. The SFA fined Sion a total of 36 points, three for each game in which the team fielded an ineligible player this season, in a saga dating back to the 2008 signing of Egyptian goalkeeper Essam el-Hadary.
The fine moves Sion from third place in the Swiss Super League to last place with minus five points and almost certain relegation. The SFA was reacting to the threat from Fifa to suspend all Swiss teams from international competition, starting with Basel being expelled from the European Champions League match against Bayern Munich.
Had Basel been expelled Manchester United would have taken their place in the knock-out stages of Europe’s biggest club contest. FC Sion complaimed that the SFA had been cowardly in backing down in the face of blackmail by Fifa.
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND – Fifa has threatened Switzerland with expulsion from all Fifa events unless the Swiss Football Association punish FC Sion in the long confrontation over the Valaisan team playing unregistered players. The Sion chairman Christian Constantin responded in his own inimitable style by threatening to sue Sepp Blatter, the Valaisan head of Fifa. Unless the Swiss Federation react by 13 January 2012 the Swiss participation in the Champions League, as well as the national youth and senior matches, will be suspended, as will all the Swiss referees. FC Basel would be the first to suffer as they would be barred from playing in the Champions League match against Bayern Munich and would be replaced by Manchester United in the competition.
On the field Barcelona confirmed their place at the top by winning the Club World Championship by beating Brazilian team Santos 4-0 in Tokyo. In the Premier League Manchester city beat Arsenal 1-0 to regain their first place, ahead of Man United, 0-2 winners at QPR. Spurs are third after a 1-0 win over Sunderland. Chelsea fell back after a 1-1 draw at Wigan.
Links to other sites: TSR, Premier League, Guardian
BASEL, SWITZERLAND – FC Basel scored a famous victory when they beat the stars of Manchester United 2-1 in the final game of the group stage of the Champions League 7 December. Basel are now in the knock-out stage while Manchester United join their Man City neighbours in the Europa League.
Arsenal and Chelsea are the only Premier League teams to reach the final 16.
Man United started well, with Nani repeatedly find his way past the Basel defence. Basel scored on almost their only attack when Streller took advantage of a United mix up, where Nemanja Vadic felled his fellow defender Chris Smalling, to take the lead. United fought back with ten shots on target in the first half but never managed to really dominate the game.
Wayne Rooney managed to mess up the best chance, when clear in the goalmouth. Alex Frei scored in the 84th minute to leave Basel two goals clear. Phil Jones pulled one back in the final minute of regular time, but United could not perform another miracle. Benfica won the group with Basel second and Man United third.
In Group A Bayern Munich qualified despite losing their final game against Man City 2-0 but City were still knocked out as Naples won against Villa Real. Real Madrid won 0-3 at Ajax despite fielding a reserve team. Lyon managed to qualify with a 1-7 thrashing of Dinamo Zagreb.
Link: UEFA
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - Sócrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira : there will probably never be another footballer quite like him. Named, like his brothers, after a Greek philosopher Socrates was Brazil’s captain, a medical doctor, political activist, heavy drinker, smoker, a self proclaimed anti-athlete and a fan of Ché Guevara. The Brazilian icon died of intestinal infection, 4 December, aged 57. The tall, bearded midfield was an integral part in the Brazilian team of the early 1980s, playing with a languid style that disguised his ability to suddenly turn a game.
On the field the Premier League continued in a familiar vein with Manchester City storming past Norwich 5-1 and Man United staying second with a 0-1 win at Aston Villa. For some interesting details on the financing of Man City visit The Swiss Ramble blog. The two Manchester teams are drawn to play each other in the FA Cup. Chelsea were fortunate not to have Luiz sent off early on but then went on to win 0-3 at Newcastle.
In the Swiss Super League Basel beat Lucerne to extend their lead at the top. Servette lost 0-1 t0 Zurich. Real Madrid won 0-3 against sporting Gijon while Barcelona beat Levante 5-0.
Links to other sites: Premier League, Guardian
CHESTER, ENGLAND – The Wales manager, 42-year-old Gary Speed, was found hanged at his home in Chester on Sunday morning 27 November. Speed played a record 85 times for Wales. He also played 315 times for Leeds and also represented Everton, Newcastle, Bolton and Sheffield United.
In the Premier League games the two Manchester teams drew their games to retain the top two spots. Man United were held 1-1 by Newcastle while City held on with ten men to secure a 1-1 draw at Liverpool. Chelsea beat Wolves 3-0 and Spurs won away at West Brom.
In La Liga Real Madrid moved further ahead as they beat Atlético 4-0 while rivals Barcelona suffered a rare defeat at Getafe.
Links to other sites: Premier League, Guardian
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – The Champions League saw FC Basel travelling to Old Trafford to take on the might of Manchester United, unbeaten this season after winning the Premier League last season, 27 September.
United took a two goal lead in the first half with a brace of goals by Welbeck, both created by Ryan Giggs. Basel struck back with three goals, by Alex and Fabian Frei.
The Swiss champions were deprived of a famous win by a late equaliser by Ashley Young in the 90th minute so the game ended 3-3. In the other games Benfica beat Otelul Galati 0-1, Bayern Munich beat Manchester City 2-0, Naples beat Villarreal 2-0 and Real Madrid beat Ajax 3-0.
Man City manager later said that Carlos Tevez would never play for him again after the Argentine striker refused to come on as a substitute in the second half.
STOKE, ENGLAND – Manchester United lost their perfect start to the season but stayed top of the Premier League with a 1-1 draw at Stoke, 24 September. They still lead their Man City neighbours on goal difference but the slip up will give a little hope to Basel FC which will be travelling to Old Trafford for their European Champions League match on Tuesday evening. They will be without star striker Wayne Rooney who is suffering a strained hamstring. Man City won 2-0 against Everton while Chelsea won 4-1 against Swansea to stay third. fernando Torres sored again but was sent off for a dangerous tackle. Arsenal avoided disaster with a 3-0 win over Bolton which kept Arsene Wenger’s men off the bottom.
Barcelona and Real Madrid both thrashed their opponents in La Liga. The Swiss local derby between Geneva Servette and Lausanne ended in a dull 0-0 draw. Sion and Neuchatel Xamax continue to make more news off the field than on it.
Links to other sites: Premier League, Guardian
BASEL, SWITZERLAND – Basel FC has moved to the top of the Champions League after defeating newcomer Otelul Galati of Romania 2-1 in Basel 14 September. Manchester United slipped after a 1-1 draw against Benfica in Lisbon, with an unimpressive opening. The favoured UK team never rose to the challenge.
Uefa announced 13 September that all 32 clubs taking part in this year’s Champions League can expect a minimum of euros 7.2 million, while the winner stands to take in at least euros 31.5 million.
Uefa also confirmed earlier this week that FC Sion, under disciplinary action, will not take part in the Europa League and will be replaced by Celtic FC.
International sports, football
Old Trafford,Manchester(GenevaLunch) - Manchester United wrapped up the season with an entertaining 4-2 win over Blackpool to end at the top of the Premier League, with a nine point lead over Chelsea, 22 May. Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich punished coach Carlo Ancelotti with the sack and the club are now searching for yet another person willing to trade enormous wealth for limited job security. Manchester City ended just behind Chelsea on goal difference with Arsenal taking the other Champions League spot. Man United take on the mighty Barcelona in the final at Wembley, 28 May.
West Ham, Blackpool and Birmingham were relegated in an afternoon when five teams were fighting to avoid the two remaining relegation spots. Wigan escaped the drop thanks to a 0-1 win at Stoke.
Links to other sites: Premier League, Guardian, The Sun
International sports, football
Wembley, London (GenevaLunch) - For once the Reds and the Blues of Manchester each had something to celebrate on Saturday 14 May. Sir Alec Ferguson’s United won their 19th League title to pass the previous record held by Liverpool. Wayne Rooney scored with a penalty 17 minutes from time to give United a 1-1 draw against Blackburn and thus gained the point needed to guarantee the title. Man City’s expensively acquired team picked up their first trophy since 1976 when they edged past Stoke 1-0 in the FA Cup final. United’s win is a tribute to the ability of their manager to combine mature and youthful talent and to cope with the modern style of squad management in a way that seems beyond many of his younger rivals. The City triumph more a sign of the power of money as the hundreds of millions spent on the team bought some glory. In other games Chelsea were held 2-2 by Newcastle and Arsenal lost at home against AstonVilla. West Ham are relegated after losing a two goal advantage to go down 2-3 to Wigan and have parted from their manager, Avram Grant. The other two relegation spots could go to Wigan, Blackpool, Birmingham, Wolves or Blackburn when the final showdown takes place on Sunday 22 May.
Rangers won their third succesive Scottish Premier League when they beat Kilmarnock 1-5.
Links to other sites: Premier League, Guardian,BBC
International sports, football
Old Trafford, Manchester (GenevaLunch) - Manchester United need just one point from their final two games, against Blackburn and Blackpool, to win a record 19th league title. They beat Premier League second place team Chelsea 2-1 on Sunday, 8 May, but could have easily scored five given their dominance. Things started perfectly for the Reds as Javier Hernandes scored in the first minute and Nemanja Vidic doubled the lead in the 23rd to the delight of the 75,000 fans at the game. Man United now head the Premier League by six points with just two games left to play. Third placed Arsenal lost to Stoke City 3-1 while Man City also slipped up as they fell 2-1 at Everton. Spurs were held 1-1 by Blackpool.
At the bottom of the table six teams could possibly go down: West Ham, Wigan, Blackpool, Wolves, Birmingham and Blackburn.
Barcelona are also one point away from clinching the La Liga title as they lead Real Madrid by eight points with three games to play. In the Swiss Super League FC Basel and Zurich head the table and will meet in Zurich on Wednesday.
Links to other sites: Premier League, Guardian,
Old Trafford stadium ahead of the Barclays Premiership match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on September 9 2006 in Manchester, England (Photo, John Peters/Manchester United, Getty Images)
Geneva / Nyon, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – There are only 500 new micro-blasted black ceramic Hublot King Power Red Devil watches and their proud owners must be crazy about football, and especially about Man United, because every minute that ticks on these watches is worth a fortune.
Hublot isn’t saying how much it’s charging for the King Power Red Devil Watch, or the 250 King Gold 18K version, but these are no plain old timepieces, and if you have to ask you probably can’t afford it (hint: they start at several thousand francs or dollars).
Hublot has been the official timekeeper for Manchester United since 2008, and now the Swiss watchmaker has used real blades of grass from Old Trafford’s turf to make the watch indexes.
International sports, Champions League football
Old Trafford, Manchester (GenevaLunch) - Sir Alec Ferguson rested many of his star players, like Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand but the replacements easily brushed aside the challenge from FC Schalke to win 4-1. This gave them a 6-1 aggregate win in the European Champions League semi-final, 4 May. They will meet Barcelona in the final at Wembley after the Catalans beat Real Madrid 3-1 on aggregate the previous evening. Manchester were sent to the final with goals by Antonio Valencia, Darron Gibson and then two from Anderson.
International sports, football
Emirates Stadium, London (GenevaLunch) - Arsenal beat Manchester United 1-0 on Sunday, 1 May, to breathe new life into the Premier League’s last few matches. On Saturday Chelsea came back from a goal behind against Tottenham to win 2-1 thanks to a goal which did not quite cross the line and another that was just off-side. Man United still heads the Pemier League by three points but if Chelsea win at Old Trafford next weekend the title race will be wide open.
At the bottom of the League West Ham are two points back from Wolves with Wigan another point away. The next three contenders for the relegation spots are Blackpool, Blackburn and Birmingham.
Links to other sites: Premier League, Guardian
International sports, Champions League football
Madrid, Spain (GenevaLunch) - Barcelona beat Real Madrid 0-2 in a bad-tempered semi-final of the European Champions League at Real’s Bernabéu stadium, 27 April. The match featured three red cards, but only one of these for a player on the field: Barcelona’s substitute goalkeeper was sent off in a scuffle as the teams left the field at half-time, Real Madrid coach José Maurinho was sent from the touchline for arguing with the officials and Real’s Brazilian defender Pepé was rather harshly sent off for a clumsy challenge. The game was saved by two moments of magic by Lionel Messi: his second goal being one of the finest of the season, and probably the decade.
Manchester United also won their first semi-final match 0-2, away to Schalke, with goals by Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney in a game in which their passing and movement almost matched Barcelona’s style. The two teams now look sure to meet in the final of the Champions League to be held at Wembley, 28 May.
Links to other sites: UEFA, Guardian
International sports, football
Wembley, London (GenevaLunch) - Manchester City won their FA Cup semi-final with Man United 1-0 at Wembley, 16 April. The shame of losing to their neighbours might be lessened by Arsenal slipping up again by drawing 1-1 at home to Liverpool and probably blowing their last chance to challenge for the Premier League. Both teams scored with penalties in extra-time, with the Liverpool equaliser coming in the 102nd minute. In the other sem-final Stoke City blew Bolton away with a 5-0 thrashing.
Barcelona drew their first of a series of four showdowns with Real Madrid1-1 and are well ahead in La Liga. Their next meeting will be in the final of the Copa del Rey followed by European Champions League semi-finals.
Links to other sites: Premier League, The Sun, Guardian
International sports, Champions League football
Old Trafford, Manchester (GenevaLunch) – Manchester United again spoiled Roman Abramovich’s dream of a Champions League trophy when they beat Chelsea 2-1 at Old Trafford, 12 April. The first goal was scored by Javier Henandez after a piece of magic by veteran Ryan Giggs. Chelsea were then reduced to ten men as Ramires committed a second foul and it looked like the Reds could cruise through. Didier Drogba, who came on to replace Torres at half time struck back with a powerful goal but this was cancelled out a minute later when Giggs provided another assist for Park Ji-Sung to put the game out of reach for a 3-1 aggregate.
In the other quarter-final Lionel Messi scored to give Bacelona a 0-1 win to go through against Shaktar Donetsk for a 6-1 aggregate win. Barcelona should meet Real Madrid in the semi-finals while Manchester will face FC Schalke unless Inter Milan pull off a miracle after losing the first game 2-5.
International sports, football
City of Manchester Stadium, England (GenevaLunch) - Manchester United took another step towards the Premier League title when they came back from 2-0 down at West Ham to win 2-4, 2 April. The Hammers scored from two penalties in the first half but Wayne Rooney replied with a hat-trick in the second half, only to spoil the headlines by swearing in his celebration – much to the apparent shock of the British tabloid press.
Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool all slipped back to leave Man United with a seven-point lead at the top of the table. Man City enjoyed their Sunday romp against Sunderland, winning 5-0 to move past Chelsea into third place.
Barcelona also moved away from their rivals as they beat Villareal 0-1 and then saw Real Madrid lose at home to Gijon. That game ended an amazing 151 unbeaten home record for coach José Maurinho: a sequence that goes back nine years and includes seasons at Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid. Barcelona are now eight points ahead in La Liga.
Links to other sites: Premier League, Guardian
Chelsea and Man United will face off during the UEFA quater-finals
Geneva and Nyon, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - The Friday morning Uefa draw for the Champions League quarter-finals will provide real tension for the 5-6 and 12-13 April matches. Chelsea and Manchester United face off, and as the Uefa report on the draw points out:
“Sir Alex Ferguson’s team denied Chelsea a first European Champion Clubs’ Cup in a dramatic penalty shoot-out in Moscow three years ago, and the London club will have a shot at revenge next month. While Chelsea are reigning English champions, United currently lead them by nine points in the Premier League and have history on their side in the competition having been crowned Europe’s finest three times.”
FC Internazionale Milano will meet FC Schalke 04. The two clubs last met in a major tournament in 1997.
Nine-time trophy winners Real Madrid CF is up against Tottenham Hotspur FC, so Madrid escapes playing Barcelona at this stage, but the Spanish teams could face each other in the semi-finals if FC Barcelona chases out FC Shakhtar Donetsk.
Quarter-final draw (5/6 and 12/13 April)
Real Madrid CF (ESP) v Tottenham Hotspur FC (ENG)
Chelsea FC (ENG) v Manchester United FC (ENG)
FC Barcelona (ESP) v FC Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)
FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) v FC Schalke 04 (GER)
Semi-final draw (26/27 April and 3/4 May)
1: Inter/Schalke v Chelsea /Manchester United
2: Madrid/Tottenham v Barcelona/Shakhtar
Final (28 May, Wembley)
Winner semi-final 2 v Winner semi-final 1
International sports, football
Old Trafford, Manchester (GenevaLunch) - Arsenal were knocked out of their third Cup in two weeks as they lost 2-0 to Manchester United on Saturday 12 March in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. They also lost their Swiss international defender Johan Djourou to an injury (suspected dislocated shoulder) that might put him out for the rest of the season. Djourou played for Geneva club Etoile Carouge until he joined the Arsenal Academy as a 16 years old but his career has been plagued by injuries ever since. Arsenal are still second in the Premier League, behind Manchester United but the lack of depth in the squad looks like it might halt their progress. Man United will meet Man City in the semi-finals, while the other match will see Bolton Wanderers take on Stoke. Both games will be at Wembley, on 17th and 18th April. Man City edged past Reading 1-0 while Stoke beat West Ham to reach their first semi-final since 1972.
Links to other sites: Premier League, Guardian
International sports, football
Anfield, Liverpool (GenevaLunch) - Liverpool may not win any titles this season but they might well have played a role in denying one to Manchester United. They deservedly beat their archrivals 3-1, with a hat-trick by Dirk Kuyt, 6 March. Man United fielded a side weakened in defense because of the absence of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, but they were comprehensively outplayed in all departments.
Arsenal could only draw 0-0 against Sunderland but are just three points behind United in the Premier League and still have a game in hand. Man City stay third after a 1-0 win over Wigan.
Tottenham travelled to Wolverhampton for the best game of the weekend: a thrilling 3-3 draw.
In the Spanish La Liga Barcelona and Real Madrid both won. Inter Milan beat Genoa 5-2 and AC Milan beat Juventus in Series A. In the Swiss Super League Basel are still on top after a 3-1 win over Zurich. Neuchatel lost 1-2 to Bellinzona while Thun-Luzern ended 3-3.
Links to other sites: Premier League, Guardian
International sports, football
Stamford Bridge, London (GenevaLunch) - Chelsea were knocked out of the FA Cup by Everton, 20 February and face the possibility of ending the season not merely with no trophies but failing to qualify for next year’s Champions League. Everton equalised in the final minutes of extra time after a dull goal-less 90 minutes followed by a Frank Lampard strike put Chelsea ahead. In the penalty shoot-out Nicolas Anelka and Ashley Cole missed for Chelsea, allowing Phil Neville to make the winning strike. Manchester United put up a lacklustre performance that was just enough to get past lowly Crawley Town 1-0. Man City were more impressive as they powered past Notts County 5-0. Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw by Leighton Orient and now need to win the replay at the Emirates Stadium to face Manchester United in the quarter-finals at Old Trafford.Celtic thumped Rangers 3-0 in Scotland.
Real Madrid’s coach José Mourinho extended his own special record of 148 home league games without a loss, and Real Madrid’s home wins run to twelve games, with a 2-0 defeat of Levante.
Claudio Ranieri has resigned as coach of Roma after wasting a 0-3 lead to lose 4-3 at Genoa, and a 2-3 loss against Shaktar Donetsk in the Champions League. Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti might soon be available to take over.
International sports, football
Old Trafford, Manchester (GenevaLunch) - Manchester United star Wayne Rooney was far from his best for most of the game against the noisy neighbours, Manchester City, 12 February. He ran around with little purpose and repeatedly lost the ball but that will all be forgiven with the endless replays of what might be the goal of the season, a magnificent overhead bicycle kick to win 2-1. The goal opened up a seven point lead at the top of the Premier League but this was reduced to four points when Arsenal won 2-0 against Wolves to confirm their second place. Man City are third while Spurs beat Sunderland 1-2 to move fourth. Chelsea might reclaim this spot when they travel to Fulham on Monday, 14 February.
In the Swiss Super League FC Basel moved top, ahead of Lucerne and Zurich. Basel beat St Gall 3-0 while Zurich lost at Young Boys 4-2 and Grasshoppers and Thun played out a 0-0 draw. In La Liga the winning streak of 18 games by Barcelona finally ended with a 1-1 draw at Gijon. Barcelona play Arsenal in London on Wednesday in the pick of the games for the European Champions League. Real Madrid beat Espanyol 0-1 despite having their goalkeeper sent off after only two minutes.
Links to other sites: Premier League, Guardian, TSR.
International sports, football
Stamford Bridge, London (GenevaLunch)- Chelsea paid £50 million to Liverpool for their Spanish striker Fernando Torres but it was not enough to win their next match up. Torres was substituted in the game shortly before Liverpool scored the only goal of the match 6 February. Manchester United failed in their bid to create a new club record for the number of games without defeat when they went down 2-1 to bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers. Despite the loss Man United stay four points clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League. Saturday’s games broke a number of Premiership records: for the maximum number of goals and for the biggest comeback when Newcastle recovered from 0-4 down against Arsenal to draw 4-4.
Links to other sites: Premier League, Guardian
International sports, football
Villa Park, Birmingham, GenevaLunch - Darren Bent earned the first installment of his £24 million transfer fee from Sunderland when he scored the goal that allowed Aston Villa to beat Manchester City 1-0, Saturday 22 January. He also did a favour to Manchester United, although the Reds did not look like they needed much help as they smashed the other Birmingham team 5-0 with a hat-trick by Dimitar Berbatov.
Man United now top the Premier League by two points from Arsenal, and have a game in hand over their main rival teams. The Gunners strolled past Wigan 3-0, with Robin van Persie scoring all three goals. despite missing a penalty.
At the other end West Ham are still bottom despite drawing 2-2 at Everton, while Wolves lost 0-3 at home to give Liverpool their first League win since the return of Kenny Dalglish.
Links to other sites: Premier League, Guardian
International sports, football
Stamford Bridge, London (GenevaLunch) - Chelsea slipped up in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Aston Villa that featured three goals in the final 10 minutes. Chelsea came back from a goal down with two quick goals by Didier Drogba and captain John Terry only to concede a late equalizer that leaves them in fifth place in the Premier League, 2 January. The top two places are held by the Manchester clubs, with United ahead on goal difference and also having two games in hand. Man United won 1-2 at West Brom while City beat Blackpool 1-0. Arsenal put on a fine display to beat Birmingham 0-3 and stay third with Spurs next after a 1-0 victory over Fulham. Liverpool came from a goal down to beat Bolton 2-1 and offer a life-line to embatttled managerRoy Hodgson.
Celtic scored a 0-2 win at Rangers in the Scottish Premier League Old Firm clash. Barcelona stay five points clear of Real Madrid after beating Levante 2-1.
Links to other sites: Premier League, Guardian
International sports, football
St Andrew’s Stadium, Birmingham (GenevaLunch) - Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw at St Andrew’s, 28 December, when Birmingham City striker Lee Bowyer scored a late equaliser when a possible foul, a clear handball and marginal off-side decision all went the way of the home team. The result was still enough to push United back to the top of the Premier League, ahead of Man City on goal difference. Manchester City swept Aston Villa away 4-0 with a hat-trick by Mario Balotelli, including two penalties. Arsenal are third after outplaying Chelsea 3-1 to end a series of five successive losses to their London rivals. Spurs are fourth, ahead of Chelsea, after a 2-0 win over Newcastle.
Links to other sites: Premier League, The Sun
International sports, European Champions League football
Nyon, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - The draw for the first knockout round of the European Champions League took place in Nyon from 12:00 Friday 17 December. Highlights include a re-match of last season’s final between Inter Milan and Bayern Munich, while the crowd pleaser is likely to be Arsenal against Barcelona, another rematch from last season. AC Milan play Spurs while Chelsea travel to Copenhagen for their first match. Manchester United meet Marseille. The full fixture list is:
Roma v Shakhtar Donetsk
Milan v Tottenham
Valencia v Schalke
Internazionale v Bayern Munich
Lyon v Real Madrid
Arsenal v Barcelona
Marseille v Manchester United
FC Copenhagen v Chelsea
In the Europa League FC Basel meet Spartak Moscow while Young Boys meet St Petersburg.
International sports, football
Old Trafford, Manchester (GenevaLunch) - Manchester United moved back to the top of the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Arsenal.The goal was scored by with a looping header from Park Ji-Sung. Wayne Rooney later sent a penalty way over the crossbar. Man United are now two points clear of Arsenal and local rivals Manchester City. They also have a game in hand after their match against Blackpool was postponed by the weather. In the weekend games Chelsea drew 1-1 at Spurs, with Didier Drogba scoring a goal and then missing a penalty. Newcastle beat Liverpool 3-1 while Manchester City won 1-3 at West Ham. Carlos Tevez has had his request for a tranfer from City rejected. Blackburn beat Bolton 2-1 and the losing manager, Sam Allardyce was sacked as punishment.
Links to other sites: Premier League,Guardian
