Danish delight at homeDenmark 2-0 Poland
Denmark turned in an impressive performance despite heavy rain to defeat Poland with ease.Deserved win
The hosts scored a goal in each half in front of 15,000 fans in Copenhagen to secure a deserved victory. Morten Olsen's men took the lead through Jon Dahl Tomasson before Thomas Røll Larsen made the game safe.Class tells
Poland coach Zbigniew Boniek will not be too disappointed in the efforts of his team as he attempts to rebuild after the disappointing display at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. His side were behind after just 21 minutes though as the experienced Danes showed their class.Tomasson scores
Christian Poulsen played Tomasson in with an incisive through-ball, and the AC Milan striker rounded Liverpool FC goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek before slotting into an empty net. It was no more than the home side deserved against a visiting team intent on containment.Determined start
Denmark could not find another goal their play warranted in the first half, but came out in even more determined fashion after the break. Olsen sent on Røll Larsen and Jesper Gronkjær and attacked from the outset. The second goal finally came 18 minutes from the end, this time Tomasson turned provider with a neat ball to Dennis Rommedahl. The PSV Eindhoven man found himself in front of Dudek but he unselfishly passed for Larsen to score in an empty net.Coach pleased
Olsen was pleased with his side's display. "It was difficult on a wet and slippery pitch, but we scored two goals - could have scored more - and didn't give much away in defence," he said. "In two and a half years we have played 28 matches. We have won 18, played seven draws and only lost three games, and that's what counts in the end. And we have created these results in a style which suits the players."
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Man Utd, Spurs linked as Milan push Tomasson to England
tribalfootball.comItalian reports continue to link AC Milan striker Jon Dahl Tomasson with a move to England in January.
The Danish international only joined the Serie A giants in the summer, but it's understood Milan's moneymen are open to pushing Tomasson towards the Premiership if a quick sale can be struck.The Dane has been linked with Tottenham, while Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is also believed to be monitoring the former Newcastle United flop's situation.
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Madrid and Milan meet againHolders Real Madrid CF and AC Milan were pitted together in today's draw for the UEFA Champions League second group stage in Geneva, Switzerland.
Group C
The fixture will revive memories of the 1958 European Champion Clubs' Cup final, won 3-2 by Madrid in Brussels. Yet Milan were in scintillating form in the first group stage and are one of the leading contenders to replace Madrid at the pinnacle of European football. It is the only section to contain three former winners after BV Borussia Dortmund, successful in 1997, were drawn along with FC Lokomotiv Moskva.Group A
There will also be a meeting of Spanish and Italian sides in Group A after FC Barcelona, seeking their second success, were drawn against two-times winners Internazionale FC. Bayer 04 Leverkusen, runners-up last season, will provide stiff opposition along with Newcastle United FC who on Wednesday became the first team to qualify for this stage after losing their opening three matches.Group B
In Group B, the Spanish champions Valencia CF, beaten finalists in 2000 and 2001, were drawn against Arsenal FC in a repeat of the 1980 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final, which Valencia won on penalties. Four-times winners AFC Ajax are also in the section along with a club which has long craved success at this level, AS Roma.Group D
Group D brings together Manchester United FC and Juventus FC in a repeat of the 1999 semi-final which the English side won en route to claiming their third European crown. RC Deportivo La Coruña will meet United for the third time in two seasons, while FC Basel are seeking another English scalp after eliminating Liverpool FC.2002/03 UEFA Champions League Second group stage
Group A
FC Barcelona (ESP)
Internazionale FC (ITA)
Bayer 04 Leverkusen (GER)
Newcastle United FC (ENG)
Group B
Valencia CF (ESP)
Arsenal FC (ENG)
AS Roma (ITA)
AFC Ajax (HOL)
Group C
Real Madrid CF (ESP)
AC Milan (ITA)
BV Borussia Dortmund (GER)
FC Lokomotiv Moskva (RUS)
Group D
Manchester United FC (ENG)
Juventus FC (ITA)
RC Deportivo La Coruña (ESP)
FC Basel (SUI)
Calendar
Matchday 7: 26/27 November 2002
Matchday 8: 10/11 December 2002
Matchday 9: 18/19 February 2003
Matchday 10: 25/26 February 2003
Matchday 11: 11/12 March 2003
Matchday 12: 18/19 March 2003
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Deportivo don't bring Milan luckMILAN - It's official: Deportivo don't bring Milan luck. On March 13, 2001, in their last clash at the San Siro, the Spanish side eliminated the Rossoneri from the Champions League and for this reason Zaccheroni was fired.
This time, although they had already made the qualification safe, Irureta's men ended Milan's unbeaten run at the San Siro in the Champions League, where they had been defeated last time by Rosenborg on December 4, 1996, with Sacchi having just replaced Tabarez.
Fortunately Milan had already ensured the qualification to the second group stage of the Champions League early. Thanks to their four victories in a row and the goals scored, Ancelotti's side are Group G winner ahead of Deportivo who will join them in Friday's draw.
Milan didn't show the attractive football they used in this start of the season and didn't seem to have recovered their peak condition after the last defeat at hand of Juventus.
Ancelotti was forced to rotation because he couldn't count on some players (Seedorf was dismissed, Gattuso and Dida injured) and because he wanted to spare eneries. With Nesta, Inzaghi and Rivaldo dropped at first to the bench, the coach had also Ambrosini (calf injury) and Costacurta (fever) missing.
So he played Simic as half-back, Pirlo in front of the back line, Dalla Bona as holding and Serginho as attacking midfielder. In the front line, Shevchenko was the main target, supported by an inspired Rui Costa and Tomasson, who broke the deadlock after 34 minutes, heading a pefect cross from Kaladze across Juanmi and just inside his left-hand post.
A goal which knocked the wind out of the Spanish side, after they had dominated in the opening stage, hinting at goal twice through Luque. At the other end, Serginho's cross clipped the bar just before Milan lead.
But a second-half revival saw Deportivo draw level and decide the game. Diego Tristan hit a powerful drive from 30 metres which Abbiati got a fingertip too as it flew into the net. Then Roy Makaay grabbed the winner in the 70th minute with a low shot after racing onto a long ball forward from Amavisca.
For the remainder of the game, it was Deportivo's turn to press, and even the arrival of Filippo Inzaghi as a late substitute didn't change the situation. Irureta's side were actually close once more with Tristan could have made it 3-1 in the last few minutes but somehow shot over with the goal gaping.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MILAN 1-2 DEPORTIVO (1-0)
Scorers: 34’ Tomasson, 58’ Tristan, 70’ Makaay
MILAN (4-3-1-2): Abbiati; Helveg, Simic, Maldini, Kaladze (85’ Aubameyang); Dalla Bona, Pirlo, Serginho; Rui Costa (75’ Inzaghi); Shevchenko, Tomasson. Coach: Ancelotti
Subs not used: Fiori, Nesta, Calvi, Dal Bello, Rivaldo.
DEPORTIVO (4-2-3-1): Juanmi; Scaloni, Romero, Hector, Capdevila; Mauro Silva, Sergio; Makaay (78’ Duscher), Fran (65’ Acuña), Luque (56’ Amavisca); Tristan. Coach: Irureta
Subs not used: Dani Mallo, Manuel Pablo, Djorovic, Victor
Referee: Riley (England):: Posted @ 10:49:40 PM::
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Milan clubs ready to talk to Spurs about Helveg
tribalfootball.comTottenham are keen to land AC Milan wing-back Thomas Helveg.
The Danish international's transfer rights are shared between Milan and city rivals Inter and it's understood both clubs are willing to do business.Spurs were linked with Helveg last month and reports out of Italy today suggest the experienced wing-back could join the London club in January.
The only stumbling block is Milan's bid to find a replacement and any deal could depend on the rossoneri's move for Lazio wing-back Massimo Oddo.
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Denmark squad for friendly with Poland
COPENHAGEN, Nov 11 (AFP) - Denmark squad announced Monday for the friendly against Poland here on November 20:Goalkeepers: Jimmy Nielsen (AaB), Peter Skov-Jensen (FC Midtjylland)
Defenders: Martin Albrechtsen (FC Copenhagen), Rene Henriksen (Panathinaikos/Gre), Thomas Helveg (AC Milan/Ita), Kaspar BogelundEindhoven), Niclas Jensen (Manchester City/Eng), Martin Laursen (AC Milan/Ita)
Midfielders: Claus Jensen (Charlton/Eng), Thomas Roll LarsenCopenhagen), Christian Poulsen (Schalke 04/Ger), Thomas Gravesen (Everton/Eng)
Strikers: Jon Dahl Tomasson (AC Milan/Ita), Jan Michaelsen (Panathinaikos/Gre), Jesper Gronkjaer (Chelsea/Eng), Martin Jorgensen (Udinese/Ita), Dennis Rommedahl (PSV Eindhoven/Ned), Ebbe Sand (Schalke 04/Ger)
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Juve-Milan: Always A Grand Battle (Reuters)11/08/2002. AT STAKE
The biggest non-derby game of the Italian season takes place at an already sold out Delle Alpi stadium in Turin on Sunday night when Juventus host AC Milan in what promises to be the best game of the season thus far. Juve and Milan currently sit in 3rd and 2nd respectively, with Milan trailing leaders Inter by three points and Lippi's men a further point behind. This alone puts tremendous pressure on the two sides who would be expecting the nerazzurri to pick up maximum points in their home game versus Udinese.Milan have found it very hard to win at the Delle Alpi in the past and their poor record is demonstrated by the fact that they have only won twice in their last ten visits to Turin. Juventus, who beat Milan here three season in a row now, will see this as a promising sign and look to leapfrog their opponents in the standings with an impressive win. The rossoneri however, will have other ideas. They will be looking to replicate the fantastic 0-2 win the pulled off in 1999 en route to Scudetto # 16 when George Weah struck twice to sink "La Vecchia Signora".
Considering this will be the last match played out on the coming match day, it will be interesting to see the motivation levels should Inter Milan suffer a shock defeat at home. But, it is needless to say, three points will be crucial for either side irrespective of what happens elsewhere.
FORM GUIDE
Juventus: DLWWWW
Juve have notched up four wins on the trot now, but have really suffered in the process of collecting those valuable points. With the tension of Champions League qualification put to rest with the win over Feyenoord however, the bianconeri will be able to focus 100% on the Milan clash. Juve have not conceded a goal in their last four games (all wins), but they have won the last three Serie A outings only by 1-0, something that may be a cause of concern coming up against a solid side such as Milan.AC Milan: WWLLWW
Milan have not paid a heavy price for their two losses against Chievo and Lens. In fact the latter was of no consequence at all to the rossoneri. However, they have found scoring increasingly hard as their attack has scored one less goal in each successive game in the past four games. The 1-0 win over Udinese at the weekend can only be considered a lucky three points for the rossoneri and they will have to raise their midfield play a little to win convincingly at the Delle Alpi.TEAM NEWS
Marcello Lippi is without the services of several key players for this big game. Last year's cappocanioneri David Trezeguet has still not resumed full training while the defensive duo of Montero and Tudor are also ruled out. Veteran Ciro Ferrara will continue to deputise for Montero at the back alongside Azzurri defender Mark Iuliano. Alessandro Birindelli will be preferred to Moretti at left back. In midfield, Conte (who also has a habit of playing well against Milan) is unavailable, so Alessio Tacchinardi will take over the reigns in midfield. Gianluca Zambrotta may be preferred to Camoranesi on the right given the Argentines recent clashes with Lippi. Davids has recovered from his neck injury and will surely start. Nedved, who himself injured himself against Piacenza on Wednesday should be fit and will slot in behind Di Vaio and Del PieroCarlo Ancelotti is without Roque Jr. in defence while Nesta and Kaladze are both suffering from fatigue. However, the duo are expected to be fit in time to face the Turin giants that will see the former Juve boss field his favoured back four of Simic, Nesta, Maldini and Kaladze. In goal, Christian Abbiati is set to get a rare start as Brazilian Dida is still suffering after he collided with Udinese striker Muntari midweek. A major blow, however, comes in the form of Gennaro Gattuso, who is almost certainly ruled out of the clash due to ligament trouble. The Italian international woke up with severe pain in his knee. Massimo Ambrosini is set to deputize for his compatriot, though Ancelotti may try and be adventurous and move Seedorf to the right and introduce Serginho into the game. Rivaldo trained separately on Thursday, but is rumoured to get a start ahead of Shevchenko. The World Cup winner will play off Inzaghi with Rui Costa orchestrating the plays right behind the duo.
KEY BATTLES
Nedved vs. Simic: Pavel Nedved is probably Juventus' best player and he usually saves his best for AC Milan. Even his Lazio days, he would torment Milan's right-side, making life hell for the likes of Gattuso, Helveg etc. Even though Marcello Lippi has transitioned the Czech player into a more central role, he inevitably drifts over to the left-side. On Sunday, this will be crucial for Milan. Without the services of the pit bull Gattuso, Dario Simic will have to be extra careful on the far touch line. Simic has not completely settled into his role at right-back, but he is an excellent man-marker whilst playing in the center. The Croat will need all his skills on Sunday as he will play a huge role in helping out Milan's right-sided midfielder in containing Nedved and his crosses from that far side. If Carlo Ancelotti is smart, he will employ the industrious Cristian Brocchi in the absence of Gattuso.Rui Costa vs. Tacchinardi/Davids: I think Marcello Lippi will play Davids in the middle to offset the threat of Rui Costa. But, if Tacchinardi is played, he will have his work cutout as well. "I think that Rui Costa will be the biggest problem for us and we must shut him down," said Tacchinardi in a midweek interview. Either way, the man in the middle will be the one that makes sure that the Milan no. 10 does not have free reign on Sunday night. In fact, Juve might want to take a lesson out of the page of their fellow bianconeri, Udinese who shut up the Milan midfield with their aggressive pressing on Wednesday.
PROBABLE LINEUPS (watch for daily updates)
Juventus (4-3-1-2): Buffon; Thuram, Ferrara, Iuliano, Birindelli; Camoranesi, Davids, Tacchinardi; Nedved; Di Vaio, Del PieroAC Milan (4-3-1-2): Abbiati; Simic, Nesta, Maldini, Kaladze; Seedorf, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Rui Costa; Rivaldo, Inzaghi
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Alex Del Piero (Juventus): The Juve skipper has been in fine form of late and even though his goal-scoring touch has deserted him in the past few games, he usually is quite a nightmare for Milan. Add to that the fact that he has the perfect opportunity to shut up his rival, Inzaghi and remind him who's the boss of Turin, and you've got the perfect set up. I think Del Piero can easily spoil Milan's party with his nifty moves if he gets going.Filippo Inzaghi (Milan): Personally, I don't think Inzaghi will have a good return to Turin. He is bound to get booed by the crowd and will probably not win the physical battle against the tall Juve defenders. However, Pippo has been in fine form of late and must be yearning for payback to remind his old club that they were wrong to discard him. If the Milan midfield can get going with Rui Costa, Seedorf and Pirlo all providing the Italian international will plenty of service, we might just see the real Superpippo on Sunday.
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