England international David Beckham hailed compatriot John Terry for his successful outing against the United States on Wednesday, a week after his penalty miss in the Champions League final...
John Terry was the width of a post away from winning Chelsea the Champions League in their first ever final against Manchester United in Moscow, only to slip as he took the kick, miss, and see the Red Devils go on to clinch glory in sudden death.
As if the emotional baggage from that experience was not enough, the Blues skipper was accused of spitting at Carlos Tevez and is now facing a UEFA investigation.
Going into Wednesday's England game, there were rumours he may even lose his chance at regaining the England captaincy - which, despite holding under ex-England boss Steve McClaren, he had yet to wear under Fabio Capello.
However, as the former Real Madrid, Juventus and Milan manager continues his captaincy rotation policy in order to find his ideal on-field leader, Terry got the nod, almost as if to say that if he could come back from the horrendous week he had just endured, he was truly captain material.
And come back he did. It was not his best performance - ironically, that honour would probably go to his showing in Moscow - but he scored a beautiful header and remained solid at the back, completing a perfect comeback performance after his Moscow misery, and all as captain of his country.
Former captain Beckham, who resigned after the 2006 World Cup, hailed Terry's strength and class, as well as giving his take on the emotions that the die-hard stopper must currently be dealing with.
"Just because of his disappointment last week, doesn't change John Terry as a person and a player," said Beckham.
"He is still going to be a top class player, he is still going to be a top class captain and he is still going to be a great sort of guy as well.
"We were all happy he scored the goal for England and put in the performance like he did. You could see the emotion going through him and in his eyes once he scored that goal and was celebrating.
"There was a slight relief there for him but as a team and as team-mates we were all pleased and proud for him.
"You see that passion sometimes. You saw that in Stuart Pearce's face when he scored that penalty in Euro '96 and you saw it in JT's face when he scored against the United States.
"To be captain and also to score a goal at Wembley means a lot to JT and no-one can ever question him when he puts that England shirt or Chelsea shirt on.
"No-one can ever question his passion and dedication.
"John is still going to be hurting, of course, but he will get over it. It will take time but he will get over it.
"A lot has been made this week of the disappointment JT is going through and you can see the pain in him is still there and it will be there for a while.
"But he is a character who will get over it. He is one of the strongest characters I have ever come across in football. He has got a lot of support within the England team and outside the team and at his club.
"I watched the Champions League final. I think to just step up to take a penalty in that situation means you have to be a strong character and a strong man to do that.
"Penalties are hard because if you score one, you can be a hero and if you miss one, it is different but he was man enough to stand up and take that penalty.''
Serious
Of Capello's new England regime - who Beckham famously played under in a rocky but ultimately successful 2006/07 season at Real Madrid - Becks noted: "The players are learning he is very strict and very serious and, when you train, you train hard, and when you play, you play hard and when you are with the England team, you concentrate and wear that shirt with pride.
"The players know what he wants and are trying to make him happy and at the moment we are working hard and winning games.
"There is still a lot to learn and a lot of hard work to do but we are happy at the moment.''
The LA Galaxy midfielder also rubbished the notion of players not being motivated for international friendlies.
"You are wearing the England shirt," he explained. "That is enough motivation for any player and that is one of the things the manager said before the game, that he wanted a real English performance, a fighting performance.
"I think we showed that at times. We pressed very well and controlled it at times. Overall we've got to be happy and we go on from here.''
Chet Winter, Goal.com
Man. United 1 - 1 Chelsea
Cristiano Ronaldo 26, Lampard 45
MU win 6-5 on penalties
United Strike Gold In Shoot-Out
Almost ten months after launching their season with a shoot-out victory over Chelsea FC, Manchester United FC repeated the feat in the UEFA Champions League final with Edwin van der Sar saving from Nicolas Anelka to take the trophy to Old Trafford for a third time.
High drama
Sir Alex Ferguson's team had prevailed 3-0 on penalties in the FA Community Shield on 5 August after a 1-1 draw but the prospect of a repeat looked distant when Cristiano Ronaldo headed them into a deserved 26th-minute lead. Chelsea equalised 19 minutes later through Frank Lampard, however, and they appeared more likely winners thereafter, Didier Drogba and Lampard both striking the woodwork.
Dreamland
Despite Drogba's dismissal for slapping Nemanja Vidić deep into extra time, the ten men had the ultimate prize within reach after Petr Čech's save from Ronaldo's penalty but John Terry fired wide at 4-4 when his kick would have clinched victory. Three conversions later, Van der Sar outwitted Anelka and United were in dreamland.
Ronaldo delight
Given this final featured the best two defences in the Premier League it was perhaps little surprise both sides began cautiously. Owen Hargreaves, making a lively start down United's right, gave an early test to Ashley Cole - fully recovered from an ankle injury suffered in training on Tuesday - by delivering two dangerous balls into the area and almost getting on the end of Ronaldo's left-wing centre. From the Portuguese international's second significant contribution, United were ahead. Wes Brown played a one-two with Paul Scholes on the right touchline and cut inside to deliver a deep cross to the far post, where Ronaldo peeled away from Michael Essien to nod his first goal against Chelsea, netting just inside Čech's right-hand post.
Tempo rising
Michael Ballack drove over from the edge of the box as Chelsea sought an instant response, but at the half-hour Avram Grant's men had managed just 38 per cent of possession. For all that, United's lead might have disappeared but for the reflexes of the 37-year-old Van der Sar, the Dutchman making an instinctive save at point-blank range to keep out Rio Ferdinand's inadvertent header under pressure from Ballack. The tempo was rising and within seconds, Chelsea could have fallen two behind at the other end. Wayne Rooney's fabulous long pass launched a counterattack from which Čech made stops to deny first Carlos Tévez's header then Michael Carrick's follow-up shot.
Lampard leveller
Tévez next passed up another presentable opening from Rooney's low right-wing centre and Chelsea took advantage of this profligacy on the stroke of half-time. Lampard reacted quickest to slip the ball beyond Van der Sar after Essien's speculative long-range effort had struck both Vidić and Ferdinand. Having got back into the game, Chelsea were eager to build on their equaliser and might have been in front within ten minutes of the restart. Florent Malouda sent Essien away down the right and the Ghanaian turned away from two defenders on the edge of the area, only to direct a left-foot attempt too high. Ballack then sliced wide as the United defence parted invitingly.
Drogba denied
Before kick-off, the United end of the ground had displayed a series of cards spelling out one simple message: Believe. With Ballack and midfield partner Lampard growing in influence, however, that conviction now seemed exclusively Chelsea's and they came closer than ever to a second goal with 12 minutes left when Drogba, out of nothing, curled a shot from 25 metres beyond Van der Sar but off the goalkeeper's left-hand upright. Ryan Giggs came on after 87 minutes to make a record-breaking 759th United appearance, yet with tension setting in neither side were willing to risk defeat and commit men forward.
Overtime tension
Still, Chelsea continued to look more enterprising and early in extra time they rattled the woodwork again as Ashley Cole and Ballack set up Lampard for an improvised shot that came back off the bar with Van der Sar beaten. Terry then blocked Giggs's goalbound strike after Patrice Evra's low centre had taken Čech out of the game. The ebb and flow of attacks continued, with the only advantage gained being United's after Drogba was dismissed for raising a hand to Vidić. That seemed not to matter when Ronaldo missed United's third kick of the shoot-out, but Chelsea's moment passed with Terry's slip and Van der Sar's subsequent glory-grabbing save.
(Match report by Andrew Haslam from Luzhniki Stadium)
It was clear kick-off could not come soon enough for Manchester United FC manager Sir Alex Ferguson when he arrived 20 minutes early for his press conference ahead of the UEFA Champions League final at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.
English rivals
Ten days since the Premier League campaign closed, Chelsea FC and United cannot wait to resume a rivalry that has outgrown their domestic game. The European title is at stake for two teams who have been English champions twice apiece in the last four years. "We have an illustrious history, but there is a weakness in how many European trophies we have won. I hope we can go some way to making that better," Sir Alex said.
Sir Alex 'proud'
History follows United at every step. Sir Alex led his side to UEFA Champions League glory in 1999, and a third European crown beckons 40 years after Sir Matt Busby's team lifted club football's most prestigious prize. It is also 50 years since the Munich air disaster and United's manager said he was "proud to be following in the footsteps" of those who had died that day – members of the first English side to compete in the European Champion Clubs' Cup. "We will not let them down," he promised.
'We feel at home'
United's opponents in this first all-English final may be familiar, but this is a trip into the unknown for Chelsea, a chance to start building the tradition they so crave. Finishing runners-up to United on the domestic stage has supplied added incentive to land the trophy their Russian owner Roman Abramovich covets most. How fitting if the revolution his wealth has wrought on the English game reaches its climax in Moscow. "We feel at home here, I must say," Chelsea coach Avram Grant said. "It's a nice feeling." Chelsea may be contesting their first UEFA Champions League final yet six former winners could start for the Londoners; United feature five among their ranks.
Contrasting experience
It is on the bench, however, that experience may tell the most. "I'm relaxed and I should be," Sir Alex said. "It's my fourth European final. I've got to use my experience and hopefully composure to help everyone else." The Scot's 1999 success came long before the Premier League had established its continental dominance and he will attempt to keep United one step ahead by joining a select band of coaches to have claimed the European Cup twice. By contrast, this is Grant's 12th match in the competition proper. According to the Israeli, though, longevity can only take you so far. "It's more important that the players are hungry and my players are very, very hungry to win."
Cole scare
Chelsea suffered a scare in training when Ashley Cole hurt his right ankle after a tackle by Claude Makelele. Although the left-back continued after strapping was applied, Wayne Bridge will be on standby should the problem prove serious. Each team is otherwise at full strength. Chelsea won their most recent meeting in April but United had the last laugh in the domestic championship. Now, in Russia, it will be intriguing to see if the Reds can seize power again. If not, the vodka will be on Mr Abramovich. Grant said: "I'm not a drinker but in this case it will be OK. I will drink more than one glass." (uefa.com)
In Sigombak Prediction
PREDICTION Steven Jones, goal.com -- Over the course of ninety minutes I feel the match will be as close as ever and will need extra time, and possibly penalties to determine a winner. In extra time gameplans go out of the window and it may provide the space for one of the many star players on the pitch to grab a winner. I personally cannot separate the two sides so I have gone for a draw leading to a penalty shootout where either could be the winners of the Champions League 2008.
Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea (could go either way on penalties)
Prediction Sigombak, owner blog, Manchester win 1-0! the boring game! All club over devensif and over be carefull.
This prediction if no quick goal.
Machday final Liga Champions all England club, Manchester United Chelsea at Moskow, Rusia, wednesday (21/5):
Its thirt final all club same country in histories champion league. In Paris at 2000, all Espanola club, Real Madrid beaten Valencia with 3-0.
2003, in Manchester, AC Milan winner 3-2 from Juventus in penalty after draw 0-0 in Italian final.
Machday Manchester vs Chelsea is final 53 since 1955-1956. Club England have succesly 11. Or like Italia and Spanyol succesly. Club’s England winning 29 trophy’s in three eropan competition club. Like succesly spanyol club’s.
England club’s at four last year always play in finally. At 2005 Liverpool winer from AC Milan. 2006, Arsenal runner up and last session, Liverpool in final.
Moskow first final champion league.
Winer Champion since 1956-2007
1956 Paris Real Madrid 4 Stade Reims 3
1957 Madrid Real Madrid 2 Fiorentina 0
1958 Brussels Real Madrid 3 AC Milan 2
1959 Stuttgart Real Madrid 2 Stade Reims 0
1960 Glasgow Real Madrid 7 Eintracht Frankfurt 3
1961 Bern Benfica 3 Barcelona 2
1962 Amsterdam Benfica 5 Real Madrid 3
1963 London AC Milan 2 Benfica 1
1964 Wina Inter Milan 3 Real Madrid 1
1965 Milan Inter Milan 1 Benfica 0
1966 Brussels Real Madrid 2 Partizan Belgrade 1
1967 Lisabon Celtic 2 Inter Milan 1
1968 London Manchester United 4 Benfica 1
1969 Madrid AC Milan 4 Ajax Amsterdam 1
1970 Milan Feyenoord 2 Celtic 1
1971 London Ajax Amsterdam 2 Panathinaikos 0
1972 Rotterdam Ajax Amsterdam 2 Inter Milan 0
1973 Beograd Ajax Amsterdam 1 Juventus 0
1974 Brussels Bayern Munich 4 Atletico Madrid 0
1975 Paris Bayern Munich 2 Leeds United 0
1976 Glasgow Bayern Munich 1 St Etienne 0
1977 Roma Liverpool 3 B Moenchengladbach 1
1978 London Liverpool 1 Club Bruges 0
1979 Munich Nottingham Forest 1 Malmo FF 0
1980 Madrid Nottingham Forest 1 Hamburg SV 0
1981 Paris Liverpool 1 Real Madrid 0
1982 Rotterdam Aston Villa 1 Bayern Munich 0
1983 Athena Hamburg SV 1 Juventus 0
1984 Roma Liverpool 1 AS Roma 1 (Liverpool win 4-2 with penalty)
1985 Brussels Juventus 1 Liverpool 0
1986 Sevilla Steaua Bucharest 0 Barcelona 0 (Steaua 2-0 penalti)
1987 Wina Porto 2 Bayern Munich 1
1988 Stuttgart PSV Eindhoven 0 Benfica 0 (PSV 6-5 penalti)
1989 Barcelona AC Milan 4 Steaua Bucharest 0
1990 Wina AC Milan 1 Benfica 0
1991 Bari Red Star Belgrade 0 Olympique Marseille 0 (Red Star 5-3 penalti)
1992 London Barcelona 1 Sampdoria 0
1993 Munich Olympique Marseille 1 AC Milan 0
1994 Athena AC Milan 4 Barcelona 0
1995 Vienna Ajax Amsterdam 1 AC Milan 0
1996 Rome Juventus 1 Ajax Amsterdam 1(Juventus 4-2)
1997 Munich Borussia Dortmund 3 Juventus 1
1998 Amsterdam Real Madrid 1 Juventus 0
1999 Barcelona Manchester United 2 Bayern Munich 1
2000 Paris Real Madrid 3 Valencia 0
2001 Milan Bayern Munich 1 Valencia 1(Bayern menang 5-4)
2002 Glasgow Real Madrid 2 Bayer Leverkusen 1
2003 Manchester AC Milan 0 Juventus 0 (AC Milan 3-2)
2004 Gelsenkirchen Porto 3 Monaco 0
2005 Istanbul Liverpool 3 AC Milan 3 (Liverpool 3-2)
2006 Paris Barcelona 2 Arsenal 1
2007 Athens AC Milan 2 Liverpool 1
Club’s winner champion league
9 - Real Madrid
7 - AC Milan
5 - Liverpool
4 - Bayern Munich, Ajax Amsterdam
2 - Barcelona, Benfica, Juventus, Inter Milan, Manchester
United, Nottingham Forest, Porto
1 - Celtic, Hamburg SV, Steaua Bucharest, Olympique Marseille,
Feyenoord, Aston Villa, PSV Eindhoven, Red Star Belgrade,
Borussia Dortmund.
All England Final...! Two England Football Club Meet on fhase Final competition eropa club's in Moskow. Chelsea road to final after beaten his rival, Liverpool in semi final dramatic.
A goal Paul Scholes Mancester United to Barcelona at second leg, make Manchester United go to final.
Rival In Premier League will beat to be a Champion Eropa club's 2008! MU or Chelsea? We still looking for analyze. But I thinks, MU ready to be a Campions! With young player's MU be replay was succes ini 1999. Atractif and full technik, 2-1 Red Devil will beat The Blues. But this only my prediction becouse MU my favorit team. Your prediction?
