RSSRoberto Di Matteo Related Content
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea Champions League final: Beware of ‘actor’ Didier Drogba
Didier Drogba played a huge part getting Chelsea to the final this season. The veteran striker produced a man-of-the-match performance against Napoli in the Round of 16 to help his team turn around a 3-1 first-leg deficit. In the semi-finals against Barcelona, Drogba gave a 1-0 advantage to the Blues with a goal at Stamford Bridge. At the Camp Nou, he showed his defensive skills as his team secured a vital 2-2 draw.
Earlier this month, Didier Drogba fired Chelsea to FA Cup glory at Wembley at the expense of Liverpool. Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes is wary of the harm Drogba could cause to the Germans in the 2011/12 UEFA Champions League final.
Chelsea vs Barcelona and Mourinho’s prediction: Are Barca sure Champions League finalists?
It was just after Real Madrid’s qualification into the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League that Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho began what appeared to be mind games with rival Pep Guardiola, as he downgraded Chelsea’s status by overly elevating the Catalans prior to their meeting at the Stamford Bridge.
“It could be Bayern or Barcelona,” the BBC quoted him saying. “I just don't think it will be Real Madrid v Chelsea and we know why.”
"Barcelona aren't the favourites, they are super-favourites."
Such a statement – especially from a football personality as experienced as Jose Mourinho – cannot be instantly substantiated. One can even question the level of sincerity behind this statement.
Exaggeration of opinion? Perhaps, but it is easier to believe that the Real Madrid manager was simply trying to make one or several points implicitly.
Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur: Champions League qualification tickets in Spurs’ hands
All right. A win for the Blues will not catapult them to 4th but will bring them within striking distance of Spurs threatening that precious berth and a lucrative Champions League eligibility.Chelsea are riding a very high crest since Andres Villas Boas's departure. Under Roberto Di Matteo, they have won 4 of their last 5 games including overturning a 3-1 deficit to Napoli. Suddenly, Chelsea have a lot to play for including the FA Cup and qualification for next season’s CL.
Chelsea lost their midweek meeting to Man City but only just as Spurs drew with Stoke. Tottenham have yet to win a premier league game in 2012 so they have chosen the wrong time to go through a blip. Chelsea have been galvanized since Di Matteo’s appointment and it appears the dressing room of the old guard have suddenly awoken from a strange deep slumber.
Super EPL action with Man City-Chelsea, Everton-Arsenal & Spurs-Stoke on same day
Manchester City vs Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur vs Stoke City will kick off simultaneously. At the Etihad Stadium, the Citizens will try to make the most of the home factor to defeat the Blues. Earlier in the season, Chelsea taught a lesson to Roberto Mancini and his men.
A repeat of such an outcome would only be good news to title aspirants, Manchester United. Following their shocking defeat to Swansea City earlier in the month, let’s just say that Manchester City have no room for more mistakes. That would put them 4 points behind the Red Devils.
Wednesday night’s battle in Manchester will be like a final for both teams but Chelsea perhaps have the advantage. The Blues don’t only have more experience than City. They are also in great revival form following the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas a few weeks ago.
Sacked Liverpool Coach Roy Hodgson Finds Life At West Bromwich Albion
Di Matteo was thrown out of the bag earlier this week. Now a statement from West Brom confirmed the capture of Kenny Dalglish's predecessor at Anfield. It stated:"We are delighted to announce that they have appointed Roy Hodgson as the club's new head coach."
According to reports, the 63-year-old man’s contract with West Brom is a short one. It bounds him to his new team for only one-and-a-half year. But Hodgson will not start with his new duties right away. This weekend, West Bromwich will still be guided by caretaker manager Michael Appleton.
West Bromwich Albion Sack Roberto Di Matteo
First team coach Michael Appleton will take charge of all managerial duties as the club considers all the available options for a new manager. Some of the possible replacements are Roy Hodgson and Martin O'Neill.Despite leading West Bromwich back into the Premier League, Chairman Jeremy Peace believes the sacking of Di Matteo was the right one indeed.
"This has been a tough decision but we, as a Board, believe it is the right one to give the Club the best possible chance of remaining in the Barclays Premier League,” said Peace to the club’s official website.