Wily Shakhtar seek to hold Roma in check

Mircea Lucescu said FC Shakhtar Donetsk are "ready to fight" to defend their 3-2 UEFA Champions League round of 16 first-leg lead at home against AS Roma, but Vincenzo Montella believes his side have "the ambition and the ability" to prevail in his first European game as coach.

Mircea Lucescu, Shakhtar coach
The team are well prepared, we are ready to fight. The players gave their all in our latest training session and everyone is ready to play apart from Olexandr Kucher. The pitch is in excellent condition. In the past we had problems and had to play at the RSC Olimpiyskiy, but everything is very well now.

Since Vincenzo Montella's appointment Roma have changed their style. I have a feeling that the days of Luciano Spalletti are returning. We are familiar with their attacking style of play because we played against Roma five years ago in the Champions League group stage. The absence of Marco Cassetti and Jérémy Menez through suspension will not weaken Roma: they have enough top-class players to replace them.

It's very important for us to win tomorrow. Our opponents naturally want revenge, but Shakhtar have enough experience to get a proper result. We need to qualify and after that we will think about what comes next. It's too early to speak about it right now.

Vincenzo Montella, Roma coachWe have come to Donetsk with the ambition and the ability to win. Right now all of us are completely focused on Shakhtar. We will start our preparations for the derby match against [S.S.] Lazio after the Champions League game.

Shakhtar are a well-organised team. We have all had a chance to assess them from their performance in Rome. We have to make the game difficult for them. It is very important to not let them play the way they want to. I am very optimistic about our chances to win here. Roma have great potential, but we must all pull together if we are to win.

It is very important for me to achieve a unity of purpose in the team. I have a lot of enthusiasm and am trying to live up to this role. I have a good understanding with [captain] Francesco Totti. He listens to my advice and does everything I tell him to do.

Team news
• Shakhtar
Fernandinho is back in action after recovering from a broken leg, but Kucher is out with a knee problem. Dmytro Chygrinskiy, Olexiy Gay, Luiz Adriano and Răzvan Raţ are within a booking of a one-match ban.

• Roma
Menez and Marco Cassetti are serving one-match suspensions. Adriano has not played since dislocating his shoulder in January, while Simone Perrotta misses the next match if he receives a card in Donetsk.

Latest resultsThursday: FC Sevastopol 0-1 Shakhtar
(Luiz Adriano 90+6)
Lucescu's side prevailed in their first Ukrainian Premier League fixture since 28 November, and have now won their last 13 competitive matches, and 28 of their 31 fixtures this term. Shakhtar have won all 15 of their home games this season, and 18 in a row at home in all competitions.

Friday: US Lecce 1-2 Roma
(Giacomazzi 75; Vučinić 32, Pizarro 90pen)
David Pizarro's first goal since 14 March 2010 earned Roma's seventh win in 19 away games this season. Of the 39 Serie A goals the Giallorossi have conceded this season, 25 have come in the last half-hour of games.

Did you know?
Shakhtar have gone through on the five previous occasions they won the first leg of a European tie away from home, including in the 1997/98 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup first round when a 3-2 victory at Boavista FC was followed by a 1-1 draw in Ukraine.

Roma bring Adriano back to Italy

AS Roma have announced the signing of Brazil striker Adriano from CR Flamengo on a free transfer.

The former FC Internazionale Milano forward, 28, has signed a three-year deal with Roma. Nicknamed 'l'Imperatore' – the Emperor – Adriano arrived in Italy for the first time in 2001, signing for Inter and going on to score 48 goals in 123 Serie A appearances.

However, he spent much of his stint in Milan on loan to other clubs, including ACF Fiorentina, Parma FC and São Paulo FC, eventually returning to his first club Flamengo last year after ending his contract with the Nerazzurri by mutual consent. In his first season back in his homeland, he helped the Brazilian club win the national title with 19 goals in 32 games. He has also struck 27 times in 47 senior appearances for the Seleção, but is not in Dunga's FIFA World Cup squad in South Africa.

Roma captain Francesco Totti said: "I want to give the Emperor a warm welcome to Rome. We will do everything possible to help him feel at home. We have a few Brazilian players in the squad and I'm sure they will help Adriano adapt quickly. I'm sure he will show us all the qualities we know he has, and together we can achieve great results." Roma will play in the UEFA Champions League group stage next season after finishing second in Serie A.

Adriano and Roma part company

AS Roma have cancelled their contract with Brazilian striker Adriano by mutual consent with the 29-year-old having failed to score in five Serie A games this season.

Adriano joined Roma from CR Flamengo on a three-year contract last summer, and is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury. Nicknamed 'l'Imperatore' – the emperor – Adriano first came to Italy to join FC Internazionale Milano in 2001, and also had loan spells at ACF Fiorentina, Parma FC and São Paulo FC before returning to his first club, Flamengo, in 2009. Adriano has scored 27 goals in 47 senior appearances for Brazil.

Spain: Sevilla FC v FC Barcelona (Sunday, 21.00)

With Gregorio Manzano's eighth-placed outfit striving to push themselves back into European qualifying contention, the Andalusians will not want to lose to table-topping Barcelona. A daunting task, yet not an impossible one according to Sevilla midfielder Diego Perotti. "Barcelona are the best, but little by little other teams are beginning to understand them more," the 22-year-old Argentinian said. "They play a different style of football to everyone else but we have to be focused and stand up to them. Beating Barcelona would not save our season but it would feel great."

Austria: FK Austria Wien v SK Rapid Wien (Sunday, 16.00)

The 296th edition of the most celebrated Vienna derby finds 16-time champions Rapid sixth in the Bundesliga and eight points short of leaders Austria Wien. Midfielder Veli Kevlak is nursing a stress fracture of the kneecap and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink has torn a thigh muscle, leaving Rapid with two big pairs of boots to fill as they seek a repeat of their 1-0 success over Austria Wien at the Franz-Horr-Stadion earlier this term. However, their rivals expect a battle, regardless of who does or does not play. "Even if Rapid are a long way behind us, we have to give everything we've got in these matches," warned Austria Wien's right-back Florian Klein.

Italy: AS Roma v S.S. Lazio (Sunday, 15.00)

Eliminated by FC Shakthar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday, Roma must attempt to blaze a trail towards next season's competition when they play fourth-placed S.S. Lazio in the 'derby capitolino'. Five points and two positions behind their city rivals, the Giallorossi have taken seven points from three Serie A outings since Vincenzo Montella took over from Claudio Ranieri. "We have a chance to respond immediately to the Shakhtar defeat," said Roma defender Nicolás Burdisso. "This is the most important game of the season." Lazio striker Sergio Floccari concurred: "The derby is always the game for us but this one is particularly important because it could be crucial in the race for the Champions League."

Romania: FC Rapid Bucureşti v FC Dinamo Bucureşti (Saturday, 19.00)

The Bucharest duo sit level on points in fourth and fifth spots in Liga I but, having fallen 12 adrift of leaders FC Oţelul Galaţi, neither can afford to slip up as they scramble for European qualification. Rapid are without suspended defender Marius Constantin, with captain Costin Lazăr also a doubt amid wrangles over a contract extension. "I only want players who are totally focused," said coach Marius Șumudică, whose side last beat Dinamo in August 2008. Dinamo boss Ioan Andone "could not sleep" after last week's 2-2 home draw with struggling CS Pandurii Lignitul Târgu Jiu, yet may rest easier given a victory at Rapid. "We still believe we can win the title, but to get back into the race we have to win our next three matches," he said. "Against Rapid anything can happen."

Czech Republic: FC Viktoria Plzeň v AC Sparta Praha (Saturday, 17.20)

On a seven-game winning run, Sparta will look to go top in the Czech Republic for the first time this season as they meet First League frontrunners Viktoria Plzeň, who led them by 12 points during the autumn. Sparta coach Jozef Chovanec serves a touchline ban, but January signing Tomáš Pekhart – who scored 11 top-flight goals for FK Jablonec before the winter break – could make his league debut for the club. Plzeň have just one victory from their last four matches, and dropped two points with a missed penalty at 1. FC Slovácko on 5 March, yet Sparta cast-offs Pavel Horváth, Daniel Kolář and Jan Rezek have a point to prove. Coach Pabel Vrba said: "These players are at their best under pressure."

Germany: FC Bayern München v Hamburger SV (Saturday, 15.30)

Hamburg boss Armin Veh described this fixture as a game "between two stricken sides", with both clubs falling well short of expectations this season. Bayern, in fifth, have little hope of defending their Bundesliga title while Hamburg – two positions further back – are out of the all-important European places. This week it was also announced that Veh and Bayern coach Louis van Gaal would be leaving their posts at the season's end. Will that undermine their teams? "Only the future will tell," Veh said cryptically. "If you win, it works. If you lose, it might work eventually, but people start saying it doesn't." Bayern captain Philipp Lahm added: "The team have to respond now, every player has to do his duty."

Fulham Fc Goes International

International Watch

Wednesday 9th February 2011

If you’re looking for some mid-week football to watch on Wednesday night then there are two matches to keep an eye on from a Fulham perspective.

After Damien Duff’s Man of the Match performance for the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday night in Dublin, Chris Baird will be hoping for similar success in the Carling Nations Cup with Northern Ireland at the Aviva Stadium tonight.

Northern Ireland will be without Fulham defender Aaron Hughes (injured) for this evening’s game, but Baird will lead from the back against Scotland. The game will be shown live on Sky Sports 1 from 7.30pm.

One international match this evening that will capture the attention of every Fulham fan will be England’s game against Denmark in Copenhagen.

The Fulham faithful will be hoping Fabio Capello hands David Stockdale his first England cap in goal for the Three Lions. England’s game will be shown live on ITV from 7pm.

Meanwhile, there are a whole host of other international matches taking place across the globe this evening featuring Fulham players.

Player	Country	Opposition	Venue
David Stockdale	England	Denmark	Parken, Copenhagen (ITV1)
Chris Baird	Northern Ireland	Scotland	Aviva Stadium, Dublin (Sky Sports 1)
Brede Hangeland	Norway	Poland	Estadio, Algarve
Bjorn Helge Riise	Norway	Poland	Estadio, Algarve
John Pantsil	Ghana	Togo	Lens, France
Zoltan Gera	Hungary	Azerbaijan	Tofik Bakhramov, Baku
Mousa Dembele	Belgium	Finland	Koning Boudewijn Stadion, Belgium
Diomansy Kamara	Senegal	Guinea	Dakar, Senegal
Carlos Salcido	Mexico	Bosnia	Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Mexico
Kagisho Dikgacoi	South Africa	Burkina Faso	First National Bank Stadium, Rustenburg, SA
Neil Etheridge	Philippines	Mongolia	Panaad Stadium in Bacolod

Etheridge Victory

Neil Etheridge kept a clean sheet on Wednesday as the Philippine Azkals beat the Blue Wolves of Mongolia 2-0 at The Panaad Stadium in Bacolod in a crucial AFC Challenge Cup Qualifier (1st leg).

The Philippines first goal came right before half-time from Chieffy Caligdong before Phil Younghusband secured the win in stoppage time.

The second leg will be played on the 16th February with the winner reaching the 16-team group phase of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup.

Should Etheridge and company seal their victory over Mongolia in the second leg the Philippines will compete against Myanmar, Palestine and Bangladesh in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup between the 20th and 31st Match 2011.

Chicha the impact man

Javier Hernandez is set to start Saturday’s FA Cup fifth round tie against Crawley Town even though Sir Alex believes the best way to use the Mexican striker at the moment is as an impact player off the bench.

Chicharito has been a revelation since signing for the Reds last summer and has already netted 11 goals.

Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov remain Sir Alex’s first choice pairing, but Chicharito has certainly given the manager food for thought following his goalscoring exploits. And while he has been a starter in a number of the Reds’ cup games this season, Sir Alex believes the 20-year-old provides a great option from the bench.

“Possibly at this moment in time [he’s better at coming off the bench than starting]. He’s a great impact player,” explained the manager.

“It was the same with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. When I was picking teams in really important games I always tended to dismiss Ole simply because, as an impact player as a sub, there was nobody better. And sometimes you have to pick your team that way particularly in difficult games. If you know it’s going to be tight being able to bring an impact player on can make a difference.

“Chicharito’s training performances have improved tremendously in the last couple of months," he added. "His work-rate and practice ethic have been very good. He comes in early and stays behind. He’s done very well in that sense and is improving all the time.”

Keeping his front men happy is a juggling act Sir Alex is more than used to having had to manage a similar situation in 1999.

“It’s not easy, but it’s the type of problem I had in ’99 with Cole, Yorke, Sheringham and Solskjaer,” he added.

“Those four were different class and it was about trying to choose the right games when you wanted to rest or leave players out.

"Chicharito is still young and learning all the time. Having him as a sub is a fantastic back-up, you know he can make an impact. And Michael Owen is the same. So it’s a similar situation.”

Strong side for cup tie

Sir Alex Ferguson won't be taking anything for granted against non-league Crawley Town on Saturday with the United boss set to field a number of the players who helped see off Southampton in the last round.

The manager confirmed that a host of senior players including John O'Shea, Wes Brown and Michael Carrick will all be involved, while the likes of Bebe, Chicharito and the da Silva brothers will also feature in the FA Cup fifth round tie.

The Reds, however, will be without the injured Michael Owen after the striker picked a knock in training earlier in the week, while Ji-sung Park is also missing.

"It's disappointing because I was keen to play Michael," the boss told reporters at his pre-match press conference. "We could risk him but there's no point. He should be okay for Wednesday [against Marseille].

"Ji picked up a hamstring injury in the last few minutes of training last Friday. It's a blow because we've missed him [while he's been away on international duty]. He won't be available until March now.

"Rio [Ferdinand] and Jonny [Evans] are also still injured.

"We'll play all the players who were involved at Southampton in the last round," added the boss. "Bebe will play, so will the two da Silvas, Brown, O'Shea, Chicharito. We're strong in midfield with Anderson, Gibson and Carrick all available."

United may be overriding favourites to make it through to the quarter-finals, but Sir Alex insists his players still need to produce the goods to get

Fulham 0-0 Chelsea

With both sets of fans in good voice from the start, this evening encounter at Craven Cottage got underway in amidst a true local derby atmosphere.

The Whites were first to register an attack when Andrew Johnson combined well with Damien Duff on five minutes, building a Fulham counter-attack which resulted in Johnson winning a corner for the Whites.

Chelsea set up with Branislav Ivanovic and Ashley Cole taking up wide attacking positions when in possession, clearly looking to stretch the Whites’ defence across the pitch. But with neither side creating too much in the way of goal scoring chances, the early exchanges saw possession hotly contested in a busy midfield area.

There were nervy moments for the Whites’ defence on 22 minutes when a loose pass from Danny Murphy put Aaron Hughes in an uncomfortable situation with both Nicolas Anelka and Fernando Torres looking to get goal-side. Thankfully Hughes was able to hold off his opponents, enabling the danger to be snuffed out.

As the pace of the game picked up Petr Cech had to be alert to parry out a powerful dipping shot from Damien Duff. But Duff’s shot aside, Cech looking comfortable, claiming more than his fair share of corners and crosses.

Frank Lampard spurned an opportunity to hit the target on 27 minutes when he sliced a shot over from 10 yards after a teasing low ball from Ivanovic. The chances started to come for Chelsea soon after. A fierce long-range drive from Florent Malouda fizzed just over Schwarzer’s bar and, just moments later; the Australian international had to tip over Ivanovic’s somewhat wayward cross.

Ivanovic entered the referee’s book on 38 minutes when he was adjudged to have pulled the shirt of Mousa Dembele. The caution came at the end of a spell of intense Fulham pressure.  But it was Chelsea who had the final word at the end of the first-half when Fernando Torres saw a chance go begging after he let the ball to get away from his feet, allowing Mark Schwarzer to gather.

Following the restart Torres was nearly the beneficiary of a bad pass from Danny Murphy which was collected by Mark Schwarzer, Referee Dean adjudged it to be a back pass, but Chelsea were unable to work resulting the free-kick to their advantage.

Certainly Carlo Ancelotti’s men were enjoying a better start to the second-half, but for all of their possession, the most Schwarzer had to deal with was the occasion long-range shot. Nonetheless, Fulham were being penned back deep in their own half for long periods.

Fulham managed to buy some time and space when the counter-attacking threat of Mousa Dembele made Ancelotti’s men think twice before committing players forward. And as the second-half developed Fulham continued to get back into the game. With Carlos Salcido providing a good outlet down the left flank, the forward runs of Branislav Ivanovic were being kept in check.

Chelsea made the first substitution of the match, introducing Salmon Kalou for Nikolas Anelka on 65 minutes. A second change followed for the visitors with Didier Drogba coming on in place of Torres. Both changes had the desired effect of swinging the momentum of the match back in Chelsea’s favour.

Mark Hughes elected to replace Andrew Johnson with Simon Davies on 73 minutes. The switch saw Clint Dempsey join Dembele in attack.

Michael Essien glanced his diving header just wide of the goal on 78 minutes as Chelsea maintained a high level of pressure on the Whites. Fulham were simply unable to play their way out of their half.

Clint Dempsey forced a good save from Petr Cech on 83 minutes after a dangerous Fulham break. Mark Hughes then made a double substitution shortly after, introducing Eidur Gudjohnsen and Zoltan Gera to the action in place of Danny Murphy and Mousa Dembele.

Didier Drogba fired wildly wide on 86 minutes, taking Chelsea’s number of efforts off target to 19. Then there was high drama when Clint Dempsey latched on to a Eidur Gudjohnsen pass late on and was brought down by David Luiz for a penalty kick. Dempsey stepped up a but his penalty was saved by Cech, it was the final piece of action in an enthralling encounter.

Papers: Reds eye De Rossi

The Mirror Online reckons...

Fergie eyeing Roma star as Scholes replacement
Sir Alex Ferguson is eyeing up Italy midfielder Danielle de Rossi to succeed Paul Scholes at Manchester United. Scholes has yet to accept Fergie's offer of a new one-year deal to carry on at Old Trafford and may quit this summer when his current contract ends. The United boss is beginning to prepare for life without the mercurial midfielder and has identified de Rossi as a possible replacement. Reports in Italy claim Ferguson sent scouts to watch the Roma star play against Napoli at the weekend. De Rossi, 27, is one of the brightest stars in Serie A and scored in the penalty shoot-out to help Italy win the 2006 World Cup.

Meanwhile, The Sun claims Michael Owen faces a spell on the sidelines after injuring his groin in training.

A number of the papers feature quotes from Paul Scholes who says the players don't care if they fail to hit top form this season as long as they end up Premier League champions.

The midfielder also looks ahead to next week's Champions League tie against Marseille with the papers using some of the quotes from the Scholes story on ManUtd.com.

New deal for Giggs

Ryan Giggs has signed a one-year extension to his contract, in a deal that will see the winger complete his 21st season as a first-team player.

Giggs signed professional forms with United in 1990, making his debut in March 1991.  In that time he has made a club record 862 appearances, scoring 158 goals.  He has won 11 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, two Champions Leagues, one Super Cup, an Intercontinental Cup and a Club World Cup.

Sir Alex Ferguson said: "You run out of words to describe Ryan Giggs.  He is a marvellous player and a wonderful man.  To have the desire and the ability to play at the top level in such a physically demanding position at his age requires a special person.  He is still turning in man of the match performances and his experience is so vital for the younger players in the squad."

Ryan Giggs said: "All I’ve ever wanted to do is play for United and I’ve been lucky enough to do that for 20 years.  It’s great to know I’m still contributing to the team’s success and I feel I’ve got a lot to offer on and off the pitch.  This is an exciting time to be involved with so many good young players coming through."

Cup Magic

Eidur Gudjohnsen made his home debut for Fulham against Chelsea in the SW6 derby on Monday night and as the Team prepare for Sunday's FA Cup clash at the Cottage, Gudjohnsen spoke of his happiness at having arrived in SW6 following a difficult spell at Stoke.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time at Fulham so far,” Gudjohnsen explained. “Training has been good and I’ve been impressed by the whole set up at Fulham – it’s really professional.

“I’m just glad that I’m here. It’s a good club and we play good football - it’s about pass and move. We play to our strengths, we keep the ball on the floor and there’s a good mixture of players at the Club.

“I feel really comfortable in the dressing room and all the boys have welcomed me with open arms. I feel that I’ve still got a lot to give. Physically, I’ve been injury free for most of my career and I’m full of energy. Hopefully that will reflect in the games I play."

Gudjohnsen came within reach of winning the FA Cup in 2002 but was denied by Arsenal at the Millienium Stadium in Wales. Having won two Premier League titles, two Community Shields and the Football League Cup, Gudjohnsen would dearly love to complete his English medal collection with Fulham this season as the Whites prepare to face Bolton in the 5th Round on Sunday afternoon.

“I lost in the Final of the FA Cup against Arsenal when I played for Chelsea and that was at a time when I hadn’t won any trophies in my career. It was difficult to take in losing the Final but I remember the excitement leading up to the game and it was a great, great day. Even though we lost it was a wonderful experience.

“It's [the FA Cup] the most special cup competition in the world because of its history and special moments that stick out. There is something exciting and romantic about the FA Cup.”

Gudjohnsen will remain at the Cottage until the end of the 2010/11 season but after returning to West London after spells in Barcelona, Monaco, North London and Stoke, the Icelandic international would clearly love to settle down and do what he loves doing best. 

"It’s [football] the best game in the world and I just love it," Gudjohnsen explained. "I feel great still and I still really enjoy coming in every morning.

"Over the past 18 months I’ve been here, there and everywhere and it’s not easy moving from one place to another without settling down. To really settle in somewhere you need a bit more than three or four months but it’s given me a great incentive to show what I’m capable of.

"I’ll be on a free transfer this summer and it’s down to me to try and help the team as much as I can from now until the end of the season. I’m more than capable of playing at a high level and we’ll open discussions when the time comes."