UEFAdirect-70-Fe?vrier•E:Anglais 22.1.2008 9:40 Page 1 2.08 Including UEFA Champions LeagueLeage first knockout round 03 Youth competition draws 09 EURO 2008 referees 12 AC Milan Club World Champions 15 No 58 – Février 2007 70 February 2008 UEFAdirect-70-Fe?vrier•E:Anglais 22.1.2008 9:26 Page 2 Message Photos: UEFA-pjwoods.ch of the president Deeds rather than words A good thousand kilometres separate Düsseldorf and Zagreb, as does the contrast between their national football associations, Germany being one of Europe’s most powerful national football associations, and Croatia one of those that became autonomous or regained autonomy as a result of the major political changes at the end of the last century, when big countries were split up and Germany, meanwhile, was re-unified. A year also separates Düsseldorf and Zagreb, my first year as UEFA president. I do not want to go over or even just summarise what has been achieved in that time – such reports tend to be exercises which aim to present achievements in the best light possible. Words are vital when it comes to presenting a manifesto, but then it is the deeds that matter, and I hope that everyone has been able to see for themselves that the manifesto I presented at the UEFA Congress in Düsseldorf was not simply a list of good intentions but a programme that we got down to right away, for the IN THIS ISSUE sake of the unity of European football and the defence of its interests. Dialogue and the desire to find joint solutions with the national associations, UEFA Champions League first knockout round 03 leagues, clubs, professional footballers and everyone else involved in our game are the keystone of our efforts to build new and positive relations between all European Elite Women’s Coaches’ Forum 08 football stakeholders. The same goes for our collaboration with FIFA, the other football confederations and the other sports governing bodies. Youth competition draws 09 Rather that presenting my track record here, I prefer to express my satis - faction, my satisfaction at having found willing partners throughout who are willing EURO 2008: referees selected 12 to sit down around the same table and, as far as possible, find global solutions that safeguard the individual interests. AC Milan win the Club World Cup 15 Thank you to everyone concerned. If we continue in this way, there is no doubt that when the time comes, the final analysis will be good. News from member associations 16 Michel Platini COVER UEFA President The UEFA Cup resumes in mid-February. 1. FC Nürnberg (Peer Kluge) are one of the 32 teams still in the running. Photo: Rys/Bongarts/Getty Images 02 uefadirect 2.08 UEFAdirect-70-Fe?vrier•E:Anglais 22.1.2008 9:26 Page 3 UEFA Champions League Milan clubs face English challenge Jiri Jarosik scores against Shaktar Donetsk. Celtic are particularly formidable opponents on their home turf. PA Wire/PA Photos Wire/PA PA THE FIRST KNOCKOUT ROUND OF THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ONCE Leagues between them) have not AGAIN BRINGS TOGETHER THE CREAM OF EUROPEAN FOOTBALL. faced each other in European competi- tion since the 1964/65 season! Although The 16 participating experienced players. As they prepare to they have not won the English league teams have won Europe’s face Maldini, Nesta and Seedorf, Arsenal since 1990, the “Reds” have performed most prestigious trophy are banking on youth. The “Gunners”, remarkably well in Europe: they have 30 times between them. However, they Champions League finalists in 2006, have reached two of the last three Champi- include three clubs which have reached parted company with Thierry Henry and ons League finals (winning in 2005 this stage for the first time. In this blend Freddie Ljungberg, but this has not made and losing in 2007, each time against of tradition and renewal, one thing is them less competitive – quite the oppo- AC Milan). This season, the signing certain: the draw has not been kind to site! Youngsters Van Persie, Fabregas – of Fernando Torres (the most expensive the Italian clubs. the linchpin of the team, Hleb, Adebayor in the club‘s history) has made them and Senderos have assumed more respon- more of an attacking force, as have Clash of generations sibility for a team that is setting the pace the arrivals of the talented Benayoun By winning the recent FIFA in England. Eighteen-year old Brazilian and Babel. However, Steven Gerrard Club World Cup, AC Milan picked up Pato, a recent addition to the Milan and his team-mates should not under- their 18th international trophy: a world squad, will be determined to prove that estimate Inter, who are on an upward record! The success enjoyed by the not all good young players are on the curve. Despite injuries to several key Champions League holders, currently London club’s books… midfielders (Stankovic, Vieira, Figo, struggling in Serie A, certainly owes a Dacourt) and the dramatic loss of form great deal to the talent of Kaká – Golden 43 years later… of Adriano (loaned to FC São Paulo Ball winner and FIFA World Player of Internazionale and Liverpool until June), the “nerazzurri” are flying the Year – as well as a number of more (with seven European Cups/Champions high in Serie A. 03 UEFAdirect-70-Fe?vrier•E:Anglais 22.1.2008 9:26 Page 4 Sergio Ramos Fernando (in white) Torres is has grown congratulated in confidence by his in the Liverpool Real Madrid team-mates defence. after scoring against Olympique de Marseille. ??????????????? Getty Images also a duel between two of the conti- quality which Lyon’s Karim Benzema nent’s best young forwards. The Eng- (aged 20) is currently developing. His lish champions include 22-year old performances have forced internation- Getty Images Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the top als Baros (Czech Republic) and Fred three players in the (Brazil) onto the bench. Of course, this world according to last-16 tie is not all about these two In memory of Capello the Golden Ball and youngsters. Manchester United – with Fabio Capello led both Real FIFA World Player Tevez and Rooney (or Saha) as well Madrid and Roma to their most recent rankings. He is as Ronaldo – have a fearsome strike domestic league titles. However, already leader, a force. Their team also boasts a num- neither club appears to be missing ber of high-quality senior players, such England’s new national team coach. as Scholes, Giggs, Ferdinand and Van The club with the most Champions der Sar. Olympique Lyonnais are back League wins to their name (9) is on course after a worrying start to the perhaps less “galáctico” than a season. However, the six-times French few years ago, but their team champions, who lost Malouda, Abidal is looking more solid and and Diarra in the summer, seem less of well-balanced. With Van Nis- a threat than last season, when they telrooy, Raul, Robinho and were eliminated from the Champions Sneijder, they still have a League in the first knockout round. potent strike force. How- ever, the hardworking The stars and the home bankers Diarra, Julio Baptista Winners of the 2006 Cham and Gago offer good pions League, Barcelona added one protection to the new star – Thierry Henry – to their defence, where Sergio already impressive constellation at Ramos is improving all Camp Nou last summer. Even so, the time. After winning in Camp the first half of the season has failed Nou, Bernd Schuster‘s men are on to meet the Catalans‘ expectations. course for another Spanish title. The injury to Eto’o is not the only rea- Roma are also an exciting team to son. Ronaldinho has been disappoint- watch, favouring a fast, attacking ing and coach Frank Rijkaard‘s posi- style of play. While Totti unquestion- tion is under fierce media scrutiny. ably remains their leader, the support On the plus side, alongside the out- of De Rossi, Perrotta and Taddei in Karim standing Lionel Messi, two talented Benzema, midfield and Doni, Panucci and Mexes Olympique teenagers – Giovani and Bojan – are in defence is essential. Lyonnais’ beginning to emerge. The Scots, new striking prodigy. despite a number of good players Duel between prodigious (Vennegoor of Hesselink, Nakamura, forwards Boruc), are not on the same technical The clash between level. However, they make up for it Olympique Lyonnais and with grit, determination and excellent Manchester United is home form. In the group phase, Gor- don Strachan‘s men won all three games at Celtic Park, including against AC Milan. However, they lost all three away matches…. Getty Images 04 uefadirect 2.08 UEFAdirect-70-Fe?vrier•E:Anglais 22.1.2008 9:26 Page 5 Olympiacos Lisandro celebrate Lopez (9), qualifying FC Porto’s for the first goalscorer. knockout round. Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images Getty Images Edu, one of Fenerbahce’s Brazilian UEFA Cup players. Images Korotayev/Epsilon/Getty Sixteen associations still Happy memories the last 16 for the first time in its in contention Playing Schalke will bring history. Their coach, the mythical Zico, The eight UEFA Cup groups back fond memories for Porto: the has brought numerous fellow Brazil- put 24 teams through to Portuguese will be returning to the ians into the team – Roberto Carlos, the last 32, where they will be joined by the eight Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen, of course, as well as Edu, Alex and clubs that finished the where they won the Champions Deivid – while retaining a number of UEFA Champions League groups in League in 2004. Of the players who Turkish players.