UEFAdirect-82•E 20.1.2009 16:12 Page 1 2.09 Including England v Italy trilogy in UEFA Champions League 03 Russia win European Under-21 Futsal Tournament 07 Youth competition draws in Nyon 08 Bidding opens for EURO 2016 11 No 58 – Février 2007 82 February 2009 UEFAdirect-82•E 20.1.2009 16:12 Page 2 Message Photos: UEFA-pjwoods.ch of the president Three priorities for 2009 A new year is a blank page in the history of an organisation, but in the case of UEFA the first few months of 2009 will also see the close of several chapters in its history. First, in March, at the next ordinary UEFA Congress, the terms of six members of the UEFA Executive Committee come to an end, three of whom are not standing for re-election. In addition, the seat that has been vacant since the death of Mathieu Sprengers has to be filled, as do two additional seats, giving the Executive Committee an unprecedented injection of new blood. Then in May, the current club competition cycle concludes. In the UEFA Champions League, it will be the last final to be played on a Wednesday, thereby ending a tradition that dates back to the creation of the competition. In the UEFA Cup, it will be the last final ever under that name before the competition becomes the UEFA Europa League and takes on a brand-new format. This year also heralds the end of an era for the UEFA Women’s Cup, which is set to change format and be linked to the UEFA Champions League, with the finals of the two competitions to take place in future in the same city during the same week. IN THIS ISSUE 2009 will therefore be a year of transition, but of progress too, with the work that has started in a number of areas continuing to be the focus of close attention. UEFA Champions League Three topics in particular will be top of the list of priorities in the months ahead. round of 16 03 First of all, there is the matter of financial fair play, aimed at ensuring that the principle UEFA Cup round of 32 06 of equal opportunities applies in the broadest sense possible in our competitions. Russia win the Secondly, underage players have to be protected from international transfers that rip European Under-21 them from their roots. This protection must go hand in hand with encouraging Futsal Tournament 07 training, as promoted in UEFA’s club competitions by the rule on locally trained players. Media officers The third priority concerns EURO 2012. The choice of Poland and Ukraine as host meet in Nyon 10 countries is such a wonderful opportunity for opening up to eastern Europe that Bidding opens every effort must be made to ensure that it does not become a missed opportunity for EURO 2016 11 and thereby hold back the process of integration which is so important to the unity 100 years of the Luxembourg of European football and even of Europe as a whole. They know what we expect Football Federation 15 of them and when. They also know that they can count on our full support. News from member It’s going to be another busy year. associations 16 COVER AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo (21) will be trying to help his club to victory Michel Platini in the last ever UEFA Cup. Here he UEFA President is up against Brazilian Josué from VfL Wolfsburg, who have also made it into the final 32. Photo: Cacace/AFP/Getty Images 02 uefadirect 2.09 UEFAdirect-82•E 20.1.2009 16:12 Page 3 UEFA Champions League ItalyItaly vv England:England: aa trilogytrilogy Internazionale will be hoping Zlatan Ibrahimovic can lead them to victory against titleholders Manchester United. Monteforte/AFP/Getty Images THE DRAW FOR THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND OF 16 WAS NOT EXACTLY Fourteen cups! KIND TO THE ENGLISH CLUBS, PAIRING THEM WITH THREE ITALIAN OPPONENTS Real Madrid and Liverpool have won 14 European Cups/Champi- AND REAL MADRID. COULD IT HAVE BEEN ANY HARDER? NEVERTHELESS, THESE ons Leagues between them: nine for FOUR TOP ENCOUNTERS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO OVERSHADOW THE OTHERS, the Merengues and five for the Reds. WHICH ARE CERTAINLY NOT SHORT OF TALKING POINTS. However, recent history suggests that Rafael Benitez’ men are the favourites, “Manchester United are the ply out of his desire to win the “cup since they have regularly reached the opponents I wanted,” said José Mourinho with the big ears”, which has eluded latter stages whereas Real Madrid have after the draw, living up to his his club since 1965. fallen in the first knockout round for reputation as a coach with a ten- There are no such worries in the past four seasons. However, the dency to come out with the unex- Manchester. Led by the “eternal” English team, currently on the hunt for pected. The Portuguese knows Sir Alex Ferguson, the Red Devils their first national title since 1990, that his Inter Milan players love are the current holders and could feel the repercussions of Steven facing difficult opponents. But recently won the Club World Cup. Gerrard’s forthcoming court appear- the Special One, who will enjoy returning Last summer’s arrival of Dimitar Berbatov ance. The midfielder is the lynchpin of to England after a previous spell at has improved even further what was a team for which he was also the Chelsea, is also aware that he must get it already a top-class forward line. The duel leading goal scorer at the start of Janu- right. Inter’s president, Massimo Moratti, between Ballon d’or winner Cristiano ary. Real Madrid, meanwhile, seem parted company with Roberto Mancini Ronaldo and the outstanding Zlatan to have found a degree of stability. despite three successive Italian titles sim- Ibrahimovic will be well worth seeing. Despite winning the Spanish title, 03 UEFAdirect-82•E 20.1.2009 16:12 Page 4 After Atlético Juventus (Mohamed de Madrid in the Sissoko, centre) and group stage, Real Madrid (Raul and Liverpool and their Ruud van Nistelrooy) Spanish forward are in the round of Albert Riera now 16 again, against face neighbouring Chelsea and Liverpool heavyweights respectively. Real Madrid. Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images Ellis/AFP/Getty Images Desmazes/AFP/Getty Images Bernd Schuster did not survive his Revenge for Ranieri? Cup/Champions League before, are team’s poor start to the current season. Claudio Ranieri was one of known throughout Europe for the quality The team is making progress follow- Roman Abramovich’s first “victims”. of their football. With the ball on the ing the arrival of Juande Ramos, who When he bought Chelsea, the Russian ground, a varying tempo and impeccable was more successful at Seville than at billionaire replaced the Italian coach technique at high speed, the playing phi- Tottenham. Despite an injury to Ruud with José Mourinho. Now in charge of losophy of Arsène Wenger and Luciano van Nistelrooy, with Raul, Higuain and Juventus, Ranieri has the chance for Spalletti is certainly positive. And yet Robben their striking power remains revenge. His combative, well-honed team their teams, at national level at least, are impressive. Will the defence reach the are emerging as Inter’s main rivals for not enjoying a great season. While Roma same high standard? The outcome the Italian title. Moreover, in February are improving after a nightmarish start, of the duel with Liverpool will the coach should be able to recall the young Gunners have lacked consis- depend largely on the answer Buffon, Trezeguet, Tiago, Poulsen tency and are in danger of paying a very to this question. and Camoranesi, who are all cur- high price for the injury to their key player, rently injured. And with Del Piero Cesc Fabregas, in this round of 16. Roma, apparently improving with age, on the other hand, should be able to hopes are high, especially since call on their captain Francesco Totti. The Chelsea do not seem to be at their “giallorossi” will have the additional best. Of course, the Blues are motivation of knowing that the final will contending with Liverpool and be played in their own Olympic stadium. Manchester United for the English title, Fireworks but their Most observers agree that per- Barcelona produced the most flam- for- boyant football in the first part of the mances season. It only took a few weeks for have been far Barça to understand the demands of from convincing. former star player and new coach Pep Fortunately for new coach Luiz Felipe Guardiola. It is worth remembering that Scolari, who won the World Cup with the club has a host of exceptional per- Brazil in 2002, Nicolas Anelka has redis- formers, including the likes of Xavi, covered his scoring boots and been the Iniesta, Messi and Eto’o. Another mem- perfect replacement for the injured ber of this fantastic orchestra, Thierry Didier Drogba. With players such as Henry, who had a disappointing season Cech, Deco, Alex, Ballack, Terry last time round, has rediscovered the and Lampard, Chelsea remain solo performances on which he built his strong in all departments. reputation at Arsenal. Lyon’s dream of However, there are no reaching the semi-finals for the first guarantees that this will time in their history will therefore be be enough to win the difficult to achieve. However, Claude Champions League, a Puel’s men have reasons for hope. As competition that the they seek their eighth successive national Michael Ballack, London club are desperate title, they can call on one of the world’s Chelsea’s ace player.