Chelsea 5-0 AC Milan – Russian Railways Cup 2008

Carlo Ancelotti will not be a happy man. Neither will Milan Vice President Adriano Galliani after the Rossoneri were thrashed 5-0 by Chelsea in the Russian Railways Cup. The game was an effective third place playoff after Chelsea and Milan had lost to Lokomotiv Moscow and Sevilla respectively. Nicolas Anelka scored four goals and Frank … Read more

Souleymane Youla joins Eskisehirspor on loan

Guinea striker Souleymane Youla will make a return to Turkey in the coming season after agreeing to join newly promoted Eskisehirspor on a season long loan. The forward moved to Lille from Besiktas in 2006 for $2m, but struggled to cement a first team place. He has also played for Lokeren and Anderlecht in Belgium, and Genclerbirligi and Metz in France.

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UEFA Champions League Third Qualifying Round Draw

The draw for the third qualifying round of the 2008-2009 UEFA Champions League has been announced. It pits Arsene Wenger against former Boro and England manager Steve McLaren as the Gunners face Dutch side FC Twente. The last time Wenger met McLaren ( if my memory serves me right), resulted in a 7-0 thrashing for Boro at Highbury. Twente finished fourth last season under the guidance of Fred Rutten, whose current team Schalke 04 face Atletico Madrid. The Enschede club have lost some key players- Orlando Engelaar has gone to Schalke. Karim El Ahmadi has moved to Feyenoord.

A couple of other tricky draws ( apart from the Schalke vs Atletico)that I see-

Galatasaray vs Steaua Bucharest
Fiorentina vs Slavia Prague

The first leg will be played on 12/13 August, with the return legs taking place a fortnight later- on 26/27 August.

UEFA Champions League Third Round Draw

Anorthosis/Rapid Vienna vs Olympiakos

Vitoria Guimaraes vs IFK Gothenburg/Basel

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