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Friday Fulham Stuff (12.03.10)

Started by White Noise, March 11, 2010, 10:36:52 PM

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White Noise

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/fulham/7423391/Juventus-3-Fulham-1-match-report.html

Juventus 3 Fulham 1: match report

Read a full report of the Europa League match between Juventus and Fulham at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday, March 11 2010.

By Jason Burt in Turin


Published: 9:59PM GMT 11 Mar 2010


Fulham have been making history with their Europa Cup forays but on Thursday night that was all but consigned to history after a torrid time in Turin.

Manager Roy Hodgson had said he was no dreamer but his defenders will be having nightmares about David Trezeguet. For the 32-year-old World Cup winner, this was one of his increasingly few 'on' evenings; a chance to show what talent he has. And a heavy price was paid.

Hodgson had also asked that his team at least took Juventus back to Craven Cottage with the tie still "alive"; that they gave themselves a fighting chance, a slugger's shot. They still do – but it's a pretty slim one. It looked like a game too far; the quarter-finals a distant prospect against such potency as the Italians undoubtedly possessed.

It was an adventure that meant so much to Fulham, to their progress and status, but they were quickly behind, quickly struggling. After the initial sparring, a cross flew in from the left and Trezeguet, 14 yards out, rose to head towards Mark Schwarzer's goal. He tipped it away.

From the corner, central defender Nicola Legrottaglie, with Brede Hangeland caught out, charged through to power another header. This time, Schwarzer had no chance as the ball bounced past him. Juventus had the lead.

It silenced the 1,800 Fulham supporters who had been shoe-horned into their sliver of a ground that was sparsely populated. It reinforced that, for the 27-time Italian champions, who have won the European Cup twice, this was not such a big deal though, also, ticket prices were prohibitive.

There are greater priorities. They are a distant fifth in Serie A, 15 points behind leaders Inter Milan, having finished runners-up last season. There was a host of big names missing – and a smattering on the bench – but there was still an experienced, expensively-assembled team with, for example, £22 million Brazilian Diego playing behind a rejuvenated Trezeguet.

Fulham's run to reach this stage of the competition started back in July, and this is their 13th match so far and their 18th cup fixture of a campaign that has also taken them to a FA Cup quarter-final replay.

They are certainly battle-hardened and began to feel their way into the contest with Damien Duff working his way down the right, cutting the ball back, only for Simon Davies to miscue. It was a good opportunity.

After all, Fulham couldn't expect rich pickings although neither could they afford to offer up chances as Jonathan Greening did in casually surrendering possession only for Trezeguet's shot to, just, clear the bar.

The warning went unheeded. Soon after and right-back Jonathan Zebina easily evaded Davies's half-hearted challenge, as he cut in-field, and struck a fierce, right-footed cross-shot from 25 yards that tore past Schwarzer. It was stunning and stunned Fulham. They were being out-played, taught a lesson. Their only hope was containment or a lucky break. They, gratefully, got the latter.

Bobby Zamora won a free-kick, Davies swung it in and the ball eventually broke to Dickson Etuhu who shot goalwards. Alex Manninger would have saved comfortably, but it took a vicious deflection off Legrottaglie's heels and trundled into the net. Moments later and they were almost level with Hangeland meeting a corner, only for Manninger to claw his header away while Zamora and Zoltan Gera had half-chances.

Back came Juventus. And again they scored with an accomplished strike. This time, after Schwarzer superbly tipped over Fabio Grosso's angled drive, the corner was met by Trezeguet only for his right-foot shot to cannon back off a post. With wonderful instinct the French striker stretched to meet the rebound, this time volleying it, left-footed, into the other corner of the goal. Right on half-time. Hodgson was furious.

Fulham were just about hanging on in there with Gera's shot blocked and another dangerous cross by Zamora, who otherwise struggled against 36-year-old Fabio Cannavaro, scrambled away before Trezeguet was withdrawn. Fulham were urged on, but it was laboured.

Juventus's most dangerous opponent was complacency with substitute Vincenzo Iaquinta blazing over when well-placed before Diego drew another fine save from Schwarzer and Legrottaglie headed narrowly wide. After the fireworks of the first half, the contest was fizzling out. For Fulham the flame is, not yet, extinguished.

White Noise

http://www.skysports.com/football/match_reaction/0,19764,11065_3253315,00.html

Juve ease past Cottagers


Juve dominate to leave Cottagers with a mountain to climb



Last updated: 11th March 2010   


David Trezeguet scored the decisive goal as Juventus demonstrated their Euopean pedigree to power to a 3-1 first leg victory over Fulham in their Europa League round of 16 clash at the Stadio Olimpico.

Fulham were second best for most of the first half and found themselves 2-0 down thanks to goals from Nicola Legrottaglie and Jonathan Zebina.

A deflected goal from Dickson Etuhu gave the Cottagers an undeserved foothold in the game, but Trezeguet struck on the stroke of half-time to restore Juve's two-goal advantage.

Roy Hodgson's men tried to find another vital away goal in the second period, but the Italian side kept them at bay and will carry a significant advantage ahead of the second leg next week.

Hodgson handed Paul Konchesky his first start in almost two months in the place of cup-tied Nicky Shorey while Clint Dempsey, who picked up a serious knee injury in January, was a surprise inclusion on the substitutes' bench.

Alberto Zaccheroni made four changes to the Juventus side that beat Fiorentina last weekend, among them World Cup winners Fabio Cannavaro and Fabio Grosso.

Hodgson admitted before kick-off his side were playing one of the biggest matches in the club's history and they soon looked out of their depth against a fluent Juve side dripping with class.

The Old Lady, currently fifth in Serie A, began with a fluid passing game and Mark Schwarzer soon found his goal under attack when he reacted well to tip Trezeguet's goal-bound strike around his left hand post.

Power

The Australian was beaten seconds later though as Legrottaglie found his way through a packed penalty box to power a close range header past the keeper from the resulting corner.

The Bianconeri continued to threaten the Cottagers' box and the front three of Antonio Candreva, Diego and Trezeguet were proving to be too much of a handful for the Fulham midfield, who struggled to get possession.

Zebina made it 2-0 when he beat two Fulham players, cut in off the right and fired an 18-yard shot past Schwarzer and off the post into the net.

Fulham top scorer Bobby Zamora looked frustrated and isolated up front but he won the free-kick that put the Cottagers momentarily back in the tie.

Davies whipped a free-kick on the edge of the box after a foul on the former Spurs hitman and the ball fell to Etuhu who slotted the ball past an off-balance Alex Manninger via a deflection.

Sensing an equaliser, the travelling fans urged on Hodgson's men and Brede Hangeland and Zoltan Gera were guilty of firing close-range efforts straight at Manninger.

Schwarzer then had to pull off a fantastic one-handed save but Juve went 3-1 ahead when Trezeguet fired past the Fulham stopper on the stroke of half-time after his original shot smacked against the woodwork.

Aaron Hughes, who was captaining the side in the absence of Danny Murphy, pulled off a crucial challenge on Trezeguet inside the box at the start of the second half as Juve looked for a fourth.


Creativity

Hodgson's side lacked creativity and the Fulham boss looked for fresh impetus from Dempsey, who came on for Davies to make his first appearance since hobbling off against Blackburn in January.

A deliberate handball brought a booking for Legrottaglie and gave Fulham a free-kick from 20 yards out but Damien Duff's curling cross was expertly cut out by Cannavaro.

Former Liverpool player Mohamed Sissoko replaced the solid Christian Poulsen in midfield with 15 minutes left.

Zamora won a corner for the Cottagers with eight minutes left but Jonathan Greening's dangerous cross was cut out by substitute Vincenzo Iaquinta.

Dempsey fired Fulham's last meaningful effort wide to ensure that the first meeting between the two sides ended in a 3-1 defeat, leaving Hodgson's men with much work to do in the second leg next Thursday.


Juventus
Team Statistics
Fulham

3 Goals
1

3 1st Half Goals
1

6 Shots on Target
5

9 Shots off Target
3

0 Blocked Shots
1

4 Corners
4

16 Fouls
14

4 Offsides
9

1 Yellow Cards
1

0 Red Cards
0

79.6 Passing Success
81.5

14 Tackles
14

78.6 Tackles Success
57.1

49.8 Possession
50.2

52.2 Territorial Advantage
47.8



White Noise

Juventus 3 Fulham 1


Published: Today



ROY HODGSON'S battlers are down but not out after they were beaten by Juventus.

Hodgson will have seen enough to give him hope of overturning this two-goal deficit.

Goals from Nicola Legrottaglie and Jonathan Zebin had seen the Italians set up a commanding lead.

A heavily deflected Dickson Etuhu strike offered Fulham a glimmer of hope.

And even though David Trezeguet stretched the lead, the Cottagers are still in with a sniff in London next week.

Juventus quickly hit their straps in Turin and soon eased into a slick passing game.

Antonio Candreva missed from Trezeguet's knock down before the striker himself came close.

But Fulham did slip behind seconds later as Nicola Legrottaglie thundered a header past Mark Schwarzer.

The Londoners could have levelled in the 16th minute but Simon Davies scuffed from just eight yards out.

Instead, it was Juve who grabbed the next goal.

Jonathan Zebina surged in from the right, sneaking past Davies and Etuhu before leathering past Schwarzer.

Up top, Bobby Zamora looked lonely and frustrated — but it was the striker who won the free kick that got Fulham back into the game.

Davies whipped in a setpiece after Zamora had been fouled, and the ball fell to Etuhu to convert.

Sensing an equaliser, the 1100 travelling fans roared Roy Hodgson's boys into Juve territory.

And Brede Hangeland almost did the job only for Alex Manninger to keep out his close range effort.

But seconds before the break Trezeguet popped up to make it 3-1.

Stand-in skipper Aaron Hughes pulled off a heroic tackle on Trezeguet at the start of the second half.

Hodgson's side looked impotent and the Fulham boss called on Clint Dempsey to fire up his men.

Trezeguet was given a rapturous reception by the home fans when he was replaced by Vincenzo Iaquinta.

Jonathan Greening got a late yellow card that will rule him out of the return leg.

But Fulham will still fancy themselves as an outside bet of causing an upset.



Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2889051/Juventus-3-Fulham-1.html#ixzz0huWIMnj1


White Noise

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/fulham/article7059114.ece


Fulham left with mountain to climb as Juventus class tells in Europa League


Russell Kempson, Turin


It has been marvellous while it has lasted, but if Fulham are to extend their eight-month Europa League adventure, they will have to defeat Juventus, one of the greats of European football, in the return leg of their round-of-16 tie at Craven Cottage on Thursday.

Not just beat them, either, but beat them good and proper after shabby first-half defending cost them a two-goal deficit in the first leg at a freezing Stadio Olimpico last night. At least Dickson Etuhu's away goal has given them room to manoeuvre.

On the face of it, playing Juventus, the 27-times Italian league winners and twice European champions, provided a massive task.

However, having defeated Shakhtar Donetsk, the holders of the Uefa Cup, the Europa League's forerunner, in the previous round, Fulham were up for — and possibly up to — the challenge.

Juventus are not the force of old, either. They languish in fifth place in Serie A, 15 points behind Inter Milan, the leaders. Also, when they bowed out of the Champions League this season, they lost 4-1 against Bayern Munich at the Stadio Olimpico in their last group A match — when a draw would have taken them through to the last 16.

Fulham were without Danny Murphy, the midfield player, who was suspended after being sent off in the 1-1 draw in Donetsk that secured their 3-2 aggregate victory over the Ukrainian side. Other absentees, because of injuries, also limited Roy Hodgson, the Fulham manager, to six substitutes.

They had begun confidently enough, stroking the ball around with pace and panache, but were undone in shoddy fashion in the ninth minute after Mark Schwarzer had been forced to dive to turn away David Trezeguet's header from a cross by Claudio Marchisio.

From the corner swung in by Diego, Nicola Legrottaglie, the Juventus centre back, rose alone to head past Schwarzer, the ball picking up pace as it skidded off the turf on its way in.

The lack of marking on Legrottaglie was inexcusable.

Fulham, though, do not lack belief and 11 minutes later, in their 46th match of the season and thirteenth in the competition, they could have drawn level after Damien Duff had driven to the byline. The Ireland winger's pull-back wrongfooted the Juventus defence but Simon Davies, when given a free shot, miskicked.

It was costly. Juventus took heart from the narrow escape and, after Trezeguet had guided a long-range missile fractionally over Schwarzer's crossbar, they increased their lead. It came from an unlikely source — Jonathan Zebina, the right back — but was a sublime example of finishing, his 25-yard shot veering away from Schwarzer and into the net via the far post.

Resilience has been a key ingredient in Fulham's European excursions and, in the 36th minute, they reduced the gap and gained that much-cherished away goal in the process. Davies's free kick found its way to Dickson Etuhu and although Alex Manninger, the Juventus and former Arsenal goalkeeper, appeared to have his shot covered, it took a wicked deflection off Legrottaglie. Manninger watched the ball curl into the net.

Fulham could have equalised, Manninger having to save efforts from Brede Hangeland, Bobby Zamora and Zoltan Gera, but they went to sleep at the back again in first-half stoppage time. Schwarzer tipped over from Fabio Grosso and, from the resultant corner, Trezeguet squeezed the ball home after his initial attempt had struck a post.

Fulham needed to repair the damage swiftly and nearly did soon after the break, when Etuhu and Zamora combined to set up Gera. However, Gera's clever flick was blocked before it could even reach Manninger and neither was the goalkeeper troubled by an ambitious 40-yard attempt from Gera soon after.

Fulham seemed to have taken the sting out of Juventus's tail but still found it tough going forward, with Zamora uncharacteristically quiet. More chances will have to be created at Craven Cottage next week — and taken as well — if their interest in the Europa League is not to end.

Juventus (4-3-2-1): A Manninger — J Zebina, N Legrottaglie, F Cannavaro, F Grosso — H Salihamidzic (sub: M Camoranesi, 46min), C Poulsen (sub: M Sissoko, 76), C Marchisio — A Candreva, Diego — D Trezeguet (sub: V Iaquinta, 62). Substitutes not used: A Del Piero, Z Grygera, P De Ceglie, C Pinsoglio. Booked: Legrottaglie.

Fulham (4-2-3-1): M Schwarzer — C Baird, B Hangeland, A Hughes, P Konchesky — S Davies (sub: C Dempsey, 61), D Etuhu — D Duff, Z Gera, J Greening — R Zamora. Substitutes not used: S Kelly, E Nevland, P Zuberbühler, C Smalling, K Marsh-Brown. Booked: Greening.

Referee: F Meyer (Germany).

White Noise

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/mar/11/fulham-juventus-europa-league


Dickson Etuhu gives Fulham faint hope on a chastening evening in Turin   

UEFA Europa League Round of 16 1st Leg

Juventus 3 Legrottaglie 8, Zebina 25, Trezeguet 45 

Fulham 1 Etuhu 36 

Stuart James guardian.co.uk, Thursday 11 March 2010 22.16


It would be dangerous to write off a Fulham side who have already knocked out the Europa League holders but Roy Hodgson's players will need to deliver what would arguably be the greatest result in the club's history if they are to overcome Juventus at Craven Cottage on Thursday. Fulham contributed hugely to an absorbing match in Turin last night but David Trezeguet's strike just as half-time beckoned means the Premier League club have a two-goal deficit to overturn.

That task is not impossible and the crucial away goal that Dickson Etuhu grabbed earlier in the first half means Fulham are not without hope. The 1,800 supporters that travelled from England to the Stadio Olimpico might well reflect, however, that things could have looked even better for their team had they shown a more ruthless streak in front of goal. Opportunities came and went prior to the irrepressible Trezeguet's 170th goal of his Juventus career as Fulham recovered from a dismal opening.

It took only nine minutes for the Fulham defence to be breached and Hodgson had good cause to lament the concession. Having earned a reprieve seconds earlier, when Mark Schwarzer turned Trezeguet's glancing header behind, Fulham's poor marking was horribly exposed from the corner that followed. Diego delivered the set-piece with an outswinging kick that Nicola Legrottaglie headed powerfully beyond Schwarzer from eight yards as the Fulham defence stood and watched.

It was the worst possible start for Fulham and Juventus's early dominance would soon be rewarded with a second goal. Again Fulham contributed to their own downfall as Simon Davies and Etuhu allowed Jonathan Zebina to dart between them with relative ease. Thereafter, however, it was impossible to ignore the quality of the finish as the full-back arrowed a wonderful 25-yard shot from wide on the right past Schwarzer's despairing dive and into the far corner.

At that point Fulham looked like they were facing an exercise in damage limitation but nine minutes before the interval Etuhu gave them renewed hope with a deflected shot from the edge of the area that left Alex Manninger stranded after Juventus had failed to clear Davies's free‑kick. Confidence began to course through the visitors and a second Fulham goal should have arrived in a five-minute period before the break that produced three excellent chances.

Brede Hangeland's close-range header was just about clawed to safety by Manninger, Bobby Zamora punched a side-footed volley into the former Arsenal goalkeeper's midriff and Zoltan Gera drew another save from the Austrian with an angled drive. Juventus suddenly looked anxious but on the stroke of half-time the Bianconeri checked Fulham's momentum with a third goal as Trezeguet showed wonderful reactions to volley home from 10 yards after his first shot had cannoned back off the post.

Back came Fulham again, the visitors taking the game to Juventus on occasions in the second half and looking threatening on the counter-attack. Hodgson introduced Clint Dempsey as he sought to add more penetration on the left but promising positions failed to yield the second Fulham goal that would have changed the complexion of the tie. It is, however, a measure of how far Fulham have come under Hodgson that they will return to England disappointed to have suffered defeat to one of Europe's most illustrious clubs.

White Noise

Juventus v Fulham - as it happened
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/mar/11/juventus-fulham-live-europa-league



UEFA Europa League Round of 16 1st Leg

Juventus 3 Legrottaglie 8, Zebina 25, Trezeguet 45 

Fulham 1 Etuhu 36 

Paul Doyle guardian.co.uk, Thursday 11 March 2010 18.59 GMT



Teams:

Juventus: Manninger, Zebina, Cannavaro, Legrottaglie, Grosso, Salihamidzic, Poulsen, Marchisio, Candreva, Diego, Trezeguet.
Subs: Pinsoglio, Iaquinta, Del Piero, Camoranesi, Grygera,
Sissoko, De Ceglie.

Fulham: Schwarzer, Baird, Hangeland, Hughes, Konchesky, Duff, Davies, Etuhu, Greening, Gera, Zamora.
Subs: Zuberbuhler, Kelly, Nevland, Dempsey, Smalling, Marsh-Brown.

Referee: Florian Meyer (Germany)

1 min: To the sound of Fulham fans out-singing the muted locals, the game gets under way ...

2 mins: An open start. Juventus get lucky when Zamora is erroneously called back for offside - he would have been through on goal. The Old Lady, you'll have noticed, has some past greats in her midst: Salihamdizic, Trezeguet, Manninger .... Mind you, Fulham are fielding ex-European champions Jonathan Greening.

4 mins: It's settled into a bit of nip and tuck at the moment. "The very fact of this game puts a smile on my face<" beams Jamie Woods. "Over the years I've been to a few grounds in England but none were as collegial as Craven Cottage. It was like watching rugby or cricket, I actually struck up a decent conversation with the guy standing next to me. After visiting St James Park I never thought I'd try that again." It's a splendid day out, and no mistake., especially since they've been entrusted to one of the last true English gentleman managers.

7 mins: Schwarzer dives to his right to turn away a Trezeguet header. Corner to Juventus. "Is it just me that still finds it hard to fathom that this game is actually happening?" goshes Patrick Brody, continuing waht seems to be the theme of the evening. "I mean, I never even thought I'd say Fulham and Juventus in the same sentence. Then again, I was lucky enough to see Sheffield FC vs. Inter Milan. I guess miracles can happen." Indeed they can - permit me to refer you to this.

GOAL! Juve 1-0 Fulham (Legrottaglie 8') Fulham have generally defended set-pieces very well under Hodgson but here they were undone by a well-delivered corner by Diego. Cannavaro and Legrottaglie both attacked it powerfully, with the latter meeting it and sending a downward header into the net from 12 yards.

11 mins: Fulham are under serious pressure here. Juve are showing plenty of class as they pass and move with pace and purpose. Diego is instrumental in most of what they are doing.

13 mins: Fulham steady themselves with a string of tidy passes. And then Juve win it back and resume zipping the ball around. "Over on the FW podcast blog, a list of who supports who is currently being created," discloses Peter Corway. "At the minute, you're listed as an ABU. Mainly because nobody knows what French team you support?" I don't claim to know for sure, but I wouldn't be surprised if the people compiling that list are despicable fundamentalists.

15 mins: A chance for Fulham! Duff - whose revitalisation under Hodgson has been delightful - dashed down the right and the pulled the ball back from Davies ... who lost his composure and sliced badly from the penalty spot.

18 mins: Juve besiege the Fulham box, with Marchisio and Diego probing constantly. But that spell of pressure concluded with Candreva booming a shot over from outside the box.

21 mins: Though they're finding it difficult to secure possession, Fulham are performing reasonably well here insofar as they are closing down incessantly, preventing Juve from creating any real openings since the goal.

23 mins: Marchisio robs Greening in midfield and slips the ball through to Trezeguet, who, being something of a Jermain Defo in this (and only this) respect, shoots as soon as he gets the ball. Over the bar from 20 yards.

GOAL! Juve 2-0 Fulham (Zebina 25') A fine goal! Candreva took two defenders with him as he walzted forwar from the middle to the right, then rolled the ball back to Zebina. The defender took forward a few more strides - eliminating Davies and Etuhu on his way - and then struck a fierce diagonal shot in off the post from 25 yards. Schwarzer had no chance.

28 mins: Juve ware intent on killing this tie off tonight. Fulham are still struggling to get their foot on the ball and are being pulled all over the place.

31 mins: Duff attempts to skip by Cannavaro on the right and instigate Fulham's first attack for ages. But Cannavarao stretches out a leg and dispossesses him with elegance and efficiency. "When Hodgson first took over at Fulham, the Soccer Saturday Sky Sports crew had a field-day slagging him," claims Peter Corway. "Le Tiss famously said that it was a mistake hiring Hodgson and that he'd be sacked when Fulham got relegated. The mighty Cottagers went on that epic run, stayed in the league, are now playing European football against Juventus and Sky praise him all the time. Football is a fickle sport? Never." Not everyone was slagging Hodgson off when he arrived. Look what one wise man wrote.

34 mins: It's still all Juve. Gera has dropped into midfield to help out (and did so many minutes ago, in truth) but still the visitors are spending almost all their time and energy chasing the home team.

GOAL! Juve 2-1 Fulham (Etuhu 36') Thousands of Fulham fans in t he Stadio Olimpico go stir crazy as Fulham score from their first chance in ages, and thanks to a handy slice of luck. Davies curled in a freekick from the left that was headed down to Euthu on the edge of the area. His snapshot was going wide until it took a hefty deflection off Legrottaglie - that wrong-footed Manninger and the ball spun into the net! A welcome twist to a story whose ending had been looking grimly predictable.

38 mins: The goal has lifted Fulham and they're actually exerting pressure now. After a flowing move in which Duff was intrumental, they've won a corner ...

39 mins: That was nearly an equaliser! Hangeland rose superbly despite the vigilance of Legrottaglie but the Norwegian's strong header from Davies's corner was saved well by Manninger. And the rebound was booted clear before Gera could convert it.

41 mins: Freekick to Fulham midway inside the Juve half. Konchesky floats it in, and again it falls to Etuhu at the edge of the area. But this time there is no decisive deflection, just a punt clear. But Fulham send it back in and Zamora meets it with a well-controlled volley from 15 yards. Manninger saves comfortably, however. "While Zebina's shot was an absolute rocket, none of the ITV commentary team (and I'll let Southgate off as he's actually far too good for ITV) seemed to notice that it would have hit Hangeland dead on, yet for some reason he steps right out of the way presumably trying to intercept a cross," claims Tom Hooper. I didn't notice that either, Tom, but will pay attention if we get another replay. I agree with you, by the way, that Southgate is abn astute and articulate analyst - it's enjoyable listening to him.

44 mins: Fulham have been transformed by the goal. They're now enjoying much more of the ball and threatening Juve regularly. After more snappy interplay, Gera has just banged a shot from 16 yards into Manninger's mid-riff.

GOAL! Juve 3-1 Fulham (Trezeguet 45+3') What a sickener for Fulham! The ref had signalled two minutes injury time but after 2:42 secs - and following one brilliant save from Schwarzer - Juve hoisted over a corner and it came to Trezeguet 10 yards out. His shot crashed back out off the post, but his follow-up found the corner of the net, perhaps via a touch from Salihamidzic.

Half-time: "Feel sorry for Fulham there," blubs Peter Corway. "Two minutes added on is two minutes and nothing more." Not true, actually. The indication from the fourth official merely means a minimum of two minutes added time. Personally, I think the clock should be stopped every time the ball goes out of play, and even when the goalkeeper is strolling around with it in his arms. Ninety minutes should mean ninety minutes of play.

46 mins: Because Juve tipped off in the first half, Fulham do so in the second. No controversy there.

47 mins: I've just noticed that Juve made a change during the break, introducing Camoranesi for ... someone. I'll tell you who when I've got my act together. "Does Peter Corway live in a cave?" inquires Spencer Jones. "The whole holding up minutes versus minutes played has been done to death. From the sounds of things Fulham didn't play to the whistle. Unfortunate? Yes. Accountable? Yes. It isn't over till the Old Lady sings."

49 mins: Juve's first shot of the half is a shoddy one, Diego's attempted curler from the corner of the box flying high and wide. He's no Norman Whiteside.

51 mins: Juve are back in control, Fulham having to resume chasing them hopefully.

53 mins: Gera picks out Baird on the right but the defender is miles offside. Still, at least Fulham pieced together several passes in Juve's half to get themselves moving again the right direction.

55 mins: Another multi-pass move from Juve, who are pulling Fulham all over their place. Diego, Marchisio and Candreva all played lovely roles in that, and in the end Fulham did well to concede only a corner. Legrottaglie again won it ahead of Hangeland but his header flies well over.

57 mins: Fulham are being outclassed for long spells but they're not falling apart. And when they get the ball they're showing commendable determination to play their way forward. They worked the ball nicely to Gera just now, and that should not have been the end of the move, but rashness suddenly ambushed the Hungarian and he attempted a shot from 40 yards. With predictable consequences.

59 mins: Ah. Marc Parravano has just brought it to my attention that I described some Juve approach work as a "multi-ass move". I assure you that that was a typo (I meant "multi-pass"), not an indication of some innovative and acrobatic bum tricks from the Italians.

61 mins: Here's some good news for all Fulham and USA fans: after a long injury Clint Dempsey has just re-appeared on the pitch, coming on in place of Davies.

62 mins: Juve switch: Trezeguet off, Iaquinta on. "Come on the Cottagers! An away goal, we're more than capable of pinching two against anyone when we're back by the Thames," hollers Rendel Harris. "It's just occurred to me that there must be a lot of die-hard Fulham fans watching this, so excuse my hijacking the MBM to air this request: does anyone know where one can find, on t'internet or otherwise, any footage of Fulham (Pathe news clips maybe?) playing pre-WWII? Have looked everywhere but can't find any. My grandfather, James (Jim) Tompkins played for Fulham in the years leading up to the war prior to volunteering and being killed in action just after D-Day. Any tips gratefully received!"

64 mins: Fulham try to knock the ball around a bit in the middle but Diego nicks it off them and immediately launches a counter-attack. Iaquinta commits a foul in the Fulham box, however, enabling the visitors to alleviate some pressure. "Paul, Your entry about the 'mutli-ass move' was clearly just a cheap ruse by a lonely reporter to find out how many people are in fact reading your report knowing we'd all be sad enough to write in and point out the 'mistake'," decries Andy (multi?) Cox. "Well I'm not going to fall for that one. Eh? Oh."

66 mins: Legrottaglie has been a formidable presence in the heart of Juve's defence tonight, and also in the Fulham box from corners, but he won't be at the Cottage, because he's jsut been booked for a deliberate handball as Dempsey (I think) tried to pick out Duff.

68 mins: Corner to Fulham. Duff's outswinger is headed clear by Iaquinta.

71 mins: Konchesky provides support to Duff down the left and is picked out by the Irishman. His low cross towards Zamora is put behind for a corner. This time Duff's delivery is good but Juve clear.

73 mins: Fulham are having a fair bit of the ball now but they are not being giving any time on it as Juve to continue to press relentlessly. Both teams have worked extremely hard tonight, which, of course, is the least we should expect. "'Multi-ass' is what one happens when one tries to do too many things at once," explains Ian Copestake. "'Multi-ask', however, is what women are very good at."

75 mins: Duff and Zamora exchanges smart passes in the Juve box before being crowded out.

76 mins: Juve change: Poulsen off, Momo Sissoko on.

78 mins: There was a glimmer of a chance there! If Duff had more confidence in his right foot he might have flashed the ball across goal, where Zamora was lurking, but instead he took it and turned on to his left, by which time two defenders had converged on him and cut off the crossing opportunity.

81 mins: Zamora has battled well tonight and been an effective fulcrum up front against high-class defenders. As I write that he wins a corner, which is delivered by Greening and, eventually, cleared by Juve.

83 mins: The match is petering out a little. One last hurrah from Fulham and a second away goal, and the second leg would be deliciosuly poised. Greening, however, will not be available for taht match as he's just been booked for a foul on Candreva. With Danny Murphy also suspended, Fulham's have a problem in central midfield.

86 mins: Juve throw-in in the Fulham half. "I figured your reference to 'multi-ass' was a subtle shout-out to National Father Ted Status day on Facebook," warbles David Mooney. "That's a reference to Dougal's description of the Beast of Craggy Island: 'Because of the beast. They say it's as big as four cats, and it's got a retractable leg so as it can leap up at you better and you know what Ted, it lights up at night, and it's got four ears. Two of them are for listening and the other two are kind of back-up ears, and its claws are as big as cups and for some reason it's got a tremendous fear of stamps and Mrs. Doyle was tellin' me that it's got magnets on it's tail so's if you're made out of metal it can attach itself to you, and instead of a mouth it's got four arses.'"

88 mins: Zamora tries to slip Dempsey in on the right-hand side of the box, but his pass was easily read and cut out by Zebina.

89 mins: Diego sends in a swirler from 25 yards and Schwarzer does well to push it around the post for a corner. From that Iaquinta heads wide. I wonder what Gareth Southgate thinks every time he sees Schwarzer make a save like that, given that he let him leave Boro for free?

90 mins: Duff has the ball by the right-hand corner flag. Baird provides support, then lofts it towards the far post. Legrottaglie nuts out to the left wing, where Zamora collects it and crosses to the near post. Dempsey pokes it wide. "You say 'Zamora has been 'an effective fulcrum up front against high-class defenders'," notes John T. "Are you on the Zamora-for-England bandwagon, or the slightly more appropriate Zamora's-better-than-Heskey-so-if-you're-thinking-of-taking-one-take-Zamora-but-seriously-isn't-there-anyone-else train?" I'd got for Carlton Cole, if you must know.

Full-time: Fulham will have to excel themselves in the second leg to overturn a two-goal deficit against these slicksters. And on that note, bye.


White Noise

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/match/3104718


Juventus v Fulham


Match facts

UEFA Europa League Round of 16 1st Leg

Thursday 11 March 2010 20.05

  Score line 
Final score  Juventus  3 – 1
(HT 3 – 1)
  Fulham 
Legrottaglie 8
Zebina 25
Trezeguet 45
  Etuhu 36

Bookings Legrottaglie 66
  Greening 84

Juventus's Percentage Fulham's Percentage
Corners 4 50%  4 50% 
Goal attempts 16 69%  7 31% 
On target 6 54%  5 46% 
Fouls 16 53%  14 47% 
Offside 4 30%  9 70% 
Juventus Alex Manninger, Fabio Cannavaro, Fabio Grosso, Jonathan Zebina, Nicola Legrottaglie, Hasan Salihamidzic (Mauro German Camoranesi, 46), Claudio Marchisio, Christian Poulsen (Mohamed Sissoko, 76), Antonio Candreva, Ribas da Cunha Diego, David Trezeguet (Vincenzo Iaquinta, 62) 
Fulham Mark Schwarzer, Paul Konchesky, Brede Hangeland, Chris Baird, Aaron Hughes, Zoltan Gera, Damien Duff, Dickson Etuhu, Jonathan Greening, Simon Davies (Clint Dempsey, 61), Bobby Zamora 
Referee Meyer, F
Venue Stadio Olimpico
Attendance 11,406

White Noise

Juventus 3 Fulham 1: Cottagers cling to Dickson Etuhu's lifeline as David Trezeguet runs riot


By Laura Williamson


Last updated at 10:13 PM on 11th March 2010


Fulham's hopes of a fairytale place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League were left hanging by a thread as European heavyweights Juventus outclassed Roy Hodgson's side at the Stadio Olimpico di Turin.

The Cottagers struggled for possession in the first half and went 2-0 down thanks to goals from Nicola Legrottaglie and Jonathan Zebina.

Dickson Etuhu pulled one back but Hodgson's men always looked second best and David Trezeguet's sharp third goal emphasised the gulf in class between the two sides.

Hodgson handed Paul Konchesky his first start in almost two months in the place of cup-tied Nicky Shorey while Clint Dempsey, who picked up a serious knee injury in January, was a surprise inclusion on the substitutes' bench.

Alberto Zaccheroni made four changes to the Juventus side that beat Fiorentina last weekend, among them World Cup winners Fabio Cannavaro and Fabio Grosso.

While the game represented arguably the most important in Fulham's history, home enthusiasm for the match was not quite on the same level.

The 28,000 capacity Stadio Olimpico di Torino only contained 11,406 people with around 1,100 of them being Fulham fans.

Hodgson admitted before kick-off his side were playing one of the biggest matches in the club's history and they soon looked out of their depth against a fluent Juve side dripping with class.

The Old Lady, currently fifth in Serie A, began with a fluid passing game and Mark Schwarzer soon found his goal under attack when he reacted well to tip Trezeguet's goal-bound strike around his left hand post.

The Australian was beaten seconds later though as Legrottaglie found his way through a packed penalty box to power a close range header past the keeper from the resulting corner.

Fulham could have levelled in the 16th minute but Simon Davies miskicked from eight yards out after an impressive run from Damien Duff down the right.

The Bianconeri continued to threaten the Cottagers' box and the front three of Antonio Candreva, Diego and Trezeguet were proving to be too much of a handful for the Fulham midfield, who struggled to get possession.

Fulham top scorer Bobby Zamora looked frustrated and isolated up front but he won the free-kick that put the Cottagers momentarily back in the tie.

Davies whipped a free-kick on the edge of the box after a foul on the former Spurs hitman and the ball fell to Etuhu who slotted the ball past an off-balance Alex Manninger via a deflection.

Sensing an equaliser, the travelling fans urged on Hodgson's men and Brede Hangeland and Zoltan Gera were guilty of firing close-range efforts straight at Manninger.

Schwarzer then had to pull off a fantastic one-handed save but Juve went 3-1 ahead when Trezeguet fired past the Fulham stopper on the stroke of half-time after his original shot smacked against the woodwork.

The second half started at a slow pace and Juventus stroked the ball about the pitch with ease.

Aaron Hughes, who was captaining the side in the absence of Danny Murphy, pulled off a crucial challenge on Trezeguet inside the box at the start of the second half as Juve looked for a fourth.

Zamora chose to plough the flanks in an effort to create chances but the two dangerous crosses he produced were thwarted by Italy centre half Legrottaglie.

Hodgson's side lacked creativity and the Fulham boss looked for fresh impetus from Dempsey, who came on for Davies to make his first appearance since hobbling off against Blackburn in January.

Trezeguet was given a rapturous reception by the home fans when he was replaced by Vincenzo Iaquinta.

A deliberate handball brought a booking for Legrottaglie and gave Fulham a free-kick from 20 yards out but Duff's curling cross was expertly cut out by Cannavaro.

Former Liverpool player Mohamed Sissoko replaced the solid Christian Poulsen in midfield with 15 minutes left.

Zamora won a corner for the Cottagers with eight minutes left but Jonathan Greening's dangerous cross was cut out by Iaquinta.

The former Manchester United man's frustration was clear as he received a booking for a needless foul on Candreva in the Juve half.

Claudio Marchisio, who was a doubt with illness, jinked inside the Fulham box but his shot was blocked.

Diego almost made it four but his 25-yard stinging strike was tipped wide by Schwarzer.

Dempsey fired Fulham's last meaningful effort wide to ensure that the first meeting between the two sides ended in a 3-1 defeat, leaving Hodgson's men with much work to do in the second leg next Thursday.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1257318/Juventus-3-Fulham-1-Cottagers-cling-Dickson-Etuhus-lifeline-David-Trezeguet-runs-riot.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0huaCkP7d

White Noise

http://football.fanhouse.co.uk/2010/03/11/juventus-3-fulham-1-trezeguet-strike-leaves-cottagers-with-moun/

Juventus 3 Fulham 1: Trezeguet Strike Leaves Cottagers with Mountain to Climb

11/3/2010 4:59 PM GMT By Jon West



Fulham will have to put in a performance to remember at Craven Cottage if their Europa League adventure is not to come to an end after they were out-classed in the first leg in Turin.

The home side won 3-1, with all the goals coming in the first 45 minutes. Nicola Legrottaglie headed the Italians into an early lead which was soon doubled by fellow defender Jonathan Zebina.
Roy Hodgson's side was gifted a potentially tie-saving away goal when a shot by Dickson Etuhu, which was going wide, was deflected in off Legrottaglie.

But David Trezeguet made it 3-1 in the 45th minute after his initial effort had hit a post.

REACTION:
Hodgson insisted his side was not out of the tie yet but admitted the Trezeguet goal had made their task extremely difficult.

He said: "I thought Juventus were very effective, scoring two goals from corner kicks but the real disappointment from our point of view was that having got back into the game at 2-1 and seemingly not being particularly troubled we gave away a very foolish goal in extra time in the first half.

"That meant it was an uphill battle. The players did extremely well in the second half.

"We needed a second goal and we needed not to concede another, so it was a good performance in the second half, when I thought we had clearly the better of the game. We had some quite interesting chances.

"We are not out of the tie as yet but at 2-1 we might have been half congratulating ourselves because we gave a reasonable performance in terms of our possession and our play. I have to congratulate Juventus on their effectiveness, not least of all their two goals from corner kicks."

Hodgson admitted he had been frustrated by an improved second half performance not resulting in anything tangible. He said: "It frustrates you but you know it's going to be difficult because Juventus have got good players in their team so even when you get behind them they are always recovering.

"Our biggest moments of danger were from crosses where the ball was fizzing across the six-yard box. On two occasions (Fabio) Cannavaro made wonderful interceptions. Had the ball got past him we would have scored.

"Certainly we did enough in the game, particularly in the second half, to show we are not out of the tie and we weren't disgraced in any way."

HOW IT HAPPENED:
With five World Cup winners in the home side it was perhaps no surprise that Juventus made by far the more impressive start and Fulham ended up holding out for just eight minutes. The surprising thing however was that a set-piece turned out to be their undoing as Legrottaglie charged in to meet a corner as a host of red shirts stood and watched. The second was avoidable too as Zebina, the right-back, got past Simon Davies and Etuhu far too easily before launching a fine 25-yarder. Fulham had offered little in return apart from a Davies mis-kick in front of goal before a slice of luck came their way. Etuhu's shot was going wide before it took a hefty deflection off Legrottaglie to beat Alex Manninger, the former Arsenal goalkeeper. Juve's response was to restore their two-goal cushion in first-half stoppage time through Trezeguet, who saw his first effort rebound straight back to him off an upright. Fulham had their moments after the break but the Italians remained comfortable and the more likely to add to the score-line.

WHAT IT MEANS:
That Fulham are probably out of the Europa League and that Juventus might well go on to win it. But with an away goal that could all change in London, provided, of course, Hodgson's men put in a performance of a lifetime in front of their own fans. They will have to be much tighter at the back if that is to happen and with Danny Murphy still suspended and Jonathan Greening now ineligible they are short in midfield. The return of Clint Dempsey, on for the last half hour for the first time since suffering a bad knee injury in January, could be the answer to that problem however.

QUOTABLE
"The bitter pill to swallow and the one we are going to be carrying with us this week was that third goal, which I thought was very unnecessary."
- Hodgson laments those few seconds of ill-discipline in first-half stoppage time.:

JUVENTUS 3 (Legrottaglie 9, Zebina 25, Trezeguet 45) FULHAM 1 (Etuhu 36)

PLAYER MARKING:
Juventus (4-3-3): Manninger 7; Zebina 8, Cannavaro 9, Legrottaglie 7, Grosso 7; Salihamidzic 7 (Camoranesi 46, 6), Poulsen 7 Sissoko 76, 6), Marchisio 7; Candreva 7, Diego 7, Trezeguet 8 (Iaquinta 63, 6).
Subs (not used): Pinsoglio, Del Piero, Grygera, De Ceglie.

Fulham (4-4-1-1): Schwarzer 9; Baird 6, Hangeland 7, Hughes 7, Konchesky 7; Duff 7, Etuhu 7, Greening 6, Davies 6 (Dempsey 61, 6); Gera 6; Zamora 6.
Subs (not used): Zuberbuhler, Kelly, Nevland, Smalling, Marsh-Brown.

ATTENDANCE: 11,406

NEXT UP:
- Fulham v Manchester United (Away) Premier League 14/03, 1330 GMT

MAN OF THE MATCH:
Mark Schwarzer (Fulham): The big Aussie was on top of his game throughout - and had to be as he wasn't always afforded the protection from his defenders he would have wanted.


White Noise

http://www.goal.com/en/news/166/europa-league/2010/03/11/1828712/juventus-3-1-fulham-clinical-juve-take-charge-of-europa


Juventus 3-1 Fulham: Clinical Bianconeri Take Charge Of Europa League Tie


Juve earn a healthy lead to take to Craven Cottage next week.


By Kris Voakes


Mar 11, 2010 9:54:00 PM


A clinical first half display from Juventus saw them grab a vital 3-1 victory over Fulham in their Europa League last 16 first leg match at the Stadio Olimpico in Turin.

Goals from Nicola Legrottaglie, Jonathan Zebina and David Trezeguet saw off the Cottagers, whose away goal from Dickson Etuhu will give them a glimmer of hope ahead of next Thursday's second leg.

Juve started with David Trezeguet as their lone striker, with club captain Alessandro Del Piero left on the bench, whilst Fulham had an attack consisting of Bobby Zamora and the slightly withdrawn Zoltan Gera.

After an even start, with Diego and Zamora each spawning early attempts, it was Juventus who grabbed a ninth minute lead. Diego's right wing corner was a good one, and Nicola Legrottaglie met it with a bullet header from 10 yards which caught Mark Schwarzer and his defence cold.

Fulham responded by attempting to hold onto possession more, feeding Damien Duff down the right whenever possible. From one such move, the former Newcastle man crossed low for Simon Davies 12 yards from goal, but the Welshman completely miscued and ended up laid flat on the turf as Juve were allowed to clear.
The Bianconeri were soon attacking themselves, and a slowly built move led to a sight on goal for Antonio Candreva, but the youngster couldn't keep his shot down.

The home side were starting to look more confident on the ball and they duly doubled their lead on 25 minutes. Candreva ran hard at Paul Konchesky before laying the ball back to Jonathan Zebina. With seemingly nothing on, Zebina beat Davies and shrugged off Etuhu before drilling an excellent right-foot shot across Schwarzer from just outside the box.

By now Juve were having all sorts of fun, and Fabio Grosso should have done better from a good crossing position, with Trezeguet and Candreva waiting, after great work by Diego had seen him pass two men before finding the Italy full-back.

Claudio Marchisio could then have put Grosso in down the left, but overhit his pass from the channel. And in the 36th minute, Fulham got themselves right back into the tie.

Simon Davies' free-kick from the left wasn't cleared, and the ball ricocheted to Dickson Etuhu, whose swinging shot cannoned off Legrottaglie and beyond the wrong-footed Alex Manninger to secure a priceless away goal for the Cottagers.

And it was so nearly 2-2 four minutes later, Brede Hangeland heading a right wing corner towards goal, forcing Manninger to make a smart stop with Aaron Hughes in close proximity. Grosso was able to hook clear and keep Juventus ahead.

This gave Fulham even more reason to believe, and Manninger suddenly became more than just a spectator as the Italians were made to work to retain their lead before the interval.

But, amazingly, Juventus managed to extend their lead on the stroke of half-time. Grosso had a clean left-foot strike tipped over by Schwarzer after Fulham had been caught cold on the break. From the resulting corner David Trezeguet hit the post with his first effort, but the rebound fell kindly for the Frenchman and he steered a shot across Schwarzer at the second attempt.

Despite having a two-goal advantage at the break, it was the Old Lady who made a change ahead of the second half, with Mauro Camoranesi replacing Hasan Salihamidzic on the right of midfield.

Fulham started the second half cagily, perhaps troubled by the thought that the concession of a fourth goal may well have ended the tie as a contest. The additional threat of Camoranesi on the right was also giving the Londoners reason to think.

Legrottaglie could well have repeated his first half trick when another headed chance came his way from a right wing corner, but this time he was much less clinical, sending his effort well over Schwarzer's bar.

Roy Hodgson made his first change on the hour mark, introducing the more attacking Clint Dempsey for Simon Davies. The return of Dempsey after serious injury will have brought a smile to the face of USA coach Bob Bradley as well as all concerned at Fulham, given that he will likely be an important member of the Americans' World Cup squad this summer. Juve then gave a run-out to Vincenzo Iaquinta, another South Africa hopeful returning from injury, for his first European appearance since October as a replacement for Trezeguet.

The away side forced their best chance of the half on 62 minutes. Hughes' free-kick was headed across goal by Zoltan Gera, but it flew just behind Bobby Zamora as he tried to wriggle free of his marker at the far post.

Juventus kept trying to force further attacks, clearly wanting to kill the tie off, but this always gave hope to Fulham on the counter. It was from a breakaway that the Whites could have pulled one back on 75 minutes. Zamora got free down the right before feeding Duff. When he was held up by Fabio Cannavaro, the Irishman chipped a ball in for Zamora, whose touch to Chris Baird seemed to have made a chance for the full-back, but he'd strayed offside.

The game continued to be played at a decent pace as both sides had good reason to seek another goal ahead of the second leg at Craven Cottage. Diego and Iaquinta both came close to grabbing a fourth for Juve in the dying moments. First the Brazilian had a sizzling shot from 20 yards parried by Schwarzer, then the Italian's header sailed just wide from the resulting corner as Fulham held onto their slim hopes of progression to the quarter-finals.

White Noise

http://www.bettingzone.co.uk/football/betting/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=betting/10/03/11/manual_222555.html

JUVE NEW EUROPA LEAGUE FAVOURITES

Juventus are the new across-the-board Europa League favourites after their 3-1 victory over Fulham on Thursday.

The Cottagers struggled for possession in the first half at the Stadio Olimpico and went 2-0 down thanks to goals from Nicola Legrottaglie and Jonathan Zebina.

Dickson Etuhu pulled one back but Roy Hodgson's men always looked second best and David Trezeguet's sharp third goal emphasised the gulf in class between the two sides.

The layers reacted by making Juve their favourites to go on and lift the trophy - and they're a best price of 11/2 from 7/1 before the night's action. Fulham are out at 66s.

Liverpool had begun the day as the tournament favourites but they've drifted from 11/2 to as big as 7/1 after slipping to a 1-0 defeat at Lille (20s).

Hamburg are also 7s after a 3-1 win against Anderlecht, with Valencia and Marseille also available at single-figure prices after draws with Werder Bremen and Benfica respectively.

White Noise

http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7BB4CEE8FA%2D9A47%2D47BC%2DB069%2D3F7A2F35DB70%7D&newsid=6646749

Match Pack: FulhamUnited are looking for three points - and some revenge - against Roy Hodgson's men...

Form guide: The Reds are buoyed by the 4-0 hammering of Milan and the ousting of Chelsea from top spot with last weekend's 1-0 win over Wolves. United have now posted four straight wins since the slip-up at Everton, including victory in the Carling Cup final, and Sir Alex will want to keep this momentum going as the Reds hurl headlong into the run-in. A home win would also avenge December's 3-0 defeat at Craven Cottage. Fulham's 3-1 Europa League loss to Juventus on Thursday ended their nine-match unbeaten run; their last two domestic games ended 0-0 - against Spurs (FA Cup) and at Sunderland.

Ins and outs: United are without Michael Owen due to a hamstring injury and Anderson with an anterior cruciate ligament problem. Wes Brown will be missing due to a fractured metatarsal sustained during United's win at Wolves, while John O'Shea is missing with a thigh strain. Fulham are still without the injured Andy Johnson (knee), and are awaiting late fitness tests on Kagisho Dikgacoi (ankle) plus Clint Dempsey and John Pantsil (both knee).

Star men: Bobby Zamora has come good this season after a slow start. His thunderous strike against Shakhtar Donetsk helped to knock out the UEFA Cup holders, and he now has a decent tally of 15 goals in all competitions this season - including one in the 3-0 league win over United in December. Brede Hangeland is a big reason why Fulham have become difficult to beat - the giant centre-back is also an attacking threat at setpieces.


White Noise

http://uk.soccerway.com/news/2010/March/11/juve-in-europa-league-boxseat-liverpool-crash-at-lille/

Juve in Europa League boxseat, Liverpool crash at Lille

11 March 2010


Juventus assumed command of their Europa League last-16 tie against Fulham with a 3-1 first-leg win on Thursday, after beleaguered English giants Liverpool were beaten at Lille.

Juve took an early lead in Turin when centre-back Nicola Legrottaglie headed home from a ninth-minute corner before right-back Jonathan Zebina extended their advantage with a thunderous 25-yard effort.

Dickson Etuhu's deflected shot reduced the arrears but former France international David Trezeguet restored the home side's two-goal cushion by volleying home in first-half injury time after his shot came back off the post.

Valencia were held to a 1-1 draw at home to last season's runners-up Werder Bremen, who took a 24th-minute lead via a Torsten Frings penalty.

The hosts had Argentine midfielder Ever Banega dismissed in the second half for violent conduct but they drew level almost immediately through Juan Mata, who slotted home after Spain team-mate David Silva's shot was blocked.

A last-minute Hatem Ben Arfa header earned Marseille an impressive 1-1 draw at free-scoring Portuguese league leaders Benfica, while Panathiniakos, who eliminated Serie A heavyweights Roma in the last round, were beaten 3-1 at home by Standard Liege.

Lille followed compatriots Lyon's example, after Claude Puel's side stunned Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday, by consigning Liverpool to a 1-0 defeat at the Stadium Lille-Metropole.

Liverpool, a disappointing sixth in the Premier League after losing 1-0 to Wigan on Monday, were short of fluency on an uneven playing surface and sank to defeat when Eden Hazard's 84th-minute free-kick drifted straight in from wide on the left-hand flank.

The Belgian youngster had been a constant torment with his purposeful running and his goal, albeit fortuitous, puts his side in the driving seat prior to the return match at Anfield on March 18.

"I have confidence we can beat anyone on a good day at Anfield," said Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez.

"I would be worried if the players hadn't worked as hard as they have. The fans will play a part, they will push and will be behind the team."

Benitez's Lille counterpart Rudi Garcia said his team still had work to do.

"Everyone thought we were out when the draw was made. Now, although nothing has been decided, it's a good result for us," he said.

"We have to score over there. The first leg should give us confidence and show us that we're capable of competing with such a big team."

Elsewhere, a delightful curling finish from Bosnian playmaker Zvjezdan Misimovic in the 67th minute earned Wolfsburg a 1-1 draw at Rubin Kazan in the battle of the reigning league champions from Germany and Russia.

Ruud van Nistelrooy scored his first home goal for new club Hamburg as they defeated Anderlecht 3-1, with Jonathan Legear's superb free-kick on the stroke of half-time earning the visitors an away goal.

Sporting Lisbon secured a 0-0 draw at Atletico Madrid despite the 31st-minute dismissal of defender Leandro Grimi for two bookable offences and a straight red card for Tonel in the final minute.

White Noise

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/overseas/italy/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/10/03/11/SOCCER_Fulham_Quotes.html&TEAMHD=italy

THIRD GOAL A BITTER PILL FOR HODGSON


Fulham manager Roy Hodgson admits Juventus' third goal is a "bitter pill to swallow" after the Italian side took what could prove to be a decisive lead in their Europa League last-16 clash.

The Cottagers went 2-0 down within half an hour as goals from Nicola Legrottaglie and Jonathan Zebina put the Italians in control.

Dickson Etuhu pulled one back but Hodgson's men always looked second best and David Trezeguet's goal deep in first-half stoppage-time emphasised the gulf in class between the two sides.

Hodgson insists his team remain very much in the tie despite the 3-1 defeat, with the second leg in London still to come, but he acknowledges that the third goal has left them with a mountain to climb.

"I thought they were very effective, not least from scoring two goals from corners," he told ITV4.

"The real disappointment from our point of view is that having got back into the game at 2-1 and seemingly not being particularly troubled we gave away a very foolish goal.

"That meant it's an uphill battle but I thought the players did extremely well in the second half because at 3-1 it's dangerous.

"We needed a second goal but we needed not to concede another so it was a good performance in the second half.

But we're not out of the tie yet and at 2-1 we might have even been congratulating ourselves because we gave a decent performance here today."

Hodgson added: "But certainly we did enough in the game to show we're not out of the tie and we certainly weren't disgraced in any way here today.

"The bitter pill to swallow and the bitter pill we're going to be carrying for the next week is that third goal, which I thought was very unnecessary.

"We had possession of the ball in their half and there was one minute left to play and I think we should have come in at 2-1 and would have been quite happy."

White Noise

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6016384,00.html


Hodgson - We can turn it round


Cottagers boss upbeat despite heavy defeat against Juve


Last updated: 11th March 2010   


Fulham manager Roy Hodgson was disappointed by his side's lacklustre defending that gave Juventus a 3-1 win, but insists they can fight back to reach the next stage of the Europa League.

The Cottagers went 2-0 down within 30 minutes thanks to goals from defenders Nicola Legrottaglie and Jonathan Zebina before Dickson Etuhu pulled one back.

However, the visitors always looked second best and Hodgson's charges seemed to switch off when David Trezeguet restored Juve's two-goal cushion with a sharp third to emphasise the gulf in class between the two sides.

Hodgson insists his team can still reach the quarter-finals, but knows that Trezeguet's opportunistic strike has left them with a mountain to climb.

"I thought they were very effective, not least from scoring two goals from corners," said Hodgson.

"The real disappointment from our point of view is that having got back into the game at 2-1 and seemingly not being particularly troubled we gave away a very foolish goal.

"That meant it's an uphill battle but I thought the players did extremely well in the second half because at 3-1 it's dangerous.

"We needed a second goal but we needed not to concede another so it was a good performance in the second half.

"But we're not out of the tie yet and at 2-1 we might have even been congratulating ourselves because we gave a decent performance here."

No disgrace
Hodgson added: "But certainly we did enough in the game to show we're not out of the tie and we certainly weren't disgraced in any way here.

"The bitter pill to swallow and the bitter pill we're going to be carrying for the next week is that third goal, which I thought was very unnecessary.

"We had possession of the ball in their half and there was one minute left to play and I think we should have come in at 2-1 and would have been quite happy."


White Noise

http://www.goal.com/en/news/166/europa-league/2010/03/11/1828904/alberto-zaccheroni-warns-juventus-that-europa-league-tie

Europa League Tie With Fulham Is Not Over Yet


The coach wanted another goal to put the tie to bed...


By Rick D'Andrea



Mar 11, 2010 10:24:00 PM


Juventus coach Alberto Zaccheroni was pleased that the Bianconeri were able to claim a 3-1 victory over Fulham in their Europa League round of 16 first leg clash, but the boss wanted to kill the tie off.

Zaccheroni believes that the side will need to be at their best during the return leg on March 18, as the tie is still up for grabs thanks largely to Dickson Etuhu's away goal.

"The squad did well, but I hoped that we would have had a better result on the scoreboard than what we obtained," the boss stated to Corriere Dello Sport post-match. "This means that we will have to be at our best for the return leg.

"What I did like about the team tonight is the way we closed down the space, and remained compact. We defended together, and attacked together.

"There has been little time to have gotten this into the minds of the players, but they have all been willing and available," added Zaccheroni.

White Noise

http://fulhampatsfan.blogspot.com/2010/03/fulham-lose-3-1-at-juventus.html

Fulham lose 3 - 1 at Juventus

I stated going into the match that I hoped for an away goal in this Europa League matchup at the Stadio Olimpico in Turin. I guess I was hoping the score was a little closer. Fulham lost to Juventus 3 - 1. The funny thing the score doesn't indicate the effort and play Fulham gave in the second half. Overall, Juventus were the better team in this match. Fulham still have a chance next week at Craven Cottage. It is going to be hard, but this team has surprised me many times this season. I wouldn't count Fulham out just yet.

The first 30 minutes were dominated by Juventus. In this time they scored 2 goals. First, In the 8th minute a Diego corner kick was headed in by Nicola Legrottaglie that got by Mark Schwarzer. In the 25th minute, off of a great run came a tremendous right footed shot by Jonathan Zebina, that just got in the corner of the net. After the first 30 minutes Fulham were down 2- 0.

Shortly afterwards Fulham started to show some life and started to control the ball more. In the 36th minute, a direct free kick was taken by Simon Davies. The ball fell to Dickson Etuhu who richocheted a shot off of a Juventus defender that went past Manninger. The game was now 2 - 1 and Fulham had an important away goal.

Fulham almost tied the match in the 40th minute. Simon Davies had a corner kick that was headed by Brede Hangeland in the box and saved by Manninger again. This was Fulham's best chance to tie the match.

It looked like the match would end at the half 2-1 with Juventus ahead. The game went into stoppage time and Juventus were pushing forward. After a corner kick, a shot by David Trezeguet hit the the post but bounced right back to him. His second shot got by Mark Schwarzer and Juventus were ahead 3 - 1 to the end the first half.

The second half I thought Fulham controlled a good amount of the play and pushed forward. Unfortunately, many times in the second half Bobby Zamora was offsides. There was though a good cross by Zamora that went to Zoltan Gera. He headed the ball out of bounds.

I have to say the best news of the second half was the return of Clint Dempsey in the 60th minute. He came in and replaced Simon Davies. The last best chance of the night came from Juventus. in the 89th minute a shot by Diego was tipped over the net by Mark Schwarzer. The game ended 3 - 1 with Juventus winning the match.

Even though Fulham were outplayed tonight I thought they gave great effort. I think they showed especially in the second half that the club deserved to be in this matchup. It will be tough in the second leg. Regardless of the outcome it has been an great time watching Fulham play in the Europa League. I never would have imagined this happening 2 years ago.

Posted by Fulham-Pats Fan at 5:26 PM

White Noise

http://www.goal.com/en/news/166/europa-league/2010/03/11/1828952/juventus-forward-david-trezeguet-pleased-with-goal-against

Juventus Forward David Trezeguet Pleased With Goal Against Fulham


The Frenchman would like to win the Europa League, but is taking it one match at a time...


By Rick D'Andrea


Mar 11, 2010 11:01:00 PM

Juventus hitman David Trezeguet was pleased that his side defeated Fulham 3-1 in the first leg of their Europa League round of 16 clash.

But there is some doubt over whether the Frenchman got the final touch on the goal awarded to him.

"[Hasan] Salihamidzic claims that he touched it last, but I did not see it. If he says this, then I have faith in him. As it stands, this goal I will keep to myself," the 32-year-old affirmed to Tuttosport. "The important thing is that the team won.

"This is a big step forward for the side. My last goal in Europe was against Bayern Munich on that fateful night, and am pleased to have scored again.

"We are going through a better period as a team, as the victory against Fiorentina gave us a lift.

"There is still a long way to go in the Europa League, but we are working towards going as far as we can. The quality of players are there, and Juventus are a side accustomed to winning," concluded Trezeguet


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Everything To Play For


Thursday 11th March 2010


Fulham FC News

Mark Schwarzer expressed his disappointment at Thursday night's defeat at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino but spoke of his belief that Fulham can still cause an upset at the Cottage next week.

"We find ourselves very disappointed with how we conceded the goals. We got ourselves back in the game at 2-1 and from our standards the third goal was a very sloppy goal.

"We uncharacteristically conceded three goals and we're very disappointed. They had a different game plan in the second half and wanted to hit us on the counter attack as they were happy with the 3-1 score.

"We'll watch the videos, analyse it and make sure it doesn't happen in the second game. I've been in this situation before and I don't think the game is over yet. I think we'll cause them a few more problems at the Cottage than we did tonight.

"The Cottage is a very tight ground and we won't give them as much room as they had tonight – it will be a very different game."

Fulham head back to SW6 on Friday afternoon ahead of Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash at Old Trafford and Schwarzer is now focused on making the most out of two massive fixtures over the next seven days.

"It's a great position to be in and there are a lot of clubs that would love to be in the situation we're in and we'll try to take advantage of it. We'll focus on Sunday's game now and see what we can do at Old Trafford."


Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/SchwarzerJuveReaction.aspx#ixzz0hvtVB5Zk

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Cottage Will Be Key

Thursday 11th March 2010


Fulham FC News

Fulham return to the Cottage next Thursday with the task of pulling back a two goal deficit against Juventus and Aaron Hughes believes the home support could play a telling role in the tie.

"We know what we have to do at the Cottage next week and we'll have a right go at it. We're obviously disappointed, especially with the way we conceded the third goal.

"Our away goal might yet prove crucial if we can get a couple of goals at the Cottage and keep a clean sheet. It's going to be tough - but it's not impossible.

"We're disappointed with the way we conceded the goals but like I say, there's plenty of football to play.
"I thought the fans were fantastic and they gave us a lot of support. They've [the fans] been like that throughout our European campaign and we've been to some far away places.

"It's fantastic and it's unfortunate we couldn't give them something to take home with them tonight. We'll see what we can do next week and I think the atmosphere will play a big part next week."


Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/hughesjuvereaction.aspx#ixzz0hvtq1NTI