After breezing through last season’s group stage without breaking a sweat, Champions League defending champion Manchester United’s dream of a fourth European Cup will be imperiled if it stumbles at Aalborg today.
The title defense began with Villarreal frustrating the Red Devils with a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford in a repeat of the Spaniards’ results against the English team in the 2005 competition.
And today’s group match in Denmark — one of 16 this week — will also revive memories of the defeat at FC Copenhagen at this stage two years ago.
United’s struggle hasn’t been confined to Europe, taking just eight points from the first five matches in its Premier League defense.
“Having dropped two points in our first game it is important we get it right against Aalborg,” United manager Alex Ferguson said. “They are playing Manchester United, they will have a sellout crowd and the whole town will be up for it. Danish clubs are always battlers.”
Group E is a stalemate after Celtic, which is at Villarreal, also held Aalborg 0-0 two weeks ago.
Nine-time European champion Real Madrid travels to UEFA Cup holder Zenit St. Petersburg sitting second in the Spanish league after its fourth straight victory.
Madrid beat newcomer BATE Borisov of Belarus 2-0 in unconvincing fashion in the Group H opener, and will be without influential midfielders Wesley Sneijder and Jose Maria “Guti” Gutierrez in Russia.
“What we have to keep clear is that the pressure cannot beat us,” Madrid defender Pepe said.
Zenit’s entrance on the Champions League stage ended in defeat at Juventus, and coach Dick Advocaat needs a positive response to Madrid now the Russians’ domestic title defense is over.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely