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Showing posts with label international champions cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label international champions cup. Show all posts

Real Madrid vs Everton August 3, 2013

Posted by baturayk Saturday, August 3, 2013 0 comments
Everton pulled off the biggest upset of the International Champions Cup opening round by defeating Italian champions Juventus. The match doesn't get any easier in the second round as the Everton football go up against Real Madrid.
As expected, the Real Madrid were able to ease past Los Angeles Galaxy, who were without Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane. The Real Madrid football side's talented depth players make them a serious threat to capture the inaugural event's trophy.
To reach the final Real Madrid vs Everton will need another terrific defensive effort. American international goalkeeper Tim Howard was at the top of his game and his defenders followed suit to slow down Juve. A similar performance is needed against Real.

The winners get a spot in the championship match alongside either AC Milan or Chelsea, according to the winner of Chelsea vs AC Milan. So let's take a glance at the key viewing information for the clash, followed by a preview and a prediction for which club will claim that berth in the final.

Madrid are still working towards top form and lacked the intensity of a La Liga match, but still had no trouble creating chances against the Galaxy. They scored three times and it could have been five or six if not for a strong showing by L.A. goalkeeper Brian Rowe.

Real Madrid vs Everton
Real Madrid vs Everton

Real Madrid vs Everton August 3, 2013
Real Madrid vs Everton August 3, 2013


Cristiano Ronaldo was his usual dynamic form, Karim Benzema scored twice and Angel Di Maria also found the net. But the most astonishing performance came from Isco, who was a driving force behind the club's dangerous attack.

The 21-year-old attacking midfielder delivered a pair of nifty assists. Although it's impossible to pass any final judgment until he plays a full season against elite competition, he definitely looks like a superstar in the making.

For most clubs, the short preseason turnaround between matches would be a major concern. But the Blancos have great depth, headlined by players like Isco and Alvaro Morata, which should ensure they field a very competitive squad. Carlo Ancelotti has a wealth of options.
Real are going to need that depth to break down Everton FC's defensive wall. But as long as they can control the match in midfield and win the possession battle, they should be in position to reach the final.

As for Everton football club, the Premier League club have flown under the radar throughout the offseason, mostly due to a lack of high-profile moves. Yet, beating Juventus should provide the squad with an immediate boost of confidence.
Howard wasn't at his best last season. He experienced too many dips in form. It appears he sees that lackluster play as a challenge because the veteran keeper looked ready for a bounce-back campaign by turning away Juventus several times in the second half.

The Toffees' defensive effort was good enough for them to believe they can at least slow down Real Madrid, especially if the Blancos decide to rotate their lineup. Whether they are able to generate enough offense is the bigger question mark.
Kevin Mirallas scored Everton's only goal in the opener. Victor Anichebe, Steven Naismith, Nikica Jelavic or another member of the attack must step up to provide more chances. It's the only hope they have to keep up with the Blancos.
Ultimately, Real Madrid should be able to put together another sound performance in order to reach the championship match. Everton simply do not have enough firepower to keep pace with the Spanish side.



Chelsea vs AC Milan August 4, 2013

Posted by baturayk 0 comments
It may be preseason, but the fixtures are coming thick and fast for Europe's elite teams as they prepare for 2013-14, with Chelsea vs AC Milan battling for early-season bragging rights at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium on Sunday August 4, 2013.

Chelsea vs AC Milan International Champions Cup
Chelsea vs AC Milan International Champions Cup

Having been on tour in Asia already this summer, the Chelsea are back in America competing for their first piece of silverware since Jose Mourinho returned to the Chelsea football in June.
Sure, the Guinness International Champions Cup will not rank high on Mourinho's list of achievements should his team leave the U.S. victorious, but it will be a good place to start.
They overcame Chelsea vs Inter Milan on Aug. 1 with a 2-0 victory and, as they face Milanese opposition once again, a repeat performance will ensure Mourinho's new moniker the "Happy One" will continue to be rolled out for a few more weeks yet.

 Chelsea football club remain undefeated in preseason, their one-sided victory over Chelsea vs BNI Indonesia All-Stars in late July the pick of the bunch thus far.
That 8-1 victory has set them up well for the weeks ahead as the team builds a head of steam, targeting the big kick-off on Aug.17.
The Serie A season will kick-off a week later this year on Aug. 25, so in theory Milan should be a week or so behind the FC Chelsea in terms of fitness and sharpness.
If so, it didn't stop them defeating Valencia 2-1 in their opening game of their U.S. tour, setting up this weekend's clash with the Blues. AC Milan vs Manchester City match was an important recent clash between two elite teams of Europe.
Key players are returning after their extended breaks from international duty also, so the Rossoneri will be looking strong ahead of Sunday.

With Juan Mata and Fernando Torres back in training with Chelsea after their busy summer with Spain, both will be looking to make an early impression on new manager Jose Mourinho.
Competition for places at Stamford Bridge is certainly heating up as the new season approaches, with Romelu Lukaku looking every bit the player we saw at West Bromwich Albion last season, while Eden Hazard and Oscar found themselves on the scoresheet against Inter Milan in their last outing.
Robinho and Nigel de Jong grabbed a goal each against Valencia as AC Milan advanced to meet Chelsea in the Guinness International Champions Cup.
AC Milan certainly have more firepower within their ranks, too, with Stephen El Shaarawy available again having competed with Italy at the Confederations Cup.
Keep an eye out for 18-year-old frontman Andrea Petagna, also. The youngster has been a regular in Italy's youth teams and has been given his fair share of game time this preseason. Can he make an impact?

 The Guinness International Champions Cup has thrown up some mouth-watering prospects for preseason already and the potential outcome of this fixture is no different.

If Chelsea are successful in defeating AC Milan on Sunday and Real Madrid overcome Everton a day earlier, it will mean Jose Mourinho facing his former employers a little sooner than he may have anticipated as both clubs will fight it out in the final.
Of course, should both teams lose, the result will be the same, but they will be competing for third place instead.

Chelsea vs AC Milan August 4, 2013
Chelsea vs AC Milan August 4, 2013

Chelsea vs Inter August 1, 2013

Posted by baturayk Thursday, August 1, 2013 0 comments
Chelsea and Inter Milan face off in the most intriguing matchup of the 2013 International Champions Cup's opening round. The winner will advance to the semifinals stage to battle against AC Milan, while the loser will go up against Valencia.
The Blues enter the tournament as one of the top contenders. The club's depth, especially in the midfield, bodes well for a preseason event. Managers will be hoping to work in a lot of different players and they shouldn't suffer a major drop off, regardless of the lineup choices.
Inter are looking to bounce back after a frustrating campaign where they finished in the middle of the Serie A. A strong presence in this tournament would provide some much-needed confidence as they proceed to prepare for the new campaign.

Chelsea vs Inter August 1, 2013
Chelsea vs Inter August 1, 2013


Here's a look at all the important information for the Round 1 matchup, followed by a preview and a prediction for which club will move one step closer to the title.

Chelsea supporters have every reason to be excited about the upcoming season, even if other Premier League clubs are generating more hype. The Blues have done a nice job of building a championship-caliber squad for returning manager Jose Mourinho. Chelsea vs Indonesia provided them a nice experience in Asia tour.

Jose Mourinho Chelsea
Jose Mourinho 


 The reason for optimism starts in the midfield. Starting with the trio of Eden Hazard, Juan Mata and Oscar, the Blues have a tremendous combination of talent and depth. And dominating the middle of the pitch is a major step toward success.
 
That goes for the International Champions Cup, as well. Aside from the Los Angeles Galaxy from the MLS, none of the other clubs are in midseason form, so Chelsea can really take advantage of that by controlling matches in the midfield.
The biggest concern, especially in a preseason tournament that will likely feature plenty of wide-open play, is who will provide the finishing touch for the Blues. It's been a lingering concern in recent seasons, highlighted by the inconsistent production from Fernando Torres.
It puts pressure on the likes of Demba Ba, Andre Schuerrle and Romelu Lukaku to have a strong finish to the preseason. If even one of them can step up, Chelsea's attack will be very dangerous.

As for Inter Milan, the club is hoping for a better combination of luck when it comes to injuries and also better form. There were times last season when Inter still looked like a top club in Italy, but those stretches didn't last nearly long enough.
Inter Milan ICC 2013
Inter Milan ICC 2013

Rodrigo Palacio provides the Nerazzurri with a stabilizing force atop the attack. The veteran Argentine international scored 22 goals across all competitions last season, showing no signs of slowing down in the process.

Matching Chelsea vs Inter in the midfield will be the tough challenge in the opener, though. Esteban Cambiasso is surrounded by a lot of talented young players who are still getting used to the high-profile nature of these type of matchups, even in preseason.
 
All told, this should be an exciting match that features a good number of chances at both ends of the pitch. Chelsea should hold a slight advantage overall and, since neither team has the home edge, the Blues should squeak past Inter.