Soccer Latest Highlights

Barcelona vs Estudiantes 2-1
Dec 19, 2009 5:00 PM GMT
Stadium: Sheikh Zayed, Abu Dhabi
Referee: Armando Archundia (México)
Score: (Barcelona) 87' Pedro, 109' Messi L (Estudiantes) 37' Boselli M.
Man of the match: Messi L. (Barcelona)

King Of The World

The Blaugrana meet Estudiantes in a bid not only to complete the best year ever contested by a club side, but also to become Europe's third consecutive winners, following in the footsteps of AC Milan and Manchester United.

Barca last competed in this contest in 2006 when they fell against Internacional of Brazil. That was a bitter disappointment, and perhaps the beginning of the end of the Frank Rijkaard era. Fans will hope that things will change under Pep Guardiola.

For Estudiantes, this tournament is old hat, at least in its former incarnation. The Intercontinental Cup saw the La Plata side win against Manchester United in the notorious 1968 final, before losing the two subsequent finals.

All in all, it's a fitting end to what has been so far an intriguing tournament - the first to be hosted in the UAE. Here's hoping that the final is suitably exciting.


FORM GUIDE

Barcelona

WON 3-1 (n) Atlante (Club World Cup, Dec 16)
WON 1-0 (h) Espanyol (Liga, Dec 12)
WON 2-1 (a) Dynamo Kyiv (Champions League, Dec 9)
WON 3-1 (a) Deportivo (Liga, Dec 5)
WON 2-0 (a) Xerez (Liga, Dec 2)

Estudiantes

WON 2-1 (n) Pohang Steelers (Club World Cup, Dec 15)
DREW 0-0 (h) Chacarita Juniors (Apertura, Dec 3)
DREW 1-1 (a) River Plate (Apertura, Nov 28)
LOST 1-0 (h) Colon (Apertura, Nov 25)
WON 3-1 (h) Tigre (Apertura, Nov 20)


TEAM NEWS

Barcelona

Andres Iniesta is out of the final after sustaining an injury against Atlante in the semi-final. Yaya Toure may enter the lineup in his stead, alongside Sergio Busquets. Xavi will provide the invention to Messi, 'Ibra' and Pedro - or perhaps Henry - further forward.

Probable Starting XI: Valdes; Alves, Pique, Puyol, Abidal; Toure Yaya, Sergio Busquets, Xavi; Messi, Ibrahimovic, Pedro.

Estudiantes

Marcelo Carrusca is a long-term absentee up front, while Nunez may drop to the bench as Estudiantes look to shore up the wide areas.

Probable Starting XI: Albil; Rodriguez, Cellay, Desabato, Diaz, Re; Brana; Veron, Benitez, Perez; Boselli.


PLAYERS TO WATCH



Barcelona
Lionel Messi. A hero to Argentines as much as he is to Barca fans, there will still be no love lost between Estudiantes and the little forward. Fresh from winning the Ballon d'Or, he has a great chance to cement his place in history.

Estudiantes
Juan Sebastian Veron is the most recognisable player to non-Argentine spectators, and there's a good reason for that. The former Manchester United man still has it despite his advanced age, and will be key to unlocking the Barca defence.


PREDICTION

As in the semi-final, Barca may start slowly, but will eventually lift their sixth trophy of the year, despite spirited opposition from the 'rat stabbers'.

Barcelona 3-1 Estudiantes


Author: Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com

The Croatian playmaker lit up the Lane again with a two-goal display including a fine solo effort in injury time to clinch the 3-0 victory.

Jermain Defoe added the second goal as we improved our fifth position in the Barclays Premier League - we're now just two points behind Arsenal and Villa as we prepare for the trip to Blackburn on Saturday.

"It was a great feeling to score the goals but it's easier to score goals and play well when you are in a team of great footballers," said Niko.

"The team performance means individuals will play well and one day it will be me, another day it will be someone else.

"It's just important that, as a team, we continue to play well and to prove we really do have that quality to break into that top four."

Niko said it was vital to bounce back from Saturday's defeat against Wolves. "Yes, and just as important to win the games against the teams contending for the top four," he said.

"We've played some great football throughout the season and although the last two away results were disappointing, the performances were good and we believe we deserved to win those games.

"Against Wolves, it was one of those days. We needed a reaction and got that.

"It was a massive win, great to get back to winning ways and hopefully we can continue this form from here."

Author: Tottenham FC Offical site

Fiorentina and Bayern contrived to avoid each other in Europe for decades, but the clubs will now meet for the second time in two years. In the 2008-9 Champions League group double-header, Munich won 3-0 at home and drew 1-1 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. The clubs have were paired again on Friday, this time in the first knockout round of this season’s competition.

The key men for Luca Toni’s former club are strikers Adrian Mutu and Alberto Gilardino, although the pair have not played together all that often this term. Coach Cesare Prandelli favours a 4-5-1 formation with Gilardino as a lone striker, backed by an attacking line of three featuring Mutu, Italy international Marco Marchionni, and Peruvian Juan Vargas.

In characteristic Italian style, Fiorentina are happy to play on the break off a solid defensive platform. Of all the teams through to the last sixteen, the men from Florence had the lowest figure for possession of the ball (46 percent). However, Prandelli’s side scored 14 goals in their six matches, a total beaten only by Real Madrid (15). Fiorentina beat Liverpool twice (2-0 at home and 2-1 away) in winning Group E from Lyon, Liverpool and Debrecen.

“It’s a well-assembled young team with star strikers. We mustn’t underestimate them,“ warned Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. However, Fiorentina lie a disappointing ninth in Serie A after 16 games. A defensive record of just 15 goals conceded is one of the best in the section, but Gilardino, Mutu & Co have mustered a mere 18 goals between them so far, while leaders Inter have struck nearly twice as often (35).

Coach Prandelli’s job looks secure - he has guided his side to three fourth-place finishes and one fifth spot in the last four seasons – but President Andrea Della Valle, who took over when the club were compulsorily relegated to the third tier seven years ago, bore the brunt of fan and media anger early in the season. Caught in a hail of criticism for selling Felipe Melo to Juventus, Della Valle quit in September. Vice-president Mario Cognini currently heads the club in an acting capacity.

Despite their problems in domestic competition, Fiorentina have blazed a trail in the Champions League, qualifying for the last sixteen for the second time in their history. The club’s greatest successes are the European Cup Winners’ Cup (1961), two league titles (1956, 1969), and six cup triumphs (most recently in 2001).

The Italians will be utterly determined to progress to the last eight at Bayern’s expense. Bayern must be sure not to underestimate the Tuscan outfit, as Louis van Gaal warned: “Last season’s results against Fiorentina count for nothing any more.“

Author: Bayern Munich Offical site

It is easy for a Chelsea supporter to recognise how selling Gianfranco Zola at his peak might be a mistake, and today Carlo Ancelotti admitted his error as Parma manager.

The pair will be in opposing dugouts at Upton Park on Sunday, but back in 1996, Ancelotti was Zola's manager at Parma, the club he left to come to Stamford Bridge.

'I did a mistake with him because I wanted to play 4-4-2 and I put him on the right, and he would like to stay in the centre like a striker,' Ancelotti recalled. 'In that period there was this discussion, Chelsea arrived to offer him a good contract and he decided to come.

'I think it was a mistake because it was my first experience in Serie A and I was not able to change the system, I preferred to maintain the system I knew well, and for this Gianfranco had a different decision. But a lot of time has gone and now we have a good relationship. I think he had a fantastic experience at Chelsea and all the fans remember his performance.'

Zola is currently having a tough time at West Ham, with the club entrenched in the relegation zone, yet Ancelotti believes the Blues legend has what it takes to drag them clear.

'I think that Gianfranco is not living a good moment but he has a quality to improve, West Ham have a lot of problems with injuries but we have to pay attention on this game because it is a derby and they will put very good spirit in this game, we have to pay attention,' the manager warned.

'When you play teams at the bottom you have to because they will do their best to win. We saw against Portsmouth that they created a lot of difficulties for us, and we have to pay attention to West Ham.

'We have to respect every team - every team has character and quality and determination, not just the teams in the top but also the teams that don't want to go down to the second division.'

Author: Chelsea Offical site

Didier Drogba, Joe Cole and Ricardo Carvalho will all return to the starting line-up against West Ham on Sunday, says manager Carlo Ancelotti.

The Italian is able to welcome his top scorer back after Drogba sat out Wednesday's 2-1 win against Portsmouth, while Cole and Carvalho are back in after being rested in midweek.

'I don't want to change a lot of things about the next game, Carvalho returns to play and I have to take a decision on midfield,' Ancelotti said. 'Mikel or Ballack I want to do recovery and Joe Cole will return to play.

'Drogba is good, he trained yesterday and today is fit and he will be ready for Sunday. Alex didn't train today but will train tomorrow and the other players stay well. For Sunday we also have Sturridge, who is doing a very good job, two fantastic weeks in training, and will be ready to play.'

Missing however is Michael Essien, whose hamstring injury looks likely to rule him out of Chelsea action until as late as the end of January, owing to the African Cup of Nations which begins on January 10, with the Ghanaian likely to be called away by his country before the end of the year.

In other news, Ancelotti dismissed media speculation linking us with Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero.

'It is not true because we don't sign a contract with any players, at this moment we do not think to buy Aguero,' said the 50-year-old.

Author: Chelsea offical site

Manchester City vs Sunderland HIGHLIGHTS 4-3 Dec 19, 2009 3:00 PM GMT Stadium: City Stadium Scorer: (Manchester City) 4' Santa Cruz R., 12' Tevez C., 36' Bellamy C., 69' Santa Cruz R. (Sunderland) 16' Mensah J., 24' Henderson J., 62' Jones K. Top of the match: Bellamy C. (Man City)

Since that performance City have been held at Bolton and soundly beaten at Tottenham, allowing their close rivals for the vital fourth place to leapfrog and leave the Blues eighth going into tomorrow's game with Sunderland.

City's manager declared: "We’re back at home after two difficult fixtures away - and we’ve got to get back to the level we produced against Chelsea. We’re more than capable of doing that.

"We’ve just come through a period in which we’ve beaten Arsenal and Chelsea, and also shown great spirit and courage in difficult circumstances against Bolton to come back three times.

"Whether that had a negative impact on what we were able to produce at Tottenham, who knows? We’ve picked the bones out, but sometimes you have to hold your hands up and say: 'We weren’t good enough on the night.'

"The games where that’s been the case have been few and far between this season. We’ve been pleased with what we’ve produced in the vast majority of the games.

"We were missing a number of key personnel but we don’t want to sound as if we’re making excuses. We’ll get more people back at the weekend, and see if we can improve on what we produced."

Hughes, who lost Joleon Lescott before the Spurs game, added: "We had a setback with Joleon we hadn't anticipated. We’re going to have to look at what we’ve got at the back in terms of cover.

"But you’re going to get injuries and you’re going to get suspensions at certain times in the season. It’s how you deal with them. You don’t use them as an excuse for losing."

Author: Peter Ferguson

It’s not an easy draw because Milan have a lot of experience in the competition. We just need to remember what happened three years ago and make sure we use that experience to win the two games. I think we are ready to play against AC Milan.

I remember it was a very frustrating tie. We won 3-2 at home but we didn’t play very well. In the second game I was suspended and watched it on TV. It was very difficult to see my team lose 3-0 in that way. After that game we had more experience and we won the year after. We want to do the same again by using our experience. Now we are ready for that type of game.

I am happy for Beckham because he did a lot for Manchester United and I know he wanted to play again at Old Trafford. I will say welcome home to him but I will make sure he doesn’t have an easy game! I like him because I have met him and he is a good person, a real gentleman. He’s a professional and that is why Milan wanted him. I like that type of player and he has one of the best right feet in the world. However, I will make sure he has a bad game!

I’m sure all his old team-mates who are still here are looking forward to welcoming him back, but I’m looking forward more to playing against Milan rather than just David Beckham, because Milan are more than just one man. When we played Barcelona everyone was talking to me about Messi, but I was just thinking about their whole team. I’m happy for him but I will concentrate on winning the game.

We are confident that we can reach our third final in a row. Our aim is to win it every year. I remember my target was to win the Champions League at least three times in my career. I’ve already won it once but I’ve also lost two finals. I’m still upset at losing those finals, especially last year. I will try to use my anger to make sure we get there again, but this time go one better and come back with the trophy.

Author: M Nichols, G Thompson

FC Barcelona’s medical team released a statement in Abu Dhabi that read: “The tests carried out this afternoon confirm that the player has suffered a muscle tear in his left leg.”

The midfielder suffered the blow in the game against Atlante in midweek and had to be substituted for Bojan Krkic. At the end of the game it was felt that he may have a chance of recovering in time to appear in the final, but that has now been ruled out.

With the timeframe for Iniesta’s return being set at around two weeks, he now faces a challenge to be back in action for the first game of the New Year, which takes place on Saturday, January 2 against Villarreal in Camp Nou at 20:00.

Despite being unable to play in the game against Estudiantes, Iniesta will be able to attend the FIFA World Player of the Year gala in Zurich, Switzerland on Monday. He is one of the five nominations for the award.

Author: www.fcbarcelona.cat

The Real Madrid and Holland international is out of favour at the Bernabeu and with Rafa Benitez seeking cover for Fernando Torres up-front, van Nistelrooy has been heavily linked with a return to the Premier League.

The 33 year old is keen to get regular football ahead of next summer's World Cup.

Van Nistelrooy made his debut for the Mancs against Liverpool in 2001 and went on to score 150 goals in just 219 appearances for Ferguson's team. He joined Real Madrid in summer 2006 where he has an equally impressive scoring record, with 46 goals in 68 appearances.

A move to Anfield would represent an uncanny resemblance to United's signing of former Liverpool forward Michael Owen in the summer. In 2002/03 both players finished as top scorers for their respective clubs, 6 years later they could be playing at opposite ends of the old East Lancs Road.

Author: This is Anfield

VS


Arsenal will take on Porto in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.
Porto were runners up to Chelsea in Group D of this season's Group Stage after picking up four wins and just two defeats, both against the Stamford Bridge side.

Arsenal met Porto in last season's Champions League Group Stage and defeated the Portuguese champions 4-0 at Emirates Stadium but with qualification already assured they lost 2-0 at the Estádio do Dragão.

The first leg of the tie will take place in Portugal on February 16, 17, 23 or 24. The second leg at Emirates Stadium will take place on March 9, 10, 16 or 17.
Arsenal.com will bring you further details of the game once the dates have been confirmed.

Author: Arsenal offical website

Stuttgart (Germany) vs Barcelona (Spain)

Olympiacos (Greece) vs Bordeaux (France)

Inter (Italy) vs Chelsea (England)

Bayern Munich (Germany) vs Fiorentina (Italy)

CSKA Moscow (Russia) vs Sevilla (Spain)

Lyon (France) vs Real Madrid (Spain)

Porto (Portugal) vs Arsenal (England)

Milan (Italy) vs Manchester United (England)

Dec 16, 2009 5:00 PM CET Stadium: Sheikh Zayed, Abu Dhabi Referee: Carlos Eugenio Simon (BRA) Scorer: (Atlante) 4' Rojas G. (Barcelona)35' Busquets, 55' Messi L., 66' Pedro

goal Rojas G. 4' (1-0)


goal Busquets 35' (1-1)


goal Messi L 55' (1-2)


goal Pedro 66' (1-3)

Manchester United vs Wolves HIGHLIGHTS 3-0
Dec 15, 2009 9:00 PM GMT
Stadium: Old Trafford
Referee: Steve Bennett
Scorer: (Manchester United) 30' Rooney W., 43' Vidic N., 66' Valencia L.
Top of the match: Rooney W. (Manchester United)

Arsène Wenger will not promise what he can't deliver in the January transfer window.

The Arsenal manager told Arsenal TV Online a few weeks ago that he would enter the market next month to find a replacement for Robin Van Persie after the Dutchman was ruled out for most of the season with ankle ligament damage.

Inevitably, Wenger has been linked with a string of big-name strikers ever since. The Frenchman has rejected every transfer rumour so far and continued to play down his intentions when he faced the media on Tuesday afternoon.

Wenger is not ruling out some transfer activity at Emirates Stadium but he is keen to keep expectations at a realistic level.

"Robin Van Persie is a very, very long-term injury and we are open-minded on the transfer market," said the Arsenal manager.

"But I don't want to promise things that I don't really know I will do at the moment.

"Mainly I am expecting our players to come back [from injury]."

(Author, Chris Harris)

The Reds let a golden opportunity to make up some lost ground on their Champions League rivals slip yesterday, as they were beaten 2-1 at Anfield by Arsenal.

That only tells a fraction of the story, though, as Liverpool looked in complete control when Dirk Kuyt put them ahead in the first half but were unrecognisable after the break.

Arsenal left with three points thanks to Glen Johnson's own goal and a superb Andrey Arshavin strike but Carragher accepts Liverpool only had themselves to blame.

It leaves Liverpool embroiled in a dreadful run of form but Carragher feels the time has come to end the mounting criticism in style - starting on Wednesday against Wigan.

"We started off well in the first half and should have had a penalty but you have to give credit to Arsenal, they're a top side," said the Reds' vice-captain.

"The manner of the goals we conceded were unfortunate but other than them scoring, I can't remember them having too much else, which is why it is so hard to take.

"We've just got to dust ourselves down now and move to Wednesday. For the quality of the players and the stature of the club, we should be doing better.

"Statistics (like three wins in 15 games) can change quickly and we have got to do that. It's tough at the moment but part of playing for Liverpool is having big character.

"That's what we need now. Between now and May it is going to be a grind at times but we have got to stick together, get through it and, as I'm doing, pray to God that at the end of the season there will be something worthwhile for what we've gone through."

There is no disputing injuries have wreaked havoc on Liverpool's season and yesterday was the first time in more than two months that Rafa Benitez was able to name his strongest team.

But he still saw Glen Johnson and Javier Mascherano pick up knocks to make them doubts for the meeting with Wigan but Carragher refused to use blame the situation on fitness problems.

He, simply, believes the rebuilding process needs to be taken a step at a time and says it is imperative form improves.

"We can't look for excuses," said Carragher. "That's the way it is at top level football - we know that any little thing can get pounced up and that's happening at the moment.

"Wigan is a massive game for us. I've tried too many times down the years trying to work things out, so there's no point looking further ahead than that.

"We'll just try and get three points on Wednesday and then move on to Portsmouth. We've got to look at ourselves and realise that we've got to do much better.

"There's still some lads who aren't 100 per cent fit yet, so there'll be improvement to come but we need to get this team playing regular."

Author: Liverpool Echo

Olympique Lyon vs Bordeaux HIGHLIGHTS 0-1
Dec 13, 2009 9:00 PM CET
Stadium: Stade de Gerland
Referee: S. Lannoy
Scorer: (Bordeaux) 85' Chamakh M.
Top of the match: Gourcuff Y. (Bordeaux)

The result means the Reds have slipped five points behind the current occupants of the final Champions League berth, Aston Villa, but the boss is adamant his side will bounce back, beginning with Wigan at home on Wednesday.

"The target is still the same," he told his post match press conference. "Look at the next game and aim for the top four. It is the same situation. We have to keep going, try to improve and win our games. If we play at the same level that we did in the first-half, I am sure we will win more games."

Liverpool had looked on course to take all three points against the Gunners after Dirk Kuyt capped an impressive first-half team performance with the opener.
However, the visitors produced a second-half fightback to claim a 2-1 victory, leaving Benitez to rue a Glen Johnson own goal that sparked the turnaround.

"It is difficult to explain when you play so well in first half," he said. "We were on top of them. We had the chance for Torres, the goal and the penalty that was not given.

"Then we started the second half with an own goal and then a second goal went in and everything changed. You could see that the confidence went down. We gave the ball away in the second half which was the opposite to the first when we were controlling things.

"We've had too many problems this year and when you have another one, like the own goal, sometimes it is hard to keep the confidence high. We have to be ready and start training tomorrow. We need to show character and play at the same level we played at in the first half, against Wigan.

"The fans and the players are disappointed. We have to start working with the players and do things in the right way. Some players are coming back and they need to improve their match fitness. The positive is the first-half, the negative is the lack of confidence we showed in the second half."

During a one-sided first 45 the Reds were denied what appeared to be a clear-cut penalty when Steven Gerrard was brought down by William Gallas. Benitez felt the referee's decision had a big impact on the outcome of the game and that Liverpool had missed a chance to gain ground on the top four after some favourable results on Saturday.

"It was a penalty. 100 per cent," he said. " A foul is a foul, so it is a penalty. These decisions can make a massive difference."

He added: "We were talking before and we knew that the only way to reduce the gap was to win our games. If you cannot do that you cannot get closer to the other teams."

Asked if the result meant Liverpool's hopes of winning the title were over, the boss said: "You always ask me the same, but for me it is just one game at a time. I cannot say anything because you never know what can happen in football. But to be realistic, it is Wigan and nothing else.

"Today, after the first-half everyone was convinced it was a different team and one with a winning mentality. Maybe we need to score the second goal and have this advantage for some games, then we will see the confidence go higher.
"There was clearly a loss of confidence in the second half .After the own goal, everything was different. We had no confidence passing the ball. It's not a question of quality, just confidence."

The clash with the Gunners also marked the return to the starting line-up of Fernando Torres, and Benitez felt the striker gave a good account of himself.

"It was a difficult game at the end because we were not playing good passes for him," he said. "He had a chance first-half and he was a threat. We need to play better to provide the strikers with chances and it will be easier for them."

Quizzed about the fitness of Javier Mascherano, after the Argentina skipper was seen nursing his knee prior to his substitution, the boss added: "He is okay. He got a knock on his knee. He was limping a bit and he also had a yellow card so I replaced him. I think he will be okay for Wednesday."

Author: Paul Hassall at Anfield

Liverpool vs Arsenal HIGHLIGHTS 1-2
Dec 13, 2009 4:00 PM GMT
Stadium: Anfield
Referee: Howard Webb
Scorer: (Liverpool) 41' Kuyt D. (Arsenal) 50' Johnson G., 58’ Arshavin A.
Top of the match: Arshavin A. (Arsenal)

Milan vs Palermo HIGHLIGHTS 0-2
Dec 13, 2009 3:00 PM CET
Stadium: Stadio San Siro - Milano
Referee: Bergonzi
Scorer: (Palermo) 49' Miccoli F., 62' Bresciano M.
Top of the match: Miccoli F (Palermo)

Atalanta vs Inter Milan HIGHLIGHTS 1-1
Dec 13, 2009 3:00 PM CET
Stadium: Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia - Bergamo
Referee: Rizzoli
Scorer: (Atalanta) 81' Tiribocchi S. (Inter Milan) 15’ Milito D.
Top of the match: Milito D. (Inter Milan)

Arsène Wenger will not allow Cesc Fabregas to play in a friendly game for Catalonia on December 22.

Manager Johan Cryuff has selected the midfielder for the international against Argentina at the Nou Camp but his Arsenal manager has refused to let him go.

However the message has not got through yet because Wenger has been unable to make contact with his opposite number.

"We don't allow the players to play in friendlies because we have too many games," said the Frenchman.

"You know what happens here in England, we play football through the Christmas period. But in all the other countries they stop and play friendlies and charity games.

"There is a demand for Cesc but there is a demand for five or six other players. We play on December 27 and I didn't rest the players against Olympiacos [to then] let them play a friendly.

"I tried to call [Cryuff] back [to tell him but] I couldn't get in touch with him. I don't know if he doesn't use a mobile or I tried to call him in the mountains somewhere but I haven't heard back."

Despite drawing against Everton, Carlo Ancelotti said he was satisfied with his side's performance today but disappointed with the result.

The Italian was pleased with Chelsea's intensity and concentration against Everton and felt the team were unlucky not to win the fixture.

'I am happy because Chelsea played very well for 90 minutes but I am unhappy with the result, we didn't win,' explained Ancelotti.

'When you play like Chelsea played today you deserve to win. We didn't win, we made mistakes on the set plays and if I have to look at the team we played very well for 90 minutes. We created a lot of chances to score and we were unlucky today.'

The Blues conceded from set plays as both the first and final Everton goal arrived following fouls 35 yards out, with Chelsea sitting very deep in defence for each freekick.

'We didn't deal with the set plays well,' insisted Ancelotti.

'We were down very close to the goal and it was necessary to stay a little bit up.

'Now we have to work on the set plays and we have to improve.'

However, our manager was keen to stress the goals arrived from a failure to deal with the situations as a team, not any single player.

'It is not an individual mistake. We kept 10 players in the box and we conceded a goal, it is a collective mistake.'

But regardless of whether the goals arrived through failure to deal with set pieces, Everton manager David Moyes felt the draw was the best result his side has produced this season.

'It was a great draw for us,' said Moyes.

'I would certainly have taken a draw before the game; we were really worried about how it would end up.

'But in the end we showed great resilience, endeavour and we played well, great credit to the boys who played today.'

With a point secured we now sit three clear at the top of the table, but with a late kick off between Aston Villa and Manchester United there's a chance the Red Devils could be even with us before the day is out.

'Maybe Manchester United can arrive at the same position as us and maintain the top of the league but there will be a lot of games before the end of the season,' explained Ancelotti.

The worry now for many fans could be the departure of Didier Drogba to the African Cup of Nations for a large majority of those remaining games. But despite losing four members of his first team to the competition, Ancelotti reiterated he was sure there would be no new arrivals in January.

'In January I would like to say for the last time we won't try for anybody, of this I am 100 per cent sure,' added Ancelotti, insisting he had full confidence in his current squad.

'I don't lose any trust in my players and in my team.

'I am more than happy that we have a point rather than see a team without intensity or without concentration.

'I don't have to say anything of my players because they did the maximum today.'

Three days after the match on Tuesday, Ciro Ferrara is forced to comment another defeat. Even though between the matches against Bayern and Bari there are no similarities. At the San Nicola, Juve played a good match and this does nothing but make the situation even more bitter.

The Juventus coach analyzed the match starting from this aspect. Today everything went wrong for us and for this reason I cannot blame the team for anything. Tonight we could have played for a much longer time and the ball would not have entered the net. They made three attempts and scored them all. It was not easy to prepare the match after what happened during the week. We came here to play with humility against a good Bari. Diego? Penalties unfortunately can also be missed and he was very sorry. At this moment we must be close to him and not make him feel too much responsibility.