EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL PREVIEW...PRIDE AT STAKE FOR BOTH CLUBS.

                                       


The O'Classico in Portugal ended in grief for the Glorioso when teenage Brazilian, Kelvin Oliveira came on to score what would be the winning goal for the Dragons of Porto at the Dragao. That goal condemned Benfica to its 1st defeat since September and all but ended their hopes of winning the League. Tonight at the Amsterdam ArenA, it is redemption time for the Aguilas who cannot afford to lose their 7th European final in a row. A tragic sequence.

Chelsea are on a roll at the moment. They are setting some records and breaking others. Frank Lampard has been at the fore front of all these. His record equalling and record breaking goals came at the weekend against Aston Villa at a time when the club needed them most. Officially now, he's the blues highest ever goal scorer with 203 goals, breaking the previous record held by Bobby Tambling (202). Despite the shuffling and changing, the Englishman stuck to his objective of not only breaking the goal scoring record, but helping the pensioners qualify for the Champions League next season and also win a trophy. Aim one has been reached. Aim two is tonight at Ajax's stadium. The news that Eden Hazard is OUT for tonight's battle is a major spanner in the works for the West London outfit. John Terry is also a huge doubt for the game. Fernando Torres is set to continue in his role as the main striker, since Demba Ba is ineligible because he has turned out for Newcastle in this same tournament. David Luiz has been almost irreplaceable this campaign. His wonderful goals home and away v Basel ensured Chelsea's place in tonight's showpiece final. He has been one of his team's top performers. Spanish wizard, Juan Manuel Mata has once again been exceptional this campaign. His intelligence and game winning masterclass will be needed again on this big day for the club. Goalkeeper, Peter Cech has vowed never to play in the Europa League again..He wouldn't throw his winners medal away anyway.

Benfica edged out Fenerbahce in the semi-finals thanks to Oscar Cardozo's double at the Luz. The Paraguayan has scored 6 goals in his last 10 appearances v English opposition and will be called upon to fire his team to glory. Brazilian striker, Lima has scored many important goals for the encarnados as the season has progressed. His opener at the Dragao last weekend was his 16th in 25 League games. He has to be watched. Benfica also have Nicolas Gaitan in their ranks. The Argentine playmaker is the brain of the team..When he's on...a lot of harm can be inflicted upon any adversary.


PROBABLE LINE-UPS (BENFICA)-
Arthur, Pereira, Luisao, Garay, Melgarejo, Perez, Matic, Salvio, Gaitan, Lima, CARDOZO

The back four of the Portuguese side consists of seasoned professionals such as Luisao and Garay who have played in many big European games. They have the experience and clout to fend off any threat that comes their way. Nemanja Matic is a former Chelsea player and will want to get one over the side than sent him to Portugal unceremoniously.

The Eagles have played twice more European games (362) than their opponents (181) and are contesting their 9th European Final tonight

CHELSEA-
Cech, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill (assuming Terry doesn't make it), Cole, Luiz, Ramires, Oscar, MATA, Moses, TORRES

David Luiz and Ramires know all about Benfica...both Brazilians plied their trade(s) before transferring to West London.

You might have expected Frank Lampard to start this game after his heroics at Villa Park on Saturday. However, Mr Benitez is the Spanish version of Claudio Ranieri in terms of tinkering his squad. Only people like Ramires, Cole, Luiz, Cech, and Azpi are certain of a place in every team sheet he submits before a match. The others have to make do with playing one match and sitting out the very next. It has been so for the last 45 games and it isn't about to change tonight. Rafa is sweating over the fitness of John Terry. If the skipper fails to make it, Gary Cahill will start instead. Victor Moses has been scoring for fun in the Europa League and is assured of a place in the Starting 11 tonight..even more so now that Hazard is unavailable. Juan Mata will of course be used from the off.

Chelsea are looking to become only the 4th club to win all 3 UEFA MAJOR CLUB COMPETITIONS after tonight's Stadium owners, Ajax, Juventus and 2013 Champions League aspirants, Bayern Munich. The blues are also aiming to become the first team to win the Champions League and Europa League/UEFA CUP in successive years.

The sides met last season in the Quarter-Finals of the Champions League with Chelsea winning both legs (1-0, 2-1). Today is all or nothing.

Ohireime P Eboreime
ff me on Twitter @ohiskaka1990

Saying goodbye to Britain's Greatest ever Midfielder...for the 2ND TIME...FAREWELL Paul Scholes

Final bow..Clapping his way out...SCHOLES22...CLASS

It is no coincidence that my 50th article of 2013 is on the Ginger Maestro. It is fitting that we revere and sendoff the great Paul Scholes in the grandest of styles. He may have retired before, but his comeback was even more phenomenal. After seven months out of the game, the pass King returned to help his old teammates when he felt they were short in a position he occupied and made his own for many years. One of the best players of his era deserves much more than laudatory remarks.

One of many for ginger the LEGEND

Despite his small frame, the majestic genius was so good he rarely ever put a foot wrong. How can you begin to acknowledge his contributions to the now rich Manchester United history. He picked up his 11th League winners medal on Sunday. The very same day that represented his last ever as a a footballer at Old Trafford. He was injured for much of the year, but when he played from the start of the season, he was almost impeccable (bar his mistimed tackles). The peak of his performance came in the 3-2 loss to Spurs at the Theatre last year where he attempted a mind boggling 144 passes only in the 2nd half. It was quite simply astounding. The masterclass midfielder has dominated matches aplenty with his exceptional and unique skill and technique. Eyebrows were raised when he decided to clean up his old boots and get back on the pitch he sorely missed for the seven months he was out. I,for one, was pissed that his last ever game as an esteemed professional would be that excruciating defeat to Barcelona in the UCL final at the new Wembley. Even though I was slightly excited by the way six players of the Bluagrana fought for his jersey, it wasn't at all gratifying. It was relieving when he decided to give playing for Manchester United one final shot. I didn't bother what the aftermath of his return would be. All that mattered was that one of my all time favourite footballers was back. Not many can come out of retirement and still have a great impact on affairs. Paul Scholes was one of the select few. A great master cannot suddenly become a student however long the hiatus could ever be. It was an effortless return to action in January 2012 and from then on, we were treated to some of the most scintillating performances ever seen.

He sparked the Manchester United revival that season and if not for some moments of madness, it would have ended in glory until Aguero broke our hearts on the last day of the season. He didn't retire because he was aware that Manchester United don't back down when the battle is at its fiercest.  True to the United spirit and drive that the equally supernatural Sir Alex Ferguson has instilled  in his team, the red army came roaring this term and no one could as much as muster a challenge when the march began and ended in victory. The 13th Premier League and 20th English topflight crown was sealed in April and thus, it meant the grand old magician could have his swansong at Old Trafford entrenched in exaltation and splendor. Rio Ferdinand made sure the ginger Prince bowed out in style when he sent in an unstoppable cracker past the Swansea goalie in the 87th minute to gift our beloved Manchester United the win. It was written in the stars. A lot better than the sendoff two years prior and a much greater feeling of satisfaction and serenity.

When the World's greatest ever footballer sings your praise, you know you are truly special. The exemplary and sometimes annoying Edson Arantes (PELE) was in awe of Paul Scholes. The Brazilian all time great was of the opinion that if the man affectionately called 'SATNAV' had been his teammate, he definitely would have scored more than the 1200+ goals he managed in his peerless career to date. Zinedine Zidane singled out Paul as the most difficult opponent he has ever faced. The former World and European Footballer of the year and the best player to come out of France. That says it all. Other Legitimate Legends like Thierry Henry, Luis Figo, Pep Gaurdiola, Xavi, etc have done their fair share of eulogies too. It is no mistake that Bobby Charlton calls the retiring great his favourite footballer who epitomises the spirit of Manchester United and everything about Football. Another England great and a not too bad pass master, Glenn Hoddle extolled his sterling qualities, tagging him the jewel in the crown and unarguably one of the best footballers of his generation. Perhaps the finest of his age.

Paul Scholes is one of the very best of any generation. He could fit into any team in any era. His accumulation of cards was just one blip in a career worthy of praise and emulation. However, the man had self control and restraint when necessary. Despite receiving 97 yellow cards in the premier league, only on four occasions did he actually get sent off. His challenges were sometimes criminal, but largely thrown overboard and exaggerated by a large section of the media whose hate and envy of Manchester United increase on a daily basis. It was Sven-Goran Eriksson (nicknamed Svennis) that denied England fans and the country itself the opportunity to see Scholesy in prime form. He retired at 29 because he was abandoned on the left wing in favour of Lampard and Gerrard who can never ever match his explosiveness and knack for finding the right man. Scholes is and will forever be incomparable on and off the pitch. Many attempts to get him back playing for the three lions hit a brick wall and rightly so. He was discarded like rotten potato..You can't eat your fiesta and have it.

It isn't just his on-the-pitch exploits that sets him apart. Scholes is one of the most humble and down to earth footballers of all time. Never one for the razzmatazz of the game nor for the celebrity lifestyle. A pure family person who drives home straight after training or any football match, avoiding interviews and what have you. You rarely come across a player with the complete package. Here you have one of the World's greatest ever players who prefers his football and family to fame and recognition and embraces glory rather than popularity. Despite all these, his excellent contributions to the game we love so much made him so famous and well loved. Take away his erratic rashness and uncompromising tackles and you have an almost spotless career filled with collective titles and personal accolades.

Hasta la vista the best decision-maker in World Football. The man who could pass from Manchester to Massachusetts with consummate ease. We obviously would not mind a third foray. Although, John McEnroe's famous rant to the Chair Umpire in his playing days must spring up.......'YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS'

Ohieime P Eboreime
ff me on Twitter @ohiskaka1990