Fiorentina

Arsenal has been a club long maligned for its inability to complete transfers efficiently. Over the past year or so, Arsenal fans have had to wait constantly for news about potential transfer targets.

One that comes to mind was that of Samir Nasri, whose transfer took nearly two months to complete and had many fans wondering whether Arsenal were actually going to sign him or not.

Then followed the transfer saga of a certain Andrei Arshavin. 

The Russian playmaker was the center of attention in the January transfer window, as rumours about his impending arrival were rife early in the month itself. The reason for that was the player's club, Zenit St. Petersburg.

One might remember continually reading about how "Arsenal didn't offer enough wages to Andrei" and how "it wasn't Zenit's fault that the transfer took so long."

It was a clear ploy from Zenit to squeeze as much money as they could from a potential buyer—whether that was Arsenal or any other club.

There were rumours on the final day of the transfer window that the Russian club actually offered Arshavin to all the top European clubs for a certain sum, which was higher than what Arsenal offered, despite nearly a month of negotiations.

Such gamesmanship on the part of certain selling clubs has unfortunately become all too commonplace.

Now, it is La Viola of Florence who seemingly want to sell their Brazilian star, Felipe Melo, to Arsenal in exchange for cash plus Emmanuel Eboue.

First their sporting director, Pantaleo Corvino, released a statement on Sunday stating in three parts that:

1. Fiorentina hadn't agreed a deal with Juventus for Melo;

2. Arsenal were the only interested club to have made a bid closest to the release clause of 25 million Euros;

3. Surprisingly, Fiorentina were willing to consider a player-plus-cash deal involving Eboue.

It was a carefully worded statement that revealed that Arsenal had been in negotiations for the aforementioned player—therefore alerting any side interested in his services. 

Then today, their sporting director has again suggested that Arsene Wenger wants to meet him and that a deal could be in the offing.

In fact, he indicated to Juventus and other potentially interested clubs in the same interview that he has no meetings lined up regarding this issue, and that if they do meet the stipulated release clause, Fiorentina would be willing to do business.

Something clearly isn't right because a player who had only joined last year signed an extension to his contract this summer—but whether it was done to reward him or increase his value is something no one will ever know.

The player himself seems to be coy about his future, with reports suggesting he wants to move to Juventus.

During the previous close-season, another player from the Italian League, Gokhan Inler, used a move to Arsenal as leverage and got a bumper pay-rise out of his club, Udinese.

So Wenger will be both aware and displeased at this continuous public mention of his interest in Melo.

As far as all these transfers are concerned, there is nothing Arsenal or their fans can do but wait patiently. Negotiations are always lengthy, but when the seller tries to start a bidding war, it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Zenit tried doing that with the Gunners in January, and it took an immense act of determination from Arshavin to move to Arsenal. Although the club seems to be dealing with a similar kind of seller, whether the player will be willing to make such efforts to move is something that remains to be seen.

One thing is for sure, though—not many should be surprised if Felipe Melo isn't an Arsenal player come Aug. 31.

Having been referenced as part of the unwanted nine, Royston Drenthe appears to have been chucked out with the bath-water at the Bernabeu as Real look to shift the dead-wood from their playing staff as they welcome the latest collection of galacticos to Madrid.

The past two years have been difficult for the Dutchman with the Edgar Davids locks. Drenthe rose to prominence after impressing at the Under-21 European Championships back in 2007, scooping the player of the tournament award, and Madrid moved quickly to ensure that they signed him from Feyenoord for €14 million, ahead of the likes of Chelsea and Barcelona.

But since arriving at Los Blancos Drenthe has failed to establish himself as a starter on the left-hand side, finding himself playing second-fiddle to Marcelo for a spot at left-back while rarely being able to hold down a place of the left-side of midfield. In total Drenthe has made just under 50 appearances for Madrid in which he contributed a measly three goals.

While in Spain, Drenthe has grown a distasteful reputation and finding his behaviour splashed across the backpages. The Dutchman was repeatedly reported as having a bad attitude to finding himself on the bench, with Drenthe said to have stormed out of training in protest on at least one occasion, while only several weeks ago he was criticised for his behaviour during the match with Villarreal at the end of the season. (See here.)

Yet it is all too easy to pigeonhole Drenthe as yet another moody Dutchman. With a silky left-peg, bags of pace, a low centre of gravity and a full arsenal of tricks, Drenthe has the potential to be great. Best suited as the link between midfield and attack Drenthe unquestionably has the ability and talent to play at the highest levels.

On the downside, Drenthe has to work on his goal scoring and shooting. Too often the Dutchman fluffs opportunities in front of goal, and this is one area of his game which definitely requires hard work and improvement.

Arguably though, Drenthe’s biggest problem is his maturity. Aside from his off-the-field antics, on the pitch many have labelled Drenthe as mimicking a headless chicken over the past two seasons at Real, regularly seen running down blind-alleys rather than showing the composure and guile to retain possession for his team. But, at just 22-years-old the attacker has time on his side, and prospective employers would be foolish to write off Drenthe at this early stage.

According to reports coming out of Italy, Genoa and Fiorentina have both declared an interest in signing the player from Madrid, with suggestions being that the Dutchman will originally move on loan for an initial season.

While, over in Blightly, Martin O’Neill is also said to have expressed an interest in Drenthe, The Star printing “Aston Villa boss O’Neill is weighing up a £4m offer for the former Feyenoord left-back as a replacement for Nicky Shorey.” No-doubt Drenthe would also offer cover and an alternative for Ashley Young, with the England wide-man very much in demand from a host of teams circling around like vultures.

Video evidence of Royston Drenthe can be seen here, while a slightly more negative video can be seen here.

It was a sold out affair as Juventus entertained Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico in Turin on Saturday evening. The Bianconeri are level with Inter Milan in the standings – if somewhat temporarily – thanks to Claudio Marchisio’s debut goal in Serie A.

The game was however, not without controversy as the visiting side had Alberto Gilardino’s equalizer incorrectly ruled out for offside as the Viola collected their third consecutive defeat with the fourth place slipping further away.

First half

The game shot of with pace and intensity and it was the home side that created the first opportunity on goal. Marco Marchionni picked up a loose ball on Fiorentina’s half of the pitch after ten minutes of play and passed it on to Alessandro Del Piero whose elegant chip sailed over the crossbar.

In the following minutes Olof Mellberg brought down Stevan Jovetic in the penalty area but the Viola-forward had his pleas for penalty waved off by referee Saccana.

Claudio Marchisio gave the Bianconeri the lead after 21 minutes after a magnificent through ball from Del Piero. The young midfielder made no mistakes in front of the goal as he slotted in his first Serie A goal just a week after his 23^rd birthday.

Juventus were on a roll and quickly built up another attack. Unfortunately Pavel Nedved’s cross whizzed across the face of the goal with Marchionni missing it by inches.

Ten minutes later it was time for controversy. Mario Santana met Luciano Zauri’s brilliant cross but saw his ferocious header bounce off the crossbar as the rebound landed on Riccardo Montolivo. The midfielder took a shot that Gianluigi Buffon spilled out and quick as a fox Alberto Gilardino was there to tap in what the forward thought was the equalizer.

Gilardino hardly had the time to raise his arms in celebration before the linesman put his flag up and the referee ruled the goal out for offside. An incorrect decision as the replays showed that the forward was kept onside by the Juventus defense – a very rare sight during the course of the game.

Juventus had a golden opportunity to add to their lead during the minute before the half time break was due when Marchionni left Alessandro Gamberini eating dust and was left one-on-one with Frey. The French goalkeeper made no mistake and saved both of the midfielder’s attempts with a brilliant double save from point blank range.

Fiorentina were to receive one last chance on levelling the score before the first half whistle sounded. Unfortunately a perfectly played cross saw both Gamberini and Per Kroldrup tangled as both players simultaneously headed for the ball as it whizzed past the near post.

Second half

Fiorentina stepped up their game after the restart and were piling up the pressure on Juventus in their frenetic search for an equalizer.

Cesare Prandelli’s men created several dangerous chances within a short span of time, one of which was a fine acrobatic bicycle kick from Gilardino who saw his effort sail over the crossbar.

Fifteen minutes into the second half showcased some fine displays by the home side as Marchionni played the ball back to Zdenek Grygera who blasted a shot at goal but was denied by a superb Frey who had to tip the ball over the crossbar.

Marchionni again created a scoring opportunity as he ran free from his markers with twenty minutes to go and passed the ball to Del Piero who once again saw his effort fly over the bar.

Five minutes later Fiorentina had one of their best chances at cancelling out Juventus’ lead. Manuel Pasqual received the ball on the left hand side of the penalty area and directed a low cross towards Gilardino who tried to redirect the ball into the net but Buffon’s brilliant one-legged save saw the forward denied once again – despite the fact that the Viola-man was standing in an offside position.

The Fiorentina players were growing more and more desperate with only ten minutes remaining of the game. The attacking duo of Gilardino and Jovetic had extreme difficulties in trying to pry open Juventus’ offside trap throughout the evening. A fine collaboration between the two still managed to force Buffon to come off his line and pluck the ball out of the air and away from the danger.

With five minutes from full time Sebastian Giovinco ran his marksman ragged and had a one-on-one with Frey as the Atomic Ant forced Buffon’s counterpart to come off his line and make a vital interception in order to keep any form of hope left in the Fiorentina players.

Jovetic had his fierce volley saved by Buffon in the stoppages but had to surrender as Saccana finally put the whistle to his mouth.

Juventus: Buffon; Grygera, Mellberg, Legrottaglie, De Ceglie; Marchionni, Zanetti (89’ Poulsen), Marchisio, Nedved; Amauri, Del Piero (77’ Giovinco). Coach: Ranieri.

Fiorentina: Frey; Zauri, Gamberini, Kroldrup, Pasqual; Gobbi (46’ Kuzmanovic), Felipe Melo, Montolivo; Santana (72’ Bonazzoli); Gilardino, Jovetic. Coach: Prandelli.

 

They were teammates on Italy's team that reached the quarterfinals at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, but Saturday night in Turin they will be going up against each other in the center of the midfield when Juventus host Fiorentina.

Separated by one year and one day on their birth certificates, 24-year-old Riccardo Montolivo and 23-year-old Claudio Marchisio not only represent the future for their respective clubs, but they are also the future for their country.

They are two of the most talented midfielders to come out of the Italy youth ranks in years. Both players have incredible on the ball skill for players in their early 20s but are different kinds of players at the same time

However, they do have their differences.

Montolivo is the more offensive-minded of the two, getting forward more into the attack. He scores more goals, and because of that his performance is vital to the Viola getting positive results.

They do play in different systems, and as a result, Marchisio is the one with more defensive responsibilities. Because of that, he is the better defender and tackler between the two of them. He is the better passer and all-around player, and the comparisons between Marchisio and Marco Tardelli are completely legitimate.

Yet Montolivo has already achieved what Marchisio desires: a call from Marcello Lippi into the Azzurri squad.

Marchisio will be one of the key contributors to Italy's U-21 Euro 2009 team, likely the last time he will put on the Azzurrini jersey. But it won't take long for Lippi to come calling. As the season has gone on, Marchisio has established himself in the Juve lineup, something that few players his age can say.

With crucial players missing from both squads, both the midfielders' performances will be more important than usual.

Fiorentina are entering the trip to Turin losers of their past two games, and without star striker Adrian Mutu, they have lacked the offensive punch they usually have. Add to Fiorentina management selling two talented young strikers, Giampaolo Pazzini and Pablo Daniel Osvaldo, Montolivo will have to be even more involved in the offense than he usually is.

If the Viola want to win, Montolivo will have to be a source of offensive output.

The same can be said for Marchisio, who will be without normal midfield partner Momo Sissoko because of yellow card accumulation. He will likely be paired with another defensive-minded midfielder, Cristiano Zanetti.

So if Juve manager Claudio Ranieri wants some offense from his midfield, Marchisio will be the guy to get the offensive engine going.

However, when they meet on the Stadio Olimpico turf tomorrow, a future central midfield combination for Lippi and his Italian squad will be on display.

Last Sunday, Olympique Lyonnais won the hard way against Nice. Spotting them a 2-0 lead, the French Champions fought back to win 3-2 after a stoppage time penalty kick was buried by Karim Benzema.

Yesterday, they started out in horrendous fashion once again, this time in Champions League action hosting Fiorentina.

Lyon began the game well and created the first good chances. Mathieu Bodmer hit a close range shot off the bar after the ball was moving around the box in pinball fashion.

The first goal came from a terrible clearance by centre-half Jean-Alain Boumsong. Luciano Zauri took the gift and fired a curling cross into the box that was met by the head of Alberto Gilardino. Hugo Lloris had no chance, and Lyon were down early for the second straight game.

The Viola nearly doubled their lead after Sergio Almiron's long free kick smashed off the bar in the 20th minute. Meanwhile, French goalkeeper Sebastien Frey made a fine save from a Jeremy Toulalan shot.

Adrian Mutu forced Lloris into a superb save after another Boumsong give-away. Fiorentina doubled their lead when Mutu sent a perfect cross from the right side for Gilardino to head home.

Benzema was the most dangerous player for the hosts, testing Frey on a number of occasions. Fiorentina were holding them off quite comfortably. Then, a controversial incident took place that brought Lyon back into the game.

Zauri was down in his own box, and quite obviously in pain. Down 2-0 at home though, Lyon clearly had no time for sympathy. They took advantage as Benzema took a through-ball from Juninho, and laid it off for Frederic Piquionne to pass the ball into an empty net.

Fiorentina were furious—especially with Benzema—for not allowing Zauri to receive treatment. If that wasn't bad enough, Benz would equalize for Les Gones in the 86th minute.

Instead of going for goal on his free kick, Juninho slid a pass by the wall to Karim, whose shot was deflected past a helpless Frey. The top team in the French Ligue 1 managed to save a point, but they did it in a less than classy way.

Normally, when a player is down and the opposing team has the ball, they knock it out of play. The injured player then gets some treatment and his team returns the ball to the original team that had possession.

It's a sort of agreement that has come to be known between the teams. Lyon didn't keep their end of the deal, and as a result may not get any gratitude or respect in the future if the same situation should arise to one of their own.

Should UEFA make this an official rule to prevent a similar incident from occurring in the future? What if this had happened during a more serious injury on the field? Like when Eduardo was taken out of action for Arsenal?

Fiorentina shouldn't worry, as the second match with Olympique Lyonnais will be at the Artemio Franchi Stadium in Italy.

Payback may very well be a b*tch on November 25th.

Barcelona have made back up keeper Jose Manuel Pinto’s loan move permanent. The Catalans have paid Celta Vigo half a million Euros or three hundred and ninety five thousand pounds for their new third choice shot stopper. (Marca)

Palermo have signed Fiorentina’s former Lazio midfielder Fabio Liverani on a three year deal, the Sicilian club have confirmed. (Sky Sports News)

Fenerbahce are in talks with Newcastle’s Turkish International Emre about returning to Istanbul for four million. Emre started his career with Fenerbahce’s arch rivals Galatastaray.

Rennes, Lens and Portsmouth are all interested in signing Liverpool back up keeper Charles Itandje. (The Sun)

Jose Mourinho is almost certain to take over at Inter Milan after Roberto Mancini’s sacking by the Italian club. Ironically the former Leicester and Italy International is now favourite to take over at the “Special Ones’” old club Chelsea. (The Guardian)

Fiorentina Viola have signed AC Milan’s Italy international striker Alberto Gilardino. (The Guardian)

Lyon will sign Nice goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to replace the departing Gregory Coupet, who is expected to leave the Stade Gerrland this summer. (L’Equipe)

Ernesto Valverde, who resigned from Espanyol a few days ago, has been appointed Olympiakos manager on a three year contract worth four million Euros. (The Guardian)

Sam Morrowhas become the first managerial casualty of the MLS season after the FC Dallas manager was sacked last night after the club’s after the Texan clubs disappointing start to the season. (ESPN)

Former Argentina Manager Jose Pekermanhas resigned from his position as manager of Mexican outfit Toluca for family reasons. (ESPN)

Chelsea could appoint AC Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti as their new head coach, and then exploit his relationship with star playerKaka with a fifty million pound bid for the Brazilian superstar. (Daily Star)

Barcelona claim that Arsenal’s Belarus Captain Alexander Hleb has agreed to join them for next season, Yaya Touregoing the other way as part of the deal. The Catalans are also reportively interested in Tottenham’s Dimitar Berbartov and Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor. Although no deal for either of the front men can be made until Samuel Eto’o leaves. (Daily Star)

Reading’s Ivory Coast midfielder Emerse Fae is close to a return to France with Nice close to acquiring the player on loan with a view to a permanent two point four million pound move. The player was previously fined two weeks wages for refusing to play for the club’s reserves back in April (The Times)

Crystal Palace are facing a real war to keep hold of some of their star players. Teenage superstar John Bostock is on the verge of signing for Tottenham and fellow midfielder Ben Watson is being chased by Derby, Nottingham Forrest, Bolton, and Middlesbrough. QPR have already had a one and a quarter million pound bid turned from the eagles. (The Times)

Rangers are interested in Le Mans left back Jean Calve, and Monaco left back Jeremy Berthod. (Various)

Portsmouth are interested in Trinidad and Tobago international eighteen year old midfielder Khaleem Hyland, who will play against England on Sunday. (The Times)

Sunderland are planning a swoop for Aston Villa’s Scotland midfielder Shaun Maloney with a four million pound bid (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham will bid for twelve million pound rated Paraguay striker Oscar Cardozofrom Benfica. (Daily Mirror)

Derby, Reading and Coventry are all in the race to sign Swansea’s Dutch midfielder Ferrie Bodde this summer. (Derby Evening Standard)

Plymouth Argyle and Aberdeen will fight it out for Leicester’s former Republic of Ireland full back Alan Maybury. (Daily Record)

Cardiff City want to sign Manchester City’s young Welsh midfielder Ched Evans on loan this season. (South Wales Echo)

West Brom are considering making a move for Dundee’s highly rated midfielder Kevin McDonald. (Daily Record)

Swedish champions Djurgardens and Dundee United are bidding to take Ranger’s winger Alan Gowon loan for next season. The Tannadice club are also interested in taking Charlie Adamfrom Ibrox in a similar deal. (Various)

Celtic will rival Sunderland for the signing of Manchester city’s Republic of Ireland midfielder Stephen Ireland with a five million pound bid. (Daily Mirror)

Atletico Madrid are looking at signing Barcelona’s Mexico captain Rafael Marquez, so the defensive player can join compatriot Javier Aguire and fellow defensive recruitments Johny Heitinga and Thomas Ujfalusi. (Sky Sports News)

The Spanish club have also abandoned plans to sign a host of players, such as Porto’s Lucho Gonzalez, Hamburg’s Rafael Van Der Vaart, Werder Bremen’s Diego and Juventus’ Thiago. This is because the players’ signings would disrupt the wage structure at the Vicente Calderon. (Sky Sports News)

Bristol City have had a bid for Nottingham Forrest striker Nathan Tyson turned down. The offer was believed to be around three quarters of a million. The former Reading player has one year remaining on his current deal, but he has been offered a two-year extension. Forest have also completed the signing of Wales striker Robert Earnshaw from Derby County for two and a half million. (Sky Sports News)

Tottenham are set to sign Crystal Palace’s 16-year-old first team player John Bostock subject to a tribunal agreeing a fee for the England youth International. (The Times)

Finland striker Mikael Forssell has left Birmingham and signed for German Bundesliga side Hannover 96 on a free transfer. (The Times)

Wolves and old firm duo Rangers and Celtic are battling it out for the four million pound signing of Burnley’s Northern Ireland International Kyle Lafferty after the player announced his intention to leave Turf Moor this summer.  

Derby County have completed a double raid on championship rivals Watford, by signing striker Nathan Ellington for one million and full back Jordan Stewart on a free transfer. (Sky Sports News)

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres will get a four million pound pay raise to his current contract to stop interest in the Spain International from Chelsea. (The Sun)

Everton will bid eight million for Manchester City’s England International Michael Johnson this summer. (The Sun)

Wolsburg and Monaco are keen to take Manchester City’s Italian striker Rolando Bianchi away from Eastlands this summer. (The Sun)

Another striker on the brink of leaving Eastlands is Belgium International Emile Mpenza, who is being chased by Bolton, Leicester, Reading and Ipswich. (The Sun)

West Ham could be on the verge of signing Reading’s England left back Nicky Shorey, after five million was quoted by the royals. (The Times)

Sunderland hope to pip rivals Portsmouth and Aston Villa to the signing of Reading’s Ireland winger Stephen Hunt for five million pounds.  This is despite fact that the former Brentford is currently on his honeymoon, and negotiations not expected to be completed until mid-June. (The Times)

West Ham are willing to listen to offers of around five million for centre half Anton Ferdinand. Tottenham are rumoured to be readying a bid. (Daily Mirror)

Crystal Palace will make a third bid for Sheffield United striker Danny Webber, after having two bids for the former Manchester United and Watford striker turned down in January. (Daily Mirror)

Former Scotland cap Kevin Kyle could be set to sign for Southend United to try to resurrect his fledging career. (Daily Mirror)

The old firm are both interested in Middlesbrough’s captain and Dutch International George Boateng. (Daily Mirror)

Aston Villa and Tottenham will go head to head with eight million pound bids for Manchester City’s England keeper Joe Hart. (Daily Star)

Juventus have signed Brazilian striker Amauri from Palermo for around 18 million, with Italian midfielder Antonio Nocerino going the other way. (The Guardian)

Wigan will sign Zamalek attacking midfielder Amr Zaki on loan if the Egyptian club can find a replacement. (The Guardian)

Southampton will try and resign Chris Baird from Fulham. The Northern Ireland right back would be available for a knock down price. (The Guardian)

Barcelona may seek out Inter Milan with a trade; The Catalans want to exchange their player Samuel Eto’o for Inter striker Zlatan Ibramovich in a straight swap. (Various)

Although apparently Barcelona are lining up a move for Thierry Henry’s International strike partner David Trezequet from Juventus. (L’Equipe)

Rangers want to sign Juventus’ Italian winger Raffaele Palladino for five million. (Daily Star)

Manchester United will allow reserve keeper Tom Heaton to join Cardiff City on loan in the hope of stealing a march on their rivals in the race to sign teenage prospect Aaron Ramsey. (Daily Mail)

Espanyol have turned down a 9.5 million pound bid from Liverpool for their former Manchester City and Spain winger Albert Riera. (Various)

Werder Bremen, Villarreal, Valencia and Bayern Munich are all interested in signing out-of-favour Peru striker Claudio Pizarro from Chelsea. (Bild)

Tottenham could sign both Giovanni Dos Santos and Richard Dunne in a 17 million pound deal, five million for Dunne and 12 million pounds for Dos Santos. (Various)

"Follow Follow, We Will Follow Rangers" was the chorus that filled the squares of Florence long into the night as Rangers fans celebrated their very special achievement.

Just 15 months ago, Glasgow Rangers Football Club was on its knees.

Today, we celebrate our first return to a European Final in 36 long years. Some fans thought they'd never see another such day, others like myself, thought we could only dream.

But on the 14th of May, 2008, the players of Glasgow Rangers will have a chance on that pitch in Manchester, to make themselves heroes!

Heroes in Glasgow, live forever!

Last nights game wasn't pretty, in fact I'd have been the first to hold my hands up if the Gers had lost on penalties and say "justice had been done."

Sadly or should I say luckily, there is no justice in football!

Fiorentina failed to score in 210 minutes of football, which in the history books make them no better than the boys in blue.

Rangers kept their composure in the shoot out despite captain Barry Ferguson's early miss. Steven Whittaker, Sasa Papac, Bruno Hemdani all scored as Fabio Liverani had his penalty saved by Neil Alexander. Christian Vieri blasted over and Nacho Novo stepped up to send the Rangers fans into delirium!

Rangers were through to the UEFA Cup Final!

The Scots will meet the impressive Zenit St Petersburg in Manchester after the Russians demolished the once mighty Bayern Munich 4-0 to advance to the final, 5-1 on aggregate.

Strangely enough, Zenit Coach Dick Advocaat is a former Rangers manager and has at his disposal, former Rangers favourite Fernando Ricksen. This will add spice to a final that will see upwards of 100,000 Rangers fans converge on Manchester.

Zenit must be the favourites but what does that mean? No one wearing Blue in Manchester, including the Rangers players will give it a second thought.

Red Star Belgrade, VFB Stuttgart, Olympic Lyonnais, Panathinaikos, Werder Bremen, Sporting Lisbon and finally Fiorentina have all been dispatched by Rangers in Europe this season.

As I said earlier in the tournament, we are the famous Glasgow Rangers, and we surely fear nothing now!

In the words of 100,000 Rangers fans in Manchester... Mon then Zenit!

The second leg's of this seasons UEFA Cup semi finals take place on Thursday night, with four teams still looking for European glory.

Rangers travel to Florence where they'll renew their battle with Fiorentina. The sides drew last weeks clash, 0-0 at Ibrox.

The result probably favoured both sides as the Scots fielded a depleted side and Fiorentina were always going to be happy not losing in Glasgow.

The Gers have one major injury concern going into the second leg. David Weir had originally been ruled out with a groin problem but mumblings from Murray Park suggest he may well still feature tomorrow night.

Sunday's 3-2 Old Firm defeat, their second loss to Celtic in 10 days, will effect the players in some way.

The question is, will they roll over at this late stage in the season or will they pick themselves up and come out fighting in Florence?

I predict the latter!

Fiorentina remain confident about their chances of beating Rangers at home. Viola ace, Riccardo Monolivio told the Daily Record "We must explode from the first moment against Rangers. We must put everything into the match."

His team mate Marco Donadel told Sky Sports "We need to go into the game with the same mentality as in Eindhoven (2-0 win), giving all we have right from the start, making Rangers aware that it is going to be difficult for them."

This will be an incredibly interesting tie with Rangers looking for a repeat of their glory in Lisbon, where they won 2-0 and Fiorentina trying to please their home fans.

I shall stick my neck out and say, Rangers on away goals!

The other clash will be an early kick off in Russia between Zenit St Petersburg and Bayern Munich.

Zenit have been in the spot light this week for the wrong reasons after the racist nature of their fans was revealed to the world by their coach Dick Advocaat. They'll be looking to put that behind them as they entertain the German giants.

Bayern travel knowing they have it all to do after last weeks 1-1 draw in Munich. Zenit are ahead on away goals but as Bayern will tell you, so were Getafe, time and time again, but they never gave up.

It should be a cracking tie but I'm going to go with Bayern Munich. After all someone has to back the favourites.

Anyway as a Rangers man, I'd like the Germans in Manchester!

I'm afraid the first round of UEFA Cup semi finals went the same way as the UEFA Champions League, with a couple of dull boring draws.

I'd swear I watched four edgy cup finals this week. Let's hope this means we are in for a couple fantastic finals come May!

I'll start in Germany where Bayern Munich were held to a 1-1 draw by Zenit St Petersburg. Bayern have now not won a game in the competition since hammering Anderlecht 5-0 away in the first leg of the round of 16.

That's four games without a win, and they're not looking like the favourites they were earlier in the competition.

Franck Ribery scored the opener (19) with a rebound from his own penalty. The Germans looked comfortable throughout the first hour, but were upset by a Lucio own goal in the 62nd minute.

There were further problems for Bayern when injured keeper Oliver Kahn was replaced shortly after the equalizer.

Neither team could convert numerous late chances, and this one ended 1-1, with I have to say, Zenit in the driving seat.

Zenit lost at home to Bayer Leverkusen in the last round, but their tie was already dead and buried thanks to Zenit's 4-1 win in Germany. You'd have to expect a different performance at home by the Russians next Thursday.

In the other game, an injury-hit Rangers side held off Fiorentina's advances to secure a 0-0 result at home. The result was exactly what the Scots wanted, and with numerous players returning for the second leg in Florence, Rangers are still in it.

Only one controversial moment in this one, with the referee failing to book Adrian Mutu for a blatantly deliberate hand ball. The Romanian striker clearly tried to score with his hand, and was rightly penalised.

It was a huge let off for Fiorentina, as had he been booked, he would've been sitting out next weeks second leg in Florence.

I'm still eagerly anticipating next weeks European games, and let's hope every team has a go at making up for this weeks bore fest!