Champions League - Anelka sees English dominance

Eurosport - Fri, 23 Jan 17:17:00 2009

Chelsea's French forward Nicolas Anelka confidently claimed the three English teams facing Italian opposition in the Champions League second round will record a clean sweep.

FOOTBALL 2008-09 Premier League Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka celebrates a goal. - 0

His own team face Juventus, reigning champions Manchester United take on Internazionale while Arsenal were drawn against Roma.

"If I had to make a bet I'd say 3-0 to the English. Chelsea, Manchester and Arsenal progressing ahead of Juve, Inter and Roma," he said.

"Watch what happens - but anything can happen."

Anelka is particularly looking forward to coming up against Juve's David Trezeguet, who came through the French junior system at the same time as the man known as 'the Incredible Sulk'.

"It's a huge match, Juve are top drawer," he said. "It's always tough against Italian teams, tactically they're the best in Europe. If we don't break them down, if we don't score, it will be very risky for us.

"We have to score in the first leg (at home) and not concede in order to have a chance in Turin."

Trezeguet, who has played only eight minutes this season due to injury, should be available for the clash.

"That's terrible news for us. I admire David, there aren't many goalscorers like him around. He was born to score goals.

"Juve are as good as Inter. (Alessandro) Del Piero is an incredible talent. (Pavel) Nedved, (Gianluigi) Buffon, everyone. We'll have to be at our best to beat Juve."

Anelka has played for eight different teams in four different countries during his career but never in Italy, and that despite being married to Italian singer Barbara Tausia.

However, the 29-year-old, whose family hails from the island of Martinique, revealed he came close a couple of times.

"My wife and her family are from Italy. I met her in Paris, she was on TV with her eurodance group Eu4ya," he said.

"She sings and dances beautifully and she's an even better cook, Italian of course.

"But I don't yet know Italy. (Sven-Goran) Eriksson wanted me at Lazio when Arsenal sold me to Real Madrid and I could have gone to Juventus if (Didier) Deschamps had stayed."

Anelka has had a potted career, winning the double in England with Arsenal, the Champions League with Real Madrid and the Turkish title with Fenerbahce.

He also won the European Championships with France in 2000, when they beat Italy in the final, but was not part of the squad that won the World Cup on home soil in 1998, nor three years ago when they lost to Italy in the final in Germany.

AFP

Comment 1 - 16 of 16

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  1. yes, all of them will be beaten except Liverpool to­ beat Real Madrid.
    YNWA

    From c41ng0ku, on Wed 28 Jan 3:22AM

  2. i think if anelka is seriuos in making chelsea proud is­ a welcome idea.faityh without works is dead. anelka,put­ ur faith to work.

    From professor, on Sun 25 Jan 5:57PM

  3. roma is going to beat arsenal. juve is going to destroy­ chelsea and inter will beat man u. Forza Serie a

    From marjusrafaeli, on Sat 24 Jan 8:16PM

  4. Roma will not lose to Arsenal thats fo sho, chelsea­ (3-1 against roma) can Maybe win, but juve can beat­ them easely, Man u. - inter will be a tough game, and­ im not sure;)

    From chechenr, on Sat 24 Jan 8:02PM
  5. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    h

    k

    i do­ not like chelsea

    From Liverpool intill die, on Sat 24 Jan 6:00PM

  6. h

    k

    i do­ not like chelsea

    From Liverpool intill die, on Sat 24 Jan 6:00PM

  7. He better not underestimate Juve. Look what they did to­ Real Madrid, and they weren't even at full­ strength!

    Forza Juve!

    From Forza Ferrari, on Sat 24 Jan 3:37PM

  8. Monsieur Anelka you should concentrate on overcaming­ Juve. I am sure you knew how much you cost Chelsea in­ the last competition. 3-0 against the italian­ oppositions is very audacious. I will love to see­ Mourinho tear United apart and Roma teaching the Ars­ men some football. For Chelsea, it won't be news if­ they lost to Juve. After seeing Man United­ 'annihilate' you folks, it won't come as a­ surprise. Trust me

    From Boboye, on Fri 23 Jan 5:41PM

  9. Football is like a bright gamble, the luck goes to the­ lucky side bt you cant score goals if you dont shoot at­ goal.

    From Majoser, on Fri 23 Jan 1:44AM

  10. I had no interest in watching the games at present....I­ found a hot place, you guys should try it ___Wealthy­ beauty co m_____a great place for rich people to meet­ their soul mates....

    From zjmdj001, on Fri 23 Jan 1:31AM

  11. We'll see if Chelsea "shouldn't have much­ of a problem with Juve"!! FORZA JUVE!!!

    From jonathanslickcat, on Fri 23 Jan 1:16AM

  12. "His won team"? I hope the @#$% that wrote­ that wasn't paid!

    From David, on Fri 23 Jan 12:19AM

  13. Personally I can see Arsenal struggling with Roma.
    Utd­ have a tough game, but Inter lack youth and have always­ struggling in the CL.
    Chelsea shouldn't have much­ of a problem with Juve.

    From vulcanraven01, on Fri 23 Jan 12:11AM

  14. SUPERB ANELKA!!... GO ON SCORİNG.. YOU'LL ­ BE THE KİNG THİS SEASON!!! JUST PUT­ IT!..

    From uveys, on Fri 23 Jan 12:07AM

  15. Why Anelka is nicknamed "the sulk" ?

    From Moussa, on Fri 23 Jan 12:05AM

  16. @ LAST A DECENT RESPONSE FROM "LE SULK"

    From PAUL L, on Thu 22 Jan 11:43PM
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