garlei
12-12-2003, 07:30:PM
From bbc.co.uk/sport
AC Milan
Andriy Shevchenko
Remains one of Europe's deadliest strikers, with the ability to turn a game on its head in an instant.
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Bayern Munich
Michael Ballack
Midfield playmaker who makes Munich tick. Strong runner with or without the ball and can play anywhere in midfield. His true worth is most noticeable when inconsistent Munich are without their star man.
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Celta Vigo
Juanfran
Talented defender with a real presence at the back but also possessing the ability to push forward and turn defence into attack. Swift turn of pace and one of the players crucial to Celta's hopes of progression.
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Deportivo La Coruna
Juan Carlos Valeron
One of a host of attacking midfielders who can turn a game in Depor's favour. Like the Spanish national team, Deportivo remain an unpredictable puzzle and the likes of Valeron are crucial to ensuring they have more golden days than black ones.
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Nedved wins world award
Juventus
Pavel Nedved
The outstanding attacking midfielder in European football, Nedved has just been named World Soccer's world footballer of the year. Now fully recovered from the injuries which have blighted his career, Nedved's ability to attack and shoot with either foot makes him a lethal weapon in the Champions League.
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Lokomotiv Moscow
Dmitri Loskov
Moscow's captain and chief architect, Loskov is also the Russian league's top scorer. Likes to get forward from a midfield role to join the strikers, and most rival coaches agree that if you stop Loskov, you stop Lokomotiv.
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Lyon
Juninho Pernambucano
No need to ask Celtic how valuable Brazilian playmaker Juninho is after he scored twice and made the other to dump the Bhoys out of the Champions League on Wednesday. Skilful and quick to spot a pass, the Lyon star also has a reputation for never missing from the penalty spot.
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Monaco
Fernando Morientes
He may be on loan from Real Madrid, but Morientes remains a striker with a proven European pedigree. In a small squad, the Spanish international will be crucial to Monaco's hopes.
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Porto
Deco
Capable of lighting a game up with his creative flair, Deco is earning a fast-growing reputation in European football. Starred in Porto's thrilling Uefa Cup final win over Celtic last season and is recreating that magic in Europe's elite competition.
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Real Madrid
David Beckham
Those who doubted whether Beckham could get a game at Madrid and those who doubted his ability to play in the centre of midfield are being made to eat their words. While the Bernabeu remains a playground of the rich and famous, England's captain is emerging as the surprise superstar.
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Real Sociedad
Xabi Alonso
Midfield playmaker Xabi was a driving force in Sociedad's surprise Primera Liga push and is repeating the trick in the Champions League. Crucial to Sociedad's dream of reaching the last eight.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sparta Prague
Karel Poborsky
Former Manchester United winger who remains in outstanding form for club and country this season. Forgotten man of Old Trafford is re-establishing himself on Europe's big stage and would relish a reunion with his former team-mates.
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Stuttgart
Timo Hildebrand
Hildebrand has conceded only three goals in 15 Bundesliga games to help Stuttgart to the top of the the table and is crucial to their Champions League success. The final barrier behind a stubborn back four which has helped the Germans progress to the knockout stages.
from bbc.co.uk/sport
AC Milan
Andriy Shevchenko
Remains one of Europe's deadliest strikers, with the ability to turn a game on its head in an instant.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bayern Munich
Michael Ballack
Midfield playmaker who makes Munich tick. Strong runner with or without the ball and can play anywhere in midfield. His true worth is most noticeable when inconsistent Munich are without their star man.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Celta Vigo
Juanfran
Talented defender with a real presence at the back but also possessing the ability to push forward and turn defence into attack. Swift turn of pace and one of the players crucial to Celta's hopes of progression.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deportivo La Coruna
Juan Carlos Valeron
One of a host of attacking midfielders who can turn a game in Depor's favour. Like the Spanish national team, Deportivo remain an unpredictable puzzle and the likes of Valeron are crucial to ensuring they have more golden days than black ones.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nedved wins world award
Juventus
Pavel Nedved
The outstanding attacking midfielder in European football, Nedved has just been named World Soccer's world footballer of the year. Now fully recovered from the injuries which have blighted his career, Nedved's ability to attack and shoot with either foot makes him a lethal weapon in the Champions League.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lokomotiv Moscow
Dmitri Loskov
Moscow's captain and chief architect, Loskov is also the Russian league's top scorer. Likes to get forward from a midfield role to join the strikers, and most rival coaches agree that if you stop Loskov, you stop Lokomotiv.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lyon
Juninho Pernambucano
No need to ask Celtic how valuable Brazilian playmaker Juninho is after he scored twice and made the other to dump the Bhoys out of the Champions League on Wednesday. Skilful and quick to spot a pass, the Lyon star also has a reputation for never missing from the penalty spot.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monaco
Fernando Morientes
He may be on loan from Real Madrid, but Morientes remains a striker with a proven European pedigree. In a small squad, the Spanish international will be crucial to Monaco's hopes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Porto
Deco
Capable of lighting a game up with his creative flair, Deco is earning a fast-growing reputation in European football. Starred in Porto's thrilling Uefa Cup final win over Celtic last season and is recreating that magic in Europe's elite competition.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Real Madrid
David Beckham
Those who doubted whether Beckham could get a game at Madrid and those who doubted his ability to play in the centre of midfield are being made to eat their words. While the Bernabeu remains a playground of the rich and famous, England's captain is emerging as the surprise superstar.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Real Sociedad
Xabi Alonso
Midfield playmaker Xabi was a driving force in Sociedad's surprise Primera Liga push and is repeating the trick in the Champions League. Crucial to Sociedad's dream of reaching the last eight.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sparta Prague
Karel Poborsky
Former Manchester United winger who remains in outstanding form for club and country this season. Forgotten man of Old Trafford is re-establishing himself on Europe's big stage and would relish a reunion with his former team-mates.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stuttgart
Timo Hildebrand
Hildebrand has conceded only three goals in 15 Bundesliga games to help Stuttgart to the top of the the table and is crucial to their Champions League success. The final barrier behind a stubborn back four which has helped the Germans progress to the knockout stages.
from bbc.co.uk/sport