Start     National Team     Clubs     History     Euro 2012     Contact     Partners

"The intellectualisation
of football has
always foundered
on a simple problem-
-the players. Doing
all your most
rewarding thinking
with your feet seems
to dull the philo-
sophical impulse.
Unless, of course,
you are Dutch.
According to legend,
Europeans played
a moronic, muscular
version of the world's
game, until Holland
proclaimed its vision
of total football in the
1974 World Cup,
and enlightenment
dawned."

From:
Brilliant Orange: The Neurotic Genius of Dutch Football
Search
 

McClaren: "I expect a different Sporting"

Tuesday 04 August 2009

The result in Portugal (0-0) does not turn the tables.

Sporting Lisbon remain favorites to reach the next round of qualification for Champions League.

"But they haven't seen the real FC Twente yet," says Steve McClaren.

Ahead of the second leg tonight Twente know hardly any personnel problems.

McClaren does not have Bernard Parker and Ransford Osei at his disposal.

The two newcomers are not allowed to play yet.

Goalkeeper Sander Boschker is failing because of his red card in the first leg in Lisbon.

Nikolay Mihaylov will replace Boschker.

"I have a lot of faith in him," McClaren said about the inexperienced Bulgarian.

"He is the kind of player who saves his best displays for the big games. I hope he can confirm that on Tuesday."

"The pressure is on Sporting," the Twente-coach said.

"They must reach the main stage of the Champions League. We want it just as bad, but we don't feel the pressure as we don't really have to."

"I expect a different Sporting. It's clear we didn't see the real Sporting last week, just like they didn't see the real FC Twente. The red card killed off the game."

McClaren thinks the opening minutes to the game will be crucial.

"It's key that we have a good start and gain control over the game immediately. It's clear the first goal will be very important. For us it will be a matter of getting out there and taking our chances but also keeping a clean sheet."

Fixtures - Results - Table - Topscorers

Latest

RSS

Oranje: a new mission
Van Nistelrooy: "This is a reward"
Van Marwijk counters Cruyff criticism
Kuyt: "Spanish have a lot of respect for us"
Van Nistelrooy back with a smile
Van Marwijk: "First I talk to Van Nistelrooy"
Van Nistelrooy back in Dutch team
Cruyff: "My eyes hurt from the way Oranje played"
Wesley Sneijder looking forward to new faces on the team
Van Marwijk names 23 players for San Marino and Finland
Van Marwijk sticks to youngsters
Dutch reserves do well in Ukraine
Van Marwijk: "Everyone will play"
Ukraine manager disappointed with Dutch squad
Van Marwijk to Ukraine with second choice
Holland celebrate their heroes
English press are hypocrites
Van Marwijk: "Still very disappointed"
"The referee was outrageous!"
Holland lose more than just the game
So what's the future of the Dutch team...
Arjen Robben, the new Rob Rensenbrink
Netherlands-Spain 0-1
Latest & Lineup
Van Persie: "Spain are favourites"
Dutch forwards will be key, in many ways
No specific anti-Sneijder plan, says Del Bosque
Van Marwijk knows how to beat Spain
Both Holland and Spain play for 1st spot FIFA ranking
Lineup
Spain & Holland head-to-head
Van Bronckhorst ready to defy FIFA
Mark van Bommel: Holland's clockwork
Giovanni van Bronckhorst wants to retire with the Cup
Dirk Kuyt outlines Holland's plan to rattle Spain
Sneijder: "It's all very simple"
Spain and Holland at this World Cup
Van Marwijk: "It will be great but difficult"
Lucio: "They can win the World Cup"
Idols inspire Robin van Persie to fulfil Dutch dream
"Spanish revolution started with Johan Cruyff"
It's Spain!
Van Bommel: "We still have nothing"
Human brain can not deal with Robben
Players get two days off
Taberez: "We never gave up"
Nine facts
Sneijder's brain power makes difference for sparkling Oranje
Van Persie misses party: "I was wasted"
De Zeeuw is okay
Kuyt: "Never knew Robben could head a ball that well "
Van Marwijk: "Mission is almost complete"
Sneijder: "This is incredible"
Frank de Boer: "Great, but we're not there yet"
Holland to the final!
Older