Contents 7 - UEFA information 1 - Match background 8 - Match-by-match lineups 2 - Match facts 9 - Competition facts 3 - Squad list 10 - Team facts 4 - Head coach 11 - Competition information 5 - Match officials 12 - Legend 6 - Domestic information Match background Arsenal FC secured their place in the UEFA Champions League first knockout round three weeks ago but there is still work for them to do to clinch first place in Group H. With three successive victories following their defeat at the Arsenal Stadium on Matchday 1, Sevilla FC are just a point behind and will overtake the London club should they beat them at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium. • Of more relevance as Sevilla pursue a place in the knockout rounds in their UEFA Champions League debut season is the five-point advantage they hold over SK Slavia Praha, the team they face in the Czech Republic on Matchday 6. They reached that satisfying position when a goal in each half from Brazilian midfielder Renato gave the Spanish side a comfortable victory on Matchday 4 away to FC Steaua Bucureşti. • Over the course of their UEFA Cup campaigns over the last two seasons – both of which ended with the Andalusian side holding the trophy aloft – Sevilla faced three opponents from England. In their only home fixture they defeated Tottenham Hotspur FC 2-1 in last season's quarter-final before drawing 2-2 away. The previous year they had drawn 1-1 away to Bolton Wanderers FC in the group stage before beating Middlesbrough FC 4-0 in the final in Eindhoven. • Arsenal were fortunate to claim a point on Matchday 4 with a goalless draw away to Slavia as goalkeeper Manuel Almunia twice denied the Czech side revenge for their 7-0 thrashing two weeks before. • Sevilla stepped out for their UEFA Champions League debut on 19 September full of optimism but Arsenal swiftly introduced them to the realities of this level as they beat them 3-0 in London. Cesc Fabregas' deflected first-half shot set the 2006 finalists on their way before Robin van Persie added a second a minute before the hour and substitute Eduardo da Silva rounded off a fine victory in added time. Arsenal followed up this start with a 1-0 win in Romania against Steaua, Van Persie getting the winner 14 minutes from time. Sevilla bounced back on the same night to beat Slavia 4-2 at home, Frédéric Kanouté, Luis Fabiano, Julien Escudé and Arouna Koné the men on target. • Arsenal have remained unbeaten in their last three trips to Spain, drawing 0-0 against Villarreal CF in the semi-final second leg two seasons ago to clinch a place in the final of Europe's premier club competition. In that campaign's first knockout round they had won 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu – the first time English opposition had prevailed away to Real Madrid CF. Last updated 25.11.2007 23:35:53CET Match background 1 Sevilla FC - Arsenal FC MATCH PRESS KIT Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, Sevilla Tuesday 27 November 2007 - 20.45 CET Group H - Matchday 5
Transcript
Contents7 - UEFA information1 - Match background8 - Match-by-match lineups2 - Match facts9 - Competition facts3 - Squad list10 - Team facts4 - Head coach11 - Competition information5 - Match officials12 - Legend6 - Domestic information
Match background
Arsenal FC secured their place in the UEFA Champions League first knockout round three weeks ago but there isstill work for them to do to clinch first place in Group H. With three successive victories following their defeat at theArsenal Stadium on Matchday 1, Sevilla FC are just a point behind and will overtake the London club should theybeat them at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium.
• Of more relevance as Sevilla pursue a place in the knockout rounds in their UEFA Champions League debut seasonis the five-point advantage they hold over SK Slavia Praha, the team they face in the Czech Republic on Matchday6. They reached that satisfying position when a goal in each half from Brazilian midfielder Renato gave the Spanishside a comfortable victory on Matchday 4 away to FC Steaua Bucureşti.
• Over the course of their UEFA Cup campaigns over the last two seasons – both of which ended with the Andalusianside holding the trophy aloft – Sevilla faced three opponents from England. In their only home fixture they defeatedTottenham Hotspur FC 2-1 in last season's quarter-final before drawing 2-2 away. The previous year they had drawn1-1 away to Bolton Wanderers FC in the group stage before beating Middlesbrough FC 4-0 in the final in Eindhoven.
• Arsenal were fortunate to claim a point on Matchday 4 with a goalless draw away to Slavia as goalkeeper ManuelAlmunia twice denied the Czech side revenge for their 7-0 thrashing two weeks before.
• Sevilla stepped out for their UEFA Champions League debut on 19 September full of optimism but Arsenal swiftlyintroduced them to the realities of this level as they beat them 3-0 in London. Cesc Fabregas' deflected first-half shotset the 2006 finalists on their way before Robin van Persie added a second a minute before the hour and substituteEduardo da Silva rounded off a fine victory in added time. Arsenal followed up this start with a 1-0 win in Romaniaagainst Steaua, Van Persie getting the winner 14 minutes from time. Sevilla bounced back on the same night to beatSlavia 4-2 at home, Frédéric Kanouté, Luis Fabiano, Julien Escudé and Arouna Koné the men on target.
• Arsenal have remained unbeaten in their last three trips to Spain, drawing 0-0 against Villarreal CF in the semi-finalsecond leg two seasons ago to clinch a place in the final of Europe's premier club competition. In that campaign'sfirst knockout round they had won 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu – the first time English opposition had prevailed awayto Real Madrid CF.
Last updated 25.11.2007 23:35:53CETMatch background 1
Sevilla FC - Arsenal FCMATCH PRESS KITRamón Sánchez-Pizjuán, SevillaTuesday 27 November 2007 - 20.45 CETGroup H - Matchday 5
• Before the Madrid triumph, Arsenal had won 3-2 at RC Celta de Vigo in the first knockout round of the 2003/04tournament. Their previous six matches in Spain had brought five straight defeats and a draw. The Gunners havetwice lost in UEFA Cup Winners' Cup finals to Spanish sides. Valencia CF beat them in 1979/80 and Real Zaragozatriumphed in the 1994/95 showpiece.
• The other game in the section features Steaua at home to Slavia.
Match facts
Sevilla
• Six Sevilla players have appeared in all six UEFA Champions League games so far this season, including qualifying:Andrés Palop, Ivica Dragutinović, Christian Poulsen, Seydou Keita, Jesús Navas and Luis Fabiano.
• Palop's next appearance in UEFA club competition will be his 50th.
• Keita and Adriano are both a booking away from suspension.
• Sevilla FC lost their seventh Primera División game of the season on Saturday evening as they went down 2-1against RCD Mallorca at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. Ariel Ibagaza and Fernando Varela left the visitors two goalsto the good at the interval and, although Frédéric Kanouté's header reduced the deficit five minutes into the secondperiod and Varela was sent off with 20 minutes left, Mallorca held on.
• "We showed a lack of concentration and it takes a lot of concentration to win matches," said coach Manuel Jiménez,whose side have not won for three games in all competitions. "The important thing is to improve in every respect. Wecouldn't think about the Arsenal game before the match with Mallorca but now that that game is gone, and as difficultas the defeat was, we'll be looking to Tuesday and a different competition. We'll be trying to beat a good team but weknow it's not going to be easy."
• Daniel Alves was suspended for the Mallorca match although Kanouté returned after a calf strain and Luis Fabianoshook off a minor ankle injury to start.
• Team captain Javi Navarro has yet to play for Sevilla this season as he continues to recover from a knee injury andJulien Escudé is still sidelined by a groin problem that has kept him out since 7 October. Duda suffered a sprainedankle on 5 November and is expected to be out for a further two weeks.
• José Ángel Crespo has undergone an operation on the broken cheekbone he suffered against Real Madrid CF on3 November. "I'm very relaxed," said the defender, who is expected to be out for a further three weeks. "It will take awhile before I get the feeling back in the right side of my face."
• Dragutinović and Navas have committed to Sevilla until 2011 and 2012, respectively. "I'm very happy and myreward comes after a lot of hard work," said Navas. "I like being here and the club are obviously happy with my work.Our situation is ideal now, much calmer and the team are playing better and better."
• Having claimed a third successive UEFA Champions League win on Matchday 4, Sevilla were brought back to earthon 11 November with a 3-2 Primera División defeat at Villarreal CF. After falling behind, Sevilla equalised throughKanouté on 34 minutes and although Alves was sent off for his second bookable offence before the break, it did notprevent the visitors taking the lead five minutes after the restart through Luis Fabiano. Guillermo Franco levelled forVillarreal (68) before a Matías Fernández penalty sealed the points three minutes from time.
• Jiménez said: "Their goals came from dead-ball situations when each player is supposed to know who they aremarking. We made it too easy for them. Despite playing with a man down we created just as many chances as theydid. The result was totally unfair."
Last updated 25.11.2007 23:35:53CETMatch facts 2
Tuesday 27 November 2007 - 20.45 CETSevilla FC - Arsenal FCRamón Sánchez-Pizjuán, SevillaMATCH PRESS KIT
• The loss was compounded by injuries to Kanouté (calf) and José Manuel Casado (ankle) who were expected tobe unavailable for a fortnight apiece. Khalid Boulahrouz was available after his thigh problem but was not risked,while Federico Fazio sat out the match with a calf injury.
• The Villarreal defeat was Sevilla's second away league loss in a row and their fourth in five matches on their travels.
• On 13 November Sevilla were held to a 1-1 draw at third division side CD Denia in the first leg of their Copa del Reylast-32 tie. Ernesto Chevantón put the holders in front on Denia's artificial pitch after 75 minutes only for Pablo Vidalto head the equaliser two minutes later. The return is on 2 January.
• Jiménez admitted: "For Denia it was the game of the year, they made things complicated for us. They ran all gameand levelled almost immediately after we took the lead."
• Sevilla's international contingent experienced contrasting fortunes as UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying came to aconclusion. Poulsen could not help Denmark through after a 2-1 defeat in Northern Ireland on 17 November endedtheir hopes, although Poulsen started a 3-0 home win against Iceland to end the campaign on a high note.
• Dragutinović was also disappointed as despite recovering from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw againstPoland, Serbia's hopes of escaping Group A were ended. The 17 November fixture with Kazakhstan was rescheduledto Saturday 24 November following heavy snow, though Dragutinović was left out of an experimental squad.
• Aleksandr Kerzhakov had more to celebrate as Russia edged through. An unused substitute for the 2-1 defeat inIsrael, he came into the side in Andorra as a 1-0 victory proved enough to leapfrog England into second in Group E.
• Luis Fabiano was a second-half substitute as Brazil drew 1-1 in Peru in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying on 17November. Three days later he started and scored twice in a 2-1 win against Uruguay, when Alves came on as alate replacement.
• Brazil are now joint-third in the standings, level with Colombia who claimed back-to-back victories against Venezuela(1-0) and Argentina (2-1). Aquivaldo Mosquera played all 180 minutes.
• Arouna Koné was part of the Ivory Coast party that suffered a 2-1 friendly loss to Angola in Melun, France on 17November. He had a more enjoyable outing four days later in Doha, however, scoring twice in a 6-1 win against Qatar.
• Keita suffered back-to-back defeats while on Mali duty, losing 3-2 to both Senegal and Algeria.
• Tom De Mul was also on the wrong end of two defeats with Belgium Under-21s, with losses to Austria (3-2) andIceland (2-1) dealing a blow to their UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification aspirations. De Mul scoredBelgium's consolation against Iceland.
• Diego Capel had a more enjoyable international break, completing the scoring in Spain's 3-0 victory against Polandin their U21 qualifying Group 4 fixture.
• Renato was in action in the Match Against Poverty in Malaga on 19 November. The charity game, which was beingplayed for the fifth time, is organised by United Nations goodwill ambassadors Zinédine Zidane and Ronaldo.
Arsenal
• Gaël Clichy is the only Arsenal player to have appeared in all six UEFA Champions League games so far thisseason, including qualifying.
• Emmanuel Adebayor is within one booking of a suspension having collected yellow cards on Matchdays 1 and 2.
Last updated 25.11.2007 23:35:53CETMatch facts 3
Tuesday 27 November 2007 - 20.45 CETSevilla FC - Arsenal FCRamón Sánchez-Pizjuán, SevillaMATCH PRESS KIT
• Justin Hoyte celebrated his 23rd birthday on 20 November.
• Arsenal have scored eleven goals in their first four games, more than any other team.
• The London club are also yet to concede a goal, a feat matched only by FC Barcelona. No side has ever gonethrough the group stage without conceding.
• On Saturday afternoon Arsenal stayed top of the Premier League with their seventh win in eight home league matchesthis season, although the breakthrough against struggling Wigan Athletic FC did not arrive until the 83rd minute whensubstitute Nicklas Bendtner combined with Bacary Sagna, who crossed for captain William Gallas to head in.Bendtner – the replacement for Theo Walcott, who went off on a stretcher eleven minutes from time – also createdthe goal that sealed the points two minutes later, sliding a pass through for Tomáš Rosický to shoot in.
• "We had a little bit of a slow start," said manager Arsène Wenger. "I'm very happy because it was a very differentgame for our midfield today, especially as they were marked very tight and always under pressure, and overall I'mvery happy with them. I think [Gallas] is a forgotten centre-forward, because he is always in the right place in the box.It was a great header. He smells where you have to be in the box on set-pieces or even in open play. He has fantasticquality."
• The Arsenal manager was without Aleksandr Hleb and Mathieu Flamini due to injuries picked up on internationalduty while Robin van Persie was still missing with a knee injury and Abou Diaby missed out with a back problem.Gilberto was left out due to fatigue after two appearances for Brazil and Cesc Fabregas was suspended.Philippe Senderos returned from a back injury to take his place on the bench while Lassana Diarra made his firstleague start for Arsenal and Denilson was in the starting lineup for the first time this season.
• On 22 November Hleb was ruled out for three weeks after picking up a hamstring injury on international duty withBelarus. "Hleb came back with a hamstring injury," Wenger said. "I think he'll be out for 21 days." The Arsenal manageradded Flamini had returned from the France squad with a thigh problem that would rule him out of Wigan's visit.
• Arsenal are one of two clubs still unbeaten in the Premier League; Liverpool are the other. The win against Wiganextended their club-record unbeaten sequence in all competitions to 28 matches, 20 of which have ended in victory.Arsenal are also undefeated in 13 league matches this season - and 20 in total - and are the only club to score inevery league match in the current campaign.
• Kolo Touré is the only Arsenal player who has played all 1,170 minutes of the Premier League campaign to date,while Rosický made his 50th appearance for the club against Wigan.
• Congolese international striker Trésor Mputu, who plays for TP Mazembe in his homeland and was the top scorerat in the 2007 CAF African Champions League with 16 goals, has been on trial at Arsenal. Wenger has liked whathe has seen, saying: "He is a creative player and wants a chance in Europe. He has impressed so far."
• Arsenal had returned to the top of the Premier League above Manchester United FC, with a 3-1 win at Reading FCon 12 November. Flamini opened the scoring a minute before half-time, Adebayor doubled the lead seven minutesinto the second period and Hleb made it 0-3 with 12 minutes remaining, with Reading's Nicky Shorey scoring an87th-minute consolation.
• "I felt we were in control; after the question of getting the first goal we dominated the game," said Wenger. "We werenever in danger of dropping points after that and the second goal killed off the game. We could have scored one ortwo more. The second goal was a real great goal and overall possession-wise, passing-wise and movement, we werethe superior team. The best test was whether we would have the nerves to deal with a little bit more pressure, but weplayed our game like we are used to. We can cope with the pressure, we have shown that recently. We were a bitfrustrated because we felt we should have taken more points at Liverpool [FC] or against Manchester United, butoverall we dealt well with the pressure every time."
Last updated 25.11.2007 23:35:53CETMatch facts 4
Tuesday 27 November 2007 - 20.45 CETSevilla FC - Arsenal FCRamón Sánchez-Pizjuán, SevillaMATCH PRESS KIT
• Adebayor's goal was Arsenal's 1,000th in the Premier League. Steve Bould got the first in a 4-2 home defeatagainst Norwich City FC on 15 August 1992. "It's a special goal because it's the 1,000th one but also because it's aspecial quality goal," said Wenger. "It's how we like to play the game and it was certainly the best moment of thegame."
• The Arsenal manager welcomed back Touré and Rosický after the pair sat out the draw at Slavia with minor calfand groin injuries respectively. Senderos has returned to training after a back injury but did not feature leavingVan Persie (knee) as Arsenal's only other absentee.
• Gilberto has pledged to fight to win back his place in Arsenal's starting lineup, saying: "Everyone knows I'm not 100per cent happy to be on the bench, that's normal. But I'm being professional and doing my job. I respect everybodyin the squad, I respect the manager and I respect his decision. It's the only thing I can do. I am not thinking aboutleaving now. I've said that I'm happy at this club. Of course my situation is not very comfortable on the bench, but I'mstill not thinking about leaving. I prefer to think that I have the condition to get back in the team. I will do my job, domy best to achieve that."
• A number of Arsenal players have been in international action over the past week, Eduardo helping Croatia to qualifyfor UEFA EURO 2008™ as Group E winners despite a 2-0 defeat in F.Y.R. Macedonia on 17 November, creating thesecond goal in the 3-2 win against England at Wembley Stadium that followed four days later. Fabregas was anotherArsenal player celebrating qualification, helping Spain to home wins against Sweden (3-0) and Northern Ireland (1-0)to clinch first place in Group F.
• Also through are France, who qualified despite ending their Group B campaign with a 2-2 draw in Ukraine with Gallasand Diarra both completing 90 minutes. The Arsenal pair had also featured in the 2-2 friendly draw against Moroccoon 16 November, Flamini coming on as a late substitute.
• Bendtner scored in each game as Denmark ended their Group F campaign with a 1-2 defeat in Northern Irelandand a 3-0 home win against Iceland, while Łukasz Fabiański made his first qualifying appearance as Group A winnersPoland drew 2-2 in Serbia on 21 November. Germany had already qualified from Group D and Jens Lehmann kepttwo clean sheets against Cyprus (4-0) and Wales (0-0) while Hleb was replaced at half-time as Belarus bowed outin Group G with a 2-1 win against the Netherlands in Minsk having won 4-2 in Albania four days previously.
• In UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying, Theo Walcott won a penalty for the second goal as Englandovercame Bulgaria 2-0 in Group 3 on 16 November and also appeared in the 1-1 draw in Portugal four days later.
• Gilberto made two FIFA 2010 World Cup qualifying appearances as Brazil drew 1-1 in Peru and defeated Uruguay2-1 at home, while Touré and Emmanuel Eboué were in the Ivory Coast squad that lost 2-1 to Angola beforeoverwhelming Qatar 6-1.
• Arsenal LFC's defence of the UEFA Women’s Cup ended in a 3-2 home defeat by Olympique Lyonnais on 21November, a result that sent the French champions into the semi-finals by the same scoreline. Despite first-half goalsfrom Kelly Smith and Rachel Yankey, a late winner from Elodie Thomis confirmed their quarter-final exit after agoalless draw in the first leg in France the previous week.
• The Arsenal Stadium is one of six grounds vying to host the 2010 and 2011 UEFA Cup finals: the Arena AufSchalkein Gelsenkirchen, Barcelona's Olímpico de Montjuic, the Arena Hamburg, Dublin's Lansdowne Road and the NationalStadium in Bucharest are the others. A final decision is expected to be made by the UEFA Executive Committee atits meeting in Liechtenstein in March.
Last updated 25.11.2007 23:35:53CETMatch facts 5
Tuesday 27 November 2007 - 20.45 CETSevilla FC - Arsenal FCRamón Sánchez-Pizjuán, SevillaMATCH PRESS KIT
Midfielders110-1-6-1---2727.06.1980PORDuda5532-3-10-3--*2326.10.1984BRAAdriano626411018-4-2-2728.02.1980DENChristian Poulsen852823-1123-1-2815.05.1979BRARenato11237-2-5-2-1-3228.04.1975ESPJosé Luis Martí18-10-2-2-1-1-2104.03.1986BELTom De Mul20246-12112-412*2716.01.1980MLISeydou Keita21732110-2---2-2710.02.1980ITAEnzo Maresca25
Forwards92212-71211-2425.02.1983CROEduardo97376235722-2-2406.08.1983NEDRobin van Persie11539127711-4-1*2326.02.1984TGOEmmanuel Adebayor251212-612---1916.01.1988DENNicklas Bendtner262927-922-1-1816.03.1989ENGTheo Walcott32
Coach-149-100---4-2-5822.10.1949FRAArsène Wenger-
Last updated 25.11.2007 23:35:55CETSquad list 2
Tuesday 27 November 2007 - 20.45 CETSevilla FC - Arsenal FCRamón Sánchez-Pizjuán, SevillaMATCH PRESS KIT
Head coach
Sevilla FC: Manuel JiménezDate of birth: 26 January 1964Nationality: SpanishPlaying career: Sevilla FC, Real Jaén CFCoaching career: Sevilla Atlético Club, Sevilla FC
Born in the Andalusian town of El Arahal, Manuel Jiménez spent almost his entire playing career at Sevilla FC. Havinggraduated from reserve outfit Sevilla Atlético Club, he made his senior debut in 1983 and the left-back went on tomake a club record 354 top-flight appearances over 14 years. He also earned 15 caps for Spain between 1988 andthe 1990 FIFA World Cup.
After seeing out the last year of his playing days with Real Jaén CF, Jiménez returned to football in 2000 as coachof Sevilla Atlético. He won promotion to Segunda División B in his first term and in a successful reign brought on thelikes of José Antonio Reyes, Kepa Blanco, Sergio Ramos and Antonio Puerta. A further promotion to Segunda DivisiónA, after three play-off near misses, arrived in 2007 with an extra-time defeat of Burgos CF – one day after the firstteam beat Getafe CF to lift the Copa del Rey.
Jiménez's men made a successful start to the second division proper, yet he was not to remain long at the helm.Following the departure of head coach Juande Ramos to Tottenham Hotspur FC after UEFA Champions LeagueMatchday 3, Sevilla allowed Jiménez to fulfil his long-held ambition of leading the club he had played for with suchdistinction. And he enjoyed a superb debut, masterminding a 3-0 victory over Valencia CF little more than 24 hoursafter his appointment. Arsenal FC: Arsène WengerDate of birth: 22 October 1949Nationality: FrenchPlaying career: AS Mutzig, FC Mulhouse, AS Vauban, RC StrasbourgCoaching career: RC Strasbourg (assistant coach), AS Cannes (assistant coach), AS Nancy-Lorraine, AS MonacoFC, Nagoya Grampus Eight, Arsenal FC
Arsène Wenger was never covered in glory as a player, but has more than made up for that lack of success in histime as a coach, turning Arsenal FC into one of Europe's top teams thanks to his incredible eye for a bargain and anastute footballing mind.
Born in Strasbourg, Wenger worked at RC Strasbourg and AS Cannes before AS Nancy-Lorraine offered him his bigbreak. He impressed sufficiently to be offered the job as coach of AS Monaco FC in 1987. Within a year Monacoscooped the French championship and Wenger the Manager of the Year award. He reportedly turned down Franceand FC Bayern München to continue at Monaco, although he did subsequently move on to Japan and enjoy tremendoussuccess with Nagoya Grampus Eight.
Appointed by Arsenal in September 1996, Wenger became the first foreigner to win the Premiership in 1998, addingthe first of four FA Cup triumphs to boot. The Gunners lost the 2000 UEFA Cup final to Galatasaray SK but claimedanother double in 2002, and in 2004 played some thrilling attacking football en route to becoming the first team since1889 to negotiate a top-flight season unbeaten. Wenger, given the freedom of Islington for his domestic success innorth London, nearly topped all of his achievements by taking Arsenal to the 2006 UEFA Champions League final,only for FC Barcelona to come from behind to win 2-1.
Last updated 25.11.2007 23:35:57CETHead coach 1
Tuesday 27 November 2007 - 20.45 CETSevilla FC - Arsenal FCRamón Sánchez-Pizjuán, SevillaMATCH PRESS KIT
Match officials
Eric Braamhaar (NED)RefereeArie Brink (NED), Patrick Gerritsen (NED)Assistant refereesReinold Wiedemeijer (NED)Fourth officialSvein Johannessen (NOR)UEFA DelegateVladimir Sajn (SVN)UEFA Referee observer
Referee
UEFAUCLDoBNat.Name21713.10.1966NEDEric Braamhaar
Eric Braamhaar has established himself as a regular in the UEFA Champions League since making his group-stagebow in the 2005/06 season with eventual winners FC Barcelona's 2-0 win at Udinese Calcio. He was also appointedfor the 2006/07 UEFA Cup semi-final first leg between CA Osasuna and Sevilla FC, which the home team won 1-0.
Braamhaar, an account manager based in Enter who lists fitness, family and running as his main hobbies, was bornon 13 October 1966. After rising through the ranks in the Netherlands, he was awarded his FIFA badge in 2002,clearing him to take charge of his first international the following February as the Republic of Ireland left Scotland witha 2-0 friendly victory. Appointments in qualifiers for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship and 2006 FIFAWorld Cup followed as well as UEFA Cup dates in England, Spain and Germany.
His performances in the Eredivisie won him selection for the 2005 Dutch Cup final, in which PSV Eindhoven defeatedWillem II 4-0 to complete the double, and he was also one of the referees at the FIFA U-20 World Cup on home soil– his second competition for the world governing body having gained excellent experience at the FIFA U-17 WorldCup in Finland two years earlier.
UEFA Champions League matches involving teams from the two countries involved in this matchVenueRes.StageComp.DateUdine0-2Udinese Calcio - FC BarcelonaGSUCL07.12.2005Lens0-1LOSC Lille Métropole - Manchester United FC1/8UCL20.02.2007Barcelona2-0FC Barcelona - Rangers FCGSUCL07.11.2007
Other matches - Matches involving teams from either of the two countries involved in this matchVenueRes.StageComp.DateStrumica1-3F.Y.R. Macedonia - SpainIR24.04.2002Huesca2-0Spain - GreeceQRU2106.06.2003Blackburn1-1Blackburn Rovers FC - Gençlerbirligi SKR1UCUP15.10.2003Rotterdam0-4Maccabi Haifa FC - Valencia CFR2UCUP11.12.2003Newcastle3-1Newcastle United FC - Vålerenga IFR3UCUP03.03.2004Budapest3-1Ferencvárosi TC - Millwall FCR1UCUP30.09.2004Sevilla3-2Sevilla FC - AEK Athens FCGSUCUP02.12.2004Zaragoza2-1Real Zaragoza - Fenerbahçe SK1/16UCUP24.02.2005Middlesbrough0-1Middlesbrough FC - VfB Stuttgart1/16UCUP23.02.2006Barcelona3-2RCD Espanyol - SL BenficaQFUCUP05.04.2007Pamplona1-0CA Osasuna - Sevilla FCSFUCUP26.04.2007
Last updated 25.11.2007 23:35:57CETMatch officials 1
Tuesday 27 November 2007 - 20.45 CETSevilla FC - Arsenal FCRamón Sánchez-Pizjuán, SevillaMATCH PRESS KIT
Domestic information
Sevilla FC (Primera División)GoalscorersRes.OpponentDateComp.Jesús Navas 46, Luis Fabiano 67, Kanouté70, Kerzhakov 82
4-1Getafe CF (H)25/08/07League
Kerzhakov 13, 74, Kanouté 36, 544-1RC Recreativo de Huelva (H)16/09/07LeagueKanouté 901-2FC Barcelona (A)22/09/07LeagueOwn goal, Arouna Koné 692-3RCD Espanyol (H)25/09/07League
0-2Real Zaragoza (A)29/09/07League0-1RC Deportivo La Coruña (H)07/10/07League
Luis Fabiano 7, 14(pen)2-0Levante UD (A)20/10/07LeagueKanouté 10, Poulsen 73, Luis Fabiano 863-0Valencia CF (H)28/10/07LeagueLuis Fabiano 14, 90, Own goal3-4Club Atlético de Madrid (A)31/10/07LeagueKeita 19, Luis Fabiano 212-0Real Madrid CF (H)03/11/07LeagueKanouté 34, Luis Fabiano 502-3Villarreal CF (A)11/11/07League
Kanouté 501-2RCD Mallorca (H)24/11/07LeagueLineups: Palop, Dragutinović, Hinkel, Fazio, Poulsen (Renato 70), Diego Capel (De Mul 57), Keita, Adriano, Kanouté,Luis Fabiano (Chevantón 46), Jesús Navas
UD Almería (A)02/12/07LeagueCA Osasuna (A)05/12/07LeagueReal Murcia CF (H)09/12/07LeagueReal Valladolid CF (A)16/12/07LeagueReal Racing Club Santander (H)23/12/07LeagueReal Betis Balompié (H)06/01/08LeagueAthletic Club Bilbao (A)13/01/08LeagueGetafe CF (A)20/01/08LeagueCA Osasuna (H)27/01/08LeagueRC Recreativo de Huelva (A)03/02/08LeagueFC Barcelona (H)10/02/08LeagueRCD Espanyol (A)17/02/08LeagueReal Zaragoza (H)24/02/08LeagueRC Deportivo La Coruña (A)02/03/08LeagueLevante UD (H)09/03/08LeagueValencia CF (A)16/03/08LeagueClub Atlético de Madrid (H)23/03/08LeagueReal Madrid CF (A)30/03/08LeagueVillarreal CF (H)06/04/08LeagueRCD Mallorca (A)13/04/08League
Last updated 25.11.2007 23:35:58CETDomestic information 1
Tuesday 27 November 2007 - 20.45 CETSevilla FC - Arsenal FCRamón Sánchez-Pizjuán, SevillaMATCH PRESS KIT
PtsGAGFLDWPldClubsPos.29133022913Real Madrid CF128192631913Villarreal CF227102623813FC Barcelona325141924713RCD Espanyol424172733713Club Atlético de Madrid524202050813Valencia CF62391125613Real Racing Club Santander719202344513RCD Mallorca818202053513Real Zaragoza915192470512Sevilla FC1015161463413Getafe CF1114161255313Athletic Club Bilbao121414955313Real Murcia CF1313151164313UD Almería1413261964313Real Valladolid CF1513191264313RC Deportivo La Coruña1612161463312CA Osasuna171218873313RC Recreativo de Huelva1811201365213Real Betis Balompié1972710101213Levante UD20
Last updated 25.11.2007 23:35:58CETDomestic information 2
Tuesday 27 November 2007 - 20.45 CETSevilla FC - Arsenal FCRamón Sánchez-Pizjuán, SevillaMATCH PRESS KIT
Arsenal FC (Premier League)
GoalscorersRes.OpponentDateComp.Van Persie 84(pen), Hleb 902-1Fulham FC (H)12/08/07LeagueVan Persie 181-1Blackburn Rovers FC (A)19/08/07LeagueFabregas 801-0Manchester City FC (H)25/08/07LeagueAdebayor 8(pen), Fabregas 35, Rosický59
Bendtner 83, Denilson 892-0Newcastle United FC (H)25/09/07CupVan Persie 131-0West Ham United FC (A)29/09/07LeagueVan Persie 7, 80, Senderos 143-2Sunderland AFC (H)07/10/07LeagueTouré 68, Rosický 802-0Bolton Wanderers FC (H)20/10/07LeagueFabregas 801-1Liverpool FC (A)28/10/07LeagueEduardo 8, 50, Denilson 693-0Sheffield United FC (A)31/10/07CupFabregas 48, Gallas 902-2Manchester United FC (H)03/11/07League
Aston Villa FC (A)01/12/07LeagueNewcastle United FC (A)05/12/07LeagueMiddlesbrough FC (A)09/12/07LeagueChelsea FC (H)16/12/07LeagueTottenham Hotspur FC (H)22/12/07LeaguePortsmouth FC (A)26/12/07LeagueEverton FC (A)29/12/07LeagueWest Ham United FC (H)01/01/08LeagueBirmingham City FC (H)12/01/08LeagueFulham FC (A)19/01/08LeagueNewcastle United FC (H)29/01/08LeagueManchester City FC (A)02/02/08LeagueBlackburn Rovers FC (H)09/02/08LeagueBirmingham City FC (A)23/02/08LeagueAston Villa FC (H)01/03/08LeagueWigan Athletic FC (A)08/03/08LeagueMiddlesbrough FC (H)15/03/08LeagueChelsea FC (A)22/03/08LeagueBolton Wanderers FC (A)29/03/08LeagueLiverpool FC (H)05/04/08League
Last updated 25.11.2007 23:35:58CETDomestic information 3
Tuesday 27 November 2007 - 20.45 CETSevilla FC - Arsenal FCRamón Sánchez-Pizjuán, SevillaMATCH PRESS KIT
PtsGAGFLDWPldClubsPos.331029031013Arsenal FC13072323914Manchester United FC229141832914Manchester City FC32892124814Chelsea FC42762206713Liverpool FC526132525714Portsmouth FC624142133713Aston Villa FC723162652714Everton FC823131725613Blackburn Rovers FC919111944513West Ham United FC1018211953513Newcastle United FC1113221857214Fulham FC1213311791414Reading FC1312252466214Tottenham Hotspur FC1411181275214Bolton Wanderers FC1511221392314Birmingham City FC1610261284214Middlesbrough FC1710291484214Sunderland AFC1882510102214Wigan Athletic FC196335103114Derby County FC20
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Tuesday 27 November 2007 - 20.45 CETSevilla FC - Arsenal FCRamón Sánchez-Pizjuán, SevillaMATCH PRESS KIT
UEFA information
Club licensingUEFA has produced a report looking back over four years of its European club licensing scheme. The report, entitledHere to Stay – Club Licensing, is designed to provide a clear picture of what the club licensing system is, what it isnot and how it functions. It is structured into five chapters – including, among other things, the scheme's maincharacteristics, the roles of the member associations and their leagues as the licence granters, and of the club as thelicence applicants, UEFA's role, and the licensing decisions taken over the first four years.
The club licensing system is based on a series of defined quality standards (covering the areas of sporting, infrastructure,personnel, administration, legal and financial matters) which must be fulfilled in order for a club to be admitted to anyUEFA competition. The same minimum criteria apply to all clubs and national associations. The system representsa significant step forward in improving transparency and governance of clubs and demonstrates that football cangovern itself.
Executive Committee meetingThe Swiss city of Lucerne will host the next meeting of the UEFA Executive Committee on Friday 30 November andSaturday 1 December, as part of an exciting weekend for football enthusiasts. With the UEFA EURO 2008™ drawtaking place at the Congress Centre in Lucerne on 2 December from 12.00CET, the Executive Committee, chairedby UEFA President Michel Platini, will gather two days earlier to discuss a wide variety of European football issues.
A decision on the format of the UEFA club competitions for the period between 2009 and 2012 is a key item on theExecutive Committee agenda. Other items on the programme are the designation of the host association for the UEFACongresses in 2009 and 2010; the hosts for the UEFA European Futsal Championship of 2009; the hosts for theUEFA European Under-21 Futsal Championship of 2008; and the hosts for the UEFA Futsal Cup finals in 2008.
Safety conferenceUEFA and the European Union are organising an international conference on 28 and 29 November in Brussels, whichwill look at ways to improve safety and security at sporting events. UEFA General Secretary David Taylor will openthe conference together with the European Commissioner for Sport, Ján Figel, while Michel Platini, UEFA President,and Franco Frattini, Vice-President of the European Commission, will hold a joint press conference on the secondday to announce their plans. UEFA works closely with the EU's Football Safety and Security Experts Group, whichincludes experts from interior ministries, National Football Information Points and police representatives. The conferencewill consider ways of bolstering the partnership between UEFA, governments and police in terms of implementing theEU group's work.
"Developing effective partnerships has enabled some countries in Europe to make huge progress in the last ten yearsor more," said William Gaillard, UEFA director of communications and public affairs. "They have brought together thekey elements of a successful strategy: fence-free, comfortable stadiums where the club itself takes responsibility forsafety in the ground, and where trained stewards look after the fans. The police have a low profile. At the same time,tough judicial measures and effective intelligence-sharing ensure the exclusion of troublemakers and prevent theviolent minority from travelling to games. The result is that the game of football takes centre stage."
Key datesThe 2007/08 UEFA Champions League group stage is played over six Matchdays – 18/19 September, 2/3 October,23/24 October, 6/7 November, 27/28 November and 11/12 December, although Group D concludes on 4 December.The first knockout round will follow over two legs on 19/20 February and 4/5 March after the draw in Nyon on 21December. The draw for the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will be staged on 14 March. The last eight will beplayed on 1/2 and 8/9 April before the semi-finals on 22/23 and 29/30 April. The 2008 UEFA Champions League finalwill be held in Moscow on 21 May, before UEFA EURO 2008™ kicks off in Austria and Switzerland on 7 June.
Last updated 25.11.2007 23:36:00CETUEFA information 1
Tuesday 27 November 2007 - 20.45 CETSevilla FC - Arsenal FCRamón Sánchez-Pizjuán, SevillaMATCH PRESS KIT
Tuesday 27 November 2007 - 20.45 CETSevilla FC - Arsenal FCRamón Sánchez-Pizjuán, SevillaMATCH PRESS KIT
Competition facts
• UEFA Champions League: Group stage milestones
Holders AC Milan will be keen to avoid becoming the first defending champions to fail to get through a group stagesince the UEFA Champions League began. (This record, like the others, includes the seasons between 1999/00 and2002/03 that featured a second group stage)
In 1992/93, FC Barcelona were the reigning European Champion Clubs' Cup holders and were beaten 4-3 on aggregatein the second round by PFC CSKA Moskva.
S.S. Lazio goalkeeper Marco Ballotta became the oldest player to compete in the UEFA Champions League whenhe featured against Olympiacos on Matchday 1 at the age of 43 years and 168 days. The record was previously heldby Alessandro Costacurta, the AC Milan defender who played against AEK Athens FC in the 2006/07 season at theage of 40 years and 211 days. Ballotta was aged 43 years 217 days when he featured against Werder Bremen onMatchday 4. Laurent Blanc is the oldest player to score in the competition, aged 36 years and 339 days, having foundthe net for Manchester United FC in their 3-2 defeat of Olympiacos on 23 October 2002.
Celestine Babayaro is the youngest player to have appeared in the UEFA Champions League. He was 16 years and87 days when he started for RSC Anderlecht against FC Steaua Bucuresti on 23 November 1994. He was then sentoff in the 37th minute.
In 2006/07, PFC Levski Sofia joined 1. FC Košice in being the only team to have played in the UEFA ChampionsLeague and never picked up a point. The Slovakian side have not returned to the competition since losing all sixgames in their only campaign to date in 1997/98. Only five other teams have ever gone through a single group stagecampaign without picking up a point namely SK Rapid Wien (05/06), RSC Anderlecht (04/05), FC Spartak Moskvaand Bayer 04 Leverkusen (02/03, first and second group stage respectively) and Fenerbahçe SK (01/02, first groupstage).
Levski also conceded 17 goals in their six outings last term, just two short of the record number let in during a groupstage set by Ferencvárosi TC (19) in the 1995/96 campaign.
Before their 3-1 win against Sporting Clube de Portugal on Matchday 6 of the 2006/07 campaign, FC Spartak Moskvawent 22 games without a win in the competition, surpassing the unwanted record set by AEK Athens FC on Matchday3 of the same campaign.
The lowest total for a team qualifying from the group stage is seven points. The first to do it, since three points for awin was introduced in 1995/96, were Legia Warszawa that same season before Bayer 04 Leverkusen managed it in1999/00 and Liverpool FC in 2001/02. FC Lokomotiv Moskva and eventual finalists Juventus both progressed withseven points in 2002/03, a feat achieved by Rangers FC and Werder Bremen in 2005/06.
• UEFA Champions League: Did you know?
Domestic champions: This season's competition features 13 domestic league winners from last season, but onlyGroup G of the eight groups features four domestic title-holders - namely PSV Eindhoven, FC Internazionale Milano,Fenerbahçe SK and PFC CSKA Moskva. Alongside the 13 champions, there are ten runners-up and six third-placedfinishers. The holders AC Milan, Arsenal FC, Valencia CF are the only clubs in the group stage to have finished infourth place in their domestic league championship.
Consecutive participations: This season, Manchester United FC have extended their consecutive participation inthe UEFA Champions League to 12, a record in the competition. PSV Eindhoven, Olympiacos CFP and Real MadridCF are making their eleventh consecutive appearances, one ahead of Arsenal FC.
Last updated 25.11.2007 23:36:01CETCompetition facts 1
Tuesday 27 November 2007 - 20.45 CETSevilla FC - Arsenal FCRamón Sánchez-Pizjuán, SevillaMATCH PRESS KIT
Knockout streak: In qualifying for the 2006/07 knockout stage, Real Madrid CF surpassed Manchester United FC'srecord of nine consecutive seasons (which ended in 2005/06) in advancing past the group stage. Madrid have featuredin the knockout phase every time since the 1996/97 campaign. Madrid, have won the competition three times in thelast ten years while they advanced as far as the semi-finals twice and the quarter-finals twice. However, in the lastthree seasons their interest in the competition has ended at the first knockout round.
European return: Of all 32 clubs, S.S. Lazio, Rosenborg BK and VfB Stuttgart did not participate in a UEFA clubcompetition during the 2006/07 season.
Past masters: Six clubs competing in the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League were involved in the competition whenit started during the 1992/93 season. Olympique de Marseille were champions, beating AC Milan in the final, whilePSV Eindhoven, PFC CSKA Moskva, FC Porto and Rangers FC all participated in the group stage. In addition, VfBStuttgart, AEK Athens FC and FC Barcelona were knocked out in the two rounds preceding the group stage thatmarked the competition proper.
Long road for debutants: Six clubs have advanced to the group stage from the European Champion Clubs' Cupsecond qualifying round including one of this season's two debutants, SK Slavia Praha. They are joined by Rangers,FC Shakhtar Donetsk, FC Steaua Bucuresti, Beşiktaş JK and Rosenborg as clubs who had to play four matches toclaim their place in the group stage of the competition. A debutant has not won the competition since Juventus in1995/96, the Italian side becoming the third club to achieve this following Olympique de Marseille (1992/93, first UEFAChampions League final) and AFC Ajax (1994/95).
Sevilla FC join Slavia in competing in the UEFA Champions League for the first time, although both clubs have previousexperience of the European Champion Clubs' Cup.
No qualifiers: Of the 32 clubs involved in the group stage, only AS Roma and FC Schalke 04 have yet to play aqualifying round match in order to reach the UEFA Champions League. Roma are making their fifth appearance inthe competition, Schalke their third.
Pedigree: Four of the former winners of the competition since it included a group stage element from the 1992/93season are not participating in this season's UEFA Champions League, namely AFC Ajax (1994/95), Juventus(1995/96), BV Borussia Dortmund (1996/97) and FC Bayern München (2000/01). Of the last ten winners of thecompetition, Real Madrid CF (three), Manchester United FC, AC Milan (two), FC Porto, Liverpool FC and FC Barcelona,only FC Bayern München are not involved. Only two winners from the last ten UEFA Cup finals are not involved inthis season's UEFA Champions League group stage, namely Parma FC (1998/99) and Feyenoord (2001/02). Liverpooland Porto have won both competitions in the past decade, while the remaining UEFA Cup winners in that time areFC Internazionale Milano, Galatasaray SK, Valencia CF, PFC CSKA Moskva and Sevilla FC (two).
• UEFA Champions League: All-time recordsBiggest wins8-0: Liverpool FC v Beşiktaş JK (06.11.2007)7-0: Arsenal FC v SK Slavia Praha (23.10.2007)7-0: Juventus v Olympiacos CFP (10.12.2003)7-1: Manchester United FC v AS Roma (10.04.2007)6-0: Olympique de Marseille v PFC CSKA Moskva (17.03.1993)6-0: Leeds United AFC v Beşiktaş JK (26.09.2000)6-0: Real Madrid CF v KRC Genk (25.09.2002)
Most goals in a game8-3: AS Monaco FC v RC Deportivo La Coruña (05.11.2003)7-2: Paris Saint-Germain FC v Rosenborg BK (24.10.2000)7-2: Olympique Lyonnais v Werder Bremen (08.03.2005)Only one team has scored more than five goals in an away game, Manchester United FC, winning 6-2 at Brøndby IFin 1998/99.
Last updated 25.11.2007 23:36:01CETCompetition facts 2
Tuesday 27 November 2007 - 20.45 CETSevilla FC - Arsenal FCRamón Sánchez-Pizjuán, SevillaMATCH PRESS KIT
Leading scorer in a season12: Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United FC, 2002/03)Kaká finished as top scorer in 2006/07 with ten goals for AC Milan.
Four goals in a matchMarco van Basten (AC Milan 4-0 IFK Göteborg, 25.11.1992)Simone Inzaghi (S.S. Lazio 5-1 Olympique de Marseille, 14.03.2000)Dado Pršo (AS Monaco FC 8-3 RC Deportivo La Coruña, 05.11.2003)Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United FC 4-1 AC Sparta Praha, 03.11.2004)Andriy Shevchenko (Fenerbahçe SK 0-4 AC Milan, 23.11.2005)Of these four-goal hauls, Dado Pršo's against Deportivo was the quickest. He scored his first goal 26 minutes intothe game and his fourth just 23 minutes later.
Fastest goal in a match10.03 secs: Roy Makaay (FC Bayern München 2-1 Real Madrid CF, 07.03.2006)20.07 secs: Gilberto (PSV Eindoven 0-4 Arsenal FC, 25.09.2002)20.12 secs: Alessandro Del Piero (Manchester United FC 3-2 Juventus, 01.10.1997)21.20 secs: Clarence Seedorf (FC Schalke 04 2-2 AC Milan, 28.09.2005)25.40 secs: Marek Kincl (Club Brugge KV 3-2 SK Rapid Wien, 02.11.2005)
Fastest hat-tricks9 mins: Mike Newell (Blackburn Rovers FC 4-1 Rosenborg BK, 06.12.1995)19 mins: Marco Simone (Rosenborg BK 1-4 AC Milan, 25.09.1996)19 mins: Dado Pršo (AS Monaco FC 8-3 RC Deportivo La Coruña, 05.11.2003)21 mins: Sigurd Rushfeldt (Rosenborg BK 3-0 Galatasaray SK, 21.10.1998)21 mins: Simone Inzaghi (S.S. Lazio 5-1 Olympique de Marseille, 14.03.2000)
Youngest players to score17 years, 195 days: Peter Oforiquaye (Rosenborg BK 5-1 Olympiacos CFP, 01.10.1997)17 years, 218 days: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal FC 5-1 Rosenborg BK, 07.12.2004)17 years, 241 days: Martin Klein (Panathinaikos FC 2-1 AC Sparta Praha, 27.02.2002)17 years, 353 days: Karim Benzema (Olympique Lyonnais 2-1 Rosenborg BK, 06.12.2005)18 years, 61 days: Sammy Kuffour (FC Bayern München 2-2 FC Spartak Moskva, 02.11.1994)18 years, 70 days: Andriy Shevchenko (FC Dynamo Kyiv 1-4 FC Bayern München, 07.12.1994)Peter Oforiquaye became the youngest player to score, but Celestine Babayaro is still the youngest to appear, havingbegun RSC Anderlecht's game against FC Steaua Bucuresti on 23 November 1994, aged 16 years and 87 days.
Appearances: UEFA Champions LeagueNote: This list considers group stage to final only;112 Raúl González (Real Madrid CF)111 Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid CF, Fenerbahçe SK)106 Paolo Maldini (AC Milan)103 David Beckham (Manchester United FC, Real Madrid CF)103 Oliver Kahn (FC Bayern München)100 Luís Figo (FC Barcelona, Real Madrid CF, FC Internazionale Milano)98 Gary Neville (Manchester United FC)98 Ryan Giggs (Manchester United FC)98 Clarence Seedorf (AFC Ajax, Real Madrid CF, AC Milan)97 Paul Scholes (Manchester United FC)91 Andriy Shevchenko (FC Dynamo Kyiv, AC Milan, Chelsea FC)89 Thierry Henry (AS Monaco FC, Arsenal FC, FC Barcelona)87 Claude Makelele (FC Nantes Atlantique, Real Madrid CF, Chelsea FC)87 Fernando Morientes (Real Madrid CF, AS Monaco FC, Liverpool FC, Valencia CF)
Last updated 25.11.2007 23:36:01CETCompetition facts 3
Tuesday 27 November 2007 - 20.45 CETSevilla FC - Arsenal FCRamón Sánchez-Pizjuán, SevillaMATCH PRESS KIT
Goals: UEFA Champions League
58 Raúl González (Real Madrid CF)52 Ruud van Nistelrooy (PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United FC, Real Madrid CF)47 Andriy Shevchenko (FC Dynamo Kyiv, AC Milan, Chelsea FC)44 Thierry Henry (AS Monaco FC, Arsenal FC, FC Barcelona)41 Filippo Inzaghi (Juventus, AC Milan)37 Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus)
Appearances: UEFA club competition
169 Paolo Maldini (AC Milan)139 Luís Figo (Sporting, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid CF, FC Internazionale Milano)134 Oliver Kahn (Karslruher SC, FC Bayern München)130 Frank de Boer (AFC Ajax, FC Barcelona, Galatasaray SK)129 Clarence Seedorf (AFC Ajax, UC Sampdoria, Real Madrid CF, FC Internazionale Milano, AC Milan)127 Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (FC Bayern München, FC Internazionale Milano, Servette FC)123 Roberto Carlos (FC Internazionale Milano, Real Madrid CF, Fenerbahçe SK)122 Zinédine Zidane (AS Cannes, FC Girondins de Bordeaux, Juventus, Real Madrid CF)121 Alessandro Costacurta (AC Milan)121 Phillip Cocu (SBV Vitesse, PSV Eindhoven, FC Barcelona)
Goals: UEFA club competition
62 Gerd Müller (FC Bayern München)62 Filippo Inzaghi (Parma FC, Juventus, AC Milan)60 Andriy Shevchenko (FC Dynamo Kyiv, AC Milan, Chelsea FC)60 Raúl González (Real Madrid CF)56 Eusébio (SL Benfica)56 Ruud van Nistelrooy (PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United FC, Real Madrid CF)52 Henrik Larsson (Feyenoord, Celtic FC, FC Barcelona, Manchester United FC, Helsingborgs IF)52 Thierry Henry (AS Monaco FC, Juventus, Arsenal FC, FC Barcelona)50 Alfredo Di Stéfano (Real Madrid CF)47 Carlos Santillana (Real Madrid CF)
Goals: UEFA Champions League/European Champion Clubs' CupNote: This list considers the all-time goalscorers list in both competitions including all qualifying round matches.
58 Raúl González (Real Madrid CF)56 Andriy Shevchenko (FC Dynamo Kyiv, AC Milan, Chelsea FC)56 Ruud van Nistelrooy (PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United FC, Real Madrid CF)49 Alfredo Di Stéfano (Real Madrid CF)47 Eusébio (SL Benfica)45 Filippo Inzaghi (Juventus, AC Milan)44 Thierry Henry (AS Monaco FC, Arsenal FC, FC Barcelona)
Last updated: 08.11.2007
Last updated 25.11.2007 23:36:01CETCompetition facts 4
Tuesday 27 November 2007 - 20.45 CETSevilla FC - Arsenal FCRamón Sánchez-Pizjuán, SevillaMATCH PRESS KIT
Team facts
Sevilla FC
UEFA club competition milestones• Sevilla are experiencing the greatest period in their history after becoming only the second team to successfullydefend the UEFA Cup in 2006/07. Previously, Sevilla’s best season in UEFA club competition came in 1957/58 asthey advanced to the quarter-finals of the European Champion Clubs’ Cup.
UEFA club competition honours• UEFA Cup: 2005/06, 2006/07• UEFA Super Cup: 2006
Ten-year record2006/07: UEFA Cup - winners2005/06: UEFA Cup - winners2004/05: UEFA Cup - Round of 162003/04: Did not compete in UEFA club competition2002/03: Did not compete in UEFA club competition2001/02: Did not compete in UEFA club competition2000/01: Did not compete in UEFA club competition1999/00: Did not compete in UEFA club competition1998/99: Did not compete in UEFA club competition1997/98: Did not compete in UEFA club competition
2006/07 seasonDomestic record: Sevilla finished third in the Primera División, five points behind champions Real Madrid CF andFC Barcelona and five ahead of third-placed Valencia CF, enough to enter the UEFA Champions League third qualifyinground.
European record: The UEFA Cup holders began by brushing aside Atromitos FC 6-1 over two legs in the first round.In the group stage, a 0-0 draw at FC Slovan Liberec was followed by defeats of SC Braga (2-0) and Grasshopper-Club(4-0) before a 2-1 home defeat by Group C winners AZ Alkmaar. In the Round of 32, FC Steaua Bucureşti weredispatched 3-0 on aggregate but it was harder work in the Round of 16 with a 5-4 triumph against FC ShakhtarDonetsk, with extra time needed in the second leg. Tottenham Hotspur FC were beaten 4-3 on aggregate in the lasteight before Spanish rivals CA Osasuna lost 2-1 over two legs in the semi-finals. More familiar opposition waited inthe final with RCD Espanyol pushing Sevilla to a penalty shoot-out after a 2-2 draw in Glasgow. Yet the holders werenot to be denied and triumphed 3-1 on spot-kicks.
UEFA Champions League (group stage to final)• Pld: 4 W: 3 D: 0 L: 1 GF: 8 GA: 6
European Champion Clubs' Cup/UEFA Champions League• Pld: 12 W: 7 D: 2 L: 3 GF: 23 GA: 20
Last updated 25.11.2007 23:36:01CETTeam facts 1
Tuesday 27 November 2007 - 20.45 CETSevilla FC - Arsenal FCRamón Sánchez-Pizjuán, SevillaMATCH PRESS KIT
RecordsUEFA club competition• Biggest win0-4: Grasshopper-Club v Sevilla FC29.11.2006, UEFA Cup group stage0-4: Middlesbrough FC v Sevilla FC10.05.2006, UEFA Cup final (neutral venue)4-0: Sevilla FC v Atromitos FC28.09.2006, UEFA Cup first round second leg4-0: Sevilla FC v PAOK Saloniki03.11.1982, UEFA Cup second round second leg4-0: Sevilla FC v AGF Århus27.11.1957, European Champion Clubs' Cup first round first leg
• Biggest home win4-0: Sevilla FC v Atromitos FC (see above for details)4-0: Sevilla FC v PAOK Saloniki (see above for details)4-0: Sevilla FC v AGF Århus (see above for details)
• Biggest away win0-4: Grasshopper-Club v Sevilla FC (see above for details)
• Heaviest defeat8-0: Real Madrid CF v Sevilla FC23.01.1958, European Champion Clubs' Cup quarter-finals first leg
• Heaviest home defeat1-2: Sevilla FC v AZ Alkmaar14.12.2006, UEFA Cup group stage
• Heaviest away defeat8-0: Real Madrid CF v Sevilla FC (see above for details)
UEFA Champions League (group stage to final)• Biggest win0-2: FC Steaua Bucureşti v Sevilla FC07.11.2007, UEFA Champions League group stage4-2: Sevilla FC v SK Slavia Praha02.10.2007, UEFA Champions League group stage• Biggest home win4-2: Sevilla FC v SK Slavia Praha (see above for details)• Biggest away win0-2: FC Steaua Bucureşti v Sevilla FC (see above for details)• Heaviest defeat3-0: Arsenal FC v Sevilla FC19.09.2007, UEFA Champions League group stage
• Heaviest away defeat3-0: Arsenal FC v Sevilla FC (see above for details)
Last updated: 08.11.2007
Arsenal FC
Last updated 25.11.2007 23:36:01CETTeam facts 2
Tuesday 27 November 2007 - 20.45 CETSevilla FC - Arsenal FCRamón Sánchez-Pizjuán, SevillaMATCH PRESS KIT
UEFA club competition milestones• In the 2005/06 season Arsenal advanced to the European Champion Clubs' Cup final for the first time although theyhad previously been involved in both UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and UEFA Cup finals.
• Arsenal played in three Cup Winners' Cup finals, triumphing in the 1993/94 season when they overcame Parma FC1-0 thanks to Alan Smith's 22nd-minute goal. The other finals ended in narrow defeats by Valencia CF and RealZaragoza in 1979/80 and 1994/95 respectively.
• Following their elimination from the 1999/00 UEFA Champions League at the end of the group stage, Arsenaladvanced to the UEFA Cup final only to lose on penalties to Galatasaray SK at Copenhagen's Parken stadium.
UEFA Champions League milestones• Their finest UEFA Champions League campaign culminated on 17 May 2006 with a 2-1 defeat by FC Barcelona,after Sol Campbell had given the London club the lead in Paris.
UEFA club competition honours• UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1993/94
Ten-year record2006/07: UEFA Champions League - first knockout round2005/06: UEFA Champions League - runners-up2004/05: UEFA Champions League - first knockout round2003/04: UEFA Champions League - quarter-finals2002/03: UEFA Champions League - second group stage2001/02: UEFA Champions League - second group stage2000/01: UEFA Champions League - quarter-finals1999/00: UEFA Cup - finalists (having transferred from the UEFA Champions League group stage)1998/99: UEFA Champions League - group stage1997/98: UEFA Cup - first round
2006/07 seasonDomestic record: Arsenal again finished fourth in the English Premier League, level on 68 points with third-placedLiverpool FC. They were eight points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur FC and 15 points behind third-placed Chelsea FC,while champions Manchester United FC were a further six points ahead. They were eliminated in the fifth round ofthe FA Cup by Blackburn Rovers FC.
European record: Arsenal were making their ninth successive attempt at winning the UEFA Champions League.They reached the group stage by defeating NK Dinamo Zagreb in the third qualifying round. The English side andrivals FC Porto both recorded three victories and two draws from their six outings in Group G - to finish ahead of PFCCSKA Moskva and Hamburger SV - but Arsenal topped the standings due to their better head-to-head record againsttheir Portuguese opponents. Arsenal lost 2-1 over two legs to PSV Eindhoven in the first knockout round.
UEFA Champions League (group stage to final)• Pld: 93 W: 42 D: 27 L: 24 GF: 131 GA: 90
European Champion Clubs' Cup/UEFA Champions League• Pld: 107 W: 51 D: 28 L: 28 GF: 162 GA: 101
Last updated 25.11.2007 23:36:01CETTeam facts 3
Tuesday 27 November 2007 - 20.45 CETSevilla FC - Arsenal FCRamón Sánchez-Pizjuán, SevillaMATCH PRESS KIT
RecordsUEFA club competition• Biggest win7-0: Arsenal FC v SK Slavia Praha23.10.2007, UEFA Champions League group stage0-7: R. Standard de Liège v Arsenal FC03.11.1993, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup second round second leg
• Biggest home win7-0: Arsenal FC v SK Slavia Praha (see above for details)
• Biggest away win0-7: R. Standard de Liège v Arsenal FC (see above for details)
• Heaviest defeat0-3: Arsenal FC v FC Internazionale Milano17.09.2003, UEFA Champions League group stage4-1: FC Spartak Moskva v Arsenal FC22.11.2000, UEFA Champions League second group stage3-0: FC Shakhtar Donetsk v Arsenal FC07.11.2000, UEFA Champions League first group stage2-5: Arsenal FC v SK Spartak Moskva29.09.1982, UEFA Cup first round second leg
• Heaviest home defeat0-3: Arsenal FC v FC Internazionale Milano (see above for details)2-5: Arsenal FC v SK Spartak Moskva (see above for details)
• Heaviest away defeat4-1: FC Spartak Moskva v Arsenal FC (see above for details)3-0: FC Shakhtar Donetsk v Arsenal FC (see above for details)
UEFA Champions League (group stage to final only)• Biggest win7-0: Arsenal FC v SK Slavia Praha (see above for details)• Biggest home win7-0: Arsenal FC v SK Slavia Praha (see above for details)• Biggest away win1-5: FC Internazionale Milano v Arsenal FC (see above for details)0-4: PSV Eindhoven v Arsenal FC (see above for details)
• Heaviest defeat4-1: FC Spartak Moskva v Arsenal FC (see above for details)3-0: FC Shakhtar Donetsk v Arsenal FC (see above for details)
• Heaviest home defeat0-3: Arsenal FC v FC Internazionale Milano (see above for details)
• Heaviest away defeat4-1: FC Spartak Moskva v Arsenal FC (see above for details)
Last updated: 08.11.2007
Last updated 25.11.2007 23:36:01CETTeam facts 4
Tuesday 27 November 2007 - 20.45 CETSevilla FC - Arsenal FCRamón Sánchez-Pizjuán, SevillaMATCH PRESS KIT
Competition information
UEFA's most prestigious club competition was originally created as the European Champion Clubs' Cup for the1955/56 season, before its revamping as the UEFA Champions League in 1992.
• Format: The UEFA Champions League group stage draw in Monaco on 31 August saw the 32 teams divided intoeight groups of four. Clubs from the same association could not be drawn into the same group. Each club plays onehome and one away match against each other club in its group. Three points are awarded for a win, one point for adraw and no points for a defeat. If two or more teams are equal on points on completion of the group matches, thefollowing criteria are applied to determine the rankings.a) higher number of points obtained in the group matches played among the teams in question;b) superior goal difference from the group matches played among the teams in question;c) higher number of goals scored away from home in the group matches played among the teams in question;d) superior goal difference from all group matches played;e) higher number of goals scored;f) higher number of coefficient points accumulated by the club in question as well as its association, over the previousfive seasons.The eight group-winners and eight runners-up of the group stage qualify for the first knockout round, to be playedover two legs on 19/20 February and 4/5 March 2007. The clubs that finish this stage in third position in their groupmove into the Round of 32 of the UEFA Cup. The clubs that finish this stage in fourth position in their group areeliminated from UEFA club competition for the season. This year's UEFA Champions League final is in Moscow on21 May 2008.
• Disciplinary information: As a rule, a player who is sent off the field of play is suspended for the next match in aUEFA club competition. The Control and Disciplinary Body is entitled to augment this punishment. In the case ofrepeated cautions, a player is suspended for one match after three cautions in three different matches, as well asfollowing any subsequent odd-numbered caution (fifth, seventh, ninth, etc). Single yellow cards and pending suspensionsare always carried forward either to the next stage of the competition or to another club competition in the currentseason.
• Locally-trained players rule: In February 2005, UEFA announced the 'A' list that teams submit for UEFA clubcompetitions will continue to be limited to 25 players, and from season 2007/08, at least six places will be reservedfor players trained by the club's own football academy of which half can be players trained by other clubs from withinthe same association of the said club. The 'B' list will also continue to exist - involving an unlimited number of Under-21players who have been at the club for two seasons. In 2006/07, the number of locally-trained players required beganat four but the current six will rise to eight in 2008/09, with up to half of each figure allowed to be association trained.A club-trained player is defined as a player who has been registered for a minimum of three seasons with the clubbetween the age of 15 and 21, whereas an association-trained player is one who has been registered for at leastthree seasons by the club or by other clubs affiliated to the same association between the age of 15 and 21.
• Player registration: UEFA regulations state that for all UEFA Champions League matches from the start of the firstknockout round, a club may register a maximum of three new eligible players within their squad of 25 for the remainingmatches in the current competition. Such registration must be completed by 1 February at the latest. One player fromthe above quota of three who has played UEFA club competition matches for another competing club in the currentseason may exceptionally be registered, provided that the player has not been fielded by another club in the UEFAChampions League this season.
• Financial information: UEFA says the estimated gross income for the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League is €824.5m– slightly higher than the 2006/07 campaign revenue. Under the competition regulations, 75 per cent of the totalrevenue received from television and commercial contracts concluded by UEFA, up to a maximum of €530m will goto the 32 teams taking part in the group stage of Europe's premier club competition. The remaining 25 per cent isearmarked for European football and remains with UEFA to cover organisational and administrative costs, as well asfor solidarity payments to associations, clubs and leagues.
Last updated 25.11.2007 23:36:02CETCompetition information 1
Tuesday 27 November 2007 - 20.45 CETSevilla FC - Arsenal FCRamón Sánchez-Pizjuán, SevillaMATCH PRESS KIT
It is also stipulated that participating clubs will receive 82 per cent of any revenue received from the same stream inexcess of €530m, with the remaining 18 per cent allocated to UEFA for European football. In addition, 50 per cent ofthe revenue received from new media contracts concluded by UEFA will also be available for distribution to the clubs,and the remaining 50 per cent will be allocated to the above-mentioned European football portion/quota.
The gross income for 2007/08 is estimated at €824.5m, and according to projections, will be made up of €819m fromTV and commercial contracts and €5.5m from new media contracts. The total amount to be distributed to the clubsis €588.6m. Each of the 32 clubs in the group stage will receive a starting bonus of €3m. In addition, they will receivea match bonus of €400,000 per match. Performance bonuses will amount to €600,000 for a win and €300,000 for adraw in the group stage. The 16 teams playing in the first knockout round will receive €2.2m, the eight quarter-finalists€2.5m each and the four semi-finalists €3m each. The UEFA Champions League winners will receive €7m, and therunners-up €4m.
This means that a total minimum amount of €5.4m per club is guaranteed for the group stage. A club could receive,at best, up to €23.7m, not counting the market pool share and gate receipts. The remaining €280m will be distributedaccording to the proportional value of each TV market represented by the clubs taking part in the UEFA ChampionsLeague, and to be split among the number of teams – four, three, two or one – participating from a given association.
• Disclaimer: Although UEFA has taken all reasonable care that the information contained within this document isaccurate at the time of publication, no representation or guarantee (including liability towards third parties), expressedor implied, is made as to its accuracy, reliability or completeness. Therefore, UEFA assumes no liability for the useor interpretation of information contained herein.
Last updated 25.11.2007 23:36:02CETCompetition information 2
Tuesday 27 November 2007 - 20.45 CETSevilla FC - Arsenal FCRamón Sánchez-Pizjuán, SevillaMATCH PRESS KIT
Legend
:: All-time statisticsThe all-time record of the competing clubs in UEFA club competition.
UEFA club competition: These are the official statistics considered valid for communicating official records in UEFA club competition defined asthe European Champion Clubs' Cup, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1960-1999), the UEFA Cup, the UEFA SuperCup (1973 - ), the UEFA Intertoto Cup and the European/South American Cup (1960-2004). Matches in the Inter-Cities' Fairs Cup and the 1972Super Cup are included only for information as these were not held under UEFA auspices, while the FIFA Club World Cup is excluded.
Goals for/against: Goals totals include the outcome of disciplinary decisions (eg. match forfeits when a 3-0 result is determined). Goals totals donot include goals scored from the penalty mark during a penalty shoot-out after a tie ended in a draw.
:: Squad listThe eligible list of players ordered first by playing position and then numeric order.Current season - UCLQ: Total UEFA Champions League appearances in qualifying rounds only.Current season - UCL: Total UEFA Champions League appearances from the group stage onwards prior to the current matchday.All-time - UCL: Total appearances in the UEFA Champions League from the 1992/93 season, group stage to final only. These are the officialstatistics considered valid for communicating official records in the competition.All-time - UEFA: Total appearances in UEFA club competition (as defined above) including all qualifying round matches. These are the officialstatistics considered valid for communicating official records in the competition.Age: based on the date press kit was last updatedBL: Booking list (*: misses next match if booked, S: suspended)
:: Match officialsThe match officials appointed to officiate the fixture.UCL: Total matches officiated in the UEFA Champions League from 1992/93 season, group stage to final only. Matches where the official hasacted as the fourth official are not included in these statistics. These are the official statistics considered valid for communicating official records.UEFA: Total matches officiated in UEFA club competition including all qualifying round matches. Matches where the official has acted as the fourthofficial are not included in these statistics. These are the official statistics considered valid for communicating official records.
:: CompetitionsClub competitionsECCC: European Champions Clubs' Cup/UEFA Champions LeagueUCUP: UEFA Cup • UCWC: UEFA Cup Winners' CupSCUP: UEFA Super Cup • UIC: UEFA Intertoto Cup
National team competitionsEURO: UEFA European Football Championship • U21: UEFA EuropeanUnder-21 ChampionshipWC: FIFA World Cup • CONFCUP: Confederation CupFRIE: Friendly internationals • U21FRIE: Under-21 friendly internationalsU21: UEFA European Under-21 ChampionshipU19: UEFA European Under-19 Championship • U18: UEFA EuropeanUnder-18 Championship
:: Other Abbreviations:: Competition stagesNo: NumberAP: AppearancesQR3: Third qualifying roundF: FinalPld: Matches playedComp.: CompetitionR1: First roundGS: Group stagePos.: PositionD: DrawnR2: Second roundGS1: First group stagePts: PointsDoB: Date of birthR3: Third roundGS2: Second group stageR: Sent off (red card)GA: Goals againstR4: Fourth roundKO1: First knockout roundRes.: ResultGF: Goals forSF: Semi-finalsPR: Preliminary roundW: WonL: Lost1/8: Eighth-finalsQF: Quarter-finalsY: BookedNat.: Nationality1/16: Sixteenth-finalsQR: Qualifying roundY/R: Sent off (yellow card then directred)
N/a: Not Applicable1st: first legQR1: First qualifying round2nd: second legQR2: Second qualifying roundP-O: Play-offFT: Final tournament
:: Statistics(+) : Denotes player introduced(-) : Denotes player substituted(+/-) : Denotes player introduced and substituted(*) : Denotes player dismissed/sent off
Last updated 25.11.2007 23:36:02CETLegend 1
Tuesday 27 November 2007 - 20.45 CETSevilla FC - Arsenal FCRamón Sánchez-Pizjuán, SevillaMATCH PRESS KIT
