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ekansekans's blog: "df"

created on 10/29/2012  |  http://fubar.com/df/b351055

LONDON -- Although Rafa Benitez cant be blamed for Chelseas current plight in the Champions League, elimination this week would give his many critics further ammunition at the end of a tortuous first two weeks in charge of the club. Anquan Boldin Jersey . Roberto Di Matteos final act as Chelsea manager was to oversee a 3-0 loss at Juventus that leaves the team on the cusp of becoming the first reigning champion to fail to qualify for the knockout stage of the competition. For the holders to squeeze through, they will need to beat FC Nordsjaelland and hope already-qualified Shakhtar Donetsk defeat Juventus in Ukraine in the other Group E match. Only two other last-16 spots are up for grabs in the final round of matches, with Benfica and Celtic battling for second place in Group G while Galatasaray and Cluj vying for the runner-up spot in Group H. But much of the focus will be on Chelsea, which only seven months ago was targeting a prosperous future among Europes elite after winning its first Champions League title. The London club was placed in a tough group in the defence of the trophy, however, and has only won two of its five matches -- one of the victories being sealed in stoppage time at home to Shakhtar. The change in manager hasnt had the desired effect for owner Roman Abramovich, with Benitez yet to win after three Premier League games and facing the wrath of Chelsea fans angry at Di Matteos abrupt dismissal. Benitez even admitted after Saturdays 3-1 loss at West Ham that he wasnt sure hed see out his seven-month interim stint, "I would say that it depends on the things that we can do on the pitch," Benitez said. "So, if we improve on the pitch, it will be easier for everyone." Chelsea denied Monday that Avram Grant, a former interim manager himself at the club in the 2007-08 season, had been lined up for a return to Stamford Bridge as an advisor to Benitez. The odds arent completely against Chelsea, which should comfortably see off Nordsjaelland -- a Danish side with just one point so far. Although Shakhtar is through, it will want to qualify in first place to set up what would probably be an easier match in the last 16. Juventus, which was held 2-2 at home by the Ukrainian champions, would finish top of the group with a win but isnt likely to settle for just a point, according to midfielder Claudio Marchisio. "We cant go out onto the pitch hoping to take it easy," said Marchisio, who scored twice in a 3-0 derby win for the Serie A leaders over local rival Torino on Saturday. "Weve got to play like Juve. Yesterdays win gives us a lot of motivation to face Shakhtar, which I believe is the toughest team in the group." Celtic and Benfica are level on points going into their final matches Wednesday, with the Portuguese team ahead courtesy of a better head-to-head record from their two matches. Celtic may well be the slight favourite to advance as while the Scottish champions play Spartak Moscow at home, Benfica has the daunting prospect of a trip to Barcelona, which is guaranteed to top the group. "We are not counting on Barcelona to do the job for us," Celtic defender Efe Ambrose said. "We have to do that at Celtic Park." Galatasaray and Cluj are also tied on seven points, with the second-place Turks holding the head-to-head advantage. Galatasaray just needs a win at eliminated Braga to progress ahead of the Romanian side, which visits first-place Manchester United. "No one should be fooled by the fact that Braga is last-placed in the group," Galatasaray defender Emmanuel Eboue said. "They beat us 2-0 here (in Istanbul). We need to concentrate hard and fight hard." Top spot -- and what could prove to be a crucial seeding for the knockout stage -- is yet to be decided in four of the groups, with AC Milan, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain among the teams hoping to move up a place from second. English champion Manchester City needs to beat Borussia Dortmund away and hope Ajax loses at Real Madrid to finish third in Group D and qualify for the Europa League. City was eliminated from the Champions League a fortnight ago after a home draw to Madrid. Cary Williams Jersey . Manager John Farrell said the addition of McCoy -- who can also play in the outfield if needed -- gives the Blue Jays some middle infield depth. Second baseman Kelly Johnson is nursing a tender hamstring and shortstop Yunel Escobar has had a tight left groin over the last few days. Black Ray Lewis Jersey . The FA said on its website Friday that Terry has requested a personal hearing, the date of which has yet to be set. Terry was cleared in a British court of law in July of racially abusing Ferdinand in a Premier League match last October. http://www.nflravensgearshop.com/anthony-allen-jersey/ . LOUIS -- Knees bent and arms moving in rhythm, defensive end Chris Long shimmied around the St. Elite Joe Flacco Jersey . -- Mark Calcavecchia shot his second straight 4-under 67 in rainy conditions Saturday to take a two-stroke lead in the Champions Tours Toshiba Classic. Marshal Yanda Jersey . Reed named veteran Kerry Joseph his starting quarterback ahead of Matt Nichols for when the Eskimos meet the Argonauts in Sundays CFL Eastern semifinal in Toronto. MIAMI -- Adam Greenberg is expected to make a pinch-hit appearance for the Miami Marlins on Tuesday. Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen had previously stated he was considering starting Greenberg in the outfield and batting leadoff for his one at-bat, but has since decided he will insert him in Tuesdays game against the New York Mets at some point. "Theres a lot of stuff out there, I thought it was good idea to lead-off, but it is a little bigger deal than I thought," Guillen said before Mondays game. "Well try to put him in the middle of the game to see that thing work." Greenberg has been in the national spotlight when the Marlins announced last week that they would sign the 31-year old to a one-day contract so he could receive one at-bat after getting hit in the head in his Major League debut seven years ago. Greenberg made his big league debut on July 9, 2005 with the Chicago Cubs and was hit in the head by a pitch thrown by Marlins lefty Valerio De Los Santos in his only plate appearance. Greenberg suffered from vertigo after the incident and strived to make it back to the big league level, but did not make it higher than the Double-A level in the minors. "I think its good for the kid," Guillen said. "We decided to do it and people have to respect that about what were going to do with the kid. I think its a positive. Obviously if we were in the pennant race or this game means something, or if the Mets were in the pennant race or somebody was competing against the Mets in the pennant race and we have to beat them, then its different. I dont think its going to kill anything to get the kid an at-bat." Mets manager Terry Collins supports the Marlins decision. "I think its a wonderful story," Collins said. "I know theres some pros and cons about why does he get the one at-bat when a lot of other guys -- well he did make it. He was good enough to get there at one time. Had he not got hit in the head who knows if he wouldnt have been a star today. I think its a great story for this guy to come up with all that hes been through to try to fight back, all of the things hes had to endure, its going to be a great story. Unfortunately hes going to have to face R.A. (Dickey)." The Mets will send Cy Young Award candidate R.A. Dickey (20-6, 2.69 ERA) to the mound Tuesday for his final campaign for the prestigous award. Collins doesnt anticipate Dickey ggrooving a pitch across the plate for Greenberg to hit. Authentic Terrell Suggs Jersey. "I dont think thats part of the deal," Collins said. "I just think its about him saying hey Ive worked so hard to get here the first time and to have it taken away from me in such a fast instant to get back in the batters box to say Ive worked hard enough to get back here again." Guillen understands the controversial nature of the Marlins decision. "As a manager, as a person, it goes fifty-fifty," Guillen said. "Some people will say Im the greatest man to let this kid do it, some people will say Im an idiot to make that happen." Guillen believes his team will have mixed feelings about Greenberg, but does not anticipate any issues. "Hopefully the players out there dont mind either," Guillen said. "I know one guy will say yes, another will say no, another will say we dont care. I expect the team to treat this kid well, respect him, and enjoy the couple minutes hell be with us. We have good guys, Im not worried about that." The "one at-bat" theme was constructed by filmmaker Matt Liston, a Cubs fan who received over 20,000 signatures for an online petition for Greenberg to receive one at-bat. Since Greenberg was hit by a pitch in his only plate appearance, it does not count as an official Major League at-bat. Guillen wants Greenberg to go up there swinging to make sure the at-bat is official. "If the kid is going to get a walk, please swing the bat 3-0, I will let you swing the bat. Make sure you dont walk. If he gets a hit by a pitch hes got to pray to somebody else because two big league at-bats getting hit by a pitch, thats very bad luck. He better change religions because if you get hit by pitches in two at-bats, oh my gosh, you better go to church every two days." Although the Marlins are committed to inserting Greenberg into the lineup Tuesday, Guillen plans to keep the integrity of the game in mind. "Im not going to pinch-hit him for the pitcher just because," Guillen said. "If I need a base hit to take the lead or something, he will be out and then I will figure out another inning. Im going to manage my team to win the game. Ill figure out how to play him. ... We shouldnt have any problems." And if Greenbergs at-bat is a success? "I think if the kid gets a hit in the first at-bat, he might get another one," Guillen said. ' ' '

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