SydneyChelsea Posted April 10, 2007 Posted April 10, 2007 Morientes to face Blues By Peter ORourke - Created on 9 Apr 2007 http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hli ... face+Blues Fernando Morientes has been passed fit for Valencia's UEFA Champions League clash with Chelsea. The former Liverpool man has been cleared by doctors to play in Tuesday's quarter-final second leg with a protective bandage on his injured shoulder. Morientes suffered the shoulder injury last month playing in Spain's Euro 2008 qualifier with Iceland. The 30-year-old was expected to be sidelined for a month, but he has made a quicker than expected return to fitness and with the shoulder protection he should line-up against Jose Mourinho's men on Tuesday. Valencia's club doctor Antonio Giner admitted the shoulder protection will limit Morientes' movement, but says the player is happy to play with it. "The player is comfortable with the protection," Giner told the Spanish press. "He will only be able to make a few movements with the arm but it is sufficient for him to play. "More importantly, Morientes wants to play the match." Meanwhile, Valencia defender Emiliano Moretti is confident they can finish the job off against Chelsea after earning a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge last week.. Moretti hopes Valencia can capitalise on the fact that Chelsea need to attack at La Mestalla to progress to the semi-finals. "We will have to be concentrated for the full 90 minutes and all of us know we are playing one of the best teams in the world," said Moretti. "They have great potential up front because Drogba and Shevchenko are strikers with a great physical presence and goalscoring ability and they work very well together. "We have a slender advantage, like we did against Inter. "We hope they will come here and try and attack because they need to win the game because sometimes they don't like to give away any space
bjd Posted April 10, 2007 Posted April 10, 2007 I thought this was going to be about Essien....! There is no way Morientes can be fully 100 percent fit 13 days after dislocating his shoulder is there ? Despite his history against us I dont think it makes too much difference if he plays or not - from what ive seen all of Valenicas players are top notch (bar Del Baba!) so it doesnt matter who plays, we will still have our work cut out.
Lofty Posted April 10, 2007 Posted April 10, 2007 "He will only be able to make a few movements with the arm but it is sufficient for him to play."More importantly, Morientes wants to play the match." Sounds very restrictive to me. Surely this lack of full movement will affect his balance and therefore his ability to play to his full potential? I might be wrong, but I think it's more likely that Morientes will be among their substitutes than actually starting the game.
BlueBeard Posted April 10, 2007 Posted April 10, 2007 Sounds good to me - just tell JT to give Morientes a good old fashioned shoulder-charge early on!
The Moos Posted April 10, 2007 Posted April 10, 2007 He doesn't seem to be 100% fit in his arm. If someone were to, you know, give him a little hit on the arm he might have to go off. Nothing intentional of course. Pure accident
Sofa Manager Posted April 10, 2007 Posted April 10, 2007 Is it just me or Morientes doesn't constitute a threat at all ? Now Villa on the other hand...
loz Posted April 10, 2007 Posted April 10, 2007 I don't understand why people are so unduly concerned about Morientes. OK so he done us over against Monaco but that is hardly reason to think he is any more of a threat than the other options available. If Valencia's main threat was Morientes I would be quite happy!
g3.7 Posted April 10, 2007 Posted April 10, 2007 Is it just me or Morientes doesn't constitute a threat at all ?Now Villa on the other hand... you're a fool. morientes is a quality footballer. it didn't happen for him at liverpool (and that was not entirely his fault to be honest)... I think he's outscored villa this season, and he's proved to be an excellent foil for him in any case. "doesn't constitute a threat at all" f*cking hell, nando, have you seen the guy play? then again, robert de niro isn't a good actor is he? having said that, he is unlikely to be fully fit so that will help.
g3.7 Posted April 10, 2007 Posted April 10, 2007 and hit the post. whatever sofa manager says, the safe bet is to go against it.
The Moos Posted April 10, 2007 Posted April 10, 2007 If Valencia's main threat was Morientes I would be quite happy! Really?
loz Posted April 10, 2007 Posted April 10, 2007 Yes really - a bloody championship striker is going to score if you give him 30 yards free in the box!
Nibs Posted April 10, 2007 Posted April 10, 2007 I don't understand why people are so unduly concerned about Morientes. OK so he done us over against Monaco but that is hardly reason to think he is any more of a threat than the other options available. If Valencia's main threat was Morientes I would be quite happy! Shame on you Loz.
The Moos Posted April 10, 2007 Posted April 10, 2007 Yes really - a bloody championship striker is going to score if you give him 30 yards free in the box! Ballack didn't... Loz, I think you jinxed us. If Morientes sends us out the Champions League I will hold you responsible
ManhattanMHL Posted April 10, 2007 Posted April 10, 2007 I was worried as I blame myself for us going out to Monaco 3 years ago. As their bus rolled in I made eye contact with Morientes and mouthed something unflattering. Lo and behold he scores twice. Fortunately I was 6,000 miles away from Valencia this evening.
BlueBosnian Posted April 11, 2007 Posted April 11, 2007 Yes really - a bloody championship striker is going to score if you give him 30 yards free in the box! Ballack didn't... Neither did Drogba today.
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