Premier class marksmen stay on Euro soccer target
21 January, 2008
PARIS (AFP)-Thierry Henry, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Djibril Cisse proved that leaving behind the cut-and-thrust of England's Premier League hasn't blunted their razor-sharp instincts for goal.
Across Europe at the weekend, men who once heard their names chanted passionately in London, Manchester and Liverpool were repaying the faith showed in them by their new paymasters in Barcelona, Madrid and Marseille.
Former Arsenal star Henry, handed a rare Barcelona start with Samuel Eto'o away at the African Nations Cup, scored his sixth league goal of the season to lead the Catalan side to a 1-0 win over Racing Santander.
But they are still seven points behind Spanish league leaders Real Madrid who beat city rivals Atletico 2-0 with van Nistelrooy join Raul Gonzalez on the scoresheet for his 12th goal of the La Liga campaign.
"We still have 18 matches left, that's a long time, so we can't afford to think we've won anything yet," said Dutch international van Nistelrooy.
"We must continue working and improve with every game."
Henry's former Arsenal colleague Robert Pires, now 34 years old, was also on the scoresheet in Villarreal's 3-0 win over a slumping Valencia to keep his side on track for a Champions League spot next season.
In France, former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse, who has endured a rocky relationship with the Stade Velodrome fans since his return from Anfield, took his league tally to five with a brace in the 3-1 defeat of Valenciennes.
"The applause is better then being jeered," said Cisse who struck once in each half as Marseille moved into a comfortable mid-table position.
"I know what my qualities are and I'm not surprised by scoring two goals. In fact, I'm a little disappointed not to have scored a third. I always work and believe in myself."
Former Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu took his season's Serie A total to 11 after converting a penalty in Fiorentina's 2-1 win over Torino which maintained his side's drive to the Champions League.
The Romanian international was also instrumental in Fiorentina's opening goal when he was brought down in the penalty area. Veteran striker Christian Vieri put away the spotkick.
Fiorentina's hopes of winning the Italian title were dashed a long time ago and they now stand a massive 15 points behind leaders Inter Milan after the defending champions scored twice in the last two minutes to beat Parma 3-2.
Cesare Prandelli, the Fiorentina coach, admitted that Mutu's penalty-taking technique, which involves a cheeky chip, gives him the jitters.
"I don't watch when he takes a penalty. But if he scores, I don't mind how he takes them," said Prandelli.
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