Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Messi, Suarez & Neymar keen on post-match pizza

Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar are all keen on tucking into a pizza after their games for Barcelona.

In a list leaked to the media, the Barcelona players’ post-game meals were revealed, including Gerard Pique’s preference for a Nutella sandwich and fruit.
Saturday, 27 September 2014 12:00

Suarez gearing up for Barca debut

Luis Suarez made his first appearance in a Barcelona shirt on Wednesday as he struck twice for the club’s B team in a 6-0 win over Indonesia's Under-19 side.

The Uruguay international, who is serving a four-month ban for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup, can make his official debut on October 25 when Barca meet Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu in the season's first Clasico clash.

Meanwhile, Barcelona’s first team could have done with Suarez on Wednesday night as Luis Enrique’s men failed to register a shot on target in the goalless draw at Malaga.
While Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo is still clean without conceded any goal.

Thursday, 25 September 2014 12:00

Monday, September 29, 2014

Fiery Rooney reaches boiling point

Just as Louis van Gaal finally caught a break, with Manchester United picking up a 2-1 victory over West Ham, he was also dealt a blow as skipper Wayne Rooney picked up a red card.

The England international had opened the scoring at Old Trafford on Saturday, but hacked down Stewart Downing as the winger looked to lead a break away and was duly shown his marching orders.

It was Rooney's first red card in a United shirt since 2009, though his manager was keen to play down the maliciousness of the challenge and felt it was merely a "professional" foul.

Nevertheless, the Red Devils will be forced to make do without their new captain until November, with a three-match ban ruling him out of fixtures against Everton, West Brom and Chelsea.
Sunday, 28 September 2014 11:30

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Falcao & Di Maria storm Premier League shirt sales

Manchester United may have struggled on the pitch so far this season but when it comes to shirt sales the Red Devils have been leading the way in the Premier League.

New signing Radamel Falcao saw his new No. 9 shirt account for 33 per cent of all sales globally during the week following his deadline day arrival on loan from Monaco.

Meanwhile, fellow new boy Angel Di Maria boasted 24% of first-week sales, streets ahead of both Alexis Sanchez and Mario Balotelli with just 13%.
Friday, 26 September 2014 13:17

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Ferguson's Ryder Cup pep talk

Sir Alex Ferguson has been brought in to hold a motivational pep talk to the European team ahead of the Ryder Cup.

And the former Manchester United manager’s words appear to have had an impact on Rory McIlroy and the rest of the team.

“I was just sitting there and looking up at him, and I didn't take my eyes off him,” said the 25-year-old.

I was sort of in this trance just listening to everything that he was saying and I'm sort of thinking, this is all the stuff that he's probably said to Manchester United teams over the years.

“He told us a couple stories just of past experiences in some big games and big matches, and some of the players that he managed, and it was a great evening. It was a really cool thing to be a part of.
Wednesday, 24 September 2014 12:00

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Guardiola unconcerned by Bundesliga table

Pep Guardiola admits he is not worried by the fact that Bayern Munich are not already topping the Bundesliga table.

The German champions have secured eight points from their opening four games but are fourth in the league due to goal difference.

Bayern meet current league leaders Paderborn on Tuesday and could go top with a win.

"The table isn't important yet," said the former Barcelona coach. "We have to focus on our own results and performances, not others.

"Paderborn are very impressive, though, and we know why they're top of the table. They'll press us aggressively. They have nothing to lose."
Tuesday, 23 September 2014 12:00

Chelsea strike gives Lampard the blues

Former Chelsea star Frank Lampard came off the bench to net a late equaliser for Manchester City in Sunday's clash at the Etihad Stadium, ending the Blues' 100 per cent winning start to the season.

The veteran midfielder spent 13 years at Stamford Bridge and is the club's all-time leading scorer with 211 goals in all competitions, though was not offered a new deal when his contract expired over the summer.

Instead Lampard joined Manuel Pellegrini's side and was named in the squad to face Chelsea despite previous suggestions that his move to City included a clause that meant he did not have to play against a club so close to his heart.

He received a rousing round of applause from both sets of fans when he was brought on in the 78th minute, though the Chelsea support was silenced as their former idol bagged an equaliser for the 10-man hosts just seven minutes later.

It was a trademark strike from Lampard, who opted not to celebrate, and after full-time in the 1-1 draw he headed over to the away end to thank the Chelsea fans for their support - and perhaps even apologise!
Monday, 22 September 2014 13:28