Sunday, September 9, 2012

Europe's finest begin long road to Brazil

The first round of qualifying fixtures for World Cup 2014 kick off this weekend and it's a chance for many of us to see the star names which made Euro 2012 such a memorable tournament.

With Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas leading the way, the Real Madrid captain will be hoping that Vicente Del Bosque's side will be able to become the first team to retain the trophy since Italy did so back in 1938.

Roy Hodgson's England side will be hoping to make an impact on the latter stages in Brazil, as well a few of the other familiar faces such as Italy, Portugal and Germany...

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Liverpool miss out as Juve's favourite son heads down under

Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero confirmed his move to Sydney FC on Wednesday, penning a two-year deal.
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However, the 37-year-old claimed that Liverpool showed a late interest in signing him ahead of his switch to the Australia A-League outfit.

"They were one of the clubs, amongst the non-Italian sides [interested], and I was surprised to be contacted by them," he said his first Sydney FC unveiling.

But Brendan Rodgers' supposed approach was, evidently, in vain and could only watch on as The Old Lady handed her favourite son to Australian football.

Messi avoids Ronaldo shaped elephant in the room

After Cristiano Ronaldo expressed his unhappiness at a "professional issue" at Real Madrid, La Liga rival Lionel Messi was quizzed on the situation at a press conference.

Some quarters have suggested that the former Manchester United man is upset because he did not win the Uefa award for the best player in Europe, with Messi's team-mate Andres Iniesta instead collecting the trophy, while others think he is jealous of the Argentine.

However, the Barcelona star refused to comment on the Portuguese's comments, instead stating: "There's no reason to ask me about what he says and vice-versa. It's nothing to do with me."

Real Madrid bemused by Ronaldo tantrum

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has put the football world on alert by admitting he is upset with a "professional issue" at the club.

The Portuguese scored his 149th and 150th goals for Los Blancos in their weekend win over Granda, but refused to celebrate either strike, before revealing his reasons afterwards.

Ronaldo insisted his unhappiness has nothing to do with Andres Iniesta winning Uefa's best player award ahead of him, but who realy knows what's on Ronny's mind?
 

Rodgers in two minds over possible owen return

After Liverpool's 2-0 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday, Brendan Rodgers was left red-faced over the lack of striker options at Anfield.
The Liverpool boss conceded he wouldn't have let Andy Carroll leave on loan had he of known that no replacement would enter his squad. While on Monday, the club's principal owner, John W. Henry, released an open letter which claimed he would not pay over the odds for players.

With Michael Owen still without a club after being released by Manchester United in the summer, Rodgers may be left with no alternative now the transfer window has slammed shut.

Monday, September 3, 2012

TEVEZ GOES FROM SINNER TO SAINT

Carlos Tevez's strike during Manchester City's 3-1 win over QPR on Saturday completed a remarkable comeback for the Argentine striker.

Just 11 months ago the 28-year-old began a season long spat with Roberto Mancini, refusing to come off the bench during a Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich before exiling himself to his native Argentina.

However, the former Manchester United man came back into the squad towards the end of last year's title winning campaign and now appears to have walked the long road to redemption with the club's fans.

Rodgers the deadline day loser as transfers pass Liverpool by

As Premier League clubs frantically tried to tie up deals for players on Friday, Liverpool were caught on their heels as rival clubs stole the march on their summer transfer targets.
Liverpool's unwillingness to meet Fulham's valuation for Clint Dempsey resulted in the forward ending up with a move to Tottenham.

Another of the Reds' reported targets, Gaston Ramirez, was also involved in the deadline day furore as he made a switch to Southampton.

Brendan Rodgers' is now faced with the prospect of keeping Luis Suarez in bubble wrap and away from sharp objects until January as the Liverpool boss faces the first half of the campaign with reduced numbers in attack.

Mancini & Mourinho to do battle in Group of Death

Manchester City will face Real Madrid in this season's Champions League "Group of Death" that also contains the champions from Holland and Germany.

Roberto Mancini's men were drawn in Group D alongside Jose Mourinho's La Liga winners in Monaco yesterday, along with Eredivisie champions Ajax and Bundesliga holders Borussia Dortmund.

City will be cursing their luck, especially after being drawn in the least enviable group in last season's tournament, playing Napoli, Villarreal and eventual runners-up Bayern Munich before finishing third.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Vilanova's three stooges conspire to gift Madrid Supercopa spoils

Individual mistakes from Javier Mascherano and Gerard Pique, as well as a red card for Adriano, handed victory to Jose Mourinho's men in the second leg at the Bernabeu
Oh dear, oh dear. Barcelona must be kicking themselves wondering just how Supercopa success managed to slip from their grasp.

The Catalans were, at one stage in the first leg, inches away from taking a 4-1 lead but now have to face up to the reality that they have not added to their trophy collection.
Following Victor Valdes' howler in the first leg, Barca's luck was out once again in the return meeting as first, after just 11 minutes, Javier Mascherano's pathetic attempt at a clearance allowed Gonzalo Higuain to race through and grab the opening goal of the game, squaring the aggregate scoreline.

And just eight minutes later there was more embarrasment for Tito Vilanova's men as Gerard Pique's lapse in concentration saw Cristiano Ronaldo's extravagent flick come off before he steadied himself and fired past Valdes to put Real two up on the night.

Surely that was that in terms of leaving Barca players with egg on their faces? Well it wasn't.

Step forward Adriano who completes the line-up of the three Barca stooges as he was red carded for pulling back Ronaldo just before the half hour mark - and not even Lionel Messi, despite his best efforts having pulled a goal back, could stop Mourinho getting his hands on more silverware...

Nani ready to face Sir Alex as he fights for Man Utd future

Nani has demanded showdown talks with Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United after doubts over future at Old Trafford have grown in recent weeks.
The winger, who has been targeted by Zenit St Petersburg, has fallen down the pecking order at Manchester United following increased competition in wide areas. The Portugal international also failed to make the squad for United's 3-2 victory over Fulham on Saturday.

Goal.com understands Nani has demanded a £5 million pay-off in order to leave Old Trafford before the end of the transfer window on Friday, while Sir Alex is considering the option to offload the 25-year-old.