Photos courtesy of www.soccerbible.com
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
PORTUGAL WC2010 SQUAD LIST
GOALKEEPERS:
DEFENDERS:
- 2 BRUNO ALVES
- 3 PAULO FERREIRA
- 4 ROLANDO
- 5 DUDA
- 6 RICARDO CARVALHO
- 13 MIGUEL
- 21 RICARDO COSTA
- 23 FABIO COENTRAO
FORWARDS:
FRANCE WC2010 SQUAD LIST
GOALKEEPERS:
DEFENDERS:
- 2 Bakari SAGNA
- 3 Eric ABIDAL
- 4 Anthony REVEILLERE
- 5 William GALLAS
- 6 Marc PLANUS
- 13 Patrice EVRA
- 17 Sebastien SQUILLACI
- 22 Gael CLICHY
FORWARDS:
NETHERLANDS WC2010 SQUAD LIST
ITALY WC2010 SQUAD LIST
GOALKEEPERS:
DEFENDERS:
- 2 Christian MAGGIO
- 3 Domenico CRISCITO
- 4 Giorgio CHIELLINI
- 5 Fabio CANNAVARO
- 13 Salvatore BOCCHETTI
- 19 Gianluca ZAMBROTTA
- 23 Leonardo BONUCCI
- 6 Daniele DE ROSSI
- 7 Simone PEPE
- 8 Gennaro GATTUSO
- 15 Claudio MARCHISIO
- 16 Mauro CAMORANESI
- 17 Angelo PALOMBO
- 21 Andrea PIRLO
- 22 Riccardo MONTOLIVO
GERMANY WC2010 SQUAD LIST
ENGLAND WC2010 SQUAD LIST
ARGENTINA WC2010 SQUAD LIST
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Inter confirm Benitez as new boss
Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has confirmed Rafael Benitez will be presented as the club's new coach on Wednesday.
Benitez has been in talks with the European champions since his six-year spell as Liverpool manager was ended by mutual consent last week.
"We have agreed the final details, which were not important things. On Wednesday we shall present Rafa Benitez," Moratti said in a statement on the Inter website, www.inter.it.
The Inter president went on to tell reporters that "all that is needed now is a countersignature".
Moratti added that negotiations with Benitez had not taken place in person but revealed the Spaniard would fly to Milan in time for Wednesday's presentation.
"I think Benitez is not in Italy and will arrive for the presentation," he said. "On Wednesday we will tell you when he will be presented."
Moratti revealed on Monday that a deal with the 50-year-old had been "more or less done" and had been confident the details would be finalised on Tuesday.
Reports in Italy had suggested Benitez would sign a three-year deal worth five million euros per season, but Moratti denied those claims as "off track" in terms of "duration and the amount".
Benitez may wish to take his Anfield assistant Mauricio Pellegrino, goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero and fitness coach Paco de Miguel with him to the San Siro, with Italian Amedeo Carboni - who played under Benitez as a midfielder at Valencia - also touted as a possible backroom addition.
Benitez still had four years to run on his Liverpool contract but left after the Reds could only manage seventh place in the Barclays Premier League last season.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Rio Ferdinand ruled out of the World Cup with knee injury
Rio Ferdinand, the England captain, leaves the Ferncrest Net Care hospital after a scan on his knee. Photograph: Peter Cziborra/Action Images
Rio Ferdinand has been ruled out of the World Cup after injuring his left knee in training.
The England captain broke down after a tackle in the final few minutes of his team's first training session since landing in South Africa, and was taken to hospital for a scan.
The scan revealed knee ligament damage and the 31-year-old will take no part in the World Cup.
"Rio has been ruled out for four to six weeks and will therefore unfortunately miss the World Cup," said the FA in a statement. "Tottenham Hotspur's Michael Dawson has been contacted today and will fly to South Africa on Friday evening."
Steven Gerrard will be promoted to the captaincy.
"It is obviously bad news and everyone with the squad is very disappointed and sorry for Rio," said the England manager
Ferdinand had an injury-hit season at Manchester United, being laid low for considerable periods with back and groin problems.
But he was happy with his fitness at the end of the season and during England's two-week training camp in Austria before coming through the friendly internationals with Mexico and Japan unscathed.
Capello's alternatives in the current squad are West Ham's Matthew Upson and Tottenham's Ledley King.
Upson has started nine of the last 17 internationals while King has forced his way into Capello's thinking despite his long-term knee problem.
King has impressed for Tottenham this season although by his own admission he looked far from convincing in the recent friendly with Mexico at Wembley.
Dawson was named in Capello's initial party of 30 for the finals but was excluded from the final 23 after not playing against either Mexico at Wembley or Japan in Graz. He has had an outstanding season at Tottenham, often alongside King.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Rafa Benitez is out- Spaniard to quit Liverpool with a 4m pay-off
Rafael Benitez will leave Liverpool today after the club's board made it clear he was no longer wanted as manager. The Anfield hierarchy has blinked first in the Mexican stand-off by offering their 50-year-old manager a compromise compensation deal to quit the club. He's off: Benitez's relationship with the Anfield hierarchy has grown increasingly uncomfortable The offer was made in a conference call to Benitez, who is in Sardinia. It is believed Sammy Lee has been put in temporary charge of
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Mourinho pens four-year Real deal
Jose Mourinho has said that he has always wanted to coach Real Madrid after signing a four-year contract with the Spanish giants. The former FC Porto and Chelsea coach left Internazionale last week after guiding the Italian club to a famous treble of Serie A, Champions League and Coppa Italia titles. Mourinho, who is Real's ninth coach in six years, replaces the former Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini who spent one season in charge at the Bernabeu. Real have paid Inter a reported eight million euros in compensation for the 47-year-old, who said: "I don't know if I was born to coach Real Madrid but I was born to be a football coach. I love important challenges. "I am Jose Mourinho and I don't change. I arrive with all my qualities and my defects. "My attraction to Real Madrid is due to its history, its frustrations in recent years and its expectations to win. It's a unique club and I believe that not to coach Real leaves a void in a coach's career. "Luckily, I've had a beautiful career and it makes me proud to have come here. I am very enthusiastic. I want my players to think that way. The beauty is not so much to train or play at Real, but to win at Real Madrid. "I think four years of contract is enough to win, to build a strong
Friday, May 28, 2010
United complete Hernandez deal
Manchester United have completed the deal to sign Javier Hernandez after the Mexico
United last month agreed a fee with Mexican side Guadalajara for the 22-year-old before the player also completed a medical and agreed personal terms.
United had only been awaiting confirmation of his work permit to complete his transfer, which will go through on July 1.
Hernandez's confirmation as a United player had been held up because he had played less than 75% of Mexico's internationals during the past two years.
He is, however, set to be a part of the Mexico squad at the World Cup finals in South Africa following which he is due to join United's squad for the Philadelphia leg of their pre-season tour of the United States and Canada.
Hernandez, who is nicknamed 'Chicharito', described his move to Old Trafford as "living the dream" after he completed his medical in Manchester last month.
United fans got a quick glimpse of his talents when he made a substitute appearance for Mexico against England in their 3-1 defeat at Wembley on Monday, before he scored in a 2-1 friendly loss against Holland last night.
Hernandez's signing is the first time that United have done a deal for a Mexican player.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Barça reveal new kits for 2010-11
FC Barcelona revealed the new Nike kits for the 2010-11 with a return to red shorts when at home standing out. The outfits will go on sale on June and supporters are now able to reserve theirs online.
Coinciding with the presentation of David Villa at the club, Barça released the new look shirts, shorts and socks that they will don in the next campaign. Yellow and redThe traditional Blaugrana stripes are thicker than last term on the first-choice kit and the collar and trim is yellow while the Catalan flag, the Senyera, is prominent on the back of the neck of the shirt. Inside the collar the words "Tots units fem força" (Together we are strong) are taken from the club hymn and on the left sleeve the slogan "Més que un club" (More than a club) is embroidered. One major change from last season is the re-introduction of red shorts that were previously seen in the 2005-06 campaign that ended with a glorious Champions League win in Paris.
England 3-1 Mexico - Match Report
A superb Glen Johnson goal at the start of the second half was the highlight of England's 3-1 friendly international victory against Mexico at Wembley. However, it was an unimpressive display by Fabio Capello's men who were outplayed for long spells, particularly in the first period, by the very lively visitors. - England 3-1 Mexico: As it happened Glen Johnson's excellent strike appeared to deflate the Mexicans, who had pulled a goal back on the stroke of half time after England had earlier been fortunate to take a two-goal lead. England's penultimate warm-up game before they play the USA in 18 days' time in South Africa was a strange affair played on a balmy late May evening. Capello named a surprise line-up with Ledley King alongside Rio Ferdinand in central defence while Michael Carrick started in midfield and Peter Crouch partnered Wayne Rooney in attack. Glen Johnson began the game at right-back rather than Jamie Carragher while Leighton Baines got the nod at left-back instead of Stephen Warnock. After Mexico had dominated the opening stages, England took the lead against the run of play in the 17th minute when Steven Gerrard's deep corner was headed back into the danger area by Crouch where an unmarked King was able to guide his header into the back of the net. Mexico's marking at the corner was dire as both Crouch and King had acres of space in which to work the opening. Undeterred, Mexico hit back, and, on the half-hour, Baines misjudged a bouncing ball allowing Giovani dos Santos to race through a static defence. The ball broke to Arsenal's Carlos Vela who seemed certain to score only for Robert Green to race off his line and smother the effort. Mexico went even closer to equalising minutes later when another good move ended with Carlos Salcido deceiving James Milner and then curling in a shot that beat Green only to come back off a post. Incredibly though England doubled their advantage in the 34th minute from another corner that was poorly defended. Rooney was allowed to get in a header that Oscar Perez somehow touched against the bar but Crouch was on the goal-line where he bundled the ball home. The visitors deservedly pulled a goal back on the stroke of half time although it was a scrappy affair. Poor defending at a corner forced Baines to clear Rafael Marquez's header off the line but Guillermo Franco was on hand to turn the ball home and make it 2-1 at the break. A raft of substitutions at half time and throughout the second half stopped the flow of the game although Mexico continued to dominate possession even after England had restored their two-goal advantage with a brilliant goal. Just two minutes into the second half Glen Johnson cut in from the right wing after combining well with Walcott and then carried on running before drilling a left-foot strike home from the edge of the penalty area. England were far more solid in a tight second period although they were happy to give possession to the visitors for long spells. Capello still has much to ponder before he cuts his squad down to 23 players next Tuesday, two days after his team play Japan in Austria.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Bayern Munich 0 Inter Milan 2 - Match Report
Diego Milito scored both goals as Inter Milan sealed an historic treble and ended a 45-year wait to be crowned kings of Europe after defeating Bayern Munich 2-0 in the Champions League final in Madrid.
Milito struck in the 34th and 70th minutes as Inter became the first Italian
The victory was the third time Inter have won the trophy, following their successes in 1964 and 1965, and could also have marked a winning farewell for coach Jose Mourinho.
The Portuguese, who becomes only the third coach to win the European Cup with different clubs, has been the subject of intense speculation linking him with a summer move to Real Madrid. Mourinho left Porto for Chelsea soon after leading them to the 2004 Champions League title.
For Bayern coach Louis Van Gaal, the defeat ended his chance to conquer Europe with two separate clubs having won the title with Ajax in 1995.
The match was billed as a clash of contrasting styles between the attacking philosophy of Van Gaal and the defensive proclivity of Mourinho, but there was little to separate the two sides early on.
The biggest threats came from two players who were returning to the Bernabeu having last summer been jettisoned by Real Madrid in the wake of the Spanish giants' 250million euro spending spree.
For Bayern, winger Arjen Robben was proving a persistent menace down the right, while for Inter, playmaker Wesley Sneijder was superb throughout.
And it was the Nerazzurri playmaker who came closest to breaking the stalemate during an evenly-fought opening 30 minutes. The dead-ball specialist tried his luck from a free-kick 35 yards out, and Bayern goalkeeper Hans-Jorg Butt needed to dive to his left to parry the ball away after it had taken a slight deflection off his
Sneijder, who was one of four former Madrid players in an Inter side without a single Italian, was involved in most of his side's attacks and it was no surprise to see him play a key role in the opening goal of the game.
Julio Cesar's long punt forward was headed down by Milito to Sneijder, who immediately set his
Bayern, who were without suspended French star Franck Ribery, tried to respond quickly but, after long-range efforts from Altintop and Robben had failed to worry Julio Cesar, they almost found themselves trailing 2-0 just before the break.
Once again it was Milito and Sneijder involved, but with the roles reversed this time. Milito picked out Sneijder running into the box and it needed a good block by Butt to keep out the former Ajax man's left-footed shot.
Bayern, who were out much quicker than Inter following half-time, had created little to test Julio Cesar in the first half but they almost fashioned an equaliser 25 seconds after the restart. Ivica Olic's clever flick found Altintop in space and the Turkish international then fed the unmarked Thomas Muller on the edge of the Inter area, but the 20-year-old was denied by the feet of Julio Cesar.
Moments after that Inter launched a breakaway that almost resulted in a second goal, Goran Pandev's shot being superbly tipped over one-handed by Butt. That was a thrilling start to the second period and Bayern were enjoying plenty of possession as they sought an equaliser. However, the Inter defence, like it was in the semi-final second leg against last season's European champions Barcelona, was proving tough to break down.
Robben almost managed it with a curling 20-yard effort that brought a brilliant save out of Julio Cesar, while Muller saw a goal-bound effort blocked by the head of Esteban Cambiasso.
Bayern were dominating possession but they were hit with the ultimate sucker punch in the 70th minute as Inter broke away to double their lead.
Milito still had plenty of work to do when he picked up Samuel Eto'o's pass 35 yards out but he superbly turned Daniel van Buyten inside out before coolly finishing past Butt.
There was no way back for Bayern after that as Inter held on to end their long wait for European football's top trophy and perhaps give Mourinho a winning send-off.
The Dream of a Treble
The UEFA Champions League Final is the most prestigious of them all, the biggest game in European club football set to be watched by a global audience of a billion for this first ever Saturday final. Having completed a Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double by thrashing holders Werder Bremen last Saturday, in-form Bayern München sent an ominous warning to their Serie A rivals as they head to Spain to complete a historic treble. Playing a key role in their run to the final at Real Madrid’s towering 80,000 capacity Santiago Bernabeu, Arjen Robben is in the form of his life and will be vital for Bayern’s attack alongside Ivica Olić. The pair scored key goals in Manchester during the quarter-final second leg, with Olić doing even better in the semi-final by scoring a hat-trick to break French hearts. Both will need to be at their best to unlock the tight Nerazzurri defense. Tonight’s showdown will be FC Bayern München’s eighth European Champion Clubs’ Cup final, with three of their four victories coming in successive years from 1974-76. After disappointment in their last final in Spain in 1999, they won the competition again in 2001 and the German giants are out to reinforce their status among the European elite. Can the Bavarians go down in history as the third club in the UEFA Champions League era to claim the esteemed treble? The stage is set, the wait is on …
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Villa confirmed as Barca player
David Villa has been officially confirmed as a Barcelona player after passing a medical and signing a four-year contract with the Spanish champions. The Spain striker has joined the Catalan giants in a £34.2million deal from Valencia after a medical assessment on Friday morning. "All these tests have only confirmed that he is ready to come to Barca and ready to play in the forthcoming World Cup finals," explained club doctor Ricard Pruna. Villa joined Valencia from Real Zaragoza in the summer of 2005 and went on to score 119 goals in 193 league and European appearances. He has also scored 36 times in 55 appearances for his country and was top-scorer at the European Championship finals two years ago as Spain were crowned as champions. Barcelona have the option to extend the contract by a further 12 months, while the deal also contains a 200million euro buyout fee.
Gunners confirm Chamakh capture
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is looking forward to working with Marouane Chamakh after confirming that the Morocco international has signed a long-term contract with the Gunners.
The 26-year-old moves to the Emirates Stadium from Bordeaux after finding the net 79 times in 293 appearances for the French side.
He scored 14 goals in Bordeaux's 2008-09 title-winning campaign, before being linked with a transfer to Arsenal last summer, and has also netted 27 times in 53 appearances for his country.
Wenger said of his latest capture: "We are delighted that Marouane Chamakh has joined us. He is a player we have admired for some time now and I know he will provide our squad with great quality.
"Chamakh has proved he is a great player with his performances for Bordeaux and Morocco in recent seasons and we're all looking forward to him joining us.
"Chamakh is a striker of real quality and has all the attributes suited to come to England and do very well. He is not only a good football player, but a fighter as well. He is very good in the air and is also a good team player. He is a great addition to our squad."
Chamakh added: "This is a dream come true and a great joy to be joining Arsenal. My goal was always to play in the Premier League and Arsenal was the choice of my heart.
"Without any hesitation, Arsenal was my preferred club. The team and history of Arsenal, they make me dream. My goal was to join Arsenal out of the all the English clubs because it is a club that makes me dream and I have been a fan since I was a child.
"I am very excited about playing at the Emirates Stadium in front of the Arsenal supporters. I have heard many great things about the stadium and I cannot wait to be playing there in an Arsenal shirt.
"I will give my best to this club, the club that I used to support. We have many great players at Arsenal and I will be giving everything to help the team win trophies next season."
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Rumours - World Cup reject Benzema set for United
Rumours are flying around that Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema could be on his way to Manchester United this summer.
Benzema was linked with United last summer, but the Red Devils were unwilling to match Real Madrid's bid as they snapped him up for £35million.
The Frenchman has failed to make much impression in the Spanish capital however, scoring just eight goals in his 26 appearances, in what has been an injury hampered season.
The decision to leave him out of the France World Cup squad may make him think twice about remaining with Real, who plan on another big spending spree in the summer, and Manchester United are willing to stump up the necessary £25m to revitalise his career again.
Ronaldinho misses Brazil cut
Ronaldinho has failed to make it into Brazil's 23-man squad for the 2010 World Cup.
The 30-year-old, who was the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005, has been in good form for AC Milan this season but has missed out on Dunga's squad for the finals in 2010, denying him the chance to add a second World Cup crown to the one he won in 2002.
One of his team-mates in 2002, former Manchester United midfielder Kleberson, has made it into the squad after rediscovering his best form back in Brazil with Flamengo.
Squad: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Doni (Roma), Heurelho Gomes (Tottenham); Maicon (Inter Milan), Dani Alves (Barcelona), Lucio (Inter Milan), Juan (Roma), Luisao (Roma), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), Gilberto (Cruzeiro), Michel Bastos (Lyon); Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Felipe Melo (Juventus), Josue (Wolfsburg), Elano (Galatasaray), Ramires (Benfica), Kleberson (Flamengo), Kaka (Real Madrid), Julio Baptista (Roma); Robinho (Santos/Manchester City), Nilmar (Villarreal), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Grafite (Wolfsburg).
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
West Ham sack Zola
LONDON, (AFP) - West Ham have sacked manager Gianfranco Zola, the Premier League club confirmed on Tuesday.
Zola was widely expected to leave Upton Park following a turbulent campaign which saw the club's co-owner David Sullivan strongly criticise the Italian and his players following a series of disappointing results.
Former Chelsea star Zola just managed to keep his side in the top-flight, but they finished only one place above the relegation zone and he has paid the price for his faltering relationship with the club's owners.
"West Ham United confirm that they have terminated the contract of Gianfranco Zola," a statement on the club's website read.
"The Board of Directors would like to thank him for his contribution and wish him well for the future. The Club will now be focusing its efforts on seeking a replacement."
Zola, who arrived at West Ham in September 2008 for the first managerial role of his career, admitted after the
Sullivan had piled the pressure on Zola when he slammed a 3-1 home defeat against Wolves as "pathetic" and the Hammers boss had contemplated quitting fter a 1-0 home defeat against Stoke on March 27, the
But, following a weekend trip back to Italy to clear his head, the 43-year-old vowed to carry on and ensure his club stayed up.
A gritty draw at Everton and wins over Sunderland and Wigan guaranteed West Ham's survival, but there was never much chance of Zola remaining in charge.
The search for his successor is likely to see Sullivan and co-owner David Gold consider Croatia boss Slaven Bilic, who is a former Hammers star, ex-Manchester City manager Mark Hughes, Portsmouth chief Avram Grant and Birmingham manager Alex McLeish.
Chelsea win title in style
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 09: Chelsea players celebrate with the trophy after the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Wigan Athletic at Stamford Bridge on May 9, 2010 in London, England. Chelsea won 8-0 to win the title.
LONDON, (Reuters) - Chelsea sparkled and the champagne flowed after an 8-0 demolition of Wigan Athletic which brought the Premier League trophy back to Stamford Bridge on Sunday after three seasons of Manchester United domination.
Didier Drogba netted a hat-trick to finish top of the scoring charts and Carlo Ancelotti's side recorded the club's biggest top-flight win to edge an intriguing title race by one point from Manchester United, who beat Stoke City 4-0.
United's finale was marred by angry protests by fans against the club's American owners and a groin injury to England talisman Wayne Rooney which will concern
But it was Chelsea's day with two goals for Nicolas Anelka and one apiece for Frank Lampard, Salomon Kalou and Ashley Cole taking their league tally to 103, the first side to pass the century mark in the top flight since Tottenham Hotspur in 1963.
Ancelotti, so under-stated during his first season in English football after 33 years as a player and coach in Italy, could hardly contain himself as he danced around the pitch with the trophy.
The beaming Italian, who prevented United winning a record 19th league title and a fourth in succession, can complete the double in next week's FA Cup final against Portsmouth.
"We played with continuity. We played as a
"It was time for Chelsea to win the title, but Manchester United and Arsenal were fantastic rivals."
Captain John Terry, whose season has been blighted by unsavoury publicity about his extra-marital activities, said three years of pain were over.
"It's been a hard three years watching United win the titles year after year," he said before being presented with the Premier League trophy for the first time since Jose Mourinho was Chelsea manager in 2006.
"It's their turn to watch us today. Now we've got it back we want to do what they did. It's been an up and down year but this is what we've worked for."
Chelsea, who have been English champions four times, racked up 17 goals in the three-game
"This right up there, the way we did it in style, it's been fantastic," Lampard said. "After not winning it for three years to come back and do it in style like we did today is superb."
BARELY CELEBRATED
The only blot on the day was a show of petulance from Drogba when he barely celebrated Lampard's penalty, the Ivory Coast
All was smiles at the end, however, as Drogba joined his celebrating
Any doubts that Chelsea would fluff their lines were wiped out by the half hour.
Anelka gave them a sixth-minute lead when he pounced on Florent Malouda's chested pass and Lampard's spot kick made it 2-0 after Gary Caldwell was sent off for hauling him down.
Kalou made it 3-0 and the rest of the game was purely a matter of whether Chelsea would hit the 100-goal mark and Drogba would beat Rooney to the Golden Boot.
Anelka rattled in a
Cole completed the rout and all that was left to do was spray the champagne.
United did what they had to do, Darren Fletcher, Ryan Giggs and Park ji-Sung all on
"We are disappointed but we know how difficult it is to win the Premier League, that's why we can congratulate Carlo Ancelotti and his
"We have done well, we took it to
Arsenal made sure of a place in the group stages of next season's Champions League with a 4-0 home win over Fulham to hold off a late challenge for third spot from Tottenham Hotspur who finished fourth after a 4-2 defeat at Burnley.
Manchester City drew 1-1 at West Ham United, Aston Villa lost at home to Blackburn Rovers and Liverpool, who just crept into the final Europa League place, drew 0-0 with relegated Hull City.
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