LONDON (AFP) – Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has warned Sunderland boss Roy Keane that he will be out for revenge at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Scolari is still haunted by the painful memory of Keane’s winning goal for Manchester United against his Palmeiras team in the World Club Championship in Tokyo in 1999.
The Brazilian was desperate for a first victory in the annual clash between the champions of Europe and South America, but Keane left him empty-handed and now he has a chance to make amends when the Black Cats visit west London this weekend.
"Keane was a fantastic player but he killed me one time when Manchester United played against Palmeiras in Tokyo," Scolari said.
"I remember this very well. (Ryan) Giggs crossed and Keane scored the goal at the far post. It is in my mind. Maybe on Saturday I have a chance to win a game against Keane."
Although Scolari is determined to make Keane pay for that defeat in Japan, he is a firm admirer of his counterpart’s managerial skills and expects him to be a thorn in his side on Saturday.
"He worked with many coaches and they gave good lessons for him. He is intelligent and has a good future," Scolari said.
"It will be the same as the other clubs. They will come here and be tight at the back. They will make many counter-attacks and they have good players for this.
"We might have only three or four opportunities maximum and if we don’t get one goal it will be difficult."
After the disappointment of losing their 86-match unbeaten run at Stamford Bridge against Liverpool last weekend, Chelsea bounced back with an emphatic win at Hull in midweek.
Scolari has studied the number of points amassed by Manchester United and Chelsea during their title triumphs over the last five seasons and believes his side are on course to meet the total required to be kings of English football.
Scolari won’t divulge the target but he admitted Chelsea’s tally of 23 points from their first 10 matches is just one point short of his desired total at this stage.
"I’m happy because we played seven or eight games very well. In my opinion we are only one point different from what I thought we would have," Scolari said.
"I thought we would have 24 and we have 23 but I am happy with my players because they try to do their best in every game.
"I have the statistics of the last five championships in England. I have a number of points and I follow this because it is my first time in England. I know the number and the players know the number."
Chelsea trail leaders Liverpool by three points but Scolari has warned Anfield boss Rafa Benitez that it won’t be a two-horse race for the title.
"I don’t think it’s just us and Liverpool. Manchester United, Arsenal, Aston Villa (will be involved)," he said.
"Villa are only three points behind us. After 30 games we will see but before no. One day we lost two points, then another club will lose two points."
Scolari is boosted by Didier Drogba’s return to the squad after a month out with a knee injury.
The Ivory Coast striker is likely to be on the bench, while Joe Cole should be fit despite limping off at Hull.
Ricardo Carvalho is sidelined for a month after suffering a hamstring injury against the Tigers.
Nell’Inter che deve ritrovare la vittoria domani sera a Reggio Calabria non ci sara’ ancora Adriano, tenuto in ‘castigo’ da Mourinho. ”Adriano ovviamente sarebbe importante – afferma il tecnico – ma piu’ importante ancora e’ il rispetto per il gruppo e per la societa”. Niente da fare anche per Cruz: l’argentino si e’ allenato a parte per risentimento muscolare, e la sua mancata convocazione e’ dovuta, almeno ufficialmente, a indisponibilita’.
LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) – Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is relishing the prospect of new Argentina boss Diego Maradona’s visit to England next week.
Maradona is due in the UK from Sunday to meet Liverpool’s Javier Masherano and Manchester United’s Carlos Tevez and may take in Liverpool’s home Champions League tie with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
Benitez said: "I talked to Mascherano about Maradona’s appointment, he is delighted. And I have also spoken with the Argentina federation, and everything is okay for Diego to come to Liverpool.
"Everybody will have the chance to talk, and to discuss the future for Javier and the national team."
Benitez believes Maradona was the right choice to lead the Argentine national team.
"Nobody can every doubt the quality of Maradona as a player, but I think he will do well as a manager.
"He will find that it is different as a manager, but he has a technical director with plenty of experience and they are trying to bring in some ex-players who have experience as managers to help him.
"That sort of staff around him will make it easier, he will have plenty of help and it will be a very interesting situation."
He added: "I know when Javier was told about the appointment he was excited, and very pleased.
"I do not know whether Maradona will be here for the Madrid game, but I suppose it is possible. There are several good Argentinians in their squad for him to see.
"Diego will be very welcome to come to our training ground next week, and to see the match. Maybe I can persuade him to take a few free-kicks!"
Benitez is a huge fan of Maradona, who also attended Liverpool’s famous Champions League final victory over AC Milan in Istanbul in 2005.
Benitez said: "We are about the same age, he had a great impact on me as a player. I watched him when he was at Napoli and Barcelona. He was absolutely amazing in Naples.
"You talk to the people there and they tell you he is `God’ which just underlines what everybody knows, he was a fantastic player. "I think it is an exciting appointment. If he has the right people around him it will be really good for Argentina."
WAGs Blog has been a little quiet of late, apologies for this, but we have been busy sorting out a new server so that our blog doesn’t take so bloomin’ long to load up!
Anyways on to more pressing matters like the fact there have been no end of WAGs in the press recently.
First of all there is a congrats in order for Gemma Atkinson and Marcus Bent who are engaged! Marcus reportedly proposed to Gem on a trip to the Lake District, which doesn’t sound very WAG glamorous does it? But luckily Bent made it up by buying Gemma a very blinging ring.
In other news Abbey Clancy dresses up as a Pussycat Doll for The Fashion Show, and reveals that she is more loved up than ever with Peter on Radio 1, much to Chris Moyles’ dismay.
Right I’m off to take a quick coffee break to take in all of this lovely WAGness, but I’ll be back shortly to fill you in on more of the latest stories!!
One cannot fault Tunisian clubs for seeking perfection but you’d think a little more patience is needed if they are ever going to achieve their dream of continental dominance.
Take the case of Etoile Sahel. They have just fired their Swiss coach Michel Decastel for “indifferent results”.
Indifferent by their definition, is second place in the league and qualification for the final of the African Confederation Cup, the continent’s equivalent of the UEFA Cup.
Decastel took over in June. He has since taken Etoile through a tough group to the final of the Confederation Cup, where they come up against compatriots Club Africain over two legs next month.
In the league, Etoile are second and unbeaten! They have played six games, winning three but it is the three draws in the other encounters that have irritated the management and led to the firing.
Such is the intensity of the rivalry between Etoile, who are based in the coastal city of Sousse, and Esperance, from the capital Tunis, that a gap of three points between the two is too much for the club to stomach.
The two have still to meet in the campaign, their first clash of the season set for Dec. 21. Last year Etoile won the African Champions League, reaching a peak they had spent decades seeking to scale.
Six months later the architect of that success, Frenchman Bertrand Marchand, was shown the door after Etoile stumbled at the end of the season and ceded their league title in a dramatic finish to Club Africain.
Coaches quickly learn that in north Africa there is little margin for error.
Judging by what’s going on in practice these days, it looks like Claude Puel is taking those rumors of team infighting rather seriously. It’s all about love and harmony, guys.
Coming off the set of The Sound of Music.
Benzema is pleased, but Keita would rather be someplace else.
Sonny and Makoun are going for the celebrity couple look.
It’s frightening how good these two look together.
But Toulalan has no one to hold his hand.
*weeps for him while also surreptitiously volunteering*
Sunday, November 2nd, 2008 15.00
Stadio La Favorità, Palermo
Palermo Boys, we are here. We beat your women and drink their beer, Palermo Boys, we are here.
Preview
Question. What’s the difference between Lecce and Chievo? Nothing. They both have yellow in their team colors, both got promoted last year and both will be relegated when the season comes to an end. That said, this won’t be an easy game. Yet again. After the Lecce-debacle of last Wednesday, the team really needs to refind their balls and grinta. Only bringing home one point from Puglia after you played a relegation contender isn’t good. And it sure isn’t good considering they were only with 10 for a quarter of the game.
Things have to be better on Sunday. Why? Not because of any possible loss of reputation. Losing against Chievo might result in flocks of Romanisti coming over here for some fun, but that doesn’t matter. Even if we lose, we’re still miles ahead of them. Even if one of the 1.142 Chievo-fans around the world finds his way to this blog, I still won’t mind his comments. Why not? Because Chievo is a team without history. Win the battle, lose the war seems to be Chievo’s motto.
Still, a loss won’t be accepted. Hell, even a tie won’t be accepted. Ballardini knows what he has to do. Beating the Clivensi, not playing Guana and Liverani and picking up his slack. It’s either that, or the train to Sacksville coming awfully close.
Squad Status
Palermo
After the bad news, here’s the good news. Liverani is suspended. That’s right, the dressing rooms at the Barbera won’t be smelling of kebab, cous-cous and hummus for once. The rest we know: muscle problems for Amelia, Sneeze and Bovo are out and Capuano won’t be around either. Too bad Guana will.
I don’t see Guana or Raggi participating in this game after last weeks joke, and I think HDF will get the start over Kjaer.
As there is no Chievo-blogger on The Offside, I’ll do the honours. Vincenzo Italiano is out, and Langella and Pinzi will most likely be out to after picking up a knock against Cagliari. A game Chievo lost. To Cagliari. Haha. Ha.
Grande Jimmy! vs. Sucker: Palermo. Sorrentino is a joke. I’ve seen him play at Recreativo, and the dude isn’t worthy of a starting spot. While Jimmy remains Jimmy.
The Hole in the Maze vs. The Other Hole: Palermo. Our defense has been worse than Chievo’s, but with Moris and HDF back in place, I can see this game ending in a 0 for the Clivensi.
Simpliciooooooh! vs. Who That?: Palermo. I think we just might field our strongest midfield for this game. Chievo, don’t know any of them.
He scored! vs. They Can’t: Palermo. Cavani finally found the net again, and we scored twice as much as Chievo did.
Final Analysis
Oh boy, Oh boy. This is dangerous. We don’t perform well against teams that are sure to be relegated 4 matches before the end of the season, so this might be the most dangerous game of the season so far. We picked up one point in the last three games, so to say that we are not ‘on a roll’ is a small underestimation. But hey, it’s not as if Chievo is doing great. One win, on day one. Since then: crap.
Form Guide
Palermo
W W L L D
Chievo
D L D L L
Past Encounters
18/02/2007 Palermo Chievo 1-1 Serie A
01/10/2006 Chievo Palermo 0-1 Serie A
19/02/2006 Chievo Palermo 0-0 Serie A
16/10/2005 Palermo Chievo 2-2 Serie A
01/05/2005 Palermo Chievo 2-2 Serie A
12/12/2004 Chievo Palermo 2-1 Serie A
Prediction
Win. Won’t be happy with anything else.
8-1. All Cavani.
MOTM
Me. For predicting the right score.
Remembering the good times
Sono Bello, Sono Sano, Mia Madre Mi Ha Fatto Palermitano!
Everton v Fulham, 12:45
Looks like an Everton win, until you realize the Toffees have only picked up two home points this season. And Andy Johnson (finally) found his shooting boots on Wednesday, so maybe he’ll do a Bentley against his old employers. He’s 250-1 for a hat-trick. Odds: (win/draw/win via Paddy Power) Everton 4-6, Draw 13-5, Fulham 9-2 Prediction:1-1
Chelsea v Sunderland, 15:00
If Sunderland can’t beat Stoke, they’re not going to trouble Chelsea. Odds:Blues 1-5, Draw 5-1, Sunderland 15-1 Prediction:2-1 Bonus Prediction: In his quest for ever more outlandish hairstyles, Djibril Cisse will ask Petr Cech where he got that cool helmet look done. There’ll be an awkward silence until Malouda explains the situation.
Man Utd v Hull, 15:00
The Tigers were tamed by Chelsea on Wednesday. This is going to look pretty similar. Hull have done well, and will continue to do pretty well. But the slide away from the European qualification starts… now. Odds:Man Utd 1-5, Draw 5-1, Hull 15-1 Prediction:3-0
Middlesbrough v West Ham, 15:00
Despite ‘Boro’s snoozy reputation, they haven’t been involved in a goalless draw since November 2007. And – like a tiny Italian bedwetter – Franky Zola still has no clean sheets for West Ham. So while this doesn’t look all that appetizing… there will be goals. Odds:‘Boro evens, Draw 23-10, Hammers 14-5 Prediction:2-2
Portsmouth v Wigan, 15:00
Tony Adams overthought things against Liverpool and dropped top scorer Jermain Defoe. So presumably this week he’ll play David James as a lone striker and put Defoe in goal. Odds:Pompey 10-11, Draw 12-5, Latics 3-1 Prediction:1-0 to Pompey (unless Adams really does play Defoe in goal)
Stoke v Arsenal, 15:00
Arsenal have more defensive worries now that Captain Nicotine is injured, but at least that means the all-French backline who did so poorly against Spurs is disbanded. Stoke will be plucky, but Arsenal will win. Odds:Potters 15-2, Draw 10-3, Gunners 2-5 Prediction:2-0 to Arsenal Bonus Prediction: Arsenal players to show solidarity with Gallas through team “cigarette break” goal celebration. Ref will show them all a yellow card, but only to say “this is what it does to your teeth.”
Tottenham v Liverpool, 17:30
Liverpool are still unbeaten, but that can’t last forever. I see Spurs taking the momentum from Wednesday’s 4-4 and pulling out a surprise win. Also, Luka Modric will finally rediscover his testicles and put in a performance worthy of his reputation. Odds:Spurs 11-4, Draw 12-5, ‘Pool evens Prediction:2-1
Sunday, 2 November 2008
Bolton v Man City, 16:00
I hope Gary Megson likes playing Championship Manager because Bolton are starting to smell like relegation. Robinho and friends. will only make it worse. Odds:Trotters 21-10, Draw 23-10, Citeh 13-10 Prediction:1-3
Monday, 3 November 2008
Newcastle v Aston Villa, 20:00
Michael Owen is confident of being fit for this one. But he shouldn’t be so confident of playing as Newcsatle’s results have picked up since he got injured. Kinnear’s Toon resurgence continues at home with a hard earned point. Odds:Toon 15-8, Draw 23-10, Villa 7-5 Prediction:1-1 Bonus Prediction: Joey Barton to kiss the Newcastle badge again. This time with tongues.
Oh, wait. First I’m going to digress for a few seconds. If you are a Bay Area resident and of or above the drinking age, I’d like to let you all know that some law firm is giving out free cab rides home from whatever Halloween party you will be at on Friday. So you don’t drunk-drive yourself into a ditch… or another person… or a helpless house pet. And since this is an election year, you might want to postpone whatever you’ve got planned for Monday and instead go check out Obama The Musical which looks like it may just put the upcoming Sarah Palin porn to shame. As for Election night, I’m sure there are numerous Election parties to choose from but I bet you’d be hard pressed to find a please come sit in our public hot tub Election party. This is, of course, something to do after you spend the day voting and eating your free Krispy Kreme doughnut and free Ben N Jerry’s scoop of ice cream.
Ok, so back to the soccer. FIFA announced its shortlist of nominees for the 2008 Player of the Year award and eight out of the ten players nominated are WPS draftees. Ok, technically two out of the ten players are officially playing in the league while the other six are still in that “international discovery” negotiation-y phase. And I haven’t read any articles saying Cristiane, Daniela, Marta, Christine Sinclair, Kelly Smith, or Ingvild Stensland actually put pen to paper so I’m going to assume they are all still pondering their offers. Anyways, if all goes well, here is the FIFA shortlist and each player’s team:
Shannon Boxx (USA) Los Angeles Sol
Cristiane (Brazil) Chicago Red Stars
Daniela (Brazil) St. Louis
Marta (Brazil) Los Angeles Sol
Christine Sinclair (Canada) Bay Area
Kelly Smith (England) Boston Breakers
Hope Solo (USA) St. Louis
Ingvild Stensland (Norway) St. Louis
Which just leaves two Germans, Nadine Angerer and Birgit Prinz, as the lone nominees not linked to WPS. Bet they feel lonely. Ok, they probably don’t. National Team head coaches will vote this list down to three with an announcement in December. The winner will be announced at a fancy gala in Zurich in January.
And in kind-of-sort-of drama news, Umea gave Marta an ultimatum to make her decision on where she’ll wind up by the end of this month (i.e. tomorrow!). Marta did ask the LA Sol if Johanna Frisk could also come play for the team and apparently LA offered Johanna a contract. Although I’m not sure if LA first put a discovery claim on her. Anyone know?
_____ Stupid Filterresults: “Text is not likely to be stupid.”
