Barca blame bad luck but Rubin coach is wilier than most
October 21, 2009
Has Lady Luck deserted holders Barcelona as their players suggested or did Rubin Kazan coach Kurban Berdyev and his players pull off the tactical masterstroke that has eluded so many others since Pep Guardiola took over at the Nou Camp at the start of last season?
It was probably a bit of both that led to Barca’s 2-1 defeat on Tuesday, their first Champions League reverse in 10 matches and a first home defeat in any competition since they lost to Osasuna last May when they had already secured the La Liga title.
The match was reminiscent of last season’s semi-final first leg against Chelsea, when the visitors defended stoutly in numbers and several times came close to grabbing a goal on the break.
Rubin went one better than the London club, exploiting the indifferent form and lack of pace of Barca’s Mexican central defender Rafael Marquez for Gokdeniz Karadeniz’s excellent winner on the counter attack.
The wily Berdyev, an intensely private man, watched impassively from the sidelines fingering his prayer beads, and Barca’s rivals, both in Spain and beyond, will doubtless try to learn from his success.
Whatever the reasons for Barca’s shock defeat, the hacks at the Madrid-based sports sheets were rubbing their hands on Wednesday, gleefully pointing to last weekend’s goalless draw at Valencia in La Liga and proclaiming the demise of Guardiola’s record-breaking side.
“Russian revolution at the Nou Camp!” trumpeted Marca.
“The ‘Pep Team’ lost their identity and were unable to produce the rhythm the match required. This Barca is not the champion,” was the headline in As.
The Barcelona-based papers preferred to focus on the fact that the European champions remain top of Group F after three out of six matches and have their fate in their own hands ahead of the trips to Kazan and Dynamo Kiev and Inter Milan’s visit to the Nou Camp.
“Crisis? What crisis?” asked Gabriel Sans in El Mundo Deportivo. “Barca have lost some fluidity and tactical freshness but their fate still depends on their own results.
“The glass is half full and they’ll drain it in Russia and drink to the health of whoever wants it.”
“Damn woodwork!” wrote Sport, referring to Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s acrobatic volley that shook the crossbar in the second half and Yaya Toure’s header at the death that crashed against a post.
Guardiola seemed to take the loss in his stride, although he had a minor altercation with a Russian journalist at the post-match news conference when he was bizarrely asked if he even knew Berdyev’s name.
“This is why football is special,” he said of the match. “In any other sport, with our statistics, we would have won.”
PHOTO: Barcelona’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic reacts as Rubin Kazan’s Vital Kaleshin (R) gestures during their Champions League soccer match at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, October 20, 2009. REUTERS/Albert Gea
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Are Inter struggling in Europe because Serie A is too easy?
October 21, 2009
A half empty San Siro didn’t even whistle after Inter Milan’s 2-2 draw with Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League.
The Nerazzurri faithful are very used to average performances in Europe, they’ve not won in eight games and haven’t triumphed in the competition since 1965.
Coach Jose Mourinho wasn’t that upset either, he knew Inter had got out of jail thanks to Barcelona’s shock home defeat by Rubin Kazan in the other Group F game. Barca, Dynamo and Rubin are on four points with Inter on three with three to play.
”This is a group with great difficulties. It’s a group with four champions,” he said.
On Saturday Inter went to Genoa, possibly the trickiest ground to visit in Serie A, and won 5-0 with almost the same side that then drew with Dynamo.
Serie A has been declining in quality for years and champions Inter are clear at the top already despite only playing well in fits and starts.
The Champions League now looks like a whole different ball game compared to the domestic league. UEFA president Michel Platini was criticised for making sure more smaller teams were in the competition this season but it is still looking very competitive given the Rubin and Kiev results, and Rangers 1 Unirea Urziceni 4. Liverpool’s troubles are another story.
Unlike the past, Mourinho is hinting that a home game with the likes of Dynamo is more difficult than an away match at a decent Serie A side.
Is it beginning to be true in other leagues as well? Are Rubin Kazan better than the likes of Deportivo for example?
PHOTO: Inter Milan’s Walter Samuel (L) challenges Dynamo Kiev’s Andriy Shevchenko during their Champions League soccer match at the San Siro stadium in Milan October 20, 2009. REUTERS/Max Rossi
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Germany striker Cacau out for three weeks
October 21, 2009
Stuttgart’s Germany striker Cacau will be out for three weeks with a hip injury, the Bundesliga side announced on Wednesday.
The 28-year-old attacker was hurt in Tuesday’s 3-1 Champions League defeat at home to Sevilla which effectively rules out the Germans chances of making the competition’s knock-out phase.
The Brazilian-born forward qualified for Germany through residency here and won the first of his four caps against China in Shanghai last May.
BERLIN (AFP)
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Rangers slam ‘disgusting’ abuse
October 21, 2009
Rangers have condemned the “moronic behaviour” of supporters alleged to have racially abused Maurice Edu after Tuesday night’s Champions League thrashing by Unirea Urziceni.
United States midfielder Edu, 23, played no part in the 4-1 Group G defeat but watched the match at Ibrox and says he was targeted by his own club’s supporters as he left the stadium.
A statement released by the Ibrox club read: “Rangers Football Club condemns out of hand this moronic behaviour.
“The action of this individual is disgusting and completely unacceptable.
“It is extremely disappointing that people such as this attach themselves to the wider Rangers support and tarnish the image of the club and its fans.
“The club will now undertake a full investigation to identify the individual in question and take appropriate action.
“We would urge anyone who has information on the identity of the individual responsible to contact the club immediately.
“Everyone associated with Rangers will once again demonstrate their on-going commitment to Show Racism the Red Card as we support the Weekend of Action at the Hibernian game at Ibrox Stadium on Saturday.”
Edu wrote a message on his Twitter feed which read: “Not sure what hurt more: result last nite or being racially abused by couple of r own fans as I’m getting in my car.”
The Rangers Supporters Trust condemned anyone who might have abused Edu, who has been out all season with a knee injury.
RST spokesman David Edgar said: “We would absolutely condemn that if that’s the case.
“These are not Rangers fans and they should be caught and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
Billy Singh, Campaign Manager for Show Racism the Red Card, said: “The racial abuse suffered by Maurice Edu last night was totally unacceptable.
“Would the same fans have reacted in the same way if he had scored the winning goal last night?
“It proves that as a society we have a long way to go to eradicate this type of behaviour.
“Official statistics show that on average there are 14 reported incidents a day.
“Anecdotal evidence suggests that 80% goes unreported.
“Football is leading the way in trying to change peoples attitudes and behaviour within football grounds.
“I call upon fans of all Scottish clubs to challenge this type of behaviour not only within football but in society in general. Show Racism the Red Card will continue to spread the anti-racist message in football but also in communities throughout Scotland.”
Abhimanyu Rajput
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Promotion fears led to Boro change
October 21, 2009
Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson says he sacked Gareth Southgate because he feared the club would fail to win promotion back to the Premier League this season.
Southgate was fired following a string of bad results, and despite last night’s victory over Derby which took Boro to one point off the top of the Championship.
Gordon Strachan, the former Celtic manager, is the clear favourite to replace Southgate.
Gibson told the club’s website: “When I sat down and considered our start to the season, I felt that the league table was actually more favourable than some of our performances.
“Then I looked at the important games against the teams immediately around us, and took those results into account.
“In general the results and the performances have not been to the level I would have hoped for.
“Before last night, our five home games had brought in seven points. That will not get us promoted, and promotion is the only objective for the season.”
Middlesbrough have already lost four times this season, and against some of their main promotion rivals – West Brom, Bristol City, Leicester and Watford. The club had suffered a run of home defeats without scoring that was the worst for 77 years.
Gibson added: “As difficult a decision as it was to make, the decision was made before last night’s match.
“One good result wasn’t going to change that decision.”
Strachan could be in position by Thursday as Gibson revealed that plans to appoint a new manager had begun before Southgate was sacked.
“We already had a strategy for Gareth’s replacement,” said Gibson.
“The timing of Gareth’s sacking was determined a little by the implementation of that strategy.”
Abhimanyu Rajput
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Hodgson reveals job offers
October 21, 2009
London based Premier League side Fulham FC’s manager Roy Hodgson revealed he has turned down offers to become the coach of Sweden and Norway.
Hodgson, who has worked extensively in Scandinavia earlier in his managerial career, confirmed approaches from both the Swedish and Norwegian federations. Lars Lagerback has departed his role as Sweden coach while Norway are also on the look-out for a full-time coach.
Hodgson said on Wednesday: “It’s very nice to be mentioned. I’ve made it clear to the people who have contacted me that I have a contract so it’s a non-starter and there is no point in them considering me.”
Hodgson began his managerial career with Halmstad in 1976. The 62-year-old also had a five-year spell at Malmo and a two-year stint at Orebro and managed the Finland national side.
Abhimanyu Rajput
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Luca Toni hints at Bayern exit
October 21, 2009
Unhappy Italy striker Luca Toni has hinted that he may leave Bayern Munich in the January transfer window despite assertions from club president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge that no strikers will be sold.
Toni has suffered a frustrating start to the season after injured and a spell with the reserves before finally being reintroduced to the first team last week.
In an interview with the Gazzetta dello Sport, he suggested he sees his future away from Bavaria.
“I have had four terrible months, it was clear things weren’t going well with the coach and now I’m delighted to be back playing and to have been complimented by the club,” he said.
“That shows that I’ve worked calmly despite the problems. However I don’t feel like saying I’ll stay in the winter.
“It depends on the situation. Right now I’m just thinking about scoring and then we’ll think about the future.
“But it’s clear that I want to play because this is an important year.”
World Cup winner Toni has not been selected for Italy in recent games and is worried that a prolonged absence from the Bayern team could affect his chances of playing in South Africa next year.
However, should he choose to leave, he may find Rummenigge blocking his path.
“No strikers will be sold in January,” he said. “I’ve never considered letting Toni leave on loan and only on Monday (coach Luis) Van Gaal told me that he was happy with his rehabilitation.”
Toni, who struggled with an achilles tendon injury and missed pre-season training, is fighting for a place against Bayern’s rising star Thomas Mueller, Croatia’s Ivica Olic and Germany strikers Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez.
ROME (AFP)
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Rummenigge to stay at Bayern through 2011
October 21, 2009
Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has extended his contract with the German giants for another two years until the end of 2011.”Karl-Heinz Rummenigge will stay until December 31, 2011 … the contract was signed two or three months ago,” club spokesman Markus Horwick told Germany’s SID sports agency on Wednesday ahead of Bayern’s Champions League tie here against Bordeaux.
The former German international has been chairman of Bayern since 2002.
BORDEAUX, France (AFP)
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Crew claims place in quarterfinals with 1-1 draw
October 21, 2009
The Columbus Crew became the first team from U.S. Major League Soccer to reach the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League, getting a 74th-minute goal by second-half substitute Emilio Renteria to earn a 1-1 draw with the Puerto Rico Islanders on Tuesday.
The draw gave Columbus eight points in Group C, three better than Costa Rica’s Saprissa, which played Cruz Azul later Tuesday. But the Crew beat Saprissa in Costa Rica and drew with it at home to advance on head-to-head results.
Renteria, who entered the game two minutes earlier for Emmanuel Ekpo, capitalized on the work of Steven Lenhart, who replaced Frankie Hejduk in the 61st minute. Lenhart won a ball outside the area and closed on Puerto Rico goalkeeper Justin Myers, who raced off his line to give the Columbus forward a smaller target.
Myers blocked Lenhart’s initial shot, but the rebound bounced back to Renteria, who shot over the out-of-position keeper.
The Islanders, who advanced to the semifinals of last season’s inaugural competition, finished this year’s tournament without a win in the Group Stage and only two points. Tuesday’s match was their first since October 4 against Montreal, a 2-1 loss that eliminated it from the United Soccer League First Division playoff semifinals.
Neither side looked particularly dangerous in the first half, but and Puerto Rico took the lead on a seemingly innocuous play.
Noah Delgado headed a wayward ball back toward goal and teammate Cristian Arrieta attempted a twisting side volley at the edge of the six-yard box. But Arrieta missed, and the ball bounced in front of goalkeeper Will Hesmer, who appeared to be bracing for Arrieta’s shot but instead let the ball go underneath and between his legs.
Knowing a draw would clinch a place in the quarterfinals, Columbus manager Robert Warzycha inserted Adam Moffat for Kevin Burns to start the second half. Moffat had two chances in the first two minutes, a shot from distance high and a soft header into Myers hands, and Brian Carroll also went just wide from distance in the third minute.
Columbus, the defending MLS champion which has the best record in this year’s U.S. league play, joined Mexican sides Pumas, Pachuca, Cruz Azul and Toluca in the knockout round and will learn its quarterfinal opponent in the November 17 draw at CONCACAF’s New York headquarters.
BAYAMON, Puerto Rico
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Toluca earns fourth Mexican spot in CCL quarters
October 21, 2009
A second-half penalty kick by Israel Lopez forged a 1-1 draw for Toluca against D.C. United on Tuesday and clinched the Mexican squad’s berth in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals at Estadio Nemesio Diez.
Los Diablos join fellow Mexican sides Cruz Azul, Pachuca and Pumas in the knockout stage, as well as the Columbus Crew. Meanwhile, D.C. United, which became the second Major League Soccer team to earn a point on Mexican soil, will have to wait for Thursday’s Group B finale between Marathon and San Juan Jabloteh in Trinidad to know if it will advance.
Marathon needs a victory to advance, or D.C. will claim the second berth from Group B.
D.C. United jumped in front six minutes after the opening kickoff on Chris Pontius’ second goal of the Group Stage. Luciano Emilio latched onto a long punt from goalkeeper Steve Cronin and, after one bounce, headed back to Pontius. The rookie took the ball off his chest and unleashed a blast inside the near post.
For a while it appeared Los Diablos wouldn’t solve D.C. goalkeeper Steve Cronin, who was pressed into action early and often.
In the 37th minute, the recently acquired keeper dived to his right to snare Issac Brizuela’s low, hard shot from distance and in the first minute of first-half stoppage time, Raul Nava headed Brizuela’s cross off the crossbar.
Toluca equalizeD in the 62nd minute after Trinidadian referee Geoffrey Hospedales pointed to the spot for a clumsy challenge by Lawson Vaughn that sent Lopez tumbling to the ground near the end line.
Lopez, who came on for Vladimir Marin just three minutes earlier, put a low shot past Cronin, who dived to his left in vain.
Two minutes later, the visitors had their best chance to regain the lead, but Devon McTavish’s diving header from 10 meters was wide of the net.
Toluca was safe to advance with a draw, but the hosts still pressed for the winning goal. Diego De La Torre’s bouncing shot in the 66th minute was wide to Cronin’s left and then Cronin came up with a diving save at the edge of the six-yard box on Nava in the 73rd minute.
Toluca completed the group stage with a 4-1-1 record atop Group B with 13 points. D.C. United was next with 10 points, one better than Marathon. But while Toluca is through, D.C. United must wait until Thursday to learn its fate.
TOLUCA, Mexico
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