Painful memories drive Real on for Barca showdown

November 28, 2009


Real Madrid have the formidable attacking threat of Cristiano Ronaldo back in their armory at the perfect time as they travel to Camp Nou on Sunday for the eagerly-anticipated ‘El Clasico’ against champions Barcelona.

Real hold a one-point lead over Barcelona at the top but need no reminder of the quality of their opponents after losing the last Clasico 6-2 at the Santiago Bernabeu back in May when Lionel Messi tore them to shreds.

Messi is a doubt for this game with a thigh strain picked up last Saturday and did not play in Tuesday’s 2-0 Champions League win over Inter Milan although he was on the substitutes’ bench along with Zlatan Ibrahimovic who also has a thigh problem.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola says he is optimistic over Messi but must decide whether to risk the star from the start or leave him on the bench while his opposite number Manuel Pellegrini has a similar dilemma over Ronaldo who played for the first time in two months with a 20-minute outing in the 1-0 Champions League win over FC Zurich.

Ronaldo had missed ten games with ankle trouble but declared himself fit for his first Clasico against the team who left him in tears at the end of last season by beating his then Manchester United side in the Champions League final.

“I want to play in El Clasico if I feel good, although that is the responsibility of the coach,” said Ronaldo. “I didn’t score (against Zurich) but I hope to do so in the next game (against Barcelona). It doesn’t bother me if it’s 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1, the important thing is to win.”

Real lost both games against their foes last season falling 12 points behind Barcelona after the first Clasico in mid-December before the disastrous 6-2 loss which all but wrapped up the title for Barca.

“If I had lost 6-2 in the last match against a big rival I would be going out for revenge but Madrid aren’t like that,” said Barcelona defender Dani Alves. “I think they will come full of respect. They know it is difficult to play here even more so having lost that way last time.”

Real have not thrilled their fans too much this season but have amassed 28 points out of a possible 33 to make their best start in 17 years.

“Of course they are the leaders why wouldn’t they be after spending 270 million euros?” said Guardiola.

Money has bought Real the talent of Brazilian Kaka, Spain playmaker Xabi Alonso and Ronaldo who will all be ready for their first Clasico experience, while Barcelona have a host of homegrown players such as Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique who have grown up with Real as the enemy.

While the Clasico takes centre stage in Spain this weekend the teams below the top two concentrate on trying to prove they are genuine title alternatives.

Valencia are one such team, lying four points behind leaders Real, and host Real Mallorca on Saturday targeting a fifth straight league win.

“For us the best thing in the Clasico would be a draw so both teams drop two points,” said Valencia forward David Villa. “It does not make sense for us to talk about being title contenders in November.”

Villa has scored nine goals already this season to top the goal-scoring charts and could have been playing in the Real-Barcelona game had Valencia not stood so firm in the summer when both teams wanted his services.

Sevilla lie three points behind Real in third and should get the three points at home to bottom side Malaga on Saturday and then see which of the top two, if not both, drops points.

“If we want to be competing for the league we can’t slip up at home,” said defender Manuel Lolo. “At least one of the big two (Barcelona and Real) will drop points and we need to make it count.”

Atletico began the season with hopes of a title charge but have had their worst since 1954 with seven points from the first 11 matches leaving them third from bottom.

New coach Quique Sanchez Flores seeks his first league win in charge at home to Espanyol on Sunday to try and ease fears the club could suffer a shock relegation like in 2000.

Fixtures

Saturday

Sporting Gijon v Villarreal (1700 GMT), Valencia v Real Mallorca (1900 GMT), Sevilla v Malaga (2100 GMT)

Sunday (all 1600 GMT unless stated)

Valladolid v Tenerife, Getafe v Xerez, Racing Santander v Deportivo La Coruna, Almeria v Athletic Bilbao, Real Zaragoza v Osasuna, Barcelona v Real Madrid (1800 GMT), Atletico Madrid v Espanyol (2000 GMT)

MADRID (AFP)

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US work begins with World Cup berth settled

October 16, 2009


Qualifying for the 2010 World Cup was one thing for the United States. Doing well in eight months in South Africa is another, especially in the wake of major injuries to key starters.

The Americans concluded North American qualifying for next year’s global showpiece with a 2-2 draw against Costa Rica on Wednesday to finish top of the group, a feat US coach Bob Bradley hopes will bring a seeding boost.

“We had big goals and we achieved them,” Bradley said. “Now we have to work hard to continue to improve.

“We understand the responsibility of the World Cup. It’s great to get there but there’s a responsibility to get there and play at a high level. We’re proud to win the group but we know what is ahead of us.”

The Americans reached the 2002 quarter-finals but were ousted in the opening group stage in Germany in 2006, setting the stage for Bradley to take over the US side.

Bradley made it clear that the US goal is nothing less than capturing the World Cup, but to that end the next goal will be simply to make it through the first round against foes he will learn in December’s draw.

“We can only control this situation when we get there,” Bradley said. “You have to be able to play those three games in a certain way. You have to adapt after the first game.”

The Americans are likely to have to play without striker Charlie Davies, who suffered major injuries in a car crash on Tuesday and is expected to need six to 12 months of rehabilitation.

Added to that was defender Oguchi Onyewu’s torn left patella tendon suffered late in Wednesday’s game, leaving a 10-man US team to fight back for the equalizer on Jonathan Bornstein’s header in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

“It’s another setback for us,” Bradley said. “‘Gooch’ has been such an important part of our team. He is someone we are sure is going to get back.”

Whether the AC Milan defender will be at peak form for the World Cup is unknown but the US squad, a mix of veterans and new faces such as Davies, has been able to rely upon different players to come through at key times.

That includes a run to the FIFA Confederations Cup final earlier this year in South Africa, where the US team led Brazil at half-time before losing the championship match.

WASHINGTON (AFP)

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Superstar Eto´o tackles giant Janko for Golden Boot

April 28, 2009

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PARIS (AFP) – Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o has grappled with many hardy foes during his career, but the Cameroonian hitman has probably never found himself in direct opposition with a player like Marc Janko.

The 6ft 5in 25-year-old plays his club football for Austrian first division leaders Red Bull Salzburg, but rather than a wily centre-half or an indefatigable full-back, Janko is a striker.

He also happens to be Eto’o’s nearest rival for the European Golden Boot, the award handed out each year for the top goalscorer in European football.

The Austrian has scored an astonishing 35 goals in just 27 league games this season, firing his side to a seven-point lead at the league summit, but he says his focus is on the title, rather than individual honours.

“We are on course for the league title and we therefore simply have to win,” he said.

“My main aim is helping the club to the title and then I can think about the European golden boot and the Austrian goalscoring record (41).”

Eto’o has scored 27 times this term, but the weighting system employed by award organisers the European Sport Magazine group (ESM) means that he leads Janko at the top of the continental scoring charts.

Players who represent clubs in Europe’s top five leagues – England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France – are awarded two points per goal scored, but those who earn their corn in the continent’s weaker competitions are awarded either one or 1.5 points.

Austria’s UEFA co-efficient means their goalscorers are awarded 1.5 points, giving Janko a current total of 52.5 points. Eto’o has 54, despite having scored eight fewer goals.

Eto’o is also bidding to become the first player in Spain to score over 30 goals in a season since Barcelona predecessor Ronaldo netted 34 times in the 1996-97 campaign, but he, too, professes not to be interested by individual glory.

“I just wish, if God allows, to be able to fight to try to snatch the title from Real Madrid. Whatever comes after will be welcome,” he said.

Janko would not be the first European hot-shot to be beaten to the prize by a more illustrious name from a bigger league.

The list of recent recipients reads like a Who’s Who of world football, with France striker Thierry Henry, Italy’s Francesco Totti and Manchester United’s Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo all picking up the award in recent years.

Looking further back, though, the list takes on an altogether more unfamiliar feel.

Georgi Slavkov of Bulgarian side Trakia was honoured for his goalscoring exploits in the 1980-81 season, while names as unheralded as Hector Yazalde, Kees Kist and Sotiris Kaiafas have all scored their way to glory since the award’s inception in 1967.

The reason for the Golden Boot’s more democratic feel in its earlier incarnation was that all the goals scored in Europe were valued equally.

And while it made for some unfamiliar names on the winners’ register, it didn’t prevent global superstars such as Eusebio, Gerd Muller and Marco van Basten from walking away with the trophy.

All that changed, however, in 1991, following an accusation from Cypriot football officials that one of their players had been overlooked by then-organisers France Football magazine.

The magazine stopped handing out the award, naming an ‘unofficial’ winner between 1992 and 1996, when ESM – of which France Football was then a member – stepped into the breach and introduced the ranking system in a bid to negate conflict.

Ronaldo’s victory in 1997 immediately re-established the award’s glamour credentials, but the battle between Janko and Eto’o bears testament to the fact that the Golden Boot doesn’t always go to Europe’s sharpest shooter.

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Celtic prepared for title test of nerves

April 18, 2009

Image and video hosting by TinyPicGLASGOW (AFP) – Celtic can increase their lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League when they face Aberdeen on Saturday with midfielder Barry Robson predicting the champions have the iron will to retain their title.

Rivals Rangers closed the gap last weekend to just one point as they defeated Motherwell while Celtic were held to a hard-fought draw by Hearts.

However, the Hoops take on Aberdeen at Parkhead 23 hours before the Gers run out at Easter Road for their game against Hibernian and know a win could pile extra pressure on their Old Firm foes.

With just six games left, the league could go to the wire as it did last season when Celtic clinched their third championship on the trot with a final day win against Dundee United.

Robson said: “It’s nervous every day at Celtic, in every training session.

“That’s just the way it is, so it’s no different now compared to any other part of the season.

“I don’t think it will be down to the final day again, although you just don’t know how it is going to go.

“There’s a lot of pressure in all the games to come, but all the boys here know how to handle that. That’s one thing we do have in our favour here.

“We know what it takes because last year we had to go seven games unbeaten to win the league, and we still have the same personnel to do that. So it’s something we are comfortable with.”

Celtic will be without Robson, Georgios Samaras and Shaun Maloney for the match but all could return for the final Old Firm clash of the season at Ibrox on May 9.

The Dons, who are on a seven-match unbeaten run, will be a tough test for the Parkhead side.

Jimmy Calderwood’s side have conceded just five goals in that run and were narrowly beaten 3-2 on their last visit to Parkhead, having beaten the Hoops 4-2 at Pittodrie.

On Sunday, Rangers travel to Easter Road to take on Hibs.

Walter Smith has handed former captain Barry Ferguson and keeper Allan McGregor a lifeline at the club by revealing they will be available for selection again after serving a two-week suspension.

The Gers boss had previously hinted they wouldn’t play for the Ibrox side again after their drinking session and behaviour while on international duty.

However, Smith changed his stance after reviewing how the Scottish Football Association (SFA) handled the situation.

Rangers are still without injury victims Kirk Broadfoot, Sasa Papac, Lee McCulloch and Kenny Miller for the match.

The Easter Road side will provide stern opposition for Smith’s side as they bid for the points they need for a top six finish.

In Saturday’s other games, Falkirk host Hearts desperate for points as they battle to avoid relegation.

The Bairns are four points adrift at the bottom and need to start winning soon if they are to stay in the top flight.

Dundee United take on Kilmarnock at Tannadice five points off the pace in their bid to qualify for next year’s Europa League.

Killie are in confident spirits following their win against Falkirk last weekend, their first in 2009.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle could leapfrog fellow relegation battlers Hamilton with a win at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium.

Motherwell need a win over St Mirren at Fir Park and hope Rangers defeat Hibs if they are to make the top six after the league splits following this weekend’s fixtures.

Fixtures (1500 GMT unless stated)

Saturday

Celtic v Aberdeen, Dundee United v Kilmarnock, Falkirk v Hearts, Inverness CT v Hamilton, Motherwell v St Mirren (1230)

Sunday

Hibernian v Rangers (1400)

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Celtic still title favourites, says Rangers´ Boyd

April 12, 2009

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GLASGOW (AFP) – Kris Boyd insists Celtic are still title favourites despite his double in a 3-1 win over Motherwell helping his side move within one point of their rivals at the top of the Scottish Premier League.

The striker scored for the third consecutive game as Rangers picked up their third win in six days following defeats of Falkirk and St Mirren.

With their Old Firm foes Celtic dropping two points in a 1-1 draw against Hearts in the early kick-off match the Ibrox side cut the gap at the top with six games left.

But Boyd, who now has 98 goals for Rangers since he signed from Kilmarnock, said knowing the Hoops had slipped up didn’t add any pressure on the Gers to win their game.

“There is always a pressure when you play at Ibrox and in the last two home games we have let the fans down and we’ve let ourselves down,” Boyd said.

“Celtic are still favourites and we will hang on to them for as long as we can.

“We just need to go out and win our remaining games starting with Hibs next week which will be a hard game.”

Manager Walter Smith said the championship would be decided by how the teams handle their matches against the teams in the top half of the table after the SPL splits in two next week.

“The biggest thing is you have got to win the games. We have managed to win three in a six day period there which is a big boost to us all,” Smith said.

Smith singled out Boyd for praise after his double against Motherwell took his total to 28 goals for the season.

“I felt he was excellent today and has been playing really well for us,” Smith said.

“I think for the last couple of months he has played for the team. He went through a spell there where he went a few games without scoring but you know he will always come back and get a goal.

“But it is his overall performances that have been excellent recently which has been the biggest thing. If he plays like that he will always score and get you a goal.”

At Tynecastle, Celtic took the lead after just 30 seconds when Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink fired in a shot from the edge of the box.

But Bruno Aguiar’s superb free-kick from 35-yards levelled matters 13 minutes before half-time and despite late pressure Csaba Lazlo’s side couldn’t find a winner.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan said he didn’t know whether to regard the result as a point gained or two lost.

“I’ll know at the end of the season. But, at the moment, I feel it’s not too bad considering the injuries we have picked up,” he said.

“We had to deal with injuries during it and a frantic game of football. They have about eight players 6ft and over and they use their weapons well.

“There is a lot of ice in that dressing room – it’s like the dining room on the Titanic.”

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Trophies count, not records, says Henry

January 19, 2009

MADRID (AFP) – Barcelona set a new record of 50 points at the halfway point in the season with their 5-0 thumping of Deportivo La Coruna, but Thierry Henry says it will be meaningless if they fail to be crowned champions.

"If we don’t win the league, records count for nothing," said the French striker.

"We haven’t won anything yet but are certainly on the right track. We just have to keep going and put pressure on our rivals."

With 19 games gone Barcelona have registered 16 wins, two draws and just one loss to clock up a half century of points that betters the previous record of 47 points set by Real Madrid last season.

Real cruised to the title after racing out of the blocks in the last campaign and Barca hope to do the same and prevent their foes from notching a third successive league title.

"Records are good but we have to keep on winning and collecting points," said Argentine Lionel Messi.

"I am happy because things are going well. We have points and good results. We are still winning and scoring lots of goals and letting in few, and that matters.

"We have to keep our feet on the ground, we have to carry on like this."

Barca are 12 points clear of Real and Sevilla at the summit after scoring goals for fun in the first half of the campaign.

Messi, who scored the opener against Deportivo, has 12 goals for the season, Henry has 11 while Samuel Eto’o leads the way with 18 goals as Barcelona players dominate the goalscoring charts.

Barcelona have scored more goals than any other team – averaging over three a game – and have the best defensive record.

"The record won’t win us the title," said captain Carles Puyol. "We have to carry on working. However, after losing to Numancia (on the opening day of the season) I never imagined we’d have a first half like this."

Barceloan are unbeaten in 17 league games and coach Pep Guardiola admitted his team had set a high standard.

"It is not bad at the halfway stage," said the former Spain international. "We have lots of points, only been beaten once and scored lots of goals. The first half of the season has gone well and we can be happy with that.

"Now we want the same in the second half. The record will only be remarkable if we end up as champions.

"The fans will remember this (record) forever if we win the league, but if we don’t it’ll just be an anecdote."

Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure paid tribute to Guardiola who had no top-flight managerial experience prior to succeeding Frank Rijkaard in the summer.

"The manager is a winner and he transmits that to us," said Toure. "After two years without a trophy we want one and so do the fans."

Barcelona’s last piece of silverware came in 2006 when they won a league and Champions League double under Rijkaard.

Written by: AFP

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