Hoffenheim’s Ba sidelined for three weeks

January 19, 2010

German side Hoffenheim will have to do without striker Demba Ba for about three weeks. The player is suffering from a thigh muscle injury.

Hoffenheim manager Ralf Rangnick confirmed the player’s absence to German sports magazine Kicker.

Ba, who joined Hoffenheim in 2007 and helped the side reach Germany’s top flight, played a total of 13 matches this season and scored four goals. Up front, the Frenchman has to compete with a number of other strikers, most notably Vedad Ibisevic.

As there are several others to take Ba’s place, Rangnick reaffirmed that the club would not attract any new players during the winter break.

Tags: absence, Demba, demba ba, frenchman, german side, german sports, Germany, kicker, manager, Ralf Rangnick, sports magazine, strikers, thigh muscle injury, top flight, Vedad, winter break

Ronaldinho “loved and respected” at Milan

January 19, 2010

After several years in which it looked liked the old Ronaldinho would never come back, the Brazilian appears to have returned to shape and says to feel happy at AC Milan.

In an interview with French sportspaper l’Equipe, Ronaldinho said to feel “loved and respected” at the Italian outfit.

“It is a special moment in my life and in my career. We know that we have to work hard to win the ‘Scudetto’, but this team can reach the final destination in the three competitions,” he added.

Ronaldinho went on to comment on the relationship with manager Leonardo: “It it normal that when someone gets affection, he responds.”

The 29-year-old midfielder joined Milan in 2008 after five seasons at Barcelona. In Spain, the player was particularly successful until 2006 but lost much of his form in the two following years.

Tags: ac milan, affection, Barcelona, competitions, Equipe, final destination, five seasons, italian outfit, l equipe, leonardo, manager, midfielder, Milan, relationship, ronaldinho, scudetto, shape, Spain, special moment

Durica joins Hannover 96 on loan

January 13, 2010

Hannover 96 has bolstered their defense with Jan Durica. The Slovakian centre back joins the troubled Bundesliga side from Lokomotiv Moscow.

Hannover manager Andreas Bergmann is very pleased with his latest acquisition.

“Jan Durica is a very strong and experienced defender. We are delighted that he has made the decision to join us. He really adds something to the team,” said Bergmann on the Hannover website.

The 28-year-old defender previously played for Dunajska Streda, Artmedia Bratislava and Saturn Moscow before joining Lokomotiv in January 2009. He failed to make an impact with the Russians though and has therefore been allowed to move on.

Durica is a regular starter for the Slovakian national team and is likely to be part of the squad that takes part in the World Cup in June.

Tags: acquisition, Andreas Bergmann, Artmedia, bergmann, Bratislava, Bundesliga, Dunajska, hannover, hannover 96, Jan Durica, Lokomotiv, manager, Moscow, russians, saturn, slovakian, World Cup

Kuranyi stays at Schalke despite English interest

January 12, 2010

His name was strongly linked with several Premier League clubs but Kevin Kurany has ruled out a January move from Schalke 04.

Kuranyi’s contract at the Veltins Arena expires in June and several media reported that the striker was set to join either Chelsea, Sunderland or Birmingham City these days.

But the former German international insists he will be staying in Gelsenkirchen until the summer at least.

“Now I have the chance to make something big happen at this club, I will stay on because of this and because of (Schalke manager) Felix Magath,” he told Bild.

“Even though I still feel tired due to the intensiveness of our most recent camp of training, Felix Magath has forced me to be on top of my fitness. Under his belt I have found back the keys to enjoy the game.”

The 27-year-old targetman has enjoyed a good season so far with eight goals in 16 matches.

Schalke have already stated they want Kuranyi to stay, but Magath conceded unless they finish in the Champions League places they were unlikely to be able to keep him.

Schalke currently sit just one point adrift of top spot in the Bundesliga.

Tags: birmingham city, Champions, champions league, CHELSEA, contract, felix magath, fitness, game, gelsenkirchen, interest, kevin kurany, kuranyi, manager, premier league, premier league clubs, Schalke, schalke 04, something, striker, Sunderland, Veltins, veltins arena

Stoke reveal Ruud interest

January 11, 2010

Stoke City chairman Peter Coates has revealed that the Premier League club are making enquiries about the availability of Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

The former Manchester United man hopes to be a part of Netherlands’ World Cup squad for the finals in South Africa this summer.

But the 33-year-old has struggled to hold down a regular place in the starting XI at the Bernabeu and the club are believed to be willing to sanction a move.

Stoke are looking to secure a third successive season in the Premier League and manager Tony Pulis has said he is looking to strengthen his squad during the January transfer window.

Coates admitted he was unsure how likely a deal for the prolific striker would be, but confirmed their interest had been lodged.

He said: “It may be a long shot but we’ve made enquiries and we’ll see what comes from them.

“It depends on him wanting games to make sure he goes to the World Cup. We’re too far away from it to know how realistic the chances are of it happening.”

The Dutchman scored 150 times for United in all competitions during his five seasons at Old Trafford, where he won the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup before an £11million move to the Spanish giants in 2006.

After initial success at Real, his time at the club has been dogged by injuries and he now hopes to impress Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk to take part in what would surely be his last World Cup finals.

Tags: bernabeu, bert van, bert van marwijk, city chairman, competitions, Cup, dutchman, FA Cup, five seasons, initial success, manager, Manchester, manchester united, Nistelrooy, old trafford, peter coates, place, premier league, real madrid, ruud van nistelrooy, South Africa, striker, Trafford, world cup finals, world cup squad

Zaki transfer listed by Zamalek

January 7, 2010

Zamalek have put former Wigan athletic striker Amr Zaki on the club’s transfer list. Zaki, who was labelled by former boss Steve Bruce as ”the most unprofessional player I ever worked with”, failed to show up for training on five consecutive days.

Zamalek are angry with the player and the club are ready to offload Zaki should a worthy offer be submitted, Zamalek board member Hazem Emam told local media.

“We are open to offers for Zaki. Any worthy offer will be accepted”, said Emam

“The club can no longer bear such actions. Missing training for several days without giving any explanation is an inexplicable action from a professional player like Zaki.”

“The player should have informed the technical staff of his intent to skip training. We don’t want any problems in the team.”

The controversial striker has been left out of Egypt’s squad for the African Cup of Nations. Ever since being snubbed for his reported injury, Zaki has been untraceable. Egypt manager Hassan Shehata has said he couldn’t reach the 26-year-old either.

Tags: African, african cup of nations, amalek, amr, amr zaki, board member, boss, consecutive days, Egypt, hassan, hassan shehata, Hazem, local media, manager, professional player, Steve Bruce, striker, technical staff, transfer, Wigan, Zaki

Freiburg sign Namouchi

December 24, 2009

Bundesliga side Freiburg have announced the signing of Hamed Namouchi on a free transfer.

The 25-year-old has had to endure a nervous few months having been without a club since leaving French side Lorient at the end of last season.

However the former Rangers midfielder has now penned a deal until the end of the season, with the option of an additional year included in the contract.

The Tunisia international has been on trial with the Bundesliga club throughout December and impressed manager Robin Dutt enough to secure full-time terms.

Meanwhile Freiburg have allowed Cameroon midfielder Alain Junior Olle Olle to join Bundesliga 2 side Rot-Weiss Ahlen on loan.

The 22-year-old has struggled to hold down a regular first-team place since signing in January 2008.

Tags: ahlen, Alain Junior, bundesliga 2, cameroon, end, former rangers, french side, Hamed, Lorient, manager, Namouchi, olle, option, Robin Dutt, rot weiss, transfer, Tunisia, Weiss

Benitez wants Babel to explain outburst

November 26, 2009

Ryan Babel will be hauled into Rafael Benitez’s office today to explain his critical attitude towards his manager at Liverpool. On Tuesday, the Dutch winger said Benitez is not keeping his promises.

Babel is in his third season with Liverpool but is still yet to claim a regular starting spot in Benitez’s first-choice XI. The Holland international blames the lack of chances he’s got at Anfield. “Isn’t it unbelievable that in my first year I got chosen as Talent of the Year? And a season later I hardly play and without getting a proper chance,” Babel asks himself.

Benitez is not amused with Babel’s comments and wants to know why he went to the press. “I have got to talk to the player and I will see what his explanation is,” the Spanish coach told the Liverpool Echo. Babel missed Tuesday’s match against Debrecen (0-1 win) with an ankle injury.

Paul Haring

Tags: ankle injury, critical attitude, Echo, explanation, first choice, Holland, holland international, Liverpool, liverpool echo, manager, match, office today, outburst, Paul Haring, promises, rafael benitez, ryan babel, spanish coach, third season, winger

Ferguson laments growth in simulated fouls

September 4, 2009

Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson lamented Friday that simulation by players had crept into English football in recent years, after top European coaches agreed to try to root it out.

“It’s a very difficult area. In my experience in English football over the past 15 years it has crept into the game, there’s no doubt that’s not acceptable,” he told journalists.

Ferguson, one of the participants in the Elite Club Coaches Forum at European football’s governing body UEFA said it was one of the top general issues raised at the meeting.

“We all agreed that education is the best way forward, from the youth team to the first team,” he said.

“No one coach is proud that players simulate to get a decision,” Ferguson added, especially because of its impact on youngsters.

Arsenal announced on Thursday that they will appeal against UEFA’s decision to ban their striker Eduardo for two matches for allegedly diving to win a penalty against Celtic in a Champions League qualifier and “deceiving the referee”.

UEFA Technical Director Andy Roxburgh said Eduardo’s specific case was not discussed during the forum, in which Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger also took part.

Asked about the Eduardo sanction, Ferguson described it as a “big example,” even though he agreed with Arsenal’s stance in protecting its players and the difficulty of identifying the limits to disciplining simulation.

“It’s always difficult because I see it every week now, I see some guy dive,” Ferguson acknowledged.

“They (referees) can’t pick every instance, it’s impossible, there’d be no players left, but that’s the way it’s going.”

However, Ferguson insisted that high profile cases had to be tackled.

“UEFA’s position, and I tend to agree with it, is that there’s such a high profile competition now, that we have to make sure it’s done in the fairest possible way.

“In the moral high ground, I have to agree that something needs to be done. I wouldn’t be pleased if my player did that, but I wouldn’t say it in public.”

Roxburgh said the experimental use of two extra match officials on the touchline in this season’s Europa League might help referees spot cases of simulation and act as a deterrent.

GENEVA (AFP)

Tags: alex ferguson, andy roxburgh, area, arsenal manager arsene wenger, Champions, champions league qualifier, club coaches, Coaches, coaches forum, competition, Director Andy Roxburgh, Eduardo, elite club, english football, european coaches, Ferguson, geneva, governing body, manager, manager arsene wenger, Manchester, manchester united, moral high ground, no doubt, profile cases, referees, sanction, sir alex ferguson, Technical, technical director, uefa, Wenger, youngsters

FC Twente make Wellington swoop

September 2, 2009

Brazilian striker Wellington is joining Eredivisie club FC Twente on a one-year loan from Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim.

Hoffenheim signed the 21-year-old at the beginning of last season, its first in the Bundesliga.

He has played 19 German league matches so far, but this season has made only one appearance as a substitute.

“Wellington sees the opportunity to get playing time,” Hoffenheim manager Jan Schindelmeiser said in a statement released Tuesday.

“We hope that he will develop his qualities further in a new environment.”

And Hoffenheim announced on Monday that it was taking 20-year-old Finnish defender Jukka Raitala on a one-year loan from HJK Helsinki, with an option to buy him at the end of the season.

Abhimanyu Rajput