Real look for more Guti inspiration to reel in Barca

February 6, 2010

After ending their 19-year jinx at the Riazor Stadium with last weekend’s 3-1 win over Deportivo La Coruna, Real look to keep their perfect home record intact with victory over Espanyol on Saturday and try to make inroads into Barcelona’s five-point lead at the summit.

Real veteran Guti, 33, has been the talk of the Madrid media after his audacious back heel – which has been replayed constantly on Spanish television this week – set up Real’s standout goal against Depor and the club hope he can produce more moments of magic as they attempt to overtake Barca.

Barcelona have notched up four consecutive wins without conceding a goal and entertain Getafe at Camp Nou on Saturday before Real take to the field against Espanyol.

“It was important for us to lift the Depor curse and the league is far from over,” said Guti. “Barcelona don’t seem to drop any points so we can’t afford to make any mistakes.”

Guti looked to be on his way out of the club following a rift with coach Manuel Pellegrini earlier in the season but that now seems to be water under the bridge and the playmaker is even dreaming of making Spain’s World Cup despite winning the last of his 15 caps back in 2005.

Real will again be without Cristiano Ronaldo as the Portuguese striker completes his two-match suspension but a perfect 30 points from ten league games at home make Madrid strong favourites for the win despite his absence.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world but we are a team and can’t rely on one player,” said defender Raul Albiol.

Espanyol, down in 14th, have won just once away from home largely due to their woeful three goals on the road but have a habit of turning it on against the big sides.

Barcelona will be cheering on their city rivals while Real hope their neighbours Getafe can at least take a point at unbeaten Barcelona.

Getafe could be heavy-legged after playing the first leg of their Kings Cup semi-final on Wednesday – losing 2-0 at Sevilla – while Barcelona are rested after no midweek commitment.

The Madrid media insinuated that leaders Barcelona were the beneficiaries of kind refereeing decisions but Mali international Seydou Keita said such suggestions were wide of the mark.

“Barcelona are ahead of Real Madrid because we are better and not because of the referees,” emphasised Keita. “I don’t know if someone’s trying to unsettle the referees with these comments.”

In other matches, Villarreal stand-in coach Juan Carlos Garrido takes charge of the team for the first time in Sunday’s match at Real Mallorca following the dismissal of coach Ernesto Valverde.

“After 11 years here (as reserve team coach) I know the club well and the players,” said Garrido. “I think Villarreal have some of the best players in the world and you just have to look at the national teams for evidence of that.”

A trip to Mallorca is not the easiest start considering the islanders have won all nine games at their fortress Ono stadium and lie fifth.

Struggling Valladolid also got rid of their manager with Jose Luis Mendilibar with the club hovering one place above the relegation zone and reserve team coach Onesimo Sanchez has taken over and must fire up the team for a testing trip to Valencia on Saturday.

Valencia are in third, three points above Sevilla who beat them 2-1 last time out.

That win helped Sevilla move back into the top four and they aim to close in further on Valencia with victory against lowly Real Zaragoza on Sunday.

Sevilla put one step in the Kings Cup final with a 2-0 semi-final first leg win over Getafe on Wednesday so confidence is high.

Atletico Madrid gained a huge psychological boost ahead of their Sunday clash with Racing Santander after they thrashed the same opponents 4-0 in Thursday’s King’s Cup semi-final first leg meeting.

Atletico may be going strong in the cup but languish down in 13th in the league a full 13 points off the top four.

Fixtures

Saturday

Valencia v Valladolid (1700 GMT), Barcelona v Getafe (1900 GMT), Real Madrid v Espanyol (2100 GMT)

Sunday – all 1600 GMT unless stated

Malaga v Deportivo La Coruna, Osasuna v Tenerife, Real Mallorca v Villarreal, Almeria v Sporting Gijon, Real Zaragoza v Sevilla (1800 GMT), Racing Santander v Atletico Madrid (2000 GMT)

MADRID (AFP)

Tags: barca, Barcelona, barcelona getafe, camp nou, city rivals, depor, deportivo la coruna, ernesto valverde, Espanyol, inroads, jinx, Jose Luis Mendilibar, Juan Carlos, kings cup, la coruna, league games, MADRID, Malaga, mali, manuel pellegrini, moments of magic, perfect home, playmaker, raul albiol, Riazor Stadium, ronaldo, santander, SEVILLA, Spain, spanish television, standout, Tenerife, Valencia, valladolid, water under the bridge, Zaragoza

Galliani refutes Kaka claims

February 6, 2010

Adriano Galliani has refuted claims that Milan sold Kaka to Real Madrid knowing he was struggling with an injury.

The Brazilian playmaker has failed to make the expected impact at the Bernabeu this season following his big-money summer switch.

His cause has been hindered by a niggling groin problem which has prevented him from maintaining his high standards.

Reports in Madrid had suggested Kaka had been carrying the problem for some time, with Milan said to be aware that the 27-year-old could struggle.

However Galliani has strenuously denied such accusations, with the Rossoneri vice-president quick to point out that the Samba star never struggled with injuries throughout his time in Serie A.

“It’s absurd,” he said.

“Last season Kaka played 31 games in the Italian league and was a virtual ever-present. I don’t like the suggestion that we gave Real Madrid an injured player.”

Tags: accusations, adriano, bernabeu, Galliani, games, groin problem, italian league, kaka, MADRID, Milan, money, playmaker, Real, real madrid, rossoneri, samba, suggestion, vice president

Berlusconi unhappy with Milan’s transfer policy

February 3, 2010

Milan president Silvio Berlusconi isn’t pleased with his club’s latest signing. ‘Il Cavaliere’ has admitted he is confused and disappointed with the signing of Amantino Mancini.

The Brazilian winger joined Milan from city rivals Internazionale on the last day of the transfer window. The move has left Berlusconi a little confused.

“The acquisition of Mancini? I do not understand it,” he told members of the press during a trip to Jerusalem.

Vice-president Adriano Galliani had described Mancini as an “excellent signing”, however his boss doesn’t agree and he told him as much.

“It’s another playmaker and we need somebody who can finish and win the game. I disagree with the purchase and that’s what I told Galliani,” he concluded.

Tags: acquisition, adriano galliani, amantino mancini, boss, city rivals, game, il cavaliere, jerusalem, Milan, playmaker, silvio berlusconi, trip to jerusalem, vice president, winger

Heynckes turning talented Leverkusen into title contenders

February 2, 2010

The qualities of the young Leverkusen team were already evident last season. Under Bruno Labbadia, they were exciting to watch for the first half of the campaign but crumbled after the winter break to end up in ninth.

New boss Jupp Heynckes seems to be succeeding where Labbadia failed.

Undefeated and boasting the league’s best attack and defence, they have every right to dream of the Bundesliga title that has eluded them for so long.

Heynckes’ experience and his winning pedigree, including the Champions League with Real Madrid, has helped instil the mental steel needed to turn a losing position around.

His insistence on tall strikers has paid off with interest. After taking over he quickly benched in-form Greece international Fanis Gekas, a former Bundesliga top scorer, and put his faith in the attacking partnership of Stefan Kiessling and Swiss Eren Derdiyok.

Both tall and strong, they are a world apart from Gekas and already have a combined goal tally of 21.

Leverkusen have also shrugged off the absence of striker Patrick Helmes, injured since the start of the season, and captain Simon Rolfes, sidelined by yet another knee injury.

Heynckes was the first coach to give Toni Kroos, arguably the most gifted German player of his generation, enough time on the pitch to shine.

The 20-year-old playmaker, on loan from Bayern Munich where he was warming the bench, has been eye-popping this season, scoring eight goals and setting up seven, and is on a fast track for a spot in Germany’s World Cup squad.

Heynckes brought in defender Sami Hyypia from Liverpool to cement his backline and allow his team’s fast-paced and creative play to flow. The experienced Finn has locked down the Leverkusen defence with raw power and determination and has netted two goals and set up another two.

With the expected return to fitness of Renato August and Helmes, and the addition of Rolfes toward the end of the season in time for what looks like the title crunch match against Bayern in April, Leverkusen may finally shake off their painful “Neverkusen” tag.

PHOTO: Bayer Leverkusen coach Jupp Heynckes reacts during the Bundesliga match at home to Freiburg, Jan. 31. REUTERS/Ina Fassbender.

Tags: attack and defence, backline, Bayern, bayern munich, bruno labbadia, captain Simon Rolfes, creative play, fanis gekas, finn, german player, goal tally, greece, hyypia, Ina Fassbender, jupp heynckes, Liverpool, MADRID, new boss, patrick helmes, playmaker, real madrid, Renato August, sami hyypia, simon rolfes, stefan kiessling, toni kroos, top scorer, winter break, world cup squad

Nine-man Inter stun Milan to go nine clear

January 25, 2010

Nine man Inter Milan moved nine points clear at the top of Serie A after a 2-0 victory over arch-rivals AC Milan in a pulsating derby at the San Siro on Sunday.

The champions played for more than an hour with a numerical disadvantage after Wesley Sneijder was sent off but they dominated throughout to earn a richly deserved victory.

Milan may still have a game in hand on their neighbours but the psychological effect of such a crushing defeat will make the gap seem all the wider.

Milan may have come into the game as the form team in Serie A but Inter were clearly the more pumped up early on.

Sneijder almost fired them in front with a moment of outrageous skill, flicking the ball up and thrashing a 25-yard volley that glanced off the outside of the post.

The Dutch playmaker should then have given the hosts the lead as a ricochet from a Goran Pandev shot fell into his path as he broke into the box but he rammed his shot straight at goalkeeper Dida.

Milan didn’t seem to heed those warnings and Inter deservedly took the lead on 10 minutes as Pandev’s ball over the top saw Diego Milito get behind Ignazio Abate in the inside left channel and shoot low across Dida and into the far corner.

Inter were rampant and another break saw Pandev feed Milito on the inside right but Dida blocked his near post shot.

Inter were dominant and Sneijder was running the show but the referee changed that before the half hour was even up.

Inter centre-back Lucio burst forward into midfield and went down rather easily under a challenge but seeing that he still had the ball he got up and went to carry on, only for the referee to stop the game and book him for diving.

Inter were incensed and Sneijder sarcastically applauded the referee – an offence usually meriting a yellow card but he received a red card, though, it was unclear whether he had also verbally abused the referee.

Sneijder was beside himself and needed to be dragged from the field by two team-mates.

Inter knuckled down, though, with stalwarts Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso looking to control the midfield.

Milan were disjointed and struggling to create anything, with their best chance coming from a heavily deflected Andrea Pirlo free-kick that wrong-footed Julio Cesar but looped up and landed on the roof of the net.

Milan came flying out in the second half and Julio Cesar saved a close range Clarence Seedorf header from a David Beckham corner before Ronaldinho hit a swivelling volley just wide.

Inter were still dangerous on the counter and Milito almost made Milan pay with one break but the visitors were gradually imposing themselves with Beckham crosses from the right causing particular bother as Marco Borriello headed one just over.

But then from another brilliant break Milito slipped in Pandev who chipped Dida only to see the ball come back off the post and into the Brazilian’s grateful arms.

But on 65 minutes Giuseppe Favalli brought down Maicon on the edge of the box and Pandev stepped up to curl home a free-kick Dida could do nothing about.

Tellingly, it was only then that Mourinho removed one of his forwards.

Milan, a disappointment for all but the beginning of the second half, could only muster wild pot shots from distance in the closing stages.

In injury time Lucio was dismissed for a second booking as he gave away a penalty but Julio Cesar plunged to his right to beat out Ronaldinho’s effort and complete Milan’s misery.

Earlier in the day Napoli won 2-0 at Livorno to move to within a point of third-placed AS Roma while Palermo’s 3-0 defeat of Fiorentina moved them up to fifth.

MILAN (AFP)

Tags: ac milan, andrea pirlo, arch rivals, clarence seedorf, David Beckham, deserved victory, dida, diego milito, Esteban Cambiasso, far corner, Giuseppe Favalli, Goran Pandev, Ignazio Abate, inter milan, julio cesar, livorno, lucio, Marco Borriello, midfield, napoli, neighbours, offence, Palermo, playmaker, psychological effect, referee, ricochet, San, san siro, team mates, volley, Wesley Sneijder, yellow card

Real Madrid strike Canales deal

January 23, 2010

Real Madrid look to have won the race to sign Racing Santander’s Sergio Canales.

Sergio’ father and agent, Angel Canales, has claimed his son has agreed a five-year contract to join the Madrid giants .

The Racing teenager has shot to prominence over recent weeks, with a number of eye-catching displays drawing admiring glances from Europe’s top clubs.

At just 18-years-old the talented playmaker has become one of the continent’s hottest properties.

Such interest has made it virtually impossible for Racing to convince the youngster than his long-term future lies at El Sardinero.

They could, however, benefit from the agreement reported to have been struck with capital giants Real.

Racing are set to receive €6 million compensation from los Blancos for a player who would be out of contract in the summer.

And Real are also believed to have agreed to send the youngster back to Racing on loan for the next two seasons, with regular first-team football needed to help aid his development.

Chelsea, Barcelona and Manchester City were all reported to have been chasing Canales’ signature during the January transfer window but, while they were prepared to offer a better financial package to player and club, the Spain Under 19 international feels a move to Madrid is the best choice for his career.

“The decision was Sergio’s and he thinks that Real offer the best option in a sporting sense,” said Angel Canales.

Tags: 18 years, 6 million, admiring glances, angel canales, Barcelona, best choice, CHELSEA, Europe, giants, los blancos, MADRID, manchester city, playmaker, prominence, racing santander, santander, Sergio, Sergio Canales, signature, Spain, team football, teenager, top clubs, two seasons, youngster

Mascherano says all not lost as Spurs await

January 20, 2010

Javier Mascherano believes Liverpool can still secure a place in next season’s Champions League despite accepting they deserve all the criticism that has come their way.

Even though Liverpool have failed to win seven times in their last 11 Premier League matches, Rafael Benitez’s under-performing team will move to within one point of fourth place if they defeat Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield here on Wednesday.

The match against Spurs, who currently occupy the Premier League’s fourth and final qualifying spot for Europe’s elite competition, has taken on extra significance for Liverpool following their recent woeful form.

Having seen his side suffer early exits from this season’s Champions League and FA Cup, as well as falling out of the race for the English title, Benitez knows the only way he can salvage the campaign is by Liverpool finishing in fourth place.

But Liverpool’s task against Tottenham has been made harder by the absence of inspirational captain Steven Gerrard (hamstring), star striker Fernando Torres (knee) and Israeli playmaker Yossi Benayoun (rib), who all suffered injuries in last week’s shock FA Cup loss to second division Reading.

In the trio’s absence, Liverpool could only manage a draw in the league against Stoke on Saturday but Argentina captain Mascherano said the team could overcome their difficulties by pulling together as a squad.

“The situation is enough to get anyone down, but this team is going to keep going forward because of the spirit and history of the club,” said Mascherano.

“It is normal that we are being criticised – we are all to blame for going out of the Champions League and FA Cup.

“We share the credit when things go well and the blame when things go badly.

“Rafa has a difficult job because this season key players are getting injured, which would upset the plans of any coach.

“Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard are fundamental for us and any team would miss them,” Mascherano added.

“It is true we are not in certain competitions now but there are still things to resolve.

“We have to sort out the problems and win. For once, I’d prefer to get the points over the level of our performance.”

Ryan Babel is expected to miss the Spurs match after angering Benitez on the eve of the Stoke match by revealing his frustration on micro-blogging site Twitter at not being included in the squad.

Tottenham have not won a league game at Anfield since 1993 yet Redknapp’s side arrive at Anfield on the back of a six-match unbeaten run.

They surprised Liverpool on the opening day of the season, Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Sebastien Bassong setting the tone for the Merseyside club’s poor season by scoring in a 2-1 home win at White Hart Lane.

Redknapp is well aware of the value to Liverpool of their England midfielder and Spain forward.

“I’d be lying if I stood here and said that the absence of Gerrard and Torres won’t matter,” said Redknapp. “Of course, they are two world-class players, and they will miss them.

“But they have a strong squad. I have never been there and had an easy game. It is a difficult place to go.”

Tottenham are without winger Aaron Lennon due to injury while Ledley King is also expected to be missing with a damaged knee.

Former Liverpool striker Robbie Keane is available but might have to make do with a place on the substitutes bench after being replaced by Peter Crouch, another Anfield old boy, during last Saturday’s goalless draw with strugglers Hull City.

“When Crouch came on against Hull, and not being disrespectful to Robbie, we suddenly looked (more dangerous),” said Redknapp.

“They put so many bodies in there and it was hard to play through them.

“When Crouch came on we could miss them out and drop balls up to him and he won headers and we were getting shots on goal.”

LIVERPOOL, England (AFP)

Tags: absence, anfield, captain steven, champions league, elite competition, Fernando Torres, Hotspur, inspirational captain, Liverpool, mascherano, match, playmaker, premier league, rafael benitez, salvage, seven times, shock, Steven Gerrard

Bayern keen to extend Ribery stay

January 16, 2010

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says the club are keen to prolong Franck Ribery’s stay at the Allianz Arena. The 26-year-old has a contract with the German giants until June 2011.

The France international has been constantly linked with moves to top European clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United and Chelsea.

Rummenigge told Munich daily newspapers AZ and TZ: “Our goal is to prolong Franck’s contract, I will do as much as I can to keep him in Bayern.”

The French playmaker has been sidelined since the start of October with a persistent knee injury. However, Rummenigge knows Ribery’s importance for Bayern.

The chairman added, “Louis van Gaal (Bayern’s coach) has said he is convinced of Ribery’s talent and his importance for Bayern.

“Franck is without question the best player in the Bundesliga.”

Tags: allianz, allianz arena, Barcelona, Bayern, bayern munich, best player, Bundesliga, CHELSEA, coach, daily newspapers, france international, franck ribery, giants, karl heinz, karl heinz rummenigge, knee injury, Louis, louis van gaal, MADRID, Manchester, manchester united, Munich, playmaker, real madrid barcelona

United nearly man Ljajic signs for Fiorentina

January 14, 2010

Serbia’s promising midfielder Adem Ljajic has signed for Fiorentina, the Italian club said on its website on Wednesday.

The teenager still needs to pass a medical to complete his move from Partizan Belgrade for a reported eight million euros, according to the Belgrade daily Press.

Ljajic, 18, came close to joining English champions Manchester United before the Red Devils pulled out of a deal last year.

Considered one of the most talented youngsters in Serbian football, Ljajic previously refused several offers from clubs in Russia.

A year ago, Ljajic was unveiled by Manchester United alongside countryman Zoran Tosic.

However, while Tosic joined United immediately, Ljajic was too young to do so and United stated that he would be loaned back to Partizan and would join in January 2010, by which time he would have turned 18.

However, last month United announced that they had passed up their option on the playmaker due to problems in securing a work permit.

ROME (AFP)

Tags: Belgrade, countryman, Devils, english champions, italian club, Ljajic, Manchester, manchester united, playmaker, red devils, ROME, russia, serbia, serbian, signs, talented youngsters, teenager, work permit

Wounded Eagles wary of falling prey to the Cup curse

January 13, 2010

Zambia are out to continue the tradition this Africa Cup of Nations is fast gaining of producing shocks against Tunisia in their Group D clash here on Wednesday.

Tunisia turned up in Angola wounded from missing out on a World Cup berth at the last throw of the qualifying dice.

The Carthage Eagles, who won the Nations Cup on home turf in 2004, led Nigeria for five World Cup qualifying rounds only to lose in Mozambique and be overtaken by a Super Eagles team that grabbed a late Nairobi triumph over Kenya.

Coached by local man Faouzi Benzarti, who was snapped up after being sacked by Libya, Tunisia are seeded to go through with group favourites Cameroon ahead of Zambia and Gabon.

But evidence from the opening shots in this competition nothing can be taken for granted, with Angola letting slip a four goal lead against Mali, Algeria falling to Malawi, and Burkina Faso holding favourites Ivory Coast to a goalless draw.

Benzarti said: “As we have seen the first games are very difficult, even if Zambia are classed as ‘outsiders’.

“We will have to be careful and concentrate on the game to get the first three points which will be good for our team in the next two matches, especially against Cameroon who are the group’s favourites.

“There are no bad teams in Africa, they’re all on the same level – may the best one win.”

The new man in charge added: “I’m approaching this in a very positive spirit as I can’t countenance the notion of defeat.

“The aim is to qualify from the first round, and then we’ll see after that.”

Benzarti’s men are out to better their last two quarter-final exits in the biennial African competition.

Their hopes of progress in Angola will in part rest on playmaker Oussama ‘Picasso’ Darragi.

The former national reject has become an instrumental figure, and gets on well with the coach who was in charge of him at Tunis club giants Esperance.

Germany-based defender Karim Hagui is the lone survivor from the 2004 title winning squad.

Tunisia go into the game on the back of a surprise 2-1 loss to Gambia last Saturday in a warm-up match, with their sole goal coming from Armine Chermiti in the fourth minute of injury time.

Tunisia, ranked 53rd in the world, are making their 14th appearance in the Africa Cup of Nations, which puts them on a par with Zambia, whose best showings have been two runners-up spots in 1974 and 1994.

Zambia are skippered by Christopher Katongo, who knows a thing or two about the command structure from his time as a Lusaka-based national army corporal.

He was promoted to sergeant after a devastating hat trick against South Africa in qualifying for the 2008 Cup.

Now a professional with German second division outfit Arminia Bielefeld Christopher, who will need to rediscover his scoring touch after one goal in qualifying, is joined in the squad by his younger brother Felix.

Zambia are coached by Herve Renard, who gained invaluable experience for Angola as an assistant to the then Ghana coach Claude Le Roy in 2008.

Zambia’s big problem is their scoring record, which by all accounts was abysmal with only four goals in 10 qualifying games.

Renard knows he must unlock Zambia’s attack if his side are to have any chance of causing an upset in a group that houses potential champions Cameroon and Gabon.

LUBANGO, Angola (AFP)