Good news for all Tottenham fans as it has been revealed that Gareth Bale is winning his fight to be fit for Spurs’ Real Madrid clash.
However Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has admitted that is the only plus on a grim injury list that has ravaged his squad.
Spurs take on Wigan tomorrow at the DW Stadium before Tuesday’s Champions League battle in the Bernabeu.
And Redknapp revealed: “Gareth looked OK on Thursday. Whether he is OK to play two games inside four days is doubtful. We will decide which way to go by leaving any fitness test late.
“I’d love to have him fit for both but if he isn’t fully fit then he can’t play.”
The 21 year old winger pulled out of Wales’ 2-0 defeat by England with a hamstring problem.
Reports are out claiming that Liverpool are interested in Wolves winger Matt Jarvis.
Skysports.com has reported that Jarvis, who only recently won his first cap for England in the midweek draw with Ghana, is thought to be on Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish’s wanted list.
Dalglish is keen to bring in some much-needed width to the squad next season and he sees Jarvis as the man who could provide the ammunition for the new-look strikeforce of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez.
A number of other Premier League clubs are thought to be tracking the 24 year old ahead of this summer’s transfer window.
However Liverpool are hoping to steal a march on their rivals as they weigh up a move for the former Gillingham man.
Bad news tonight for Spanish Football fans from the U-17 Euro front. ENGLAND defeated SPAIN 2 – 1 to take the Top spot of the Group & thus qualify for the U-17 European Finals in Serbia later this year. Said in another way, Spain misses out.
Spain U-17 /photo Giovani de Paola
England was superior & Spain managed to keep things equal up until the 55th min mark when REDMOND scored for England, then the English got another goal in the 62th min via JACKSON. Spain tried hard to get something back & they managed a consolation goal in the last moments via IÑIGUEZ.
The other bad news directly related from this outcome is that Spain will neither be involved in the U-17 World Championships.
Arsenal are reportedly chasing FC Porto's 25 year-old striker, Ramadel Falcao. Wenger is frustrated with both van Persie's injuries and Marouane Chamakh's inconsistent performances, and while Arsenal's Danish attacker Nicklas Bendtner showers in his own praise, Wenger has found a new striker to get him the important goals and goal threat next season.
Falcao is just what Arsenal need up front - a goalscoring striker - and has netted 23 goals in 28 games in the Portuguese League this season, while last year he managed an amazing 34 goals in 43 games. This goal flare has turned the head of some top European clubs incuding Valencia, AC Milan, and Arsenal's local rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, but Wenger will be hopin a £15 million will be enough to bring him to the Emirates.
FC Porto currently lead the Portuguese Liga, above fierce rivals Benfica, and it is ther Colombian strikers' valuable goals that have helped them to such a fortunate position. They will be reluctant to let thier superstar go, but with a big bid and the players mind on a possible transfer, it would be best for Jose Mournho's former club to let their player go.
Ryan Giggs once said that the fixture between Liverpool and Manchester United is "probably the most famous fixture in English football". The veteran United player was speaking from experience - vast experience, and if anyone between the two sides still playing knows how deeply intense and important a game between the two sides is, it is Giggs. He has won 11 Premier League medals during his 21 years at Old Trafford, and under Sir Alex Ferguson, has equalled Liverpool's record for League titles.
18 titles each, and the end of the season is on the horizon. Neither side have relived their glory days this season, and, in Liverpool's case, have seen their quality dive to an unexpected and very unwelcome low under Roy Hodgson. Replaced by Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish, and their form picked up, but such was their deficit of the leaders, that they now have no chance of catching either United or Arsenal at the top of the table and preventing their North West rivals from taking that 19th title.
The record means "so much" according to Rooney. The young United striker may not have as deeply rooted loyalty to United than Ryan Giggs has possessed over the passed two decades, but his past with Everton has fuelled his contempt for the Reds. He said yesterday that winning the 19th title for United would mean not only so much to United fans, but Everton fans too, who love to see their rivals suffer.
"I grew up an Everton fan so to be part of the team to overtake Liverpool's record would be brilliant. It would mean so much to us players as well as the fans.
"It is something I have been thinking about a lot. I know all the Everton fans want us to do it and hopefully we can. You look forward to every game at this stage and you've got to enjoy it, especially when you are in the running for a few trophies. It is exciting for the fans and it's exciting for the players knowing that you are just a few weeks away from possibly winning a major trophy or two."
Liverpool's modern team have, as it is well known, failed to win a Premier League title, and in the meantime, United have succeeded at the pinnacle of the League table time after time, even winning the title three times in a row from 06/07 to 08/09. Liverpool have only been able to watch United succeed with gritted teeth - only coming close in the 08/09 season when they achieved their highest points total of 86 which was still not enough to overcome United.
Players feel this rivalry, as Rooney showed in the quote above. Gary Neville, recently retired from United had a stunning passion for beating Liverpool, and as a result became a massive hate figure for Liverpool fans. This kind of fiery, hot-blooded conflict between players and opposing fans create that fantastic atmosphere in games. Much like Roy Keane's hatred for both Arsenal, and losing moulded the way in which the United - Arsenal games were played.
Steven Gerrard too, a talismanic figure for Liverpool who has often carried the team when many of the team dragged their heels with laziness is involved in this fight of the North West. The captain of Liverpool inspires his side at times admirably, but his main ambition to win a Premier League title has so far failed, and as he gets older, this achievement looks more and more unlikely. Gerrards banning of any Manchester United shirts in his house really sums up this burning rivalry.
Just as it means "so much" to Wayne Rooney and indeed I am sure, Ryan Giggs, it means a great deal to fans of both sides who live to see their respective teams succeed, and defeating their rivalry along the way. Whether there ferocious tackles, dubious decisions, last gasp goals or referee criticism, this is a rivalry that will continue with the same burning passion and interest for a long time.
Currently, Siena lie second in Serie B, eight points ahead of third placed Novara. The club are also only one point away from the summit, and it seems that promotion to Serie A is easily within the club’s grasp, barring any late season catastrophe. The club are somewhat fittingly preparing to build a new stadium featuring an odd characteristic: it’s partially underground.
The creative design is modeled after the ancient Greek Theater, and even won the 2011 Architectural Review Future Projects award. The stadium will fit about twenty-thousand people: definitely not one of the biggest in the world, but that should be plenty for a side like Siena to ensure that seats are always packed.
The design group, Marazzi Architetti, said that key features include the openness of the ground and the great view of the surrounding area:
Our proposal was to preserve the environmental integrity of the area and with great attention the project appears like a kind of natural incident caused by an idrogeological phenomenon or by an earthquake. Like the ancient Greek Theater, the stadium for 20.000 spectators is set within the Fossatone slopes, and takes shape as it curves through its bends, opening out to create a spacious area for concerts and outdoor events, excavated to form an inclined plane, offering a view of Siena in the background.
Mock-Up of the Interior of the Stadium
One side of it will be fully roofed in- the side most fully underground (This can be seen in the above picture). There will be shops and restaurants in this area of the stadium as well, should all go according to plan.
One potential hurdle is that the club doesn’t seem to have quite enough funding for the proposed idea, and are looking into private funding to help alleviate some of the costs. Promotion should help financially as well, in what would for sure be another interesting attraction for calcio.
Construction hasn’t started yet, but the plan is to build it in Isola d’Arbia.
Edinson Cavani has revealed that he wants Inter Milan beat AC Milan this weekend to open up the title race.
Napoli on the other hand take on Lazio this weekend and hope to profit from the result of the Derby della Madonnina between Milan and Inter.
The Uruguay international said : “I would like Inter to win the derby because Leonardo’s team would take the lead at the top but wouldn’t escape and then we could overtake them by winning the match scheduled at San Paolo with the help of 80,000 friends,”.
“It’s great to be masters of your own destiny, don’t you agree? Instead with a different result it would all depend on Milan and their results.
“This is our hope. The Scudetto is a dream. Inter and Milan are stronger. We must add into consideration our happiness, our freshness and our clear heads. They have to win the Scudetto. We can live game-by-game.”
Lionel Messi has been rated as doubtful for Saturday night’s Primera Division game at Villarreal after the Barcelona forward suffered an adductor injury.
Messi, now age 23, suffered the injury in training with his national team and coach Sergio Batista elected not to risk the FIFA Ballon d’Or winner.
Speaking before kick-off at the new Estadio Nacional, Argentinian Football Association president Julio Grondona said: “We just had a chat with the president of the Costa Rican Football Federation and the doctor, and Messi has a minor injury.
“The doctor has reviewed it and sees that it is not as it should be. Obviously, caution must be taken in these cases and, thinking about everything, we must be sure that the player is able to play – and he is not.
“He has a muscle strain and we do not even know if he will get to play Saturday.”
Barcelona confirmed on Tuesday that another forward, Bojan Krkic, is also a doubt for the trip to El Madrigal after straining his ankle while playing for Spain Under-21s on Monday.
Reports are out claiming that Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli is set to be fined another week’s wages of £100,000 and given an official warning about his behaviour.
The Italian international striker, now age 20, will be docked the money after throwing darts at youth team players from a window at the club’s training ground.
The former Inter Milan star was recently fined two weeks’ wages for being sent off against Dynamo Kiev and he will now he will now be summoned to showdown talks with Roberto Mancini and a club executive to address his increasingly alarming conduct.
City officials had previously been happy to accept Balotelli was merely young, immature and struggling to settle after a summer move from Italy but his latest misdemeanour has particularly angered the club hierarchy, who are increasingly beginning to feel the £24million buy from Inter Milan is proving an expensive mistake.
Premier League giants Arsenal are reportedly watching Wolfsburg goalkeeper Diego Benaglio.
The 27 year old Switzerland international has been watched by Arsenal this season.
It is also said that Gunners defender Johan Djourou has talked up his international teammate to manager Arsene Wenger.
Newcastle United are also said to be keen on a move for the former Stuttgart goalkeeper but it is understood that Benaglio would favour a move to Arsenal.
It is believed that Wolfsburg will demand £9 million for Benaglio.
German giants Bayern Munich are reportedly ready to swoop for Chelsea defender Alex.
With Luiz, John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic at the club, the Brazilian centre back is now arguably fourth choice at Chelsea and he has not appeared in the Premier League since early December after requiring knee surgery.
Alex is tied to Chelsea until 2013, but may seek a move if he feels he won’t be playing regularly next season.
Bayern are desperate to strengthen their central defence and have Alex high on their shopping list.
Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that Javier Hernandez’s background has helped his progress.
The Manchester United manager has admitted that his initial assessment was that Chicharito would mainly be used as a substitute in his first season for United.
However the Mexican internatioanal’s rapid development – and unerring ability in front of goal – has been impossible to ignore.
Sir Alex told manutd.com : “It’s been nothing but acceleration [by him],”.
“We tell a lot of our young players to take time to settle in, learn the language and develop physically, because it is a physical league.
“He’s now had his breaking-in period and, although he could speak English, it is now much better. He comes into training every morning at 9am, does his own work in the gym, then stays after training with the rest of the players and practices various parts of his game.
“The boy wants to be a player and the footballing tradition of his family has helped. That gives him an extra encouragement and urge to do well, which is sensational.”
Universidad de Chile striker Angelo Henriquez, now age 16 is thrilled with his move to Manchester United.
According to The Daily Mail, the Premier League giants have agreed a first option on Chilean striker Henriquez.
Angelo Henriquez has impressed in the South American Under 17 Championship in Ecuador, and has trained in Manchester.
Henriquez admitted to Triunfo : “Of course it is amazing that a team like Manchester United have taken an interest in me. They are a huge team at a world level and playing for them would be a dream come true,”.
“I know that if I want to be a footballer, I have to be very professional and not get caught up in the parties or the gossip columns, besides I don’t like that sort of thing.
“For now I am only thinking about my club, making my debut and performing; because Manchester United have told me that I have to start getting experience to make the move to England.”
Interesting news are out and it has been revealed that Arsenal are weighing up a shock move for Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon.
According to The Daily Mail, Arsene Wenger has turned to Jens Lehmann to try and solve his long-standing problems in goal, but the 41-year-old made a less than impressive return for the reserves at Wigan on Tuesday.
Now the French tacticia is considering the Italian international whose 10-year stay in Turin is expected to end in the summer as Juve look to offload his £125,000-a-week salary.
It is doubtful that Arsenal would pay that much for a 33-year-old who has struggled with injury but, surprisingly, there would be no fee for Buffon under a clause inserted in his contract when he agreed to stay with Juve following the club’s demotion to Serie B in 2006.
That makes him considerably more affordable than Pepe Reina, Maarten Stekelenburg and Manuel Neuer who are all valued in the £15-20million bracket.
Tottenham’s want-away midfielder Niko Kranjcar is reportedly being tracked by a host of Premier League clubs.
The Daily Mail has revealed that Blackburn Rovers, Everton and Sunderland are monitoring the Croatia international’s situation, given his desire to leave Tottenham this summer.
Spartak Moscow and Liverpool have also watched the midfielder, 26, who has started only two Premier League games this season.
When asked where he would like to move to, Kranjcar said: “Depends who wants me, if anyone wants me.”
Kranjcar, who turns 27 in August, added: “I’m ambitious, I want to play football.
“Especially in my best years. If I was a young lad, obviously I would wait for my chance, especially being in a big club like Spurs.
“But, obviously, 27, 28, 29 years is, I think, the best footballing years.
“Everyone knows I can play at the highest level, week in week out … I’ll only come on as a sub (at the moment).”
Nicolas Anelka has revealed that he has no regrets spending just one season with Real Madrid.
The Chelsea striker has admitted that the Madrid lifestyle was not something he enjoyed.
The French striker told chelseafc.com : “When you come from England, the way you approach the game and where you are in your life is the total opposite to in Spain,”.
“I didn’t know that, of course it was difficult for me because I wanted to have a simple life and be able to walk on the street like everybody else, but I couldn’t do it in Madrid like I can in London.
“This was the most difficult part for me, I didn’t want to go there like a big star, of course on the pitch, but outside I wanted to be normal like everybody else. My target was not to be in the paper everyday like a Galactico, and they wanted me to be like this, so it was a problem.
“In the newspaper it said where I was going, going out, shopping, someone following you saying what you are buying. It was strange for me and I didn’t want to lead this kind of life.
“It was a difficult year on the pitch because it was difficult outside, I couldn’t be how I wanted, so when I am not well outside I am not well on the pitch.
He added : “Also, it was difficult to feel a part of the squad. First of all I couldn’t speak Spanish, this is not an excuse, but the mentality was so alien to England, that’s why I only stayed one year because I knew it was not for me, but even though it was difficult, the end was a good moment because we won the Champions League and I scored in the semi-finals, but it was a difficult year.”
Santos president Luis Alvaro Ribeiro de Oliveira has warned Neymar against a move to England.
Chelsea failed with a bid to sign Neymar, 19, from Santos last summer but retain an interest in the player.
Neymar has said it would be his "dream" to play for the London club and, after his impressive performance in Brazil's 2-0 win over Scotland at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on Sunday, said: "The stadium is great; the pitch is, too. The weather I don't like all that much, but I could get used to it."
Oliveira, though, feels Neymar would struggle to play his natural game if he moved to a Premier League club.
"Playing in England is not the same as playing at [Santos' stadium] Vila Belmiro," he told ESPN. "It is much worse, because of the climate and the style of football, which he is unaccustomed to.
"We have demonstrated that, as he has developed into a player who represents the best of Brazilian football - being audacious, skillful, effective, attacking - he is going to become a key figure in the history of Brazilian football.
"He is going to gain international recognition, and maybe get chosen as the best player in the world, playing in Brazil. This is something that hasn't happened since Pele's day, and he has a golden chance."
Neymar has stressed that he has no plans to force a move from Santos in the near future.
"I am happy there and, when the time comes, God will make me take the right decision and things will happen," he said.
Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland face a “huge image problem” over hooliganism, UEFA has stated.
The criticism, from Martin Kallen, UEFA's director of the EURO 2012 finals Poland will stage with Ukraine in 14 months' time, comes days after the latest hooligan outbreak when Polish fans caused trouble at a friendly with Lithuania in Kaunas on Friday.
Kallen told delegates at the Soccerex European business forum there were now outbreaks of hooliganism at just about every league match in Poland.
More than 60 Polish fans were detained after throwing bottles and flares at police in Lithuania last week.
Police responded by firing tear-gas to control the rioting fans outside the Darius and Girenas stadium in Kaunas before and during the match which Poland lost 2-0.
The Polish government has also announced new legislation to tackle football violence similar to the laws intorduced by Germany for the 2006 World Cup.
Kallen said: “We are concerned but I know the Polish government is also concerned but we are not going to let a minority spoil it for the majority.
“They know they have a huge image problem, there are always hooligans around every match day in the league but the government is making the right steps for the future.
“What we saw at last Friday's match was not a very good picture to see that happening in a stadium. We and the Polish government are concerned, they are taking this seriously and will have changes in the next month.”
Kallen said he was convinced the championship would pass off peacefully and was not too concerned about trouble at the tournament itself as the problem was more linked to club matches.
He added: “For the Euro, different people will be coming to matches—there will be more families. The Euros are a party and in many areas there is more a problem on a daily basis for club matches. But, clearly, we are facing some challenges.
Marcin Herra, head of the Poland 2012 organisers, told delegates there would be “zero tolerance” for hooligans but he was quick to add that the championship would leave a lasting positive legacy for his country and Ukraine.
“We have new legislation which allows us to work much more precisely against those hooligans.
“There will be zero tolerance to make sure that 500 people cannot spoil the event for one million people.”
Kallen added that some infrastructure improvements would not be ready in time for the finals and some motorway construction would not be completed.
“It will not be anything drastic, you might have to take a small detour here and there, but everything else, including all the stadiums, will be ready,” he said.
Former Manchester United and England captain Bryan Robson is confident of making a full recovery from throat cancer.
The 54-year-old, now in charge of the Thailand national side, had an operation to remove a tumour earlier this month and felt well enough to attend the Soccerex European business forum in Manchester.
“The operation to remove the tumour was successful and now I've got to go on a course for five weeks of (radiotherapy) treatment,” Robson told reporters.
“I'm feeling fine in myself. All the specialists have been really positive that I should have a 100 percent recovery. To be fair, that's all I wanted to hear, I'll just try to get on with the treatment and be as positive as I can be.”
He has been watching his former side's season with interest as the Premier League leaders edge inch to a record 19th league title with an FA Cup semi-final and Champions League quarter-final also on the horizon.
But he said it might be too much to expect to win them all, like United achieved in 1999.
“I think it's a big ask to go and win a treble again,” said Robson, who won two league titles and three FA Cups with United and is still an ambassador for the club.
“If you asked anybody at Man United at the moment if they could win two out of the three, I think they'd take that at this moment in time. But the aim will be to try to win the three.”
Fabio Capello is hoping his new-look England team can eventually emulate Germany who impressed at last year's World Cup finals with a young, exciting outfit.
Although Spain left South Africa with the World Cup trophy, Germany attracted plenty of plaudits for a team including youthful talents such as Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira, Thomas Muller and Manuel Neuer.
England's team of established players, meanwhile, were criticised for the disappointing showing at the tournament. But Capello is confident a new generation is on its way.
"I hope that people will talk about us like they did about Germany,'' said Capello. "We have got some young players who are really good for the future. These players are improving a lot and playing with confidence.''
Capello cited Ashley Young who has impressed in each of England's last three internationals.
"Last year Ashley Young played nearly always on the left wing and sometimes on the right,'' said Capello. "This year he changed position and improved a lot. Now he is a really important player because the movement between the lines is there.''
Capello, who has come in for criticism since the World Cup failure, rounded on his critics, stating: "Respect for the people is really important.''
Nonetheless, despite his anger at the treatment he has received in the press, the Italian remain happy in his current role.
"It is a really important squad and it will be difficult for me to select the players because the ones I had here were really good,'' he said.
"I don't know what will happen in the future. It is a long way to arrive at Euro 2012 and there are still a lot of points to play for. But at this moment I am relaxed. I like being here and we are in a good position.''
Two juicy soundbites emerged today from Italy. Admittedly, one was from Facebook, and since that merely exists in a hypothetical cloud, it’s not exactly from Italy, but both concern players’ compatibility. Giuseppe Rossi? So compatible he could have his own Match.com. Marco Borriello?
Not so much.
Italy beat the Ukraine in a friendly today, in which both Giuseppe Rossi and Alessandro Matri scored. The former’s goal was quite poacher-esque and drew some comparisons to a certain other Rossi:
In his post-match interview, the New Jerseyian stated that he was glad to see his former youth teammates play so well together on the senior side.
There’s always been a good connection with Giovinco and we also had Montolivo, Aquilani and Nocerino from the Under-21 side.
Both [Cassano and Giovinco] are very talented and I get along with everyone, so it’s not an issue for me. Perhaps I feel that I am a second striker more than anything else, as I like to get hold of the ball. That is how I play at Villarreal in a 4-4-2.
Rossi is now certainly in contention for a starting spot on the national side. His adaptability, as he points out, is crucial to the team. He’s also creative enough and deadly enough in front of goal to warrant a place in the starting eleven. For the Azzurri, all seems rather peaceful at the moment.
For Roma, however, things could be better. Thomas Di Benedetto’s deal to buy the club is nearly complete, but Marco Borriello has stated that not all is right in the locker room:
We are together for 340 days a year, so it’s only normal that within a team there are highs and lows. You can’t always get along.
On one hand, he does have a valid argument. It simply is impossible to get along with everyone all the time. He also did state “In any case, I am happy with both my teammates and the directors,” so his words shouldn’t be taken out of context too far. On the other hand, given Rossi’s statements hours before about his adaptability, the statements don’t paint Marco in the most glamourous of lights. Furthermore, it’s certainly not what Di Benedetto wanted to hear about the club he is days away from completing.
Marco should be very careful to ensure he’s not replaced this summer.
Asamoah Gyan’s injury-time equaliser deprived England of victory in a highly entertaining friendly against Ghana at Wembley. Andy Carroll’s first international goal just before the interval looked to have settled the game in favour of Fabio Capello’s revamped England side before Gyan gave Ghana a draw they fully deserved. Ghana’s vast and colourful support inside Wembley celebrated wildly as Gyan bamboozled England substitute Joleon Lescott, not for the first time, inside the area before clipping a composed finish beyond Joe Hart. Liverpool’s £35m striker Carroll still looked short of match fitness after a lengthy recent injury absence – but gave a glimpse of his rich potential when he rounded off a fine move with a powerful finish just before half-time.
Belgium boosted their hopes of finishing second in Euro 2012 qualifying Group A with a convincing win at home to Azerbaijan.
Jan Vertonghen gave the hosts an early advantage only for Ruslan Abishov to level.
Belgium were carving out plenty of chances, though, and Timmy Simons put them back in front from the penalty spot before Nacer Chadli made it 3-1 at half-time.
And Jelle Vossen put the seal on victory with a fourth in the 74th minute.
The win moved Belgium a point clear of third-placed Turkey in the group, with Germany comfortably on course to finish top.
Sweden 2-1 Moldova – Match Highlights[ 0 ] March 30, 2011 [Translate]
Sweden held off a spirited performance from Moldova to claim victory in their Euro 2012 qualifier in Solna.
Mikael Lustig gave the Scandinavians a 30th-minute lead, but they were never comfortable until Sebastian Larsson scored his first international goal eight minutes from time.
Skipper Zlatan Ibrahimovic set up the Birmingham midfielder to help make up for his first-half penalty miss, and the strike proved important after Alexandr Suvorov fired in a deserved goal for the visitors in stoppage time.
Victory for Sweden moved them level on nine points with second-placed Hungary, who meet Group E leaders Holland in Amsterdam.
Italy overcame being reduced to 10 men as goals by Giuseppe Rossi and Alessandro Matri saw them seal victory over Ukraine in their friendly clash in Kiev.
Rossi put the Italians ahead in the 27th minute when he slotted home Domenico Criscito’s cross from close range.
Ukraine pushed for an equaliser and their task appeared a little easier when Davide Astori was sent off following a second booking with a quarter of an hour remaining.
However, it was Italy who claimed the second goal when Matri scored with nine minutes left to confirm the win.
Interesting news are out and it has been reported that Santos star Paulo Henrique Ganso has declared that he wants to play in Serie A next season.
The Brazilian international midfielder is one of the hottest properties on the transfer market for this summer, particularly between AC Milan and Inter Milan.
Paulo Henrique Ganso told Sky Sport Italia : “One day I’d love to play in Serie A and I think sooner or later I will play in Italy,”.
“I have never met Leonardo, but we have spoken often on the phone. He gives me great advice and is a wonderful Coach.
“Having said that, I often talk to Milan defender Thiago Silva too.”
Jefferson Farfan has played down reports of a meeting with Juventus officials last weekend.
The Schalke striker however has admitted that he would welcome a move to Juve and was in Italy at the weekend leading to speculation about a move to Turin.
“I am here to do some shopping,” he said.
“I like Italy, but I am under contract with Schalke and an important game awaits us.”
Lionel Messi has been withdrawn from the friendly match against Costa Rica on Tuesday after the Barcelona ace reportedly suffered a leg injury.
Coach Sergio Batista told Argentine media : “I had prepared the team with (Messi) in it. We’re not pressured by Barcelona or anyone…I think that with the scan done on him today, if he played he’d last five minutes,”.
“He suffered a pulled (right leg) muscle and we must look after the player, we can’t take a risk. I’m sorry because I want him in the eleven and also for the crowd.
“We have to respect the timing for the Copa America (in Argentina in July) and for Barcelona,” he added.
Palermo midfielder Javier Pastore stood in for Messi in a team with six changes from the side that drew 1-1 with the United States in New Jersey on Saturday
Dirk Kuyt’s late brace eventually settled a topsy-turvy encounter in the hosts’ favour after the Hungarians – beaten 4-0 in the reverse fixture in Budapest on Friday – twice fought their way back into the game.
Robin van Persie’s early strike gave the Dutch a half-time advantage but goals from Gergely Rudolf and Zoltan Gera turned the game on its head.
Gera equalised again after goals from Wesley Sneijder and Ruud van Nistelrooy had got Holland back in front, before Liverpool striker Kuyt had the final say to move Bert van Marwijk’s side onto 18 points from six games.
England coach Fabio Capello has accused Jose Mourinho of disrespect over his claim he was the offered the England job before the Italian was appointed.
Mourinho claimed yesterday in an interview with L'Equipe that he was the FA's first choice to replace Steve McClaren in 2007.
Former Chelsea boss Mourinho claims he would have taken the England job had he not undergone a last-minute change of heart.
Capello claims he doesn't comment on jobs he has been linked with, out of respect for his fellow mangers.
"I don't speak about the relationship with the other clubs, for respect for other managers," said Capello.
"I don't like to speak about my relationship with the clubs, with other people. These are my personal secrets. I'll never tell you about what really happened in my career.
"I think it's serious. Every time a club or a different national team decides to choose a manager, they decide to speak with a lot of managers. It's normal. It's not different.
"This is a question for the chairman that chose me, not a question for me.
"I don't like to speak about this. I've said enough. Thank you."
The FA was also quick to dismiss Mourinho's claim that he was close to becoming England manager.
"Fabio was our first choice for England manager," said a spokesman for the FA.
"We have made that clear from the outset."
Although he may have been the FA's first choice there been some complaints that he has not devoted enough time to the post, notably his failure to master the English language.
However, the Italian insists his command of the language is sufficient to communicate with the players.
"How many languages do you speak?" he challenged.
"When I speak with the players they understand everything and that is what is important in this job.
"If I need to speak about the economy or other things, I can't, but when you speak about tactics, you don't use a lot of words.
"I don't have to speak about a lot of different things. Maximum 100 words."
Diego Forlan says he is content at Atletico Madrid at the club and insists it would take "a really good offer" to prise him away from the Vicente Calderon.
Forlan, 31, was heavily linked with a move away from Atletico after impressing in last summer's World Cup for Uruguay.
The former Manchester United forward was again the subject of speculation in the January transfer window, with Tottenham among a number of clubs reportedly interested in signing him.
But again Forlan remained at Atletico and he says he has no desire to leave the club.
"It would have to be a really good offer," Forlan said. "At the moment there is none, so I didn't consider anything. But at the moment, I have two years more of a contract at Atletico Madrid and it's a good team and I am happy there. You never know."
Forlan has scored 128 Primera Divison goals since he arrived at Villarreal in 2004 following a disappointing spell at Old Trafford.
A German teenager has admitted throwing a banana at Brazil star Neymar at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, Arsenal football club have confirmed.
Neymar accused Scotland fans of racist behaviour during Brazil's 2-0 win, although the claims were vehemently denied by the Scottish Football Association.
A club statement read: "The Metropolitan Police are satisfied there was no racist intent and no further action will be taken."
An SFA statement on Monday said: "The Scottish FA refutes claims from Neymar that he was the victim of racist jeers."
It said there was no evidence of it but Scotland fans had confirmed booing him "for perceived unsporting behaviour."
The SFA added: "Scotland supporters are known for impeccable behaviour."
Arsenal and the police conducted an investigation into the incident and a German teenager who was sitting in the area of the stadium where the Brazil fans were located has now revealed that she threw the banana on to the pitch.
The Arsenal statement continued: "After consultation with the Metropolitan Police, Arsenal Football Club can confirm that a German teenage tourist has admitted throwing a banana onto the pitch during the Brazil v Scotland International Friendly at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
"The youngster was sitting in the North Bank of Emirates Stadium, an area of the stadium which was occupied by the official allocation of tickets to Brazil supporters, when he threw the banana on to the pitch during the second half of the match.
SPAIN managed to win away to LITHUANIA 1 - 3 in their EURO 2012 Group I qualifier to give them another victory, consolidate the Groups Top spot & put them nearly into the Euro Finals of next year. The match went ahead after UEFA officials & the French referee decided that the turf ( without grass ) was apt to play on & safe. Correct decision as no one from both teams were injured in a game played in good spirits as there was no difficult situations for the referee.
Xavi scores for Spain: photo-J.A.Gracia/Marca
Spanish Coach Del Bosque put the following starting 11: Casillas; Iraola, Piqué, Albiol, Arbeloa; Xabi Alonso, Javi Martínez, Xavi, Cazorla, Villa & Llorente, with At.Bilbao defender Iraola winning an International Cap & other well know stars getting a rest.
The match was played well considering the circumstances of the surface with Spain dominating & with Lithuanian goalkeeper Karcemarskas stopping the Spanish forwards. The first goal came in the 19th min via XAVI HERNANDEZ which took a slight deflection to loop over the goalie.
The second half saw Spain begin well until Valencia CF defender & Lithuanian Captain STANKEVICIUS got onto a "cracker" from 30 mts to power drive passed Iker Casillas with an unstoppable goal. This raised the confidence of the home team & they put Spain under pressure & gave them their worst 15 mins of Football. Spain reacted with substitutions giving David Silva & Juna Mata a run & it paid off.
Spain scored their second in the 70th min via an own goal from defender KIJANSKAS who could do little as Llorente was in clear shot position, then JUAN MATA finished off a nice worked play with a third for Spain in the 83rd min.
Great result for Spain & even better was the fact that no one got injured playing on a "terrible" ground, that at least held out the full 90 minutes.
It will be a very very interesting game to be played between two american based sides one from South America with all the reputation and while other from north America with un predictability on their ranks and this is a friendly match which will be very interesting in nature as Argentina are coming into this match on the back of a very poor result against USA when they were held by them to 1-1 on the day couple of days ago. Now they will be hoping to get back to winning ways in this match.
Argentina have been playing some really good football of late and they have probably the best player in their ranks when it comes to world football and he is also becoming household name in the world with his goal scoring power, he is non other than Leo Messi. Argentina are playing some good football of late and it will be intersting to see how they go about this match.
This match will be on air at around 3 AM European Time on 30 March 2011 and we will have all the updates and the goals video which will be placed here immediatly after the match is over.
[WATCH GOALS BELOW] England put in an impressive performance against a determined, resilient and very well supported Ghana side and both teams left a vibrant Wembley stadium with a goal each. It was perhaps the deserved result in a well fought, passionate game fuelled with the huge vocal support from the fans, particularly the Ghanaians.
Andy Carroll grabbed his first goal in an England shirt just before the end of the first half but it was cancelled out much to the delight of the African side who celebrated a last gasp winner thanks to the intricate silky skills of Assamoah Gyan who weaved the ball through the England defence to curl the ball round Joe Hart.
England put in a good performance, and should not be ashamed of a draw. It was a well played game of football in which Capello was able to learn a lot about the strength of his second - or "B" team. Downing was awarded man of the match and Ashley Young was also dangerous throughout - hitting the crossbar and having a long range shot well saved by Kingson.
The night also saw the introduction of Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck who was eligible for both England and Ghana due to his Ghanaian parents and Manchester birth. His introduction was met by boos from Ghana fans, but with ten minutes to play he didn't have much chance to make an impact.
Fabio Capello was as passionate as ever with his reaction to mistakes and chances as animated as ever, with even a few rare smiles and laughs thrown in.
Interesting news are out and it has been revealed that Blackburn Rovers boss Steve Kean has confirmed their interest in Hamburg striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The former Manchester United star has made it clear that he wants to return to England in the summer when he comes off contract.
Kean has now confirmed the 34-year-old hit-man is on Blackburn’s list of transfer targets for next season.
“Yes, I can confirm we are interested,” Kean told ESPN soccernet.
Van Nistelrooy was ready to join Real Madrid in January – only for Hamburg to block the move.
Transfer news from the Italian Serie A is out and it has been reported that AC Milan coach Max Allegri wants to bring Tottenham winger Gareth Bale to Italy.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Allegri has the Welsh international on his summer shopping list as Milan face major changes to their midfield.
The former Southampton star is the talk of the Italian press after his performances against Inter Milan earlier this season.
Andrea Pirlo is expected to leave at the end of term, leaving tactician Allegri to look for additions as he looks to build for next season.
Franck Ribery Crashes Through Barrier During Training – Video[ 0 ] March 29, 2011 [Translate]
Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery avoided a freak injury after he crashed and fell over the barrier during a Bayern Munich training game of tennis football.
The German giants will be counting their lucky stars as the French international managed to escape unhurt.
An injury to Ribery at this stage of the season would be severe to Bayern Munich as they look to finish strong in the remaining games.
Diego Forlan has declared that he is happy at Atletico Madrid and insists that it would take “a really good offer” to prise him away from the Vicente Calderon.
Forlan, now age 31, was heavily linked with a move away from Atletico after starring in last summer’s World Cup for Uruguay, but a move never materialised.
The former Manchester United forward was again the subject of speculation in the January transfer window, with Tottenham among a host of clubs reportedly interested in acquiring his services.
Forlan said : “It would have to be a really good offer,”.
“At the moment there is none, so I didn’t consider anything. But at the moment, I have two years more of a contract at Atletico Madrid and it’s a good team and I am happy there. You never know.”
Santos striker Neymar has been sensationally lined up as Chelsea’s £30million summer replacement for hitman Didier Drogba.
It is said that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is ready to thrust him alongside £50m new boy Fernando Torres – at 33-year-old Drogba’s expense.
The Russian billionaire sees Neymar as a penalty-box assassin – as his record of 59 goals in just 119 Santos games suggests.
With Drogba’s age and fitness beginning to count against him, Neymar is seen as the perfect man to fill the Ivory Coast striker’s Stamford Bridge boots.
Owen Coyle has declared that he intends to lead Bolton Wanderers into Europe.
Coyle knows reaching the FA Cup final should be enough to secure a spot in next season’s Europa League.
According to Click Lancashire, he said: “As a manager you want to push yourselves to the maximum and your players to the maximum and try to get that bit better.
“Something like European football should be cherished. Football is still the same game wherever it is played. You just go up a level and deal with better players.
“But you want that because it makes you better. Some of the players here are capable of playing for any club. And I mean any club.”
German powerhouse Bayern Munich are reportedly determined to win the race for Arsenal fullback Gael Clichy.
The French international left back is said to be baulking at opening new contract talks with Arsenal, which has encouraged interest from Juventus.
However sources in Germany have revealed that Munich have targeted Clichy as the man to fill their troublesome left-back position, says talkSPORT.
Everton’s Leighton Baines and Newcastle’s Jose Enrique have also been suggested for the void, which the Bundesliga club are desperate to fill.
But it is believed that Bayern have placed Clichy at the top of their summer wish-list and will test Arsenal’s resolve with a £7m bid when the season ends.
French giants Olympique Lyon has declared that they are not planning to sell Michel Bastos this summer.
The Brazilian star has been linked with Premier League side Tottenham and Italian giants Juventus in recent days.
Bastos joined Lyon in 2009 and talkSPORT has been told there are plans in the pipeline to extend his contract, which currently runs until 2013.
The 27 year old left sided player is currently out injured having undergone knee surgery and is expected to recover in time to feature before the end of the season.
Chelsea defender David Luiz is hoping that Santos star Neymar will join him at Stamford Bridge.
It is said that Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti is desperate to sign the 19 year old Brazilian international after failing to tempt Santos into a deal at the start of the season.
And Luiz said: “Neymar is going to be one of the best players in the world and I would love it if he came to join me at Chelsea. I’m very happy to be at one of the best teams in the world and everything has been very positive.
“Chelsea are fighting for the Premier League and Champions League and I am sure that I’ll become a better player.
“For Neymar it would be the same.”
Fellow Brazilians Alex and Ramires are already at Stamford Bridge.
And a deal is in place for 17-year-old Sao Paolo winger Lucas Piazon.
England are are on course for a row with Arsenal over the availability of Jack Wilshere for this summer's European Under-21 Championships.
Wilshere, along with Liverpool's Andrew Carroll, will be expected to drop back down from the senior squad for the tournament in Denmark as manager Stuart Pearce has stated his intention to field the strongest team possible.
Two years ago in Sweden, England reached the final only to be beaten 4-0 by a Germany team which included Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil, all of whom would subsequently represent the full side at the 2010 World Cup finals. Pearce wants England to show similar ambition by including their best young players.
Any plan to pick Wilshere is sure to anger Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, who blamed Theo Walcott's injury problems in the 2009-10 season on his appearance at the last Under-21 finals.
England face Switerland at Wembley on June 4 in a crucial Euro 2012 qualifier which could put Fabio Capello's side a step closer to the finals in Poland and Ukraine. Both Carroll and Wilshere will be expected to be in the full squad for that match, which comes eight days before the Under-21s' opening game against Spain in Herning.
Wilshere said: "Listen, this is international football and I want to play in any international football. It is up to Stuart Pearce and Fabio Capello. They will talk and see what is best for me.
"I always speak to the manager at Arsenal and I will again. I am sure Stuart and Fabio will talk to him as well."
Capello added: "The European Under-21s is a really important tournament. This is a decision for Stuart Pearce and the manager of Arsenal.
"Wilshere is really important for us but I don't have exclusive rights over him.
"He is playing a lot of games this season and he will be playing in the summer.
"But it is the same for players at the Copa America and this tournament is important."
"I heard that a Barcelona player (believed to be World Cup winner Pedro) has told his club that we wants to play.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter urged Brazil to speed up preparations for the 2014 World Cup.
Blatter said Brazil lagged behind where South Africa stood when the 2010 host fell behind with its construction schedule.
“I must say that in comparison with the state of play between South Africa and Brazil three years before the World Cup, Brazil is behind South Africa. It's a fact,” Blatter told reporters.
Referring to how little time remained before the 2014 finals, Blatter said “it's tomorrow. The Brazilians think it's just the day after tomorrow. What they shall do is to give a little bit more speed now in the organization.”
Blatter said the slow progress meant Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo could be omitted from the program for the 2013 Confederations Cup, which is designed as a dress rehearsal for the 2014 finals.
“The World Cup stadiums are still in the process of being discussed between the city mayors and the state governors,” he said.
Speaking at a Swiss government-backed media event, Blatter expressed optimism that a proven goal-line technology system would be in place in Brazil.
Blatter also promised FIFA would have a zero-tolerance approach to corruption and bad behavior on and off the field.
He outlined a new project for the FIFA Congress on June 1, where he's hoping to win election for a fourth four-year term.
“I will present something very special there but I will not now disclose what is the content,” Blatter said. “It's to fight corruption, all cheating and discrimination.
“We also want to appeal to players, coaches, referees to behave on the field of play,” he said, adding that illegal betting and match-fixing would be addressed.
Jose Mourinho claims that he came close to becoming the England manager but underwent a last-minute change of heart.
The former Chelsea manager has admitted that he came within 'hours' of succeeding the sacked Steve McClaren in 2007, as the Football Association sought a new coach after the failure to qualify for Euro 2008.
Mourinho was a free agent at the time, having left Stamford Bridge two months before McClaren was fired.
But the Portuguese instead opted for Inter, where he enjoyed Treble-winning success, before moving on to his current job at Real Madrid.
Mourinho told l'Equipe: "I was hours away - I almost signed up for the England national team.
"But at the last minute I began thinking, 'I am going to coach a national side, there will be one match a month and the rest of the time I will be in my office or overseeing matches.
"And then to have to wait until the summer to compete in a European Championship or a World Cup'? No, it wasn't for me.
"So at the last moment I pulled back, preferring to wait for the right job to come along, a good club, a challenge that could motivate me. That was Inter (Milan)."
Mourinho was out of the game for nine months before being appointed Inter coach in June 2008, leaving them for Madrid last summer.
"When I left Chelsea, the first month was fantastic. I went to Africa, to Japan, I did tons of things I had not been able to do," he added.
"The second month was also good, but from the third onwards it was horrible, just awful."
Mourinho admitted he also came close to taking the Paris St Germain, but decided against it as he was not convinced by Ligue 1's quality.
Asked why he did not take the PSG post, he said: "I do not know. Perhaps because of the feeling that England, Spain or Italy are more powerful leagues, and we must make the most of the best years of our career by working at the highest level."
Corinthians have confirmed that they have signed former Roma striker Adriano.
Adriano helped Flamengo win the 2009 Brazilian league but played rarely with Roma on his return to Italy, where he also previously played for Inter, Fiorentina and Parma.
His contract with Roma was cut short earlier this month by mutual agreement.
Adriano said that Ronaldo, who recently retired from the club, was crucial in convincing him to reach a deal with Corinthians.
The Spanish U-17 National Football Team played Northern Ireland today & won 5 – 1 in their Group qualifier for the upcoming U-17 European Championships. The Spanish Team clearly dominated & was 3 – 0 after 45 minutes. The second half saw Spanish Coach Gines take off some important players (the main name being Deulofeu) & give others a run. This did not seem to halt the Spaniards momentum as they scored two more goals, although Northern Ireland got a consolation goal.
Spanish U-17 International Deulofeu
Spain will meet England on Thursday which will be the vital match of the Group as it is more than likely that the winner here not only takes Top Group spot but puts one foot into the Euro Finals. Details:
GOALS:1-0, min. 19: Deulofeu; 2-0, min. 31: Denis Suárez; 3-0, min. 38: Iker Hernández; 3-1, min. 59: Morgan; 4-1, min. 68: Iker Hernández; 5-1, min. 84: Pol Calvet
Asamoah Gyan’s injury-time equaliser deprived England of victory in a highly entertaining friendly against Ghana at Wembley.
Dirk Kuyt’s late brace eventually settled a topsy-turvy encounter in the hosts’ favour after the Hungarians – beaten 4-0 in the reverse fixture in Budapest on Friday – twice fought their way back into the game.
