Friday, November 14, 2008

Argentine fans hijack public buses to go to match


Police official Carlos Durante said that in two separate incidents in Buenos Aires on Thursday night, Chacarita Juniors supporters forced passengers to get off the vehicles and told the drivers to take them to the stadium where their side were playing Talleres.

Italy: Serie A Weekend Preview & Team News


The Rome Derby dominates the weekend fixtures in Italy. Elsewhere, Inter are at Palermo, Milan host Chievo and Juventus already beat Genoa.

Preview


Team News



Preview:

Roma vs. Lazio

Sir Alex Ferguson Celebrates 50th Anniversary


November 1958. Then, as now, the world was in the midst of a sharp economic downturn. Direct-dial telephone calls in Britain were three weeks away and would be inaugurated with a call from the Queen to speak to the Lord Provost in Edinburgh. The No 1 hit single of the time was It’s All In The Game by Tommy Edwards.

Spain: La Liga Weekend Preview & Team News



Preview


Team News





Not nearly as cool as Motörhead...

Brad Friedel showing civic pride back home



It is easy in a recession to become an inverted snob and damn all footballers as being big on blacked-out BMWs and small on grey matter. The fans are in the red and the players are in the pink, but then you meet the record-breaking goalkeeper who says that he is inspired by Victorian philanthropy rather than Versace and Armani.






I wouldn't live there...if you paid me to...

England: Premier League Weekend Preview, Team News & Predictions

Liverpool go to Bolton, Arsenal host Aston Villa, Spurs head down to Fulham, Sunderland are at Blackburn, Manchester United host Stoke, Chelsea are at West Brom, West Ham host Pompey, Newcastle welcome Wigan, Boro go to Everton and Hull City host Manchester City...

Preview

Team News

Team News II

Nick Webster's Predictions

Lawro's Predictions

Q & A: Pierluigi Collina

It is not an exaggeration to say that Pierluigi Collina, 48, might be one of the most recognizable people in soccer — still. From his large, piercing eyes, his ready smile and his bald head (the result of a severe form of alopecia, which caused the permanent loss of all facial hair), the former referee from Italy emerged as perhaps the rarest of species during his 13-year career — an official respected, even revered, in nearly every corner of the soccer world.

Viareggio, Tuscany -- Collina's hometown, not Friedel's...

Maradona says he never considered quitting


Argentina coach Diego Maradona on Thursday denied that he had considered quitting the job only a week after taking over because of a row over his choice of assistant.

"There's never been a resignation, there's never been anything"




"Want to see my tattoo? It's you!"

Calcio Debate: Is The Balance Of Power Shifting In Rome?



With just two days until the Rome derby, a situation not seen in years has occurred - Lazio are ahead of Roma in the Serie A standings. In fact, the Biancocelesti lead their counterparts by 14 points at this stage of the season.

Is the balance of power shifting in the Eternal City?

Drogba charged with violent conduct by FA over coin-throwing incident



The FA set a precedent in 2002 when Jamie Carragher was handed a three-match ban after being sent off for throwing a coin back into Arsenal's support at Highbury.

Argentina focus on developing youth




Argentina has long been seen as one of the most successful national teams in football. Boasting a proud history that includes two World Cup wins, a lot of the success they have achieved can be put down to their commitment to youth.

MLS Eastern Conference Final: Crew Comeback Puts Out Fire


Despite the Crew fans' “traitor” chants, former Crew forward Brian McBride did his best to put his old team away by giving the Fire an early 1-0 advantage. But galvanized by their first playoff action in six years, the Crew rebounded to score twice and reach the MLS Cup final.

Columbus 2 - 1 Chicago

Dominic Raynor: The Week That Was



This was the week in which 34-year-old Juventus forward Alessandro Del Piero was crowned the king of Europe, Arsene Wenger answered his critics and Liverpool faced the prospect of financial meltdown.

The Week

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Free Jersey Contest

If you are interested. The whole thing seems a bit odd to me. You send in the trivia.

Here's the contest site:
http://www.soccerpro.com/replica-soccer-jerseys-giveaway.php

Here's the official press release:
http://www.soccerpro.com/soccer-trivia-contest-press-release.html

Maradona To Quit As Argentina Coach - Report





The latest reports coming from Buenos Aires suggest that Diego Armando Maradona could be set to step down as coach of Argentina.

England's Future Stars: 20 to Watch




Guardian writers pick their best 20 players in England who are 18 or under.








Mark Beevers (Sheffield Wednesday)

Knee injury puts Van Nistelrooy out for the season



Van Nistelrooy travelled to the United States this week to see specialist Dr Richard Steadman about his injured right knee and, after undergoing an exploratory arthroscopic operation to determine the extent of the problem, it has been decided the Dutchman will now need surgery.





The Vail doc...

Chips off the menu for England




England players appear to have had their chips after coach Fabio Capello revealed he had taken the traditional British favourite off the menu.

Top 10 dodgy goal celebrations



Ipswich midfielder David Norris, with his ill-advised 'handcuffs' gesture at the weekend, was merely the latest in a long line of dodgy goal celebrations down the years.

Telegraph Sport doffs its cap to 10 of the best...




Gazza does the "Dentist Chair"...

Quotes & Chants of the Week


"My wife Coleen's brother and his girlfriend stayed with us, so when we went to bed I had to stay on the floor. It was a bit weird - we'd just won the Champions League and I was going to sleep on the floor! But I don't think I'd have minded where I got my head down that night."
Wayne Rooney on being brought back down to earth after Man Utd's triumph in May.

"You're supposed to have a neck!"
Middlesbrough fans to Craig Bellamy

All the Fun

MLS Playoff Preview: Columbus v. Chicago



Columbus and Chicago face each other for the first time in the MLS Cup playoffs with a spot in this year’s championship game on the line.

Who: Columbus Crew v. Chicago Fire
When: 7:30 pm ET, Thursday, November 13
Where: Crew Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
TV: ESPN2
Preview



Carlisle:

McBride spearheads Chicago offense against Columbus

England: Carling Cup Reports

Chelsea 1 - 1 Burnley (4-5 penalties)
Drogba apologizes for coin throw as Chelsea tumble out
Drogba throws Chelsea into chaos
Police open investigation

Tottenham 4 - 2 Liverpool
More White Hart Pain for Rafa

Sunderland 1 - 2 Blackburn
Bragging rights go to Ince

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

From the Vault: England and Italy do battle at Highbury in 1934




Five months after Italy won the World Cup in 1934, the team visited London to play England in what the home press dubbed the real World Cup final. But the ferocious tactics of the visitors caused outrage and encouraged calls to limit the number of international friendlies, a now familiar debate.






Teams:

ENGLAND: Moss (Arsenal): Male (Arsenal), Hapgood (Arsenal) (captain); Britton (Everton), Barker (Derby County), Copping (Arsenal); Matthews (Stoke), Bowden (Arsenal), Drake (Arsenal), Bastin (Arsenal), Brook (Manchester City).

ITALY: Ceresoli (Ambrosiana); Monzeglio (Bologna), Allemandi (Ambrosiana), Ferraris IV (Lazio), Monti (Juventus), Bertolini (Juventus); Guaita (Roma), Serantoni (Juventus), Meazza (Ambrosiana), Ferrari (Juventus), Orsi (Juventus).

Calcio Debate: What to do with Adriano?


Inter may have a new coach in Portuguese tactician Jose Mourinho this season, but they appear to be dealing with the same old problems with Brazilian striker Adriano. What should Inter do with ‘The Emperor’, who not so long ago was one of the most feared strikers on the planet?

Fears over fire sale of Liverpool's top players


Keith Harris, the chairman of Seymour Pierce, the investment bank, and the man responsible for brokering some of the biggest takeovers of Barclays Premier League clubs, including the sale of Chelsea to Roman Abramovich in 2003, believes that the Americans could be forced to sell leading players if they are unable to pay off the club’s £350 million debt

Raphael Honigstein in Germany




The Bundesliga has been all about attacking verve this season, but can the risk-takers and mavericks stay ahead of the pragmatists?

Bayern and Hamburg put the brakes on Bundesliga's style offensive.

Why the League Cup still has its place in English football




It was once the equal of the FA Cup, and even in its current form it acts as a vital harbinger of the future.






The Holders...

England: Carling Cup Reports


Arsenal 3 - 0 Wigan
Teenage Rampage
Arsenal kids far too strong for full-strength Wigan

Phil McNulty:

Can Wenger Shape New England?

Manchester United 1 - 0 Queens Park Rangers
Tevez penalty sees off QPR

Stoke City 2 - 0 Rotherham
League Two Opponents Dominated


Other League Cup Matches From Tuesday

Shaka Hislop on the MLS


MLS will have two new conference champions this week, but it is too tight to declare just who they will be.

Only four MLS teams remain but all is still to play for.

Hargreaves out for season as injury puts future in doubt


Owen Hargreaves' future as a professional footballer is in jeopardy after he was ruled out for the rest of the season because of his persistent problems with tendinitis. Hargreaves underwent surgery on his right knee yesterday and will also need a successful operation on his left knee if his career is to progress beyond the age of 27.

Galaxy star Donovan trains with Bayern Munich



American soccer star Landon Donovan joined Bundesliga champion Bayern Munich for a 10-day practice stint to stay in shape, and says he wouldn't mind staying longer.




Wynalda warns Donovan about Germany

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Look Alikes of the Week: Ruud van Nistelrooy & Gianfranco Zola


Andrew Cole announces retirement from football


Former England striker brings curtain down on a career of numerous highs that ended on an unfortunate low.

In spells in the top flight with Newcastle United, Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers, Fulham, Manchester City, Portsmouth and Sunderland, he scored a remarkable total of 187 goals, a figure surpassed by only Alan Shearer (260). Thierry Henry, Robbie Fowler and Les Ferdinand are next on the list.

Martin Rogers: With Obama, America can score World Cup



As a child, Barack Obama often played soccer on the streets of Indonesia. These days, his affinity for the sport stretches little further than watching his daughter Malia’s junior games and owning a long-distance appreciation for English Premier League team West Ham United.

Top players face new drug tests





England footballers and Premier League stars are to face Olympic-style, random out-of-competition drug testing.

Carling Cup Previews: Sir Alex Ferguson to blood youngsters


Manchester United vs. Queens Park Rangers

Manchester United (from): Kuszczak, Foster, Amos, Rafael, Evans, Cleverley, O'Shea, Chester, Possebon, Gibson, Hewson, Fletcher, Park, Anderson, Carrick, Nani, Giggs, Welbeck, Manucho, Rooney, Tevez

All The Previews






Danny Welbeck

Jonathan Wilson in the Ukraine



In the context of Euro 2012, it's hard to avoid the sense that the Donbass Arena in Donetsk is a diamond dazzling alone.

Grand plans mask problems in Ukraine

Paolo Bandini in Italy



With a reputation for racist slurs and unsavoury friends, the Serb has much to do to mend his image in a famously left-leaning city. On the field at least, a crazy own goal has given his managerial career a creditable start.

Late leveller boosts Mihajlovic's Bologna charm offensive

Sid Lowe in Spain



While Barça and Real Madrid plunder goals at will, spare a thought for goal-shy Osasuna, whose combative new manager has yet to effect much-needed improvement.

Camacho's call to arms draws blank at Osasuna, chumps of Europe

Americans in the UK: Guzan Powers Villa

Brad Guzan led a host of solid goalkeeping ventures for Americans in England this week. Also, Eddie Johnson featured in a rare start for Cardiff City.

DaMarcus Beasley and Maurice Edu, Rangers

vs. Dundee United and Kilmarnock (Both DNP)

Neither import was involved in Tuesday’s exciting 3-3 draw with Dundee United nor were they a part of Sunday’s 4-0 drubbing of Kilmarnock. The playing time for both Beasley and Edu has been sporadic at best recently, however, further cup ties should allow for more opportunities going forward. Up Next: Wednesday, away to Motherwell and Saturday, home to St. Mirren.

The Rest

Americans On The Continent: Clean Sheet Carlos

Michael Bradley, Borussia Monchengladbach (Germany)
Away to Arminia Bielefeld, 2-0, 90 minutes

Michael Bradley played the entire match as M’Gladbach secured a vital three points away to Arminia Bielefeld. Young Bosnian-born Germany international Marko Marin took Borussia’s fate upon his shoulders, scoring in the 6th and 80th minutes to secure the away win. The victory moved Die Fohlen to 14th in the league, and they will attempt to improve their standing even further as they take on Bavarian giants Bayern Munich next.
The Rest

Ives: Red Bulls pull off shocker in Houston




Standing on the Robertson Stadium field and surrounded by a sea of 30,000 orange-clad Houston Dynamo fans, the New York Red Bulls faced some of the longest odds ever faced by a Major League Soccer team.

Monday, November 10, 2008

What is the secret of Harry Redknapp's success at Tottenham?



Unbeaten in five, with four wins and an average of nearly three goals scored per game; last-gasp comebacks against Arsenal and Liverpool; a dramatic improvement in attitude... Just what has Harry Redknapp done to effect such a drastic turnaround at White Hart Lane?

Tim Vickery in South America





The slide of Peruvian football...

Premier League title race could be determined by 'big-four' mini-league






Arsene Wenger's prediction that this year's title race could go down to the wire may well prove prescient, although it is unlikely to be for the reason offered up by the Frenchman.

Heat on Hughes as City's learning curve gets ever steeper




If Mark Hughes is to get the best out of the fluid attacking talents at his disposal, he needs solidity behind them - and to stay in the job long enough to make his mark.

MLS: Houston Out After New York Romp





In a match that surely most go down as one of the biggest upsets in MLS playoff history, the New York Red Bulls downed the Houston Dynamo 3-0 to advance to the Western Conference finals.





Monday MLS Breakdown

Spain: La Liga Weekend Wrap


Barca are top with 25 points from ten games, one ahead of Villarreal, after hammering Valladolid 6-0 at the Nou Camp on Saturday.

Valencia have 23 points and moved above Real Madrid into third on goal difference. The champions scrambled a 4-3 comeback win at home to Malaga on Saturday.

Italy: Serie A Weekend Wrap




Inter powers to the top of the table...

England: Premier League Reports + Table


Fulham beat Newcastle, Spurs continue streak with a win at Manchester City, Boro snatch victory from Villa, Pompey beat Sunderland, Liverpool cruise, Bolton topple Hull, Everton roll over West Ham and Stoke and Wigan draw...

Reports

Team GP W D L Pts
1. Chelsea 12 9 2 1 29
2. Liverpool 12 9 2 1 29
3. Arsenal 12 7 2 3 23
4. Manchester Utd 11 6 3 2 21
5. Aston Villa 12 6 2 4 20
6. Hull City 12 6 2 4 20
7. Everton 12 5 3 4 18
8. Middlesbrough 12 5 2 5 17
9. Portsmouth 12 5 2 5 17
10. Fulham 11 4 2 5 14
11. Bolton 12 4 2 6 14
12. Stoke City 12 4 2 6 14
13. Manchester City 12 4 1 7 13
14. West Ham 12 4 1 7 13
15. Blackburn 12 3 4 5 13
16. Tottenham 12 3 3 6 12
17. Wigan 12 3 3 6 12
18. Newcastle 12 3 3 6 12
19. Sunderland 12 3 3 6 12
20. WBA 12 3 2 7 11