Friday, February 06, 2015

Violence Mars Ghana Win, Merseyside Derby, Madrid Derby, North London Derby, Sid Lowe on Bale

Shit hits the fan.

And a very pleasant Friday to you! Not so pleasant in Equatorial Guinea, where Ghanian fans were attacked by the host country's fans during Ghana's 3-0 win. Good grief. Ghana will now face Ivory Coast in Sunday's African Cup of Nations final. Nick Ames was at Nuevo Estadío de Malabo and filed this report.

Let's move away from that sad nonsense and focus on the positives of the weekend. Derbies. Rock and Roll! Off to the Premier League we go...

Tottenham vs. Arsenal: Preview
Tottenham vs. Arsenal: Five Questions
Everton vs. Liverpool: Preview

Over in Madrid, Gareth Bale's been getting stick from the fans. Sid Lowe claims that the Bernabéu booing is not as deafening as the debate that has followed. Bale's Real face Atlético tomorrow, and Guillem Balague reckons Atlético are the favorites. It's certainly a must-win for them. Here's a preview of the match (10:00 a.m. EST on beIN Sport USA). Sticking with Spain, how about Top Five Madrid Derbies? Eh? Eh?

Over to Germany. Bundesliga Weekend Preview. Can Wolfsburg challenge Bayern for the title?!


Chelsea nabbed Juan Quadrado from Fiorentina during the window. Let's take a closer look at the Colombian, shall we?

Over in France, in Ligue Uhhhhhhhhhh, it's first vs. second as Lyon host PSG. Beware The Zlatan!


Serie A. Italia. Calcio. Weekend Preview? Done and Done. 

That'll do it for the week, Peeps! We'll see you Monday with all the fallout from the weekend's action.

Onward!!

-SSN

Posted by The Editor at 11:23 AM 0 comments

Thursday, February 05, 2015

Ivory Coast Advance to the Final, Dortmund Disaster, Coutinho Saves Liverpool, Wilshire Smoking the Shisha, Ronaldo at 30

Smokin!!!

Good Day! This weekend is going to be fabulous, friends. Why? Derbies! Tottenham vs. Arsenal. Atlético Madrid vs Real Madrid. Everton vs. Liverpool. Throw in Juventus vs. Milan, Lyon vs. PSG, and West Ham vs. Manchester United, and you've got about as good a fixture list as your heart could possibly desire. More on all of that tomorrow, though. Let's rewind a bit, shall we?

Liverpool beat Bolton. They saved it for late, Bolton were a man down, and Coutinho hit a blinder and Liverpool move on to the Fifth Round of the FA Cup. Andy Hunter was at the Macron Stadium and filed this report. What's that? Richard Jolly was there, too? And he's got Three Points? Wonderful.

Inter Milan lost again. Mancini is NOT doing the business for the Nerazurri. This time it was a late winner by Higuain that sent Napoli to the Copa Italia semis.

What the hell is going on with Borussia Dortmund?! Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, they lost last night to Augsburg! An Augsburg side that played with a man down from the 64th minute! Oh, dear.

Klopp is in trouble.
Down in Africa, Ivory Coast blessed the rains to the tune of a 3-1 victory over Democratic Republic of Congo. Yaya Toure finally found his shooting boots to inspire the Elephants to victory. They'll face the winner of today's match between Ghana and Equatorial Guinea in the final. Here's Yaya's cracker. Look out!!!

Up in Spain, Real Madrid held on to defeat Sevilla 2-1 and go four points clear at the top of the table. Sadly for Los Blancos, however, they'll be without James for a while: He broke his foot. Here's a report. Dermot Corrigan was in Madrid and has Three Thoughts about the match.

Speaking of Real Madrid, we mentioned yesterday that Ronaldo is now 30. Sid Lowe is in Spain and takes a closer look at the Galactico here.

And finally...John Brewin's got a rather lengthy piece on why hooliganism endures in the pop culture. Check it out.

Onward!!

-SSN

Posted by The Editor at 10:59 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, February 04, 2015

FA Cup, More Redknapp, Bundesliga, Real Madrid vs. Sevilla, Congo DR vs. Ivory Coast, Internazionale, Copa Libertadores

Is it Hump Day already? Geez. Let's get on it, then. Manchester United ended Cambridge United's FA Cup dream with a 3-0 win at Old Trafford. The League Two side certainly represented well, and headed home with heads held high. Jamie Jackson was at Old Trafford and filed this report. Richard Jolly was there, too, and has Three Points. The Reds will face Preston North End after The Lilywhites dispatched Sheffield United last night to also advance.




In the evening's other match, Sunderland overcame Fulham to advance to the Fifth Round. Russell Kempson was at Craven Cottage and filed this report. In action today? Bolton and Liverpool in the final Fourth Round replay. Here's a Preview.

Milan look like they'll finally leave the San Siro. They've unveiled plans for a new stadium. Take a gander.

In Italian action last night, Fiorentina won in Rome 0 - 2. There's another Copa match tonight featuring Internazionale. Inter have been ass (Mancini hasn't been the answer), and they could use some good news when they face Rafa's Napoli. Here's a Preview.

More midweek fun in Germany, yo. Bayern Munich were down to 10 men but held on for a draw. Here's a wrap of Tuesday's fun.

The first semifinal of the African Cup of Nations 2015 takes place today when Democratic Republic of Congo face Ivory Coast. Here's your Preview. Here's your Second Preview.

Spain? Here: Real Madrid look to extend lead at the top when they host Sevilla. Sums it up pretty well.

Harry Redknapp. What a bloody disaster. Enough said. Wait. No. Not enough said. There. That's better.



Copa Libertadores, people! It's kicking off down in South America. The region's biggest tournament features everything you want! Here's all you need to know.

And finally...Ronny turns 30 tomorrow. Here are 30 of his greatest moments.

Onward!!

-SSN

Posted by The Editor at 10:27 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, February 03, 2015

'Arry Bails on QPR, Scribes, FA Cup, Goals of the Week, Bundesliga Mid-Week Action

Buh Bye.

It's a glorious Tuesday at SSN Headquarters, and we hope your week is progressing well. We've matches today, friends, and they matter! The FA Cup has replays for Cambridge United & Manchester United, along with Fulham & Sunderland. The Bundesliga is back with a bang and a set of mid-week clashes; Bayern Munich will attempt to bounce back from their shocker against Wolfsburg when they host Schalke later. Meanwhile, in Italy, Roma and Fiorentina will meet in the Copa Italia.

What else? Well, Harry Redknapp has resigned as manager of QPR. Obviously, the form of Rangers has been so bad he's been forced to leave. Wait. What? It's because of a knee operation? How convenient. Nice one, 'Arry! Very sneaky. Is it his final act? Let's hope so...

Goals of the Week

Alas, the Transfer Window is closed. We joke, because we are pleased, and not sad, by end of the mid-season silly season. Michael Cox has a list of the 10 Best January Transfers Worldwide for you to judge here, should you care to reflect. More? Fine. What did we learn?



Where? Brazil. Who? Tim Vickery. What? 21st century stadiums, 19th century calendar


Where? Germany. Who? Raphael Honigstein. What? For Bayern Munich defeat is always disaster, but maybe this one isn’t


It's Tuesday, and that means it's time for Marcotti's Musings. This week, Gab is gabbing about Chelsea and Man City accept draw, Barcelona and Real Madrid impress.


Right. The FA Cup. Fourth Round Replays. Manchester United vs. Cambridge United. Here's your Preview. 

Right. The Bundesliga. Time to make up some matches after all that time off over the holidays. Here's your Preview.

Right. Copa Italia. Roma vs. Fiorentina. Rome vs. Florence. Warriors vs. Artists, or something like that. Here's your Preview, from a Roman perspective. 

Want a European Team of the Week? Here. Have at it.

And finally...Anderson and Zaha have left United. Who are the Ten Worst Fergie Signings ever?

Onward!!

-SSN

Posted by The Editor at 12:13 PM 0 comments

Monday, February 02, 2015

Shut The Transfer Window, Australia Rule Asia, Chelsea and City Draw, Bayern Back With a Whimper, Messi Saves Barca, Bale Gets it From Real Supporters, Bony Boosts Elephants, Inter Insurrection


Yes, yes, yes! Another fabulous weekend of footie is in the books. The big one in England ended even, as Chelsea and City fought to a 1-1 draw. Both sides looked a bit flat, it must be said. Sign of things to come? We'll see. Elsewhere, Bayern Munich were thumped by Wolfsburg, shit got ugly for Inter after they lost at Sussudio, and Gareth continues to hear it from the Real fans. Let's get to it, shall we?
Chelsea 1 - 1 Manchester City: Daniel Taylor at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea 1 - 1 Manchester City: Three Things We Learned
West Brom 0 - 3 Tottenham: Peter Lansley at The Hawthorns
Manchester United 3 - 1 Leicester City: Paul Wilson at Old Trafford
Arsenal 5 - 0 Aston Villa: Sachin Nakrani at the Emirates Stadium
Arsenal signed someone. He hails from Brazil and played a bit in Spain. As such, Sid Lowe is on hand to offer his insight on Gabriel Armando de Abreu.

Elsewhere? Well, it's the final day of the Transfer Window. It'll slam shut soon, thank God. For the last time in a while, here you go...



Australia won the Asian Cup. Good on you, Socceroos! In Africa, the semis are set, and the Democratic Republic of Congo will face Ivory Coast, while Ghana will clash with Equatorial Guinea.

Over in Spain, it was biz per usual as the top sides won. Here are Five Things We Learned in La Liga, and here's a wee wrap.

Awkward!!!

Over in Germany, it was NOT biz per usual as Bayern Munich lost their first match of the season, 4-1 to Wolfsburg, and Dortmund are now bottom of the table! Das nutty, yah! Here's a review of the first post-break weekend in Germany's top flight.

Italy? Leaders Juve drew, Inter were humiliated (see vid above), and Roma also drew. Here's a wee review. More tomorrow with Paolo.

That's pretty good for a Monday. We're up to speed and can go in-depth tomorrow with Scribes.

Onward!!

-SSN

Posted by The Editor at 11:41 AM 0 comments
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