SSN is a digest of the day's soccer/football/futbol articles with a focus on the top European leagues and the United States National Team. Below, you’ll find links to articles and video, as well as additional features and commentary. We locate the top news of the day so you can stay updated with ease.
On October 11, 2008, Kevin Kuranyi was sitting in the stands at Dortmund, watching Germany's crucial World Cup qualifier against Russia and feeling miserable. Not because this wasn't the best of places for a Schalke striker, though that may have played a role, but because he'd been cold-shouldered again by the national coach. As usual, Joachim Low was starting Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski, his darlings. The strikers on the bench were Mario Gomez, who had been so woeful at the European Championships in Austria and Switzerland, and a guy called Patrick Helmes, who had played the last two seasons in the second division. He, Kurayni, was one of the squad members who had to watch from the stands, like a spectator.
On Saturday night in Zaragoza Kaká came on as a substitute for Real Madrid with 16 minutes left and the score 1-1.
Manuel Pellegrini’s team were desperately pushing for a winner to keep the Primera Liga title race alive. Nine minutes from time the former AC Milan forward delivered, linking with Cristiano Ronaldo to provide the win that kept Real a point behind Barcelona. It was Kaká’s first goal in nearly two months and, crucially, his first appearance in 43 days, after a groin injury that has been the subject of much speculation — most of it dark and conspiratorial — in the Madrid press.
The placings are unchanged at the top of La Liga with Barcelona still at the summit following victory over Xerez.
La Blaugrana are just one point ahead of Real Madrid who edged past Real Zaragoza.
Barcelona will hope to end a disappointing week on a high against Xerez as top plays bottom in La Liga.
All was looking rosy for Pep Guardiola's side this time last week but a goalless draw with Espanyol allowed second-placed Real Madrid to cut their advantage at the summit back to one point with five games remaining.
Inter host relegation-threatened Atalanta on Saturday with all eyes set on the Nerazzurri's controversial striker Mario Balotelli.
Balotelli threw his Inter jersey on the pitch after coming on as a second half substitute against Barca but is set to play this weekend.
Milan go into the final four weeks of the season in third place and seven points behind league leaders Roma.
