Confusion Over Benitez’s Future
by danang on Dec.22, 2010, under Others
Confusion continued to surround Rafael Benitez’s future as coach of Inter Milan last night.
Nerazzurri president Massimo Moratti insisted the Spaniard was still in charge as further reports emerged that he has been sacked.
Speculation regarding Benitez has only intensified since he called on the club to back him or sack him following their FIFA Club World Cup triumph, comments Moratti did not take well.
The club president attended a meeting last night at the club’s offices in Milan, and said Benitez was still the coach when he emerged.
Asked if Benitez was still in charge, Moratti said: “Yes, yes. There are no other thoughts. I have heard of and read about contacts being made with other coaches, but the club has not made contact with any other coach and will not until the situation is clarified.” (continue reading…)
Manchester City passed up the chance to top the Premier League
by danang on Dec.20, 2010, under Premier League
Carlos Tevez made his peace with Manchester City but failed to guide them to top spot in the Premier League as they lost 2-1 at home to Everton on Monday.
Argentine striker Tevez, who withdrew his transfer request shortly before the match, failed to shine and Everton took control through goals by Tim Cahill and Leighton Baines in the opening 19 minutes at Eastlands.
Everton were reduced to 10 men when Victor Anichebe was dismissed after 60 minutes following two quick bookings before City pulled a goal back when Yaya Toure’s shot was deflected in off Phil Jagielka in the 72nd minute.
City, unbeaten in their last seven league games, also finished with 10 men when defender Kolo Toure was sent off in stoppage-time, also for two rapid yellow cards.
City would have moved a point clear of Manchester United at the top with a win to lead the table at Christmas for the first time since 1929. (continue reading…)
VfB Stuttgart 3-5 Bayern : We scored some good goals
by danang on Dec.19, 2010, under Bundesliga
Louis van Gaal said “We scored some good goals from some good moves, but there’s no way we should be conceding any more goals. It’s a shame that’s happened. I know that, and the players know that. It’s often been the case, and it’s something that has to improve. Dortmund are a long way ahead, but we can make up a four-point gap to second place. The cup tie on Wednesday is a new game altogether, it starts 0-0, and it’s a death or gladioli game.”
Bayern ended an occasionally problematic first half of the Bundesliga campaign on a high with a valuable win in a remarkable encounter with strugglers Stuttgart, a result and a performance which hands Louis van Gaal’s side a psychological edge ahead of the teams’ cup meeting in three days’ time, but also bodes well for the double winners’ domestic ambitions in the new year.
The 40,500 capacity crowd at the partially-renovated Mercedes-Benz-Arena saw Mario Gomez, Thomas Müller and Franck Ribery crack three past the woeful home defence in a devastating quarter-hour before half-time. Stuttgart sub Martin Harnik pulled one back soon after the restart, but Gomez instantly restored the visitors’ three-goal lead and then completed his hat-trick to put FCB four clear before the hour was up.
Harnik scored again and Christian Gentner sneaked one in at the far post as the game took an unexpected twist midway through the second period, but FCB eventually restored a semblance of order to make certain of the points.
The win means Van Gaal’s men lie fifth in the Bundesliga standings at the midpoint of the campaign on 29 points from 17 matches, four off Leverkusen and Mainz in third and second, but still 14 adrift of leaders Dortmund. Bayern’s final fixture before the winter break is on the same ground against the same opponents in the last sixteen of the cup next Wednesday.
Van Gaal made two changes to the side which beat St Pauli in the league last weekend. Toni Kroos currently has a leg in plaster, and Bastian Schweinsteiger stayed at home in Munich with a heavy cold, so Andi Ottl came into central midfield, and fit-again Gomez resumed up front against his former club, with the playmaking duties passing to Müller. (continue reading…)
Tevez begs Sir Alex Ferguson to take him back
by danang on Dec.19, 2010, under Premier League
Manchester United have been approached with a sensational offer to buy Carlos Tevez back from their neighbours City.
Contact was made this week by a party closely connected with striker Tevez, who quit Old Trafford in May 2009, with a view to finding out whether United manager Sir Alex Ferguson would be interested in re-signing him.
Ferguson was made aware of the approach, which was neither at City’s behest nor with their knowledge, but sources close to Old Trafford indicate there is absolutely no chance of the player returning, even if City did decide to sell.
With Tevez ready to return to play against Everton in a game which could take City to the top of the table, the club show no signs of buckling under the pressure of the player’s publicly-stated desire to leave. And they continue to point the finger of blame for the turmoil at the player’s advisor Kia Joorabchian.
Victory over Everton on Monday would mean Mancini’s men would be top on Christmas Day for the first time in 81 years.
City announced last week that they had rejected a written transfer request and are adamant that the player will be staying until at least the end of the season. (continue reading…)
Weather disrupts EPL
by danang on Dec.19, 2010, under Premier League
Saturday’s Premier League games at Arsenal, Liverpool, Birmingham and Wigan, and Sunday’s three matches, have all been postponed.
Four Championship games were also called off, as were all League One and Two games except Exeter’s home match.
Four Scottish Premier League games also fell foul of the weather, while rugby union and horse racing were also hit.
The most high-profile casualty was Sunday’s Premier League showdown between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, which was called off after heavy snow in London made conditions around the ground too dangerous.
Blackpool’s home game against Tottenham and the Black Country derby between West Brom and Wolves were Sunday’s other matches to be called off.
Only Sunderland against Bolton and Blackburn against West Ham were given the go-ahead on Saturday, but eight of the 11 scheduled Championship matches took place.
Saturday’s Blue Square Bet Premier League game between Luton and York was abandoned after 55 minutes because of the snow.
Elsewhere in Scotland, the First Division matches at Queen of the South, Raith and Ross County were all postponed, along with a host of games from the lower leagues.
Saturday’s race meetings at Ascot, Newcastle, Lingfield and Haydock and Sunday’s at Kempton and Carlisle were also cancelled. (continue reading…)
Match Verdict : Arsenal v Stoke
by danang on Dec.18, 2010, under Premier League
by.cruiser
After the defeat to Manchester United last Monday, Arsenal will be eager to get their title challenge back on track when they welcome the visit of Stoke.
They are now two points behind the Red Devils as they lie in second place in the standings. Arsenal have not had a good time at the Emirates this season but their opponents Stoke are coming into this match after the defeat to Blackpool last weekend.
Arsene Wenger knows they have a good record against Stoke at home whereny they are eight game unbeaten against Tony Pulis side and will be keen to extend that record when they clash here today.
Stoke have a decent record on their travels and have won three of their 11 trips to the captial.
Arsenal Team News :
As for the team news ahead of the match, Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny could once again start in goal if Lukasz Fabianski fails to recover from a hip problem.
Arsenal do not have any new fresh injuries apart from striker Nicklas Bendtner who is likely to miss the match as he awaits the birth of his child. (continue reading…)
Match Verdict : Milan v Roma
by danang on Dec.18, 2010, under Serie A
Milan would be seeking to get a win over Roma and in the process extend their lead over Roma to a 13 point gap when they break for the winter break.
Claudio Ranieri’s side has a lot to make up after a poor start to their season. A defeat to Milan for Roma would all but surely end their chances of landing the scudetto for them.
Roma would be hoping to extend their good run against Milan as they have won three of their last five trips to Milan in all competitions. But last Sunday they displayed a very poor show against bottom club Bari and going by that form they will struggle this season.
Francesco Totti saw a penalty saved and Roma?s winning goal, scored by Juan, came from an offside position.
Meanwhile, Milan a six point lead over their rivals going into the weekend fixtures. Last weekend they beat Bologna 3-0 was impressive especially the showing by Zlatan Ibrahimovic. (continue reading…)





