Football Dreams

Goals Galore In Gijón For Barcelona

2008-09-21T14:53:00.000-07:00

Sporting Gijon 1 - 6 Barcelona

By far Barça's best performance of the season saw them utterly stun Sporting with a thrilling win at El Molinón...

Barcelona came into the match with just one point from their opening two league matches, and they were desperate to kick start their campaign with a solid victory. There were brief glimpses of class in the 3-1 Champions League victory over Sporting in midweek, giving Pep Guardiola a degree of optimism that his players were beginning to find their stride.

Sporting, despite losing their opening two matches, have been slightly unlucky to do so, and fought valiantly in Seville on La Liga matchday two, before eventually succumbing to a 4-3 defeat.

Sporting started with the divisions’ top scorer Bilic up front on his own, while midfielder Sergio Busquets surprisingly kept his place for the Blaugrana ahead of Bojan. Thierry Henry missed out due to a throat infection, so Eto’o once more spearheaded the attack.

First Half

Barcelona began brightly, with Xavi (2’) bringing out a smart save from Sanchez, with the big keeper saving low at his near post with Eto’o lurking in the vicinity.

Bilic caused Abidal some brief concern early on, while at the other end Messi (12’) carved himself a glimpse of an opportunity, but Sanchez dealt with his effort from twenty yards comfortably.

The home fans then became incensed as Bilic (17’) went down heavily under a challenge from Busquets. Replays show Busquets clearly took the ball, and after some gesturing and eventually hobbling from the field, he unsurprisingly returned moments later moving freely.

To give some idea of the gulf in quality, Barca has spent around 90m Euros this summer, to Gijon’s mere 100,000. But for all the away sides’ early dominance of possession and slick interplay, Sporting did not become unnerved and stuck staunchly to their task of keeping their illustrious opponents at bay.

Then Barca raised the tempo.

Messi began marauding around with his usual menacing nature. He skipped past two defenders in the box but dragged his shot across goal. Still, he was moving through the gears and represented Barcelona’s purposeful opening.

This was highlighted moments later as the Argentinean scooped it wide to Iniesta, who’s beautiful first touch took the ball into his stride, but his shot was deflected inches wide for a corner. As the corner count mounted, it appeared to be a matter of time, and minutes later the deadlock was broken. Iniesta turned Sastre inside out before chipping the ball to a completely unmarked Xavi (27’), who nodded home from eight yards. It was too easy – and no more than Barcelona deserved.

Victor Valdes had become a spectator as the Catalan side camped in the home sides half. They smelled blood, and knew a second goal would end this match as a contest. It wasn’t long in coming. Xavi swung in yet another corner, Puyol leapt to head goalwards, and Eto’o (33’) used all of his striking instincts to nod home from underneath the crossbar. 2-0 after thirty three minutes, and the aforementioned gulf in quality was plain to see. Barca had turned a potentially tricky away fixture into a procession before half time.

Sporting enjoyed a spell of possession before half-time, but only because they were given time to do so by Barcelona. They did briefly rally when Diego Castro went down under a challenge from Marquez, but only a corner was given. Barca regained control, and but for a poor touch by Iniesta (44’) after he was played in by Messi, it would have been three. Half-time and no-one in El Molinon could argue with the scoreline.

Second Half

The second half began as the first had ended - Messi on the move. He skipped down the left, but seeing no support in the centre, jinked inside two, three, four then five defenders before striking a shot which deflected for a corner. Xavi swung the ball in, and the unfortunate Jorge (47’), headed past his own goalkeeper. 3-0 to the Blaugrana.

Game over? It should have been. But only minutes later, Gijon breathed new life into the contest as new signing Maldonado (50’) notched his first goal for the club. Bilic barged the ball into his path, and he slotted past Valdes from ten yards. The home fans went wild, and Barca once again showed their defensive frailties. You felt at this stage that a period of concerted pressure could give Puyol et al some serious problems.

But all hopes were extinguished soon after, as Gerard (56’) lunged in on Messi who had been clear on goal. A straight red card, and Gijon, who struggled to get near Barcelona with their full complement, now had to do it with ten men.

The match was over as a contest, with Gijon reshuffling to cope with the red card, and Barca happy to spray the ball around. Eto’o and Kieta had half chances, before Iniesta and that man Messi produced a picture-book fourth goal. The little Argentinean flicked a delicate pass through the Gijon defence and Iniesta (69’) burst through to dink the ball past the helpless Sanchez. Against ten men or not, some of Barcelona’s play was simply sublime and this was the goal that represented a real return of the understanding and awareness the players had showed so often under Frank Rijkaard.

You had to feel a little sorry for Sporting Gijon, and particularly for their fantastic supporters who continued to cheer on their side even as their opponents struck home goal after goal. They were a true credit to their club. The problem was that the Catalan side were always going to regain their rhythm at some point this season, and it was simply a case of who would be on the receiving end. Tonight, they clicked, and with Lionel Messi in this kind of imperious form, very few defences in the world will get anywhere near him. And five minutes from the end he got the goal his play deserved. Iniesta, who was also excellent tonight, crossed from the left, and the deflection on the cross took the ball into Messi’s(85’) path and he volleyed home from six yards.

But he wasn’t finished yet. Four minutes later Xavi chipped it to the penalty spot and Messi (89’) headed home powerfully. Both he and Barcelona were simply fantastic, and the rest of La Liga should take note of this master-class in attacking football. Barca are back.

REAL SPORTING DE GIJÓN 1-6 FC BARCELONA
0-1 Xavi 26'
0-2 Eto'o 32'
0-3 Jorge (og) 47'
1-3 Maldonado 50'
1-4 Iniesta 69'
1-5 Messi 85'
1-6 Messi 89'

Sporting (4-5-1): Sanchez; Sastre, Camara, Jorge, Canella; Matabuena (Michel 45’), Gerard, Diego Castro, Maldonado (Kike Mateo 62’), Carmello; Bilic (David Barral 58’)

Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes; Dani Alves, Puyol, Marquez, Abidal; Busquets (Caceres 81’), Xavi, Kieta (Gudjohnsen 71’); Iniesta, Messi, Eto’o (Bojan 68’)

Booked: Camara (7’), Carmelo (40’)

Sent Off: Gerard (56’)

Marvellous Milan Crush Lazio

2008-09-21T14:51:00.001-07:00

Milan 4-1 Lazio

Kaka and Gianluca Zambrotta both scored stunning long-range goals as Milan got off the mark in Serie A with a crushing 4-1 win over Lazio at San Siro.

Team News

Milan came into this game knowing that they simply had to win otherwise they would fall six points or more behind Scudetto rivals Inter and Juventus. The Rossoneri, who were on zero points, were without the injured Alessandro Nesta, Pippo Inzaghi, Tabare Viudez, Andrea Pirlo, and Philippe Senderos. Coach Carlo Ancelotti employed a 4-1-3-2 formation with Kaha supporting front pairing Alexandre Pato and Marco Borriello. Rino Gattuso returned in midfield following his recent injury layoff.

Visitors Lazio had been top-of-the-table, with six points out of six, until they were overtaken by Inter and Juve this afternoon. The Biancocelesti also had a few injuries, with Fabio Firmani, Simone Del Nero, Tommaso Rocchi and Ousmane Dabo sidelined. Coach Delio Rossi made just one change to the team who beat Sampdoria 2-0 with Matuzalem coming in for Mourad Meghni in midfield.

First Half

Lazio had a penalty shout within the first 20 seconds as Stefano Mauri went down under pressure from Gianluca Zambrotta, following a weak back pass by the latter, but the referee waved away the appeals. It was a fiery start and down the other end Massimo Ambrosini failed to get enough onto his header at the back post from Clarence Seedorf's cross.

On five minutes Milan put together a neat team move and Kaka crossed low for Borriello's flick-through-the-legs, but Juan Pablo Carrizo was well placed.

This was a warning of things to come as 90 seconds later Milan were ahead. There was a bit of luck involved as Seedorf tried to play a one-two on the edge of the area, and his pass rebounded off Cristian Ledesma to put him through on goal. The Dutchman's finish was emphatic as he thumped the ball past Carrizo and into the roof of the net.

Lazio tried to hit back and Goran Pandev got away from Kakha Kaladze, but Paolo Maldini made a crucial block on Mauro Zarate's snap-shot inside the area. Mauri then tested Abbiati from 25 yards as Lazio started to work their way into the game.

The capital side were looking more and more threatening, and on 25 minutes they silenced the San Siro with an equaliser. Inevitably it was Zarate who got the goal, as he beat the offside the trap on Pandev's pass and rifled home a clinical left footed finish past Abbiati.

It was an entertaining game and Milan immediately threatened to regain their lead as Pato cut inside his man from the right, and brought out a smart stop from Carrizo. Kaka then floated an inviting ball to the back post, and Borriello was close to getting his head to the ball.

Kaka burst into life on 31 minutes with a superb solo run past a number of defenders, but he couldn't find the finish and sliced the ball wide from the left angle.

A few minutes later Milan were back ahead courtesy of a contender for goal of the season. Zambrotta bombed forward and let fly from way out on the right, at least 35 yards, and the ball arrowed into the far top corner like a ballistic missile. It was a simply incredible strike from the Italy international.

Milan now went looking for the third, and on 40 minutes Kaka exchanged passed with Borriello before thrashing the ball a couple of feet over from the edge of the area.

Lazio had been quiet ever since Zarate's temporary equaliser, with Aleksandar Kolarov's two off-target free kicks the away side's only two remaining efforts as Milan went into the break 2-1 ahead.

Second Half

Into the second half and Lazio started strongly. Mauri was almost through on goal immediately, but he miscontrolled the ball and the danger passed. Zarate then curled a free kick over the bar.

However, it was Milan who extended their lead on 49 minutes. Jankulovski crossed from the left, and Pato darted in front of Rozenhal at the near post to head home.

Lazio refused to get downhearted, and Mauri asked for a penalty after clashing with Zambrotta in the box, but again the referee didn't want to know.

On 56 minutes Milan put together a fantastic move, and Kaka curled a beautiful effort towards the far post, but Carrizo flew across goal to push the ball away.

Moments later Kaka did indeed get his goal, and it was well worth waiting for. The Brazilian picked the ball up 30 yards out and fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner. Milan were now turning on the style!

The home side continued to push forward, and could have grabbed a fifth on 74 minutes as Borriello raced through on goal, but Carrizo pulled off a fine save.

Down the other end Lazio had a great chance to pull a goal back as Pandev held off Ambrosini, but Abbiati produced a smart reaction stop.

Kaka had been electrifying all night long, and he went on another slalom run, only to see his finish deflected off target. Down the other end, Foggia shot weakly at Abbiati from 25 yards, as the game moved into the final few minutes.

In injury time Milan twice went close to a fifth as substitute Ronaldinho rattled the crossbar with a deflected effort, before Borriello headed inches wide.

It had been emphatic win for Milan, who answered their critics in the prefect way, and grabbed their first three points of the Serie A season at the third attempt.

Teams

Milan: Abbiati, Zambrotta, Kaladze, Maldini, Jankulovski, Gattuso (Emerson 78), Seedorf (Flamini 63), Ambrosini, Kaka, Pato (Ronaldinho 70), Borriello

Lazio: Carrizo, Lichtsteiner, Siviglia, Rozenhal, Kolarov, Matuzalem (Meghni 69), Ledesma, Brocchi (De Silvestri 78), Mauri (Foggia 62), Pandev, Zarate

Anthony Sormani

Slick Madrid Sink Racing

2008-09-21T14:48:00.000-07:00

Racing Santander 0-2 Real Madrid

Two fine strikes in the second half separated a counter-attacking Real Madrid side from a Racing outfit that couldn't quite come close enough to goal...

Despite a slow, defensive start, Real Madrid eventually ended up two goals to the good in the tough arena that is the Sardinero. While the hosts had no shortages of attack themselves - especially down the flank, the capital side in the end deserved their victory.

Racing made seven changes from the side that edges past Honka midweek in the UEFA Cup, the most notable absentees being Ezequiel Garay and Pedro Munitis. The latter, an ex-Madrid man, is out injured for six weeks, while Garay's disappearance presumably has to do with his being property of Real Madrid.

The blancos, meanwhile, surprisingly fielded Raúl, who had rumoured to be set for a benching. Gonzalo Higuaín also earned a start, while Arjen Robben and Rafael van der Vaart sat on the bench.

First Half

It took ten minutes for the first chance to present itself, Higuaín dribbling past left-back Christian before cutting the ball across goal. Raúl was ready and waiting, but Navas was able to hack it clear.

That should have signalled the start of a period of dominance for the blancos, but instead it took a further ten minutes for another decent chance to present itself, Guti cutting a free-kick back to de la Red, who forced a fingertip save from Toño.

Racing had found it hard to carve out chances due to Madrid's double pivot, but by running down the flanks they were able to create a few half-opportunities as the first period wore on. It took 37 minutes for them to really test Casillas, which Jonathan Pereira did with a sweet overhead kick.

Still, the half ended with difficulty for Madrid: Guti went over badly on his ankle and was stretchered off, with Rafael van der Vaart coming on as a replacement.

Overall it had been a largely cautious first period for both sides, and one in which a goalless outcome was probably appropriate.

Second Half

Bernd Schuster sent his team out in patient fashion for the second period, allowing Racing some time to try to come forward, dispossess, and attack.

In the end this was responsible for the opening goal - but it was for Madrid. Seizing the ball from a Racing set piece, Gonzalo Higuaín strode forward on the right, with Raúl and Rubén de la Red in support. The captain drew the approaching defence onto him, allowing Higuaín to slot the ball to de la Red, whose unmarked drive beat Toño for the opener.

Racing immediately tried to fight back, Luccin seeing his low drive deflected agonisingly wide, and Madrid began to look a little bit stretched, especially at the full-back positions.

However, direct chances were few and far between, with some last-gasp defending keeping the blancos safe.

In the end Van Nistelrooy belied his quiet status to chip in with a lovely second goal. Van der Vaart's through ball found the Dutchman in the area, and he toyed with Marcano before effortlessly looping a shot around Toño from twelve yards.

Racing substitute Tchité could have pulled one back seconds later as he headed goalwards from a corner, but Van der Vaart scooped the ball off the line.

Tchité, and corners in general, were causing Madrid no end of trouble, but as the clock ticked down Racing lost both energy and belief. Madrid did enough to win in quite unusual tactical fashion, and 2-0 it ended.

REAL RACING CLUB 0-0 REAL MADRID CF
0-1 De la Red 55'
0-2 Van Nistelrooy 74'

Racing: Toño; Pinillos, César Navas, Marcano, Christian; Valera (Tchité 66), Lacen (Luccin 58), Colsa, Serrano (Gonçalvez 79); Jonathan Pereira, Juanjo.

Real Madrid: Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Cannavaro, Heinze; De la Red, Diarrà; Higuaín (Saviola 84), Guti (Van der Vaart 44), Raúl (Robben 69'); Van Nistelrooy.

Yellow Cards: Heinze 22', Higuaín 34', Cannavaro 41', de la Red 80', van der Vaart 88',

Chelsea Fight Back To Claim Point

2008-09-21T14:45:00.000-07:00

Chelsea had to come from behind in the highly-anticipated clash between last season’s Premier League runners-up and reigning champions Manchester United, a match that ended in a 1-1 stalemate.

In a fast-paced clash at Stamford Bridge, the visitors took the lead in the 18th minute as Park Ji-Sung following up Petr Cech’s parry and slotted the ball home, before substitute Salomon Kalou headed his side level with 10 minutes remaining.

Sir Alex Ferguson surprisingly opted to drop Carlos Tevez to the bench, with the Argentinean joining Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the many attacking options the Premier League champions could call upon.

Similarly, Jonny Evans retained his place in the line-up ahead of Wes Brown, while Chelsea were dealt a major blow prior to kick off as Deco injured himself in the warm-up, meaning Michael Ballack had to step in to take the Portugal international’s place.

First Half

Both teams looked lively in the early exchanges, with the visitors belying suggestions that they would look to sit back and absorb the pressure as Darren Fletcher had an effort blocked and then fired wide early on.

The Red Devils went close to breaking the deadlock after ten minutes in an astonishing run of play. Cech’s clearance reached only as far as Dimitar Berbatov 40 yards out, and the Bulgarian’s volley found Wayne Rooney on the edge of the box. The England striker’s own volley then flew just wide in what would have been an extraordinary goal.

There was to be a further injury blow for The Blues as Ricardo Carvalho had to be replaced by Alex due to suspected ligament damage, and with the hosts having to reorganise themselves once again, United pushed on.

Nicolas Anelka’s wayward ball was collected by Berbatov, who in turn played in Rio Ferdinand of all people, and the defender’s subsequent effort required the full attentions of Cech who tipped it over.

The pressure finally paid off for Ferguson’s men, and it came courtesy of some fine link-up play between the blossoming Rooney-Berbatov partnership. Patrice Evra burst down the left, played the ball into the middle which saw the two Red Devils strikers bamboozle The Blues’ defence, and it was eventually played into the six yard box. While Berbatov’s initial effort was saved by Cech, the Chelsea goalkeeper couldn’t keep hold of it, allowing Park to fire home the rebound.

The home side rallied in the hope of finding an equaliser, and they were almost gifted one as Gary Neville’s tame headed backpass towards Edwin van der Sar was collected by Florent Malouda, but the Frenchman’s shot was blocked by the visitor’s goalkeeper to hand his team-mate a reprieve.

However, the Dutch shot-stopper forced the Red Devils into a change of their own as he sustained an injury, with Ferguson having to call upon the services of Tomasz Kuszczak, and he was immediately required as he collected Frank Lampard’s blocked shot.

Chelsea were beginning to gain a foothold of processions, Alex being the next in line to shoot on goal from 25 yards out, and while the Brazilian’s effort was parried by the Poland international, Ferdinand was the first to the ball and he cleared.

The visitors had a glorious chance to extend their lead as Rooney picked up the ball on the right and played it to Berbatov’s feet, and all the Red Devils’ forward needed to do was find Park with a simple lay-off for a great opportunity. However, the Bulgaria hit-man played a sloppy ball behind the midfielder, and the chance went begging much to the fury of Ferguson on the touchline.

Second Half

As expected by the home crowd, Didier Drogba was introduced to proceedings just two minutes into the second half as Malouda made way, and he immediately made his presence felt with aerial battles against Evans and then Kuszczak.

United were still dangerous on the break and, as Chelsea committed men forward, it allowed Rooney to dispossess Mikel John Obi and burst forward in a move that eventually saw goalscorer Park fire well over from 20 yards.

Ferdinand was in imperious form as he cut out a dangerous ball from Joe Cole in a piece of defending that could quite easily have ended in an own goal, and shortly after Ronaldo was added to the game in a bold move by Ferguson – the visitors had three forwards in the game, despite their 1-0 lead.

Chelsea were still toiling and a superb interchange between Drogba and Ballack saw the latter play an inch-perfect ball over-the-top for Joe Cole to run onto, but his shot - in what was a guilt-edged chance to equalise - was straight at Kuszczak who collected it comfortably.

Anelka had another half-chance to volley his side level, but his connection with the ball from 12 yards was weak and the ball dribbled wide, and events took a turn for the worse as the Frenchman missed failed to convert an effort into the open goal.

Joe Cole, who was increasingly influential as the game progressed, got beyond Evra and played in a dangerous ball which evaded Kuszczak but Anelka, unmarked at the far post, unbelievably failed to find the net. Scolari had his head in his hands, and it was no surprise as another chance for Chelsea went begging.

The Premier League champions responded with an opportunity of their own which could have sealed the points, Ronaldo crossing in from the left towards Rooney at the back post, but the former Everton man could only find the side-netting.

Chelsea finally found a way through the stern United defence, but it was a goal that will have left Ferguson seething with his players. Kalou, introduced with 15 minutes to go, rose highest to meet a free-kick and head into the back of the Red Devils’ goal, despite the forward being surrounded by a host of opposing players.

After an initial lull following the equaliser, The Blues had a chance to seize the lead as Kalou’s shot was deflected just over by Neville after a rapid counter-attack, and then it was United’s turn to go close as Alex dived in superbly to block Fletcher’s goal-bound shot.

There were to be no further clear-cut chances for either side as the final minutes were played out, and as the final whistle was blown, both manager’s will have been satisfied with the point – Scolari after starting defeat in the face for so long in the game, and Ferguson having seen his players perform to a much higher standard after last weekend’s defeat.

Teams:

Chelsea: Petr Cech, John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho (Alex 12'), Ashley Cole, Jose Bosingwa, Frank Lampard, Florent Malouda (Didier Drogba 46'), Deco, Michael Ballack (Salomon Kalou 74), John Mikel Obi, Nicolas Anelka, Joe Cole. Substitutes (Not Used): Carlo Cudicini, Wayne Bridge, Paulo ferreira, Juliano Belletti.

Manchester United: Edwin van der Sar (Tomasz Kusczcak 32'), Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans, Patrice Evra, Paul Scholes (Cristiano Ronaldo 55'), Darren Fletcher, Park Ji-Sung (John O'Shea 75'), Owen Hargreaves, Dimitar Berbatov, Wayne Rooney, Substitutes (Not Used): Wes Brown, Ryan Giggs, Carlos Tevez, Nani

Goals

Chelsea: Kalou (80')

Manchester United: Park (18')

Will Wood

2008-09-21T14:43:00.000-07:00

Match Details Date/Time: 21/09/2008 15:00 Match status: Played

3ª Giornata

Torino 1 Elvis Abbruscato (76')

Starters

N°	Name	Role	Rating	Notes
1	Sereni M.	Goalkeeper	6
19	Diana A.	Defender	6
22	Di Loreto M.	Defender	5.5
50	Pratali F.	Defender	5.5
3	Pisano M.	Defender	5.5
27	Zanetti P.	Midfielder	5
5	Corini E.	Midfielder	5.5
24	Säumel J.	Midfielder	6.5
10	Rosina A.	Midfielder
11	Amoruso N.	Striker	6
90	Bianchi R.	Striker	6

Bench

N°	Name	Role	Rating	Notes
99	Calderoni A.	Goalkeeper
32	Colombo R.	Defender
33	Rubin M.	Defender
6	Ogbonna A.	Defender
8	Barone S.	Midfielder	6
7	Ventola N.	Striker
9	Abbruscato E.	Striker	7
	De Biasi G.	Manager/Coach	6

Inter Milan 3 Marco Pisano (24' aut.) - Maicon (26') - Zlatan Ibrahimovic (51')

Starters

N°	Name	Role	Rating	Notes
12	Julio César	Goalkeeper	6.5
13	Maicon	Defender	7
16	Burdisso N.	Defender	6.5
23	Materazzi M.	Defender	6.5
26	Chivu C.	Defender	6
14	Vieira P.	Midfielder	6.5
19	Cambiasso E.	Midfielder	6
4	Zanetti J.	Midfielder	6.5
33	Mancini	Striker	7
8	Ibrahimovic Z.	Striker	7
10	Adriano	Striker	7.5

Bench

N°	Name	Role	Rating	Notes
1	Toldo F.	Goalkeeper
24	Nelson Rivas	Defender
2	Córdoba I.	Defender
7	Figo	Midfielder
77	Quaresma	Midfielder	5
45	Balotelli M.	Striker	5
9	Cruz J.	Striker
	Mourinho J.	Manager/Coach	7

Match Events

90'+3	And there it is, full time has been blown. A comprehensive victory for Inter, who despite being on the receiving end of a barrage of strikes in the closing stages, still manage to hold on for a well deserved 3-1 victory. It's Toro's first loss of the campaign, and they certainly should not be disappointed with their performance in any way, as they put the reigning champions to the test throughout the majority of the contest. The forward trident of Mancini, Adriano and Ibrahimovic worked wonders for Mourinho today, and the Portugese tactician will take alot away from their form today. He will have a few questions to answer in regards to his defence, however he will still be pleased with victory nonetheless. Thanks for joining me this afternoon, and I hope that you enjoyed Goal.com's live coverage from the Stadio Olimpico in Torino. Torino 1-3 Inter Milan. Adrian Del Monte..
90'+2	Inter just teasing the Torino players now, as they play the ball around the field, with everyone getting a touch of the ball. Only seconds remain now..
90'+1	Inter go forward through Balotelli on the right, however his ball in is poor, and easily cleared by Sereni there..
90'	We're into the final minute now, and Torino seemed destined for their first league defeat of the season now, despite a glorious closing 10-15 minutes in this match..
88'	Replays have just indicated that the Amoruso free kick taken a few moments ago, struck the hands of Inter players within the wall, which was positioned in the area. Thus, a huge lett off for the Nerazzurri..
88'	Substitution	Ibrahimovic Z.	Cruz J.
87'	Mourinho makes his third and fial change, as Cruz comes on for Ibrahimovic, who workes his way into the contest in the second half..
85'	OHHHHH!!!!!!! UNBELIEVABLE SCENES IN TORINO!!!!! Abbruscato's header strikes the cross bar, from another glorious ball into the area from Samuel. And then the follow up shot taken by Bianchi, is well dealt with by Julio Cesar, as he puts it out for a corner.
84'	Clumsy by Quaresma there to foul Di Loreto (the third Torino captain of the fay) in his attacking area. The two exchange a few facial gestures, and play continues..
84'	Burdisso fouls Bianchi, just metres outside the area, and if this strike was to go in, it would make for a highly entertaining last few minutes to this contest..
82'	Inter just slowing down the tempo of play here, as they put together several passes at the back, to keep Torino away from the ball. The home side are looking dangerous now, and the Nerazzurri are certainly aware of that..
80'	Ten minutes remain in Torino, as the fans have come back to life! Samuel has the ball on the left, and he beats one, and directs a low and hard ball in towards Bianchi!!!! Ohhhhh what a tremendous header, and what a save by Julio Cesar to deny the home side..
79'	Abbruscato makes a tremendous run on the right, but he has three Inter players to contend with. Due to a lack of support, he unfortunately loses possession. Great work..
78'	Pratali fouls Balotelli, and that is the fourth caution of this match. Free kick to Inter, and it's in a dangerous position too..
78'	Yellow Card	Pratali F.
77'	The Nerazzurri seem to just have taken their foot off the pedal ever so slightly here in Torino, as the home side are on the attack once again..
76'	GOOOAAAAALLLLL!!!!! 1-3 - TORINO PULL ONE BACK THROUGH ABBRUSCATO!!!! Lovely ball in by Samuel, and a sliding Abbruscato at the back post, does the rest!!! Well done Torino!!
76'	Goal	Abbruscato E.
74'	Yellow Card	Balotelli M.
74'	Balotelli receives a yellow card for a clumsy challenge.. That wasn't necessary from the young Italian..
72'	Torino with some much needed possession in their attacking third, for the first time in a long time now. Some how they manage to break down this Inter wall of defenders, and the ball spills to Abbruscato!! Surely he can pull one back for the home side here. But ohhhh well done by Chivu to get back and clear teh danger, despite the score line. Great desperation shown by the Romanian there..
70'	Ogbonna lets fly for Torino!! He hits it well, but Julio Cesar was up to the challenge. Good effort nonetheless..
68'	Balotelli on the ball now, for the first time in this contest, and he wins a free kick immediately, thanks to a foul by Ogbonna.
67'	Balotelli seems to be warming up on the sidelines, indicating that the games of either Adriano or Ibrahimovic may be coming to an end. And yes, it's Adriano who is taken off in place of the young Italian striker. It was a great performance today from the giant Brazilian, and he will certainly take a lot of confidence from this performance..
67'	Substitution	Adriano	Balotelli M.
66'	Substitution	Zanetti P.	Ogbonna A.
66'	De Biasi makes his third and final substitution, with Ogbonna coming on to replace Paolo Zanetti.
65'	Quaresma trying to make his presence felt, having just come on, however he fails to win the corner he sort after, and it's a goal kick to Sereni.
64'	Mourinho makes his first change of the match, as he brings on Quaresma in place of Mancini. Not a bad change to make at all..
64'	Substitution	Mancini	Quaresma
63'	Mancini with a few trademark stepovers, and noe he plays it to Adriano, who shoots!!! It's wide though, but a great effort nonetheless..
62'	Wonderful work by Maicon and Ibrahimovic on the right, Maicon sets up a tremendous one-two movement between the two players. Maicon then makes his way into the area, and tries to cut it back to Mancini, but there were one too many red shirts in the way, and Torino clear..
60'	We've reached the hour mark here in Torino, and Inter seem desperate to wreak more havoc in this contest. 3 does not seem to be enough for the Nerazzurri, as they are on the attack through Vieira once again.
59'	Adriano!!!!!! Ohhhh what a build up by the forward trident of Mancini, Ibrahimovic and Adriano. A host of glorious passes end with Adriano, whose chipping attempt from just outisde the area is well saved by Sereni. Had that gone in, it would have been one of the great goals in recent times..
58'	Great ball by Pisano in to the area, but as has been the case all day, the Inter defence are not letting anything through. Abbruscato is at fault for easily losing the ball this time.
57'	Well in by Cambiasso to dispossess Di Loreto. Inter have the numbers now, but Cambiasso decides to play the ball back towards Adriano. The Brazlian sees something he likes ahead, and it's Mancini!! But Adriano's lovely chipping ball to Mancini, catches the winger narrowly offside, and that's the end of that for Inter.
55'	Ten minutes gone in this, the second half, and Inter are in full control of every aspect of this contest now. It's all too easy for the Nerazzurri, with a 3 goal advantage to their name..
54'	Maicon sends another dangerous ball from the right into the area, but the Torino defence clear through Pisano.
52'	GOOOALLL GOOAAAALLLL!!! 3-0 TO INTER, AND THAT'S THREE POINTS IN THE BANK TO INTER!!! Mancini chips a glorious ball in the path of Ibrahimovic. He is onside, and through one on one with Sereni, and he so easily slots it past the Torino goal keeper with minimal fuss. 3-0 to Inter..
51'	What a save by Julio Cesar!!!!!!! Diana sends a dangerous looking ball into the area, which clips the head of Cambiasso. The ball is deastined for the top right corner, by Cesar does exceptionally well to react quickly.
51'	Goal	Ibrahimovic Z.
50'	Diana tests his luck from distance, and ohhhh! Is that a penalty?? The Torino players believe it is, as the ball seemed to strike the arm of Chivu. Replays show that it hit the Romanian's chest, and thus no penalty is awarded.
49'	Sensational work by Adriano, to play the abll wide to Ibrahimovic. The Sweede has so much space to surge forward in, and he does exactly that. He gets himself into the area, and has Mancini and Adriano in the centre. Surely this will be three!! But no, Ibra shoots himself, and forces Sereni into making a save. Wrong option there by Zlatan.
48'	Vieira trying to set the tone in the second half, however his challenge is a clumsy one on Diana, and that will be a free kick to Torino.
47'	Toro on the attack immediately in the early stages, and it's through Pisano once again, who has been great today down the left hand side. He slips when crossing the ball in however, resulting in a weak ball, that's eventually cleared easily by the Nerazzurri..
46'	The home side get play under way in the second half. Barone is brought on for Torino at the break, to add some much needed experience and poise in the midfield. Corini is replaced, in what is a surprise, as he wasn't all that bad in the first half.
46'	Substitution	Corini E.	Barone S.
45'+2	The referee blows his whistle to bring the first half to an end. It was an entertaining opening 45 minutes, with the visitors dominating for the large majority of the half. Goals from Mancini and Maicon is what seperates the two sides for now, and with another 45 minutes still to play in this one, expect more goal scoring in the second half. Rosina was forced to withdraw after 30 minutes through injury, making matters worse for Torino, however the facts are that the home side trail by two goals to nil heading into the half time interval. It's Torino 0-2 Inter Milan. Join me at the Olimpico once again, in around 15 minutes time..
45'+1	There will be one minute of stoppage time in the first half..
45'	It's been a frustrating first half for the home team, as we approach the final minute. Adriano with the ball, heading forward for Inter now..
43'	Lovely looking ball forward by Corini, as he goes in search of Bianchi, but as has been the case all match, the quality of the service has not been great, making it tough for the Toro attackers to be dangerous.
42'	Great challenge by Pratali to dispossess Ibra there. Ibrahimovic has tried hard all match, however he has just failed to get any results thus far.
40'	5 minutes still to play in the opening forty-five minutes. Can Torino take anything away from this half?
39'	Great long ball forward by Materazzi towards Mancini. What can the Brazilian winger do from here. Not much actually, as Diana makes the challenge, resulting in a throw in to Inter.
38'	Clumsy challenge by Ibrahimovic, as he fouls Di Loreto at the back. Looks to be out of frustration, as the attacker is yet to fire tonight.
37'	Ibrahimovic easily loses the ball, and it's Di Loreto who picks up the ball, and guide a long ball in towards Abbruscato!! Wonderful defending by Materazzi though, to get their first, and clear.
36'	Good break here by Amoruso, who tries to create something on his way forward. He plays it to Corini, but with number back, the Nerazzurri easily clear the danger..
35'	Ten minutes remain in the opening half, as Materazzi and Burdisso, the two centre-backs for Inter, play it to each other a few times..
34'	Corini sends a lovely chipping ball into the area, in towards Bianchi. This looks good for Toro, but Bianchi is rightfully adjudged to be offside.
33'	Vieira fouls Amoruso some 30 yards from goal, and it's a free kick to Toro in a scoring position. Corini stands over the free kick, and with Torino in need of a boost, he may be the man to provide exactly that.
32'	What a counter attack by Inter. Adriano plays a super ball towards Mancini, who is taken down in the area by Pisano, but the referee calls for play to continue, despite the Inter claims for a penalty. That was the correct call by the referee.
30'	Rosina is forced to come from the field through injury. A massive blow for the Granata. Abbruscato comes on in his place..
29'	A free kick is awarded to Inter, 35 yards from goal. Up steps Adriano to take the free kick, and he strikes!!!! Ohhh it's wlel over the bar, but he can have a laugh, as his side are in a commanding position now..
29'	Substitution	Rosina A.	Abbruscato E.
28'	Yellow Card	Pisano M.
28'	Pisano receives a booking for a clash on Maicon, who is down, and may require some treatment..
26'	GOOOAAAALLLLLL!!!!! WHAT A GOAL, AND IT'S 2 TO INTER!!!!!! STUNNING STRIKE FROM MAICON!!!!! A great build-up by the Nerazzurri, ends up with Maicon on the right hand side, and what an unbelievable strike at goal that was. It nipped in off the cross bar, and sailed in to the top left corner, giving Sereni no chance whatsoever. It's near impossible for Torino now, as Inter have doubled their advantage. 2-0 to Inter..
26'	Goal	Maicon
24'	Own Goal	Pisano M.
24'	GOOOOAAAALLLLL!!!!! 1-0 TO INTER!!!!! AND WHAT A GOAL BY MANCINI!!!!! Adriano plays a tremendous ball wide to Mancini, who on the most acute of angles, slots the ball past Sereni. Replays show that the ball struck the boot of Pisano, thus the reason he managed to score from such an angle. Nonetheless, it's 1-0 to Inter!
23'	Ohhhh, that is dreadful defending by Pratali that almost cost his side a goal. Maicon's cross comes in, a ball that is completely miscued by Pratali. The ball spills out the back to a surprised Mancini!!! Surely it's 1-0! But no, he wasn't expecting that.
21'	Pisano strikes from around 30 yards!!! It's a wicked effort, that sails well wide of the target. Quick thinking by the defender though, who may have caught Julio Cesar napping there.
20'	Superb by Rosina, as he had three Inter defenders snapping at his heels, but despite this, he manages to win a throw-in in a dangerous position for his side.
18'	Lovely turn by Adriano, but its another foul that halts an attacking Inter movement. This time it's Paolo Zanetti who is responsible for giving away the free kick, and he receives a yellow card for his troubles.
18'	Yellow Card	Zanetti P.
17'	Great work from Vieira to try and make his way past two opposing players. He evenually gets cut down by Amoruso, and wins a free kick as a result..
15'	Despite heavy pressure from Ibrahimovic, Pisano coolly clears towards Corini. Great start by the centre half, who's working hard at both ends of the field.
14'	Another Inter attacking play breaks down, and it seems as if communication is lacking in the final third of the Nerazzurri, as that is the thirs or fourth time, whereby a promising attacking play has come to nothing for the visitors..
12'	Bianchi!!!!! Ohhhhh!!!!! What an opportunity there for the former Manchester City man!!! A wonderful comes in from Pisano on the left, and met by the head of Bianchi, but sent inches wide of the target. 0-0 it remains..
11'	Adriano has support on the left in the form of Chivu. Chivu sends a curling ball into the area, as he goes in search for the man who played it to him. Adriano fails to win the header, but the defensive clearance spills to Ibrahimovic!!! Ohhhh, if only he had got some more power on that left-footed attempt, Inter may have taken the advantage.
10'	Materazzi plays it to Chivu, who has just returned from injury. The Nerazzurri continue to knock the ball around their defence, just to halt the momentum of their opponents.
9'	Ohhhhh, great effort by Rosina!!!!! Decent sixty seconds for Torino here, as Rosina beats Zanetti, and attempts to curl a left-footed strike in to the top left corner. It's a glorious stirke, that just doesn't curl enough. Promising signs for Toro..
8'	Torino find themselves on a counter attack, as the ball spills to Amoruso. The recent summer signing has time, and he has space, as Vieira is slow to close him down. He strikes from 30 yards!! Ohh that's a poor effort, and he should have done better there.
7'	Ohh that was careless at the back by Pratali, and that's a wonderful move by Vieira to step in there. His ball though is intercepted, and cleared successfully by the Torino defence.
6'	The visitors are certainly in control in the opening stages, with the home side failing to string together more than two or three passes so far..
5'	Cambiasso controlling the midfield as he so often does. Directs play forward, as he chips a neat ball towards Ibrahimovic. Zlatan has a poor first touch though, and loses it easily..
4'	Diana on the right for Torino, looking for options inside the area. He has two defenders to contend with, but somehow manages to get a ball away. It's poor however, and is easily collected by Julio Cesar.
3'	Better ball this time by Materazzi to Mancini. The Brazilian winger flicks it wonderfully to his captain, Javier Zanetti, but Torino work hard in attack to regain possession of that ball.
2'	Maicon for Inter, one of four Brazilians in the starting eleven for the Nerazzurri today. He plays it acorss to Materazzi, as he goes in search of Adriano up front, but that's a poor ball from Matrix there, and it's a goal kick to Torino.
1	Jose Mourinho's side get play under way at the Olimpico in Torino..
0	Good afternoon everyone, and welcome to Goal.com’s live coverage of the match between Torino and Inter Milan. This match is brought to you live from Torino, as two undefeated sides square off at the Stadio Olimpico. The home side have made some key signings over the summer, with Bianchi and Amoruso heading the list, and will certainly be looking to build on their positive start today against the reigning champions. Meanwhile, following a shaky start to the season, in which they drew 1-1 with Sampdoria, the Nerazzurri have bounced back well more recently, with victories against Catania last weekend 2-1, and a 2-0 victory against Panathinaikos in the Champions League. There’s less than 5 minutes remaining until kick-off, so stay tuned, and enjoy Goal.com’s live coverage over the next 90 minutes…

Amauri The Hero Again For Juve

2008-09-21T14:39:00.000-07:00

Cagliari 0-1 Juventus

Amauri was the hero for Juventus for the second week running, grabbing the only goal of the game in Sardinia against basement-dwellers Cagliari.

Team News

Juventus were in good form coming into this game, having defeated both Udinese and Zenit St Petersburg in the last seven days. However they were suffering from something of an injury crisis as Cristiano Zanetti, Jonathan Zebina, Mauro Camoranesi, Alessandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet, the latter who requires an operation, were all sidelined.

Hasan Salihamidzic and Olof Mellberg came into the defence for Zdenek Grygera and Nicola Legrottaglie, while Marco Marchionni and Claudio Machisio started in midfield. Up-front Claudio Ranieri had little option but to pair Amauri with Vincenzo Iaquinta.

Cagliari are the undoubted favourites for relegation and were rooted at the bottom of the table with no points to their name. The Sardinians were minus the services of Michele Canini and Daniele Conti. Alessandro Matri and Joaquin Larrivey formed the forward pair.

First Half

Both sides made an aggressive start to the game. Juve had the ball in the back of the net after just two minutes through Amauri, but the goal was disallowed for an infringement by Iaquinta. Meanwhile, Davide Biondini screwed the ball wide for Cagliari from 20 yards.

Juventus had a new free kick taker in the absence of Del Piero, and Iaquinta rifled a daisycutter off target from 30 yards. Down the other end Matri headed over when well placed from a right wing free kick.

On 15 minutes Juve put together their best move of the match so far, finishing with Pavel Nedved's shot deflecting dangerously over. From one of the resulting corners Giorgio Chiellini directed a header over the bar.

Matri was looking bright for Cagliari in the early stages, and midway through the half he volleyed over the bar following a nice piece of skill. Cristian Molinaro then nearly put Juve in trouble with a suicidal ball across his own penalty area.

Juve were struggling to get a rhythm going, although the physical Amauri was winning everything in the air, and he nodded the ball down for Iaquinta, but the former Udinese man scuffed his half volley wide.

On the half-hour mark, the home side were close to taking the lead as Matri turned Salihamidzic inside out and fired in a vicious shot, but Gianluigi Buffon pulled off a superb reaction save.

Molinaro was having one of those regular bad days at left back, and he was caught sleeping on a quick throw-in, allowing Biondini to get in behind him and smash a shot dangerously wide of the far post.

Cagliari were now on top, but they were almost caught out on 37 minutes, as Amauri muscled his way free of his marker on a left wing cross, but he couldn't get enough on his header.

This was just a warning of things to come, as 90 seconds later Juve were ahead. Marchionni's cross was flicked on by Iaquinta, and Amauri reacted fastest to fire a snap-shot past Federico Marchetti.

Second Half

Both teams made changes at the break. Juventus' was enforced as Alex Manninger replaced the injured Buffon in goal for his Juventus debut. Meanwhile, Cagliari took off Larrivey for Italy Under-21 striker Robert Acquafresca.

Juve had an immediate chance less than 60 seconds into the second half, but Nedved failed to make decent contact when well placed on the edge of the area.

Iaquinta also didn't have his shooting boots on as Marchionni chipped a cross into the middle, but the World Cup winner hashed the ball over from 12 yards out. It was a decent opening.

There was a flash point just shy of the hour mark as Michele Fini caught Momo Sissoko in the face while he was on the floor, which led to an angry reaction from the Malian.

Ranieri decided to substitute Sissoko just seconds later, introducing last season's notorious flop Tiago Mendes. Fini was also sacrificed for Cagliari, with the Brazilian Jeda coming on.

Iaquinta executed a couple of bicycle kicks in quick succession, the second of which was absolutely sublime, but both efforts finished wide.

Acquafresca had his first attempt since his introduction, but it was Juve who looked the more likely to score again, and Diego Lopez had to clear from Nedved's dangerous cross shot.

The Czech veteran was having a good second half, and he hung a cross up for Amauri, who rose above his man but saw his header smartly plucked out of the top corner by Marchetti. Marchisio then scuffed the ball wide from the ensuing corner.

Ranieri made his final change of the afternoon on 74 minutes as Paolo De Ceglie came on for Under-21 colleague Marchisio. This pushed Nedved in-field to partner Tiago in the centre of midfield.

De Ceglie made an immediate impact as he thundered past two men, and laid the ball off to Amauri who sliced the ball wide from a promising position.

Amauri then won his umpteenth ball in the air, nodding across goal for Iaquinta, but Paolo Bianco made a crucial block.

Juve looked comfortable but on 83 minutes substitute Jeda unleashed a missile from 30 yards which Manninger did well to beat away.

Marchionni was looking for a second goal, and pushed the ball past his man before being denied by Marchetti in a one-on-one, but he was flagged offside so the action was irrelevant.

The outstanding Nedved then rolled back the years as he surged into space and smashed in a trademark 30-yard piledriver that knocked Marchetti backwards as he parried the ball away. Marchetti had a more comfortable save to make from Amauri seconds later.

In the penultimate minute there was drama, as Matri connected with a stunning volley inside the area, from a right wing cross, which had goal written all over it until Manninger performed a brilliant save to turn the ball around the post.

Juve survived to hold on for their third consecutive 1-0 win in all competitions, and they go top of the table alongside Inter, at least for a few hours until Lazio play Milan.

Teams

Cagliari: Marchetti, Pisano, Bianco, Lopez, Agostini, Biondini, Cossu, Parola (Lazzari 79), Fini (Jeda 61), Marti, Larrivey (Acquafresca 45)

Juventus: Buffon (Manninger 45), Salihamidzic, Chiellini, Mellberg, Molinaro, Marchionni, Sissoko (Tiago 59), Marchisio (De Ceglie 74), Nedved, Iaquinta, Amauri

Goals

Amauri 39 (J)

Anthony Sormani

Man City Demolish Poor Pompey

2008-09-21T14:36:00.000-07:00

Manchester City comprehensively dismantled Portsmouth as they cruised to a 6- 0 victory over the FA Cup holders in a wholly one-sided affair at the City of Manchester stadium.

Brazilian Jo followed up his midweek brace with the opener, before captain Richard Dunne added a second shortly after.

On-song Stephen Ireland had a key role in the next two strikes, setting up Robinho for his second for the club and then Shaun Wright-Phillips to make it 4-0.

Youngster Ched Evans added a fifth before Gelson Fernandes added insult to injury to complete the rout.

First Half

Having been unveiled to the fans prior to kick-off having formally completed the takeover of City, Khaldoon Al Mubarak had little time to wait for the entertainment as Jo and Robinho linked up superbly to send the latter through in the opening minutes, and the subsequent shot forced David James to save at full stretch.

Wright-Phillips' persistent gallops down the right were causing havoc from the off, but it was the Brazilian duo up front for City that once again carved an opening after just 13 minutes, with Jo eventually collecting his team-mate's pass and rounding James before slotting his side in front.

It was two shortly after, with Elano's cross met by the head of Dunne who directed the ball into the open goal, sparking wild celebrations around the 29-year old on his birthday.

Peter Crouch had a glaring opportunity to bring his side back into the game as Glen Johnson snuck behind Dunne and cut the ball back, but the England international succeeded only in playing the ball wide of the post.

The visitors endeavoured to find a goal of their own, and Pablo Zabaleta had to be alert to block Sol Campbell's header on the line.

Second Half

So far, so comfortable for the hosts, and processions became even more favourable for them just ten minutes into the second half. Ireland played a clever chip over the head of Sylvain Distin into the path of Jo, and the forward fed Robinho who in turn curled the ball beyond James from 15 yards.

Another ten minutes passed and Ireland was on hand to set up a teammate once again, this time Wright-Phillips benefitting from his array of passing qualities as he collected a through ball and blasted the ball beyond the Pompey shot-stopper at his near post.

The onlooking crowd barely had chance to catch breath, and another sublime attacking move by the Eastlanders saw Robinho collect Elano's pass, play the ball inside to Wright-Phillips and the diminutive midfielder back-heeled into the path of Evans who did the rest. It was a lovely move, and Wright-Phillips contribution in particular caught the visiting defence flat-footed.

The icing was added to the proverbial cake as James made a hash of Javier Garrido's cross to conclude a humiliating afternoon for the veteran stopper. Fernandes was on-hand to knock the ball into the goal to cap off a marvellous afternoon for Mark Hughes, while Harry Redknapp will return to the south coast in furious spirits.

Will Wood

Champions League

2008-09-17T15:29:00.007-07:00

Exclusive, unrivalled, unmissable coverage - Goal.com is here to provide you with the best of the Champions League from start to finish...

Europe's premier club competition kicks off in style this week, and you can follow every bit of it with the Goal.com team.

You will find all the latest news, previews, prompt reports and reactions, from every single game. Then, we have our exclusive player ratings and post match analysis that we know you love to get your teeth into.

In addition, we will also cover every single game, be it Juventus versus Real Madrid or Fenerbahce versus Dynamo Kiev, through exclusive live commentaries. This is for the benefit of all those who cannot watch their favourite team in action because they are stuck in office or school, or simply because it is not broadcast in their country.

Between our team of experts, we will have every angle of the tournament covered, so you can just sit back and enjoy it all with us.

Check out our schedule of previews, live text commentaries and reports below, and remember to stay tuned to our Champions League section for all the reactions, editorials and news pieces as they come in.

Tuesday 16 September 2008

Group A
Chelsea 4-0 Bordeaux	Preview	LIVE!	Report	Ratings
Roma 1-2 CFR Cluj	Preview	LIVE!	Report	Ratings
Group B
Panathinaikos 0-2 Inter	Preview	LIVE!	Report	Ratings
Werder Bremen 0-0 Anorthosis	Preview	LIVE!	Report	Ratings
Group C
Basel 1-2 Shakhtar	Preview	LIVE!	Report	Ratings
Barcelona 3-1 Sporting CP	Preview	LIVE!	Report	Ratings
Group D
PSV 0-3 Atletico Madrid	Preview	LIVE!	Report	Ratings
Marseille 1-2 Liverpool	Preview	LIVE!	Report	Ratings

Wednesday 17 September 2008

Group E
Manchester Utd. 0-0 Villarreal	Preview	LIVE!	Report	Ratings
Celtic 0-0 AaB Aalborg	Preview	LIVE!	Report	Ratings
Group F
Steaua 0-1 Bayern Munich	Preview	LIVE!	Report	Ratings
Lyon 2-2 Fiorentina	Preview	LIVE!	Report	Ratings
Group G
Porto 3-1 Fenerbahce	Preview	LIVE!	Report	Ratings
Dynamo Kiev 1-1 Arsenal	Preview	LIVE!	Report	Ratings
Group H
Juventus 1-0 Zenit	Preview	LIVE!	Report	Ratings
Real Madrid 2-0 BATE	Preview	LIVE!	Report	Ratings

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Captain Gallas Rescues Point For Arsenal

2008-09-17T15:29:00.006-07:00

Dynamo Kiev 1-1 Arsenal

Arsenal earned a battling point in Ukraine after going behind to a controversial penalty shortly after the hour, William Gallas getting his third goal in as many Champions Leagues games this season to ensure there was no major shock in Kiev.

After largely controlling the match for an hour but failing to convert some good chances, Bacary Sagna was somewhat harshly adjudged to have fouled Ognjen Vukojevic in the area, and Ismael Bangoura expertly slotted home the penalty to put Dynamo Kiev ahead in the 64^th minute.

The goal infused Kiev with energy and purpose, and for the next 15 minutes the Gunners were rocking. But they held on, regrouped and battled back into the game, getting their reward in the last five minutes when captain William Gallas slammed the ball into the roof of the net from almost under the bar to cap a period of sustained Arsenal pressure.

Alexandre Song replaced Emmanuel Eboue in the only change made by Arsene Wenger to the side that beat Blackburn Rovers 4-0 in the Premier League on Saturday. With Samir Nasri amd Mikael Silvestre both injured, Wenger named Mexico starlet Carlos Vela, Wales teenager Aaron Ramsey and 16-year-old Londoner Jack Wilshere on his bench.

Robin Van Persie won an early corner, and soon Theo Walcott's pace threatened as he chased a hopeful ball over the top and, with keeper Bogush making no move, Mykhalyk had to turn the ball behind for another corner. But Dynamo were showing an attacking threat of their own through Bangoura and Eremenko.

On 20 minutes, Emmanuel Adebayor had an excellent chance for Arsenal when Kiev gave the ball away cheaply, but the Togo striker put his shot wide. The two defences then began to enjoy the balance of power, before Bacary Sagna set up Van Persie, whose shot rippled the side-netting.

Then just before the break, Van Persie laid a neat back to Cesc Fabregas, but the Catalan didn’t quite catch it right, and it went straight down Stanislav Bogush’s throat for a key save.

The second-half began with an early scare for the Gunners, Roman Eremanko surging into the area and taking the ball past Gallas and firing in a low drive that crashed off the base of the near post as a grateful Manuel Almunia, hitherto largely unused, pounced on the loose ball.

Arsenal, though, were unhappy about the attack because Walcott was down injured at the time.

Walcott recovered, though, and burst through the middle, spreading the ball wide to van Persie - but with Adebayor yelling for it in the middle, the Dutchman blazed wide from a tight angle.

Fabregas tried a shot from 30 yards which Bogush gathered cleanly after the ball took a deflection and bounced just in front of the keeper.

But when Bangoura broke down the right for Kiev and crossed towards Vukojevic, both he and Sagna tumbled. It was a case of six of one and half-a-dozen of the other but the referee decided Sagna had committed a foul, and Bangoura coolly took full advantage.

Bangoura especially was energised by the goal, and he had the Arsenal defence stretched repeatedly as the London side withstood a tense few minutes. However, he ludicrously dived, and was promptly booked, to ruin a swift incisive passing move by Dynamo. Had he stayed on his feet he could have burst through and had a shot from the middle of the goal.

With Aliev orchestrating the midfield for Dynamo, the Gunners - who were certainly the better team in the first-half, were suddenly hanging on. Bangoura blasted another effort wide, and Clichy made a well-timed tackle on Vukoyevic as the Kiev man was about to shoot. Then Bangoura shot into the side-netting, before Arsenal recovered some poise and were getting back into it in the final ten minutes.

Adebayor went past Nesmachnyi on the right and produced a teasing cross, but Diakhate was calmness personified as he chested the ball back to his goalkeeper. Then an Arsenal corner was cleared two minutes from time, and Bangoura and Aliev had a chance to punish their visitors in a two-on-one break but made a hash of it.

It proved costly because Arsenal immediately equalised. Walcott broke away again down the right and his low dangerous cross to the far post found Gallas gratefully smashing it over the line from almost point-blank range.

So the game ended all-square, both sides having produced some incisive attacking football at pace. Had they both shown greater composure when chances presented themselves, the outcome could have been different. But Arsenal will feel justice was eventually done after the contentious penalty decision.

Dynamo Kiev: Bogush, Betao, Diakhate, Mykhalyk, Nesmachniy, Vukojevic, Yussuf, Yeremenko, Aliev, Ninkovic, Bangoura. Subs: Shovkovskiy, Ghioane, Morozyuk, Shatskikh, Kravets, Olexander Romanchuk, Asatiani

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Walcott, Fabregas, Song Billong, Denilson, Van Persie, Adebayor. Subs: Fabianski, Vela, Ramsey, Wilshere, Djourou, Bendtner, Eboue

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Del Piero Wonder Goal Downs Zenit

2008-09-17T15:29:00.005-07:00

Juventus 1-0 Zenit

A 75th minute wonder goal from Alessandro Del Piero was enough to give Juventus a 1-0 victory over Zenit St Petersburg in a tight and at times drab Champions League Group H opener in Turin.

Team News

Juventus made their return to Europe’s premier club competition after two years in the Calciopoli-imposed wildnerness, and they were virtually at full strength, with only Jonathan Zebina and Cristiano Zanetti, who are by no-means first team players, out injured.

Claudio Ranieri made four changes from the team who beat Udinese 1-0 on Sunday, selecting Alessandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet up-front, with Nicola Legrottaglie and Cristian Molinaro replacing Olof Mellberg and Paolo De Ceglie respectively in defence.

UEFA Cup and European Supercup champions Zenit were minus the services of midfielder Roman Shirokov, Turkish striker Fatih Tekke, as well as long-term absentee Nicolas Lombaerts.

There were no surprises in Dick Advocaat’s line-up as much admired offensive trio Andrei Arshavin, Danny and Pavel Pogrebnyak all started, with Anatoliy Tymoschuk anchoring the midfield.

First Half

Zenit made by far the better start and controlled the possession in the early stages. On 10 minutes they should have been ahead following a simply dreadful miss from Danny. Pogrebnyak got behind Zdenek Grygera down the right, and chipped a ball up to the far post for Alexander Anyukov, who nodded the ball down to Danny, but from just six yards out he somehow scuffed the ball wide when it was easier to score.

It took until the 14th minute for Juve to launch their first attack of note as Del Piero lost his man delightfully, and crossed for Trezeguet who glanced a header wide.

Del Piero was now finding his feet, and he left Tymoschuk for dead in the centre circle with some great quick feet before lifting the ball over for Trezeguet, who just couldn't take the ball down or else he would have been through.

Sissoko then had a shot from the edge of the area charged down, before Del Piero went on a mesmerising run inside the area, beating three men before being stopped by last man Sebastien Puygrenier.

On 25 minutes Juve were desperately close to taking the lead as Del Piero whipped in a free kick from the right, and Mauro Camoranesi nipped in to flick on a header, only to see it crash off the post and out of play.

Juve were improving but they then received a big blow just past the half-hour mark as Camoranesi was forced off injured, and had to be replaced by Hasan Salihamidzic.

Zenit tried to take immediate advantage of this as Danny volleyed over from 25 yards. There was an more dangerous moment soon after as Pogrebnyak got in behind Chiellini but his cross was headed away by Grygera.

Juve were disjointed again following the Camoranesi injury, and Zenit took control in midfield again, but in truth it had been a first half to forget about for the neutral, and indeed neither goalkeeper had been forced into a single save.

Second Half

Into the second half and Juve had the first attempt as Trezeguet rattled in a left-footed effort from 30 yards that sailed high over the bar. Chiellini then couldn't get his foot over the ball following a right-wing corner.

Yet it was Zenit who were looking the more dangerous, and Juve were forced into a spell of desperate defending before Denisov sliced the ball wide from the edge of the area.

Zenit were knocking on the door and on 55 minutes they missed their second glorious chance of the night as Arshavin put left back Radek Sirl clean through on goal, but Gianluigi Buffon made a superb stop to rescue his side.

Ranieri knew something had to be done and he made a second change, replacing the disappointing Molinaro with Paolo De Ceglie.

Juventus were disjointed, as they had been almost all night. There was also a distinct lack of pace or imagination in the team, and as the game entered the final quarter, if anyone looked like winning it certainly was Zenit.

However, on 73 minutes Juve could have gone ahead as Nedved fizzed in a free kick way out on the left, and Poulsen nodded the ball on, but Malafeev made a fine low save down to his left to push the ball away.

A few minutes later Juve finally broke the deadlock courtesy of an absolute wonder goal from Alessandro Del Piero. The legendary captain let fly with a dipping, swerving free kick from fully 30 yards that moved both left and right as it flew past Malafeev. It was a quite incredible strike!

Zenit tried to hit back, and with 10 minutes to go they were centimetres away from doing so as Denisov sidefooted the ball agonizingly wide of the far post from 20 yards out.

Substitute Alejandro Dominguez then tried to repeat Del Piero's trick but Buffon comfortably saved his long range shot.

Zenit pushed everyone forward for the equaliser, and Arshavin went on a winding run, beating two men before the colossal Chiellini saved the day with an expert tackle.

Amauri came on for Trezeguet in the closing minutes, and almost helped create a second goal for Del Piero but Juve managed to hold out as they earned a narrow win on their return to the Champions League.

Teams

Juventus: Buffon, Grygera, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro (De Ceglie 56), Camoranesi (Salihamidzic 31), Poulsen, Sissoko, Nedved, Del Piero, Trezeguet (Amauri 87)

Zenit: Malafeev, Anyukov, Krizanac, Puygrenier, Sirl, Denisov, Tymoschuk, Zyrianov (Dominguez 78), Arshavin, Danny, Pogrebnyak.

Goals

Del Piero 75 (J)

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Real Madrid Ease Past BATE

2008-09-17T15:29:00.004-07:00

Real Madrid 2-0 BATE Borisov

A goal in each half by Sergio Ramos and Ruud van Nistelrooy was enough to ensure Real Madrid open the 2008/09 Champions League campaign on a winning note.

Despite dominating the game from start to finish, playing some lovely passing football at times and creating countless chances infront of goal, Real Madrid spurned numerous opportunities to inflict a heavier defeat on their resilient opponents who had to play out the final half hour with only ten men.

Sergio Ramos and van Nistelrooy struck either side of the break to hand three points to the hosts but BATE goalie Sergei Veremko was undoubtedly the hero for the visitors as he single-handedly limited the damage.

First Half

As expected, it was Madrid who took the game to their visiting rookies, carving up three openings within the first two minutes.

Van Nistelrooy had the ball in the back of the next as early as the first when Raúl slipped in a lovely through pass but the Dutchman had just inched into an offside position to receive the pass.

Just a minute later, a fluent passing move finished with Gago releasing Robben down the left flank but his cutback into the box just evaded Guti. And seconds later, Van Nistelrooy was again put through on goal but, onside this time, he smacked his shot against the side netting.

On eight minutes, Robben did superbly to pick out Guti but the vice-captain clipped his shot wide with only the on-rushing BATE goalkeeper, Veremko to beat.

But in the tenth minute, a brilliantly worked short corner produced the opener for Los Blancos. Van der Vaart’s low delivery found Guti on the edge of box, who drilled in what seemed like a miscued shot but he cleverly picked out Sergio Ramos at the far post and the right back only needed to prod the ball home.

Casillas was forced into his first save after 14 minutes when he denied Kryvets’ close range header, while straight to the other end, van Nistelrooy unleashed a 30-yard piledriver which narrowly missed the mark by mere inches.

Chances continue to fall generously to Los Merengues and Robben was next to get a crack when Guti discharged him into the box but the flying Dutchman dragged the ball wide with a heavy touch when he tried to round Veremko as he eventually ran out of pitch at the byline.

BATE gradually crept into the contest and the game balanced out midway through the half. A 25^th minute set-piece for the Belarusians on the left flank almost caused the hosts a moment of déjà vu panic, but Kryvets wasted the opportunity when he overhit his delivery completely.

Madrid had to wait until the 40^th minute before they could see the BATE goal again when Guti teed himself up with a shot just outside the box but he smashed his effort just wide.

Robben had the last chance of the half deep into injury time when his glancing header from a van der Vaart freekick marginally shaved the bar.

Second Half

Bernd Schuster’s side again came out firing at the start of the second period, immediately going on the offensive down the left flank.

Sergio Ramos almost got his second of the night five minutes into the restart when he brought down Guti’s high ball inside the area and pummelled in a volley but Veremko managed to beat it away.

A minute after, Robben dazzled his way down the left wing, into the box and his cutback found van der Vaart but the Oranje playmaker’s tame sidefooted shot was blocked by a crowd of defenders, and even possibly teammate, Raúl.

But on 56 minutes, the captain helped make it two-nil when he latched onto Diarrà’s pass and let fly with a stinging left foot shot but Veremko was alert to fist it away, only for the ball to bounce off Rzhevski into goal and poacher extra-ordinaire van Nistelrooy was there, right on the goal line, to tap it in and ensure he is credited with the strike.

Any chance of a BATE comeback was effectively wiped-out for good when leftback Khagush was sent off on the hour mark for a second bookable offence, and van Nistelrooy narrowly made it three from the ensuing freekick but he blazed his volley over from three yards out.

Higuaín was next to miss a gilt-edged chance to put the icing on the cake 15 minutes from time when he ran onto Marcelo’s long ball but with only Veremko infront of him, he pulled his shot centimetres wide of the right post.

Four minutes from time, van der Vaart picked up Marcelo’s pass and swivelled elegantly to face the goal before unleashing a snapshot but his effort was parried away by the very busy Veremko.

Sergio Ramos and van der Vaart gave the BATE goalie one last test in injury time when the duo forced him into sharp saves with blistering shots on target.

Madrid failed to add on to their tally but will happily settle for the 2-0 scoreline, the three points and more importantly, a clean sheet.

LINE-UPS

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Casillas – Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Heinze, Marcelo – Gago (Diarrà 35’), Guti (Higuaín 67’), van der Vaart, Raúl, Robben (Drenthe 60’) – van Nistelrooy

Unused subs: Dudek, Torres, Saviola, Javi García,

BATE Borisov (4-2-3-1): Veremko – Khagush, Rzhevski, Sosnovski, Yurevich – Likhtarovich (Volodko 58’), Sivakov – Nekhaychik, Kryvets, Stasevich (Zhavnerchik 46’) – Mirchev (Kazantsev 64’)

Unused subs: Gutor, Skavysh, Pecha, Viskushenko,

REAL MADRID 2-0 BATE BORISOV

1-0: Real Madrid (Sergio Ramos 10’)

2-0: Real Madrid (van Nistelrooy 56’)

BOOKINGS

Real Madrid: Nil

BATE Borisov: Khagush (47’, 62’), Sivakov (78’)

RED CARDS

BATE Borisov: Khagush (62’)

MATCH STATS

Possession: Real Madrid 65% – BATE Borisov 35%

Shots (On Target): Real Madrid 27 (10) – BATE Borisov 7 (2)

Fouls Committed: Real Madrid 16 – BATE Borisov 20

KS Leong

Ronaldo Unable To Spark United

2008-09-17T15:29:00.003-07:00

Man Utd 0 Villarreal 0

The holders began the defence of their trophy with a goalless draw at Old Trafford against Villarreal. Cristiano Ronaldo made a second half comeback but even his presence was not enough to secure victory for the home side.

Much of the pre-match talk had surrounded the return of Ronaldo and sure enough the winger was to be found on the substitutes’ bench at the start of the evening.

On the field, however, the United side had an unfamiliar look. Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Carrick were both missing through injury, and with Paul Scholes suspended, Fletcher, Nani, Park and Hargreaves made up an unfamiliar looking midfield.

Certainly the holders were missing the creativity of Ronaldo, Scholes and Giggs and chances were at a premium in an uneventful first half at Old Trafford.

A cautious start from both sides ensured the game failed to really spark initially with long range shots from first Evra and then Tevez the closest the home side came to breaking the deadlock in the early stages.

The visitors, on the other hand, seemed content to sit back and absorb the United pressure and offered little as an attacking threat.

Pires, on his return to Old Trafford, forced Van der Sar into a save just before the half hour mark but it was to be as close as Villarreal came in a quiet opening period.

The second half yielded little more joy for United and indeed it was Villarreal who should have opened the scoring on the hour mark.

Some excellent interplay from the visitors saw them patiently keep possession in the United area. The move ended with a low cross from Pires being converted by Franco, but agonisingly for the striker, his flick rebounded off the inside of the post and into the grateful arms of Van der Sar.

Ferguson’s patience with his side quickly evaporated and on came Anderson and Ronaldo, to a huge ovation, as the holders stepped up their search for the goal.

It took the Portuguese only five minutes to test Diego Lopez in the Villarreal goal. A quick break from Anderson and Tevez found the winger in the box but his shot was hit into the ground and allowed the goalkeeper the opportunity to save.

The arrival of the United number seven, however, certainly seemed to inspire the home side who upped the tempo. A fast flowing break saw Ronaldo feed Rooney and his cross reached Tevez but Diego Lopez just got a hand on his shot which allowed the covering Rodriguez to hook the ball off the line.

With ten minutes to go it was Ronaldo again. A Nani cross was whipped into the far post but the United talisman could only watch as his header flew just wide.

He then turned creator, a ferocious cross reached the far post where Evans was on hand but his header cannoned back off the post.

With Villarreal clearly tiring, United were dominant but even with the presence of Ronaldo they couldn’t quite find the opening and the visitors hung on for a point.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Nani, Hargreaves (Anderson, 62), Fletcher, Park (Ronaldo, 62), Rooney, Tevez (Giggs, 80).

Villarreal: Diego Lopez, Angel, Rodriguez, Godin, Capdevila, Cani (Cazorla, 46), Eguren, Edmilson, Pires (Ibagaza, 68), Fernandez, Franco (Llorente, 77).

Gill Clark

Gila Brace Not Enough For Fiorentina In Lyon

2008-09-17T15:29:00.002-07:00

Lyon 2-2 Fiorentina

Despite a first-half brace by Alberto Gilardino, Fiorentina were unable to claim three points on their return to the Champions League away to Olympique Lyon, as second-half goals by Frederic Piquionne and Karim Benzema made it all square in this Group F tie.

Fiorentina travelled to Lyon to face the seven-time French champions in their first Champions League match for eight years. New Lyon coach Claude Puel, who knows the Champions League is the club’s primary aim this season, played with a 4-3-3 formation with Sidney Govou, Fred, and Karim Benzema up front.

His Fiorentina colleague Cesare Prandelli, who led the Viola to fourth place in Serie A last season, responded with a 4-3-1-2 line up with Zdravko Kuzmanovic behind Adrian Mutu and Alberto Gilardino up front.

First Half

After a scrappy first few minutes, the match started coming alive around the 8th minute, when the home side hit the woodwork as Benzema hit the post with a right-footed shot on a cross from midfield wizard Juninho Pernambucano.

When it seemed Lyon were taking control of the match, Fiorentina opened the score with their first chance. Just 11 minutes in, the visitors played a great counterattack and full back Luciano Zauri played a perfect cross for Gilardino, who headed the ball in from close range to make it 1-0 to the Viola.

The hosts reacted immediately by winning a series of corners, and in the 12th minute Fiorentina came close to "scoring" an own goal as midfield playmaker Riccardo Montolivo made a rare defensive intervention that put goalkeeper Sebastien Frey in serious trouble.

After managing to keep Lyon at bay as they tried to find an immediate equaliser, Fiorentina came close to scoring a second in the 21st minute, when Sergio Almiron struck a great free kick which forced a fine save from Hugo Lloris.

On the half hour mark, Frey was called into action again, as Benzema played a fine ball to Jeremy Toulalan inside the area, and the French midfielder fired a great shot that was tipped over the bar by the Viola’s goalkeeper (29’).

It was end to end stuff as Lyon saw most of the ball, but Fiorentina frequently made themselves dangerous on the counterattack. In the 34th minute, Jean-Alain Boumsong lost the ball in midfield to Mutu, who started a great run towards the goal, only to see his final shot saved by Lloris.

At the other end, full back Anthony Reveillere came surging forward for the first time in the match, and sent in a great cross for Fred, who could not quite take advantage as he sent his header wide (37’).

Once again Fiorentina proved to be more clinical up front in the 42nd minute, when Gilardino made it 2-0 with a goal very similar to his first. This time it was Brazilian midfielder Felipe Melo who provided the cross from the right, and the Italian international headed it brilliantly past Lloris.

Before the half time break, Lyon still tried to create some danger, but their ball possession did not produce any significant chances. The teams went back into the dressing room with Fiorentina unexpectedly leading 2-0 thanks to a couple of fine counterattacks converted by Gilardino.

Second Half

During half time, neither coach opted to make any changes, but curiously Frey came out with a new orange jersey because the one he wore before the break was deemed to similar to Lyon’s.

The French champions began the second half in determined mood, as they knew they had to start taking some risks. In the 51st minute, Benzema forced Frey into a great diving save with a stinging shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Despite their best efforts, though, Lyon just could not find a way through a very stubborn Fiorentina defence, who were not ashamed to make a series of tactical fouls to keep the home side at bay.

For a long time, Fiorentina kept holding on and Puel’s team failed to make themselves dangerous. However, out of nothing they found a way back into the game, as substitute Frederic Piquionne slotted the ball into an empty net from a pass by Benzema after he had been found by a nice through ball inside the area (73’).

After that Lyon started playing with more conviction and put Fiorentina under more serious pressure. In the 78th minute, Ederson was in an excellent position to head the ball in on a long pass, but his header was easily grabbed by Frey.

Three minutes later, Juninho had an opportunity to shoot from outside the area, but sent his effort just over the crossbar, and Toulalan did the same a minute later. It turned out that this was a prelude to Lyon’s equaliser, which came in the 85th minute, when Benzema was found by a smart free kick by Juninho, and the young French international had no hesitation as he struck the ball first time past Frey.

In the remainder of the game, Fiorentina obviously tried to hold on for dear life to claim a draw. There was one final chance for the home side in the 93rd minute, when a free kick by Juninho just cleared the crossbar.

All in all, the draw was a just result and perhaps slightly less than Lyon deserved against a highly defensive Fiorentina side (consider that the French had no less than 26 shots!). In Group F, Bayern Munich are the leaders for now as they beat Steaua Bucharest 1-0 away from home tonight, while Fiorentina and Lyon obviously follow with a point apiece.

Danilo Pochini

OLYMPIQUE LYON-FIORENTINA 2-2

GOALS: Gilardino 11’, 42’, Piquionne 73’, Benzema 85’

Lyon (4-3-3): Lloris; Reveillere, Boumsong, Bodmer, Kallstrom; Makoun (59’ Ederson), Toulalan, Juninho; Govou (88’ Mounier), Fred (65’ Piquionne), Benzema.

Fiorentina (4-3-1-2): Frey; Zauri (75’ Jorgensen), Dainelli, Kroldrup, Vargas; Almiron, Melo, Montolivo; Kuzmanovic (64’ Santana); Mutu, Gilardino (81’ Pazzini).

BOOKED: Dainelli, Melo, Gilardino, Jorgensen (F); Benzema (L)

Bayern Hold On In Bucharest

2008-09-17T15:29:00.001-07:00

Steaua Bucureşti 0-1 Bayern München

Jurgen Klinsmann's Bayern Munich travelled to Romania looking to kick-start their season and return to Champions League action with a bang.

However, they ventured into the Stadionul Ghencea to take on Steaua Bucureşti without Franck Ribery, Hamit Altintopor or Willy Sagnol.

First Half

After a cagey start, the hosts tested Michael Rensing on ten minutes when Dayro Moreno's long-range effort had to be smothered.

That attempt aside, though, the Militarii were content to sit back and soak up the inevitable German pressure. However, they didn't hold out for long, for the Bavarian giants would take the lead on 15 minutes.

Bastian Schweinsteiger spun a perfect free-kick into the area and stopper Daniel Van Buyten was able to find enough space to glance a header past despairing 'keeper Robinson Zapata.

With Lyon and Fiorentina lying in wait in a tricky group, Klinsmann would be hoping that the floodgates would start to creak open.

It was Marius Lăcătuş, though, who instructed his troops to push on in search of an equaliser. He must have been Lovin it when the midfielder stung the hands of Rensing with another long-bomb. The rebound fell to Antonio Semedo, who could only ripple the side netting.

And Rensing was in the firing line again on the half-hour mark. The overworked goalie sensationally booted Moreno's effort off his own post in a most un-Kahn-like moment.

After that near-howler, Die Roten decided that clear daylight before the interval would be useful and went ridiculously Klose when Miroslav's cross was diverted towards goal by Luca Toni.

The inspired Zapata made a great save and made another one from Schweinsteiger's subsequent long-range piledriver.

Thus the half ended, with Bayern just about value for their narrow lead. By now the rain was lashing down and a tough shift awaited the losing Roş-Albaştrii after the break.

Second Half

Magica Steaua, though, flew out of the traps from the restart and set about their more illustrious visitors with renewed verve.

First, Szekely's long-range effort was turned wide by Rensing.

Then, after an incisive breakaway, an offside-looking Arturo Bernhardt finally did beat Rensing, only to see his effort strike the post.

Currently less-than-prolific Italian forward Toni could have finally put plucky Steaua to bed, but he couldn't beat the impressive Zapata after racing into a one-on-one situation. He should have done better, but fired straight at the goalie.

Lukas Podolski was brought on as a half-time sub, but couldn't make the kind of impact a nervous-looking Klinsmann would have been looking for.

With 15 minutes remaining, Steaua had yet another golden opportunity. They had little problem fashioning great chances in the second half, a fact which will encourage the boss.

This time, they actually had the ball in the back of the net. Rensing, having a mare in the rain by this point, spilled Moreno's effort, but Stancu's point-blank finish was flagged offside and the Bundesliga side were let off the hook once more.

Moreno was always keen to shoot, but his tired late effort was eagerly scooped up by a beleaguered Rensing.

Although four minutes of stoppage tie were indicated, the second half effort in tough conditions had taken it out of the hosts and so it finished.

Der FCB, then, held out for three crucial away points.

Greg Ptolomey, Goal.com

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Porto See Off Fenerbahçe

2008-09-17T15:29:00.000-07:00

FC Porto 3-1 Fenerbahçe

Two goals in the opening quarter and a late one during stoppage time was more than enough for Porto to defeat Fenerbahçe and secure leadership of Group G.

Porto started out very well and it wouldn't take much time for them to stamp their authority on the game. Raul Meireles received the ball and span before crossing the ball to Lisandro, who made no mistake with a low yet well-placed finish.

The home side would double their lead just two minutes later. Cristian Rodríguez finds Lucho alone at the edge of the area, who fired a powerful shot with his right foot to make it 2-0.

The Dragons were in complete control of the game and many were certainly foreseeing a third goal. On 25 minutes, Porto wasted a great chance. Sahin could not clear danger and Lucho would play countryman Lisandro through, who had just the keeper to beat but his chip shot went over the bar.

Fenerbahçe would score four minutes later to get themselves back on the game. Boral moved past Sapunaru before drilling a cross down the left flank to Alex, who headed strong at Helton. The ball ended on Guiza's feet, who scored from a very tight angle.

The second-half did not begin nearly as intensive as the first one, so the first sign of danger only came in the 59th minute, when Lucho tried his luck from long range, only to see his effort going wide of the right post.

Porto coach Jesualdo Ferreira was not happy with what he was seeing as his team began playing having difficulties to reach Volkan's goal. Hulk and Tomás Costa were brought in to replace Mariano and Raul Meireles respectively.

On 71 minutes, Bruno Alves hit a powerful free-kick but Volkan was there to deny the third with a good-looking flying save.

With 84 minutes gone, Fenerbahçe had a great chance to equalise, when Roberto Carlos crossed to Guiza. The former Mallorca man, completely alone, could not direct his header goalwards.

Three minutes later, Volkan was caught out of his area, Lucho tried to score from long distance but his effort went wide.

Porto would score their night on 91 minutes. Lino, who had just come in for Cristian Rodríguez, received the ball in the area after a great individual move by Sapunaru before finding the net.

It was a well-deserved win for the home side, more for what they did on the first 25 minutes than what they showed in the rest of the game. Fenerbahçe tried well to leave Estádio do Dragão with at least one point but their lack of solutions proved to be fatal.

FC Porto: Helton, Cristian Sapunaru, Rolando, Bruno Alves, Nelson Benítez, Fernando, Raul Meireles (Tomás Costa 67'), Lucho González, Mariano González (Hulk 60'), Cristian Rodríguez (Lino 90+1'), Lisandro López.

Fenerbahçe: Volkan Demirel, Göhkan Gönul, Diego Lugano, Yasin Çakmak, Roberto Carlos, Emre Belözoğlu, Selçuk Şahin (Josico 46' [Burak Yılmaz 53']), Claudio Maldonado, Uğur Boral (Kazim Kazim 77'), Alex, Daniel Güiza.

FC Porto 3-1 Fenerbahçe

1-0 Lisandro López 11'
2-0 Lucho González 13'
2-1 Daniel Güiza 29'
3-1 Lino 90+1'

Premier League Preview: Liverpool - Manchester United

2008-09-12T13:59:00.000-07:00

What: Barclays Premier League
Who: Liverpool (2nd, 7pts) v Manchester United (9th, 4pts)
When: Saturday, 13th September, Kick-off: 12:45 BST
Where: Anfield, Liverpool

The Eighteenth Hole

Mark Hughes may like to think that his Manchester City side’s clash with Chelsea later on Saturday takes star billing in this weekend’s Premier League fixture list, but some 45,000 fans inside Anfield - plus, no doubt, a global TV audience of millions - will beg to differ when Liverpool and Manchester United lock horns again in a lunch-time showdown that will inevitably offer clues about this season‘s title race.

The ‘Clash of the Cash’ at Eastlands in the early evening will be a fascinating encounter for all sports of reasons, but few would accept that a meeting between the North-West’s two red-clad armies is no longer the main event. And while City and Chelsea may boss the richest sugar-daddies in the League, neither Liverpool nor United can be accused of penny-pinching, having this summer alone sunk more than £50 million between them into parting Tottenham from their strike-force.

United‘s deadline-day swoop for Dimitar Berbatov followed Liverpool‘s earlier capture of the Bulgarian‘s erstwhile scoring partner at White Hart Lane, Robbie Keane. Typically, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson sought to lob a psychological doubt into the Liverpool camp by questioning the high price Rafa Benitez was prepared to pay for Keane, a player whose value he has previously implied is somewhat inflated. Fergie’s mischief-making with the press is unlikely to cut much ice at Anfield, where the only sensible response is to ram his words down his throat on the pitch, though that has proved to be easier said than done in recent seasons.

That’s underlined by the fact that United are chasing a sixth successive Premier League victory over their Merseyside rivals, and their third in a row at Anfield. Indeed, Liverpool have suffered more Premier League defeats (18), dropped more points (68) and conceded more goals (48) to Manchester United than to any other club.

Those statistics make painful reading for anyone associated with Liverpool, and one can only imagine what the ghosts of Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley have made of the last 18 seasons. Eighteen, of course, is a highly evocative number in the context of battles between these two giants, separated by 33 miles of East Lancs Road or, if you prefer, M62 motorway.

For while Liverpool can still proudly boast more top-flight English titles - 18 - than any other club, they haven’t added to their haul since 1990. And with consecutive triumphs in the last two seasons, United have closed to within one title of their bitter rivals. When you consider that, at the time Kenny Dalglish’s Reds lifted the club’s 18^th title in 1990, United’s tally was a modest seven, the seismic nature of the power-shift in Lancashire can be graphically understood. If United successfully defend their title again this season, they will not only claim an unprecedented second hat-trick of championships, but also equal Liverpool’s record total of titles. That is a prospect almost too awful to contemplate for many Reds fans. Never has Liverpool’s quest for that elusive next title been more urgent.

Advantage Liverpool?

The good news for Liverpool is that they can go three points clear at the top of the table - for two hours at least - if they can achieve their tenth successive home league victory. To do so at United’s expense would be sweet indeed. United are down in ninth at the moment, partly because they’ve played a game fewer than all except Fulham, their clash wityh the Cottagers having been postponed while they went to Monaco for their ill-fated Super Cup defeat by Zenit St Petersburg.

But United were the only opponents who left Anfield with all three points last season - and Ferguson boasts an unbeaten record against Benitez of seven wins and one draw. Rafa’s one success was in an FA Cup fifth round tie in February 2006.

The context for this match is that both sides have been without most of their squads for ten days because of the international break - and that both will be seeking the boost to morale of a win to carry them into their first Champions League group matches next week.

Noises Off-Stage

Inevitably in the build-up to such a big game there have been plenty of comments, and some verbal sniping, from both camps. As noted, Fergie has queried the wisdom of Liverpool’s purchase of Robbie Keane, the Irishman shrugging off the slight by insisting football is a game of opinions - and adding that in his, John O’Shea should start every game for United. Meanwhile, Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa, reflecting on the bitter disappointment of last season’s home defeat by United, claimed that the game is worth much more than three points.

“If we beat Manchester United at home, we will have 10 points and much more confidence, but everyone will also be very, very happy.”

His team-mate Fabio Aurelio (famous among other things for the fact that his surname uses every available vowel), chipped in with: “We need to try and change the history. In recent years, it has been difficult against them, but we have a great opportunity to change that on Saturday.”

Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano, who recklessly got himself sent off during last season’s showdown between the teams at Old Trafford, reckons: "It’s a match we need to win if we want to compete for the title. We can do that and push for honours. The fans deserve it."

The trick, of course, is walking the walk as well as talking the talk, as Reds defender Jamie Carragher knows only too well. He admits United have been better than Liverpool in recent derbies, and told BBC Radio Merseyside: "I'm not a great believer in being lucky or unlucky. I'm a big believer in 'you get what you deserve'.

"United over the last few years have probably edged it with us and small details in football make a difference. That's why they've been better than us and that's something we need to liven up.”

Meanwhile, from Old Trafford, there have been some bullish noises too, including former United defender Gary Pallister saying Liverpool will again fail to contest the title this season. He insists the Reds cannot sustain a challenge over the course of the whole season. He even suggests that things could quickly go pear-shaped for Benitez if he a loser again at Anfield.

"I can't see them challenging this year. I thought they might put together a sustained challenge last year and they didn't manage to do so. I don't feel as though they can this year either," he told the Daily Star. “Under Benitez they've been playing for fourth spot. That's not good enough for Liverpool fans. They expect to be up there fighting for league championships - and that hasn't happened. It would have a big effect on their season if they lose. If they lose badly it would be even more damaging. To lose at home to one of your main rivals is a huge blow."

The current United players have been fairly muted about Liverpool. Berbatov has been insisting he’s not lazy; Ryan Giggs has been predicting the Bulgarian will be an instant success for United; and Wayne Rooney has been talking more about resurgent England than the Premiership this week, having ended his 11-month goal drought for the Three Lions with an impressive performance.

But the other significant off-stage noise surrounding this gamer could well come from Liverpool fans planning to protest against the clubs two American owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks. Will that strike a chord among United fans who wanted nothing to do with the Glazer-buy-out of their club? It should do, but parochial enmity could well mean United fans mocking rather than sympathising with their Scouse rivals.

FORM GUIDE

Liverpool have lost one of their last 16 games in all competitions - a 2-3 reverse at Stamford Bridge at the hands of Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final second leg. They are unbeaten in 10 Premier League matches, of which they’ve won seven and drawn three. Ironically, their last League defeat was a 3-0 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford in March. And their last home defeat was also by United nine months ago. That 1-0 defeat, inflicted by a Carlos Tevez goal, was Liverpool’s only loss at Anfield in their last 24. But they’ve not not beaten a fellow 'Big Four' club in six attempts. This season, the Reds have beaten Sunderland away, Middlesbrough at home and drawn with Aston Villa away in the League, while squeezing through in extra-time against Standard Liege in a Champions League qualifier to secure entry to the lucrative group stage.

United’s last outing was that 2-1 defeat by Zenit St Petersburg in the European Super Cup on 29th August. They’ve played only two Premier League fixtures to date, a 1-1 home draw against Newcastle United and a 1-09 win at Fratton Park against Portsmouth. They’ve won 10, drawn three and lost one of their last 14 Premier League games, collecting 10 points from the last 12 on offer since Chelsea beat the 2-1 away on 26th April. That was United’s first reverse in their last eight games against fellow 'Big Four' clubs.

Last Five Matches

Liverpool

31 Aug: Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (EPL)

27 Aug: Liverpool 1-0 Standard Liege (CLQ)

23 Aug: Liverpool 2-1 Middlesbrough (EPL)

16 Aug: Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool (EPL)

13 Aug: Standard Liege 0-0 Liverpool (CLQ)

Manchester United

29 Aug: Man Utd 1-2 Zenit St Petersburg (N) (Super Cup)

25 Aug: Portsmouth 0-1 Man Utd (EPL)

17 Aug: Man Utd 1-1 Newcastle Utd (EPL)

10 Aug: Man Utd 0-0 Portsmouth (N) (Community Shield) (Utd won 3-1 on pens)

04 Aug: Peterborough Utd 0-2 Man Utd (Friendly)

TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

Benitez was given a major boost today when two of his key players, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, were both declared fit to face United.

Gerrard missed England's 4-1 win in Croatia on Wednesday after undergoing a minor groin operation, and Torres has recovered from a hamstring tear, so both stars are included in Rafa’s squad after successfully completing Friday’s light training session.

"They are both much better," said Benitez. "They came through a full training session this morning. It's important for us to have these two players of quality who can change a game. I'm not surprised they are available because the medical staff have done a good job and the players have been working really hard with the physios to get fit."

Albert Riera is in line to make his Liverpool debut after joining the club from Espanyol on transfer deadline day. But Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva will miss the game after a long-haul flight back to Merseyside from international duty in South America. And both Sami Hyypia and Philipp Degen could miss out with hamstring and groin injuries, respectively.

Squad: Reina, Cavalieri, Dossena, Hyypia, Keane, Gerrard, Torres, Aurelio, Alonso, Benayoun, Arbeloa, Agger, Kuyt, Babel, Mascherano, Carragher, Ngog, Plessis, El Zhar, Skrtel, Riera.

Possible Starting XI: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Dossenaa, Kuyt, Mascherano, Gerrard, Riera, Keane, Torres.

Manchester United

The club’s expensive transfer deadline-day recruit, Dimitar Berbatov, will almost certainly make his debut for the club, despite his fitness levels having been questioned by United’s coaching staff following his arrival from Tottenham.

Ferguson had doubts about the fitness of three potentially key men, but has been boosted by the prospect of having the trio back in contention for United’s first Premier League game in almost three weeks.

Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick all now look likely to be fit and available to face Liverpool. Ferdinand missed England's 2-0 victory over Andorra on Saturday because of neck and back injuries, but recovered to play his part in the Three Lions’ resounding 4-1 thrashing of Croatia in Zagreb last night.

Giggs, 34, had been suffering with a hamstring problem but could be involved if he comes through a late fitness test. And Carrick is now expected to be available following an ankle injury.

But Cristiano Ronaldo and Owen Hargreaves are still undergoing treatment.

Squad: Van der Sar, Neville, Evra, Ferdinand, Brown, Anderson, Berbatov, Rooney, Giggs, Park, Vidic, Carrick, Nani, Scholes, R. Da Silva, O’Shea, Evans, Fletcher, Tevez, Kuszczak.

Possible Starting XI: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Anderson, Fletcher, Scholes, Tevez, Rooney, Berbatov.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

All eyes will inevitably be on former Tottenham strike partners Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov, now on opposite sides and keen to prove t5hey were worth their respective big fees. Keane has appeared over-anxious so far for the Reds, so a more measure approach to this titanic struggle could pay dividends for him. Trying too hard is not an accusation Berbatov has often had directed at him, but he show more than his usual economy of movement oh his debut for United. Like Keane on moving to Anfield, Berba described his switch to Old Trafford as a ’dream’ (cue yawns). It may well be a dream move for Rooney, whose game has cried out for some time for the sort of vision, touch and guile that Berbatov can provide in the form of telling assists. On the other hand, Jamie Carragher will be at his most dogged and determined in trying to turn the tide in these North-West derbies, and will neither ask nor give a quarter to either United front man.

PREDICTION

Recent history points to United maintaining their hex on Liverpool, but then neither side have found anything like approaching top gear so far this season. This is the just the type of game to sort the men from the boys, the serious contenders from the mere hopefuls, though at this stage of the campaign no outcome will be decisive - and you’d still expect both sides to be in contention next April when the season moves towards its climax.

Their recent dominance over Liverpool means United may turn up at Anfield expecting to win, which could suit Liverpool. If United do win, they will have to halt a run: Liverpool have won their last nine home league games and are unbeaten at Anfield in the league this calendar year. Perhaps surprisingly, too, since February the Reds have been the best team in the Premier League with 13 wins, four draws and one defeat from 18 games. Meanwhile United have won only one of their four games so far this season during the regulation 90 minutes. And the last time Liverpool endured an eight-match winless streak against United in the league (1996-2000), they endede the sequence in the ninth meeting by winning 1-0 (and going on to do the double over United that season).

It’s also true that in none of the last eight clashes between these two sides have both teams got on the score-sheet - but that could change tomorrow with a scoring draw.

Liverpool 1-1 Manchester United

Graham Lister

Fergie Takes Swipe At Hughes And City

2008-09-12T13:57:00.000-07:00

Sir Alex Ferguson has come out firing following Mark Hughes' claim that he Manchester City - Chelsea clash has become a bigger fixture than Manchester United against Liverpool on the same day.

"I had better check what Mark has had for his breakfast because something must be upsetting him," scoffed Ferguson.

"How many games did he play for United against Liverpool? Our game is the biggest. It is a great game."

The fact is that the 'Clash of the Cash' set for Saturday tea-time, by which time the outcome of the Anfield clash will be known, is a sell-out at Eastlands, despite being shown live on Setanta Sports. And the pre-match interest from the media is so great that the venue of Hughes' scheduled press conference has had to be moved to the stadium to accommodate the high number journalists and film crews eager to catch it.

A record attendance is expected at Eastlands where the home fans will have heir first opportunity to greet news of the new regime, plus Robinho, and welcome back popular winger Shaun-Wright Phillips - coincidentally sold back to City by Chelsea.

Sir Alex uncharacteristically held his tongue when reports broke that newly mega-wealthy City are already plotting to prise Cristiano Ronaldo away with a January bid that would gazump the current world record, but now he has come out swinging.

"There has been a lot of talk but it is a different matter when it actually comes to getting those players," added the Scot.

"To think they could get Cristiano Ronaldo for instance is absolutely absurd.

"Negotiations are not easy nowadays, as we found with Dimitar.

"Yes, we have bought big players, but Manchester United is not a cash cow, as people are talking about other clubs at the moment.

"At the moment it is all talk. We have seen it before and it will happen again.

"It depends how much money they want to throw at it but even then it doesn't always work," he was keen to point out.

"You can buy 11 individuals and not have a team as Sunderland proved.

"When Chelsea did it we worried because we saw the quality they were bringing in. They got Michael Essien for £27million, which was a level we could not reach.

"You could tell they would be a handful.

"It is very difficult to say what will happen with City but we should not concern ourselves with what people are planning to do because it does not always work."

Ferguson concluded by insisting that United is built to rise to any threat.

"There is always a challenge at this club," he continued.

"Four years ago when Jose Mourinho went to Chelsea it represented a different challenge from Arsenal.

"They were the new kids on the block and we had to reassess our approach. We accepted the challenge.

"What you see here today has not been created overnight.

"This club has been built up over many years and will be here for a long time."

Derek Wanner, Goal.com

Inter Shortlist Five Big Names For 2009

2008-09-12T13:55:00.000-07:00

Inter Shortlist Five Big Names For 2009

According to Tuttosport, Inter Milan have shortlisted five big possible signings for next summer, and will immediately begin preparing the groundwork for their transfers.

The Nerazzurri this summer pulled off three major acquisitions, snapping up Sulley Muntari, Ricardo Quaresma and Amantino Mancini.

However, the purchases of the former two proved to be rather rushed, as Muntari only arrived after the failure to buy Chelsea’s Frank Lampard, while Quaresma’s deal was only sealed just hours before the closure of the transfer window.

Inter President Massimo Moratti wants to ensure that the transfer work next summer is more decisive, and has already drawn up a five-man shortlist on which the club will begin to work on.

The first of these is Benfica winger Angel Di Maria, who impressed hugely at the recent Olympics, scoring the winner for Argentina in their final win over Nigeria. Indeed, Sportmediaset claimed a few days ago that Inter have already agreed a deal with Benfica sporting director Rui Costa, which will see the talented player swap the Estadio Da Luz for San Siro next summer.

The second player on Inter’s shortlist is another Olympic star, Thiago Neves of Brazil. The midfielder recently joined Hamburg from Fluminense, but Inter are being tipped to go head-to-head with Milan for his signature next summer.

The third on Moratti’s hit-list is Atletico Madrid star Sergio Aguero, who is regarded as one of the world’s best young players. The Argentine has long been linked with the Nerazzurri, and indeed a few months ago the forward’s father-in-law to be Diego Maradona admitted that it was possible Aguero could end up at San Siro in the near future.

Two centre midfielders complete the shortlist. The first is Roma’s Alberto Aquilani, who Inter tentatively tried to sign this summer. The second is Napoli wonderkid Marek Hamsik, who is hugely admired by Inter boss Jose Mourinho, and who is tipped by many to develop into the best centre midfielder in Europe in the coming years.

Kaká Backs Messi For Ballon d'Or

2008-09-12T13:40:00.000-07:00

The Brazilian star vowed to return to challenge for personal honours after tipping the Barcelona forward to pick the France Football award ahead of Ronaldo.

Many have tipped the Manchester United playmaker after he helped the club win the title and the Champions League, but for ability alone, Kaká prefers Messi.

"Messi is a truly great player. Cristiano Ronaldo is also very good and deserves the away, but I want Leo to be my successor," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"He has incredible ability and can control the ball superbly and that makes him one of the best players in the world.

"I think he is the sort of player that you would always want in your team.

"I am only talking about this year. My aim is to recover my form as quickly as possible and to try and win th trophy again in Paris and the FIFA World Player of the Year in Zürich.

"But for that to happen I have to be playing at a consistently good level for Milan."

Kaká then stated that he believes Ronaldinho's move from Barça to Milan will turn out to be a bargain for the Serie A side and explained that he enjoys playing alongside him.

"Without doubt he will be the best signing of the season in the Italian league. Our paths in life have been very different, but that does not mean that we cannot be friends," he continued.

"Above all, it does not mean that we cannot play together either."

Finally, Kaká moved to reiterate his desire to stay with Milan despite the annual rumours of him attracting the biggest clubs on the continent.

"First it was about Madrid now everyone is talking about going to England. That is how the market is, but I insist that I am not going anywhere, he explained.

"My relationship with everyone at the club is excellent and unless someone has a change of plans one day and decides to sell me, I will not be moving."

Lucas Brown, Goal.com

La Liga Preview: Barcelona - Racing

2008-09-12T13:38:00.000-07:00

Barcelona (15th, 0pts) v Racing Santander (10th, 1pt)
20:00 CET - Saturday, September 13, 2008
Camp Nou, Barcelona

Whether the international break was a blessing for Barcelona after their opening day defeat against Numancia or prolonged the inquisition into why they lost will matter little as the team will be expected to start their season this weekend when Racing Santander visit Camp Nou.

Life for the Blaugrana is never without pressure and the fact that they were beaten in Los Parajitos gave the critics and the philosophers of the game time to say everything that they wanted as the World Cup qualifiers took priority almost as soon as the final whistles blew around the country two weeks ago.

Barça had such a convincing pre-season that losing to Numancia was seen as even more of a shock than the fact they lost to a newly-promoted team who had never beaten them before and were only starting out on only their fourth ever campaign in the Spanish top flight.

Pep Guardiola's team of superstars looked bereft of ideas and enthusiasm as they came up against a wall of defenders and once the hosts had taken the lead it rarely looked likely that the Blaugrana were going to reproduce the goal gluts that had been so evident in Scotland and the United States.

Warning signs were there as only days before Barça were beaten by Wisla Kraków, but many chose to ignore that as the visitors in Poland had won the first game by four goals and a lack of inspiration was blamed. That excuse could not be used against Numanica, but luckily for Barcleona both those games now seem like distant history.

Madrid Reverse

Many pundits and fans think that losing the opening game could have been the wake-up call that Guardiola and his players required after receiving so much praise in the build-up and things were certainly eased when Real Madrid were beaten by Deportivo La Coruña later the same evening.

This Saturday however, there will be no excuses should Racing take anything other than a sound beating back to Cantabria with them as the new era that is required to start at the club has to kick into gear in style or risk seeing confidence plummet.

While Racing have had only two players away on international duty, Guardiola has been left with just five first-team players to train and prepare with and has just one training session on Friday evening and one on Saturday morning to prepare his squad.

That should still be enough time given that the length of pre-season was longer than normal and that the club have not lost their opening home league fixture for 20 seasons, with Sevilla being the last side to record a victory in 1987-88.

The new additions have had time to settle in with Seydou Keita, Dani Alves, Gerard Piqué and Martín Cáceres all joining prior to the start of pre-season and Aliaksandr Hleb joining with enough time to play in some of the warm-up matches.

Guardiola accepted the blame for the defeat against Numancia as he stated that most of the players did not pick up his instructions well enough, but there will be little doubt about their roles before the second game.

Racing Times

With the new coach earning nothing but praise from his players, the squad will be keen to take the pressure off the former Barça playmaker and prove that it was their lack of ideas and creativity and not his inability to communicate that hampered them in Los Parajitos.

Changes have been rife at Racing too with coach Marcelino deciding to drop down a division and take over at Real Zaragoza despite leading the Cantabrian outfit into Europe for the first time in their history during his first campaign in charge.

Four players left when their loan deals ran out and six others have gone, although none can be considered to have been keys to the club's success last term. Only Aldo Duscher's departure to Sevilla and, arguably, Jorge López's transfer to Real Zaragoza, won any headlines.

Perhaps one of the best pieces of business that the modest club did do was to sell their star defender, Ezequiel Garay to Real Madrid and then borrow him back for a campaign while they look for his replacement.

The Argentinian centre-back was due to join Barça and only this week accusations about why the deal did not go through have been made publicly by various officials from both sides and makes his arrival at Camp Nou all the more interesting.

RECENT FORM

Barcelona

31/08 A 0-1 Numancia
27/08 A 0-1 Wisla Kraków
16/08 H 2-1 Boca Juniors
13/08 H 4-0 Wisla Kraków
06/08 A 6-2 New York Red Bulls
04/08 A 5-2 Guadalajara

Racing Santander

31/08 H 1-1 Sevilla
24/08 A 2-1 San Fernando
23/08 A 2-1 Xerez
19/08 A 1-1 Eibar
16/08 A 1-2 Osasuna
05/08 A 3-2 Olympiakos

TEAM NEWS

Barcelona

Guardiola has called up 20 players for the game with only Rafa Márquez and Martín Cáceres being left out after their long trips. Albert Jorquera and Gaby Milito are both still out injured. Lionel Messi only returned on Friday morning, but he trained in the evening and stated that he was ready and raring to go.

Squad: Valdés, Pinto, Puyol, Alves, Piqué, Abidal, Sylvinho, Touré Yaya, Busquets, Keita, Gudjohnsen, Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro, Víctor Sánchez, Henry, Bojan, Hleb, Eto'o, Messi.

Racing Santander

Juan Ramón López Muñiz named his squad after the team's last training session before they departed for Barcelona on Friday morning and has included 18 players in the trip.

Squad: Toño, Coltorti, Pinillos, Oriol, Marcano, Laucen, Colsa, Gonçalves, Pereira, Munitis, Tchité, Serrano, Cristian, Juanjo, Garay, Luccin, Valera, Edu Bedía.

PREDICTION

The so-called bad luck in front of goal that Guardiola and the players all complained about two weeks ago cannot happen again in this encounter or Barça could be considered to be in a mini-crisis after just a couple of games into the new season. Racing will come to defend, but they are an unknown quantity and that could be factor. With the crowd behind them, although many regulars are away for the bridge weekend, will give the team a lift and it is all set up for them to net a few if they can open their account early on.

Barcelona 4 - 1 Racing Santander

Lucas Brown, Goal.com

Robinho - Did He Make The Right Choice?

2008-09-12T13:35:00.000-07:00

Goal.com invites you, the reader, to weigh in on the debate surrounding Robinho's transfer to Manchester City. Did he make the right choice, or should he have held out for a January move to Chelsea? Should he have left Madrid at all? You decide...

Few transfers this summer ignited as much controversy and discussion as did Robinho's move to Manchester City. England's most expensive import, the Brazilian left Real Madrid under a cloud in search of pastures new.

Of course, he - and everyone else - thought that Chelsea would be his destination, at least until City, flush with Dubai dinero, swooped in at the last minute to bring him to Eastlands.

Thus this wonder winger won't be playing Champions League football this season - nor perhaps even next - as he teams up with Mark Hughes instead of Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Is this at all proper? Is it right? Many have questioned his wisdom in forcing an exit from Madrid, only to arrive at a UEFA Cup side. Some feel that he should have waited until January in the hope that Madrid lost their nerve and sold him to Chelsea; others still argue that he shouldn't have sought to leave the Bernabéu at all, and instead he should have made his peace with the club over 'Ronaldogate' and his being kept back from the Olympics.

Others still will say that, with newly-minted City, he has every chance of achieving his dream of the Ballon d'Or in the next few years, and that a lucrative opportunity like this was too great to pass up.

Could be. But what do you think? Click here to vote and we'll announce the results on Monday... after the Manchester City versus Chelsea game, of course!

Mourinho Gives Thumbs Up To Foreign Takeovers

2008-09-06T06:05:00.000-07:00

Inter coach Jose Mourinho believes that foreign investors who take over football clubs are only good if they show the same passion and enthusiasm as Roman Abramovic at Chelsea.

The former Blues coach spoke about the recent take over at Manchester City by the Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment.

Mourinho insists that he welcomes club take over’s but only if those who become new owners show real passion for the game.

“As a professional I am talking about Manchester City’s recent take over by the Arabs and my own experience with Roman Abramovic at Chelsea, I think that these investors should be welcome,” Mourinho told ANSA.

“However, I believe that they should only be welcome if they show great passion as well as the interests they have at first hand.

“I worked three years with Abramovic at Chelsea, everyone used to speak about the money but he had great passion.”

Meanwhile, Inter could only manage a 2-2 draw against Swiss side Lucerne on Friday night. The Nerazzurri went down 2-0 before new signing Ricardo Quaresma inspired them to a comeback on his debut.

Salvatore Landolina

Rio Out Of Andorra Game

2008-09-06T06:04:00.000-07:00

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has been ruled out of England’s World Cup qualifier with Andorra on Saturday evening with a back problem.

Central defender Rio Ferdinand has been ruled out by England boss Fabio Capello at the pre-match news conference ahead of the game at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona.

It is expected that the former Leeds and West Ham defender will be fit for the Three Lions’ crunch game against Croatia next week, meaning that there is no reason to risk the Champions League winner against the part-time Andorra team.

"He is the only one in the squad who is not 100 percent fit,” Capello revealed to the press.

"But it is not a serious injury and I think he will be fit to face Croatia next week."

Ferdinand’s back ailment has prevented him from taking part in any training this week.

As a result of the player’s absence Joleon Lescott, Wesley Brown and Matthew Upson are all competing to partner captain John Terry at centre-back. The omission of Jonathan Woodgate now seems more puzzling however, after Capello revealed that he had expected Ferdinand to miss the game.

Ferdinand, who debuted for his nation in 1997, has 69 caps for his nation and has scored 2 international goals.

Chris Myson, Goal.com

Cesc Says No To City

2008-09-06T06:01:00.000-07:00

Arsenal and Spain midfielder Cesc Fàbregas has made it clear that he has no intentions of being part of Manchester City’s football and transfer revolution by joining them anytime in the near future.

Cesc has given a pre-emptive response to any future advances cash-filled Manchester City may make for him by declaring that he will never join the Eastlands club.

The 21 year old Arsenal man, back in Spain for his country’s World Cup qualifiers told Barcelona-based daily Sport bluntly: "It would be suicidal for my career at my 21 years of age to move to City. It would make no sense."

The Citizens, currently owned by Abu Dhabi United Group, have already been linked to a number of the world’s biggest and best players including Ruud van Nistlerooy, Fernando Torres, Kaká and Gianluigi Buffon.

KS Leong

No Grudges Against Robinho - Casillas

2008-09-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

Spain’s goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas says that he does not hold any resentment towards Robinho after the Brazilian superstar decided to leave Real Madrid.

Robinho caused quite a ruckus at the Real Madrid camp during the summer when he made his now infamous public pleas to leave the Santiago Bernabéu.

He was eventually allowed to leave to sign for Manchester City but the club’s goalkeeper, Iker Casillas confessed that he does not have any ill-feelings towards the 24 year old.

“It is not something I am pre-occupied with because it’s all in the past. Every player decides on their own future and Robinho has chosen to leave Real Madrid,” the Spanish international captain revealed during La Selección’s press conference.

“I am grateful for what he has done for the team and I wish him all the best in Manchester City,” he added.

Casillas was then asked if Robinho’s exit coupled with the club’s failure to sign their intended targets, such as the player who was sitting next to him in the press call, David Villa, has disrupted the squad dynamics.

“I don’t think it has changed anything. And I do not believe that these players said no to Real Madrid.

“They all want to come but obviously, there are negotiations and it is necessary to come to an agreement first,” he theorized.

Real Madrid saw their jinx at the Riazor continue last weekend when they slumped to a 2-1 defeat. The league will resume next Saturday at the conclusion of the International break and Los Merengues will welcome newly promoted Numancia to the Bernabéu cauldron.

KS Leong

Bojan Debut Not A Priority

2008-09-06T05:58:00.000-07:00

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has played down the importance of young Bojan Krkic’s debut this Saturday in their opening World Cup qualifiers and declared that the team’s interest will come first.

Questions have been raised about del Bosque’s starting XI for his very first competitive outing with the national team. The injuries to attackers Fernando Torres and David Silva have opened the door for other players to make their mark and one of them is Bojan.

The recently turned 18 year old made the La Roja squad in the friendly against Denmark a few weeks ago but failed to make his debut on the pitch as he was not called upon.

The Spanish press are now interested if the teenager will get a glimpse of first team action this Saturday against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the World Cup qualifiers, but del Bosque was not too concerned about that.

“Bojan is just one of the 19 players that we have and we will use him if we need to. But whether or not he makes his debut is not a priority question,” revealed the 57 year during the team’s press conference.

Del Bosque acknowledged that the nation will head into the qualifiers with a big target on their backs as European champions, but he assured that he is well equipped to handle the situation.

“I am accustomed to the pressure. The team that I coached before was a team that everyone wanted to beat,” he remarked slyly, referring to his former club, Real Madrid.

“But we are our biggest enemy. We are conscious of what we have achieved in the past but the future starts tomorrow against Bosnia.

“It will be a long campaign but we have very little margin for error. We have to apply ourselves from the first minute,” he concluded.

KS Leong

Shut Up England - Zambrotta

2008-09-06T05:55:00.000-07:00

Milan and Italy defender Gianluca Zambrotta has taken a swipe at the English game, insisting that they have no right to criticise the Italians after the Three Lions failed to qualify for Euro 2008.

Zambrotta has reignited the fiery slanging match between England and Italy after he was asked what he thought of an article published in The Times, which described Serie A as a “retirement home for old players,” and “a get rich quick scheme.”

The stopper has hit back with some tough words for the English.

“Retirement home? That’s all I need at 31,” joked Zambrotta.

“I have all the experience to be able to motivate myself.

“What makes me laugh is that the English are always the first to talk when they should be the last. Just look at them, they didn’t even qualify for Euro 2008.”

Certainties

The former Barcelona man then spoke about his new life at Milan following his return to Serie A and he insists that the game in Italy is always moving onwards and upwards.

“The impact of Milan is simple: they are a top club and well organised like Juventus,” added Zambro.

“I think the quality of Serie A has improved, but then you always have the same certainties like Maurizio Zamparini firing the coach after the first game.”

The Rossonero is currently on international duty with La Nazionale as he tries to help defend the World Cup trophy they won in 2006.

Italy have travelled to Lanarca to take on Cyprus on Saturday night in group 8 of the World Cup South Africa 2010 qualifying campaign.

Salvatore Landolina

Calcio Debate: Quaresma To Inter – Top Or Flop?

2008-09-03T10:38:00.000-07:00

After a summer-long soap opera, Jose Mourinho finally got his man and signed Porto winger Ricardo Quaresma. Carlo Garganese asks if this is a good or bad move for Inter…

Having watched Inter’s first game of the season at Sampdoria on Saturday night, I have to confess that I was not overly impressed with what I saw from the Nerazzurri.

Granted, Inter had a lot of problems to deal with going into the clash. They were without a host of centre backs, meaning that Esteban Cambiasso had to partner the still not fully-fit Marco Materazzi. The midfield had its spine removed as Patrick Vieira was sidelined too.

It was coach Jose Mourinho’s debut in Serie A, and despite his undoubted qualities, he is still settling in to the new footballing culture, while many of his players are still getting to grips with the new 4-3-3 formation. Finally, Inter were up against a fine Sampdoria team, who only lost twice at home last season, possess Italy internationals such as Antonio Cassano and Angelo Palombo, and are a match for anyone on their day at the Stadio Ferraris.

A draw was a good result for an opening day encounter, especially considering none of the big-five teams won at the weekend. However, the performance was far from inspiring and Inter were very poor as an attacking force, barely testing Samp goalkeeper Antonio Mirante aside from Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s goal, which possibly should have been disallowed for handball.

I left the game on Saturday night pondering whether Inter’s 4-3-3 formation could work with the forward players they have at their disposal. In order to get the best out of such a system you need to be able to counterattack at lightning speed, mainly via the wide players. The likes of Arjen Robben and Damien Duff did this to devastating effect at Chelsea during Mourinho’s time there. However, a 36-year-old Luis Figo will not stretch the play, and many of the other forward options, even Ibrahimovic himself, are hardly renowned for their dynamism.

When Inter came forward against Sampdoria they were slow and predictable, and when they tried to counter-attack they did not have the legs to exhaust their opponents.

The signing of Ricardo Quaresma potentially solves this problem. He has pace, skill, flair and imagination in abundance, and could possibly provide that bit of attacking creativity that Inter were lacking these last two seasons, particularly in the Champions League.

On his day, Quaresma is a world-beater, and I can remember him completely out-shining Cristiano Ronaldo during a friendly against Italy in February, when he scored Portugal’s consolation in a 3-1 defeat. If the 24-year-old can regularly turn out these kinds of performances for Inter, he will be an inspired purchase.

However, consistency is a big problem for Quaresma, and he is just as liable to stink as he is to shine. In this respect, he is something of an unusual signing by Mourinho, who has traditionally preferred efficient team players rather than unpredictable individuals. In Italy Quaresma will have to learn to deal with tactical rigidness and discipline, and some critics doubt whether he is capable, especially for a mental point of view, of adapting.

Quaresma’s big game temperament has also been questioned. He flopped at Barcelona during one season there in 2003/04, although admittedly he was only 20 at the time. He also had no impact at Euro 2008 for Portugal, even if he started just one match, a dead-rubber tie against Switzerland in which he was possibly the worst player on the pitch.

Personally, I believe that Quaresma’s success at Inter is tied to just how well Mourinho’s 4-3-3 formation holds up in Serie A. I am still not convinced that this system is particularly well suited to the slower Italian game where midfields are congested, but who am I to question the innovative Mourinho? If the 4-3-3 is a success, then there is every chance Quaresma will be a success too.

What are your views on this topic? Is Quaresma’s signing a good or bad idea? Will he be a success in Italy? Will he help bring the best out of Mourinho’s 4-3-3 formation?

Spanish Debate: Are Raúl's Spain Days Over?

2008-09-03T10:36:00.000-07:00

Ewan Macdonald asks if Raúl is destined never to pull on the red shirt of España again in light of his being left out of yet another international squad...

Raúl used to wear the Spanish captain's armband on international nights for La Furia Roja. Now he no doubt wears a silk robe as he sits in his plus living room watching the games from afar.

It's quite a come-down for a man still revered by many fans of the national side as a hero, but it's one that could prove irreversible after new boss Vicente del Bosque yet again left him out of the squad.

The initial pool of players called up for the impending World Cup qualifiers with Bosnia-Herzegovina and Armenia was, unsurprisingly, without Raúl. Having missed out on Euro 2008, those players who did bring continental success to the Iberian peninsula were naturally (and quite correctly) favoured. But when Fernando Torres withdrew due to injury the door seemed open for Raúl.

Instead, though, Bojan Krkic - already a member of the international squad, but one robbed of a debut due to injury - was called up as Del Bosque put his faith in the youth. Raúl was sidelined yet again.

Grim Ending

This means that the Madrid boy's last appearance in a red shirt came against Northern Ireland way back in 2006. As if one needs reminding, this was that game at Winsdor Park - a nadir for the modern Spanish side as they lost out 3-2 to a David Healy hat-trick.

He may have played all 90 minutes, but his card was marked as an international under Luis Aragonés. Never again would he play under the 'Wise Man of Hortaleza', and what's more, he was barely even under consideration.

At the time - late 2006, early 2007 - it in fact seemed to be the right decision as Raúl's domestic form took a dip. But thousands of 'Raúlistas' across Spain disputed the manager's choice - on one notable occasion some months later, a television personality donned a Raúl masked and heckled Aragonés until the manager responded with some choice shouts of his own. Yet it stood.

In the end Spain finished their Euro 2008 qualification campaign in strong fashion, but Raúl was beginning to hit top form at home, too. Madrid marched to the 2007-08 title with the captain front and centre of their efforts, and the call was renewed for him to return to the squad.

Comeback?

However, he did not. Having been overheard telling Luis at a party that he would be at Euro 2008 come hell or high water, the country's top goalscorer later convened a press conference - with Aragonés by his side, amazingly enough - asking the press to leave the issue alone "for the good of Spain."

This was a fairly magnamonious gesture, but one that also highlighted the futility of his attempting to get back into the squad. Aragonés did not trust him - whether this was for on-pitch or off-pitch reasons was never entirely made clear - and despite the call of many to include the resurgent blanco in the Euro 2008 squad, he stayed at home. (Incidentally, virtually all of Goal.com's Spanish team backed Raúl for Euro 2008.)

Undaunted, Spain went on to win the tournament in quite spectacular fashion, Raúl no doubt looking wistfully on. But with Aragonés leaving and his former Madrid coach coming into the hotseat, a comeback may have been on the cards.

Del Bosque

Yet it has not be. There has been no reunion for the coach and his player: Del Bosque, who has done admirably well to keep the tabloids at bay in this issue, has stated that form and form alone dictates call-ups. Raúl, dipping back to 2006 levels of performance, simply hasn't got what it takes, sayeth del Bosque.

And this is key. Aragonés occasionally raised the form issue, but more often than not his smirking demeanour suggested that there were other factors at play. Were there? It's certainly possible. Talk of a small 'mafia' running the dressing room on international meetings probably had a hint of truth to it. But Aragonés wouldn't either confirm or deny such issues. He allowed gossip to rule the airwaves and influence his selection. The sensible thing to do would have been to deny everything and say that Raúl didn't fit his tactics, or his form wasn't quite up to it. Del Bosque has done this, and as such the silence in the press is golden.

In this way Spain have dodged a Beckham-esque bullet. Fabio Capello's early tenure in charge of England has been dogged by speculation over the former Madrid man - will he play, won't he? Will he be the captain, won't he? It's clear to see that such concerns have distracted manager, player, and squad alike when there are far more pressing issues - such as winning matches - to attend to. Admittedly Capello's situation is a little different: England are at a time of transition, while Spain are on a winning streak; Beckham, too, was inches away from his 100th cap while Raúl has already passed the century mark. But overall del Bosque has done well to turn the focus away from Raúl - and to his immense credit, so has the man himself.

That's right: it's now all about form, at least publicly. No matter what's going on behind the scenes, del Bosque has started the public discourse on his terms, and now he's mostly being left alone to complete the job that he was appointed for.

Let's put it this way. If he doesn't play again it is for the good of the Spanish national side. If he does, it's for the good of the Spanish national side. That, surely, is how it should be. Aragonés will be remembered as a winner, but this is one lesson that he didn't quite pick up.

Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com

What do you think? Has Raúl earned a shot at the current squad? If not, do you think he can ever fight his way back into contention? Let us know your thoughts.

Robinho Needs Counselling - Pele

2008-09-03T10:33:00.000-07:00

In the wake of Robinho's late surprise transfer from Real Madrid to Manchester City for a British record fee, Brazilian legend Pele believes the former Santos forward needs 'counselling', his words are echoed by fellow Brazilians...

Robinho effectively forced his exit from Real Madrid. The forward yearned to switch capital cities and join Chelsea, but it was Los Merengues who had the final say in the matter, refusing to do business with the Stamford Bridge side and accepting the £32.5million fee from Eastlands.

Madrid knew they had to cash in on Robinho as Roman Calderon is quoted by France 24 as saying: "Robinho has a morale problem more extensive than we first thought... When he talked about his situation, he cried and demanded to leave Spain."

Pele is disgusted by the behaviour of his fellow Brazilian: "Chelsea are lucky. This boy needs some serious counselling. In my view he has been badly advised," Football 365 quote him to say.

Santos President, Marcelo Teixeira added: "This is one of the most disgraceful episodes in Brazilian football... He is a player who is an idol to children... But he has not acted like one."

Jose Fernandos, Santos manager said: "We are ashamed at having produced such a player."

Alan Dawson

Legrottaglie: Inter Will Suffer!

2008-09-03T10:31:00.000-07:00

Nicola Legrottaglie has told Inter and the rest of Europe to watch out this season because Juventus are “tough cookies”.

The Bianconeri had a promising start to the season on Sunday night when, despite conceding a late equaliser at Fiorentina to draw 1-1, the signs were positive.

Legrottaglie himself had a fine game at centre back, and he has again been rewarded with a call-up to the Italy national team.

Speaking from the training base in Coverciano, the 31-year-old warned bitter rivals Inter, and the rest of Europe, that his club side will surprise many people this campaign.

“Juventus will never suffer against anyone, in fact the other teams will suffer when they face us because we'll be hard to beat,” he stated.

“We're tough cookies and Inter Milan will soon realize it!

“Juventus will surprise people in the Champions League too, especially if we go through the first group and we get to the knock-out stage"

The Old Lady were drawn in what many people are calling the ‘Group of Death’ in the first stage of Europe’s premier club competition. Spanish champions Real Madrid, UEFA Cup holders Zenit St Petersburg, and minnows BATE will all fight it out for qualification from Group H.

Gianni Wilson

Furious Galliani Calls Emergency Meeting

2008-09-03T10:30:00.000-07:00

Milan vice president Adriano Galliani is so annoyed with the club’s poor start to the season, he has called an emergency meeting with Carlo Ancelotti and co to discuss the situation according to Il Corriere Dello Sport.

The Rossoneri got their Serie A campaign off to the worst possible start after they lost 2-1 at home to Bologna on Sunday.

Galliani is furious with the result and he has called in the coach and his staff in order to discuss the problems and get back on track.

It’s not the first time the chief has punched the table, he recently held a meeting with Ancelotti during pre-season after a number of poor performances.

It seems as if patience is running out at the top and the coach will need to be careful as he could soon be sent marching. Reports in Italy this morning have already claimed that Ancelotti may join Roma in 2009 and, should the poor results continue, it may even be sooner.

The Scudetto is the club’s number one objective this term and any further failures on the pitch could see Galliani tear up the coach’s contract.

Meanwhile, good news on the injury front as Kaka, Alessandro Nesta, Marco Borriello and Philippe Senderos are all making quick recoveries from various injuries.

Salvatore Landolina

Scolari's Robinho Rage

2008-09-03T10:27:00.000-07:00

The Sun reports that Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari is livid after top target Robinho signed for Manchester City...

The Blues had been odds-on to land the Brazilian superstar after he declared his desire to leave Real Madrid sign on at Stamford Bridge.

Los Merengues had accepted a £28.4million bid and the deal was all but complete when Chelsea's impatience effectively scuppered the transaction.

The London giants jumped the gun to disastrous effect when they began selling shirts emblazoned with Robinho's name through their online shop last week.

That was enough to tip the Spanish champions over the edge in what was already a tense negotiation process, and the initial deal fell through.

Scolari made no secret of his admiration for Robinho and singled out the 24-year-old as the one player he hoped to sign this summer after landing Deco from Barcelona.

The former Brazil coach attempted to play it cool, insisting it made no difference if he captured the ex-Santos prodigy or not, but Chelsea sources suggest otherwise.

“He is too professional to make a fuss but this is a blow,” an insider told The Sun.

Further fuelling Scolari's wrath is the fact Chelsea turned down the opportunity to land Robinho on deadline day.

Los Blancos had accepted a bid of £32.5million from newly cashed-up City and challenged the Blues to match it - but the Premier League powerhouses were not willing to stump up the extra £4million.

Hence, the Selecao star made his way to Eastlands instead in an English record transfer, while Scolari was left demanding answers from chief executive Peter Kenyon and owner Roman Abramovich.

The source added: “It’s no secret that Chelsea has paid a lot of money for players in the last few years.

“Some of those players have been successful and others not so.

“Felipe understands the budget has a limit but feels that he did not ask too much of the club.

“He bought Deco for £8million and made it clear how important Robinho was to his plans for the season.

“So he is entitled to feel let down that the club would not increase its offer by £4m to get the player.”

Cecil Braun

Milito: I Turned Down Tottenham

2008-09-03T10:25:00.000-07:00

Returning Genoa striker Diego Milito has admitted that he turned down Tottenham Hotspur to secure a move back to his old club...

Genoa recently completed the recapture of Diego Milito from Real Zaragoza in Spain. The prolific Argentinian had a very successful two year spell with the Rossoblu before his transfer to Spain, scoring 33 goals in 59 matches.

Milito, before boarding a plane that will take him to Italy where he is due to complete a medical for Genoa, has revealed that he turned down a move to London with Tottenham Hotspur in order to move to the Rossoblu. “Zaragoza was putting pressure on me to sign for Tottenham, but then Genoa came along and I jumped at the chance,” said Milito, adding, “I wanted the Rossoblu shirt at all costs.”

The Argentinian player is happy to be back in the Rossoblu colours saying, “This is my city; I'm coming home.” The player went on to provide more evidence of his happiness regarding his return to his former club in Italy. “I feel an immense joy and my family is also happy to be back to Genoa, where I have always done well and hoped to return to one day,” said the striker.

Milito gave the Genoa faithful cause for celebration saying, “To the people of Genoa, I say this, I will give my all for this shirt, because here I feel at home.” That must be music to the ears of Rossoblu fans.

Peter Pedroncelli

Sheikh Invasion: DIC Back In For Reds

2008-09-03T10:24:00.000-07:00

Manchester City's Arab takeover has seemingly set off a chain reaction, as Liverpool's owners are now thought to be considering a mega-money offer from the Middle East...

According to The Sun, Reds co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are now mulling over a re-submitted £500million bid from Dubai International Capital (DIC).

The Americans took control at Anfield in February 2007 and their reign started brightly enough with the promise of a new stadium and the record purchase of Fernando Torres from Atletico Madrid.

However, things soon turned sour.

The stadium plans have stalled and the investment in the transfer market has plateaued. Relations between the co-owners and manager Rafael Benitez are terse at best, while the majority of the club's supporters are determined to see the Yanks booted out. And with the credit crunch severely limiting the opportunity for profit, Hicks and Gillett are supposedly seeking an escape route.

Enter Sheikh Mohammed - Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, seventh richest man in the world and perhaps the answer to Liverpool's prayers.

The recent takeover of Manchester City by the Abu Dhabi United Group, and their subsequent £32million purchase of Brazilian star Robinho, has added a whole new threat to the upper echelon of the Premier League.

The Reds have been hanging on desperately to their top-four spot over the past few years, failing to properly challenge for the title while flirting dangerously with the UEFA Cup slots.

Everton, Aston Villa and Tottenham are already knocking at the door, and with City now willing to spend any amount necessary to reach the top, the Merseyside giants will struggle to compete on the transfer front.

Hence, with Hicks and Gillett in a weak position, the Sheikh's DIC firm are ready to seize control of the club they have been eyeing for the best part of two years.

This news, if proven accurate, will no doubt delight both Benitez and much of the Liverpool fanbase.

Mike Maguire

Sir Alex Names New Assistant

2008-09-03T10:22:00.000-07:00

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has announced that Mick Phelan, a former United player, will be his new No.2 at Old Trafford...

Phelan becomes Fergie's sixth United assistant, following Archie Knox, Brian Kidd, Walter Smith, Steve McClaren and Carlos Queiroz.

Queiroz left in July, penning a four-year deal to become boss of his native Portuguese national team. Queiroz was an effective right-hand man, fulfilling many media commitments for Ferguson during his two stints as his right-hand man.

45-year-old Phelan, a midfielder who made over 100 appearances for the Red Devils in the early nineties, moves from his role as first team coach. Meanwhile, skills development expert Rene Meulensteen steps into Phelan's role.

Via the club's official website, Ferguson confirmed: "I am delighted that Mick and Rene have agreed to fill these important positions.

"Mick knows Manchester United inside out, having been associated with the club for the best part of 20 years. He is a very talented and professional coach, whose ability and contribution to the club’s success has often been understated.

“Rene brings different ideas and experience to the role of first team coach. I believe the two will provide an excellent team to continue the club’s willingness to try new ideas and constantly drive for success in an increasingly competitive game.”

Liam Black, Goal.com

Official: Berbatov To United, Campbell To Spurs

2008-09-01T22:06:00.000-07:00

Manchester United have completed the signing of Dimitar Berbatov for £30.75 million, with Fraizer Campbell going the other way on a season-long loan...

The Bulgarian has been a long-term target of the double-winners, who had an approach rebuffed last season. They reignited their interest this summer, as they looked to complete their striking options up front.

Spurs were greatly opposed to their approach for their star player and reported Manchester United to the Football Association accusing them of an illegal approach for the 27-year-old. Nevertheless, they remained at the front of the queue to land their man despite fleeting interest from Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

Local rivals Manchester City emerged as final day fighters for his signature, having had a bid in excess of £30 million accepted by Tottenham. United, despite having officially been denied permission by Spurs to talk to Berbatov, arranged a medical in Manchester this evening and the player then arrived at Old Trafford as the deadline drew nearer.

Negotiations were ongoing in the stadium for a couple of intense hours before the player emerged and left the ground, shortly after which Spurs announced the deal as official on their website.

United had put an empty Berbatov profile up on their website hours before the deal had been concluded, which very much proved a sign of things to come, unlike Chelsea's faux-pas when they began selling Robinho shirts online.

The Red Devils have had to sacrifice youngster Fraizer Campbell - but only for a season - as he is loaned to the Lilywhites for the forthcoming season as part of the deal. The agreement will spare United potential blushes, as Spurs have agreed not to follow up their initial complaint over an illegal approach from the champions for the Bulgarian.

Campbell, who impressed last season on loan at Hull City, who he helped gain promotion, has been touted as a hot prospect by Sir Alex Ferguson, who is eager to hold onto the young goal-getter in the long-term future.

"The Club can announce that it has reached agreement with Manchester United for the permanent transfer of Dimitar Berbatov for a fee of £30.75m," announced Tottenham on their website. "As part of the settlement the Club has agreed not to pursue its official complaint to the Premier League.

"The deal sees Fraizer Campbell coming the other way on a season long loan. Campbell, 20, spent last season on loan at Hull City where his goals played a pivotal role in the Tiger's promotion to the Premier League."

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson lavished praise on his new signing.

"This is a key signing," he said. "Dimitar Berbatov is one of the best and most exciting strikers in world football."

Berbatov himself, already being dubbed by fans as the new Eric Cantona, was overjoyed with the move.

"Joining Manchester United is a dream come true for me," he said.

Sulmaan Ahmad, Goal.com

Official: Manchester City Sign Robinho

2008-09-01T22:01:00.000-07:00

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has confirmed that the club have sold Robinho to Manchester City and that they may try to make a big signing in January...

Chelsea have been chasing the Brazilian for a number of weeks now, with new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari having made it clear that the Real Madrid star, along with Deco, were his two transfer targets upon being appointed as Blues boss.

The 24-year-old finished the season happy with the Spanish champions, but became unsettled when murmurs in the press emerged that he could be used as a makeweight in Madrid's pursuit of Manchester United ace Cristiano Ronaldo.

However, as that move collapsed, Robinho remained open to leaving Madrid, despite their best efforts to keep the player. Coach Bernd Schuster is thought to have always wanted the former Santos star to stay at the club, but higher-ups within the club were willing to let him leave if Cristiano Ronaldo were to arrive.

Chelsea have pursued Robinho very much in the same manner that Madrid chased Ronaldo earlier in the summer, and despite Madrid's disappointment with the Blues' behaviour, the player himself has remained adamant that he wants to leave the club, even arranging a press conference on Sunday to push for a move to Chelsea.

Madrid have remained adamant that no players would be leaving or arriving in the remaining days of the transfer window, but now appear to have changed their tune as City, who were taken over by Abu Dhabi Group for Development and Investment today, now have even more money than they did under Thaksin Shinawatra, who sold the club today after just over a year in charge. The Citizens will now sign Robinho for a reported British record transfer fee of €42 million - despite missing out on Dimitar Berbatov to rivals Manchester United - and offer the forward a staggering €6 million per year, after tax.

"We have sold Robinho for reasons of human nature," Calderon told Canal Veo TV. "The fact is that we have accepted an offer for Manchester City, and that he is not going for sporting reasons.

"I can't rule out a new signing in December, now that [without Robinho] we have a free slot. But right now there's nobody in the market that we can move for."

The club have also officially announced the deal on their official website: "Real Madrid Football Club has finally decided this evening to transfer their player, Robson da Souza 'Robinho', to Manchester City."

Tears

It is being reported that Robinho was in tears at the thought of not being allowed to leave the club and threatened to go to Brazil and not return until he was sold.

"Manchester City have made a dramatic late deadline-day swoop for Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward Robinho," read a statement on City's website.

"The deal to bring the 24-year-old was completed shortly before the midnight cut-off point, and he has signed a four-year contract."

One of the best in the world

City boss Mark Hughes could not hide his delight after a successful summer during his first few months at the club. “I am absolutely delighted to get the opportunity to work with such an incredible talent like Robinho," he told the club's website.

"I have said that in order to compete with the best teams in the Premier League we have to be in the market for players of this calibre, and Robinho is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world.

“I am really looking forward to introducing him to the rest of the squad, and to the City fans at the earliest opportunity. This is a real statement of intent as to the ambitions of Manchester City Football Club.”

Sulmaan Ahmad, Goal.com

World Cup 2006 Matches Fixed, Says Journalist

2008-09-01T22:00:00.000-07:00

Journalist Declan Hill has launched an astonishing broadside against the FIFA World Cup of 2006 by claiming that no fewer than four results were fixed. Other comprimised matches have taken place in the Bundesliga, too...

A new book released today, entitled The Fix, explains that an Asian betting syndicate based in Bangkok influenced players from Ghana, Ecuador and Ukraine at the 2006 World Cup.

Among the matches affected were the clashes between Ghana and Italy in the group stages, Ghana and Brazil in the round of 16, and Ukraine versus Italy in the quarter final.

In these three cases the author of the book was told the match results prior to kick-off, and these were proved to be correct.

Stephen Appiah, the Ghana captain, confirmed that he had been targeted by match-fixers, although the team manager has moved to refute such claims.

Meanwhile the Bundesliga was also said to be affected, prompting an investigation in Germany into the allegations.

With the FIFA World Cup already beset by the ticketing scandals that once engulfed Jack Warner, this latest book will be the last thing that Sepp Blatter and company have on their reading lists.

Steve Michaels, Goal.com

Official: Liverpool Land Riera

2008-09-01T21:57:00.000-07:00

Liverpool have officially completed the signing of winger Albert Riera from Espanyol on a four-year contract.

The 26-year-old, who has previously played in England for Manchester City on loan, has been purchased for an undisclosed fee and will wear the number 11 shirt at Anfield this season.

According to Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez, the club were able to seal the deal despite a number of other Premier League sides expressing an interest in the player.

Benitez added that the left-sided Riera is the ideal player for his system and feels that settling back into England should not be a major issue for a man who can already speak the language.

"Riera has the qualities we were looking for," a pleased Benitez told the club’s official website.

"He is a left footer who normally plays on the left wing, he's good in the air, strong, powerful and a good crosser of the ball.

"He's the kind of player we have been talking about. He can beat players and get good deliveries into the area for our strikers. We've known about him for a long time, since he was at Mallorca and then through his career with Bordeaux, Manchester City and Espanyol.

"He can talk English and of course he knows the Premier League, which is a big bonus. Usually foreign players need time when they go to a new country, but Riera already knows the league and the style of football.

"He also had offers from other English clubs but he said no to them because he wanted to come and play for us. That means a lot to me because it shows the commitment he has to play for Liverpool."

Riera had reportedly been on the verge of sealing his move to Merseyside for the last week, although minor details prevented an earlier announcement. His arrival comes on the same day as full-back Steve Finnan moved in the opposite direction to Espanyol, in what was officially unconnected to the winger’s arrival at Anfield.

Chris Myson, Goal.com

Did Berlusconi Stop Georgia War?

2008-09-01T21:53:00.000-07:00

Kakha Kalaze has issued a heartfelt thank you to Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi, and has sensationally revealed that it was the Italian Prime Minister who was responsible for stopping the recent war between Georgia and Russia.

The conflict began last month on August 7 when Georgia launched a large-scale attack on South Ossetia.

Russian troops responded the next day by steamrolling across the border with hundreds of tanks and armoured vehicles, and the fighting led to numerous casualties, with thousands of Georgians displaced from their homes and towns.

Eventually a ceasefire was agreed, and talks are now ongoing among European Union leaders for a permanent solution.

Milan defender Kaladze, a Georgian who personally asked Italian PM Berlusconi to help, has revealed that it was the Rossoneri owner who was responsible for stopping the war.

"The world does not know it, but it was Silvio Berlusconi who stopped the war in Georgia. For this reason I thank him," Kaladze revealed to ANSA.

"Berlusconi has always been very close to the Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

"The two of them are very good friends. It was his intervention to stop the war between Georgia and Russia. I know that the Italiam premier spent over five hours on the phone with Putin to try to stop this delicate situation.

“Even during this occasion, President Berlusconi proved to be a sensible and capable person in the diplomatic relationships, a real ambassador of peace who I will never stop thanking."

Roberto Rossi

Madrid Made Agüero Move Last Week

2008-09-01T21:50:00.000-07:00

Real Madrid saw a cheeky bid for Sergio Agüero turned down by neighbours Atlético de Madrid for Sergio Agüero last week as they look to make one more signing before the transfer window closes.

Los Merengues' quest to add another star name to their ranks this summer reached desperate measures when they made an enuiry about the Argentinian, according to Sport.

Aüero has vowed never to play for Madrid due to their rivalry with Atlético and he is said to have been pleased that the club did not even entertain the offer.

The report states that Madrid were told that the player was not for sale by Atleti president Enrique Cerezo and announced that they could match his buy.out clause of €55m.

That is unlikely given Agüero's reluctance to move and Madrid not wanting to become embroiled in another transfer saga after a summer of failed attempts to sign new players.

Robinho added to the sense of a things having gone wrong at the club this summer due to the focus placed on chasing Cristiano Ronaldo when he stated that he wants to leave at a press conference.

Madrid now want to sell him to Chelsea after signing a replacement and they reported to be making enquiries about players with Valencia's Joaquín still very much on the agenda.

David Villa signed a new contract with Valencia as Madrid made their interest in him known and even news that Bernd Schuster still think he could join will not see a move go through.

Lucas Brown, Goal.com

Lampard: Englishmen, Go Abroad!

2008-09-01T21:48:00.000-07:00

After rejecting a move to Serie A giants Inter Milan himself during the summer, Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has nonetheless stated his belief that more English players should move abroad to ensure international success for England.

The 30-year-old midfielder turned down the chance to team up with former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, now manager at Inter, in favour of a new lucrative five year contract with the London based club.

Lampard believes that if more English players move abroad, the national team may benefit as more players would be used to different styles of football.

Speaking to The Mirror, Lampard said, “It's an option English players have to look at seriously. It might be one of the reasons the England team hasn't really moved on.

“It would be great if we could go and learn a bit from abroad.”

So far, the only current England players to have moved abroad recently are David Beckham, Michael Owen and Jonathan Woodgate, who all played for Real Madrid a few seasons ago.

Owen and Woodgate have since returned to Premier League football, with Owen moving to Newcastle and Woodgate now at Tottenham.

Ambitions

Despite turning down the chance to move to Italy, Lampard has always harboured ambitions of playing abroad.

“When I was younger I watched players like David Platt go and do very well, and some others who didn't quite manage it,” he continued.

“But I always thought maybe I could take on a new life and culture. That's easy to say when you're younger but it doesn't always work like that.

“For me now, the right decision was to stay here.”

Nick Turner

Joaquín Rejected Big Move

2008-09-01T21:45:00.000-07:00

Valencia winger Joaquín will remain at the Mestalla at least for the remainder of the year after rejecting a last minute offer to move abroad.

Joaquín’s immediate future will remain in the white of Valencia after the 27 year old was believed to have turned down a possible move to another European club in the last hours of the transfer market.

Madrid-based sports daily Marca has speculated that one of those clubs may have been either Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan (who has since snapped up Ricardo Quaresma) or Juande Ramos’ Tottenham Hotspur.

The player’s agent has already contacted the Valencia board to let them know that no agreement has been reached with any potential suitors before the August 31^st transfer deadline and he will thus remain a Los Ché player.

City To Hijack United's Berba Bid?

2008-09-01T07:37:00.000-07:00

In perhaps the most audacious piece of speculation published all summer it appears Manchester City are preparing a midnight hour swoop for want-away Bulgarian, Dimitar Berbatov, according to various sources...

Sky Sports News have confirmed that Manchester City have tabled a bid in excess of £30million for the silky striker, if the transfer is to be pushed through it will smash the British record.

Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment are understood to have taken over ownership of Manchester City. A top four finish is an essential requirement for the incoming board, and the first piece of business they wish to complete is the steal of Berbatov from rivals Manchester United - a piece of news that was first reported by the Sofia Echo and the Manchester Evening News.

Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim, the figure spearheading the City takeover, has been described as a headline maker in his native region and is ready to complete a 'Hollywood' signing before the close of business tonight.

It could, perhaps, lead to a bitter stand-off between City and United and to the first battle for City's quest for parochial dominance.

Spurs however are allegedly keen to now deal with United, despite their initial wariness of selling another asset to the League champions. The inclusion of Fraizer Campbell in a player plus cash swap deal is seen as a key component in the north London club's change of heart.

UPDATE (15:15): Latest reports suggest that Dimitar Berbatov has agreed a mega £150,000 per week deal to sign at Manchester City, although nothing is yet official...

Alan Dawson and Peter Staunton

Manchester City Sold To Abu Dhabi Group

2008-09-01T07:36:00.001-07:00

The 'Abu Dhabi Group for Development and Investment' (ADUG) have reportedly reached a deal with erstwhile owner Thaksin Shinawatra to take over Manchester City FC...

According to a spokesperson for the United Arab Emirates city, Abu Dhabi will take over the club imminently after striking a deal late on Sunday night.

Dr. Sulaiman Al Fahim, who will take a seat on the board, told ArabianBusiness.com, "We will release details later, but this is a great event for both the club and Abu Dhabi.

"Our goal is very simple – to make Manchester City the biggest club in the Premier League, and to begin with, to finish in the top four this season."

Thaksin Shinawatra, the former owner, is said to be in line for an "honorary" presidential position - one of a figurehead that brings with it no powers whatsoever.

According to Al Fahim, ADUG's takeover terms include clearing any pending debts and also strengthening the squad with "top four" players.

Shinawatra's reign as owner, then, comes to an end amidst controversy. The former Thai Prime Minister is embroiled in legal battles in his home country, with rumours of financial difficulties abounding.

City have confirmed that Shinawatra is to sell up, with Dr Khalid Kadfour Al-Muhairy of the Emirates Group overseeing the handover between Al Fahim and Shinawatra.

Economical

ADUG stated that they bought into the club for both sporting and economic reasons:

"We in Abu Dhabi United Company for Development and Investment are keen to develop ways to provide support and care for various sports activities to help build and develop a new generation of young State, which represents the real wealth and the future of this nation and the cornerstone for building the future of our civilisation," he said.

"As embodied in our mission to open new horizons in all kinds of sports, it will enable them to enjoy healthy body and mind, thanks to the lessons we have learned from the wise leadership in Abu Dhabi.

"We will adopt marketing plans that reflect positively on the club and the company from investments in all sectors of television marketing and purchasing of the stars players, as well as development of infrastructure facilities at the club."

Abu Dhabi is already involved in football, being part-owners of a youth academy that's run in partnership with Internazionale of Milan.

While their promises for City are huge, it remains to be seen how they deal with the club that Shinawatra has left behind.

Statements

Manchester City have moved to clarify developments this morning, stating that while a move has not officially been agreed, it is underway. From the official club website:

"Manchester City can confirm that a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG) and Manchester City Football Club Limited.

A period of due diligence for all parties, including the FA Premier League has now been entered.

A further statement will be released by the Club in due course."

In addition to the due diligence period, as part of Premier League rules incoming owners must undergo a 'fit and proper persons' test - one that Shinawatra passed.

Steve Michaels, Goal.com

Spurs Sign Vedran Corluka

2008-09-01T07:34:00.000-07:00

Tottenham Hotspur have officially announced an eleventh hour transfer coup of Manchester City right back Vedran Corluka...

After weeks of speculation Croatian defender Vedran Corluka has joined Juande Ramos' ranks at White Hart Lane for an undisclosed fee.

Corluka only spent one year at Eastlands, despite initially signing a longer deal. The transfer had often been speculated about in the media over the summer, with the uncertain future of the ownership of the club cited as a possible reason for the sale. The 22-year old right back will now link up with fellow international Luka Modric.

A statement from Tottenham Hotspurs' official website read: "We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Manchester City for the transfer of Vedran Corluka to the Club."

Regarding the move that will see him swapping Manchester for London, Corluka said: "I am delighted to be here because I am coming to a big club with great players, great ambition and also my best friend [Luka Modric] is here. It is a very happy day for me."

Manchester City were quick to thank Corluka for his service, a statement from www.mcfc.co.uk read: "Everyone at the Club would like to thank Vedran for his efforts and we wish him all the very best for the future."

Corluka is a recognised international and has 24 caps to his name. One of the first meetings he will have with his new team-mates will be ironically, when he plays for Croatia against England in Zagreb in the second round of World Cup qualification.

Alan Dawson

Robinho Not Worth My Time - Schuster

2008-09-01T07:30:00.000-07:00

Bernd Schuster stated that Robinho's outburst was not worth his attention after seeing Real Madrid lose their opening game of the season at Deportivo La Coruña.

The German coach was asked about the Brazilian's announcement that he wanted to leave the club and join Chelsea and said that he was not going to even consider it.

"Today is not Robinho day, it was our day and the game is what is important. What Robinho does really does not interest me. He does not deserve the attention," Schuster said.

Madrid have not won at Riazor since the 1991-92 campaign and Schuster was able to joke about his preparations for Los Merengues visit next term.

"I do not know what it is, but there is something about this place. We will spend the next few months studying this if we need to bribe the referee or play with an extra player," he said with a smile.

"We have tried everything, but Depor have beaten us and we have to congratulate them."

When asked if he felt Madrid were in need of a new forward to add a spark, Schuster stated that he was happy with that area and said it was his defence that needed to work harder.

"I do not think we lacked anything up front, we just needed to be more attentive at set pieces, that was what we should have done," he continued.

"It is not worrying because we dominated the game and I felt that the forwards did well.

Lucas Brown, Goal.com

Official: Quaresma Joins Inter

2008-09-01T07:01:00.000-07:00

The official word is out! Inter Milan have finally captured Portuguese international, Ricardo Quaresma for €18 million from Porto.

According to the Porto official website, the transfer saga involving Ricardo Quaresma has come to an end after it was confirmed that he has joined Jose Mourinho at Inter.

Mourinho has made no secret of his desire to bring Quaresma to the San Siro and after the draw against Sampdoria, it seemed very unlikely the winger would arrive as Inter president, Massimo Moratti stated the club do not require his services.

The Special One was clearly disappointed by this, but apparently he has convinced Moratti to open his bank account once more to sign Quaresma.

The financial details of the deal were also released and it stipulates one of Inter's players going in the opposite direction. The Nerrazzuri will pay Porto €18.6 million, plus another €6 million in performance-based bonuses, while also including young Portuguese midfielder, Vitor Hugo Pélé, with the 20 year old going to Porto on a permanent transfer.

Pélé, considered a bright prospect and budding talent, is valued at about €6 million meaning that the total valuation for Quaresma stands at €30.6 million.

It now seems that Mourinho has all the pieces to his Inter puzzle after bringing in Amatino Mancini, Sulley Muntari, and now Ricardo Quaresma in the summer transfer window. Meanwhile, Porto have lost one of their stars and it is not yet known if they have lined up a replacement for him before the transfer market closes.

Adam Scime

Defiant Deportivo Stun Madrid

2008-09-01T06:48:00.000-07:00

Deportivo 2 - 1 Real Madrid

Real Madrid's problems continued on the pitch as they were beaten in the opening game of the new season in Riazor by Depor after a troubled few days off the pitch had seen the club in the headlines for the wrong reasons.

Mista nodded the home team in front at the stadium where Los Merengues traditionally struggle and Alberto Lopo nodded in a winner after Ruud van Nistelrooy had levelled for the visitors.

In a week that has seen the Robinho saga reach new heights after the player stated publicly that he wanted to leave and join Chelsea, Madrid were unable to earn themselves some good press by chalking up a morale-boosting win.

Instead they will see more questions being asked about what is going on at the club after losing to a Deportivo side that looked refreshed and determined to make an impression at the start of the new campaign.

Having spent the early part of the summer focussed on prising Cristiano Ronaldo away from Manchester United without success, Madrid required some good news with recent reports suggesting that they were becoming desperate in the search for new signings.

David Villa and Santi Cazorla have both said no and now Robinho has caused even more uproar by making his disillusionment at the club clear only weeks after claiming that he wanted to stay and help the club win many trophies.

A convincing performance and a win were required to stop any critics from voicing their opinions, but Madrid could be in for a tough week after they were beaten in Galicia by a Depor side that look set to put the last few seasons behind them.

Miguel Ángel Lotina's players qualified for the UEFA Cup while the majority of teams were playing pre-season friendlies and it clearly did them not harm as they looked fresh and competitive in front of an enthsuiastic home crowd.

It has been several seasons since there has been much for the Depor fans to truly shout about after their slide from grace has seen them flirt with relegation more often than they have been close to the top four.

But throughout all that time, the team have still managed to maintain their form and receive an annual boost when Madrid visit and this year was no different.

Madrid did not play badly, but they were missing that spark which they have spent the last few weeks looking to sign and only Arjen Robben offerd any serious pace going forward early on.

In the opening two minutes however, Deportivo gave an indication of what they coulkd do when Mista met Pablo Álvarez's low cross and lifted the ball up and on to Iker Casillas' crossbar.

Moments later Robben set off on a mazy run which ended with him going down in the area and being accused of looking for a penalty by the unimpressed home team's defenders.

Having played in Split against Hajduk in midweek, Depor could have bene forgiven for having tired legs, but there was no signs of fatigue as they closed down well and hassled Madrid throughout.

In the 27th minute the breakthrough came when Andrés Guardado picked up a short corner and his cross picked out Mista who was then able to head the ball downward in to the corner of the net.

Casillas remained stationary in a game where he did not look to be at his best, while Gabriel Heinze clearly stepped away from the scorer just before the centre came over.

Before the break Madrid did have chances with the first seeing Daniel Aranzubia save from Robben with his legs before Marcelo almost scored from distance when his cross-cum-shot clipped the top of the bar.

Whatever Bernd Schuster said at the break had the desired effect as his side drew level within two minutes of the restart when Van Nistelrooy struck a first time effort past Aranzubia.

The home side could well have opted to sat back and try and stay calm with Madrid looking set to take the upper hand, but nothing was further from Deportivo players' minds.

Instead, in the 52nd minute a corner once again exposed Madrid's defensive frailties in the air as Lopo rose unmarked to flick the ball into the far corner of the net.

That may have been the end of the scoring, but it was not the end of the chances with Mahamadou Diarrá testing Aranzbuia but that was the best chance the Madrid could produce as they went in search of an equaliser.

There was some concerns for Depor when substitute Riki pulled up clutching the back of his leg before stretchered off with what appeared to be a serious hamstring injury.

But that will not spoil what was a great start to the season for the hosts, while Madrid will have to regroup before they play again in two weeks and hope that they can start winning headlines for the right reasons soon.

Lucas Brown, Goal.com

Tiago Locked Juve President Gigli In Washroom!

2008-09-01T06:45:00.000-07:00

It has been revealed that it was unsettled Portuguese midfielder Tiago Mendes who locked Juventus president, Giovanni Cobolli Gigli inside a washroom for over an hour.

Talking to Sky Italia, Cobolli confirmed the bizarre rumour about his capture. "The story of me being locked in the toilet by Tiago is true," claimed the Juve President.

"In any case, Alessandro Del Piero responded to the noise I made banging on the door and offered to break it down."

Originally the reports were that Cobolli had been rescued by club captain Del Piero after he had accidentally been locked within the washroom. However, now it's been revealed that was not the case.

Apparently, Tiago is desperate to play in the Champions League and was upset at the Bianconeri president for attempting to push him toward Everton and Monaco who are not involved in Europe's premier competition. Thus, Tiago locked Cobolli in the washroom as a sort of revenge. Rumours suggest that he was locked inside for over an hour before Del Piero heard the patron.

"(Juventus coach) Claudio Ranieri still considers Tiago a part of the squad, but anything could happen tomorrow in Italian football," Cobolli continued to explain. "Hopefully, by midnight Tiago will have found another club."

Tiago certainly has not the best of time since joining Juventus from Lyon for €13 million at the beginning of last season, only making 20 appearances for the Bianconeri. In fact, you may recall Goal.com listed Tiago as the third biggest flop of the 2007/08 season.

Adam Scime

Zenit Claim Cup Despite Hand Of God Attempt

2008-08-29T14:31:00.000-07:00

Zenit St Petersburg 2-1 Manchester United

A game of two halves in every sense of the phrase as Zenit controlled the first 45 minutes and United looked to creep back in for the second. The showpiece was marred by a cheating Paul Scholes who was sent off the pitch for punching the ball into the net in an attempt to bring the game back level...

The Uefa Super Cup is a meeting of two winners looking to start their season by topping up their respective trophy cabinets. It has been billed as the European equivalent of the Community Shield: they are both admittedly curtain-raising showpieces, but tonight’s match carried a weightier reputation for the victor.

There was no room on Zenit’s starting eleven for Andrei Arshavin. For Manchester United; Darren Fletcher - who has scored in successive Premier League games, began on the right, with Nani on the left.

Just before kick-off Sir Alex Ferguson told ITV Sport: "It’s a good tie, there is prestige for sure. There has been a considerable development in Russian football… they have huge salaries, but hopefully we will win it." He was right about Russian football, but his hope was in vein.

As the referee’s whistle signaled the start of the tie there was considerable noise from the Russian sectors who slightly outnumbered the traveling Mancs.

The venue of Monaco was fitting for two teams that can afford to indulge in high-profile transfers. Last summer United spent around £70million on recruitments including Owen Hargreaves; Anderson; and Nani, whereas Zenit have just signed Danny Alves for £25million who, coincidentally, plays the same role as Arshavin but it is Danny who started today.

The better chances fell to Zenit in the opening five minutes, and they could have been ahead had it not been for shoddy shooting. Nemanja Vidic, who used to play for Spartak Moscow, made a crunching challenge as if to let his opponents know he was there early on.

There was a considerable lack of early long balls. Both teams intent on passing out of defence though it was Zenit who made more use of the ball and were keeping hold of possession for longer.

The Russian Premier League is half way through it’s season, they began their campaign in March, and are clearly the sharper side.

The English Premier League is only coming to its third weekend, it is evident from the offset that freshness will have a bearing in how this game pans out.

Tymoschuck broke up play well in the first fifteen minutes. He patrolled in front of his defence with discipline and led by example. He took the ball away from Wayne Rooney with such ease in one well-timed sliding tackle that it noticeably lifted the Zenit support.

Zenit found a lot of space on their right hand side. Their one-two play caught Patrice Evra out time and again and there were numerous opportunities to punish United on that flank.

On the cusp of the half-way mark in the first 45, Dominguez struck a free kick that had Edwin Van Der Sar scrambling. The ball went wide, rebounded off a pole off the pitch and struck the wrong side of the net.

United began to find more fluidity with their passing as the first half grew on, and were able to locate space in the wide areas for in-swinging crosses, but to no avail.

Both Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdiand paired-up well to block out Pogrebnyak who was in a golden goal-scoring position.

Passes from both Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher grew increasingly accurate with the latter finding Tevez with plenty of space on the right flank.

Zenit and United controlled play and looked most lethal when attacking the right hand side. On the 35th minute Tevez was again fed through the right flank, cut the ball back to Rooney, but the Scouse striker could not pluck the ball from under his own boots and ended up getting tangled in possession.

Van der Sar made a goal-saving block from Krizanoc who ran in from a 40-yard Zenit free-kick. Three minutes later Rio Ferdinand slipped from around the same distance and Danny Alves ran in to exploit his mistake. As United managed to scramble back to their box, the ball was passed around the 'D' by Zenit, Pogrebnyak took control, looked like he turned the wrong way but managed to still sneak a small lobbed-cross into the 6-yard box but United were awarded a free-kick for alleged pushing.

Pogrebnyak, joint top goal-scorer with Luca Toni in last season’s Uefa Cup, sneaked in a header from a Zenit corner and, on the run of play, the Russian side took a one-nil lead into the break. The ball looked like it was swinging into the goal-mouth anyway, and probably would have crossed the line, but Pogrebnyak did not take any chances and powered through.

At half-time Sir Alex remained upbeat, telling ITV Sport: “They had a few chances but we had the most possession. It’s a bad goal to concede so we need to recover. They [United players] know that.”

The only change as the play restarted was the replacement of Dominguez with Andrei Arshavin. The playmaker will be keen to impress the various European eyes glancing on the game, and will have been keen to flaunt his flair.

As the game re-found its flow Rooney tracked back to link-up play with the midfield. Sixty seconds later he was back in the forward’s zone, had a shooting opportunity, but fired wide.

Ten minutes in and Tymoschuk thumped a 30-yarder goal-ward, Van der Sar – wary of Danny running into the box, cleverly parried the ball into safety.

Further misery was inflicted on the Manchester side as the expensive Portuguese acquisition thumped in a powerful effort. Ferguson would have been fuming as his defence was poor in handling Danny. Ferdinand was wrong-footed and Vidic was late to the ball, by the time his slide-tackle slowed to a stop, the ball was in the back of the net.

On the hour mark, John O’Shea replaced Anderson, and Darren Fletcher is also brought off. Puygrenier made way for Shirokov for Zenit.

Carlos Tevez’s work-rate was something to be proud of. He was one of the few Red Devils in the opening hour that played with intent. One example of his obsession to be on the ball was when he was tackled, fell to the ground, but was back on his feet and regained possession before you could say ‘Trojan’. Five minutes later Tevez again created opportunites; O’Shea ran onto a ball and struck with his first touch but was blocked by a stubborn Zenit defence.

United clawed a goal back when Nani won a corner kick that was poorly swung into Rooney who passed to Tevez at the far post. Carlos knocked it onto Vidic’s path who drilled a low shot into goal. The many Zenit bodies on the line simply ball-watched.

With ten minutes remaining Denisov embarked on a solo run taking on three United defenders and beating two, he eventually played the ball back as a triplet of Red shirts tried to triangle him and he temporarily injured himself in the process.

Malafeev kept the Russians in the game as Tevez fed in a perfect cross into the box that met the forehead of John O’Shea. The Russian glovesman punched the ball over and looked around nonchalantly.

Paul Scholes was deservedly sent off with one minute remaining on the clock as Brown fed in a high cross and Scholes punched the ball into the net a la Maradona. His team-mates rushed to congratulate him but the officiator wanted none of it and gave the midfielder a second yellow for attempting to cheat in order to claim the draw. He will now miss Champions League games.

A fine spectacle ended dour due to Scholes' gamesmanship, but Zenit were thrilled to lift the silverware aloft. The Russian side showed they were no pushover tonight, and will be a contender in Group H of the Champions League. Real Madrid take heed.

Alan Dawson

Calderón On Ronaldo, Robinho, Villa And Cazorla

2008-08-29T14:29:00.000-07:00

Ramón Calderón has revealed that Robinho was never going to be sold if Cristiano Ronaldo joined the club, that he could have signed Kaká and that Real Madrid chose not to sign David Villa and Santi Cazorla.

In a question and answer session in Marca, Los Merengues' president opened up about the club's summer transfer activity and gave his side to all the reports and rumours.

Madrid were foiled in their quest to sign Ronaldo and then saw both Villa and Cazorla sign new contracts with Valencia and Villarreal respectively rather than join Madrid.

"I spoke to (Manchester United director) David Gill and he always said that the club did not want to sell (Ronaldo)," Calderón explained. "I asked him about it, obviously, because I thought we could do something.

"It was the same with (Villarreal president) Fernando Roig when I asked about Santi Cazorla. He said no and that was that.

"With Cazorla, we could have signed him if we had wanted to, but we did not want to pay his buy-out clause five days before the transfer window closes.

"That was why we did not sign him, although Villarreal have seen things differently.

"In the case of Villa they offered him to us for €80m and he was never part of our plans for that amount. I do not understand why that turned out like that."

No Need for Kaká

Calderón then explained that he felt Madrid had the chance to finally sign Kaká, one of the player's he promised in his election mandate, but was told not to make a bid.

"It did not appear that Kaká's position needed strengthening, according to the coaches. I did not enter into it," he continued.

"I have to say that it was a possibility to sign Kaká this summer, but I was told that we did not need him now.

"He may have cost €100m, but I do not think that would have been the price. But those in charge told me not to look into it."

With Robinho's move to Chelsea a looking all set to go ahead earlier this week and now looking doubtful, Calderón explained that he feels the player should have remained calm.

"Personally, I think (saying he wanted to leave) was a mistake and that it was a problem with him. I think his representatives advised him badly and they confused him," the president stated.

"But once it had been said it was my job to defend the interests of the club in the best way that I could.

"We did not consider selling him even if Cristiano had joined. Robinho was not going. It would not have been necessary to sell anyone."

Staying United

The Ronaldo saga dominated the summer at Madrid and Calderón has been keen to put his side of the story across after being accused of helping to unsettle the Manchester United star.

"I have said before that all this came down to a problem of communication more than anything else," he said.

"The media become involved and then we wanted to sort it out with the player and his club. But we became spectators and had no role to play in it all.

"We received the news that player wanted to come to Madrid, but as I said throughout it was down to Manchester United to say whether or not they would sell him.

"The player still has a contract with his club and there is nothing more that we can do. I am not thinking about next summer now because I do not know what could happen.

"We just do not know if he will end up playing here or not. I hope he can, but that is another matter.

"There was no call from Ronaldo saying he was not coming. I do not want to give the impression that we interfered in any way with all this, because we did not.

"The relationship between Manchester United and Real Madrid is magnificent still, although it did bother me that their manager made some comments, but we will remain friends.

"We were pleased to hear that Cristiano wanted to come to Madrid, but it is normal that all the great players would like to play here."

Lucas Brown, Goal.com

I Am As Good As Messi And Aguero - Giovinco

2008-08-29T14:27:00.001-07:00

Juventus prodigy Sebastian Giovinco believes he is as good as Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Atletico’s Sergio Aguero.

he pint-sized hit-man has been outstanding during pre-season and he is likely to shine for Juve this term.

The 21-year is quickly becoming one of the best players in Serie A and he has compared himself to two of the greatest players in Spain.

“Yes, I always get compared to those two players, they are both great superstars but I am like them. I am like Aguero and Messi,” Giovinco told Tuttosport.

“My aims with Juve are to show my true worth. It will be hard to repeat the achievements last term but we have a team who can aim high.

“I had the choice to go elsewhere but I decided to come back to Juve because it has always been my dream to play for them and I am going to use my strengths in order to stay.”

Giovinco spent last season on loan at Empoli where his superb performances attracted the attention of several top sides.

Palermo tried to snap him up but the Old Lady started swinging her hand bag and the Rosanero backed down.

The Bianconeri will now be looking forward to a successful campaign both on the continent and domestically as Giovino tries to prove that he can be the heir to Pavel Nedved’s throne.

Salvatore Landolina

We Have The Greatest Attack - Inzaghi

2008-08-29T14:24:00.000-07:00

Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi believes the Rossoneri have the best attack in the world and he is aiming high this term as he looks to lift the Scudetto and UEFA Cup.

The former Juventus man is confident of his side’s chances of success in the Scudetto race this term and he is hoping to fire his team towards their 19th title.

Inzaghi knows it will not be easy but he has warned the rest of Serie A to pay close attention to Milan’s strike force.

“We will fight for the UEFA Cup as well as the Scudetto because we want them both,” Inzaghi told La Gazzetta Dello Sport.

“I think we are favourites for the Scudetto alongside Inter, Juve and Roma but we have the best attack, no-one has a striking department like ours.

“We will not snub the UEFA Cup as that is a trophy we have never won before, it’s an important competition and we want to win it.”

Inzaghi also had a few words on Andriy Shevchenko, who returned to the club from Chelsea this week.

“It was great seeing Sheva in the changing rooms again,” said Inzaghi.

“I remember all the great moments that we both had, we achieved great things in the past and we will continue to do so now.”

Inzaghi will be hoping his side get off to the perfect start when they clash with Bologna this weekend.

Salvatore Landolina

Robinho Transfer Saved By Drogba?

2008-08-29T14:22:00.000-07:00

El Mundo Deportivo reports that Robinho's move to Chelsea from Real Madrid could yet be back on the agenda after it hit the rocks. Real Madrid president Ramón Calderón is apparently willing to accept €25m plus Didier Drogba for the winger...

With reports this morning indicating that Robinho's move to London had broken down due to Madrid's failure to find a suitable replacement, MD proposes a solution that could already be in the works.

With Madrid short on forward options but with plenty of wide talent, it could be the case that they seek a striker instead of a winger to compensate for the loss of the Brazilian.

Thus Didier Drogba, who had earlier entertained the notion of a move away from Stamford Bridge, could be on his way to the Spanish capital.

It is thought that Madrid will put to Chelsea the idea of the Blues' paying €25m and the Ivorian in exchange for Robinho, whom they annoucned was a major target on Wednesday.

Indeed, MD is confident that, even should Drogba stay put, Robinho will still make it to the Bridge before the transfer window slams shut after the weekend.

Drogba, 30, may provide competition to Ruud van Nistelrooy and Raúl in what would be an "old but gold" forward line.

Meanwhile Robinho is highly regarded by Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, as well as chief executive Peter Kenyon and midfielder Frank Lampard.

Steve Michaels, Goal.com

Bayern In For Berbatov?

2008-08-29T14:20:00.000-07:00

We’ve seen Jansen out, and Oddo in at the Allianz Arena, could Bayern Munich be set for a shock move for Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov?

Reports in Germany claim that Bulgarian forward Dimitar Berbatov is high on the Bayern Munich wanted-list and a shock move for the Tottenham star could be on the cards.

There are also claims that the hunt for a defensive midfielder is not over with Zenit St.Petersburg’s Anatoli Tymoschuk a candidate for Bayern’s engine room.

The German Football League (DFL) extended the deadline for the closing of the transfer window until midnight on Monday, so that leaves Bayern with four days to bring in any more players.

Club manager Uli Hoeneß said yesterday: “It could be that we complete something in the next few days before the end of the transfer period.

“The transfer pot we have available has also changed and we’ll use it” he added.

Bayern have received a reported €9 million for full back Marcell Jansen from Hamburg. Massimo Oddo has arrived on a free loan deal from AC Milan

It was reported earlier in the summer that Bayern were prepared to offer €25 million for Mario Gomez, so a similar offer for Berbatov is not beyond the realms of possibility.

The Bulgarian joined Tottenham in 2006 for 16 million from Bayer Leverkusen and is under contract in north London until 2009.

Manchester United have recently seen a £30 million offer rebuffed by Spurs, but Juande Ramos’ side now have Roman Pavlyuchenko on their books after signing the 26-year-old from Spartak Moscow.

Mathew Burt

Forget Juventus, Real For The Champions League - Zidane

2008-08-29T14:11:00.000-07:00

Former Juventus and Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane has written off the Bianconeri’s chances of success in Europe and he believes Los Merengues will win the Champions League this season.

The Bianconeri will clash with the Spanish champions during their group stage in what promises to be one of the games of the tournament.

Zidane has spoken of both teams chances of success and he is leaning towards the Bernabeu side as he snubs the Old Lady which is not likely to go down too well with Juve fans who still have affection for their hero.

“The game between those two is going to be very strong. I played in Turin and at Madrid, need I say more?” Zidane told La Stampa.

“I will watch the game with great attention but I will be supporting Real Madrid, even though I had a great time in Turin.

“Juventus are a great club with great history and they are one of the most prestigious. I am happy the club returned, it can only be a good thing for European football.

“I think the Bianconeri can have a good run, they have champion players and they are used to success but my favourite for the competition is Real, they will triumph in Rome.”

Zidane arrived in Turin in 1996 from Bordeaux. He spent five seasons at the Delle Alpi before making a world record £52m move to Real Madrid in 2001.

The French man fired Los Blancos to Champions League glory the following season. He was never able to win Europe’s most wanted trophy in Turin and he lost the final of the competition twice in a row against Borussia Dortmund in 1997 and Real in 1998.
Salvatore Landolina

Top Twenty Transfers Of The Summer (Aug 25)

2008-08-28T07:58:00.000-07:00

Every Monday until the first week of September, Goal.com will list of the top twenty transfers of the summer. In this edition, we considered all moves officially concluded by the start of Monday, 25 August 2008...

The factors taken into account are

(a) form over the last 12 months,
(b) potential, and
(c) transfer fee involved.

The extension from ten to twenty was compiled by taking into account previous editions.

This week Mirko Vucinic, Martin Cáceres and Tomáš Ujfaluši were knocked out of the top 20 in favour of three new editions. Find out who below...

20. Giovani Dos Santos (Barcelona to Tottenham)
Last week: 17

A rather opportunistic and clever signing by Juande Ramos, but he is a gamble nonetheless. There is a good reason Barcelona got rid of him on the cheap. His attitude had been a subject of concern for eighteen months, which saw young Bojan Krkić leap ahead of him in the pecking order. His impact on the dressing room had not made positive news either. Spurs fans must hope that was the exception and not the rule.

19. Hatem Ben Arfa (Lyon to Marseille)
Last Week: 16

Marseille have lost Samir Nasri to Arsenal, but have managed to land the perfect replacement in the man Arsene Wenger had his sights on to start with. What is more, they can keep him for a year or two, and make a cool 8-10 million profit.

18. Alberto Gilardino (Milan to Fiorentina)
Last Week: 15

On the face of it, it looks like the Viola have signed an unhappy, out-of-form striker. However, that was just what Adrian Mutu's move from Juventus looked like not so long ago. The fans will help him forget Milan in a hurry, and rediscover the striker that wowed Calcio when at Parma. The partnership with Mutu can be backed to produce some special moments in the Champions League.

17. Andriy Shevchenko (Chelsea to AC Milan)
New Entry

After two seasons of mediocrity at Chelsea, the Ukrainian is back at his spiritual home. Nonetheless this is a considerable gamble for the rossoneri: with a full complement of fit strikers, a Shevchenko who cannot hit form may warm the bench. On the other hand his return - even as a 30-year-old - could signal a goalscoring comeback unseen in Serie A since... well, since Andriy Shevchenko.

16. Julio Baptista (Real Madrid to AS Roma)
New Entry

The Beast, The Tank - you'd be as well calling him The Happy Wanderer, for the Brazilian has now experienced three countries in as many seasons. The 26-year-old has only seldom repeated the form that saw him shine at Sevilla four seasons ago, but he began the last campaign well enough with Madrid. Part of the problem is that he's been kept out of position for so long in order to accommodate more prestigious players: if Roma can build a system around him, instead of slotting him in wherever there happens to be a space, they could have a real superstar on their hands.

15. Seydou Keita (Sevilla to Barcelona)
Last Week: 14

At the time of his arrival he was the best signing Barcelona had made this season, particularly in light of the way their soft underbelly was exposed on the road last year. With him partnering Yaya Touré in the middle, it will ensure that the likes of Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi do not get bullied, and also get the full license to thrill. 15 million euros worth their value.

14. Ezequiel Garay (Racing Santander to Real Madrid)
Last Week: 13

What a capture! Barcelona seemed to have him in the bag, but hesitated a little too much as they waited for Frank Rijkaard to leave and a new coach to take charge. Madrid managed to snatch Sergio Ramos a few years ago, and what a signing that has turned out to be. This one may be no different.

13. Deco (Barcelona to Chelsea)
Last Week: 12

On the wrong side of 30, a first look suggests that he is past it, but nothing could be further from the truth. There is a fire that burns in him as we saw during Euro 2008, and he has a lot more to give to football. He is not what Frank Lampard is, as he will never score as many goals. But then, he is also everything Lampard is not. Superb creativity, a great eye for the game, and an ability to run the show that has seen him win the Champions League with two different clubs. Finally, Chelsea have a player who can orchestrate the pleasing football their owner wants. With Ballack and Essien set to play around him, it will be an ominous midfield.

12. Amantino Mancini (Roma to Inter)
Last Week: 11

Jose Mourinho does not quite promote exciting football, but he does like a fast, aggressive winger forward at least on one flank. That is just what he has found in Mancini, who will be handed the license to thrill just as Arjen Robben was during the glory years at Chelsea. Tends to blow hot and cold, though, as Roma found out last season. Lack of consistency will not go down well with the 'Special One', so he does need to focus a lot more.

11. David Bentley (Blackburn to Tottenham)
Last Week: 10

A great way for Spurs to show their ambition - by winning the race for the talented Blackburn winger, and in the process signing a former Arsenal youngster. Given what Juande Ramos did with Jesus Navas - a very similar player - this one has success written all over it. He has the potential form a formidable attacking midfield along with Giovani Dos Santos and Luka Modric.

10. Robbie Keane (Tottenham to Liverpool)
Last Week: 9

Make no mistake, I rate him very highly. That said, the Reds paid a few millions too many. He will still score the 15-20 goals needed to complement Fernando Torres' 25-30, so Rafa might just have splashed the extra cash with good reason. Their draw happy start to the season destroyed their title challenge last time around, so goals is what they need, and that is what they will get.

9. Amauri (Palermo to Juventus)
Last Week: 8

The Brazilian-Italian striker made it to number three after earning himself a long overdue move to a top four club, but now slips down to nine. He has already shown his potential with Palermo, and the prospect of him getting some top quality service from the Juve midfield is simply mouth-watering. Champions League, here he comes.

8. Vincent Kompany (Hamburg SV to Manchester City)
New Entry

The former Hamburg man left Germany under something of a cloud in order to affect a very quick transfer to City, but for all the "shotgun wedding" nature of the move it seems to have been the Mancunians' best of the summer. Put it this way: just one game into his tenure he put in a confident, mature showing in what is thought to be the world's fastest and most furious league, then said afterwards with characteristic nonchalance that he learned his new teammates' names on the pitch. Imagine what he'll be like once he's settled in and has a bit more experience.

7. Daniel Alves (Sevilla to Barcelona)
Last Week: 7

Chelsea, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester United – these are just some of the clubs that have queued up for him over the last 18 months or so. However, it is Barcelona who land him after some difficult negotiations with Sevilla. Perhaps a touch overpriced at 30 million euros (he would have been number one on this list at 20m), but then again, he is the best attacking full-back this world has seen since Roberto Carlos.

6. Samir Nasri (Marseille to Arsenal)
Last Week: 6

The highly rated French international is the latest to join the clan of young Gunners. Many view him as a replacement for Aliaksandr Hleb, while others go a step further and call him the next Zidane. He has had some problems with injuries, but let's hope those were exceptions as opposed to the rule. The prodigous playmaker is at number five.

5. Ronaldinho (Barcelona to Milan)
Last Week: 5

A gamble? Yes. But given the chance, would you sign one of the all time greats of football for a third of his market price last summer? You bet you would. At 28, he is far from over. Some diet planning and some tough training, and he will give at least three or four good years to the Rossoneri. A gamble nonetheless, or he would definitely have been number one. Number four for the Gaucho.

4. Luka Modric (Dinamo Zagreb to Tottenham)
Last Week: 4

The hottest young Croatian was snapped up by Spurs despite the interest of clubs such as Barcelona and Chelsea, and what a signing it has already turned out to be. Looks set to become the jewel in Juande Ramos' midfield next season. He remains at the sharp end of our list.

3. Aliaksandr Hleb (Arsenal to Barcelona)
Last Week: 3

A very shrewd buy, and what could very well turn out to be a stroke of genius from Barcelona. With Lionel Messi expected to run the show, what they needed was not a Ronaldinho, but a tireless, no-nosense attacking midfielder to offer support from the other flank - without hogging possession or the limelight. And they got him on the cheap too. A true critics' player in that while fans rave about others, he runs away with the technical plaudits.

2. Mathieu Flamini (Arsenal to Milan)
Last Week: 2

The underrated Frenchman was one of Arsenal's best players last season, and Milan's signing was nothing less than a coup. That it was a free transfer makes it even better. Has been the smartest transfer this summer for a while, now, but drops down to number two, finally.

1. Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburg to Real Madrid)
Last Week: 1

A lifelong Barcelona fan and one of the best playmakers in the world today, how Madrid managed to sign him for nine million euros I don't know. What is even more baffling is how Hamburg let him go at that price (even if clauses could raise it to 13m). I would probably have put him up here even if he had cost 15 million. A downright steal, and just the kind of person who will add to Bernd Schuster's team without destroying it (get the hint?).

Robinho Out, Huntelaar And Capel In

2008-08-28T07:57:00.000-07:00

Real Madrid have agreed to sell Robinho to Chelsea for €35m and will spend the transfer fee on signing Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Diego Capel before the transfer window closes.

Los Merengues have decided to accept the Blues' offer after meetings on Monday saw the Spanish giants decide to use the money immediately to sign two players that coach Bernd Schuster wants, according to AS.

Robinho's transfer will be made official later this week, while Madrid will lodge bids for both Huntelaar and Capel as quickly as possible in order to open talks.

Negotiations with Sevilla will be swift as Madrid's offer of €15m matches Capel's buy-out clause and all that will have to be decided is whether or not the player wants to move.

The 20-year-old has stated in the past that the only club that he would leave the Andalucian outfit for is Madrid and now that will be tested with an official offer.

Huntelaar has been linked with several clubs, but Schuster's insistence that he have another striker before the start of the new campaign has pushed the board to make their move now.

Valencia are refusing to accept any offer for David Villa, so Madrid will press for the Ajax striker to join them in the next few days in a move which will delight the German trainer.

An initial offer of around €25m should see the Dutch club willing to open talks and the Bernabéu outfit will hope that the Netherlands contingent already in their ranks will help smooth the deal through.

Schuster has been keen to sort out the Robinho saga and add to his squad after becoming infuriated that the club's summer became focussed solely on the unsuccessful chase for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Lucas Brown, Goal.com

Robinho To Chelsea Within Hours?

2008-08-28T07:55:00.000-07:00

The Robinho transfer soap opera could finally come to a close as his move to Chelsea could be completed within the next few hours.

Spanish daily Marca have speculated that the Brazilian winger could be on his way out of the Spanish capital headed for the English capital in a matter of hours.

According to the reports from the Madrid-based newspaper, Robinho last week rejected club president Ramón Calderón’s latest contract offer, which is believed to be roughly the same amount as what Chelsea were prepared to offer him. This has convinced Calderón to concede that no amount of money will be able to tempt the 24 year old to remain at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Despite coach Bernd Schuster’s optimism that the playmaker will stay on with the blancos squad, his exit has been made all the more imminent after events at the weekend.

Firstly, Robinho was heckled and jeered by a group of fans before the squad left for the game against Valencia. And just before the start of the match, he was whistled at when his name was read out on the stadium’s PA system. The most obvious sign, ofcourse, was his muted celebrations with the rest of the team in the background, away from the spotlight when Madrid eventually beat Los Ché for the Supercopa.

The question of how he will leave and for how much is a different matter altogether.

Robinho Deal Reached - Agent

2008-08-28T07:54:00.001-07:00

According to the player's agent, Real Madrid forward Robinho is about to see his wish of moving to Chelsea granted...

The deal taking the 24-year-old to Stamford Bridge is set to be completed imminently, according to Wagner Ribeiro. Media stories today have suggested that the transfer is already in place, and the agent's quotes serve to substantiate these reports.

Apparently, Chelsea are on the brink of offering €33million to capture the Brazil international, who is now desperate to leave the Bernabeu.

Robinho suffered the humiliation of being booed by his own supporters at the weekend, as Madrid clinched the Spanish Super Cup against Valencia.

As of today, Wagner Ribeiro expects the deal to go through before the transfer deadline, despite admitting that the opposite was true last week.

He told the press: "The deal is about to be reached. Robinho's cycle in Spain has come to an end and he is looking forward to a new project."

Should Robinho arrive at Luiz Felipe Scolari's side, Shaun Wright-Phillips may be forced through the exit door, most probably to former club Manchester City.

Boban On Sheva: I Don’t Like Soup Re-Heated

2008-08-28T07:52:00.000-07:00

Former Milan star Zvonimir Boban has criticised the club for bringing back Andriy Shevchenko, and says that he “does not like soups re-heated.”

Shevchenko rejoined Milan last weekend following a miserable two years at Chelsea, and the wisdom of his signing has split critics.

The Ukrainian striker was among the most exciting players in the world when he arrived in London for an English-record fee of £30million. However, he then slipped into obscurity, managing just nine goals and 47 Premier League appearances.

Many have questioned whether the 31-year-old can recapture the form that saw him named European Footballer of the Year in 2004, with some suggesting he will never recover from his Chelsea ordeal.

"I think Sheva will feel good at Milan,” Boban is quoted as saying by SKY.

“He has always done well at San Siro.

“However, I do not agree with Milan’s purchase. I don’t like soups re-heated."

Boban is well respected at San Siro, following a superb nine years spent there from 1992 to 2001, when he won four Scudetti, a Champions League, a European Supercup, and three Supercoppa Italiana’s. The Croatian played with Shevchenko during the latter stages of his career.

Roberto Rossi

Reds Rocked By Gerrard Blow

2008-08-28T07:50:00.000-07:00

Liverpool's dramatic Champions League win has been tainted by the news that talismanic captain Steven Gerrard will miss the next few weeks through injury...

The Reds left it until the death last night as they claimed a 1-0 victory in their third-round tie against Standard Liege, Dirk Kuyt bundling home the winner deep in extra time.

But the euphoria of sneaking through to the Champions League group stages will now give way to anxiety as the Merseyside club face up to Gerrard's enforced absence.

The Huyton-born superstar is scheduled to undergo surgery on his troublesome groin today and will be out of action for the next fortnight.

As such, the 28-year-old is certain to miss England's upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Croatia. He may also be forced to sit out Liverpool's September 13 clash against Manchester United.

The news comes as a huge blow to Reds boss Rafael Benitez, who had only just welcomed Olympic duo Javier Mascherano and Lucas Leiva back into his midfield.

"I am disappointed for Steven. We knew he had a problem when he joined up with England for their last match. But he said he would play through the pain tonight," the Spaniard told the press.

"It is only a minor operation but we are looking at 10 to 15 days out."

Ibra: Mourinho Most Complete Boss Ever

2008-08-28T07:48:00.000-07:00

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has showered praise on new Inter coach Jose Mourinho, describing him as the “most complete boss" that he has ever had.

Ibrahimovic is well known to have had his fair share of problems in the past with coaches, including former Inter tactician Roberto Mancini.

However, the Swede is absolutely delighted by his relationship with Mancini’s successor, Mourinho, and has been blown away by the qualities of the Portuguese.

“He is the most complete boss that I have ever had both on and off the pitch,” Ibra told the Gazzetta dello Sport.

“He pays attention to every detail and you can see the difference immediately. There is a new spirit - the squad has more belief and we are ready to control games.”

Ibrahimovic also spoke about his ongoing knee problems. The 26-year-old has suffered terribly with a chronic knee injury this calendar year, and this forced him to miss most of Inter’s Scudetto run-in last season.

He has also had his fair share of fitness worries in pre-season, but he insists that his knee is holding up well now.

“The knee is much better,” he stated.

“I can't say that it is completely healed but I am already able to play a game every three days.”

Ibrahimovic will be hoping that he is at his best this weekend, as Inter kick off the new Serie A season with a trip to Sampdoria.

Luca Capofranco

Dimas Relishing Barcelona Visit

2008-08-28T07:46:00.000-07:00

Dimas Delgado is relishing the prospect of making his league debut for Numancia at the weekend against his former club Barcelona in Los Parajitos.

The Catalan midfielder was expected to push for a first team place with the Blaugrana this season, but instead chose to leave the club where he rose through the youth ranks.

Numancia's promise of regular first team football was too difficult to resist and Dimas wants to prove himself because Barça do have a buy-back clause.

On Sunday, he plays in his first official game for the Soria outfit and thinks that coming up against several of his former team-mates in the Barcleona team will make it a special occasion.

"It gives added motivation," he said, before stating that he hopes his former Barça B coach, Pep Guardiola, succeeds at the helm.

"If there someone qualified to coach Barça then that is Pep Guardiola because he knows the club inside out."

Finally, Dimas stated that the visitors will not find it easy at the weekend because Numancia's modest stadium will be full and the fans will create a lot of noise.

"It will be very important for us to achieve a result and Barça may not be comfortable because of the atmosphere that will be created," he added.

Lucas Brown, Goal.com

Motta Close To Pompey Switch

2008-08-28T07:45:00.000-07:00

Premier League side Portsmouth have revealed that they are close to agreeing a deal for Atletico Madrid midfielder Thiago Motta, but they have ruled out a bid for Freddie Ljungberg.

The ex-Barcelona star Motta has been on trial with the south coast club for about a week, and excelled in a closed-doors practice match which took place yesterday (Wednesday).

The one doubt that Harry Redknapp's side have over a possible deal for the 25-year-old is the state of his knee, having previously ruptured cruciate ligaments on two occasions.

Club executive Peter Storrie said of the Brazilian: “Motta is here at the moment and we are having at look at him. He's been having medicals to see how he is and we will take it from there.”

Although Portsmouth are currently light on cover in midfield, Storrie confirmed that the club would definitely not be making a bid for the services of ex-Arsenal star Freddie Ljungberg.

The former Sweden captain has been without a club since being released by West Ham United last month, but Pompey have ruled out any interest in the free agent.

Storrie told The News: “Ljungberg will not be coming, definitely not. We have no interest in him.”

Peter Staunton

Kanouté: There Have Been No Bids From Tottenham

2008-08-28T07:43:00.000-07:00

Frédéric Kanouté has dismissed reports linking him with a return to Tottenham Hotspur to work with Juande Ramos once again and is instead intent on helping Sevilla cause a surprise.

The Mali international is just one name that the Premier League side has been associated with as they search for a new striker, but they have not made any bid to Sevilla.

Ramos bought Kanouté from Tottenham when he was in charge of Sevilla and could be tempted to re-sign him, but the player has insisted that nothing has been done.

"I can assure you that there has been no offers," he told AS.

Kanouté is looking forward to the start of the new campaign in Spain and believes that Sevilla have a very god squad that can upset the hierarchy in la Primera.

"We may not be the favourites for the league but I think that we can cause Real Madrid and Barcelona a surprise," he continued.

"I think this Sevilla squad is stronger than it has been in previous seasons and we always want to beat the teams that are going for the title."

It is exactly one year since Antonio Puerta died and left the city of Sevilla and Spanish football in shock and Kanouté admits that he has been remembering his friend.

"Antonio has never stopped being special to us and always will be, but on a day like this you do think about him even more," he added.

Lucas Brown, Goal.com

Official: SWP Returns To City

2008-08-28T07:42:00.001-07:00

Shaun Wright-Phillips has completed a move from Chelsea back to Manchester City for an undisclosed fee, signing a four-year contract...

The England winger had moved to quell speculation that he would be joining his former club earlier in the week, but with Robinho's arrival at Stamford Bridge imminent, the 26-year-old has decided to move on.

The Eastlands darling underwent a medical this morning at the club and has put pen-to-paper on a four-year deal. The transfer fee involved will remain undisclosed.

Wright-Phillips left Manchester City for Chelsea three years ago for a fee of £23million, but was quite clearly ecstatic to have returned to his old stomping ground. He told the club's official website: "Obviously I'm delighted to come back to City and I just can't wait to get started again."

Citizens' manager Mark Hughes was equally made-up at having secured the services of the diminutive wide-man, and hailed the capture as a 'major coup' for the club.

He said: "I've always admired him and he's certainly been a target of mine since I came to the football club.

"To actually secure the deal and bring Shaun back home is a fantastic coup for us and I'm sure the supporters will be just as excited as we are to have him back at Manchester City."

Wright-Phillips will be formally unveiled tomorrow at a press conference at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Peter Staunton

Calcio Debate: Can England Really Criticize Italy?

2008-08-28T07:40:00.000-07:00

Serie A has been described as a retirement home for the world's best footballers by the English media. Goal.com's Salvatore Landolina, though, insists that the English game should take a look at itself before taking aim at other footballing cultures...

A number of English journalists have taken swipes at Serie A this week. One piece in particular has caused controversy. An article in The Times by a respected writer criticised the Italian game, describing it as, “a retirement home for ageing footballers or a get-rich-quick scheme for those who lacked ambition,” and “a long way short of the Premier League.”

The writer went on to mention the arrivals of Gianfranco Zola, Fabrizio Ravanelli and Gianluca Vialli to the Premier League as well as the fast change in trends and power. Fast change? That was twelve years ago. All the usual negativities were drawn up - violence, Calciopoli, scandals - as he attempted to shoot down Calcio in order to provoke a reaction.

And the writer has the cheek to say Italians are trouble makers! So why start such trouble?

Renzo Ulivieri, a former coach, summed up Oliver Kay’s rant best.

“It’s the pot calling the kettle black,” said the coach. “England has a nice League, but if you look carefully they have foreign coaches, foreign players and even foreign club owners from all over the world.

“I really doubt they are in any position to criticise Italian football. Besides, I certainly wouldn’t say that Ronaldinho or Andriy Shevchenko are old.”

This spat comes just days after another top English journalist Patrick Barclay slammed England manager Fabio Capello for not understanding English culture, insisting that Steve McClaren was a better choice as the country's national coach.

If Steve McClaren and every other former England coach understood the English culture so much, why have the Three Lions have not won anything since 1966? tThey didn’t even qualify for Euro 2008, yet their understanding is clearly better than Capello’s. The perspective of English culture is so great amongst English coaches that they run away when they hear about an England manager’s vacancy. It's the job that nobody wants. And the nation did with bus drivers in the 1950’s, England has looked abroad for someone to come in and do the job.

Yellow-Belly Tune

Serie A is making a comeback. Ronaldinho and Jose Mourinho, two superstar names, moved to Italy because they want a real challenge, where trophies are won by hard graft on the pitch rather than bought by millionaire foreign owners who have turned the English game into a casino, with 'Russian roulette' the game of choice.

Serie A has problems, but Italy doesn’t brush everything under the carpet and start picking on other countries in an attempt to deflect attention from the mire surrounding several top Premier League teams, as well as the perpetual mess the England national side finds itself in.

The number of imported talents in the Premier League has reached record highs, with the emphasis on bringing in non-English players and managers, rather than on developing youth for the national side. While there's nothing wrong with that, when things go wrong the same foreigners take all the blame. They're used as scapegoats because certain people at the top of the English game don’t have the guts to or the humility to say, ‘it’s our fault for trusting the other man in the first place.’ Instead, they unbutton the white shirt and dance around to the yellow-belly tune.

The Germans were blamed for Euro 96, Maradona was blamed for 1986 and the trend continues as England continues to take aim at foreigners with Capello the latest victim of the English media’s 'point the finger at everyone but ourselves' masterplan.

It’s perhaps ironic that Kay mentioned hooligans and violence affecting the game in Italy, but he fails to remember that the whole hooliganism movement began in Blighty during the 1970s and spread around Europe like the plague. He also never mentioned that a Premier League footballer tried to be a role model to younger players and fans by having a fight outside a McDonalds restaurant one Saturday night.

Films such as the “Football Factory” and “Green Street” examine footballing violence, but they weren’t made in Italy.

The problem in England is that journalists don’t really understand football outside of Britain. The culture is too insular and such ignorance is only likely to help people like Kay dig a deeper hole for themselves.

Salvatore Landolina

City Set To Land Zabaleta

2008-08-28T07:39:00.000-07:00

Manchester City are on the verge of signing Pablo Zabaleta from Espanyol after tabling a bid that looks set to be accepted by the Catalan outfit.

Mark Hughes is keen to continue strengthening his squad before the transfer window closes on Monday and adding to his defence has been an aim all summer.

Zabaleta has also been linked with Juventus, but la Vecchia Signora officials stated last month that they would not be signings any more players.

Espanyol have admitted that every member of their squad has a price, but that nobody would be allowed to leave for less than the valuation that the club have stated.

Zabaleta's asking price is around €8m and Manchester City have matched that meaning that talks should begin over a deal before the end of the week.

The Argentinian defender's agent, Marcelo Arguello, would receive 50 per cent of any fee and that has also made a difference to the amount being demanded.

If City do complete a deal then that could pave the way for right-back Vedran Corluka to move to Tottenham for around €10m after the two clubs appeared to agree to the move two weeks ago.

While Spurs claim that they have signed the player, City claim that the registration never changed hands and that he is still their player, but Corluka himself is said to now want to go to White Hart Lane.

Lucas Brown, Goal.com

Official: Oddo Signs For Bayern

2008-08-28T07:36:00.000-07:00

Bayern Munich have announced the signing of Milan full back Massimo Oddo on a one-year loan deal, with the option of making the move permanent next summer.

Right back Oddo has been heavily linked with an exit from Milan in the past week or so as he is currently well down the Rossonero pecking order, behind both Daniele Bonera and new signing Gianluca Zambrotta.

Yesterday morning, reports started to emerge that Oddo had signed for French club Lyon after he was supposedly spotted in the city. A few hours later it was then reported that Bayern Munich were trying to hijack Lyon’s move for the 32-year-old, and the German champions have now officially confirmed that they have signed the player.

Oddo arrives on a one-year loan deal, and Bayern will have the option next summer to make the move permanent for a set fee. In essence he replaces left back Marcel Jansen, who yesterday left the club to join Hamburg.

"Massimo Oddo is a player who covers the whole right-hand side,” said the Bavarian’s manager Jurgen Klinsmann.

“For us he's a huge quality boost because of his experience, and his tactical and technical skills. He's a great enhancement to the squad."

General manager Uli Hoeneß explained the reason why Oddo will only initially arrive on loan.

"This way there's no risk," he said.

"Next summer we'll see."

Another high profile figure who is delighted by Oddo’s capture is the legendary Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who said: "We're happy to have Massimo Oddo, who is an experienced and successful defender.

“Another World Cup and Champions League winner in Bayern's ranks will help us to succeed."

Oddo will team up with 2006 World Cup winner Luca Toni, who had an outstanding first season at the Alianz Arena last term.

Dimitar Berbatov is exactly what Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United need

2008-08-26T14:30:00.000-07:00

Throughout a 34-year managerial career of unparalleled success, Sir Alex Ferguson has consistently preached the importance of his strikers in setting the tempo for the entire team.

From Mark McGhee and Eric Black at Aberdeen to Eric Cantona and Ruud van Nistelrooy at Manchester United, Ferguson's trophy-winning teams have been styled as well as built on the foundations of his attacking options. Yet with riches in every other department – and Tottenham threatening to leave Dimitar Berbatov in the reserves for the season – the permutations up front most exercise his mind.

United won the Premier League and Champions League last season with virtually the same set of players, yet there were exceptional circumstances, notably Cristiano Ronaldo's 42 goals. Ronaldo has been unavailable so far this season, and the warning signs are already there.

Newcastle and Kevin Keegan are hardly synonymous with competent defending, but they still managed to frustrate United enough to grind out a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on the opening day of the season. United's 1-0 win was a significant result at such a difficult away venue as Fratton Park but, including the Community Shield, United have also scored just once in 180 minutes this season against a Portsmouth team that Chelsea demolished 4-0.

The difficulty is clear. Magnificent player that he is, Wayne Rooney does not naturally lead the line. The same can be said of Carlos Tevez. Indeed, with Louis Saha and Ronaldo sidelined, United lack not only a player who can naturally hold the ball up, but also any significant attacking aerial threat.

The wonderful intricate passing of the likes of Rooney, Tevez and Paul Scholes can still overcome most teams, yet there is the danger that they will become too predictable. As he watched over his team last night, Ferguson could only have imagined what possibilities Berbatov could bring.

In each of his first two seasons for Tottenham, he scored 23 goals, but he also provided the sort of physical presence and silky touch to extract the best from his partner up front.

Berbatov also seemed most likely to deliver in the biggest matches. Ferguson has often talked of a player's ability to cope with the Old Trafford stage. However distasteful, his recent behaviour also points to a self-belief that he belongs at one of Europe's biggest clubs.

Rooney, with his wonderful ability to roam into dangerous positions and make devastating runs, would surely also thrive in the company of a central player with Berbatov's skill.

Ferguson has admitted that he had been guilty of sacrificing Rooney's goal-scoring edge by asking him to play in different roles for the greater good of the team.

"We've played him wide and in other positions," Ferguson said. "He'd play centre-half if you asked him to. I think his best position is through the middle, either a front role or tucking in just behind."

In Berbatov, it would seem, Ferguson sees a player of quality in his own right and an answer to the Rooney conundrum.

Ultimately, it will come down to money. Tottenham believe United should match Chelsea's British record transfer fee of £30 million for Andrei Shevchenko. United are understandably wary, yet allowing the moment to pass could prove even more costly.

Arsenal blow as Gokhan Inler rejects move

2008-08-26T14:29:00.000-07:00

Arsene Wenger's hunt for midfield reinforcements continues after Udinese playmaker Gokhan Inler rejected the chance to join Arsenal.

Following the departures of Mathieu Flamini, Alexander Hleb and Gilberto Silva, Wenger's priority this summer has been to recruit a central midfielder.

Such was the lack of availability to the Frenchman last Saturday that he was forced to play Emmanuel Eboue in central midfield against Fulham, a game Arsenal lost 1-0.

Arsenal had hoped to agree an £8 million fee for the 24-year-old Switzerland international, but the player himself has put an end to speculation by declaring he wants to remain in Serie A.

The player’s agent, Dino Lambrini, said: "We have decided that Inler remains in Udinese.

“Any player would want to play for Arsenal of course, but for Inler this may be perhaps a little early. Maybe a season too early.”

Wenger's attention is now likely to concentrate on Xabi Alonso, although with Gareth Barry's proposed move to Liverpool seemingly dead in the water, prizing the Spaniard away from Anfield will be difficult.

However, Rafa Benitez needs funds to strengthen his squad, and could be tempted with a big-money offer in the region of £15m.

Alonso would certainly be willing to move to the Emirates, enabling him to team up with compatriot Cesc Fabregas in the Arsenal midfield, while Fabregas believes Alonso would be a superb addition to the squad.

He said: "What can I say? He is my friend and apart from that he is a great professional, a great passer of the ball, he works hard defensively, he's scoring goals now, he's experienced and he is only 26."

Call for Arsenal's Williams Gallas to be stripped of captain's armband

2008-08-26T14:28:00.001-07:00

Former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon has called for Arsene Wenger to strip William Gallas of the captaincy.

Two games into the new Premier League season and Arsenal have so far looked unconvincing, winning 1-0 at home to West Bron before losing by the same scoreline against Fulham at Craven Cottage last Saturday.

In subsequent post-match interviews, Wenger blamed Gallas for Fulham's winner, but nobody could deny that the hosts were worthy winners, having outplayed their more illustrious London neighbours for much of the 90 minutes.

The goal came with 21 minutes played. From a corner, Jimmy Bullard arced his cross in and Brede Hangeland, the 6ft 5in Norwegian captain, rushed across the box and pushed the ball into the net with the sole of his boot. It was his first goal for the club.

Afterwards Wenger said: “It was the kind of game where you could not afford to make a mistake, and a massive one.

“You had to get into half-time at 0-0 and then win it. That’s the biggest regret I have. If you are focused you should stop them scoring at that level (knee-high) in the middle of the goal.”

Dixon, who played more than 600 games for Arsenal in 14 years at the club, watched the match in total disbelief at Gallas' half-hearted efforts, and believes it is time for a change in leadership.

He said: "It was the worst performance I've seen from an Arsenal team in a long time.

"Tony Adams was sitting just behind me and I said to him, 'Where's the leadership?'

"I blame the captain for that. I reckon Gallas is to blame. He's not leading that team."

Samuel Edu in at the deep end

2008-08-26T14:26:00.000-07:00

Rangers manager Walter Smith is prepared to field five players with no previous experience of the unique Old Firm atmosphere when his side travel to Parkhead to face champions Celtic on Sunday.

New signings Pedro Mendes and Madjid Bougherra are certain starters. Kyle Lafferty, should he shake off the hamstring strain which resulted in him missing the 1-1 draw at Pittodrie on Saturday and Northern Ireland's visit to Hampden last midweek, would also expect to be included in the first XI

"He only just missed out on being involved at Aberdeen, so after a few days on the training ground we would be hopeful of having him for this weekend," Smith said.

Lithuanian striker Andrius Velicka is likely to make an appearance from the bench. Smith has also revealed that midfielder Maurice Edu, the United States international who has agreed a £2.6 million move from Toronto FC, would also figure.

The 23-year-old has been granted a work permit by the relevant authorities in the UK, but red tape in Canada has held up his arrival in Glasgow. He is now expected to report for training at Murray Park and, having kept himself active due to the Major League Soccer season being in full swing, Smith would not regard it as a risk to throw Edu in at the deep end.

"We have to wait to see whether we can get him over on time," Smith said. "The good thing is that he has been playing regularly and travelling around the world with the US national team.

"When I first met him he came across as a boy who wouldn't be fazed by a great deal.

"He seems quite a confident lad, so if we can get him over in good time then I have no doubt that he'd be involved at some stage."

Celtic, though, will be without their preferred strike partnership of Scott McDonald and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.

The former is almost certain to be out for several weeks after tearing muscles in his groin while the Dutchman required five stitches in an ankle after an accidental collision with an opposing defender in the 3-0 victory over Falkirk on Saturday.

Neither player has scored this season but their partnership produced 51 goals in the previous campaign and manager Gordon Strachan, who has prodigal son Shaun Maloney and Greek forward Georgios Samaras ready to take their places, will he hoping for a quick return by both.

The Scottish Football Association have confirmed they will extend the transfer deadline until midnight on Monday. The window usually closes on Aug 31 but, because that date falls on a Sunday this year, it was decided to allow clubs an extra 24 hours to sign new players.

Darren Fletcher strikes winning note as Man United top Portsmouth at Fratton Park

2008-08-25T14:48:00.000-07:00

Portsmouth (0) 0 Manchester United (1) 1

Manchester United recorded their first win of the Premier League season when Darren Fletcher's scruffy first-half goal secured a 1-0 triumph at Portsmouth.

Fletcher was credited with turning the ball in from Patrice Evra's cross in the 32nd minute although Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin appeared to make contact with the ball and Sol Campbell also got a touch in a vain attempt to keep it out.

It was the second goal in as many games for the Scotland midfielder after he also found the net in last week's draw with Newcastle United.

Wayne Rooney beat Portsmouth keeper David James with a shot early in the second half but had the effort ruled out for offside.

For FA Cup holders Portsmouth, defeat continued their unhappy start to the season after losing the Community Shield to United on penalties and their league opener 4-0 at Chelsea.

Micah Richards to miss Manchester City's Uefa clash following head injury

2008-08-25T14:46:00.000-07:00

Micah Richards is out of Manchester City's crucial Uefa Cup clash against Midtjylland in order to undergo further monitoring following the head injury he sustained during the Premier League victory against West Ham.

City manager Mark Hughes had been prepared to give the England international extra time to prove his fitness for Thursday's second leg in Denmark after tests ruled out a neck injury following Richards' collision with team-mate Tal Ben Haim.

But with captain Richard Dunne available again after missing the West Ham win through suspension, Hughes has now ruled Richards out for the return with City trailing 1-0 from the first leg.

The 11-times capped England defender is continuing to recover and although, unlike rugby union, there is no rule in football to prevent players from returning following concussion, City are reluctant to risk him.

Hughes remains keen to add to his squad before the transfer window closes on Aug 31, with Wigan forward Henri Camara and Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips on his wanted list.

Hughes said: "You saw one purchase against West Ham in Vincent Kompany that cost a significant amount and we'll be back in the market trying to sign good players."

Vincent Kompany proving a perfect partner for Michael Johnson at Manchester City

2008-08-25T14:44:00.000-07:00

While there may be all sorts of uncertainty swirling around Eastlands just now, it looks as if Mark Hughes has come up trumps again in the transfer market.

Following on from his success in this area at Blackburn Rovers – think of David Bentley and Roque Santa Cruz – Manchester City's new manager seems to have found another player who can add a great deal of quality to his squad.

Vincent Kompany had only met his team-mates a couple of days before producing a highly accomplished performance in Sunday's win over West Ham. Not only that, it was the way he dovetailed smoothly with Michael Johnson in central midfield that must have left Hughes feeling very encouraged.

Sometimes, a partnership doesn't need much work, it just clicks into place, and that certainly seemed to be the case here. Kompany's natural tendency to sit in front of the back four, trying to break up attacks before spreading the play with an excellent range of passes – short and long –suited the athletic Johnson just fine.

This highly promising 20- year-old, who can run all day, found that his forward bursts were being nicely counter-balanced by Kompany's positional sense. Just like the canny Dietmar Hamann, who appeared later on, the Belgian international knew when to sit tight, giving Johnson the confidence to support the attack.

Kompany's defensive instincts, in fact, stem from a lot of experience as a centre-half, which came in very handy after Micah Richards was injured. The new boy looked equally impressive next to Tal Ben Haim, slotting in seamlessly to the back four.

Yet it appears to be the great potential of his relationship with Johnson that will serve City best this season. If both can stay fit, if Johnson can progress as a Premier League player in the way his talent should allow, and if the new signing from Hamburg builds on his classy debut, Hughes will boast a very capable central midfield.

Football Dreams

Goals Galore In Gijón For Barcelona

Marvellous Milan Crush Lazio

Slick Madrid Sink Racing

Chelsea Fight Back To Claim Point

Amauri The Hero Again For Juve

Cagliari 0-1 JuventusAmauri was the hero for Juventus for the second week running, grabbing the only goal of the game in Sardinia against basement-dwellers Cagliari.

Man City Demolish Poor Pompey

Manchester City comprehensively dismantled Portsmouth as they cruised to a 6- 0 victory over the FA Cup holders in a wholly one-sided affair at the City of Manchester stadium.

Champions League

Captain Gallas Rescues Point For Arsenal

Dynamo Kiev 1-1 ArsenalArsenal earned a battling point in Ukraine after going behind to a controversial penalty shortly after the hour, William Gallas getting his third goal in as many Champions Leagues games this season to ensure there was no major shock in Kiev.

Del Piero Wonder Goal Downs Zenit

Juventus 1-0 ZenitA 75th minute wonder goal from Alessandro Del Piero was enough to give Juventus a 1-0 victory over Zenit St Petersburg in a tight and at times drab Champions League Group H opener in Turin.

Real Madrid Ease Past BATE

Real Madrid 2-0 BATE Borisov A goal in each half by Sergio Ramos and Ruud van Nistelrooy was enough to ensure Real Madrid open the 2008/09 Champions League campaign on a winning note.

Ronaldo Unable To Spark United

Man Utd 0 Villarreal 0The holders began the defence of their trophy with a goalless draw at Old Trafford against Villarreal. Cristiano Ronaldo made a second half comeback but even his presence was not enough to secure victory for the home side.

Gila Brace Not Enough For Fiorentina In Lyon

Lyon 2-2 Fiorentina Despite a first-half brace by Alberto Gilardino, Fiorentina were unable to claim three points on their return to the Champions League away to Olympique Lyon, as second-half goals by Frederic Piquionne and Karim Benzema made it all square in this Group F tie.

Bayern Hold On In Bucharest

Steaua Bucureşti 0-1 Bayern München

Porto See Off Fenerbahçe

FC Porto 3-1 FenerbahçeTwo goals in the opening quarter and a late one during stoppage time was more than enough for Porto to defeat Fenerbahçe and secure leadership of Group G.

Premier League Preview: Liverpool - Manchester United

What: Barclays Premier LeagueWho: Liverpool (2nd, 7pts) v Manchester United (9th, 4pts)When: Saturday, 13th September, Kick-off: 12:45 BSTWhere: Anfield, Liverpool

Fergie Takes Swipe At Hughes And City

Sir Alex Ferguson has come out firing following Mark Hughes' claim that he Manchester City - Chelsea clash has become a bigger fixture than Manchester United against Liverpool on the same day.

Inter Shortlist Five Big Names For 2009

Inter Shortlist Five Big Names For 2009

According to Tuttosport, Inter Milan have shortlisted five big possible signings for next summer, and will immediately begin preparing the groundwork for their transfers.

Kaká Backs Messi For Ballon d'Or

La Liga Preview: Barcelona - Racing

Barcelona (15th, 0pts) v Racing Santander (10th, 1pt)20:00 CET - Saturday, September 13, 2008Camp Nou, Barcelona

Robinho - Did He Make The Right Choice?

Goal.com invites you, the reader, to weigh in on the debate surrounding Robinho's transfer to Manchester City. Did he make the right choice, or should he have held out for a January move to Chelsea? Should he have left Madrid at all? You decide...

Mourinho Gives Thumbs Up To Foreign Takeovers

Inter coach Jose Mourinho believes that foreign investors who take over football clubs are only good if they show the same passion and enthusiasm as Roman Abramovic at Chelsea.

Rio Out Of Andorra Game

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has been ruled out of England’s World Cup qualifier with Andorra on Saturday evening with a back problem.

Cesc Says No To City

Arsenal and Spain midfielder Cesc Fàbregas has made it clear that he has no intentions of being part of Manchester City’s football and transfer revolution by joining them anytime in the near future.

No Grudges Against Robinho - Casillas

Spain’s goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas says that he does not hold any resentment towards Robinho after the Brazilian superstar decided to leave Real Madrid.

Bojan Debut Not A Priority

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has played down the importance of young Bojan Krkic’s debut this Saturday in their opening World Cup qualifiers and declared that the team’s interest will come first.

Shut Up England - Zambrotta

Milan and Italy defender Gianluca Zambrotta has taken a swipe at the English game, insisting that they have no right to criticise the Italians after the Three Lions failed to qualify for Euro 2008.

Calcio Debate: Quaresma To Inter – Top Or Flop?

After a summer-long soap opera, Jose Mourinho finally got his man and signed Porto winger Ricardo Quaresma. Carlo Garganese asks if this is a good or bad move for Inter…

Spanish Debate: Are Raúl's Spain Days Over?

Ewan Macdonald asks if Raúl is destined never to pull on the red shirt of España again in light of his being left out of yet another international squad...

Robinho Needs Counselling - Pele

In the wake of Robinho's late surprise transfer from Real Madrid to Manchester City for a British record fee, Brazilian legend Pele believes the former Santos forward needs 'counselling', his words are echoed by fellow Brazilians...

Legrottaglie: Inter Will Suffer!

Nicola Legrottaglie has told Inter and the rest of Europe to watch out this season because Juventus are “tough cookies”.

Furious Galliani Calls Emergency Meeting

Milan vice president Adriano Galliani is so annoyed with the club’s poor start to the season, he has called an emergency meeting with Carlo Ancelotti and co to discuss the situation according to Il Corriere Dello Sport.

Scolari's Robinho Rage

The Sun reports that Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari is livid after top target Robinho signed for Manchester City...

Milito: I Turned Down Tottenham

Returning Genoa striker Diego Milito has admitted that he turned down Tottenham Hotspur to secure a move back to his old club...

Sheikh Invasion: DIC Back In For Reds

Manchester City's Arab takeover has seemingly set off a chain reaction, as Liverpool's owners are now thought to be considering a mega-money offer from the Middle East...

Sir Alex Names New Assistant

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has announced that Mick Phelan, a former United player, will be his new No.2 at Old Trafford...

Official: Berbatov To United, Campbell To Spurs

Manchester United have completed the signing of Dimitar Berbatov for £30.75 million, with Fraizer Campbell going the other way on a season-long loan...

Official: Manchester City Sign Robinho

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has confirmed that the club have sold Robinho to Manchester City and that they may try to make a big signing in January...

World Cup 2006 Matches Fixed, Says Journalist

Journalist Declan Hill has launched an astonishing broadside against the FIFA World Cup of 2006 by claiming that no fewer than four results were fixed. Other comprimised matches have taken place in the Bundesliga, too...

Official: Liverpool Land Riera

Liverpool have officially completed the signing of winger Albert Riera from Espanyol on a four-year contract.

Did Berlusconi Stop Georgia War?

Kakha Kalaze has issued a heartfelt thank you to Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi, and has sensationally revealed that it was the Italian Prime Minister who was responsible for stopping the recent war between Georgia and Russia.

Madrid Made Agüero Move Last Week

Real Madrid saw a cheeky bid for Sergio Agüero turned down by neighbours Atlético de Madrid for Sergio Agüero last week as they look to make one more signing before the transfer window closes.

Lampard: Englishmen, Go Abroad!

After rejecting a move to Serie A giants Inter Milan himself during the summer, Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has nonetheless stated his belief that more English players should move abroad to ensure international success for England.

Cagliari 0-1 Juventus

Amauri was the hero for Juventus for the second week running, grabbing the only goal of the game in Sardinia against basement-dwellers Cagliari.

Dynamo Kiev 1-1 Arsenal

Arsenal earned a battling point in Ukraine after going behind to a controversial penalty shortly after the hour, William Gallas getting his third goal in as many Champions Leagues games this season to ensure there was no major shock in Kiev.

Juventus 1-0 Zenit

A 75th minute wonder goal from Alessandro Del Piero was enough to give Juventus a 1-0 victory over Zenit St Petersburg in a tight and at times drab Champions League Group H opener in Turin.

Real Madrid 2-0 BATE Borisov

A goal in each half by Sergio Ramos and Ruud van Nistelrooy was enough to ensure Real Madrid open the 2008/09 Champions League campaign on a winning note.

Man Utd 0 Villarreal 0

The holders began the defence of their trophy with a goalless draw at Old Trafford against Villarreal. Cristiano Ronaldo made a second half comeback but even his presence was not enough to secure victory for the home side.

Lyon 2-2 Fiorentina

Despite a first-half brace by Alberto Gilardino, Fiorentina were unable to claim three points on their return to the Champions League away to Olympique Lyon, as second-half goals by Frederic Piquionne and Karim Benzema made it all square in this Group F tie.

FC Porto 3-1 Fenerbahçe

Two goals in the opening quarter and a late one during stoppage time was more than enough for Porto to defeat Fenerbahçe and secure leadership of Group G.

What: Barclays Premier League
Who: Liverpool (2nd, 7pts) v Manchester United (9th, 4pts)
When: Saturday, 13th September, Kick-off: 12:45 BST
Where: Anfield, Liverpool

Barcelona (15th, 0pts) v Racing Santander (10th, 1pt)
20:00 CET - Saturday, September 13, 2008
Camp Nou, Barcelona

Deportivo 2 - 1 Real Madrid

Real Madrid's problems continued on the pitch as they were beaten in the opening game of the new season in Riazor by Depor after a troubled few days off the pitch had seen the club in the headlines for the wrong reasons.