A Long Season Ahead of Us: Bedard Lit Up; More Roberts, Gloom & Doom, The Roundup...

First off, hope everyone is having a good weekend and we are only less than eight days from real baseball.

It's obvious that the Baltimore Orioles will have their 11th losing season, and parts of the season, will be frankly painful -- let's keep in the mind changes made.

Second, we finally have started to rebuild -- something that needed to be done long ago. With new blood on the roster, perhaps they can be part of the core for the subsequent seasons ahead.

As mentioned yesterday, Jere! my Guthrie will get the Opening Day nod, and the team made the right choice. Steve Trachsel may be a veteran; however, the numbers don't lie -- Guthrie is better.

***
Well, our former talented, surly, enigmatic ace, Erik Bedard is being lit up in Cactus League action.

From the Sun: Former Oriole Erik Bedard struggled for the third straight start, giving up seven runs in five innings in an 8-3 loss to the Royals. After the game, Bedard -- whose ERA dipped to 9.50 -- said he doesn't know why he's struggling. "They're hitting it out of the ballpark," he said. "It's only going to concern me if it happens during the season."

Not that Spring Training has really been a indicator of performance during the regular season, considering the profile of the trade and the expectations of Bedard, Seattle may want to be a little concerned.

Granted, he started out in a so-so f! ashion in 2007, and then was virtually unbeatable in May and ! thereaft er, he'll need to get himself in gear if Seattle is going to contend in the AL West

***
Meanwhile, Brian Roberts is still an Oriole and is dealing with trade talk the best he can, albeit, he's bothered by it all; Kevin Millar was hit on the hand on Friday, and while he didn't break anything, he suffered a laceration on his finger and will miss a few games. As well, he'll be batting (cleanup?) perhaps when the year starts -- the question is will Huff and he even hit 30 plus homers as a tandem?

Roch Kubatko reports that Mike Costanzo, Omir Santos and Luis Terrero will ! report to minor league camp as they have been cut from the big league squad. Meanwhile, there should be a final round of cuts taking place this week and a lot of the guys mentioned may not make the team due to a numbers game.

The Washington Post's Marc Carig notes that the bullpen, spearheaded by a lot of youngsters, will try improve a portion of the squad that was nothing but atrocious in 2007.

Rocky Cherry seems to be ready for the demotion, despite his excellent Grapefruit League season, and the Baltimore Examiner has a piece on Luis Terr! ero.

WNST's Nestor Aparicio wonders who George Sherill is; alas, while Nestor loves the Orioles, he knows they won't be good and the losing is killing the community at large, and a vital part of the area around the Camden Yards -- the businesses.

No matter how you feel about WNST, his thoughts on the impact of business that depend on foot traffic from Oriole Park thanks to the losing is undeniable.

Although it is looking like Tike Redman will be a reserve player (assuming he even makes the team), he's still taking out the time to be a mentor to Adam Jones, who will be the everyday centerfielder.

The Baltimore Sun's Ray Frager thinks the Orioles have bright spots despite it a! ll; WNST's Drew Forrester is ready for the Orioles lose, however, he wants to see some improvement with the organization on the field and PR-wise.

San Francisco Giants vs. Washington Nationals - June 6th, 2008

San ! Francisco Giants vs. Washington Nationals

Willie's Second Chance -- The Washington Nationals?

I read this online last night from 'We've Got Heart' - a Washington Nationals blog - and needless to say, I was surprised.

From the Baltimore Sun: The Washington Nationals are interested in adding former New York Mets manager Willie Randolph to their coaching staff, Newsday reported. Washington, which fired five of its coaches after going 59-102 this season, would like Randolph to serve as a bench coach or thirdbase coach under Manny Acta, who served as Randolph's thirdbase! coach with the Mets in 2005 and 2006. The Mets fired Randolph this season.

Interesting — I would not think Randolph would come to Washington just for the sake of having a job — however, the impact he could have with the Nationals could be profound. A proven winner, a multiple time champion, respected throughout the game (he got a raw deal in NYC, IMO).

But would he coming to Washington be contingent on let's say -- a managing job -- if the Nationals come off the tracks like they did in 2008?

I'd think he'd want to manage, or perhaps score a front office gig with an organization perhaps a little more conducive to winning at this stage. I like the guy a lot, but I cannot imagine him in Washington at all.

Baltimore Still Hunting For Teixeira?

The story on the saga of Mark Teixeira with the Baltimore Orioles seemingly changes from hour to hour; however there's some positive news in light of what was reported on ESPN this morning.

Take it for what it's worth, but Andy MacPhail apparently isn't throwing up the white flag in the chase of the slugger -- at least not yet.

We could be in it, or out of it, or whatever else.

From the Baltimore Sun: "We have indicated before that we have flexibility," Orioles president Andy MacPhail said today. "I don't think anyone expects [Teixeira's agent Scott Boras] to lean over and accept the first proposal."

MacPhail does not provide the specifics of any free-agent proposal, but it is believed that last week the Orioles offered a seven-year contract worth $140 to $150 million to the 28-year-old Teixeira, who grew up in Severna Park.

Oh joy. We can only see what Thursday brings forth! ; meanwhile, Roch Kubatko caught up with Kevin Millar -- and might we see him back in Oriole uniform? Something tells me he might get a call from the team when all is said and done.

The Orioles Looking at Braden Looper

While Jon Garland got scooped off the market today, the Orioles are looking at another pitched they have been rumored to want over the offseason -- Braden Looper. With pitching available at now seemingly wholesale prices, Looper might be the perfect stop-gap guy before the young pitching is up and ready to go...

From the Baltimore Sun: Still seeking an innings-eater for the middle of their rotation, the Orioles continue to have talks with the representative of free-agent pitcher Braden Looper, according to industry sources.

>>> Read More

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Baseball America Releases Top 100 Prospects; Baltimore's Matt Wieters is Number One...

A lot has been made of the Orioles rebuilding project, and perhaps the fruit of the organization's labors is finally starting to come forth.

This morning, Baseball America released it's 20th annual Top 100 Prospects with Oriole catcher Matt Wieters leading the way at number one. David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays was second and Colby Rasmus of the St. Louis Cardinals was third.

>>> Read More

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The Impact of RSN's on Baseball and the Orioles...

I spent the afternoon doing some reading, mainly on financial stuff, and I came a piece on the Forbes Magazine website about the growth of regional sports networks (RSN's) and the disappearance of games from broadcast or free TV. The Orioles have had MASN for several years now covering their games along with the Nationals, and from what I know pretty much every regular season game will be shown on the network, and occasionally -- mostly on weekends -- games are showed on broadcast TV.

However, one has to understand how important these RSN's are to teams -- and, yes it all ties down to money. I have been following this topic for the past few years, and it's no surprise that the financial power of the Yankees, Dodgers and Red Sox are to these networks, while the small market teams are buying into RSN's to keep up with the big boys. therefore, as much as baseb! all -- good or bad -- likes to promote the wholeome image of the game, yes, it's a business and a huge one that.

>>> Read More

Orioles Salvage Series in Tampa; Are Things Getting Any Better?

The Orioles finally snapped out a five game losing streak as Brian Roberts hit a grand slam in fifth inning and Nolan Reimold followed up with a three-run shot of this own in to led them to a victory over the Rays, 8-7.

Brian Matusz earned his second major league win as a he looked solid on the evening. He went 5 1/3 innings and allowed four runs on seven hits, and struck out seven batters. He got knocked out of the game as Ben Zobrist took him deep, and while the Oriole bullpen held their own, things got a little scary in the eighth as Tampa scored three more times to come one of the lead, 8-7; however, closer Jim Johnson got a four-out save, his fifth to save it for Baltimore.

The Orioles are now 9-24 since the All-Star, and it's needless to say that well, they are struggling; however, in spite of the losing, the young pitching seems to be improving as both Jason Berken and Chris Tillman had decent starts in game one and two, respectively. Right now, ! the Orioles are 49-72 and while that record doesn't inspire much as a fan for me at all -- at least the team isn't using veteran retreads and have pieces for the future in their lineup.

With four rookies in the rotation -- all who have seen the ups and downs of major league life -- the Orioles are looking more like the Nationals than the Rays, but I still do have reason to believe that the future is far better than the present right now.

Rangers Send Mark Bell to Hartford

According to TSN:

The New York Rangers may well have cleared the way to allow Sean Avery to make his return to the Big Apple by assigning forward Mark Bell to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL on Monday.

Avery was placed on waivers by the Dallas Stars' earlier in the day, with all signs pointing towards the Rangers willing to pick up the controversial forward for his second tour of duty in New York. By sending Bell to the AHL, the team has freed up some space under the salary cap.

Tim Thomas Re-Signed by Boston

Well it looks like you can scratch Tim Thomas off that list of this summer's top UFA goalies. According to ESPN:

Vezina-candidate Tim Thomas and the Boston Bruins have agreed to a contract extension, team sources told ESPN's John Buccigross Thursday.

ESPN didn't release any details of the contract, but the Boston Globe is reporting that:

According to a source familiar with the negotiations, the deal will pay the 34-year-old backstop approximately the $5.2 million-per-year earned by New Jersey's Martin Brodeur

Funny Bill Guerin Photo

Saw this over @ Puck Daddy and thought it was funny

Video of Sean Avery At Bonnaroo

I'm a huge Sean Avery fan, but what the heck is up with those boots? I thought you were into fashion :)

Funny ESPN Headline

Great find by ProbablyBadNews.com -- not sure what exactly ESPN was even attempting to get across with this headline

[H/T to On Frozen Blog]


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More huge ratings for Olympics.

ABC NASCAR ratings poor, but up double digits.

Big names.

Question of the day.

NFL numbers game.

NFL Playoffs numbers game.

Johnny 'Red' Kerr passes away.

Week in review.

NHL ratings flat on NBC.

Video(s) of the day.

2009 MLB Postseason schedule.

Sunday Night Football slips below a 10.0

Another big jump for NFL on FOX

Liga Spanyol 2009/2010 | Guti: Barca Luar Biasa, Madrid Belum

Gelandang Real Madrid Guti Hernandez mengakui Barcelona memiliki tim yang luar biasa. Guti menambahkan timnya butuh waktu untuk menjadi seperti rival abadinya tersebut.

Bila membandingkan pencapaian Barcelona dengan Madrid sejak awal tahun 2009 ini, maka akan terpampang perbedaan yang cukup mencolok.

Pada bulan Mei 2009, El Barca merengkuh tiga gelar juara yakni La Liga, Copa del Rey, dan Liga Champions. Sementara tidak ! ada trofi yang masuk ke lemari piala El Real di akhir musim 2008/09.

Untuk kompetisi musim ini, armada Josep Guardiola belum pernah kalah di ajang La Liga. Sementara itu pasukan Manuel Pellegrini baru saja menelan kekalahan pertamanya yakni saat ditekuk Sevilla akhir pekan lalu.

"Satu-satunya yang membedakan kami dengan Barcelona adalah mereka memiliki tim yang luar biasa, sementara kami hingga kini belum," ujar Guti kepada Marca seperti dilansir dari Goal.

Bahkan pemain berkebangsaan Spanyol itu tak ragu memuji entrenador Barca, Josep Guardiola. "Meski menyakitkan, namun saya katakan saya suka Guardiola," ujar Guti.

Pemain Madrid bernomor punggung 14 itu mengatakan timnya butuh waktu untuk menjadi hebat seperti seteru abadinya itu.

"Dengan personel yang kami miliki, maka segalanya akan jadi sulit bila kami tak memulainya dengan baik. Sean! dainya kami punya waktu cukup, kami akan menjadi tim yang luar! biasa."

Ucapan Guti merujuk kepada banyaknya pemain baru dalam tim utama Los Blancos, seperti Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema, dan Xabi Alonso. Selain itu pelatih Manuel Pellegrini juga masih terus mencari formula rotasi pemain yang tepat.

Sementara bagi Barcelona, hanya Zlatan Ibrahimovic yang merupakan wajah baru di tim utama, sehingga Azulgrana tidak memerlukan waktu adaptasi yang lama.

Meski begitu Guti tidak setuju bahwa kekalahan atas Sevilla menjadi awal dari keruntuhan Los Galacticos. "Saya terkejut dengan datangnya keraguan terhadap pelatih kami Manuel Pellegrini atas hasil yang kami peroleh akhir pekan lalu. Tidak ada tim yang bisa jadi juara hanya dalam enam pekan pertama," tuntasnya.

OPERAZIONE NESTA ANNULLATA

Come sempre fraintendete. Io mi diverto in estate a fare il mercato e invece voi mi accusate di essere furbo, illegale, immorale, approfittatore. A questo punto mi dispiace per Leo ma nessuno scambio vale un polverone del genere. Piero, Tommaso, Paolo e soprattutto il presidente Campopiano hanno fatto valere l'Anti-trust e quindi per me LO SCAMBIO E' NULLO. La parola del presidente è legge.

Sottolineo però che io mi sono solo divertito a fare qualche trattativa e a sentire gli amici al telefono, via sms o via mail. Ho proposto la Super Lega. Sono impazzito con regole e regolamenti per dar modo a Leo e Giggios di far parte del gruppo. Mi impegno sempre al massimo.
Ho scritto decine di articoli sul blog di campos per farlo crescere e generare interesse intorno al blog. Ho aiutato Tommy a generare un po' di calciomercato per divertirci insieme.
Scrivo il Fantanews spessissimo. Cerco in vecchi documenti le versioni del Fanta! news di qualche anno fa per farci due risate insieme con gli Amarcord. Ma al posto di sentirmi dire "bravo Raf", si aspetta sempre il momento giusto per alzare la polemica.

Chiedo a Leo di confermare che ha intavolato lui la trattativa, ha fatto lui l'offerta, ha cercato lui me via mail e mi ha chiesto lui i giocatori RUBIN e NESTA offrendomi 1 credito per Rubin e 5 per Nesta. E io AVEVO ANCHE RIFIUTATO! Poi ho accettato perchè volevo far annunciare a Leo un'operazione importante.

Ancora non capisco cosa ci sia di strano nel pagare Nesta 26 crediti visto che io l'anno scorso ne ho sborsati 22 e due anni fa Tommaso ne ha sborsati 21. Mah! Solo perchè lo scambio l'ha fatto Raffaele come dice Giggios? Comunque mi adeguo alla voce del popolo. Infatti non mi va di sentire che io falso il fanta. Se vincessi ci sarebbe sempre l'ombra di Nesta. E quindi penso che l'UNICA COSA DA FARE E' ANNULLARE L'OPERAZIONE.! Leo come puoi vedere sono sotto l'occhio dei riflettori, come! tu stes so hai detto una volta 'il palazzo non mi apprezza'. Forse perchè i vincenti danno sempre fastidio. Smile :)

Leo ti chiedo quindi la cortesia di annullare l'operazione. Mi dispiace per Nesta ma mettiti nella mia situazione NON possiamo fare uno scambio se tutti non sono d'accordo. Ecco perchè due giorni fa ti ho scritto facciamo qualche scambio semplice come Bellini. Comunque prima di andare in silenzio stampa consiglio a Leo di non lasciarsi spaventare da questi ragionamenti. A parte questo spirito Anti-Raf che a volte viene fuori il nostro è un bel gruppo che si diverte e vale la pena giocare. Poi a volte le rivalità e l'agonismo hanno il sopravvento. Comunque Leo benvenuto, anche senza Nesta sono sicuro che riuscirai a fare una bella squadra.

Sottolineo però una cosa sui "comportamenti". Ringrazio Giggios per avermi difeso. Ma sono estremamente deluso per chi ha pensato alla mia malafede e soprattutt! o da Piero che per l'ennesima volta ha "attizzato" la folla contro di me. Come è successo con Maxwell l'anno scorso (ancora mi chiedo perché non potevo restituire Maxwell a Tommaso… mah, mistero!).

A me non frega niente vincere il fanta. Sono 7 anni che NON vinco. Gioco per divertirmi con gli amici. E sono anni che ho solo lo spirito di giocare con gli amici e me ne frego del resto. E il divertimento più grande per me sono le trattative estive. L'asta per me non è divertente. Questione di gusti. Però c'è da dire che queste campagne anti-Raf hanno proprio stufato. Anche Giggios e Leo se ne sono accorti. Non c'era niente di illegale. Comunque è andata cosi, lo scambio è nullo anzi a questo punto SE LEO MI FA LA CORTESIA E RISPETTA LA MIA VOLONTA' L'OPERAZIONE E' NULLA.

Adesso per questa volta lascio perdere ma se ci sarà un'altro episodio anti-Raf con offese e critiche nei miei confronti sarò costretto, mio malgrado, a lasciare il fanta.! Quindi la prossima volta pensateci prima di mettermi in mezzo! e ripet ere questo sport "dagli addosso a Raf". Gradirei essere rispettato. Se non lo so me ne vado. E non sto scherzando. Grazie.

Un ultima cosa: vi chiedo per cortesia di evitare altri post e commenti. Abbiamo capito che l'operazione non vi è piaciuta e quindi è stata annullata, come da regola da anti-trust è stata annullata. Resterò in silenzio stampa e non risponderò più sul blog fino all'inizio del campionato. Chi vuole scambiare due parole conosce il mio numero di telefono cosi come ha fatto il buon Tommy. Per il resto chiudiamola qui, grazie.

FERNANDO TORRES : VOTED BEST PLAYER OF THE "PREMIER LEAGUE" 2008

CYCLING: ALBERTO CONTADOR WINS VUELTA & MAKES HISTORY

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JUANDE RAMOS WINS HIS 1º ENGLISH TITLE WITH TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

FORMULA 1. FERNANDO ALONSO BACK AT WORK WITH NEW LOOK

SPANISH CUP - THREE GAMES: REAL MADRID SCRAPE THROUGH

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EURO 2008: SPAIN vs LATVIA PREVIEW. NO EXCUSES

SPANISH FOOTBALL & SPORTS

UEFA CUP. SEVILLE FC CHAMPIONS 2007

FC BARCELONA NEWS. DECO & LAMPARD IN A "SWAP" DEAL?

EL MUNDANO DEPORTIVO: REAL MADRID CHANTS YES, WE CAN

FERNANDO TORRES SHOWS "HIS TRUE COLOURS"

XABI ALONSO & PEPE REINA PROMO NEW LIVERPOOL FC AWAY KIT

REAL MADRID FAX LIST OF TRANSFERABLE PLAYERS TO PREMIER LEAGUE CLUBS

INTER MILAN & SAMUEL ETO´O HAVE AGREEMENT

ATLETICO DE MADRID & LUCAS NEILL: COME ON AUSSIE COME ON´

Spanish Debate: Déjà Vu For Journeyman Saviola?

Petit: Ronaldo's Focused On Euro 2008

Bara Want Silva - Agent

Adriano: Sevilla Still A Force

Vilanova Defends Pep Rotation, Henry

Gabriel Heinze: We Are Trying Everything

Juan Lopez Muniz: Malaga Draw Was Fair

Osasuna's Juanfran Has Second Yellow Card Rescinded

Juventus To Hold Talks With Werder Bremen Ace Diego - Reports

Valencia Always Go Out To Win - Unai Emery

Laporta - Cesc has Barca at heart

Messi reiterates Barca stance

Wimbledon selling Centre Court seats

Schuster shock at Ron pursuit

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Barca to reward stars

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Charles Puyol in FC Barcelona

Charles Puyol in FC Barcelona

Spurs 'will take duo for Arnesen

Taken from BBC Sport

Tottenham want Scott Parker and Mikael Forsell in settlement of their dispute over Frank Arnesen's proposed move to Chelsea, according to reports.

Spurs have accused Chelsea of making an illegal approach for their sporting director, but have yet to make a formal complaint to the Premier League.

The Daily Telegraph claims Tottenham suggested signing midfielder Parker and taking striker Forssell on loan.

Neither player figures in Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho's first-team plans.
The £6m-rated Parker remains a transfer target for other Premiership clubs including Everton and Newcastle.

Finland's Forssell spent much of the last two seasons on loan at Birmingham City but returned to Chelsea following a serious knee injury last October. !

He has also been in negotiations with Everton over a move to Goodison Park, but the club are reported to have concerns over his long-term fitness.

Chelsea have denied breaching FA Premier League regulations after formally requesting permission from Tottenham to approach Arnesen.

But Spurs maintain the Premiership champions have broken the rules because their letter regarding Arnesen was copied to the Dane.

"By definition, Frank was approached prior to the club having had any chance to refuse permission," said a statement on the club's website.

Chelsea were recently handed heavy fines and a suspended three-point deduction after being found guilty by a Premier League commission of "tapping up" Arsenal defender Ashley Cole.

However, the suspended penalty would only be activated by a! repeat offence of Rule K3 which concerns players.

We Sign Davids!

By ManicSpur
For THBN

As predicted by the THBN Team earlier today, Dutch superstar midfield general Edgar Davids has signed for Tottenham Hotspur on a free from Italian giants Inter.

The 32-year old thrashed out personal terms today with Daniel Levy after having a lengthy chat with Tottenham head coach Martin Jol.

A medical on the player will be held at 10am at Spurs Lodge. All should go well and the player will be unveiled as the 'experienced midfielder' Jol was after.

So what does this signing mean?

I am sure that this will add street cred amongst many players in Europe.

Not only is Davids a ball winner, but he can run at players and has a ferocious shot.
!
We are sure that he will be playing alongside Michael Carrick in the heart of the midfield, with Teemu Tainio as his understudy.

So what do you think of this signing?

Pavlyuchenko in; Who's next?

Tottenham Hotspur have announced the signing of Roman Pavlyuchenko.

All we now need is another striker, a defensive midfielder and another central defender as cover for King.

We're not sure if Pavs has received international clearance in time to play against Chelsea.

But we're certainly looking forward to him playing at Spurs.

Luca or Ruud?

The People have reported that Harry is interested in Bayern Munich's Italian International striker, Luca Toni.

Toni still has 2 years left on his contract and Bayern have made no inclination as to wanting rid of the 6.5 foot tall target man.

If we really are interested and Luca is to sign, then you can expect him to get goals and a lot of them.

In 81 games (2 seasons) for Bayern Munich, he's scored 57 goals. That's not a bad return.

Van Nistelrooy has scored 63 goals in 93 games (3 seasons, although he was injured for a large part of last season).

If both players were available and willing to sign for us, I would sign Luca Toni based on the fact that I just don't like Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Dzeko Batal ke Milan

BERLIN - Penyerang Wolfsburg, Edin Dzeko menyatakan dirinya batal berkostum AC Milan musim depan. Bukan karena tak ingin, tetapi klub yang ngotot mempertahankannya.
Dzeko sukses melesakkan 26 gol di pentas Bundesliga musim lalu. Prestasi itu membuat nama Dzeko makin melejit. Wakil Presiden Milan, Adriano Galliani langsung menjadikan Dzeko sebagai target nomor satu di bursa transfer. Pencapaian itu juga yang membuat Wolfsburg enggan melepaskannya.
Meski tahu bahwa Dzeko sangat ingin bermain di San Siro, Wolfsburg tetap menutup pintu n! egosiasi untuk Milan dan tim lain. "Aku tetap tinggal di Wolfsburg. Namun, aku tak gembira. Aku ingin ke Milan, tetapi aku terikat kontrak dan klub telah memutuskan tidak melepaskanku," ungkapnya seperti dikutip FourFourTwo.
Sejauh ini belum ada respons dari AC Milan mengenai peluang mendapatkan Dzeko. Namun, seperti pernah dikatakan Galliani, bila negosiasi Dzeko tertutup, Milan akan mengetuk pintu Arsenal untuk membuka jalan transfer Emmanuel Adebayor.

Leonardo Ingin Milan Seperti Brasil'82

MILAN - AC Milan berharap banyak kepada Leonardo. Selain ide penyegaran ke dalam skuad Rossoneri, Leonardo diharapkan menularkan strategi sepakbola menyerang ke dalam penampilan tim musim depan.

Leonardo sudah mulai bergiat menyiapkan skuadnya di Milanello sejak awal pekan ini seiring dimulainya sesi latihan pramusim tim. Untuk mewujudkan harapan itu, Leonardo menggunakan penampilan Brasil pada 1982 sebagai pegangan utamanya. "Tujuanku mencapai tingkat sepakbola seperti itu," ujar sang pelatih seperti yang dilansir La Gazzetta dello Sp! ort.
Brasil pada Piala Dunia 1982 dianggap sebagai tim terbaik yang pernah ada di muka bumi. Pasukan Tele Santana saat itu diperkuat para pemain masyhur yang sangat berbakat, seperti Socrates, Zico, Falcao, Junior, Cerezo, bahkan pemain belakang seperti Serginho.
Namun, Leonardo harus waspada karena Brasil gagal menjuarai Piala Dunia 1982. Sepakbola indah Brasil ternyata mampu dikalahkan Italia 3-2 berkat hattrick Paolo Rossi. Strategi catenaccio yang dijalankan tim asuhan Enzo Bearzot terbukti ampuh dan membawa Azzurri sukses menjuarai Spanyol'82.

Leonardo Minta Milan Beli Huntelaar

ROMA - Pelatih AC Milan, Leonardo menilai tim membutuhkan pemain top untuk menjaga daya saing musim depan. Ia mendesak klub mendatangkan penyerang Real Madrid, Klaas-Jan Huntleaar.
Sebelumnya, Leonardo menaruh harapan besar, Milan jadi membeli penyerang Sevilla, Luis Fabiano. Namun, ia tak bisa berbuat banyak ketika Milan enggan melanjutkan negosiasi karena menilai harga Fabiano terlalu tinggi. Dengan skuad ala kadarnya, ia pun berangkat ke Amerika Serikat untuk menjajal kekuatan tim dalam Turnamen World Football Challange.
Hasilnya,! mereka dipaksa menyerah oleh Chelsea dan Inter Milan. Kenyataan itu menguras kesabaran Leonardo. Menurutnya, Milan akan sulit bersaing bila mengandalkan kekuatan yang ada. Pasalnya, sejumlah pemain top sudah memasuki usia senja. Belum lagi ancaman cedera yang menghantui mereka.
"Kami membutuhkan kelompok yang lebih besar. Kami memiliki pemain seperti Alessandro Nesta, Gennaro Gattuso, dan Marco Boriello yang kembali dari cedera dan mereka harus memulihkan kebugaran mereka secara bertahap," ungkapnya seperti dikutip Sky Sports. "Bila kami menemukan kesempatan untuk berinvestasi, Huntelaar adalah pemain yang akan kami pertimbangkan," lanjutnya.

Milan Incar Dzemaili & Roma

MILAN - Menurut Sportmediaset, AC Milan tak hanya mengincar penjaga gawang AS Monaco, Flavio Roma, tapi juga gelandang Torino, Blerim Dzemaili. Torino diiming-imingi €4 juta plus Gianmarco Zigoni, pemain yang baru didatangkan Milan dari Treviso.
Untuk memuluskan kedatangan Dzemaili, Zigoni siap dipinjamkan atau setidaknya dijadikan pemain dengan status kepemilikan bersama. Sementara itu, Roma kabarnya tengah menjalani uji medis di Milan. Jika lancar, transfer segera diumumkan secara resmi.
Selain itu, pencarian Milan untuk full-back baru bisa diwujudkan setelah pen! jualan Massimo Oddo, demikian Adriano Galliani. Sang wakil presiden sudah memberi lampu hijau kepada Leonardo untuk merekrut Lorenzo de Silvestri dari Lazio, tapi dia terlebih dahulu harus mencari klub yang meminati Oddo.

Gattuso Absen Dua Pekan

MILAN - Kartu merah saat AC Milan ditekuk Inter Milan 4-0 bukan menjadi satu-satunya alasan bagi Rino Gattuso akan absen di pertandingan berikutnya. Cedera juga menjadi kendala untuknya bisa tampil dalam waktu dekat.
Setelah 'didepak' keluar dari lapangan, gelandang AC Milan itu langsung menjalani pemeriksaan medis setelah sebelumnya mengeluh mengalami sedikit masalah pada engkelnya.
Benar saja, hasil tes medis menunjukkan jika engkel Gattuso mengalami sedikit cedera. Diketahui jika engkel kirinya me! ngalami kerusakan atau keretakan pada tendon. Karena masalah ini, Gattuso harus menjalani perawatan lebih lanjut di rumah sakit.
Kemungkinan besar, ia akan beristirahat hingga dua pekan sebelum bisa kembali tampil bersama AC Milan maupun tim nasional Italia.

Rafinha Dan Hernanes Buruan Utama Milan

MILAN - Setelah mengawali musim dengan hasil yang jauh dari memuaskan, AC Milan dilaporkan oleh sportmediaset.it langsung bereaksi dan saat ini mereka tengah membidik bek Schalke 04, Rafinha dan gelandang Sao Paulo, Hernanes.
Rafinha sempat diberitakan hampir meninggalkan Schalke dan merapat ke Juventus, tetapi rencana tersebut gagal menjadi kenyataan hingga batas waktu transfer terlewati. Salah satu sektor terlemah Rossoneri adalah bek sayap terlebih Gianluca Zambrotta, Massimo Oddo dan Marek Jankulovski gagal memperlih! atkan penampilan apik mereka.
Sementara itu Hernanes sudah lama dihubungkan dengan AC Milan dan akan dijadikan pengganti Andrea Pirlo yang sempat diisukan pergi. Meski Pirlo tetap bertahan di San Siro, rawan cederanya Gennaro Gattuso dan sulitnya Ronaldinho menemukan permainan terbaik membuat Milan mau tidak mau harus mendatangkan tenaga tambahan.
Negoisasi transfer kedua pemain tersebut tidak bisa dirampungkan hingga pembukaan bursa transfer musim dingin di bulan Januari nanti.

sumber : goal.com

Pato Rindukan Kaka

MILAN - Sudah sembilan laga Alexandre Pato bermain musim ini, tetapi baru dua gol ia ciptakan. Penyerang AC Milan ini pun mengaku rindu kehadiran Kaka. Rincian sembilan laga itu adalah tujuh di Seri A dan dua di Liga Champions.
Dari dua kompetisi tersebut, baru di Seri A ia berhasil menciptakan gol. Penampilan menurun ini berjalan seiring dengan menukiknya performa Milan. Sampai saat ini Rossoneri masih belum menakutkan.
Bahkan dalam empat laga terakhir, di Seri A dan Liga Champions, mereka tak p! ernah meraih kemenangan. Sedikit banyak jebloknya Milan dinilai akibat hilangnya Kaka. Tanpa bintang asal Brasil tersebut, Il Diavolo minim kreativitas. Imbasnya penyerang seperti Pato pun sulit bikin gol.
Tanpa Kaka, plot pengatur serangan dialihkan kepada Clarence Seedorf dan Ronaldinho. Tetapi nama terakhir bahkan belum kembali kepada level permainan yang diharapkan. "Kaka adalah kawan baik saya. Saya merindukan dia dan masih tetap kontak-kontakan dengan dia," aku Pato di situs pribadinya.
Pemain yang digaet Milan dari Internacional ini juga mengungkapkan bahwa timnya memainkan terlalu banyak pertandingan. Toh demikian, ia optimistis mereka bakal bangkit. "Kami memainkan terlalu banyak laga. Tetapi, biar bagaimana pun, cepat atau lambat kami akan bangkit," tandasnya.

sumber : detik.com

Di Matteo - Wilshere at fault

The Baggies' Carling Cup tie at the Emirates Stadium was finely poised when the visitors were reduced to 10 men.

Thomas was shown the red card when he pushed the 17-year-old in the face but Di Matteo believes Wilshere contributed to the fracas.

"Thomas went to shake hands with Wilshere, he refused and Thomas reacted, so it was a red card," the Italian said.

"But there was an exchange of words and there was a reaction.

Turning Point
"I am disappointed Wilshere did not accept his hand, of a fellow colleague, but that is part of the game."

The former MK Dons was left rueing the one-man disadvantage as Arsenal went on to win 2-0 thanks to second-half goals from Sanchez Watt and Carlos Vela.

Di Matteo thought his side were starting to get the upper hand in the game and believes the result could have been very different had Thomas not been dismissed.

"That was the turning point. I felt before Thomas ! got sent off, we were starting to get on top of them," he added.

"We were just getting control of the game, and I thought we had a good chance to win tonight. But well done to Arsenal. They are very talented and congratulations to them."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger maintained that he did not know the full details of the incident but said that any aggressive reactions are likely to land a player in trouble.


Reaction
"My eyes are not great and my ears are even worse. I could not hear anything from the touchline," he said.

"Thomas has reacted, and in these cases you always need to control your nerves, whether he has any excuses, I do not know.

"Jack said he had been kicked. Certainly it would have been a great game if had stayed 11 against 11."

Wenger was quick to sing the praises of Mexican forward Carlos Vela, who created one goal and scored another as the Gunners settled the tie late on.

! The French manager revealed that Vela could feature in Arsenal! 's first -team plans when he has reached the required level of fitness.

"When Vela came on, straight away he made a difference," Wenger added.

"He is dangerous in his control, movement and class. He gives you something special. However, he was not ready to start tonight and still has work to do on his fitness.

"But he is in my plans for the first team - he can play wide left, wide right or central. He gives you plenty of options."

Carragher Waspadai Kebangkitan Owen

Pemain bertahan Liverpool, Jamie Carragher mengingatkan timnya agar waspada terhadap kebangkitan Owen di Manchester United.

Carragher percaya keputusan brilian Sir Alex untuk merekrut pemain usia 29 tahun yang sering dibekap cedera dari Newcastle United.

"Mendapatkan Michael Owen adalah ide brilian United dan dia memulainya dengan baik di pra musim." ujar Carragher kepada Sunday Mirror.

"Saya merasa senang dia menemukan klub besar untuk pindah karena dia datang ke Newcastle dengan ba! nyak kritikan."

"Kenapa? Apa dia melakukan kesalahan?"

"Buat saya, Michael Owen tetap pemain hebat dan patut dicontoh dan saya rasa dia bermain baik dengan United."

"Namun dia kini bermain untuk rival terbesar kami jadi dia akan tahu bahwa saya tidak akan membiarkannya mencetak gol di awal musim."

"Dia telah mencetak beberapa gol bersama United dan saya berharap dia bisa mencetak lebih banyak gol lagi di pra musim ini karena saya ingin dia lebih baik."

"Tapi setelah itu, saat awal musim saya berharap dia tidak mencetak gol."

Walaupun menghormati kehebatan Owen, Carragher percaya lini ! depannya yang kini diisi Fernando Torres dan Steven Gerrard tetap yang terbaik.

"Tidak ada tim lain di Inggris yang mempunyai duet Gerrard dan Torres. Tidak ada yang mempunyai pasangan yang lebih baik dari mereka untuk saat ini." ujar Carragher .

"Ketika dia bermain bersama Torres, kemampuan mereka dapat merusak pertahanan lawan yang ! rapat."

SPAZIOMERCATO:RINGHIO TENTATO DA MANCHESTER E BAYERN

A breve incontrerò il Milan. Rino è rossonero come pochi: con la società c'è bisogno di un chiarimento, ma credo che l'intenzione di Rino sia quella di rimanere al Milan". A parlare è il procuratore di Gennaro 'Ringhio' Gattuso, Claudio Pasqualin. Una frase interlocutoria che, come una medaglia, ha due possibili chiavi di lettura. La prima, allarmante, sta tutta in quel "c'è bisogno di un chiarimento". La seconda, più rassicurante, è racchiusa nella parole che seguono: "L'intenzione di Rino è quella di rimanere al Milan".Un incontro, quindi, a fine campionato ci sarà. Ci sarà perché Gattuso e il Milan hanno qualcosa da dirsi. Il giocator! e vorrà esprimere il suo disappunto per le condizioni tecnico-tattiche nelle quali viene impiegato, il club vorrà constatare con mano la voglia di Rino di rimanere in rossonero e, perché no?, vagliare anche possibili offerte provenienti dall'estero.In effetti, non è un mistero che il centrocampista campione del mondo con club e Nazionale non sia più così contento del contesto tattico in cui viene impiegato. Accetta di correre anche per gli altri, ma non vuole essere il solo. E il possibile arrivo di Ronaldinho a Milano rischia di costringerlo a uno sforzo ancor maggiore in vista della prossima stagione. E le offerte provenienti dall'estero? Ci sono e il club di via Turati non ha intenzione di scartarle a priori. Bayern Monaco e Manchester United sono pronte a contendersi il giocatore e, vista l'aria che tira, nei prossimi giorni potrebbero anche avanzare un'offerta ufficiale. Entrambi i club, infatti, hanno già sondato il terreno con Gattuso che ha dato la sua disponibilità! di massima. La voglia di provare un'altra esperienza, infatti! , lo all etta, ma non quanto la possibilità di ereditare la fascia di capitano del Milan da Paolo Maldini. Questo, infatti, resta sempre lo scenario più plausubile. Ma, ormai, non è più l'unico...

LECCE, LA A E' VICINA

Molta tensione e paura di perdere hanno prevalso nel match tra i salentini e i seriani. Papadopulo decide di schierare la coppia d'attacco che gli ha regalato questa finale, Abbruscato-Tiribocchi. Armando Madonna invece si affida a Cellini rientrato dopo il turno di squalifica scontato nel match di ritorno contro il Brescia, a supporto di Ruopolo. Veniamo al match.
Dopo pochi minuti i bergamaschi cominciano a carburare e a comandare il match. Al decimo minuto è Cellini a rendersi pericoloso per la prima volta con un tentativo di colpo di testa non andato a buon fine. Il Lecce continua a non attaccare e ad aspettare la squadra seriana.
La grande occasione per i padroni di casa arriva al 26esimo con una punizione dello specialista Carobbio che mira l'angolo alla sinistra alla sinistra di Benussi che non si fa sorprendere.
La gara non regala molte emozioni fino al 39esimo quando sulla sinistra Foglio trova in area ancora Cellini che ci riprova di testa ma colpisce la parte esterna della rete. Il primo tempo si conclude a reti involate con l'impressione che l'Albinoleffe possa avere qualche chance in più del Lecce.
La ripresa invece vede entrare in campo i salentini più determinati mentre i bergamaschi calano vistosamente. Dopo 10 minuti Tiribocchi, uno dei migliori dei suoi, serve un pallone perfetto per Munari che viene ipnotizzato da un superlativo Marchetti. Dopo pochi minuti l'Albinoleffe va vicinissimo al vantaggio con una punizione del solito Carobbio che sfiora il palo alla sinistra di! Benussi, questa sarà la vera ultima palla-gol per la squadra ! di casa.
Il Lecce, sornione trova la stoccata vincente con il duo Tiribocchi-Abbruscato, il primo in veste di assist-man il secondo di goleador, al 75esimo gli ospiti sono in vantaggio. L'Albinoleffe non ha più la forza di recuperare e ora dovrà compiere una vera impresa andando a vincere allo stadio Via del Mare con almeno 2 gol di scarto per raggiungere la massima serie o con uno per raggiungere i supplementari.

da http://www.eurosport.yahoo.it/

LA JUVE C'E',2-1 AL BRONDBY

Bianconeri formato Champions nell'amichevole giocata a Copenhagen contro il Brondby. Gli uomini di Ranieri, apparsi tonici e ben disposti in campo, hanno vinto 2 a 1, grazie alle reti nel primo tempo di Amauri e Iaquinta, che hanno messo già in mostra una buona intesa. I danesi hanno accorciato le distanze nella ripresa con il rigore trasformato da Farnerud. Migliori in campo: Amauri, Iaquinta, Mellberg e il giovane Fausto Rossi.

IL VIDEO DELLA GARA

HLTS DELLE AMICHEVOLI DI IERI

FRANCIA-SVEZIA con il commento di F.Casotti



ITALIA-AUSTRIA



RUSSIA-OLANDA

PARLA IBRA:"MOU E' IL MIGLIORE"

Non si sente il leader dell'Inter e glissa quando si parla di Pallone d'Oro. Zlatan Ibrahimovic prova a mantenere il profilo basso nel giorno del suo 27° compleanno. "Sento che ho tante responsabilità e anche l'allenatore me ne dà tante", ha detto lo svedese "e questa è una cosa che mi piace. Per vincere la Champions non serve Ibra al 100%, perché tutta la squadra deve stare bene e devi avere anche un po' di fortuna. Poi, se io faccio gol o assist, per me non è importante, perchè l'importante è solo vincere".

"Mi sento tante responsabilità, questo sì, devo dare tante risposte a compagni e tifosi, ma non mi sento leader, perché abbiamo il capita! no e lui deve essere il leader", ha aggiunto aggiunge 'delegando' l'incarico a Javier Zanetti. Il Pallone d'Oro è un obiettivo raggiungibile? "Questa è una cosa che devono dire gli altri, non io", ha glissato il centravanti. "Ho fiducia in me stesso, conosco le mie qualità, so di essere ad un livello molto alto, però non voglio dire che sono il numero 1, 2 o 3: non è il mio stile. A me piace quando parlano gli altri".

AMAURI:"NOI GIOCHIAMO MEGLIO"

Si avvicina Inter-Juventus, il primo derby d'Italia per Amauri con la maglia bianconera: "E' una partita molto importante - commenta il brasiliano - ma non darà verdetti definitivi per la stagione. Noi giochiamo un po' meglio dell'Inter, che però a Palermo ha fatto un gran secondo tempo". Amauri preferirebbe vincere il Campionato o la Champions League? "L'importante è raggiungere uno dei due traguardi. La doppietta sarebbe fantastica".

Sabato sera la Juventus troverà come avversario Josè Mourinho: "E' un allenatore che mi piace - prosegue l'attaccante - perchè dice sempre quello che pensa. A qualcuno questo può dare fastidio, m! a io ritengo che sia una bella cosa se una persona si comporta in questo modo". Sulla panchina bianconera siede invece Claudio Ranieri: "Sino a questa estate conoscevo solo la sua storia. Ora mi ritrovo a lavorare con lui e devo dire che mi ha dato una grandissima mano".
L'avversario più pericoloso per Amauri e compagni sarà con ogni probabilità Zlatan Ibrahimovic, reduce dalla doppietta di Palermo: "E' difficile che vinca il Pallone d'Oro quest'anno viste le cose eccezionali che ha fatto Cristiano Ronaldo, ma gli auguro di farcela nelle prossime stagioni perchè è davvero un grande giocatore".
L'Inter dovrà invece guardarsi da Alex Del Piero: "All'inizio eravamo un po' in difficoltà a giocare insieme perchè lui doveva trovare la condizione, ma ora andiamo alla grande. Non è per nulla egoista sul campo". E quando tornerà Trezeguet?: "Il rientro di David può essere solo un beneficio perchè lui garantisce sempre dei gol. Lo aspettiamo a braccia aperte".

SPETTACOLARE MA INUTILE PAREGGIO

Vucinic e Pato sono stati i grandi protagonisti del big-match dell'Olimpico tra Roma e Milan. Il 2-2 finale è stato firmato dalle loro doppiette. I giallorossi si sono portati in vantaggio al 22' del primo tempo con una prodezza del montenegrino. Nella ripresa è arrivata la risposta del Papero, autore di due reti nel giro di cinque minuti (al 3' e all'8'). Poi il pareggio definitivo di Vucinic al 26', con qualche responsabilità di Abbiati.

ROMA-MILAN 2-2

SISSOKO:"CHIAMATEMI PIOVRA"

Una Lavatrice e una Piovra. Il calcio è fatto anche di soprannomi. Per i tifosi del Lione Tiago era un elettrodomestico che rubava palloni sporchi e li restituiva puliti ai compagni di squadra. Per quelli juventini Sissoko è già diventato "La Piovra" per il modo rude, ma spesso efficace con cui arpiona il pallone in mezzo al campo. Momo ha gradito moltissimo il suo nuovo soprannome, tanto da scherzarci su proprio con gli stessi tifosi sul sito del club.
IDOLO - "È il mio preferito - ha raccontato il centrocampista a Juventus Channel -, lo trov! o molto simpatico. Quando lo stadio canta il mio nome mi dà una carica di energia in più, è fantastico". La Piovra non è scaramantica, ha 14 fratelli, e qualche anno fa giocava in attacco. "Prima di giocare non faccio gesti rituali, mi concedo solo una preghiera. Alla Juve ho scelto il 22, lo stesso numero che avevo al Liverpool. Nell'Auxerre giocavo seconda punta, poi Benitez al Liverpool mi ha spostato a centrocampo. L'avversario più forte che ho incrociato è Pirlo, l'attaccante più pericoloso Kakà".
TIMIDONE - Aggressivo e determinato in campo, taciturno e quasi timido fuori dal terreno di gioco. Mohamed Lamine Sissoko ha ereditato il nome dal papà e ha due fratelli che giocano a calcio ad alti livelli: uno in forza al Paris St. German, l'altro al Valencia. A Torino si trova benissimo, di notte non rischia mai di incrociare Balotelli in qualche locale notturno milanese. "Esco poco, alla discoteca preferisco stare a casa con mia moglie Sokona e mia figlia Aicha, asco! lto musica r&b e seguo il basket in tv, il mio idolo è Kobe Br! yant".GLADIATORE - Momo ha già capito molto dell'Italia: "Cosa scelgo tra couscous e pasta? Mi piacciono entrambi, ma in questo periodo mangio più la seconda. Ma il mio piatto preferito rimane il Tiebe, di tradizione maliana, a base di riso e manzo. Cosa mangio prima delle partite? Menù fisso, pastasciutta e scaloppine". Il suo film preferito è Il Gladiatore, domenica dovrà rinunciare all'arena e vedersi la Juve dalla tribuna, ma lancia un chiaro messaggio ai compagni: "Purtroppo non ci sarò, ma spero di tornare già con il Palermo. Siamo in ottima forma, come ha dimostrato la vittoria di domenica scorsa, e quindi con la Sampdoria dobbiamo vincere". Parola di piovra.

IBRA,CHE SCELTA?!

"Vedremo". Il futuro di Ibrahimovic è da guardare, scrivere, comprendere, indovinare. Mai come questa volta lo svedese di origini bosniache appare vicino all'addio. Il Barcellona è il più interessato, il Real Madrid lo tiene buono se fallisse l'operazione Cristiano Ronaldo, il Manchester United lo acchiapperebbe nel caso in cui il portoghese prendesse l'aereo per la Spagna. E i dubbi riguardano pure Mourinho...

Zlatan sembra assaporare gli ultimi mesi da 'italiano'. Lui e Raiola lanciano messaggi enigmatici a radio, tivù, siti in! ternet e carta stampata. Le piste che potrebbero interessare all'ex juventino sono essenzialmente tre. Due portano in Spagna. Il Barcellona di Laporta è intenzionato come sempre a srotolare il gomitoo di euro per un grande colpo. Adebayor, Benzema o Ibra. Con tanti saluti a Eto'o. Il Real Madrid ha in canna il colpo Ronaldo. Lo svedese è una seconda scelta, inutile girarci intorno. Il Manchester United nemmeno lo penserebbe se non rischiasse di perdere il portoghese.

Insomma, vuoi per convenienza, vuoi per scelta, non è che ci sia tutta questa fila in via Durini per accontentare il suo spirito. Diverso il discorso per Mourinho. Il portoghese, se dovesse interrompere i rapporti professionali con Moratti, sarebbe più ricercato. Dalle solite tre, ma con maggior interesse. Guardiola a Barcellona è stabile come un appendino al vento. Juande Ramos a Madrid rischia di essere un turista di passaggio. Ferguson smetterà prima o poi.

1° raduno ItalyMagpie's e altro..

LIrlanda del Nord conquista San Marino.

Le Pagelle di JUVENTUS - CATANIA 1 - 1

Juventus: 6

La prova della squadra bianconera è tutto soomato positiva e solo un grande Catania e tanta sfortuna le hanno impedito di raggiungere la vittoria. Ranieri aveva paura della squadra di Zenga e a ben vedere aveva ragione. La Juventus questa volta non riesce a sfruttare a dovere le occasioni e deve arrestare la sua corsa verso lo scudetto, nonostante un grande Amauri e la strepitosa serata di Giovinco.! Certo se si fosse svegliata subito, dopo il pareggio del Catania, i tre punti non le sarebbero sfuggiti di certo. Che non siano due punti da rimpiangere questi...SPRECONA

Manninger: 6,5

L'austriaco si traveste di nuovo da Buffon come a Cagliari, peccato che questa volta non permetta alla squadra di portare a casa l'intera posta in palio. Due grandi parate e la sicurezza possono bastare per continuare ad essere il secondo del portiere della Nazionale?...SEMPRE PRONTO

Grygera: 6

Deve guardarsi dalle scorribande di Llamae e tutto sommato gl! i riesce anche bene. Non si avventura nelle azioni d'attacco, ! dove pot rebbe far male, ma preferisce restare sulle sue. Una maggiore convinzione in se stesso potrebbe essergli d'aiuto...TIMIDO

Legrottaglie: 6,5

Ranieri ha saputo recuperarlo psicologicamente dopo l'infausto inizio della sua carriera bianconera. Offre solidità al reparto e di testa la prende sempre lui. Da migliorare l'impostazione tattica. ABILE E ARRUOLATO

Chiellini: 5,5

Potrebbe reggere da solo la difesa juventina, ma si vede che non è una delle sue migliori serate. Annulla Morimoto ma si perde in alcune piccolezze per niente degne del suo c! alibro...DISTRATTO

De Ceglie: 5,5

Sembra il primo Zambrotta juventino, volenteroso ma ancora tatticamente avulso. Viene schierato per la prima volta dall'inizio e non offre certo una prova meritevole della considerazione di Ranieri. Dalle sue parti Izco trova vita facile ma non incide più di tanto...INDISCIPLINATO

Marchionni: 5

Una prova non all'altezza delle ultime apparizioni. E' lento e impacciatoe soffre il raddoppio dei giocatori del Catania. Giustamente sostituito...RECUPERABILE (69' Salihamidzic: 6 Svolge il compi! tino che gli assegna Ranieri...DILIGENTE)
Poulsen: 6

Fa quello che sa fare meglio: difendere e impostare. Poco incisivo in fase di attacco ma del resto cosa chiedergli di più...EFFICACE

Marchisio: 5,5

Viene ingabbiato dalla morsa del Catania e soffre la velocità del gioco. Potrebbe osare di più vista le sue doti tecniche. Del resto non a caso è titolare nell'Under 21 di Casiraghi...FRENATO(82'Tiago: 5 Ennesima prova incolore...SOPRAVVALUTATO)

Giovinco: 7

Inizia la partita come vice-Nedved ma finisce coll'essere il vice-Del Piero, vista anche la scarsa vena del capitano. Alterna giocate strepitose a cambi di passo repentini mettendo in sogguaglio l'intera difesa etnea. Regala un numero di alta scuola in occasione del goal di Amauri e se non fosse che Ranieri decida di farlo uscire probabilmente poteva strappare i tre punti...DIVINO
(84'Nedved: s.v Il mister lo butta dentro nella speranza del colpo ad effetto. Rimarrà vana...ULTIMA CARTUCCIA)

Amauri: 7

Terzo goal in campionato per il nuo! vo acqui sto di casa Juventus. Schiaccia in rete l'invito a nozze di Giovinco alla prima occasione e svaria su tutto il fronte d'attacco cercando di agganciare qualsiasi palla piova in area. Ci riesce ma trova di fronte a lui la traversa che gli nega la gioia della doppietta...DETERMINANTE

Del Piero: 6,5

"Un capitano, c'è solo un capitano" canta la curva Scirea e lui risponde presente. Non è il solito Alex e si vede. Arriva spesso in ritardo sul pallone e conclude raramente a rete. Ma quando lo fa mette paura a Zenga, il palo strozza in gola l'urlo di gioia dell'Olimpico...CAPITANO

Pubblicato da Mariano Ciaraldi - REDATTORE F. C. JUVENTU! S

SUPER BENZEMA, PROVVIDENZA IBRA: ECCO I GOL DI BARCELONA E REAL MADRID!!!

REAL MADRID-TENERIFE 3-0


BARCELONA - MALAGA 2-0 (GOL DI IBRA)



SIMONE PIZZI

News StampaInvia LAZIO - Salzburg sale of coupons

The S.S. Lazio communicates that from today are sold the coupons at Lazio Style 1900 the SFR any (if you want to see the map points sale click here ), the invitation to tender of ! Europe League LATIUM - Salzburg programme Thursday 17 September 21:05 p.m.. To purchase coupons will be time to kick-off meeting. Recalled all the fans that point closest to the Olympic Stadium ticket sales is Via William Calderini 66 / C and the day of the game will be open from noon 10:00. The SS Lazio SpA recalls that you buy a ticket is required to show an identity document, worth the impossibility to issue title of access. This also applies to minors for whom the tax code, the health card, the passport of one parent are accepted (where appears obviously the minor) or the document issued by the municipality. In addition, the maximum number of coupons you can buy from a single person is four. Finally, at the entrance to the control of identity will be carried out on every single spectator and is therefore required to produce a document of identity,including minors.

Of followed the prices of tickets:

Honour 100 euro Gallery

Gallery Monte Mario 70 euro - reduced * 50 euro

Gallery Tevere Top 50 euro - reduced * 35 euro

Gallery Tevere side 35 euro - reduced * 25 euro

Gallery Tevere not Deambulante 16 euro

Gallery Tevere Accompagno 16 euro

Curves and separate euro 16,00

Sector guests euro 16,00

* Can purchase a ticket reduced senior boys between the meter and the meter and a half. Less per metre height children accessing Stadium free of charge and without ticket.

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Gerrard the greatest ever in Liverpool history

Fernando Torres hailed Steven Gerrard the 'greatest player in the world' and insists: Liverpool would be lost without him.

He believes their inspirational skipper is 'irreplaceable' and has vowed to help land him a long overdue first ever Premiership winners medal - and the World Player of the Year Award.

Torres insists Gerrard is the heartbeat of the club and the key factor behind their European and domestic ambitions.

He said: "He is wi! thout doubt the greatest player I have ever played with. He has everything.

"At Liverpool, he is irreplaceable. Every big club has a standard bearer, a home-grown talent, someone with a lifelong commitment to the cause.

"People come and go but he's always there. It's him and ten others. He's everything to the side. That's Steven Gerrard at Liverpool. I can't even begin to imagine the place without him.

"He's got it all as a footballer too: personality, consistency, stature, control, power, strength, aggression, intensity, he never goes missing... he can play everywhere and he can play in every way. Wherever you put him, he performs. He scores goals, works hard, he's quick, he's tireless. He's a born leader and the most consistent player in the world.

"The only thing missing from CV is the Premier League title and an international award like the Ballon d'Or or the FIFA World Player and I'm sure he'll win one of those soon. There's! no doubt he deserves to. Any coach would want him in their si! de. "

Torres is the new Kop idol but he believes Gerrard will eventually be recognised as Liverpool's greatest ever player – and he claims he models himself on the captain.

He revealed his admiration for Gerrard in his autobiography, 'Torres: El Nino' serialised this week by The Mirror.

Torres adds: "One day he'll be recognised as one of the greatest players in the club's history. And don't forget, he's Liverpool through and through too: a local lad who came up through the ranks. That fact makes his achievements all the more impressive to me. For any Scouser to get into the Liverpool first team is extremely difficult.

"Youth teamers learn from the first team players whom they look up to; they get immersed in the values of the clubs and the footballers who represent it over the years. Maybe that's why Steve and Carra haven't had to tell me what Liverpool stands for; I can see it in their game.

"Steve doesn't need to scream and sh! out on the pitch to be a leader. He leads by example, by the way he plays – the way he's had bred into him for years.

"Our captains are symbols of the club; they supported the team as kids, they sweated for the cause for years in the Academy, fighting to make it, they've put up with the pressure of playing for their future with the Reserves, they've made it to the first team and worn the armband at Anfield.

"I have tried to absorb everything I can from the club and the city, to understand exactly where I am and that's because of them. If there is one thing that inspires me about (Jamie) Carragher and Gerrard, one thing that stands out as the key to the way they play, it is their commitment to the cause."

Gerrard and Jamie Carragher went out of their way to greet Torres, sending him text messages within hours of him joining and helping him to settle in at Anfield – they remain on his phone to this day.

He added: "I really noticed ! that in training: Gerrard and Carragher for example, are alway! s the fi rst to do each exercise and their attitude provides a model to follow. Their enthusiasm is contagious; their approach brings the intensity and dedication necessary to everything we do. If they give everything then you have no choice but to give everything too.

"I admire Steven Gerrard because I know how much pressure he has to live with every day. Everyone's talking about him all the time – in the dressing room, in the bars, in the stadium. From my own experience, I know how difficult it is to keep everyone happy, but the pressure he's under is on a different level to anything I ever had to live with because Liverpool is such a huge club.

"When you're captain, you know everyone is talking about you. You can feel it, especially when things go badly. Everything that Gerrard has to face every single day, and the expectations that surround him, make the way he handles the pressure even more impressive. He is always under the microscope and people always exp! ect him to be a leader, to lift the team all on his own.

"He is an example to everyone who ever finds themselves in that situation. It's incredible what he has to put up with and how much there is going on around him every single day.

"I would love to be a captain somewhere some day because I think I've had the best possible role model in Steven Gerrard."

Kalou coy on contract talk

The Blues are keen to tie the Ivorian forward down on fresh terms as his current deal is set to expire next summer.

The 24-year-old has spent the last three years at Stamford Bridge, and has matured into a fine attacking talent.

A lack of opportunities at Chelsea has, however, led to speculation regarding his future.

Arsenal have been linked with a move in the past, while former Blues boss Joe Mourinho is said to be keen on taking him to Inter Milan.

Waiting game
Kalou is set to sit down with his current employers in the near future to talk about his plans, but he is giving nothing away at present.

He admits he is flattered to be mentioned alongside some of Europe's biggest clubs, but has stopped short of suggesting that he is keen to move on.

"We have to wait and see what happens," Kalou told skysports.com.

"I am relaxed. My contract this season is important as I need to be playing football an! d play well for my country.

"Having teams interested in me shows I am doing well, so let's wait and see."

Losers, Abramovich Will not Release Chelsea

Prediction Score Champion League: 4-5 November 2008

Prediction Score UEFA Cup: 27 November 2008

The Reds are reluctant More Series

Prediction Score Premier League: 11-12 April 2009

West Brom 1 - 1 Newcastle

Duff also scored when the teams met in February in the Premier League

By Paul Fletcher BBC Sport at the Hawthorns

Newcastle and West Brom marked their return to the second tier of English football with a lively draw at The Hawthorns that saw the Magpies substitute keeper Tim Krul claim centre stage.

The Baggies took the lead when Shelton Martis, who had missed a golden chance in the opening minutes, scrambled the ball home after Newcastle failed to deal with a set piece, but Damien Duff struck a crisp right-foot equaliser after the break.

West Brom repeatedly came close to regaining the lead but 21-year-old Krul made four brilliant second-half saves.

The Dutch keeper, who replaced the injured Steve Harper at the break, twice saved crisp strikes from Robert Koren and also denied Luke Moore and Baggies substitute Graham Dorrans.

Jonas Olsson thought he had headed an injury-time winner for the home side that would ha! ve ensured Robert di Matteo's first meaningful game in charge ! at West Brom ended in victory but the goal was disallowed for offside.

The afternoon had started with a minute's applause in memory of Sir Bobby Robson - and shortly afterwards the match opened at a frenetic pace that would be maintained until the players started to tire in the final 20 minutes.

606: DEBATE We are a bit better from set pieces and use the long pass occasionally, but today had frustrating echoes of last season BD/CPS:NAME>

Both teams looked to use the full width of the lush Hawthorns surface and Newcastle in particular played the ball through the middle third in a manner that was often pleasing on the eye.

However, the quality of the crossing and finishing was often awful. Newcastle's Jonas Gutierrez, playing on the left of midfield, was especially guilty of wasting several promising positions with poorly directed or over-hit crosses.

And if some of the finishing was of questionable quality then Newcastle's de! fending of set pieces was terrible throughout and should have ! cost the m a goal after only five minutes.

Martis completely lost his marker as a free-kick was floated into the Newcastle area but the Baggies defender, in yards of spaces, volleyed wide from eight yards after stretching to make contact with the ball.

It was an awful miss and he was almost made to pay for his profligacy when Gutierrez and the hard working Andy Carroll combined to set up a shooting chance for Duff but the Irish winger shot wide from 20 yards with his first-time strike.

There was to be no let off for the Magpies after Steve Harper came but failed to punch clear another free-kick after 39 minutes.

The ball dropped to Moore - again gifted far too much space - and although his shot was blocked, Martis reacted quickly to stab home from inside the six-yard box. Harper was accidentally kicked by Shola Ameobi and did not appear for the second half.

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A first West Brom goal for Shelton Martis gave his side a first-half lead

The Baggies might have put the match beyond their opponents shortly after the restart but Krul - on for the injured Harper - made a superb save low to his left to thwart Robert Koren.

Duff's crisp first-time finish after a neat lay off from Kevin Nolan levelled the scores with Newcastle's first decent real opening of the half, but the Magpies should not have remained on level terms for long.

Krul made another decent one-handed save to again deny Koren but Chris Wood smashed the rebound high and wide.

Newcastle's substitute keeper continued to impress, denying Moore after the Baggies st! riker turned Fabricio Coloccini inside and out to create the o! pening.

Krul was less certain when coming for crosses but he made a brilliant fingertip stop from Dorrans as the Baggies pushed for a winner.

Kevin Nolan could have snatched an unlikely win for the Tynesiders but put his header high and wide when picked out unmarked in the box.

Newcastle's own weakness against set pieces almost cost them when Olsson headed home late on but the offside flag ensured the points were shared.

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West Brom manager Roberto Di Matteo:
"I'm disappointed about the result because we had plenty of chances.

"Their goalkeeper made some fine saves, but the performance was quite good.

"We are creating chances, we are quite solid at the back as well. We were a bit late when we conceded the goal, but I thought that going forward we created enough chances to win the game.

"Credit to Newcastle, you look at their team sheet and there are a lot of international players there. It wasn't an easy game but I thou! ght we did well."

Newcastle caretaker manager Chris Hughton:
"We got what we deserved today. To come here against a very good side, a side I'm sure will do very well in this division, and to get a draw on the opening day is credit to this group of lads.

"We went 1-0 down but I think we showed a lot of character to come back. I thought we deserved the goal, I thought some of our football at times was good and it was certainly an entertaining game to be sure."