Sunday, September 18, 2016
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Bale: "I feel there's a lot more to come from me"
Gareth Bale faced the press in the run-up to the 'Clásico', stating that he andReal Madrid have not given up all hope of winning the La Liga title despite Barça being ten points ahead of them. "Anything is possible", he stressed.
Asked about his position, Bale noted that, "everybody knows I like to play centrally and to be able to move around, but obviously we're not playing that formation at the moment". He added that he enjoys being able to "drift in" when lining up on the right, while insisting that he doesn't "mind" playing on the left, which is where he's been used recently.
On the subject of the tributes to Johan Cruyff before this weekend's match, the Welshman commented: "Everyone respects him as a footballer and a man. Everybody will want to pay their respects and rightfully so".
Nevertheless, Bale said that Real Madrid will not be distracted by these tributes and also claimed that they are not letting their thoughts wander ahead to their forthcoming European tie against Wolfsburg. He maintained that 'Los Blancos' will "take every game as it comes" and that they are gunning to keep improving and to get the win in the 'Clásico' to help "build up" their "confidence as a team", so that they can "take that improvement and confidence into the Champions League". "Hopefully we can have a good run of form and take home some trophies", he noted.
Barça left in need
Luis Enrique has quite a headache to deal with running in to the last games of the season.
Jeremy Mathieu, the Barça manager's go-to sub both in the centre of defence and out on the left flank, will soon have his left knee operated on following a knock that he picked up during the France-Russia game. Although he may lose the plot once in a while out on the playing field, he is in fact the twelfth most active player in the team.
The first game that the Frenchman will miss is the all-important 'Clásico'. Bearing in mind the niggles that Jordi Alba can't seem to shake off in his ankle and the thousands of miles that Mascherano has recently travelled in order to play for his country, under normal circumstances, Mathieu would have a very good chance of being picked for the game.
He would be the logical choice, especially if we consider that his performances as of late have been outstanding: he scored with a blinding header in his team's 2-1 home victory last season and put in a good show in the 4-0 away drubbing that they gave Real last November. Alas, he is to go under the knife to get his meniscus bone sorted and will not be match fit for some time to come.
Neither will Luis Enrique be able to count on the services of Adriano, out with muscle strain. Alba is therefore the only left-back available for the job - but don't be too surprised if we see him rested in readiness for Champions League commitments. If he is, 'jack of all trades' Sergi Roberto could be tasked with taking up defending duties out on the left wing. With Mathieu unavailable, other options are Bartra and Vermaelen.
ZZ wants the ball
However, Zidane is not giving up and does not plan to change his game plan. He wants his team to press high up the pitch, win the ball back quickly, keep it and move it quickly about the park, even at the Camp Nou. For that reason, there has been no end of training matches over half a pitch this week, with the Frenchman trying to instil in his players the need for quick and pinpoint passing. That is the only way to deal with the pressure that Barcelona will put them under.
Of course, taking their own goalscoring chances is key too. That is another thing that Zidane has worked on this week, especially with Benzema and Bale. Making the most of their chances is going to be crucial, which is why there have been so many shooting drills and exercises at Valdebebas this week.
Zidane wants the ball and wants to hurt Barcelona. This is a game in which the Frenchman wants his players to showcase a new playing style out on the pitch: it is not about waiting for the opposition, but more about going after the game.
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Ramos: "I would love to win the Ballon d'Or"
Real Madrid and 'La Roja' defender,Sergio Ramos, has said today that he feels he is at the "most important" point of his life right now, having become a father and putting in a "great season" with his club, in addition to winning the Champions League.
"I'm at my best. I've had a great year, both on a personal and professional front. Let's hope it continues for the World Cup in Brazil. The whole Spanish national squad have to give it every last drop of sweat", he said.
"I would love to win the Ballon d'Or, but honestly, I'm not even thinking about it. In the end, individual titles are achieved with the help of all your teammates. It isn't Sergio Ramos's 'Decima', it's everyone's. There are lots of people who have worked hard to win the title. It's been a great year for all 'Madridistas'".
Prior to being presented with the City of Seville Medal by the Seville City Council, Ramos admitted that he has nothing to complain about and that he has had some "really great" experiences this year, describing becoming a father as one of the "happiest" moments of his life, with the added "bonus" of the Champions League victory which "rounds the year off perfectly".
"This is the most important time of my life and the truth is that I'm loving it. I'm really happy about becoming a father and about having had a great season. Those things all add up and make you grow emotionally" the Real Madrid star
Agüero wants to go to Barça with Messi
Leonel del Castillo,Sergio Agüero's father, assured on Esports COPE that his son "would love to go to Barcelona" to be able to playalongside Messi. Barça would love to take him on board but Manchester City insists that the player is not for sale.
Kun's father admitted that the chances of his son leaving the Premier to strut his stuff back in Spain are slight. "Manchester City make it impossible", he lamented.
Barcelona have revealed that the club is willing to fork out €38 million for the forward, but in England the word is that City won't even think about it until the figure sits at around €100 million.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
"Xavi is the architect of Barça"
The president of FC Barcelona, Sandro Rosell has nothing but praise for midfielder Xavi Hernandez who has just received the Agrupació Barça Jugadors (ABJ) award for fair play. As far as Rosell is concerned, he is the "architect" of the team which wouldn't be what it is today without him. He also described him as the best Spanish player in terms of numbers and statistics.
"Barça's game cannot be understood without Xavi... it would be harder for others to score without him, and he, together with Iniesta, Busquets and Messi invented 'tiki taka'. It's Xavi's trademark. Barça wouldn't be the same without him and we are very proud that he is part of our family." Rosell said at the award ceremony.
Rosell also believes Xavi is a great football player and an even better person. "He's a legend at Barça. Time always sets the record straight, and before too long when he is a coach - a proposal I second - we will realize everything Xavi has done (for the club) and say, 'Wow, amazing!'. He has helped to make Barça what it is today, a respected and admired club. He has had a hand in making it happen."
"I love statistics, and if we look at the figures, they don't lie - Xavi has made almost 700 appearances for Barça and, in terms of numbers, he is the best ever Spanish player." he concluded.
"I can't imagine Messi not playing," says Simeone
The Atlético manager looked ahead to this Saturday's game against Barcelona. "It's going to be a huge game and a beautiful one to be involved in. We'll use everything at our disposal to try and win," said Simeone.
The Argentine praised Barça and its manager, his fellow countryman Gerardo Martino. "Barcelona has an amazing squad. They're quicker, more direct and have a crossover game, which makes them very dangerous. They're better one on one and are more direct which also makes them more dangerous. Martino has given more options to a side which already had plenty," he said.
Regarding Messi's presence in the game, Simeone said: "I'm very pleased that Messi is fit and I wish him all the best because, as an Argentine, we need him to win the World Cup. It would be tough to see this game without Messi. I cannot imagine him not playing, although it's always a possibility."
He was also asked about his 'game at a time' philosophy. "I've thought the same ever since I arrived at the club. We have a better chance if we take it a game at a time. We're taking things as they come and are leading the pack", he explained.
El Cholo commented on the differences between Barça and Atlético and what type of game can be expected. "They're better than us individually. We focus on teamwork and keeping it tight on the pitch. We're stronger as a team and we challenge as such. Regarding the game, I think they'll see more of the ball than us and I expect a similar game to that of the Spanish Super Cup," he concluded.
He finally talked about what Atlético is about. "Historically, we're the people's team," he said.
Liga - Barcelona angry after Rosell targeted over Neymar contract
Barcelona have reacted angrily to a request by the state prosecutor to open proceedings against club president Sandro Rosell for the alleged misappropriation of funds in last year's purchase of Neymar.
The Brazil forward signed for the Spanish champions in the close season for 57.1 million euros, of which 17.1 million euros went to his former club Santos.
Barca club member Jordi Cases filed a complaint seeking clarification over what happened to the remaining 40 million euros and on Friday the state prosecutor asked the judge overseeing the case to open proceedings against Rosell, who denies wrongdoing.
The judge has yet to rule on the prosecutor's request.
"Barcelona Football Club wishes to express its most energetic indignation about the report by the state prosecutor on the signing of Neymar Da Silva Santos Junior," Barca said in a statement on their website (www.fcbarcelona.es) on Saturday.
"The operation to sign Neymar Da Silva Santos Junior was complex, an example of business engineering, and we have repeatedly expressed the confidential nature of some of its agreements," they added.
"Our rivals were prepared to conduct the same operation for much more money but (FC Barcelona) won through thanks to the skill and expertise of its negotiating team.
"This contractual complexity, labelled by the prosecutor in his report as 'contractual simulation', never constitutes a crime in itself.
"We believe the prosecutor is making a mistake in believing otherwise. Faced with the seriousness of these facts, and despite a belief in the good faith of the legal authorities, we will act forcefully to defend the honour of (FC Barcelona) and its president
Bundesliga - Ribery: Ballon d'Or is either now or never for me
Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery has conceded that it is ‘now or never’ for him to win the Ballon d’Or.
The France international is up for the FIFA prize alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, and the 30-year-old has admitted that it is his time to collect the individual honour.
"Messi and Ronaldo are two great players who score a great amount of goals, but let's not compare our stats. Our styles are different," he told L’Equipe.
"I've done everything, I avoided injuries and I've given regular performances. Ronaldo scores a lot of goals, but Messi is always the best player in the world, though he experienced some injuries this year.
"I've done everything. It's hard to give more. I've played all the games, won all the trophies and I've been decisive.
“I'm confident, I have every chance. It's now or never, I'm 30.
"If I win it, my thoughts will go to my wife and father. They were always behind me, even when things were tough. [But] I'm fine, I don't always think of the Ballon d'Or, I don't need sleeping pills.
"For me, the Ballon d'Or would be a revenge for all I've endured. Something extraordinary. If I don't win it? Life will continue, even if it would be a great deception. I won't stop my career. It's quite the opposite. I want to have fun with Bayern and win everything again. I also want to have a good World Cup with France."
European Match of the Weekend: Atletico Madrid v Barcelona
Atletico Madrid can banish any lingering doubts about their title credentials when they hostBarcelona on Saturday but will have to subdue a resurgent Lionel Messi if they are to vanquish the champions.
It has been almost 20 years since the Spanish capital's second club mounted a genuine challenge for the La Liga crown as Barca and Real Madrid, the world's two richest teams by income, have shared the spoils apart from brief flurries of success from Valencia and Deportivo La Coruna. And what last season seemed unthinkable could become much more plausible if they beat the reigning champions on Saturday.
Last season's third place was the best Atletico had managed since they won a league and Copa del Rey double in 1996 and they even spent two seasons in the second division at the start of the millennium.
Current coach Diego Simeone, a former Argentina midfielder who was in the 1996 team, has revived memories of those glory days since he took over at the end of 2011, honing a mean defence and getting the best out of players like forward Diego Costa and midfielder Koke.
Atletico, the Copa del Rey holders, have won all their matches at their Calderon stadium this season apart from the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup in August when they drew 1-1 with Barca.
Victory on Saturday would put them three points clear of the Catalan giants with half the season played, while Atletico's city rivals Real Madrid are five points behind in third and play at Espanyol on Sunday.
Koke, who earned a call-up to the Spain squad last year, has played a key role in Atletico's resurgence, developing a lethal partnership with Costa and netting some important goals himself, including the winner in Saturday's 1-0 victory at Malaga.
However, beating Barca to head the standings at the halfway stage of the campaign would be a mere "anecdote" as what counted was the state of play at the climax of the season in May, he warned on Wednesday.
"It is irrelevant if you win this match if in the end you have not achieved your objectives," he told a news conference that coincided with his 22nd birthday.
One man who will be itching to spoil Atletico's party is World Player of the Year Messi, who came off the bench and scored twice on his return from injury in Wednesday's 4-0 last 16, first leg success at home to Getafe in the cup.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Ribéry: "If I win the Ballon d'Or, it will be for Bayern"
Q: Let's get straight to the point. Many people believe you will win the Ballon d'Or award. Would you feel aggrieved if it went to someone else?
A: Of course I want to win it! I would like to get it because of all the work in my career, coming through the bad times and because I think I'm at my peak. If I win it, it will be a victory for my family, my wife and for Bayern. For our great year.
Q: What would you put your recent form down to?
A: I've learnt to look after myself and recover after playing. You have to be very professional at the age of 30 to be in shape and improve every day.
Q: Is it true that you could have signed for Real Madrid a few years ago?
A: (Laughs). I'm happy now and enjoying playing well. The past is the past. In fact, I hope to finish my career at Bayern (Ribéry is now in his seventh season with Munich).
Q: Can you understand why your teammate Karim Benzema has been widely criticised in your country and at Real?
A: It's true that Karim has been having a hard time. But he has scored in France's last two games and I think this has given him more confidence. I think he has overcome his difficulties.
"The ref decided the game"
"There are things you can't do anything about. I've said it before. The ref decided the result," stated the Spaniard.
Specifically, Ramos believes that the referee from Navarre punished Real Madrid by not marking two clear penalties: one for a handball by Adriano and another for a push by Mascherano on Ronaldo. "The penalties were blatant," blasted the international defender.
Everyone could see that except him
"With Sergio Ramos I was looking for more stability in midfield. I talked to Sergio and he was quite happy to play there. And we didn’t play with three defending midfielders as Modric isn't one. Marcelo and Carvajal played to attack. Barça didn't attack all that much either. Just Messi and Neymar were up front", he said of the formation.
Ancelotti also mentioned Gareth Bale: "He was on for an hour and he didn't play badly. He played on the right and then in the middle, first of all putting pressure on Busquets, and then on the wing to find more space.
Neymar shines in controversial 'Clásico'
However, young Jesé Rodríguez made the final moments of the game much more exciting after making it 2-1. Real Madrid called for a penalty after Mascherano pushed Ronaldo in the 72nd minute but it wasn’t given.
During the first half of the game, it was Barcelona who was in full control of the ball and took the only clear opportunity that presented itself. A great move by Iniesta left the ball for Brazilian Neymar to shoot at goal and he made it 1-0. This was a little bit lucky as Neymar's shot struck Varane, which wrong-footed Diego López.
In the second half, Real Madrid was greatly superior to Barcelona, especially once Benzema and Illarramendi came on. Benzema had the chance of an equaliser but his shot hit the bar.
And just when Real Madrid's game was at its best, Alexis, who had just come onto the pitch, appeared and scored a great goal, hitting a perfect lob from outside the area.
This goal allowed Barcelona to breathe more easily. But in injury time Jesé pulled one back with a counter-attack following a pass by Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo had made a very rapid run from his own area, passing the ball to Jesé, who finished off the move perfectly
Arsenal prevail, Suárez shines for Liverpool
Arsène Wenger's side lost 2-1 at home against Borussia Dortmund in their midweek UEFA Champions League game, and took the lead with a couple of minutes of the restart, Arteta finishing from the spot after Adlène Guedioura brought down teenager Serge Gnabry. Arteta was then sent off for a professional foul on former Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh, and the Gunners had to withstand some pressure before Giroud got his head to an Aaron Ramsey ball three minutes from time.
The Gunners are two points clear of Liverpool FC, who overwhelmed West Bromwich Albion FC 4-1 – a win shaped by Luis Suárez's first Anfield hat-trick. The Uruguayan international scored two inside the opening 18 minutes; a neat finish after nutmegging Jonas Olsson, and a thumping header from 15 metres. Suárez nodded in another to complete his treble before Daniel Sturridge wrapped things up with a lob. James Morrison's spot-kick was scant consolation for West Brom.
Six points further back, Manchester United FC twice came from behind to post a 3-2 win against Stoke City FC at Old Trafford, two goals in two minutes late on from Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernández securing an important success for the reigning champions.
Tim Howard saved a Christian Benteke penalty as Everton FC won 2-0 at Aston Villa FC, while Norwich City FC v Cardiff City FC ended goalless. Southampton FC's fine start to the season continued as Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriguez scored to secure a 2-0 win against Fulham FC in the late game; the Saints go into Sunday third in the table.
FA celebrates 150 years of football
"It was in this very place 150 years ago that a group of men sat down together in a pub and, although they did not realise it, they took one of the greatest steps in global sporting history," the Prince explained as he addressed the gala event. "They took a pastime, a popular hobby among young men, and did what comes naturally to human – well, perhaps British – nature: they gave it some rules. Not too many. Just 13 rules in all, which were written down in a rule book, revised over a short period of time, and then shared among the football clubs that made up the new Football Association.
"We take it for granted that association football is a world sport, but it needn't have been that way. The sport would have probably remained the preserve of a few schools and a handful of clubs, perhaps splintering to a number of different versions of the game – if it were not for the rules laid down that evening. That act of getting together and forming the FA, and crucially giving it simple rules, allowed the game to become the global phenomenon which it is today."
UEFA President Michel Platini and his FIFA counterpart Joseph S Blatter were among the guests at the Grand Connaught Rooms, which stands on the site of the Freemasons' Tavern, where the FA's 'Founding Fathers' – Ebenezer Cobb Morley, Arthur Pember, Charles William Alcock, Francis Maule Campbell, John Forster Alcock, Herbert Thomas Steward, George Twizell Wawn and James Turner – came together on 26 October 1863 to lay down the first definitive set of rules for the game.
On Monday, over 20 descendents of the 'Founding Fathers' met at Wembley Stadium to unveil a plaque commemorating their ancestors' achievement. "In terms of historical significance, the eight Founding Fathers of football should be placed alongside other great pioneers of this nation," FA general secretary Alex Horne said. "The FA is delighted that in its 150th year we have been able to identify living descendants and honour their forefathers at what is now the home of English football, Wembley."
Saturday, October 26, 2013
“ბარსელონამ” წარუმატებელი ელ კლასიკოების სერია შეწყვიტა
“ბარსელონა” 2:1 “რეალი”
გოლები: ნეიმარი 19, სანჩესი 78 – ხესე 90+1
“ბარსელონა”: ვალდესი, დანი ალვეში, პიკე, მასკერანო, ადრიანო, ბუსკეტსი, ჩავი, ინიესტა (სონგი 77), ფაბრეგასი (სანჩესი 70), მესი, ნეიმარი (პედრო 84).
“რეალი”: ლოპესი, კარვახალი, ვარანი, რამოსი (ილიარამენდი 56), მარსელო, პეპე, ხედირა, მოდრიჩი, დი მარია (ხესე 76), ბეილი (ბენზემა 61), რონალდუ.
გაფრთხილება: ბუსკეტსი, ადრიანო – რამოსი, ბეილი, ხედირა, რონალდუ
საჩხერის "ჩიხურამ" ჯავრი ლანჩხუთის "გურიაზე" იყარა
საჩხერის "ჩიხურამ", რომელიც წინა ტურში თბილისში "დინამოსთან" შერცხვა (1:6), ამჯერად ქუთაისის ცენტრალურ სტადიონზე ლანჩხუთის "გურია" მიიღო და დიდი ანგარიშით მოუგო - 5:1.
საჩხერელები წინ 22-ე წუთზე ვაჟა ლომაშვილმა გაიყვანა, ბესიკ დეკანოიძემ (37) კი სხვაობა ორბურთიანი გახადა.
69-ე წუთზე გურულებმა სხვაობის შემცირება თენგიზ ჩიკვილაძის გოლით კი მოახერხეს, თუმცა ეს იყო და ეს - ამის შემდეგ სოსო ფრუიძის შეგირდებმა კიდევ სამჯერ გაიტანეს. 75-ე წუთზე დუბლი დეკანოიძემ მიითვალა, 82-ეზე კი ჯერ გიორგი გაბედავამ შეაგდო, საბოლოო ანგარიში კი ჯამბულ ჯიღაურმა დააფიქსირა (85).
მნიშვნელოვანი სამი ქულა მოიპოვა გორის "დილამ" მცხეთაში, სადაც "ვიტ ჯორჯიას" ანგარიშით 2:0 სძლია. სტუმრები გრიგოლ დოლიძემ უკვე მე-10 წუთზე დააწინაურა, ირაკლი მოდებაძემ კი 58-ეზე საბოლოო ანგარიში დააფიქსირა.
ასევე სტუმრად, ამავე ანგარიშით მოიგო "ზესტაფონმა", რომელმაც სამტრედიაში მასპინძლის რანგში მყოფ მარტვილის "მერანს" ვახტანგ ჭანტურიშვილისა და საბა ლომიას მიერ, ორწუთიან მონაკვეთში, ერთიმეორის მიყოლებით გატანილი გოლებით (75 და 77 წუთებზე) მოუგო.
სტუმრად გამარჯვება მიითვალა რუსთავის "მეტალურგმაც" - 1:0. თბილისში, მიხეილ მესხის სახელობის სტადიონზე გამართულ მატჩში რუსთაველებმა ბოლნისის "სიონი" ლევან კორღალიძის მიერ 53-ე წუთზე გატანილი გოლით დაამარცხეს.
განმუხურში "ზუგდიდმა ცხინვალის "სპარტაკი" მიიღო. მასპინძლებს ქულა ლუკა გუგუჩიამ 74-ე წუთზე ზუსტად შესრულებული პენალტით გადაურჩინა. ანგარიში კი 40-ე წუთზე ზვიად მეტრეველმა გახსნა.
ტურის ცენტრალური მატჩი, რომელშიც თბილისის "დინამო" ქუთაისის "ტორპედოს" მასპინძლობს, მოგვიანებით დასრულდება.
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