Capello keeps keepers guessing

Posted on May 18, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Portsmouth goalkeeper David James insists he is none the wiser as to which of England’s three goalkeepers will be the number one shot-stopper in South Africa (England have World Cup betting odds of 11/2 to take the top prize in South Africa).

James has been selected as part of boss Fabio Capello’s 30-man provisional squad with fellow keepers Joe Hart, of Manchester City, and West Ham’s Rob Green. All three keepers look set to make the final 23-man squad, as it would be a strange move indeed from the Italian tactician if he were to travel to the World Cup with just two goalkeepers.

“I genuinely don’t know where I am. Mr Capello does not give too much away,” said James. “The way he sets his squad out means it is no longer a case of a first XI with an additional number of players.

“All I know is that I am totally fit and happy with myself and my form. And I’d like to think that other people are also happy with me.”

In some ways it is perhaps not such a surprise that the keepers, and maybe even Capello, are at this time unsure of who will be the number one at the 2010 World Cup. Football pundits have been divided on the issue for some time, with good cases to be made for all three to take the number one jersey.

At 39-year’s-old, James is the oldest man in the squad and the most experienced of the three keepers involved, with 39 international caps to his name.

Rob Green, 30, has nine caps, while 22-year-old Joe Hart has just one international cap – in a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago in 2008.

Green started England’s last friendly fixture, a 3-1 win over Egypt, and some have suggested he will be the main man in South Africa. England goalkeeping legend and the country’s all-time most-capped player, Peter Shilton, has voiced his concern that the goalkeepers don’t know who the number one is and has backed Green.

Shilton feels if Capello confirmed who his top stopper is now, it would give the chosen number one a massive confidence boost ahead of the tournament in South Africa.

At the start of the 2009/2010 season many expected James to be the number one by the time the World Cup came around but the Portsmouth veteran has suffered with injuries over the course of the season and has played less football than either Hart or Green.

However, James has done it all before and is as good a shot-stopper as any, although there may be occasional questions about his decision making but these have grown less frequent as he has matured.

Joe Hart, who spent the 2009/2010 season on loan at Birmingham City, was named as the Premier League?s top keeper in the PFA Team of the Year and many believe the youngster has proved himself enough ahead of the international showpiece.

However, at 23-years-old and with just one full season of Premier League football behind him (although he did enjoy a brief spell as City’s number one in the 2008/09 season before the arrival of Shay Given), there are question marks over his experience, with the goalkeeping position one of the most stressful in major international competitions – especially if penalties are required.

England face two friendly fixtures ahead of their first game against the USA in Group C on June 12 (England 8/15 to beat the USA in the World Cup betting market).

Capello will lead the Three Lions in warm up fixtures against Mexico (May 24) and Japan (May 30), with whoever starts in goal in those games the most likely candidate to be England?s first choice when the tournament gets underway.

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Fabregas ‘wants to leave Arsenal’

Posted on May 18, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Cesc Fabregas has given the clearest indication yet that he will join Barcelona this summer after telling manager Arsene Wenger he wants to leave Arsenal, according to reports (6/1 Arsenal – Premier League 2010-11 outright).

The news will come as a devastating blow to the Frenchman’s hopes of building a title-winning team around the influential Spain midfielder.

Fabregas, who has been undergoing treatment in Spain on the leg injury which ended his campaign, has made no secret of his desire to re-join the club he left in 2003 when aged just 16 and said recently he wanted his future resolved before the World Cup starts on June 11 (Spain – World Cup 2010 Specials).

Reports have suggested he has contacted the Emirates boss to inform him that he wants to quit the Gunners.

Fabregas’ bombshell comes on the same day vice president Rafael Yuste announced Barca were also in talks to sign highly-rated Valencia striker David Villa in an attempt to win back the Champions League trophy next season (4/1 Villa – Top La Liga Goalscorer World Cup 2010).

He told the Catalonian radio station Ona FM: “Negotiations are progressing well, especially in the case of Villa.”

Yuste suggested the Catalan giants had not made the progress they would have liked on the capture of Fabregas, but that they were sure he wanted to move back to the Nou Camp.

He added: “The situation with Cesc is different because even if you have the will of the player it is very important to talk to his club and, if you can, find an agreement. But what makes it easier is that both players want to come to Barca.”

Fabregas has only won one major trophy since arriving in north London – the FA Cup in 2005 – and the chance to play alongside Spain team-mates such as Andres Iniesta and Xavi is understood to be behind his reason for wanting to leave (21/10 Spain – Top European Team).

Reacting to Fabregas’ initial comment about wanting to return, outgoing Barca president Joan Laporta said: “It is remarkable that the player has said that.

“If the technical secretary [Txiki Begiristain] believes we must make an effort, we will do and will talk to Arsenal.”

The speculation intensified on Monday when Dimitri Selcuk, the agent of current Barca midfield enforcer Yaya Toure, revealed his client could be used as a makeweight in the deal to take Fabregas back to Spain.

He said: “There is a one in a thousand chance that Toure will be involved in the move for Cesc with Arsenal.”

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Will Torres feature when Liverpool fixtures start in July?

Posted on May 18, 2010 by SoccerCapper

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fernando torres liverpool 300x225 Will Torres feature when Liverpool fixtures start in July? The three teams to represent England in next season’s Europa League have been decided and Liverpool will be back in the competition from which they were eliminated in the semi-finals last month.

The other two Premier League clubs joining them are Manchester City and Aston Villa. All three clubs might have mixed feelings about taking part after seeing what Tottenham Hotspur achieved this season.

Spurs weren’t in Europe at all this year and it was noticeable that their players were fresh and sharp as the campaign came to a close. By not being in the Europa League, the London club played less matches but also avoided the many long journeys across the Continent.

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Harry Redknapp’s team were able to grab fourth place and achieve a first attempt at the lucrative Champions League- they pipped Manchester City, who also had a season fre of European trips.

By contrast, Aston Villa and Everton who finished eighth (a drop from fifth last year), both took part in the Europa League.

In 2010/11 Everton will not play in the Europa League which may help their challenge to break into the top four. Manchester City will have to pick themselves up from the bitter disappointment of finishing fifth.

Liverpool only squeezed into European competition for next season at all because Chelsea won the FA Cup. The three English qualifying spots go to the Cup winners and the 5th and 6th placed teams in the league. As Chelsea are safely in the Champions League their place came to seventh-placed Liverpool, because Cup runners-up Portsmouth have no licence to play in Europe.

The Premiership held out some hopes of gaining a fourth berth by being high enough in UEFA’s Fair Play League but eventually these places went to Scandinavian clubs. If England had received one of these berths, relegated Burnley would have got it.

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Fulham’s great effort this year showed what can be done if teams take a positive approach to the Europa League. Manchester City and Aston Villa go through to the play-off round direct but Liverpool have the indignity- for a club with their European record -of appearing in the Third Qualifying Round.

It means that the Reds start their season in late July just a few short weeks after many of their players will have been involved in the World Cup Finals in South Africa.

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The Race For Fourth Place In The Premiership Will Go To The Last Day
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Moratti resigned to Mourinho exit

Posted on May 18, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has revealed that he expects manager Jose Mourinho to leave the club after this weekend’s Champions League final (Inter 6/5 with totesport to win the trophy in 90 minutes).

The Italian giants face Bayern Munich (23/10) in European club football’s showpiece event on Saturday, with both teams looking for a treble after winning the league and cup in their domestic competitions.

But whatever the outcome at the Bernabeu, Moratti feels that the former Chelsea boss will be on his way this summer, with Real Madrid constantly being linked to the talented tactician.

“It is difficult to make percentages with a personality so explosive,” the Inter president told Italian radio. “No one knows what he’ll decide. Either it’s a surprising thing that we don’t expect or unfortunately one we do expect.”

The 47-year-old has enjoyed success since taking over at the San Siro in 2008, winning consecutive Serie A titles and the domestic double this season with a 1-0 victory over Roma in the Coppa Italia final.

A victory over the Germans in the Champions League final on Saturday would likely bring the curtain down on his time at Inter, and maybe in Italy, as the self-styled ‘Special One’ has made it clear that he does not like the way football is played in Italy.

The Portuguese manager has a history of moving on after success, leaving Porto after guiding them to Champions League glory and Chelsea after two Premiership crowns, and so even a victory in Europe’s premier club competition is unlikely to keep him at Inter if he decides it is time to depart.

Mourinho was seen to shed a tear after claiming the Scudetto on Sunday and Moratti believes it showed the human side of a man who is totally driven to succeed.

“He is a complete man who also has a sentimental part that he keeps hidden because he is the boss,” Moratti said. “The tears showed his affection and gratitude for the players.”

There are plenty of other betting opportunities with totesport for the Champions League final. Mourinho’s sides, Inter included, are always defensively sound and so an early goal might be all that is required for the Italians to secure the treble.

An Inter 1-0 victory can be backed at 11/2, while 2-0 trades at 7/1. A goal-less draw is also on offer at 7/1 and if you feel Bayern might sneak it by the odd goal then they can be backed at 15/2 to win 1-0.

A 1-1 draw, taking the final into extra time, is also priced at 11/2.

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How Messi won Barcelona back-to-back La Liga titles

Posted on May 17, 2010 by SoccerCapper

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messi barca football shirt 300x271 How Messi won Barcelona back to back La Liga titles Barcelona retained the Spanish Primera Liga for a second year in a row after beating Real Valladolid 4-0 at Camp Nou on Sunday evening.

A Bojan strike and a Luis Prieto own goal in the first half plus a brace from Lionel Messi in the second period saw Pep Guardiola’s side clinch all three points in their final game of the season to finish in first position with 99 points.

The defeat for Valladolid condemned them to the second division.

The hosts had to do without Xavi who was suspended and Andres Iniesta was on the bench, meaning that Yaya Toure, Sergio Busquets, and Seydou Keita started in the midfield with Bojan Krkic, Lionel Messi and Pedro making up the attacking trio. Valladolid had Diego and Manucho as their two forwards.

Relegation-battling Valladolid had the better of the opening exchanges of the match, however, from then on Barcelona began to dominate proceedings and began to run the opposition ragged with their quick paced footwork. Keita tried his luck from 25 yards but unfortunately missed the target by only a yard.

GOAL! (finally)

The Barcelona goal, eventually came from an own goal. Pedro worked on the left side and drove the ball from the byline towards the Valladolid six-yard box that Luis Prieto deflected past his own keeper.

Bet on this outcome: Spain to Win the World Cup

Four minutes later the score went to 2-0 to the Catalans as Pedro struck. Messi was the originator of this goal as he placed a fantastic through ball between the legs of Jacobo that Pedro pushed into the Valladolid goal with great ease.

On the 61st minute, Toure stormed past Navas and cut back the ball; Pedro performed a smart dummy to allow Messi to take a shot at the goal from only six yards. The ball went straight into the net, making it 3-0.

Messi grabbed his second goal of the match and 34th goal of season in the 76th minute, the 22-year-old they call ‘the flea’ wriggled his way past two defenders to rocket one into the net.

Next Season…

Barcelona won the game 4-0 to confidently defend the league title. Valladolid finished second from bottom in the standings and as a result have been relegated.
For next season the rumours are that Valencia’s Spanish star David Villa will join as doubts surround the future of Ibrahimovic while Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, a product of Barca’s youth system, is a long-term target.

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Roque ready to keep miracle going

Posted on May 17, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Roque Santa Cruz has hailed his nation Paraguay (1/2 to qualify from Group F) ahead of this summer’s World Cup and says he is hopeful they can keep the “miracle” going when they head to South Africa.

This will be the fourth time in a row the nation has appeared at the finals of the tournament, their recent qualification record eclipsed only by the two powerhouses of South American football, Brazil and Argentina.

The Paraguayan league gets very few spectators coming to watch the games and matches are often played in front of just a few hundred people.

Despite the likes of Columbia, Chile and Peru having recognised leagues and as such more money to invest in their national team it is Paraguay who have somehow managed to turn out a decent side every four years in time for the World Cup.

In South Africa they will once again be up against nations with much better resources as they try to make a name for themselves.

Santa Cruz, speaking after scoring the winner for Paraguay in their 1-0 victory over North Korea, says it is miraculous Paraguay are able to compete with South American nations, let alone the world’s best.

“It’s a miracle, it’s something Paraguay has been blessed with and we are very proud, coming from such a small country, to be involved in such a great tournament,” Santa Cruz told reporters.

“It’s probably because we are so down-to-earth. The football is not the best, we don’t have a lot of resources, we have don’t infrastructure or stadiums like other countries have.”

The Manchester City forward will be leading his nation in South Africa this summer despite a difficult season back in England where injuries have restricted his participation.

The 28-year-old managed only three goals in the whole of last season as he struggled to hold down a first-team spot when he wasn’t in the treatment room.

However, Santa Cruz (100/1 Top Goalscorer) believes he is over his injury problems and is hopeful he will find the goal regularly enough to help Paraguay achieve their dream of reaching the quarter-finals for the first time in their history.

“Fitness-wise I feel very good, and it’s good for me to have 90 minutes behind me,” he said.

“Paraguay have never been involved in the quarter-finals, that is what we want to achieve and see if we can go on from there,” he said. “It would be a good World Cup if we could do that.”

Paraguay will certainly fancy their chances of reaching the first knock-out round at the World Cup having been drawn alongside Italy, New Zealand and Slovakia.

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Ribery loses red card appeal

Posted on May 17, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Bayern Munich’s hopes of turning over the ‘Special One’ in the Champions League have been rocked by the news Franck Ribery will be out through suspension (23/10 Bayern Munich 9/4 draw 6/5 Internazionale – match betting).

The Frenchman will be forced to serve a three-match ban after the Court of Arbitration for Sport threw out Bayern’s appeal to have it overturned and the France winger will now have to watch from the stands.

Ribery was initially serving a one-match ban following his sending off against Lyon in the first leg of the semi-final but somewhat foolishly the Germans decided to appeal and it was increased to three games.

How they will be wishing they had not bothered because the skillfull winger will be a huge loss as they try to plot the downfall of Inter and Jose Mourinho at the Bernabeu.

A CAS statement read: “A hearing was held at the CAS headquarters today, during which the parties and their legal representatives were heard.

“The CAS Panel has dismissed the appeal and confirmed the three-game suspension imposed by the Uefa appeals body on the Bayern Munich player Franck Ribery.

“Accordingly, the player will not be eligible to play in the final of the 2010 Champions League.”

Bayern can take heart from the fact they brushed aside Lyon 4-0 in the second leg as Ivica Olic grabbed a hat-trick but it will be a different kettle of fish against Inter who will not surrender like the French did.

There is no doubt Olic will be needed again if Bayern are to have a chance and the striker is priced 13/2 First Goalscorer while a price of 40/1 is available on him repeating his heroics in Lyon.

Robben is also going to be a key man for Bayern (15/2 to score first goal) and he has shown throughout the tournament that when he is on his game he can hurt anyone. The question is which Robben will turn up in Madrid?

Ribery will be sorely missed but if Olic and Robben find their shooting boots then the Germans may have a chance of upsetting the odds.

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Inter Milan add Serie A brace to Coppa Italia

Posted on May 17, 2010 by SoccerCapper

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inter win serie a 300x199 Inter Milan add Serie A brace to Coppa Italia Inter secured their 18th Scudetto at Siena with a 1-0 win courtesy of Diego Milito that sparked the celebrations for the Milan kings as they added the league title to their trophy cabinet to go with the Coppa Italia and possibly the Champions League next week.

The visitors began the day knowing that a win would guarantee them the title, no matter what happened in Verona between Roma and Chievo.

Jose Mourinho saw the return of Wesley Sneijder after being out with injury. Mario Balotelli and Marco Materazzi retained their places in the starting XI after last weekend’s victory against the Flying Donkeys.

The hosts had the first opportunity as a defensive mix-up saw the ball land at the foot of Albin Ekdal in the box, but somehow he ended up going wide despite being in a promising position.

Balotelli almost put the Nerazzurri in the lead at 13 minutes when a long cross missed Thiago Motta’s head and the teenager volleyed wide from close range.

Knowing that they needed a goal, Mourinho’s men were pushing harder as the second-half started and a one-two between Maicon and Balotelli gave the Brazilian the opportunity to break into the area, but at the last second his shot was deflected away.

Milito was running the game and creating plenty of chances but to no avail but the pressure finally showed at 57 minutes. Zanetti yet again made a run through the defence and laid off for Milito, who took a touch and slid the ball past Curci.

Siena almost found a spectacular goal as Inter had their heart in their mouths when Rosi’s whipped in cross-shot just missed the corner as the clock counted down at 83 minutes.

However, the Coppa Italia winners pushed on as Mourinho won his second title in Serie A for the club, coming on top in what was a very close race, just two points ahead of the Giallorossi.
It is an incredible fith straight Serie A title for Inter Milan as Mourinho described it as the toughest league title he has ever won. Now Inter will be hoping to wrap up an historic treble winning season when they face Bayern Munich in Madrid, who have also won their respective league and cup double this season.

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Gerrard asks for fans’ help

Posted on May 17, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Steven Gerrard says England are desperate for success at the World Cup – they are 6/1 to lift the trophy – this summer and he believes a vocal backing from the travelling fans out in South Africa will significantly boost their chances of glory.

Gerrard will form a key part of England’s attacking thrust from midfield in the tournament and the Liverpool man’s experience of big games will be vital if Fabio Capello’s men are to enjoy a run to the latter knockout stages of the competition. Gerrard is 8/1 to be England’s top goal scorer at the World Cup.

Gerrard has admitted that when the Three Lions receive the full backing of the England fans it can be a major boost to their chances but if they get on their backs then it can have the opposite effect.

He said: “The fans see that we’re working really hard to improve and we’re desperate to achieve something for them. That is what we do it for. It would be fantastic if we could send them home from South Africa really happy and really proud of the team.

“I’ve played in situations where the fans haven’t been behind the team and it’s difficult. It affects performance and individuals and it’s not helpful.

“But on the other hand, I’ve played in front of a packed Wembley when the fans are roaring us on to victory and it’s a massive help. If we can get that kind of support in the World Cup, it could be key for us in getting over this quarter-final hurdle and going further.”

Gerrard’s club form for Liverpool this season has fallen below his own high standards at times, but he remains one of England’s key players and will be relied upon to inspire Capello’s men in tight games alongside Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and co.

Meanwhile, Gerrard’s future at Anfield remains somewhat unclear following Liverpool’s failure to secure Champions League football next season.

With the ongoing uncertaintly over boss Rafa Benitez’s future as well, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Manchester City and Chelsea are all thought to be monitoring Gerrard’s position should he decide to leave the club he has served so well over the past 11 years.

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Gerrard asks for fans’ help

Posted on May 17, 2010 by SoccerCapper

“I’ve played in situations where the fans haven’t been behind the team and it’s difficult. It affects performance and individuals and it’s not helpful.

Meanwhile, Gerrard’s future at Anfield remains somewhat unclear following Liverpool’s failure to secure Champions League football next season.

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Monthly Archives: May 2010

Capello keeps keepers guessing

Fabregas ‘wants to leave Arsenal’

Will Torres feature when Liverpool fixtures start in July?

Moratti resigned to Mourinho exit

How Messi won Barcelona back-to-back La Liga titles

GOAL! (finally)

Next Season…

Roque ready to keep miracle going

Ribery loses red card appeal

Inter Milan add Serie A brace to Coppa Italia

Gerrard asks for fans’ help

Gerrard asks for fans’ help