Guti: Ronaldinho signing welcome at Real Madrid @ 10-12-2007 22:13 Guti has contradicted Real Madrid sports chief Pedja Mijatovic, insisting Ronaldinho would be welcome at the Primera Liga leaders.
Mijatovic declared last week that they wouldn't be interested in signing the Barcelona star if he became available, but Guti said last night: "With respect to Ronaldinho, any club in the world would like sign him.
Ghanaian youngster John Cofie has joined up with Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United after completing a move from near-neighbours Burnley.
The Championship outfit were essentially forced to sell up after the 15 year old declared that he wished to move on and, with Manchester United interested, club and player alike have opted for the Red Devils.
Clarets director Brendan Flood remarked, "The player was unwilling to come back to Burnley so we didn't have a choice in keeping him here.
"He was going to go to one of the clubs chasing his signature and in the end, we all felt that Manchester United was the right option.
"He has a good future ahead of him and hopefully we can try and keep youngsters of John's quality at the club in future."
While losing a player of such stature is a massive blow to the Turf Moor outfit, their losses may be stemmed somewhat by the rumoured 25% sell-on clause that accompanied the player's transfer.
What's more, the deal also includes first refusal on any future loan move from Old Trafford, as well as a guaranteed, lucrative friendly with the northern giants.
Cofie arrived at Burnley last summer after impressing scouts at a youth tournament in Germany, with the Clarets turning down an approach from Liverpool thought to be in the region of 350,000 euros shortly afterwards.
Champions League Matchday 4: Eight is Enough @ 07-11-2007 03:10 Liverpool was putting such a hurting on Besitkas on Tuesday in the Champions League that some of their players decided that it would only be fair if they played with another player on their back. It was do or die time for some of the teams in the competition. Some did, some died and some still have work left ahead of them. Here’s a down and dirty recap of what happened and what it all means.
Group A It was a must win situation for Liverpool and win they did. The poor Besiktas keeper Hakan Amkan might have permanent damage from the whiplash he suffered letting in eight goals, a record in the Champions League. It will still be a must win situation for Liverpool the next matchday when they host group leaders Porto, who leapfrogged Marseille with a 2-1 home win. After starting off with a pair of wins and on top of the group, suddenly Marseille look like they are the ones who might be caught by Liverpool in the end.
Porto 8 pts, Marseille 7, Liverpool 5, Besitkas 3
Group B Rosenborg? Really? For the second straight match the team from Norway took it to Valencia. With the victory, they remain in second place just a point behind Chelsea. The Blues picked up a hard fought point on the road against a disappointing Schalke. They’ll be on the road again next matchday to take on Rosenborg in what could be a match that determines the group winner. Valencia are toast. Hard to believe.
Chelsea 8 pts, Rosenborg 7, Schalke 4, Valencia 3
Group C Playing at home after a pair of draws and a loss, Lazio were in desperate need of three points against Werder Bremen. They got it. With the victory they are right back in the thick of things tied with Olympiacos for second in the group. The Greek side appears to have had their bubble burst after blowing an away lead last matchday against Real Madrid. Today they could only muster a 0-0 draw at home. Bremen somehow are still alive despite playing poorly in this competition.
Real Madrid 8, Olympiacos 5, Lazio, 5, Bremen 3
Group D The sound you just heard was everyone jumping off of the Shakhtar bandwagon. After winning their first two games, the Ukrainian club has been spanked by AC Milan twice. It was the Champions League killer combo of Inzaghi and Kaka that lifted Milan and pretty much assured they’ll be on to the next round. Meanwhile, Celtic grinded out a 1-0 home win against Benfica. The Scottish club still has their work cut out for them with a critical home match against Shakhtar before closing things out in Milan.
AC Milan 9, Shakhtar 6, Celtic 6, Benfica 3
Sheffield United-Arsenal: 0-3 (Video) @ 01-11-2007 03:17 Talk of a potential banana-skin tie proved misguided as Arsenal’s youngsters comprehensively dismantled a disappointing Sheffield United side at Bramall Lane.
Arsenal eased into the quarter finals of the Carling Cup with a comfortable 3-0 win over a disappointing Sheffield United side.
Rarely troubled by the hosts, Wenger’s men took the lead early on through Eduardo. The Croatian doubled his tally for the night shortly after half-time, before a deflected shot from Denilson 20 minutes before full time sealed Arsenal’s spot in the quarter-finals.
First Half
Sheffield United made seven changes from the side that drew with Hull on Saturday.
Nevertheless, Bryan Robson’s side were quick out of the blocks and enjoyed their first chance on four minutes as Arsenal’s young defence failed to clear a high ball, Sharp toe-poking towards the advancing Fabianski.
But the home side’s superiority was extremely short-lived – Niklas Bendtner seized the ball from a docile Sheffield United midfield before threading a brilliant cross-field ball through to Eduardo on the left flank.
The Croat thundered the ball into the top corner from 20 yards out, leaving Blades keeper Bennett with no chance.
The Gunners didn’t look content with just the one goal: Denilson skyed the ball into the Kop, while on 20 minutes Walcott danced his way through the Blades’ defence, eventually being fouled on the edge of the ‘D’. Eduardo disappointingly fired the free-kick right into the red-and-white wall.
As Chris Armstrong struggled to deal with Walcott’s pace on the right-wing, the midfield the vision of Denilson caused the home side’s defence several headaches.
Bendtner looking menacing each time he received the ball, revelling in the time and space the Blades afforded him. Arsenal pressed constantly, playing their usual possession passing game despite the heavily sanded pitch.
It was only on rare occasions that United managed to get forward. Carney launched a speculative daisy-cutter wide of goal, then in the 27th minute Lucketti sneaked behind the Gunners’ defence. Unfortunately he could only head the high free-kick back across goal and into the hands of the waiting Fabianski.
Within a minute the hosts could have been two down, a risky back-pass from Armstrong almost going straight to the feet of the lurking Eduardo.
38 minutes into the match Walcott had a decent chance to double the visitors’ advantage. Diaby’s strong run through the midfield found the English youngster in space on the wing, but his shot sailed comfortably wide.
Arsenal were occasionally sloppy though: Diaby needlessly gave the ball away just before half-time but – despite from clever trickery from Carney – the rushed ball into the box flew into a groaning crowd.
Second Half
Blades boss Bryan Robson will have tried to rally his troops during the interval, but must have despaired at the ease with which the Gunners stretched shortly after the re-start. A through ball from left-back Gibbs comfortably – almost embarrassingly – split Sheffield United’s defence apart. One-on-one with the keeper, Eduardo kept his cool, calmly slotting into the bottom left-hand corner for Arsenal’s – and his – second of the match.
Sheffield United tried to hit Arsenal on the break but it was always a case of the final ball into the box ruining the move. In contrast to this fixture in last season’s Premier League, Arsenal showed an ability to hustle for the ball when required, the Gunners’ midfield and defence often out-muscling as well as out-playing their opponents. Diarra’s thunderous challenge abruptly halted a move where United had found space on the left of the pitch just past the hour.
The home side made a double change but to no avail. Bendtner’s exquisite chip was knocked goalwards by Chris Armstrong, whom the lurking Theo Walcott beat for pace before crashing a shot against Bennett’s left-hand post.
It should have been 3-0, but moments later it was: thirty yards out, Denilson wasn’t challenged by a now bedraggled looking United defence. The Brazilian edged forward before unleashing a cracking right-foot shot. A faint deflection off Blade’s captain Chris Morgan sufficed in sending the ball high into the net beyond the outstretched Bennett.
‘Cheerio’, sang the Arsenal fans to the handful of Blades supporters making their way to the exits after the third goal. But those who stayed almost saw their side grab an immediate consolation. Gilberto, denied the captain’s armband in favour of Lukasz Fabianski, spared his keeper’s blushes as he cleared Lucketti’s shot off the line following Michael Tonge’s free kick.
Arsenal had plenty more chances as the game went on. Diaby found Eduardo on the edge of the box, but the Croatian – on a hat-trick – saw his effort deflected behind for the corner. Diaby himself curled one just over the bar after Bendtner’s mazy run had been thwarted, while Denilson’s run and diagonal shot went narrowly wide of the upright.
It was a thoroughly comfortable win for Arsène Wenger’s side. The gulf in class between the two sides was apparent from the start, and the visitors’ superior fitness levels allowed for an almost carnival atmosphere by the end, complete with chants of ‘olé’ from the travelling fans as the Gunners put together pass after pass.
Line-ups:
Sheffield United (4-4-2): Bennett, Bromby, Morgan, Armstrong, Lucketti, Carney, Montgomery, Tonge (Gillespie, 74mins), S Quinn (Webber, 63mins), Sharp, Stead (A Quinn, 63mins)
Sheffield United 0-1 Arsenal - Eduardo, 8mins (assist by Bendtner)
Sheffield United 0-2 Arsenal - Eduardo, 50mins (Gibbs)
Sheffield United 0-3 Arsenal - Denilson, 70mins (unassisted)
Attendance: 16,971
AS Roma 3-2 SS Lazio: (Video) @ 01-11-2007 03:05 Roma managed to hold their nerves during the final twenty minutes to eke out a 3-2 win over Lazio in a pulsating Rome derby at the Stadio Olimpico.
A cracking game it was always going to be, and it got off to a cracking start as Rocchi fired Lazio ahead in the 11th minute, controlling a long ball superbly before slotting low into the corner with his left foot.
Roma were stung, but responded after just seven minutes, Mirko Vucinic grabbing his third in three games, combining well with Amantino Mancini before squeezing the ball 'through' Ballotta's hands.
That set up the game beautifully as the two sides wen hammer and tongs at each other, the crowd responding by raising the pitch a few notches.
After plenty of attempts from both sides, it was Roma who broke through just before half time, Mancini striking the ball sweetly into the top left corner after a neat one-two with Philippe Mexes.
That gave the Giallorossi plenty to build upon, and they did just that as the game resumed after the break, grabbing their third ten minutes in.
De Rossi's ball met Tonetto, who crossed into the area, found Vucinc, who found Perrotta after having drawn the Lazio defenders towards him, leaving the midfielder with a tap in.
It seemed to have taken the wind out of Lazio's sails, and looked like a comfortable win for Roma.
However, with 20 minutes left on the clock, Cristian Ledesma decided to fire in a scorching free-kick off the underside of the bar to give some meaning to the final minutes.
Lazio had smelled blood, and threw almost everything forward. However, the goal and Luciano Spalletti had ensured that the Roma defence has been woken up, and they saw out the remaining time - not without a few flutters - to pick up an absolutely massive win.
Early Aaron Mokoena signs promising, says doctor @ 31-10-2007 02:54 Blackburn's club doctor has played down fears that Aaron Mokoena may have broken his leg in tonight's Carling Cup victory against Portsmouth.
The South African was stretchered off after 25 minutes and manager Mark Hughes was concerned that he had suffered a serious injury, but initial x-yays suggeste this is not the case.
Club doctor Phil Batty said: "Aaron went to hospital where he had an X-ray and the results appear to be okay. "But we will need to evaluate things further over the next few days."
Manager Mark Hughes had earlier said: "It looks like something gave way in his leg and we're worried that it is a bad injury. "We are having to wait until he's assessed to see how serious it is but it doesn't look good.
"When he first walked off for treatment it looked like just a bang but he's had a broken leg before."
It was a cracking draw in Moscow as visitors Fenerbahce went ahead, then behind thanks to a CSKA comeback and two big mistakes from Edu, before Deivid rescued them with a late drive that somehow managed to find it's way under Veniamin Mandrykin.
Fenerbahce grabbed a late 2-2 draw in Moscow in what a free-spirited and flowing game of football that had a little bit of everything.
An opportunistic finish from a poor header, a back pass that misfired, a silly hack to concede a penalty, and a goalkeeper letting the ball slip under him were all on offer in this comedy of errors.
CSKA MOSCOW: Mandrykin, Semberas, Ignashevich, A.Berezutski, I.Berezutski, Zhirkov, Dudu, Krasic, Rahimic, Jo, Love
GOALS: 9 Alex De Souza, 85 Deivid (Fenerbahce SK) 50 Krasic, Vagner Love (Cska Moscow)
CSKA were perhaps the better team for much of the game, but credit is due to Fenerbahce for mounting a comeback after falling 2-1 behind away from home, and refusing to throw in the towel.
In the end, it was a deserved point for both sides, though the home side will feel aggrieved.
Fenerbahçe took an early lead through their Champions League hero Alex, the Brazilian adding to his two against Inter by latching ont a poor clearance from Aleksei Berezutski after Mehmet Aurelio slipped as he prepared to strike.
CSKA were stunned, but proceeded to find their rhythm and run the show with the backing of the home fans.
They got a much deserved lead through the superb Krasic, who hassled Edu into a poor back pass, and latched onto it to finish in two attempts.
The Russians then got their second, with Edu once again guilty, this time of a clumsy challenge on Vagner Love. The Brazilian picked himself up and tucked away the penalty to put his side ahead, and get the usually serious Gazzaev jumping in delight on the touchline.
It was to be Fenerbahces turn to raise their game, and they crowded the CSKA goal as the game headed into its final minutes. They got their reward in fortunate circumstances, with Deivid's 25-yard drive squeezing under Veniamin Mandrykin.
Fenerbahce have four points from two games, while CSKA have just the one.
Alisher Usmanov admits: I do want Arsenal - But I'll wait @ 02-10-2007 17:41 Russian-based Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov has said for the first time that he does have long-term ambitions to buy Arsenal, but insists he has no immediate plans to takeover the club. He adds, however, that: "This is business life and things can change."
Billionaire businessman Alisher Usmanov recently raised his stake in Arsenal Football Club to 23 per cent but indicated that he had no plans for a takeover. Now the 54-year-old has revealed that while nothing would happen in the immediate future, he does have long-term ambitions to buy the Gunners.
"We don't have the capacity today, but this is business and life is changing," he said. "Something that you can't do today, maybe you can do tomorrow."
The BBC's Moscow correspondent said Usmanov had been smitten by Arsenal when Arsene Wenger took over as manager in the mid-1990s.
Usmanov described his stake in the club as a "good portfolio investment", but said if other major shareholders agreed to sell out, he would buy their shares if the price was right.
Usmanov holds his stake through Red and White Holdings Limited (RAWHL), the comapany he set up with business partner Farhad Moshiri. It makes him the club's second largest shareholder after Danny Fiszman, who owns just over 24 per cent.
Fiszman and fellow board members Peter Hill-Wood (the club chairman), Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith and Richard Carr have agreed not to sell their shares until April 2008 at the earliest.
Between them those four directors currently account for 45 per cent of the club's shares. Therefore their agreement is pivotal to any takeover bid Usmanov might launch.
Usmanov and Moshiri are hopeful the stance of the four directors will soften in the future.
"If a significant shareholder sells, the whole dynamic changes," said Moshiri.
"But it depends on the price. If the lock-down agreement [by the directors not to sell] is not renewed, then it is a new environment."
Usmanov's comments come a week after Arsenal published their annual financial results to 31 May 2007, which showed income had soared 46 per cent to £200.8 million, up from £137.2 million a year earlier.
Usmanov also told the London Evening Standard: "We want to have a large stake in Arsenal. Up to now we have acquired 23 percent, maybe we will have to increase that to 25 percent." At thast level he would have a blocking vote that would allow him to veto certain decisions.
Usmanov told the newspaper that he was not out to make a quick profit from the £120million he has already spent on his Arsenal shares.
He said: "I do not want to set any intentions other than those set by the shareholders.
"I do not want to buy to sell. I want to be a shareholder in Arsenal.
"I have always been a fan of the club and I could see that as well as getting immense pleasure from the investment, it could also be a useful addition to my portfolio."
Meanwhile, Usmanov has had to contend allegations about his past, and Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood last week described his business background as "murky."
Usmanov retorted: "It is beyond my dignity to respond to the allegations. My father worked hard in the Uzbek judicial system and my mother was a wonderful human being.
"These people could not have brought up what one European politician called a gangster and racketeer. I will leave that one to his conscience."
Luisao: Benfica must win against Shakhtar @ 02-10-2007 13:38 Benfica defender Luisao insists that failure is not an option for the Portuguese giants as they welcome Shakhtar Donetsk to Lisbon on Wednesday...
Luisao has declared that a draw at home against Shakhtar would be catastrophic for a Benfica side with its eye on qualification from Group D of the Champions League.
The Portuguese side lost out 2-1 at AC Milan two weeks ago, and the Brazilian stopper is declared to put things right.
"A draw against them would be very bad for us. We're playing at home, so we have a responsibility to do well," he told UEFA.com.
Nonetheless, he won't underestimate the Ukrainians, who got off to the best possible start in Donetsk on Matchday 1 with a quickfire 2-0 win against Celtic.
"They have players that are technically very good," he warned.
Still, he's optimistic that both Shakhtar and the Glaswegians can fall to the might of the Águias.
He announced, "We need to take six points from these games. We can't accept any draws."
The 26 year old is finding his feet after over a month on the sidelines due to injury ,but insists that he's ready to spur his team onwards - at both ends of the pitch.
He concluded, "I feel happy I can help the team more, of course.
"It's the responsibility of the midfield, even the defence, to score, too. It's down to all the team to help the others out."
Luisao joined Benfica in 2003 after a successful two year spell at Cruzeiro back in Brazil. He won his first caps with the Belo Horizonte side, and has racked up over 20 international appearances since then.
Chelsea denounce anti-semitic fans @ 01-10-2007 15:35 The Chelsea chairman, Bruce Buck, has attacked a minority element of the club's support for anti-semitic abuse of the new manager, Avram Grant. The Israeli's appointment after Jose Mourinho's departure from Stamford Bridge has provoked strong feeling but Buck said some of the comment which the club has received crossed the boundaries of acceptability. "We welcome all constructive points of view, but a few could be viewed as racist and anti-semitic and that must stop immediately," he said. (David Hytner, The Guardian)
"He has brought success back to all Barcelona fans and for that we must be grateful," said Laporta. "We must stand by him because I am sure he will soon give us successful afternoons again.
"He is suffering because he is injured. He is sticking to his rehab programme and perhaps won't be ready for the games against Real Zaragoza or Levante, but will be fit for Stuttgart."
Jose Mourinho next managerial job betting odds @ 25-09-2007 15:18 Jose Mourinho has been gambled into 1/ 2 to take charge of Portugal in his next permanent job, according to Ladbrokes.
The ‘special one’ was initially quoted as a 7/2 chance to take over from Felipe Scolari and the price has fallen away through 7/4, evens, 4/6 and into 1/2.
But the bookies also report steady support for the former Chelsea boss to return to football with Spurs.
Ladbrokes spokesman, Nick Weinberg, said: “Mourinho has made no secret of his desire to take charge of Portugal. And his exit from Chelsea coincides with tough times for current boss Big Phil Scolari.
“We’ve also seen money for Mourinho to make the switch from west to north London. Although a manager of his pedigree will probably want to return to a club involved in the Champions League.
“But we’ve been unable to ignore the run of money about the Spurs scenario.”
Arsenal are 20/1 to go the entire Premiership season unbeaten, whilst Roy Keane’s Sunderland are 9/2 to finish as the North East’s top club ahead of their clash with Middlesbrough.
Joan Laporta urges Barcelona fans not to panic @ 17-09-2007 20:21 Barcelona president Joan Laporta insists no-one is panicking after they slipped four points behind Liga leaders Real Madrid yesterday.
Barca struggled to get out of second gear in their drab 0-0 draw at Osasuna, but Laporta says: "Everything is coming together. There are four new players, but we have a solid defence and we have not conceded any goals away from home.
"It is necessary to work hard so that everything runs smoother, so the midfield players see more of the ball and the forwards create more danger."
Laporta was delighted to see Bojan Krkic make his debut and added: "We have faith in the youth system and I believe that this is positive for Barca and the world of soccer in general.
"It was good that the coach (Frank Rijkaard) gave Krkic his debut. He even created a couple of dangerous chances."
"His contract is very clear," Benitez told the Liverpool Echo. "When you talk about this level (of football) you cannot move from one side to another with all the information you have. The contract is clear about that.
"We don't need to work too hard on these issues because the contract is clear. I don't know the exact situation right now because the lawyers are working with it. But we already have people working here and everything is okay."
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is tracking Celtic midfielder Scott Brown.
Brown's outstanding form in the Champions League - and also for Scotland - has caught Ferguson's eye and the United manager will continue to follow the ex-Hibs midfielder's progress this season.
Jermain Defoe sticking with Spurs despite Jol row @ 17-09-2007 19:59 Jermain Defoe is committed to Tottenham, despite a reported bust-up with manager Martin Jol. BBC Sport says Defoe has decided to remain at White Hart Lane and fight for a place in Jol's struggling side.
The player's contract runs out at the end of next season and Spurs want him to commit himself to a long-term deal and avoid the prospect of seeing his value drop next summer.
Reports claimed the under-fire Jol has told the player he will be forced to play with the reserves if he fails to sign his new contract.
But Defoe is keen to concentrate on getting back to playing regularly for the first-team after a frustrating period.
Barcelona star Ronaldinho will return to his very best this season, says Brazil fitness coach Paulo Paixao.
Paixao has known Ronaldinho for over ten years and said: "With more time to work on his fitness, Ronaldinho will again become the one that we all knew.
"He has great pride in himself and I am absolutely certain that he is going to work as hard as ever to get in top shape and return to be the world's best.
"He didn't have a break last season and needs that good preparation to help him handle the extra attention he gets from the opposition."
Geremi said: "So far, everything is going well for the team and I hope it is going to continue like that.
"I want to achieve something with this club wearing the armband.
"In my case, being captain motivates me more. I am always motivated, but the armband maybe gives me more of a lift.
"I am the sort of person on the pitch who wants to help my team-mates, that's the type of person I am."
As the former Chelsea midfielder prepares to lead his side out at struggling Derby on Monday evening, the chance to play regular football after managing just 74 starts in four seasons at Stamford Bridge is fully justifying his decision to head north.
Geremi said: "When I had the opportunity to come here, I spoke with the manager. I told him what I needed and he said he would be happy to have me in his squad.
"But now it is up to me to do the job and play well. If I want to play regularly, I have to train well and play well, and that's what I am trying to do."
The South Korea international attacker has been waiting for almost two weeks for all the paperwork regarding his move from Ulsan Tigers to be rubberstamped.
De Telegraaf says Lee is now free to kickoff his Feyenoord career and he could be on the bench for next week's big match against PSV Eindhoven.
The Poland international said: "It's great to be back at this level and I'm looking forward to it.
"Firstly, it's important to enjoy the Champions League as it's a huge stage for us to show how good Celtic can be. But we want to go all the way to the final - we'd love to be there in Moscow.
"Remember it's not always the favourites who win the big tournaments. People talk about the Spartak Moscow game as one of my best nights in football. But getting to the Champions League Final would be my best.
"I think it's feasible for us to get to the final, why not? Who'd have thought a few years ago Greece would win the European Championships?
"No one expected that. Nobody expected Celtic to get to the last 16 of the Champions League last season.
Tuttosport says Adriano was flashed all across the Star TV magazine this week celebrating the reopening of a favourite nightclub by acting as DJ.
Inter, meanwhile, insist the Brazilian had permission to attend the function.
Giovani dos Santos: I don't want to wake up (Video) @ 14-09-2007 05:46 Giovani dos Santos admits he is living a dream after making his Mexico debut to go along with his Barcelona breakthrough already this season.
"I'm very happy and I do not want to wake up," Dos Santos told DiarioSport. "I would rather continue dreaming about my present situation and everything that is happening for me. I want to continue doing well.
"I am proud and pleased. I've fulfilled a dream. I am already in a different cycle, I am fulfilling my dreams.
"It is exciting to play with stars. To fight for a start with Henry, Eto'o, Messi or Ronaldinho is something incredible."
