A controversial gal by Adriano helped Serie A leaders Inter Milan to a 2-1 win over archrivals AC Milan on Sunday to all but end the Rossoneri's title hopes. Champions Inter now have an 11-point edge over third-place Milan with 14 games to go and lead Juventus by nine after Claudio Ranieri's side drew 1-1 at home to Sampdoria earlier in the day.
Adriano broke the deadlock at an electric San Siro on 28 minutes when he diverted in Maicon's cross, but replays showed the Brazil striker had used his arm. Midfielder Dejan Stankovic extended the lead on 42 minutes when he rifled in after Zlatan Ibrahimovic's knockdown.The Serb had earlier been denied six metres out by a stunning last-ditch tackle by Massimo Ambrosini.
Alexandre Pato pulled one back 20 minutes from time when he tapped in Marek Jankulovski's cross and Milan then piled on the pressure with substitute Filippo Inzaghi being flagged offside when he thought he had grabbed an equalizer.
Milan, who won the season's earlier derby 1-0, had much of the play in the first half but striker Pato was constantly isolated on his own up front with Kaka missing through injury.
Inter are bidding for their fourth straight scudetto and first under coach Jose Mourinho while Milan will have to pull off a miracle to snatch their first league title since 2004.
It was a bad night for 40-year-old Paolo Maldini in his last derby before retiring while on-loan David Beckham, who still hopes to stay at Milan despite Los Angeles Galaxy demanding he return, did little and was substituted.
Juventus hit the woodwork three times against Sampdoria but had to be content with a draw. Giampaolo Pazzini put Samp ahead on 10 minutes after Antonio Cassano, constantly linked with a move to Juve, sent his strike partner clear with a superb through ball.
Amauri's brave diving header midway through the second half levelled the scores after a teasing cross from substitute Sebastian Giovinco.Cassano's deflected cross struck the post for Samp.
Former Juve striker Adrian Mutu completed a hat-trick with the last kick to send Fiorentina up to fourth with a 3-3 draw at Genoa, who had led 3-0 but played with 10 men for an hour.
AS Roma's good run ended with a 3-0 defeat at Atalanta, who beat Inter 3-1 in Bergamo last month.Roma, second last season before having a terrible start to the current campaign, had surged up the table after going undefeated in seven.
Showing posts with label Football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Football. Show all posts
Monday, February 16, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
No split at Chelsea, says Wilkins
Chelsea's assistant manager Ray Wilkins has denied reports there is a split in the dressing-room after the sacking of manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.
The Brazilian was dismissed on Monday, with suggestions that some players were not happy with his management style.
But Wilkins said: "The reports are totally untrue, we don't have any sort of split, none whatsoever.
"Every coach has their own methods and some players like them, some don't - it happens at every football club."
Captain John Terry hinted on Tuesday that the dressing-room was divided, saying: "Scolari had my full support, I'm sure two or three of the other players would say the same."
But Wilkins added: "Whenever any coach coaches a club as big as Chelsea, the players who don't play are going to be disgruntled, that's a fact and it's no different here.
"They all want to play, but you can only pick 11 people, so it's very difficult for the coach."
Wilkins is in charge for Saturday's FA Cup tie at Watford before handing over the reins to Guus Hiddink.
The Dutchman, currently boss of Russia's national team, has agreed to manage Chelsea for the rest of the season, and met with players on staff on Thursday.
He will work with Wilkins, who rejected a claim by Scolari that Chelsea do not have a special talent in their squad capable of turning matches.
Scolari, in his first interview since being dismissed, told France Football magazine that their failure to sign Robinho - who ended up at Manchester City - from Real Madrid last summer cost them dear.
"At Chelsea we didn't have the player who can make the difference by himself by producing something magical on the pitch," said Scolari.
"In the past, Arjen Robben was at Chelsea and he could make the difference. But now there is no-one.
"Robinho could have been this player. He is not afraid to dribble, to take a risk. As a Brazilian, I like this.
"The team isn't Brazilian enough. It is a 'bureaucratic' team. That's the style of the players. That's why Robinho would have done a lot of good for the team."
But Wilkins hit back: "Football is all about opinions, and Felipe has his own opinions on the game.
"My opinion is that we do have special players at this club, a number of them in fact."
Wilkins also admitted he was stunned by the announcement of Scolari's dismissal and said he enjoyed his five-month spell under the 2002 World Cup-winning manager.
"I was shocked, yes. He was a very decent man, and I enjoyed working with him immensely," he said.
"But football is a tough game and a couple of results went against us and the decision was made.
"I was shocked, yes, and disappointed, because I enjoyed his company, he was a smashing guy."
Story from BBC SPORT:
Published: 2009/02/13 11:46:37 GMT
© BBC MMIX
The Brazilian was dismissed on Monday, with suggestions that some players were not happy with his management style.
But Wilkins said: "The reports are totally untrue, we don't have any sort of split, none whatsoever.
"Every coach has their own methods and some players like them, some don't - it happens at every football club."
Captain John Terry hinted on Tuesday that the dressing-room was divided, saying: "Scolari had my full support, I'm sure two or three of the other players would say the same."
But Wilkins added: "Whenever any coach coaches a club as big as Chelsea, the players who don't play are going to be disgruntled, that's a fact and it's no different here.
"They all want to play, but you can only pick 11 people, so it's very difficult for the coach."
Wilkins is in charge for Saturday's FA Cup tie at Watford before handing over the reins to Guus Hiddink.
The Dutchman, currently boss of Russia's national team, has agreed to manage Chelsea for the rest of the season, and met with players on staff on Thursday.
He will work with Wilkins, who rejected a claim by Scolari that Chelsea do not have a special talent in their squad capable of turning matches.
Scolari, in his first interview since being dismissed, told France Football magazine that their failure to sign Robinho - who ended up at Manchester City - from Real Madrid last summer cost them dear.
"At Chelsea we didn't have the player who can make the difference by himself by producing something magical on the pitch," said Scolari.
"In the past, Arjen Robben was at Chelsea and he could make the difference. But now there is no-one.
"Robinho could have been this player. He is not afraid to dribble, to take a risk. As a Brazilian, I like this.
"The team isn't Brazilian enough. It is a 'bureaucratic' team. That's the style of the players. That's why Robinho would have done a lot of good for the team."
But Wilkins hit back: "Football is all about opinions, and Felipe has his own opinions on the game.
"My opinion is that we do have special players at this club, a number of them in fact."
Wilkins also admitted he was stunned by the announcement of Scolari's dismissal and said he enjoyed his five-month spell under the 2002 World Cup-winning manager.
"I was shocked, yes. He was a very decent man, and I enjoyed working with him immensely," he said.
"But football is a tough game and a couple of results went against us and the decision was made.
"I was shocked, yes, and disappointed, because I enjoyed his company, he was a smashing guy."
Story from BBC SPORT:
Published: 2009/02/13 11:46:37 GMT
© BBC MMIX
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Barcelona Named Best Club Team Of Last 18 Years By IFFHS
Culled from goal.com
23/01/2009 16:24
23/01/2009 16:24
Barcelona Named Best Club Team Of Last 18 Years By IFFHS
Barcelona are the best club team of the last 18 years according to the International Federation of Football History and Statistics, with Manchester United second, and Juventus third...
The International Federation of Football History and Statistics has today named Barcelona as the best club side of the past 18 years.
The IFFHS compiled the statistics from 1991, using the position each team finishes in the annual world rankings as a scoring system, and the Catalan side are 79 points clear of second place Manchester United.
Behind Manchester United come two Italian giants in the form of Juventus and AC Milan, and then down in fifth are Real Madrid.
During the time period taken by the IFFHS, Barcelona have won the Champions League on two occasions, whilst they have won La Liga eight times.
Manchester United on the other hand have also won the Champions League twice, but they have picked up ten Premier League titles.
Below Real Madrid there is quite a gap down to the next Spanish side, with Valencia sitting in joint 17th with Sao Paulo.
England and Italy meanwhile both have four teams in the top 15 of the list.
Official IFFHS Rankings:
1. Barcelona (SPN) 757
2. Manchester United (ENG) 678
3. Juventus FC (ITA) 621
4. Milan AC (ITA) 611
5. Real Madrid (SPN) 605
6. Internazionale Milano (ITA) 567
7. Bayern Munich (GER) 563
8. Arsenal (ENG) 550
9. River Plate (ARG) 503
10. Chelsea (ENG) 442
11. Liverpool (ENG) 435
12. Porto (POR) 425
13. Boca Juniors (ARG) 420
14. AS Roma (ITA) 405
15. AFC Ajax Amsterdam (HOL) 400
16. Parma (ITA) 373
17. São Paulo (BRA) 367
18 Valencia (SPN) 367
19. Glasgow Rangers (SCO) 364
20. SS Lazio Roma (ITA) 342
James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Football: Wednesday Transfer Clockwatch
Wednesday Transfer Clockwatch
Last updated: 21st January 2009
Skysports News
10.53 Charlton are reported to be in talks with Belgian outfit Standard Liege in regards to Zoro Cyriac Gohi Bi.
10.45 Bury manager Alan Knill has revealed that he is not looking to add to his current crop of players during the transfer window, but understands injuries and suspensions could force his hand.
10.33 Gervinho is eyeing a summer move away from Le Mans, with the Premier League his favoured destination.
10.23 Rangers midfielder Maurice Edu has revealed he is uninterested in seeking a loan move away from Ibrox.
10.17 Savio Nsereko's agent insists they are not in talks with West Ham.
10.11 Marius Cinikas claims to have penned a six-month deal with SPL outfit Hearts.
10.00 Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has reiterated his affection for his former club Marseille.
9.51 Wilson Palacios has completed his move to Tottenham subject to a work permit.
9.37 Serdar Tasci's agent insists that Stuttgart remains his first priority.
9.19 Portsmouth chairman Peter Storrie has confirmed that Patrick Vieira remains a transfer target for the club, but admits the Frenchman is unlikely to join during the January transfer window.
9.00 Andrei Arshavin's agent has indicated that his client would be willing to buy out his contract at Zenit St Petersburg. The Russian star continues to be strongly linked with a move to Arsenal.
8.24 Marco Materazzi's agent claims that Tottenham have made a move for the Italian international. The World Cup-winning defender is currently on the books of Serie A giants Inter Milan.
8.00 Brighton have made "substantial offers" for two players as boss Micky Adams attempts to bolster his squad for the second half of the season.
Paper talk North East duo Newcastle and Sunderland are reported to be leading the chase for Bolton's out of favour centre-half Danny Shittu.
Paper talk Charles N'Zogbia has taken another step closer to departing Newcastle after becoming involved in a training ground bust-up with team-mate Andy Carroll.
7.10 The late news on Tuesday centred around Wilson Palacios' proposed move to Tottenham. The Wigan midfielder has undergone a medical at White Hart Lane and looks poised to complete a switch to the capital.
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