ESPN Giving The O's Love...

Hey, we're getting there on ESPN provided we can keep winning and make something of the 2008 season.

The Royals winning, Florida in first in the NL East? The Tigers and Rockies tanking? Luke Scott leading the ML in hitting? Aubrey Huff leading the ML in RBIs? Ok, so it's only April 8th and there's five months left in the season for the natural order to take shape, but weirdness is what makes the first few weeks interesting.

O's Down Rangers, 10-4: What Do The O's Do?

The Orioles started the fireworks early as they downed the Rangers in a laugher, 10-4. Both Freddie Bynum, who played due to illness (Roberts battling the flu), and Brandon Fahey supplied much of offense on the 4th of July. Fahey had two doubles, and Bynum has three RBI's for the easy win. The offense jumped all over Vicente Padilla - a 10 game winner for Texas.

Jeremy Guthrie finally got the run support he needed to earn his fifth win as he went a little over six innings, and looked balanced in the victory.

***
There's been a lot of talk about the trade deadline and what the Orioles should do. I have been on record as saying that Andy MacPhail should continue the rebuilding process no matter what -- however, it does not mean that he should just trade guys to trade 'em.

For example, Aubrey Huff? His contract is relatively affordable,! and he's now having a hell of a year at the plate? Do we trade him and his 17 homers, 53 RBIs? Who would we get for him? It's not like he's old -- he's only 31!

Roberts? He's the spark plug of the team and fan favorite -- who makes up his .368 OBP or his 22 stolen bases? Do we trade Walker and Millar, two men who perhaps unquestionably are the leaders of this team and perhaps have improved chemistry?

I trust MacPhail, and he's on the mark with most very deal so far. However, with all the chatter on talk radio and the 'net, the Orioles may be closer to improving than any of us thought in March.

Still, moves need to be made, we have an issue with shortstop (but Fahey is doing well in his limited playing time), and the team looks to playing their best baseball in a decade. Right now, the road is looking bright, but you don't trade guys just to trade them.

Like Dave Johnson said, "you can't get ride over everyone over 28, and have a ! team of twenty-year olds."

I like the team assemble! d, and f ans are happy to see a winning product. I have no illusions of seeing playoff tickets printed, and in the end, if we have a strong August-September, there's a buzz that will be created for Orioles baseball that has not been seen in a long time.

There's one thing we know, Bedard and Tejada are not missed.

Sports Illustrated, Teixeira/Free Agents, Rebuilding and the Orioles...

I was somewhat optimistic that the Orioles in 2008 -- at least until the end of July -- could approach the .500 mark and perhaps start looking forward to finally getting out the AL East cellar in 2009.

Well, obviously I was proven wrong and a couple of people called me out on my high hopes as the team flatlined from mid-August until the end of the season.

That being said, Sports Illustrated recently previewed our division and gave us fans a sobering look at the organization:

If the Jays should look beyond 2009, the same goes doubly for the 68-win Orioles, who employed! the fifth-oldest lineup in the league, one in which only Jones and Nick Markakis were on the right side of 30. For far too long the O's have been in denial about their plight, which now extends to 11 straight losing seasons. A typical winter's patchwork involves trying to get them to 75 wins, a level that the Orioles have actually reached just once in this millennium. This only forestalls a more extensive rebuilding effort; they need to face the music and clean house. Take the rotation -- please. The unit's ERA as a whole was an MLB-worst 5.51, and Jeremy Guthrie was the only member with at least a dozen starts and an ERA below 5.25; in that light perpetually maddening Daniel Cabrera starts to make sense because of his ability to eat innings. The Orioles need another arm or two to stabilize a corps of not-so-young and none-too-effective pitchers like Radhames Liz and Garret Olsen, but they shouldn't overpay for name-brand studs on long-term deals, because they're a couple ! of years away from a credible run at .500, let alone the divis! ion flag . Paging Odalis Perez...

As much as I'd like to disagree with this assessment, I agree with it. It looks like your young pitching needs more time, seasoning, and at this point I would only pencil in Jeremy Guthrie as a starter.

I think no matter who we acquire from the free agent market -- whether it be a Teixeira, Burnett, Izturis, Byrd, or anyone else -- how does that impact the rebuilding process? Do we see steady improvement, or are we destined to repeat the same mistakes for the past decade? While we need some free agents to make the team more competitive in the near future, no one should be fooled into thinking we'll have a plan to contend unless the organization is built from the bottom up.

While the foundation and the blueprint may be laid out, the Orioles are not even done building the first floor of the house despite some promising arms in the minors and Matt Wieters.

Bet on Baseball at BetUS.com - America's favorite sports betting destination for all sports fans; adding more excitement and bonuses than any other sportsbook; on the web.

Ravens Head To The AFC Championship; Defeat The Titans, 13-10

Let's give a shout-out to the Baltimore Ravens who defeated the tough Tennessee Titans, 13-10, in narrow victory which was decided in the last minutes of the fourth quarter.

They will either face Pittsburgh or San Diego (resulting from what happens on Sunday) next weekend for the AFC Championship.

I'm sure Charm City will be abuzz for the next week or so. Although I'm more of a Redskins fan, I have been following the Ravens all season fairly close.

What they have accomplished this season with freshman QB Joe Flacco, a new coach, John Harbaugh and less than-enthusiastic expectations to start the season! is nothing short of amazing.

As my bud Pug would say, "RAAAAVVVVEEENNNNS Football!"

Bet on Baseball at BetUS.com - America's favorite sports betting destination for all sports fans; adding more excitement and bonuses than any other sportsbook; on the web.

Interviewing with a Sox Blogger; Roberto Alomar Allegedly Ill

I recently did a brief Q&A with a Bottom Line Sox -- a Red Sox blog -- about the 2009 Baltimore Orioles. I tried my best to answer his questions in full at least with the team we've got right now.

If you've got a moment, check out it here...

***

It's been a utterly depressing week in sports with the whole A-Rod episode along with Miguel Tejada; however, today brings another sad tale -- assuming it is true.

Former Oriole and potential Hall of Famer Roberto Almoar may be hit with not only a lawsuit, but a deadly disease which has permeated all segments of life, race, gender and economic status.

>>> Read More

Hill to Start Season on DL; O's Lose to Cardinals

If things with the Baltimore Orioles pitching rotation were not shaky, they are now even more so. The news out of camp today concerning Rich Hill may be precautionary, but it's a step back for the hurler, and the coaching staff...

Rich Hill, who was acquired this offseason with the hope that he would be the Orioles' third starter, was officially ruled out for the Opening Day rotation today by pitching coach Rick Kranitz.

Hill has been dealing with elbow soreness and hasn't pitched in a game all spring. He did throw a 25-pitch batting practice session today, facing hitters for the first time since late February, and is expected to throw an inning in Wednesday's intrasquad game. Though the batting practice session went! well and Hill reported no discomfort, Kranitz said there's simply not enough time for the left-hander to get ready for the season with Opening Day now only two weeks away.

>>> Read More

Bet on Baseball at BetUS.com - America's favorite sports betting destination ! for all sports fans; adding more excitement and bonuses than any other sportsbook on the web.

Orioles Lose to Boston to Open Three Game Set, Smoltz & Wondering About Wieters

Red Sox Nation descended upon Baltimore once again, and for the umpteenth time, downtown Baltimore was transformed into a sea of red and blue. As well, the Red Sox once again beat the Orioles, 4-0, in front of 36,458 at Camden Yards on Monday. The victory for Boston was their EIGHTH straight win over the Orioles.

Jon Lester, who started the night at .500 at 6-6, was nothing short of amazing as he went seven shutout innings, allowed only five hits, struck out eight, and earned the victory. Jonathan Papelon averted a potential rally for the Orioles by pitching 1/3 of an inning for his 19th save. Baltimore had two runners on bases ! in the bottom of the ninth with two outs, and it looked like Melvin Mora was going to get a hit to perhaps avoid the team being shutout; however, Jason Bay made a diving catch to not only prevent runs from scoring, but close out the game.

Meanwhile, for Baltimore, Jason Berken pitched valiantly, but sort of went through the school of hard knocks facing a veteran Boston lineup. Berken went five innings, gave up four runs and took the loss for the Orioles, as he gave up a run in the opening frame, and then three more in the fourth inning.

>>> Read More

Changes to Coaching Staff; Jauss Gone

It looks like the Orioles have already made personnel changes, and it looks like coaching staff will not the same when Spring Training along with the 2010 season comes around.

I guess there were going to be changes come about from a 98-loss season (and a 12th under .500), so there will be more.

From the Baltimore Sun: All but one of the Orioles 2009 coaches will be back on Dave Trembley's staff next season.

Trembley said Tuesday that Dave Jauss, who has been Trembley's bench coach for the past two seasons, will not return in 2010. The rest of the group will resume their 2009 responsibilities: pitching coach Rick Kranitz, hitting coach Terry Crowley, first base coach John Shelby, third base coach Juan Samuel and bullpen coach Alan Dunn.

No! ne will be considered for bench coach.

Therefore, Trembley will be searching only for a right-hand man, who also likely will serve as the spring training coordinator. Trembley said there is no specific timetable for the hiring.

"We'll take our time, compile a list of potential candidates for the bench coach position," Trembley said, "And as the offseason progresses, we'll make a decision."

I'm not sure why Jauss is now out of a job -- whether he was not asked back or on his own accord -- let's wish him the best of luck. There's probably a lot that goes on that we fans are obviously not privy to. Maybe the staff didn't get a long, or he wanted to move on, who knows...

There's one man on the staff who received a lot of heat for some of the baserunning gaffes -- Juan Samuel -- who will be back in Baltimore next season. I know some fans were angry about his work as third base coach, plus overall lack of base-running fundamen! tals, but I'd like to see if things turn around in '10.

I canno t remember anyone complaining about Samuel the year prior; however, with the losing and what was seen this season, let's hope the team shows some more discipline.

>>> Read More

Lundqvist Could Make NHL History Tonight!

With one more win this season, Henrik Lundqvist will become the first goaltender in NHL history to record at least 30 wins in his first four NHL seasons. The Rangers and Lundqvist hope that the win comes tonight in Nashville against the Predators.

Can Someone Tell Me What This Crazy Canes Fan Is Doing?

Rangers Make Qualifying Offers

According to Steve Zipay of Blue Notes, the Rangers have made qualifying offers to Dubinsky, Callahan, Korpikoski, Potter and newly acquired Brian Boyle.

So the Rangers retain negotiating rights to those players.

Brandon Dubinsky ($633,333), Ryan Callahan ($575,000) and Potter ($535,000) all earned less than $660,000, so the minimum raise they were due to receive was 10 percent. Boyle, obtained Saturday from Los Angeles, earned $750,000 and is due a five percent hike. Lauri Korpikoski, at $1.017 million, had to be matched.

If a player rejects an offer, he becomes a free agent. If another team makes an offer, the Rangers have a right to match.

These were all anticipated, but I definitely expect Callahan and Dubinksy to reject these offers. They will easi! ly ask for at least twice as much as their qualifying offer.
I don't think that there will be a problem re-signing Korpikoski for that price, that is a generous salary for him in my (no-so-expert) opinion. The same can be said for Potter and Boyle.

Updated 6/30 - 2:40PM:
According to Blue Notes, Dane Byers and Greg Moore also get qualifying offers

Rangers: Keys to Success

Guest Blogger: Patrick Hoffman - from Kuklas Korner and on Twitter

Heading into the 2009-2010 NHL regular season, there are lots of questions surrounding the New York Rangers. This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone because with GM Glen Sather at the helm, there are always going to be many questions and not enough answers.

It might turn out that the answers to questions about this year's Blueshirts might actually be the keys to their success. With that in mind, let's take a look at just a few of the questions and how there answers can determine the fate of the 2009-2010 Rangers.

Question: Will Marian Gaborik remain healthy for the entire season?

Answer: In a lot of Rangers' fans hearts, this is the main question that fans want answered and they want it answered well. When healthy, Gaborik can be a dominant player. In just 17 games last season, Gaborik posted 23 points in 17 games and for his career, has 437 points in 502 games. He's got tremendous speed, a quick release, not afraid to take the puck to the net, and can help out on the power play.

While that's great, it's not going to matter if he ends up spending half the season injured. In 2006-07, he played 48 games. As mentioned above, he played in ! just 23 games last season and he hasn't played remotely close ! to a ful l season since the 2007-08 season when he played in 77 games. Again, if he's healthy, he will put a lot of points up on the board. If he's not, Ranger fans will once again be clamoring for Sather's head.

Question: How will the team's power play look?

Answer: As I'm sure many of you knowledgeable Ranger fans know, the team's power play last season was awful. They had trouble getting the puck to the net, they passed the puck more often than they shot it and they constantly looked for the perfect play, which was never there. Normally, most teams like to keep it simple on the power play and that usually results in quality scoring chances and goals. However, last year's Rangers failed to generate much of both.

Going into this season, both Sather and head coach John Tortorella believe that the club's power play will be much improved. Sather and Co. are hoping that by ha! ving a healthy Gaborik, newly acquired Ales Kotalik, hard worker Christopher Higgins and maybe some help on the point from 25-year-old defenseman Matt Gilroy or even someone like Bobby Sanguinetti or Michael Del Zotto, the power play will come out of the cellar and be one of the top team's in that area.

It'll certainly be a process and there will be lots of experimenting by Tortorella but one has to think "can it really get much worse?"

Question: Who will be the team's No. 1 center?

Answer: Ranger fans have been pondering this question all offseason long and with good reason. It's obvious that Gaborik is going to need to play with someone who can get him the puck, go into the corners and dig the puck out for him, find him in the slot or flying down the wing, etc.

Here on PuckCentral.net, many of you believe that role should go to Brandon Dubinsky, who ! has yet to sign with the team (hopefully happening soon). He w! orks har d, he's not afraid to shoot the puck, he had success with Jaromir Jagr in that role and head coach John Tortorella likes him.

I'm not sure where I stand on this but I believe that for now, Dubinsky should get a shot and could end up being more than a capable first line player.

Thanks to Declan/PuckCentral.net for allowing me to post my thoughts. You can find my work by visiting my blog on Kuklas Korner.

The ratings game.

Big names.

Cowboys boost CBS.

CBS draws biggest NFL audience of the season.

2008 in review: NHL.

Idle notes.

Barkley to return Thursday.

March Madness ratings up in prime time.

Weekend ratings predictions.

He's no Superman (but he's close).

The ratings game.

NASCAR ratings drop again

Weekend ratings predictions

FANTANEWS

---------- E' NATO PIER-CULELLO! ---------------

E a questo punto Campopiano e Paolo hanno ragione. Bisogna dirlo: mamma mia che Pier-culello! Un pareggio rubato contro Paolo di mezzo punto, una vittoria rubatissima contro Celeste totalizzando 64, e una vittoria a dir poco "semplificata" contro la capolista Armata.
Tre indizi valgono una prova: è nato PIER-CULELLO. E conquista la vetta con 7 punti rubaticchi. E canta: trallalerò trallalau.... trallelerò trallalaù... Eccolo lì in vetta:

CLASSIFICA
Il giorno dei giorni (Piero) 31
Armata Lambertoska (Raf) 30
Blucrociata Mattia (Gio') 26
Mani Pulite (Paolo) 25
Real Marcina (Tommaso) 24
I Love Giorgia (Pask/Gigi) 24
Dinamo Tofa (Felice) 22
Amici Miei (Celestino) 15

Comunque onore e merito anche a Pancrazio con una squadra equilibrata e un ottimo centrocampo. Camoranesi, Vannucchi e Mancini. 3 gol. Tutti a casa a bere un tè caldo.

E g! ià nasce il movimento ANTI-PANCRAZIO. SI ACCETTANO ADESIONI: io, io, io, tutti iscritti: è nato il vero movimento di sommossa, il G.A.P.

E come ampiamente previsto l'Armata del Buon Raf nonostante i colpi di cu... ehm... colpi di "genio" Borriello e Pato non riesce a restare in vetta. La squadra è buona ma c'è qualcosa che non gira. Forse il pianto pancrazio ha messo fuori uso nelle ultime domeniche i migliori: Pato, Kaka, Asamoah, Perrotta, Zampagna, Spinesi, Nesta, Buffon, Zanetti, Mauri, Taddei, Ventola, etc etc.. la lista è lunga. Ma Raf Lamberti dice: se son rose fioriranno. Altrimenti erano margherite. Smile :)

Poi per quanto riguarda gli altri risultati vediamo che Celestino perde in casa contro Tavano&Co., Campos pareggia contro una Tofa "Iaquintesca" e Paolo e Giò danno vita ad un ottima partita: 2 a 2: tutti soddisfatti per il gioco, meno del risultato.

Soprattutto il pollo Giò continua ad inseguire: la sua squadra è! una macchina da gol, 63 in totale. Ma non riesce ad agguantar! e la vet ta. Anche se sta rosicchiando punti. Prima o poi....

In cors anche Paolo, Tommy, Campos e Felix in un fazzoletto di punti. In purgatorio. Eh già perchè la classifica adesso è cortissima. E sarà ancora più corta dopo i recuperi. Il penultimo (Felix) è a soli 9 punti da Piero (ma ha anche i 3 punti del recupero). E quindi adesso si riparte. Riaccendete i motori. L'unico che sembra, e sottolienamo sembra fuori dalla corsa per il titolo è Celestino che viaggia a -16 e ha come obiettivo la salvezza. Ma con Trezeguet, Miccoli e Doni non si può mai dire. Potrebbe ottenere una serie di vittorie e rientrare nel gruppo. Vediamo.

Una cosa è certa. Una squadra ammazza campionato non c'è. Non c'è mai stata. E quindi mai come quest'anno sarà la sorte, la dea bendata a premiare il vincitore. Anche se c'è ancora chi ha in serbo qualche asso nella manica da calare al momento giusto, al mercato di riparazione. Vediamo chi riesce a rinforzarsi.

Ciao,
Rafil! ozzo Cannavò

Liga Inggris 2009/2010 | Hughes ; 'City Telah Memberi Bukti'

Banyak pihak yang mengkritik cara Manchester City mempersenjatai diri di musim ini. Tapi bagi manajer The Citizens, Mark Hughes, pasukannya telah sukses menjawab kritik itu.

Di bawah kepemilikan multi jutawan minyak asal Uni Emirat Arab, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan, City bagai orang kaya baru di Liga Inggris. Anggaran belanjanya jadi nyaris tak terbatas! .

Dengan dana melimpah, City membeli banyak bintang demi memperkuat diri. Total lebih dari 100 juta poundsterling telah mereka belanjakan untuk membeli pemain seperti Emmanuel Adebayor, Gareth Barry, Joleon Lescott, dll.

Orang-orang yang mengkritik City meragukan mereka akan menggapai sukses instan dengan cara seperti itu. The Citizens dianggap belum cukup kaliber untuk jadi penantang juara Premiership.

"Ada banyak pertanyaan--apakah kami bisa menyatu dengan cepat sebagai sebuah tim? Apakah kami bisa menangani yang disebut sebagai ego itu di ruang ganti? Semuanya ditanyakan bahkan sebelum musim berawal," kata Hughes di Sky Sports.

Hughes tahu, para pengkritik itu tengah menunggu timnya terpeleset dan kritik mereka akan menjadi kenyataan. Tapi sejauh ini Robinho cs baru sekali kalah dan sementara duduk di tangga keempat.

"Dari sudut pandang kami, saya pikir kami telah menjawab set! iap kritik tersebut," ujar Hughes.

"Kami tahu bahwa! jalan m asih panjang, tetapi kami senang dengan awal yang kami tempuh karena kami membutuhkan permulaan yang bagus," tutup manajer asal Wales itu.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP H & E QUALIFIERS 2008: REAL MADRID LOSE & VILLAREAL WIN

EVER BANEGAS LOANED TO ATLETICO DE MADRID

EURO 2008: SPAIN CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE AFTER DEFEATING GERMANY 0-1 IN THE FINAL.

RAFAEL NADAL WINS QUEENS 2008

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL: MANCHESTER UNITED GOES INTO THE EUROPEAN CUP FINAL

FC BARCELONA & REAL MADRID GOSSIP 2008

SPANISH FOOTBALL - LA LIGA - ROUND 22/ 2008 SATURDAY VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS & RESULTS

UEFA CUP DRAW: RESULTS FOR SPANISH TEAMS

RANGERS FANS IN BARCELONA. BACK TO THE DARK AGE

SPANISH FOOTBALL:LA LIGA - ROUND 3_2007 SUNDAY RESULTS

SPANISH FOOTBALL MARKET TALK & FC BARCELONA TEAM PHOTO

FERNANDO TORRES ABOUT THE PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE. RUMOURS & TIME FOR REFLEXION

U/20 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS. ZAMBIA 1 - SPAIN 2

SPANISH CUP 2008 /2009: 2º LEG SEMI FINAL RESULTS

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2008/2009 2º LEG Q/FINAL: ARSENAL 3 - VILLAREAL 0

DIEGO FORLAN LEADS "PICHICHI" & "EUROPEAN GOLDEN BOOT" 2009. CAN ETO´O CATCH & OVERTAKE?

MANCHESTER UNITED PREPARING TO GO AFTER SERGIO "KUN" AGUERO ?

CYCLING: ALBERTO CONTADOR WINS THE TOUR DE FRANCE 2009

REAL MADRID: MARCELO IMITATES CRISTIANO RONALDO AT TRAINING (VIDEO)

Jiménez Pleased With Victory

Villa Agent Meets With English Clubs - Report

Sylvinho: Ronaldinho's Gone? C'est La Vie

Unai-ty The Key To Valencia's 'Strong Ties'

Torres Out For Up To Four Games

Javier Saviola Ready To Help Madrid

Negredo Criticises Real Madrid Youth System

Atlético de Madrid Join Rémy Race

Roberto Abbondanzieri And Getafe President Torres Make Peace

Figo tells Ronaldo to join Real

Liga round-up

Federer, Roddick? advance to showdown

Robredo and Wawrinka advance at Monte Carlo

Jimenez extends Sevilla stay

Fabiano happy at Sevilla

La Liga Round-Up

Fernando Torres on Liverpool FC

Fernando Torres on Liverpool FC

England Vs Croatia: Wonderfulo Capello

FIFA World Cup 2010 Qualification

England Vs Croatia In World cup 2010 qualification

Frank Lampard When Taking Penalty Kick

Steven Gerard Celebrates his goal with Frank Lampard

Fabio Capello: Man Behind England National Football Team Success


FIFA World Cup 2010 Qualification:
England Beats Croatia 5-1

England national football team shows a great performance in FIFA World Cup Qualification, Europe zone. England plays against Croatia in Wembley Stadium, England. England had a bad memory when against Croatia in Wembley at Euro Cup 2008 qualification. at that time, England was beaten by Croatia by score 3-1 for Croatia. And England could'nt come to Euro Cup Final because of those score.

But in this FIFA Wo! rld Cup 2010 qualification, the situation is very different. In this match, England has a big confidence to beat Croatia. Because in the first qualification match, Croatia was beaten 1-4. Beside that, England has shown a good performance in all of the qualification matches. England always wins in all matches. Evenmore, they play this match in Wembley.

Finally, prediction comes true. England beats Croatia with a big victory. Yup! England wins 5-1, its wonderful! Frank Lampard, Steven Gerard and Wayney Rooney are the goal makers of England in this match. Lampard and Gerard make two goals in this match and Rooney makes one. Where Goal for Croatia is made by Eduardo da Silva, Aresenal's Striker.

With this victory, England goes automathically to the FIFA World Cup 2010 final in South Africa. And England is also predicted as a strong candidate to get the world cup tittle. This England's succes because of agood coaching from Fabio Capello. Fabio Capello coach! es England since two years ago. He brings many changes in Engl! and foot ball squad. He makes England stronger and becomes a good football team. Congratulations England! Wonderfulo Capello!

Our Shrewd Chairman

By Jaymes Payten-Marsh

For THBN


After the story on THBN of Frank Arnesen continuing his work at Tottenham until the termination of his contract, THBN received many comments from its users stating how much they admired our chairman Daniel Levy.

I have to agree with them completely. From his takeover in 2001, Levy has not stopped trying to deliver glory to his beloved Spurs.

Signing Glenn Hoddle as our manager and then having to terminate his contract truly showed that nothing was out to stop Levy's quest in making Tottenham great again.

During the interim period of finding a manager for the club, Levy toured Europe, meeting with top club owners in the chance that they would assist him by handing out knowledge in the form of advice for creating a new system, the continental system.

After landing the now departing Frank Arnesen as Sporting Director, Levy showed the Premiership that his shrewd! cunning continental approach was in full force.

We all know the events that happened therein with the Santini scandal, Martin Jol's promotion to head coach and all the stories of what happened with Frank Arnesen. But have we really considered how hard and smartly Daniel Levy worked on getting a massive compensation package for the club?

One THBN user commented:

"Arnesen is a traitor, but he is no way near worth 8 million. I heard the other day that Dortmund rate Rosicky at 8 million so who would you rather have. And before you guys all jump on me for suggesting that we are going to buy Rosicky I was only using him as a bench mark. The fact is the money we get for that turncoat will be put to better use no matter who it is we sign"

How true. The reported figure of £8 million was a massive boost to our transfer budget. These are true signs of a quality businessman.

The chairman of the previous! regime possibly would have publically slated Arnesen and Chel! sea, may be making matters worse. I very much doubt our former chairman or most other chairman for that matter would have done what Levy did. By keeping his cool and proceeding accordingly, Levy got the club what it deserved.

Another user commented:

"I think Levy has proved to us all about how smart, knowledgable and shrewd he is. I have to say he is THE premier chairman in our league, I for one, am exceedingly pleased at the progress he has made and feel happy to support him fully in his decisions as I know they are in the best interests of Tottenham Hotspur"

We all wish Daniel Levy, the Tottenham Hotspur Board and all the coaching and playing staff at Tottenham the best of luck as we continue to grow.

Spurs 2 - 0 Roma

Darren Bent got onto a mistake by the Roma defence and slotted the ball under the opponents keeper.

It's been all Spurs thus far!

Spurs set to release player

After signing from Chelsea, Carlo Cudicini thought that he would have been Tottenham's number one keeper.

Unfortunately, that hasn't materialised due to Gomes showing all the pundits that he truly is world-class.

Various In-The-Know sources are certain that Cudicini has a gentleman's agreement with the club, allowing him to leave in the close season.

It's thought that Newcastle are interested in our keeper.

Farewell Carlo.

Galliani Masih Harapkan Cissokho

MILAN - Wakil presiden Milan Adriano Galliani memastikan persetujuan dengan Porto tentang transfer Aly Cissokho masih berlaku, meskipun tes medis bek sayap itu gagal.
"Kami telah berteman dengan presiden Porto bertahun-tahun. Kontrak ini disetujui dengan jabatan tangan, tetapi digagalkan tes medis. Tanpa masalah ini, sang pemain akan bergabung dengan kami," pikir Galliani kepada Milan Channel.
Tentang rencana cadangan, Galliani menambahkan, "Antara Cissokho datang atau kami mempertahankan kami, kami telah mengontrak (Ignazio) Abate kemarin. Tentang Cissokho tak ada! batas waktu, ia dapat tiba kapan saja."
Milan berharap Porto dapat menurunkan harga jualnya karena kegagalan tes medis ini, tetapi itu tampaknya tak akan terwujud dalam waktu dekat.

Milan Datangkan Oguchi Onyewu

MILAN - AC Milan kembali melakukan transfer signifikan. Demi merombak lini pertahanan, klub besutan Leonardo Araujo dikabarkan telah resmi mendatangkan bek internasional Amerika Serikat Oguchi Onyewu, Selasa (7/7/2009).
Ya, hal itu dikonfirmasi oleh kubu Il Diavolo melalui situs resmi mereka. Milan berhasil mendatangkan Onyewu dari klub Belgia, Standard Liege. "AC Milan menginformasikan bahwa klub telah merekrut Oguchi Oyewu sebagai pemain permanen dari Standard Liege. Pemain internasional AS! itu terikat kontrak hingga 30 Juni 2012," demikian pernyataan Milan yang dikutip Goal.
Onyewu memutuskan berlabuh di San Siro setelah kontraknya bersama Liege berakhir. Kendati tercatat sebagai punggawa AS, namun pemain berjuluk Gooch itu memiliki paspor Belgia. Karena itu, Onyewu tidak akan terdaftar sebagai pemain Non-Uni Eropa di Milan. Pemain yang pernah bermain untuk Newcastle United ini telah mendapat 47 caps bersama AS.
Ia pun tampil memikat bersama The Yanks pada perhelatan Piala Konfederasi 2009 di Afrika Selatan, beberapa waktu lalu. Ia menjadi salah satu kunci kemenangan AS atas juara Eropa Spanyol pada babak semifinal. Meski mencatat berbagai prestasi mengagumkan, termasuk Pemain Asing Terbaik Liga Belgia 2005, Onyewu tentu wajib bekerja keras untuk memperjuangkan posisi reguler. Pasalnya, ia bakal bersaing dengan bek tangguh Brasil Thiago Silva serta bintang veteran Alessandro Nesta.

Tekad Ronaldinho Buat Milan

MILAN - Kepergian Ricardo Kaka membuat presiden AC Milan Silvio Berlusconi berharap kepada Ronaldinho Gaucho. Ronaldinho sendiri siap memberikan performa terbaiknya pada musim ini. Kini, Milan tengah melakukan persiapan pra musim di Amerika Serikat.
Tapi, tim besutan Leonardo itu menelan kekalahan ketika berujicoba dengan Clu Amerika 2-1 kemarin. Kendati demikian, Dinho percaya kondisi dirinya dan tim semakin membaik. "Saya semakin membaik. Kami memang menginginkan kemenangan, tapi tidak untu! k pertandingan ini," kata mantan pemain Barcelona itu.
"Setelah 15 hari bekerja keras, saya semakin membaik dan bertekad untuk membayar kepercayaan tim pada musim ini," tegas pemain asal Brasil itu sebagaimana dikutip Goal, Jumat (24/7/2009). Leonardo mencoba menerapkan gaya bermain baru saat Milan melakukan tur di AS. Dinho mengaku siap bermain di posisi apapun.
"Saya bisa bermain di sayap kiri, itu tidak masalah," jelas pemain 29 tahun itu. "Perbedaan yang besar adalah saya bisa lebih terlibat jika bermain sebagai penyerang lubang. Saya akan lebih senang bermain di posisi tersebut," lanjut pemain bernama lengkap Ronaldo de Assis Moreira itu.
"Saya tidak masalah bermain yang Leonardo minta. Namun, hal itu tidak menghalangi tekad saya untuk memberikan terbaik buat tim pada musim depan," tandasnya.

Pirlo Ingin Milan yang Berambisi

MILAN - Jika ada yang menyangsikan keseriusan Milan untuk meraih prestasi tinggi di musim ini, Andrea Pirlo akan membantahnya. Ambisi besar Rossoneri-lah yang membuatnya tidak pindah ke Chelsea.
Pirlo ingin diboyong ke Inggris oleh bos baru Chelsea, Carlo Ancelotti, yang notabene adalah mantan pembesut Milan. Pinangan telah diajukan secara resmi oleh pihak Chelsea, tapi kubu Il Diavolo menampiknya. Diungkapkan Pirlo, dirinya justru sangat tertantang untuk membela Milan di musim ini, setelah dalam beberapa musim terakhir ta! mpil mengecewakan.
Alasan gelandang 30 tahun itu adalah Milan sedang memulai sebuah era baru. "Kalau saya berpikir bahwa tujuan Milan hanyalah tempat yang bagus di tabel klasemen, saya pasti sudah ada di Chelsea sekarang," tuturnya kepada Gazzetta dello Sport, Sabtu (8/8/2009). "Saya ingin menang. Ini tak cuma kata-kata. Saya sangat yakin ini memungkinkan."
"Kalian akan melihat apa yang bisa dilakukan oleh grup bersejarah ini. Kami akan membuat semua orang berpikir ulang dan memakan sendiri kritikan-kritikannya." Selain Ancelotti Milan telah kehilangan kapten legendaris Paolo Maldini dan playmaker hebat Kaka. Buat Pirlo, ini adalah sebuah momentum untuk membuka lembaran baru anak-anak San Siro.
"Tentu saja ketiadaan Kaka dan Maldini akan terasa. Tapi masing-masing dari kami akan memberi lebih banyak lagi," tukas Pirlo. "Perpisahan mereka menutup sebuah bab. Sekarang saatnya menuliskan bab baru dan saya senang ada di sini untuk mencoba."

Galliani Kecewa Langsung Bertemu Madrid

MONTE CARLO - AC Milan tak bisa memungkiri bahwa Real Madrid lawan terberat mereka di fase grup. Wakil Presiden AC Milan Adriano Galliani mengaku kecewa harus bertemu Madrid.
Galliani tak dapat menutupi rasa kecewanya setelah Milan diumumkan akan bertemu Madid saat pengundian fase grup Liga Champions, Kamis (27/8/2009). Apalagi, Milan akan bertemu dengan mantan pemain bintangnya, Kaka. "Milan ada di pot satu dan mendapatkan klub terkuat dari pot kedua. Kami sama seperti Inter akan bertemu mantan pemain.
Merek! a akan menghadapi (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic dan kami bertemu Kaka," ungkap Galliani. "Real Madrid? Saya akan memilih menghadapinya nanti, mereka adalah raja transfer. Ini akan menjadi pertarungan antara dua tim yang memenangi Liga Champions paling sering," ujarnya seperti dilansir Goal.
Namun, yang pasti laga ini akan menjadi pertandingan yang menarik di fase ini. "Ini pertandingan utama di fase ini. Saya baru saja dihubungi Presiden Real Madrid, Florentino Perez lewat ponsel saya," tukas Galliani.

Milan Jeblok Bukan Salah Dinho

MILAN - AC Milan mengawali musim ini dengan tidak meyakinkan. Adriano Galliani mengatakan bahwa kondisi itu bukan merupakan kesalahan dari Ronaldinho, pemain yang menjadi tumpuan Rossoneri saat ini.
Milan yang sempat membekuk Siena di laga perdana tidak dapat menunjukkan konsistensi di pertandingan-pertandingan selanjutnya. Setelah di bantai Inter Milan 4-0, di akhir pekan lalu mereka hanya mampu bermain imbang 0-0 dengan Livorno.
Melempemnya performa Milan itu lantas dikait-kaitkan dengan penampilan ! Ronaldinho. Mantan pemain Barcelona tersebut kini memang dipasrahi tugas menjadi otak permainan Diavolo Rosso pasca kepergian Kaka. Namun tuduhan tersebut langsung ditepis oleh Galliani. Wakil Presiden Milan itu mengatakan bahwa Ronaldinho tidak bisa disalahkan atas persoalan yang dimiliki Milan saat ini.
"Ronaldinho tidak bisa disalahkan atas semua permasalahan AC Milan," tuturnya di Football Italia . Akan tetapi Galliani tidak melihat bahwa situasi yang dialami Milan saat ini menyudutkan pihaknya. "Namun berhati-hatilah melihat kondisi ini sebagai suatu permasalahan karena ini baru awal musim. Saya masih melihat penampilan bagus dari Milan di babak kedua saat melawan Livorno."

Kalah Lagi, Leonardo Dipecat

MILAN - AC Milan kemungkinan akan mendepak Leonardo dari kursi pelatih, jika Milan akhir pekan ini I Rossoneri pulang dari kandang Atalanta dengan kekalahan. La Gazzetta dello Sport manajemen Milan akan meminta Leonardo mundur.
Jika pelatih asal Brasil itu menolak, Milan akan memecatnya. Sebagai gantinya, Milan memilih Marco van Basten. Namun agen Van Basten membantah kabar itu. Pilihan kedua adalah Walter Mazzarri. Jika salah satu dari keduanya tidak bersedia, Milan akan menunjuk Filippo Gal! li -- saat ini menjabat asisten pelatih -- sebagai pelatih sementara. Alberto Zaccheroni, mantan pelatih Milan, tidak menginginkan hal itu.
Menurutnya, Leonardo harus diberi waktu. Kepada Tuttomercatoweb, Zaccheroni mengatakan; "Kami mengamati Milan. Saya bicara kepada pemain, dan mereka mengalami erosi mental setelah pasar transfer ditutup." Milan, kata Zaccheroni, tidak terbiasa menjadi underdog. Mereka sangat mnderita dengan situasi saat ini.
"Leonardo mencoba mengatasi situasi. Itu tidak mudah," lanjutnya. Namun, kata Zaccheroni, Leonardo masih muda. Dia baru menangani klub besar, dan butuh waktu.

sumber : goal.com

Gerrard admits self-doubt

The Liverpool captain was criticised in the past for failing to replicate his stunning club form for the Three Lions, with sniping reaching a peak during the unsuccessful reign of former boss Steve McClaren.

But Capello was appointed as McClaren's successor following the failure to qualify for Euro 2008 and the Italian has since helped England book a place at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Gerrard has played regularly under ex-AC Milan, Roma, Juventus and Real Madrid chief Capello and he has revealed how the 63-year-old has altered his attitude towards England duty.

"I don't want to retire and have the highlight of my England career a quarter-final lost on penalties," Gerrard told the Daily Mail. "I want to look back on achievement, on a great team. I used to go down to England knowing it was not right, lying in my room for seven days with a tricky game ahead, driving myself mad.

"Everyone was on our case and we had too much ! thinking time. I wasn't sure I could run a game, I wasn't sure where I would be playing or what the manager really wanted from me.

Stone-hard
"There was a lot of self-doubt. Now I lie in my room looking forward even to the team meetings and training just to be in Capello's company, because you get so much from him.

"He won't be inviting you to dinner or the pictures, and he is not the guy you want to cross if you've had a bad game, but he is not as stone-hard as he is made out to be. He does pat you on the back as well."

Gerrard believes that Capello's ability to keep players' feet on the floor has proved essential in renewing England's fortunes.

"I loved that after the win against Croatia in Zagreb, Capello's first thoughts were what we could have done better," Gerrard added. "My mates who were watching the game were on a high about the performance, which is how it should be for fans, but he was already onto the next match.!

"After we beat Slovenia in the friendly recently ! he was g oing round everybody during the warm down, telling them where they could improve and what they did right.

"Everyone was tired, really players just want to relax after matches, but he was still looking to drive us on and, however you may feel about it at the time, when you take a step back from it, that energy is refreshing.

"You look at a guy like Capello and sense he can help you achieve something. He is a manager I've always liked. I've seen him on the sidelines for Juventus and Roma and thought he looked a class act, I've read his book and when he got the job I immediately felt it could be our turning point."

Tenerife, korban Madrid berikutnya kah?

Ambisi Florentiono Perez untuk membangun Los Galacticos jilid II tampaknya mulai menuai hasil. Real Madid yang musim ini menghabiskan 250 juta euro untuk mendatangkan sejumlah bintang seperti Cristiano Ronaldo, Ricardo Kaka, Karim Benzema, Xabi Alonso, Ral Albiol dan Arbeloa terus mendatangkan ancaman untuk setiap lawan yang menghadang mereka.

Kelihaian Cristiano Ronaldo dalam menggiring bola dan mecetak gol serta Ricardo Kaka dalam menghancurkan konsentrasi pertahanan lawan terus memakan korban. Dimulai ! dari Deportivo La Coruna, Espanyol, Xerez dan terakhir Villareal. Semuanya pulang dengan tanpa meraih poin.

Pada pekan ini, Tenerife siap menghadang laju Los Galacticos dalam perburuan juara. Namun squad asuhan Manuel Pellegrini jauh lebih diunggulkan sebab selain mempunyai pemain bintang yang bertebaran, El Real juga akan bermain di depan publik sendiri di Santiago Bernabeu.

Pertemuan terakhir tim promosi ini dengan El Real berlangsung pada tahun 2002 dimana El Real berhasil membobol gawang Tenerife 5 gol tanpa balas.

Real Madrid sendiri mendapatkan angin segar setelah Xabi Alonso dikabarkan siap untuk dimainkan dan bek asal Portugal sudah bebas dari larangan bermain selama 10 pertandingan sejak musim lalu.

3 poin bagi El Real sangatlah penting sebab rival abadi mereka, Barcelona juga tampil luar biasa dalam kompetisi La Liga sehingga mereka harus terus berkonsentrasi dan meraih poin penuh terus.

Akankah Cristiano Rona! ldo cs kembali melanjutkan kemenangan dengan menjadikan Teneri! fe sebag ai korban berikutnya? Atau Tenerife yang malah memberikan kejutan dengan mencuri poin dari El Real?

SU GILA C'E' ANCHE IL NAPOLI

Il procuratore di Alberto Gilardino Francesco Romano è intervenuto in diretta a Radio Marte nel corso di Marte Sport Live: "Il futuro di Gilardino? A fine campionato ci metteremo a sedere e decideremo insieme il futuro. Alberto è un campione, ha 26 anni da compiere, ha fatto quasi 100 gol in serie A, nelle ultime tre stagioni comunque ha segnato 50 reti. Saranno valutate tante cose: il Milan è una grandissima società - ha specificato Romano a Radio Marte - però un calciatore alla fine deve poter giocare, di conseguenza la valutazione più importante da fare sarà proprio questa, quella della continuità di impiego. Nelle nostre teste abbiamo sem! pre diverse soluzioni, vedremo quale sarà quella migliore. La soluzione Napoli? A Napoli potrebbe giocare qualsiasi giocatore, io ho avuto la fortuna di giocare in un periodo straordinario e conosco l'importanza della piazza. Non credo sia opportuno consigliare ad Alberto di venire a Napoli. Gilardino può andare in tutte le squadre, compreso il Napoli. Insomma potrebbe starci perchè Gilardino è un campione e il Napoli credo sia a caccia di campioni".

VIVE L'ITALIE E DOMENICA LA SPAGNA

di M.Lestingi


A Zurigo gli azzurri superano 2-0 la Francia con Pirlo (rigore) e De Rossi (punizione deviata da Henry).La squadra meritava sicuramente un risultato più netto nei confronti dei galletti,anche se sull'1-0 ha rischiato parecchio. Qualificazione possibile grazie all'Olanda,l'onesta Olanda che fa il suo dovere e batte con lo stesso risultato la Romania .
Domenica super sfida contro la Spagna di Villa & Torres senza Andreino Pirlo e Ringhio. Se questa è l'Italia,non è vietato sognare.

QUARESMA & AQUILANI,LE NEW ENTRY DI MOU

Quaresma si avvicina e Aquilani guadagna posizioni. Lo sviluppo del mercato nerazzurro si aricchisce di particolari. Per l'ala portoghese l'ultima offerta dell'Inter è di 20 milioni più il prestito di Pelè. Intanto da Roma arrivano segnali positivi su Aquilani che non ha ancora rinnovato. Attende l'avance ufficiale che dovrebbe avvicinarsi ai 3,7 milioni l'anno. Alla Roma andrebbero soldi più la comproprietà di Adriano.
Mourinho vuole Quaresma, ma allo stesso tempo, dopo le prime settimane di ritiro, ha conosciuto meglio Pelè e si sarebbe convinto di sacrificarlo solo in prestito. Aquilani invec! e attende una chiamata da Branca o da qualche altro collaboratore. Il rinnovo tarda e lui, senza garanzie economiche e tecniche, brama di segnali nerazzurri. Soldi, tanti, alla Roma che avrebbe anche Adriano in comproprietà. Tre milioni e 700 mila euro l'anno al giocatore.

Infine, capitolo scremature. Il Torino, che aveva individuato Paloschi come ultimo elemento d'attacco, è tornato su Crespo. Un obiettivo rispolverato dopo un mese di silenzio. Apparente.

CHAMPIONS, AVANTI ANCHE BARCA E PANATHINAIKOS

L'FC Barcelona stacca il biglietto per la fase a gironi della UEFA Champions League pur perdendo 1-0 in casa del Wisla Kraków nel ritorno del terzo turno preliminare allo stadio Henryk Reyman. I catalani, che avevano vinto 4-0 al Camp Nou, falliscono molte occasioni e non rimontano il gol iniziale di Cléber. Il Panathinaikos torna nella fase a gironi della UEFA Champions League dopo tre anni battendo 1-0 l'AC Sparta Praha con il gol di Rodrigo Souza al quarto minuto di recupero. La squadra di Henk ten Cate si era imposta per 2-1 all'andata.

007 MOU:DALLA ROMANIA CON AMORE

Ufficialmente Josè Mourinho era allo stadio Farul di Costanza per vedere il ritorno in Nazionale di due suoi uomini: Vieira e Chivu. Per molti, invece, il tecnico dell'Inter aveva lasciato Milano per recarsi in Romania più che altro per dare uno sguardo a due giocatori che potrebbero rilvelarsi molto importanti in chiave mercato: l'ex portiere della Fiorentina Lobont e Goian, difensore centrale della Steaua.

Secondo alcune voci, che arrivano da ambienti vicini ai Becali, l'interessamento per i due sarebbe forte.
Su Goian, però, la società nerazzurra chiede uno sco! nto deciso sui 12 milioni di euro. Evidentemente troppo. Per ora, però, il portogehse dovrà fare i conti con la contrattura al polpaccio destro rimediato da Vieira nel riscaldamento del match.

KAKA:"ADORO LA PREMIER LEAGUE"

Compagni al Milan e forse avversari in Inghilterra? Dopo Seedorf anche Ricardo Kakà, in un'intervista all'emittente Sky Sports News, ammette il desiderio di provare un giorno l'avventura in Premier League. "È un campionato che mi piace molto, duro ma con tantissimi campioni e grandi squadre. Penso che sia il miglior torneo del mondo per cui un giorno, forse, non so quando, sarebbe bello poter giocare in Inghilterra".

E come possibile destinazione, Kakà sembra avere già le idee ben precise. "Ho molti amici che giocano in Inghilterra, per cui guardo qualche partita. Ogni tanto mi capita di parlare con Robinho ed Elano del Manchester City". Nelle scorse settimane, tra l'altr! o, si era parlato di una possibile mega-offerta dei Citizens per Kakà già nella prossima estate.

MOURINHO:"CHE BRUTTA INTER"

re gol in una trasferta vera, senza cioè contare i derby con il Milan, non li prendeva da più di tre anni. L'Inter, era il settembre del 2005 e in panchina c'era Mancini, perdeva a Palermo 3-2 ma senza dare la sensazione del crollo. Josè Mourinho fa da parafulmine per proteggere i suoi giocatori, convinto che il 3-1 di Bergamo sia un episodio isolato. "Non mi spiego questa sconfitta: in genere mi piace parlare dei meriti degli avversari quando la mia squadra perde, ma oggi abbiamo giocato malissimo il primo tempo - ha detto il portoghese, che chiuderà in testa il girone d'andata a prescindere dal risultato di Lazio-Juve -. Abbiamo fatto 30-40 minuti che non si possono commentare. Devo stare zitto, mentre tutti voi (si riferisce ai giornalisti, ndr) potete utilizzare gli aggettivi che volete per una partita così negativa della mia squadra".
SENZA REAZIONE - Mourinho è severo, anche con se stesso: "Oggi non ho avuto la capacità di far capire a un difensore di 34 anni (Cor! doba, ndr) di non fare girare un attaccante spalle alla porta in area. L'allenatore sono io, e mie sono le responsabilità", prosegue il tecnico portoghese ai microfoni di Sky Sport. A differenza di quanto avvenuto nelle ultime giornate, è mancata la forza di reagire: "Col Siena è stata una partita difficile e sofferta, ma lì noi, giocando un po' meglio e un po' peggio avevamo avuto l'intensità e come minimo era una partita da pareggiare, non da perdere. Con il Cagliari era la prima partita dell'anno e non è facile, noi abbiamo giocato così così. Ma oggi abbiamo fatto 30 minuti senza commentare. È vero che loro hanno fatto 4 tiri e 3 gol ma i gol subìti sono ridicoli. Pensiamo al primo gol, abbiamo dato il pallone a Floccari spalle alla porta, il nostro difensore gli dà spazio, lo fa girare. Nel secondo gol Ibra ha messo la mano e non la testa. Sfortuna? Sì, ma poteva essere rigore - ammette Mourinho -. Poi nel terzo gol, sapevamo che Doni è bravissimo a fare certi inserimen! ti ma l'abbiamo solo guardato...".
PASSERA' - Secondo l'a! llenator e dell'Inter però "possono starci momenti brutti come quelli di oggi. Può essere anche l'occasione per cambiare qualcosa, specie l'atteggiamento. Quando una squadra non gioca bene la conseguenza logica è la sconfitta. Abbiamo una partita fra 48 ore con la Roma, è giusto dare possibilità ad altri". Dopo aver sottolineato di non essere disponibile a fare paragoni con la gestione passata, Mourinho si difende dicendo che "del girone d'andata l'unica cosa che posso dire è che le altre 19 squadre sarebbero felici di essere al posto dell'Inter. Tutti volevano essere al nostro posto. Se la Juve vince stasera è un punto dietro noi, ma saremo comunque noi i leader campionato".

Atalanta-Inter 3-1

BENZEMA APRIRA' IL VALZER DELLE PUNTE

"Io sto bene al Lione ma mi piacerebbe anche giocare in un grande club straniero come Barcellona, Real Madrid, Inter o Milan". Benzema apre le porte a un'italiana e, inconsciamente, a un giro di punte in Europa da brividi. Con lui, in estate, si muoveranno anche Adebayor - il Barcellona avrebbe pronti 22 milioni per il togolese dell'Arsenal -, Huntelaar (il Real Madrid gli sta già indigesto) ed Eto'o (Inter in pole).



Partiamo dal francese del Lione. Vorrebbe vincere la Champions con la sua squadra, ma negli ottavi di finale l'ostacolo Barcellona è proibitivo a dir poco. La sua destinazione più naturale sembra la S! pagna. A Barcellona però devono scegliere se puntare su di lui o su Adebayor. Nel caso in cui i catalani virassero sull'africano dei Gunners - la stampa spagnola comincia a spingere in questa direzione da almeno un mese -, per il francese si aprirebbero le porte del Real.

Dove i soldi per il doppio colpo stellare (l'altro è Cristiano Ronaldo) sarebbero il vento della campagna elettorale del futuro nuovo presidente (Florentino Perez?). In Italia potrebbe arrivare Eto'o - sponda Inter - per affiancare Ibrahimovic. E Huntelaar raggiungere l'Inghilterra, con ogni probabilità il terreno più adatto per lui dove esprimere qualità infinite. Un giro abbozzato che può essere cancellato e riscritto in diversi altri modi. Quel che è certo, è che la prima cessione darà via a una serie di affari con effetto domino.

BARçA DA PAZZI:4 GOL AL SANTANDER

Il party blaugrana continua: è cominciato con i cinque gol rifilati sabato all'Atletico Madri! d, va avanti a Santander dove il Racing, avversario della banda Guardiola nell'infrasettimanale di Liga, viene schiantato con un 4-1 già istradato daIbrahimovic, Messi e Piquè nei primi 27'. Nella ripresa, gol della staffa ancora del fuoriclasse argentino e consolazi! one per i padroni di casa firmata da Serrano. Barça, manco a dirlo, a punteggio pieno.

Unica nota negativa nella sinfonia barcelonista l'infortunio alla caviglia che ha messo fuori Ibrahimovicdopo pochi minuti della ripresa: lo svedese è uscito zoppicando, ma, a occhio, non dovrebbe trattarsi di nulla di grave.

Nell'altro anticipo del martedì, ancora un successo per il Siviglia, che si sbarazza in casa del Maiorcaper 2-0: di Squillaci, al 17', e Perotti, al 25', i gol della vittoria di Luis Fabiano e compagni, che agganciano temporaneamente il Real Madrid e l'Athletic Bilbao al secondo posto in classifica.

Racing Santander-Barcellona 1-4

London tour ma non solo..

Tony Book, the Maine man

REGGINA - MILAN, mercoledì 24 settembre, ore 20:30

Ricardo Oliveira, a volte ritornano...

MILANO - Ricardo Oliveira, l'erede di Shevchenko. Secondo Galliani e Braida il brasiliano sarebbe dovuto essere stato ricordato così dai tifosi rossoneri negli anni. Il brasiliano arrivò a Milano dopo due grandi stagioni al Betis Siviglia dove a suon di gol era riuscito a far parte della rosa, dell'allora campione del Mondo, del Brasile. I primi problemi arrivarono ad Agosto, il giocatore non si presenta nel ritiro biancoverda e viene multato per 2 milioni di euro. Da li a poco le due strade si sarebbero separate, dato che il Milan pagò 24 milioni di euro per assicurarselo.! Secondo leggende metropolitane venne preferito a Ibrahimovic da Braida. Il giocatore inizia forte: Gol, ed eurogol evitato da un super Peruzzi, con la Lazio . I tifosi sognano. Nel frattempo viene rapita la sorella e da quel momento il brasiliano entra in un tunnel da dove non riesce ad uscire. Tante partite, pochi gol, così si riassume il suo girone d'andata. Nel girone di ritorno ritrova la forma migliore ma non entra più nella rosa dei titolari. A luglio la cessione al Saragoza. Dopo due anni ora gioca nel Betis Siviglia e su di lui c'è la Lazio. Per gli amanti delle statistiche: il brasiliano ha segnato 39 gol negli ultimi due anni.

Simone Pizzi

FAITH IN QUALITIES

Inaugurating the first stop of the 2nd edition of the Milan Tour, this morning at the Commercial Center Carrefour of Carugate, were Mathieu Flamini and Franco Baresi, who also talked about football topics.

(on the photo: MATHIEU FLAMINI AND FRANCO BARESI, THIS MORNING, AT CARUGATE)

MILAN - This morning at the Commercial Center Carrefour of Carugate, the 2nd edition of the Milan Tour. Officially inaugurating the first stop were Mathieu Flamini, representing the first team, and Franco Baresi, the unforgettable number 6, now a testimonial of the club.

Here are the declarations made during th! e event by the two Rossoneri:

MATHIEU FLAMINI:
"It's a pleasure for me to be here today, especially because there are many people, in particular many children, and I came for them."

ON THE DERBY
"It was a very difficult match for everyone, both for the players and the fans. Now I think it's important to reflect on our mistakes and work toward the next match. We start this weekend at Livorno, then we have the Champions League right after that. The important thing is to go forward doing things properly because the league is still long and it's important to win 'the war', not a battle."

ON THE MATCH AGAINST LIVORNO AND MILAN'S JOURNEY IN THE LEAGUE
"We worked ! well last week despite the many absences of players who were g! one with their national teams, but the important thing is to be concentrated for this match and do well, like we did against Siena.
The matches we have coming up now are important. It's true that against Inter we had a bad game, but against Siena we did well, and we want to restart just as well the coming weekend against Livorno, to show everyone that against Inter it was just an accident. Then we'll go to Marseille, returning to the Champions League is important for everyone and we are happy because we'll have a chance to do well already on Saturday."

ON HIS ROLE AS A FULL BACK
"I've already talked about this: I play as a midfielder and on my possible use as a full back I haven't been told anything by Leonardo."

ON LEONARDO
"He is our coach and we all have a lot of r! espect for him, we are all with him to follow his project. It's true that we've lost a match badly, we have to work to improve things, but there are no trust issues towards the coach."

ON THE SEASONAL OBJECTIVES
"I have a lot of faith in this club because it has a lot of quality. We have high objectives, we play to win every game, because when Milan play they want to win everything. We play to win the Scudetto, and to go far in the Champions League because the team has the right qualities to do it."

FRANCO BARESI:
"We are here for this new initiative, Milan are alway! s very careful to please their fans so it's very important for! us to b e here in these commercial centers to give them the opportunity to wear the Rossoneri colors, to get closer to our world.
I've seen there's a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of participation so it's a good start.
The fans are our real strength and we always have to care about their needs and give them a chance to be close to us."

ON THE FANS DURING THE DERBY
"I think it's important that they also understand the club's period and then the club itself will be careful to reinforce the squad where it's necessary to be competitive. It's true that some champions have left us, but others will arrive and Milan will always be competitive. It's happened also in the past, for example when I quit. Milan have to give faith to the players who are here now, also inserting the youngsters who can bring their enthusiasm. Today's Milan have a clear project, a renewal so there's a bit o! f patience needed from everyone. It's normal that there is discouragement after a defeat, but these things happen. There's an important group here, we've lost Kaká, Maldini and Beckham who were starters, certainly we'll have to do well to remain united. In any case, we have some new youngsters now and Milan are rebuilding, some patience is needed. I believe Milan can also be competitive this year, they still have self-esteem."

ON THE MATCH AGAINST LIVORNO
"It will be an important match because it comes after the derby we lost, we need a positive result because then there's also the Champions League, so it will be fundamental to get a result at Livorno and go to Marseille with confidence."

ON THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
"The players in the squad should be integrated and given responsibility. When a player is at Milan he has to think big, and have important objectives. Oddo can be useful like all the others. So we are preparing for the away match in Marseille, on an always difficult pitch, and also French teams are difficult to face because they are fast and physically strong. We'll need ! the best Milan and all the players will be useful."

ON THE PLAYERS' INTERNATIONAL MATCHES
"We hope everyone comes back without injuries, this is the fundamental thing. Then there will be few days to recover when they come back, but if they win it's a positive thing because results always help so they will return less tired. The Italian national team won, let's hope they will do well again on Wednesday so everyone comes back without problems."

ON THE SEEDORF-GATTUSO EPISODE DURING THE DERBY
"We have to forget about it, we shouldn't talk about it anymore because it was a moment of distraction on everyone's part, but now let's look forward and hope it will teach us something."

ON SILVIO BERLUSCONI AND THE VOICES OF A POSSIBLE SALE OF MILAN
"I don't believe this news. I hope the President remains at Milan for many years, I think it's hard to repeat what Silvio Berlusconi did, I think he will make Milan competitive for a long time."

ON REAL MADRID
"I think it's always difficult to face Real Madrid, we have faced them in the past so we can do so again. They remain one of the best teams in the world, they have won everything, they had a great transfer campaign, but if Milan play like Milan they can give problems to Real. It's certainly different compared to the one I played against in the past, they also had many champions. It remains an interesting match."

ON THE MATCH MILAN GLORIE-REAL MADRID VETERANOS
"I hope Milan responds to this initiative: it will be a fun night, we'll find back many champions after a long time, and we'll re-evoke this match against Real Madrid which in the past has often been exciting. It's also a chance to show our affection to Stefano, it's a very important objective because it's to defeat this disease and to assist the people who are ill from SLA."

http://www.acmilan.com/NewsDetail.aspx?idNews=90004

Arbeloa questions Liverpool's title credentials

Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa has dismissed former club Liverpool's chances of mounting a title challenge this season, citing the transfer of Xabi Alonso as a major loss for Rafa Benitez's side.

The cultured midfielder moved to the Bernabeu after protracted negotiations in a £30m deal, and Alonso had previously admitted that he felt unwanted at Anfield after Bentiez's continued courting of then Aston Villa star Gareth Barry.

Arbeloa, who also sw! apped Merseyside for Madrid during the summer, believes the decision to allow Alonso to leave Liverpool could cost the Reds a tilt at the title.

English tabloid newspaper The People reports that the full-back said, "The thing I will always say about Xabi [Alonso] is that he is not a match-winner, but he does win you titles.

"He brings so much balance and order to a team, and it is impossible to over-estimate how important a player he is."

Both Arbeloa and Alonso were involved in Spain's thumping 5-0 win over Belgium on Saturday evening, a result that moves the European Champions to within a whisker of securing their place at World Cup 2010.