One Stop Soccer

MILAN FOCUS SIGHTS ON SEVILLA'S LUIS FABIANO & REAL MADRID'S HUNTELAAR – REPORT

2009-07-02T09:34:00.000+07:00

The Rossoneri have added Huntelaar to their list after crossing off Adebayor and Dzeko...
Milan have whittled their search for a striker down to just two candidates, with Real Madrid's Klaas-Jan Huntelaar added to Luis Fabiano's name, according to Il Corriere Dello Sport.

Initially the Rossoneri were keen on Edin Dzeko of Wolfsburg. However, it seems he will be staying in Germany, while the chase for Arsenal hitman Emmanuel Adebayor doesn't seem economically viable. The report suggests the Togo striker wants €4.5-million-per-season in wages, however, Milan do not want to go above €4m.

That has left the club with little room to manoeuvre, but they are still keen on Luis Fabiano, with Huntelaar being the new alternative. It is said Sevilla want at least €30m for the Confederations Cup top-scorer. Despite the high price, the player has already admitted he would like to join the Rossoneri.

If the Fabiano move collapses, Huntelaar would be another option. The 25-year-old has been tipped to leave the Bernabeu this summer. However, the Italian side would like to take him on loan.

Although Milan have confirmed their interest in Adebayor and Fabiano, they have not made an official comment over the Huntelaar reports.

CARLOS TEVEZ WANTED CHELSEA, BUT WILL JOIN MANCHESTER CITY BY MONDAY

2009-07-02T09:31:00.000+07:00

The move across Manchester that has been mooted for many months finally looks like reaching its controversial conclusion...
Carlos Tevez will complete his move from Manchester United to Manchester City by Monday, July 6 - the same day Cristiano Ronaldo will be presented as Real Madrid's and the world's most expensive ever signing.

The Tevez transfer, thought to be in the region of £30 million, has been on the cards ever since the season began drawing to a close and, in light of United's failure to successfully negotiate a deal with Tevez's owners at MSI (Media Sports Investment), the forward made clear to the press the insecurity surrounding his future at Old Trafford.

Real Madrid, Inter, Chelsea and Liverpool were all at times on the trail of the Argentina international, but he was eager to stay in England, where he enjoys the football and his family are settled. Liverpool were financially unable to keep pace with Chelsea and City.

City have long thought to have had the edge in negotiations and an unnamed source working closely in several of City's transfers told Goal.com that though Tevez was tempted by Chelsea and perhaps even preferred Stamford Bridge, is now nevertheless excited to complete a move to across Manchester to City.

"Carlos Tevez was keen on the Chelsea deal, as he wanted to be a regular in the Champions League and be immediately challenging for the title," he said.

"However, the City offer was hard to refuse and it's an exciting project.

"Besides, his family are settled and happy in Manchester, he has a great group of friends and, despite the rivalry between City and Manchester United, he believes his hand was forced.

"All being well, the deal should be concluded by Monday evening, or even earlier if the paperwork is sorted."

Due to his unique third party ownership, Tevez has a controversial transfer history, most infamous for West Ham United's illegal purchase of the player in 2006, when his goals helped keep them in the Premier League.

RAUL ALBIOL TO BE PRESENTED AS A REAL MADRID PLAYER TOMORROW EVENING

2009-07-02T09:25:00.000+07:00

The Bernabeu will be open to the fans again this Thursday evening...
Real Madrid have confirmed that new signing Raul Albiol will be officially presented at the Bernabeu tomorrow.

The presentation is due to start at 21:00 CET and the stadium will yet again be open for fans to come and watch as the defender puts on a Madrid shirt for the first time.

Only last night the Bernabeu had 50,000 fans inside as Kaka was presented as a Real Madrid player and given his No. 8 top.

It is not yet known what number Albiol will wear, but it should be revealed at the presentation tomorrow evening.

As well as the defender, Cristiano Ronaldo will also be presented as a Madrid player soon, and Florentino Perez hinted last night that another new signing will be made this week.

Rumours this morning were that Karim Benzema has already joined Madrid, but Olympique Lyonnais have denied that a deal has been done.

Nevertheless, it looks set to be a busy summer at the Bernabeu and the fans are sure to turn up in their numbers tomorrow evening to show their support for Albiol.

ARSENE WENGER WARNS REAL MADRID OVER TRANSFER POLICY

2009-06-30T04:35:00.000+07:00

The Arsenal boss has declared that Real Madrid's heavy summer spending may well backfire...

Real Madrid's returning president Florentino Perez appears utterly determined to continue making use of his chequebook as he wishes to strengthen his side with just top-notch material.

After splashing out nearly £150 million on Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka, Real Madrid have spent a reported €15 million to sign Raul Albiol from Valencia and continue being linked to several other players.

Wenger, who was one of the names in the frame to be installed as Real Madrid boss, has now confirmed why he turned down the chance to guide the Spanish capital club.

"Real Madrid lean towards football-spectacle, but there is another dimension: the success of building a team with a style, a know-how, a club's own game culture, of youngsters," he told Dauphine Libere.

"That is what I have chosen. I am in a project of a construction of a young team. I want to stay until the end.

"I enjoy watching my team play the football that I love."

The French tactician has also warned Real that a summer of hefty spending may produce an undesired effect.

"Signing more than three players is to take a technical risk. We enter an area of incertitude.

"But if it works, they will make a lot of damage," he concluded.

REAL MADRID TO PRESENT KAKA AT 20:30 ON TUESDAY, JUNE 30

2009-06-30T04:33:00.000+07:00

The Brazilian is coming to the Bernabeu...

Real Madrid have announced that they will formally present new signing Kaka to the press and the fans on Tuesday evening at 20:30 at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

The Brazilian superstar arrives in the Spanish capital from AC Milan, having also just won the Confederations Cup with his national team.

This event will bring to an end a chase for Kaka's signature that has taken Madrid years, but one that has finally borne fruit.

The Blancos are well-known in the sport for their love of pomp and circumstance, and with thousands of fans expected to turn up to see president Florentino Perez hand over the white shirt to his latest capture, there is bound to be no shortage of a sense of event.

Goal.com will bring you the latest coverage from the Bernabeu live as it happens, so join us on Tuesday evening for your first look at Kaka in Spain.

GERMANY HAMMER ENGLAND TO BE CROWNED EUROPEAN UNDER-21 CHAMPIONS

2009-06-30T04:26:00.002+07:00

Germany Under-21 4-0 England Under-21

Germany won the European Under-21 title this evening in Malmo. Mesut Ozil inspired Horst Hrubesch's side to a 4-0 success with a virtuoso display of playmaking football.
Two of world football’s greatest rivals produced a hard-fought and entertaining European Under-21 final, with the tenacious Germans edging out England, mainly thanks to the offensive excellence of Mesut Ozil, who scored one goal and created others for Gonzalo Castro and Sandro Wagner. Wagner would then bag his second late on with a fine long-range drive as Horst Hrubesch’s side outdid Stuart Pearce’s men 4-0. For their part, England enjoyed a great deal of the ball and threatened resistance midway through the second half, but ultimately lacked a threat in front of goal.

It was a depleted England side, shorn of strikers Gabriel Agbonlahor and Fraizer Campbell, in addition to goalkeeper Joe Hart, due to suspensions, who started the game in the more positive manner. The verve that the Young Lions enjoyed in the opening stages produced early opportunities for Martin Cranie, who knocked a header from a dangerous James Milner free kick wide, and Theo Walcott, who drilled off-target from an inclement angle after making a sharp burst into the right channel.

Walcott and Milner would prove to be England’s most productive players in a first half that they would eventually lose, despite dominating possession of the ball. Too often the Young Lions had more style than substance to their play, frequently looking more technically able than their opponents, but lacking physical muscle up front to make serious inroads into the stereotypically well-organised German defence.

There were flashes of offensive inspiration from Stuart Pearce’s men, although Walcott was well marshalled by Mats Hummels, who produced three well-timed challenges on the Arsenal man just as he approached the danger-zone. A superb turn from Milner, who had already flashed a dangerous ball across the goalmouth, suddenly opened up the German defence after 28 minutes. A further touch took the Aston Villa man away from Benedikt Hoewedes , but Jerome Boateng was smartly across to clear the danger.

Transfer Rumors (27 June 09)

2009-06-29T03:34:00.001+07:00

The big news of the weekend thus far is the completion of the formality that was Cristiano Ronaldo’s world-record £80m transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid. In case you hadn’t heard though, Ronaldo has signed a six-year deal with Real, and he’ll officially be unveiled as a Real player on July 6.

But, that’s not the only transfer news from the weekend thus far. With the sale of Ronaldo, United have quite the sizable summer transfer kitty, and a chunk of it could be spent on a 5′7” Argentine forward (but not one who can’t seem to leave well enough alone).

Of course, if you want all the specifics, you have to keep on reading, so hop to it! And just so you know, the summer transfers lists are all up-to-date with the latest signings, including Ronaldo’s move to Real and many other recently completed moves.

England

United In Contract Talks With Aguero?

According to Marca, Manchester United have been in discussions with the representatives of Atletico Madrid star Sergio Aguero to see (Tribal Football)

Analysis: The obstacle with any move for Aguero would seem to be the fee (or perhaps rival interest from Chelsea). I think we’ll find out within the next week or so how serious this one is, but it’d seem that United are going to have to pay and club record and then some if they want to get him.

Tottenham Bid For Obinna

Tottenham have made a £6m bid for Inter Milan striker Victor Obinna. The Nigeria international nearly moved to Everton last season, but he was unable to get a work permit. (Daily Mail)

Analysis: Obinna wasn’t able to get a work permit for a loan move to Everton last summer, but his chances could be a lot better this time around after representing Nigeria in the Olypmics last summer and making appearances for Nigeria in their World Cup qualifying campaign.

Tottenham Put £18m Price Tag On Bent

Tottenham have placed an £18m price tag on striker Darren Bent, who has been strongly linked with a move to Sunderland.

While a sale of Bent might not be as imminent as it appeared, midfielder Tom Huddlestone will be on his way out soon, as Tottenham have accepted three bids of £8.5m for the 22-year-old. (The Mirror)

Analysis: Bent won’t be leaving for that price in the end, but come on. I can understand that Levy doesn’t want to take a big loss on someone that cost 16.75m only two summers ago, but I can’t say

As for Huddlestone, I’d have to put my money on him signing with Villa, since they’ve been the name most prominently linked with him this summer, but it certainly won’t be Everton, as they’ve ruled themselves out of the running.

Fulham Interested In Jo

Fulham are interested in Manchester City striker Jo. (The Mirror)

Analysis: Jo didn’t have the best of spells at Manchester City last season, and with City signing Roque Santa Cruz and Carlos Tevez (and perhaps Samuel Eto’o) on the way to City, his future at the club rates as slim to none. But he did have more success at Everton in his loan spell, and he did prove that he can hold his own in the Premier League.

Bolton’s Bodde Bid Rejected

Swansea have rejected a £2.5m bid from Bolton for midfielder Ferrie Bodde. (Sky Sports)

Analysis: Swansea’s asking price is reportedly double that, and I’m not sure I see Bolton splashing out that much for him. Even if the bid is improved to 3-4m, that might not be enough, because Swansea no doubt fancy their chances to make a run at promotion next season, and losing Bodde would be detrimental (as was his injury layoff last season) to those hopes.

Burnley Bid For Fletcher

Burnley have made a club-record £2.75m bid for Hibs striker Steven Fletcher. (The Mirror)

Analysis: Can’t hurt to try, but that falls a little short of what Hibs want for Fletcher.
Spain

Barcelona Close On Kerrison

Barcelona are close to a £12m deal for highly-rated Palmeiras striker Kerrison. After he signs, the 20-year-old could be used to help sweeten Barcelona’s move for Valencia striker David Villa. (Tribal Football)

Analysis: Being able to get a free-scoring forward like Kerrison could certainly soften the blow of losing Villa. No telling how much they’d have to shell out for a permanent deal if Barca send him out to Valencia on an extended loan deal, but there could be some sort of ‘we sold you David Villa’ discount in there, no?
Italy

AC Milan Make Adebayor Approach

AC Milan have made an approach for Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor. (Daily Mail)

Analysis: Yes, they can have him, provided they can convince Edin Dzeko to get red and black colored hearts out of his eyes to join up with Arsenal as Adebayor’s replacement. Or hey, how about signing Adebayor and Dzeko and loaning Dzeko to Arsenal for next season?

All Dzeko-related moves aside, Adebayor doesn’t need to be at Arsenal next season, that much is true. As I said recently, the amount of interest this summer isn’t nearly what it was last summer, so Arsenal best cross their fingers and hope that AC Milan make a serious bid to sign him.
Portugal

Benfica To Sign Saviola

Benfica have reached an agreement with Real Madrid for striker Javier Saviola to sign the Argentine striker for €5m. (Goal.com)

Analysis: This is a good move for Benfica even if Blackburn target Oscar Cardozo moves this summer. Saviola has had some rough times over the last few seasons, but he’s only 27, and I think he’s still got plenty of goals left in the tank.

Jermaine Pennant to Make Short Move to Everton

2009-06-28T19:50:00.003+07:00

The Rumour

JERMAINE PENNANT is agonising over a dramatic switch across Stanley Park to join Liverpool’s arch-rivals Everton.

The winger’s Anfield contract runs out on July 1, making him availabe on a free transfer.

Goodison Park boss David Moyes is ready to snap him up but Pennant, 26, who was a £6.7million Liverpool signing in the summer of 2006, is concerned about the Kop fans’ reaction to such a controversial move.

A pal of the star admitted: “Jermaine wouldn’t want to do anything to upset the Liverpool fans who have always been good to him.”

Manchester City Sign £25m Barcelona Star Eto’o

2009-06-28T19:15:00.001+07:00

Just Wait N See....

Funny Henry n Dinho

2009-06-28T19:02:00.002+07:00

Striker,Playmaker Or Dancer????????????????????

Nice looking pics that i take

Transfer rumours: £63m Franck Ribery to replace Cristiano Ronaldo

2009-06-28T18:43:00.001+07:00

United make plans to win ugly

Alex Ferguson knows better than most that Cristiano Ronaldo may move to Real Madrid this summer. Fergie's first choice to replace C-Ron is Lionel Messi, but there's zero chance that Messi will swap Barcelona for Manchester.

So, the second best player in the world (Ronaldo) wants to leave Old Trafford, and the best player in the world (Messi) won't come to Old Trafford. That leaves Fergie with a superstar-shaped hole to fill. The player he has chosen to step into C-Ron's boots is... drum roll (just pretend you didn't read the headline)... Franck Ribery.

According to the Guardian, sources in Munich claim that Bayern have received a world record £62.5m bid for Ribery from United.

£62.5m! Phew, that's a hell of a lot of money for a 26-year-old player who, in my opinion, has yet to prove he is absolutely world-class. Don't get me wrong - Ribery is very, very good footballer and he'd be an excellent addition to a squad that is already the strongest in Europe. But I can't believe he'd make anything like the impact that Ronaldo has; the scar-faced Frenchman wouldn't sell as many shirts as Ronaldo, nor seduce as many WAGs. As far as Fergie is concerned, that's a good thing.

Bayern have reportedly turned down United's initial bid, but only because that's how the transfer game is played. The Germans couldn't say yes at the first attempt, although I imagine they provately see £60m+ for Ribery as a brilliant bit of business - especially if Bayern can poach Diego from Werder Bremen, for a quarter of that price.

Until now, I thought that Ronaldo would stay at United. But with news of this Ribery bid, it seems Ferguson is resigned to losing his Portuguese prodigy.

Verdict: Despite this story, I still think Ronaldo will be persuaded to stay. If so, I could see Ribery being tempted by Man City's cash.

Crespo completes transfer to Genoa

2009-06-28T18:30:00.000+07:00

Argentine striker Hernan Crespo on Monday underwent medical tests to complete his transfer from Italian champions Inter Milan Milan to Genoa, the ANSA news agency reported. "Genoa are an improving team who did very well (finishing fifth this season)," Crespo said. "For me it's a new challenge. I'll put into this adventure all my professionalism and the will to do well."

"I talked with president (Enrico) Preziosi and he immediately convinced me. He decided to bet on the man, beside the player. I'm not making promises to the fans, only that I'll put on the pitch all the professionalism that I have always showed to have."

Crespo, who turns 34 on July 5, played the past three seasons with Inter. The champions now welcome from Genoa Argentina striker Diego Milito and Brazilian midfielder Thiago Motta.

The Legends : AC/DC

2009-06-28T07:02:00.001+07:00

AC/DC are an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Although the band are commonly classified as hard rock, and considered pioneers of heavy metal,[1][2] they have always classified their music as "rock and roll".[3]

AC/DC underwent several line-up changes before releasing their first album, High Voltage, in 1975. Membership remained stable until bassist Mark Evans was replaced by Cliff Williams in 1977. In 1979, the band recorded their highly successful album Highway to Hell. Lead singer and co-songwriter Bon Scott died on 19 February 1980, after a night of heavy alcohol consumption. The group briefly considered disbanding, but soon ex-Geordie singer Brian Johnson was selected as Scott's replacement. Later that year, the band released their best-selling album, Back in Black.

The band's next album, For Those About to Rock We Salute You, was also highly successful and was their first album to reach number one in the United States. AC/DC declined in popularity soon after drummer Phil Rudd was fired in 1983 and replaced by future Dio drummer Simon Wright. Phil Rudd returned in 1994 (after Chris Slade was asked to leave in favour of him) and contributed to the band's 1995 album Ballbreaker. Stiff Upper Lip was released in 2000 and was well-received by critics. The band's most recent album Black Ice was released on 20 October 2008.[4]

AC/DC has sold more than 200 million albums worldwide,[5] including 71 million albums in the United States.[6] Back in Black has sold an estimated 45 million units worldwide[7] and 22 million in the United States alone, where it is the fifth highest-selling album.[8] AC/DC ranked fourth on VH1's list of the "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock"[9] and the seventh "Greatest Heavy Metal Band of All Time" by MTV.[10] In 2004, the band was ranked number 72 in the Rolling Stone list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

Pelé (Brazil)

2009-06-28T06:22:00.002+07:00

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, or better known as Pelè was born October 23rd 1940. He went on to become perhaps the best player of all time. He made his senior debut for Santos in 1956, a month before his 16th birthday and ten months later he played for Brazil against Argentina. Pelè missed the first two matches of the 1958 World Cup, before making his debut against Russia. His first World Cup goal came in the 1-0 quarter -final win over Wales and he scored a hat-trick in the semifinal against France and two more in the final over host nation Sweden. At 17, Pelé became the youngest ever winner of the World Cup.

Brazil defended the title four years later in Chile, but Pelé was injured early on and missed most of the tournament. Injuries also plagued him in 1966 as Brazil were eliminated already in the first round, but in 1970 he was back on top of his game leading Brazil to a record third title. Pelé was excellent and partnered by Rivelino, Jairzinho and Tostao, Brazil formed perhaps the best team ever.

Scoring goals was Pelè's trademark, but he was also a clever, quick-thinking player who could create goals for others. He scored a remarkable 77 goals for Brazil in 92 appearances, and various sources suggest that he netted 1281 in 1363 senior games overall. He played his final game for Santos in 1974, but was persuaded out of retirement the following year when he joined NASL club, New York Cosmos in a $4.000.000 deal. He played his last game for Cosmos in 1977 in front of 75.646 fans.

Pele has achieved more than any other player in the World Cup history. Surprisingly he hasn't been topscorer in either of the four World Cups he played in, but he is on third place of the all-time topscorers table with his 12 goals. His proudest record must be the fact that he is the only player who has won three World Cups.

Eusebio (Portugal)

2009-06-28T06:18:00.003+07:00

Eusebio da Silva Ferreira was born at Lourenco Marques, Mozambique, in 1942 and in 1961 joined Benfica as a 19 year old from his local club, for £7.500. In one of his first games for Benfica, in a Paris tournament, he scored a hat-trick against Pelè's Santos and became one of Europe's most lethal strikers. He scored twice in the 5-3 defeat of Real Madrid in the 1962 European Cup final and gained runners-up medals in 1963 and 1968.

Eusebio won the first of his 64 caps in 1961, but will best be remembered for his contribution to the 1966 World Cup. "The Black Pearl" gave brilliant displays and scored some outstanding goals. Nine goals made him the tournaments top scorer and he netted four in Portugal's remarkable fight-back against North Korea. He was the 1965 European Player Of The Year and in 1968 was the first winner of the Golden Boot Award, as Europe's leading scorer, a feat he repeated five years later. The Portuguese League's top scorer every year from 1964 to 1973, he helped Benfica to 10 league championships and 5 cup wins. Knee operations slowed him down and in 1975 he moved into the NASL. In 1976/77 he played for SC Beira Mar in Portugal and then had further spells in the USA and Mexico.

Ruud Guillit (Holland)

2009-06-28T06:14:00.002+07:00

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Ruud Gullit, as a player, had everything. He had skills, he had the speed and he was tough. He was one of the most versatile players to ever play the game. He can did very well in attacking as well as defending. His glorious years were spent with AC Milan in the late 80's. He also captained Holland to her first major championship in 1988. His powerful header in the final game just showed the kind of power player he was.

Injuries slowed him down in the early 90's, but he found new life after moving to Chelsea in 1995. He took the chance of becoming a player-manager in 1996 when Glen Hoddle left to manage England. He became the youngest manager to win the FA Cup a year later. He was also the first non-British manager to do so.

Michel Platini (France)

2009-06-28T06:11:00.002+07:00

Michel Platini, grandson of an Italian immigrant, was born at Joeuf in 1955 and began with Nancy, where his father was coach. He played in the 1976 Olympics and that year made his full international debut, against Czechoslovakia. In 1979 after scoring 98 goals in seven years with Nancy, Platini moved to AS St. Etienne.

In 1982, Juventus paid £1.200.000 for him and his goals helped win three Italian titles in four years as well as European honours. He skippered France to the 1984 European Championship, his nine goals including two hat-tricks, taking him past Fontaine's overall French record. In 1985 he won his third European Footballer Of The Year award and converted the penalty which beat Liverpool in the ill-fated European Cup final.

Platini played in three World Cups from 1978. In 1982 he helped France to fourth place and in 1986 they finished third and Platini at last showed his true class. In August 1987 he played for The Rest Of The World against the Football League at Wembley and then retired, after 72 caps and 41 goals, to concentrate on his vast business empire. However after France failed to qualify for the 1990 World Cup, Platini took over as team manager. It was his first coaching job in football.

The Legends : Diego Maradona (Argentina)

2009-06-28T06:07:00.002+07:00

Diego Armando Maradona is by many regarded as the greatest player in the history of the game. He was born on October 30th 1960 in Lanus outside Buenos Aires. There he played for Los Cebollitos (The little onions), before he joined Argentinos Juniors. At 16 he was Argentina's youngest-ever international when he played against Hungary. Two years later he captained the World Youth Cup winners and was soon transferred to Boca Juniors for £1.000.000. The success continued and he was voted South American Player Of The Year in 1979 and 1980.

In 1982 Maradona joined Spanish giants Barcelona for a world record transfer fee of £5.000.000. The same year the World Cup was held in Spain and Maradona made his World Cup debut on his new home ground Estadio Nou Camp. The tournament didn't end as Maradona had hoped and he was sent off against Brazil in the second phase, as Argentina bowed out.

In his first season for "Barca" he helped them win the league, league cup and the Super Cup. Two years later, another world record fee of £6.900.000 took him to success-starved Napoli, and in 1987 they won a league and cup double. A year earlier he had captained Argentina to a second World Cup triumph. It was a World Cup that forever will be synonymous with Maradona. He scored 5 goals in that tournament, including two against England. Both are among the most controversial in World Cup history. The first was the infamous "Hand of God" and the second probably the greatest goal ever scored in a World Cup game, as he ran from his own half showing magic displays and leaving seven English players for dead.

Success continued with Napoli as he again steered them to a league title and in 1989 even a triumph in the UEFA cup. In 1990 the World Cup was held in Italy and Maradona captained Argentina to yet another final. The Germans were once again the opponents and this time they proved too strong for the Argentineans. That loss was to be the beginning of the end for Maradona. Two drug scandals have created black spots on his name and reputation. Several come-backs have been tried since 1991 and after helping Argentina qualifying for the 1994 World Cup in USA, Maradona looked fit for fight again. A marvelous goal against Greece in the first match gave proves for that.

But in the next game against Nigeria he was caught for drug abuse, and the World Cup story of Diego Armando Maradona got a sad ending. That match meant that Maradona equaled the record of matches played in the World Cup of 21, held by Uwe Seeler and Wladislav Zmuda (Later beaten by Lothar Matthäus). Maradona retired from international football after that with a gallery of good and bad memories. But he is by neutral football lovers regarded alongside Pelé as the greatest player of them all.

The Legends : Zico (Brazil)

2009-06-28T05:52:00.002+07:00

Zico, born Artur Antunes Coimbra at Rio in 1953, was the youngest of five footballing brothers. He made his league debut for Flamengo in 1973 and his international debut in 1976, against Uruguay, scoring with one dead-ball shots for which he became famous. Zico netted over 100 goals in his first two seasons and was South American Player Of The Year in 1977 (and in 1981 and 1982).

In the 1978 World Cup he suffered niggling injuries and was unhappy with coach Claudio Coutinho's defensive game. In 1982 however, Brazil returned to the attacking style which suited Zico's change of pace, body-swerves and dynamic shooting. His hat-trick against Bolivia clinched a place in the 1982 finals and in Spain his four goals, including the equallizer against Scotland, took his total for Brazil past 50. In 1983 after 650 goals and four Brazillian championship medals, he made a £2.500.000 move to Udinese, returning to Flamengo in the summer of 1985.

He played in three games in the 1986 World Cup, all as a substitute. His last match was the quarter-final against France when Brazillian fans chanted for him. Alas, minutes later he missed a penalty. It was a sad end for one of Brazil's most popular players of all time. After 1047 senior games, including 71 for Brazil, he eventually retired in 1990 and was appointed his country's Sports Minister.

CALCIO DEBATE: ITALY REVOLUTION - WHO SHOULD STAY & WHO SHOULD GO?

2009-06-24T00:45:00.001+07:00

The Italian press is calling for the Azzurri squad to be revolutionized following the Confederations Cup shambles. Who do you believe should be dumped, and who should come in? Goal.com's Italy team offer their suggestions.
On Sunday night, Italy were thrashed 3-0 by Brazil in Confederations Cup Group B, a result which saw the Azzurri humiliatingly knocked out of the tournament in the first round with just three points from as many games.

This South African nightmare has seen coach Marcello Lippi receive a grilling in the press, with many people demanding that he now rids the squad of its dead wood, and starts installing some fresh, young talent.

Below is the rather old-looking 23-man squad that Lippi selected for the Confederations Cup:

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Marco Amelia (Palermo), Morgan De Sanctis (Galatasaray)

Defenders: Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Gianluca Zambrotta (Milan) Fabio Grosso (Lyon), Davide Santon (Inter), Alessandro Gamberini (Fiorentina), Nicola Legrottaglie (Juventus), Andrea Dossena (Liverpool)

Midfielders: Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Gennaro Gattuso (Milan), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Andrea Pirlo (Milan)

Forwards: Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Fabio Quagliarella (Napoli), Luca Toni (Bayern Munich), Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal), Pepe (Udinese)

Out of this pool above, who would you dump, and which players would you call-up in their place? The Goal.com Italy team offer their suggestions, but we also want to know your thoughts...

In: Federico Marchetti, Marco Motta, Salvatore Bocchetti, Fabiano Santacroce, Gaetano D'Agostino, Alberto Aquilani, Pasquale Foggia, Amauri, Antonio Cassano, Sergio Floccari

Out: De Sanctis, Gamberini, Legrottaglie, Dossena, Montolivo, Palombo, Gilardino, Quagliarella, Toni, Pepe

Starting XI (4-3-1-2): Buffon; Motta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso; D'Agostino, Pirlo, De Rossi; Cassano; Amauri, Rossi

ANDREA PIRLO: I BELONG TO AC MILAN

2009-06-24T00:31:00.000+07:00

The Italian playmaker has played down reports regarding his future being away from Italy.
Andrea Pirlo insists he only has eyes for Milan, despite being constantly linked with a lucrative move to Stamford Bridge.

The Italian midfielder has been hotly tipped to join Carlo Ancelotti in west London. On Monday evening Rossoneri president Silvio Berlusconi hinted that Pirlo could be sold as he was earning too much money. The playmaker is reportedly on €6.5 million deal per season, but voices claimed the club wanted to stamp down on player wages.

Last week Pirlo was quoted as saying he wanted to join Chelsea, but those claims were rubbished on Milan's official website, and it turned out that he never made such comments.

Despite claims from England that the player is close to the Blues, as well as Berlusconi's hints, Pirlo insists he is staying at the San Siro.

"I am a Milan player and I belong to Milan. That's it," Pirlo told Sky Sports Italia.

"Now I am looking forward to my holidays and then we will see what happens. For now I am a Milan player."

How to Patch ? PES 2009

2009-06-21T04:02:00.000+07:00

1. Install Kitserver.

Then you have: C:\Program Files\KONAMI\Pro Evolution Soccer 2009\kitserver\img
- adboards: copy files inside to cv09.img.
- ball cursors: ” unnamed_1.bin” + “unnamed_20.bin” in kitserver img/cv01.img
- ballpacks: copy files inside kitserver in names, cv01.img, cv05.img
- bootpacks: “from unnamed_7801.bin to unnamed_7816.bin” in kitserver img/cv06.img (Complete Tutorial)
- faces: need to be relinked. Tutorials here: 1, 2, 3
- gloves: Rename unnamed_xxx.bin to e.g. unnamed_2.bin (model 0) or unnamed_11.bin (model 9). Copy the file to “kitserver/img/cv06.img”. To find the model which u want… you can use {PES2009 Kit Model Manager V1.0} or {GDBManager}. You can use also Glove Model Duplicator.
- nets: unnamed_31.bin in cv09.img in kitserver
- stadiums: put the bin files in cv09.img. If needed you have to rename files. Use Stadium Service, Stadium ReNamer, Stadium Changer
- stadium previews: Add to cv05.img/unnamed_101.bin and unnamed_433
- corner flags: unnamed_914 in cv09.img
- smoke effect for stadiums: copy unnamed_914.bin in cv09.img of gakserver or kitserver
- menu: there are 2 folders: cv05.img and rv0c_X.img . Copy files from there to kitserver, img cv05.img and rv0c_X.img (where X is your language).
- music: chants and songs to kitserver\img\cs0d.img.
- scoreboards: there are 2 folders: cv05.img + rv0c_e.img. Copy files from cv05.img to kitserver img/cv05.img and also, copy files from rv0c_e.img in kitserver img/rv0c_e.img

THE FULL ENGLISH: THE WAITING GAME

2009-06-21T03:43:00.001+07:00

It’s been a rough month for Goal.com’s Shane Evans as he waits eagerly for the return of the English Premier League come August.
This is the time of year I hate the most. The period right after the conclusion of an EPL season and before the opening of the transfer window. If it wasn’t for the Confederations Cup (which has been more exciting than I expected. More on that shortly), I’d be literally pulling my hair out. There is only so much pseudo support in a lime green shirt one man can take.

Thankfully, the League releases its fixtures during this dull period and gives guys like me something to dissect until July comes. Always a plus. I just love getting teased about what action I’ll get to experience two months from now. If you haven’t noticed, I’m not a very patient person, especially when it comes to footy.

In an effort to make this feel more like a midseason edition of “The Full English,” I’m gonna run down the top five fixtures of the season. Actually, let’s make it the top five fixtures of the first half of the year, so then I’ll have something to write about next week, because we all know things are going to be even more dire by that point. I'll even throw in an excitement rating system: The Paul Scholes Terrible Tackle Tracker. Why? Because his tackles are one of the best things that happen in the EPL, always priceless.

Here goes nothing.

The Bacon (as in Bringing It Home): The Still Frozen and Stored Away For Future Consumption Edition

Manchester United v. Birmingham City (August 15th, 10:00 a.m. ET)

Nice way to start the campaign for the Champions. Newly promoted Birmingham visits Old Trafford which if nothing else, will be a good way for the Red Devils to shake off the dust and get things in gear. It’ll be interesting to see who takes the field for United on the day. Take a guess at the starting XI in the comments, I dare ya! Scholes' Terrible Tackles: 3/5

Manchester City v. Arsenal (September 12th, 10:00 a.m. ET)

I’m not sure why, but I have a feeling this match is going to end 5-5. Either that or 0-0 with two shots on net combined, both by Robin Van Persie. It’ll be an exciting match though, that is for sure. Both sides will be gunning for bigger things this year, and with a bunch of changes coming to both sides before the start of the 2009/2010 campaign, I’m already intrigued with how this one will go. Scholes' Terrible Tackles: 4/5

PELE: ITALY WILL BOUNCE BACK AGAINST BRAZIL

2009-06-21T02:57:00.001+07:00

Will the Brazilian legend's infamous curse continue after he tipped the Azzurri to do the business against his homeland?
Tomorrow night Italy face Brazil in the Confederations Cup in their last group stage match, needing a victory to have a chance of qualifying for the semi-finals after their 1-0 defeat to Egypt in their first match.

The Selecao have won their first two group games, which makes it almost impossible for them not to qualify, but theoretically anything is still possible since goal difference matters if teams finish level on points.

Brazilian legend Pele spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport about this match, which he thinks is not to be underestimated for Carlos Dunga's men.

"When the two countries with the most World Cup victories meet, there is always a lot of balance no matter what kind of form they are in," he said. "In the London friendly in February Brazil were superior and won 2-0, but that's in the past. It will be a different story this time."

Despite that embarrassing 1-0 reverse to Egypt, the three-time World Cup winner believes Italy will bounce back quickly.

"I hope Brazil continue improving and play well against Italy: they should never be underestimated," he continued, "especially after a defeat like the one against Egypt, in which the opposing goalkeeper made some great saves, denying the Azzurri an equaliser. Italy know how to pick themselves up quickly."

Pele has become infamous for his numerous wrong predictions over the years, and he is considered by many as something of a jinx. Italy fans will now be fearing the worst following Pele's remarks.

MANCHESTER UNITED CONFIRM TEVEZ WILL LEAVE OLD TRAFFORD

2009-06-21T02:50:00.000+07:00

The Argentina international forward is thought to have rejected a five-year contract with the Premier League champions.Premier League champions Manchester United have confirmed that Carlos Tevez will not be plying his trade at Old Trafford in the 2009-10 campaign.

A statement on the club's official website reads, "Following contact received from Carlos Tevez’s advisors last night, in advance of the deadline the Club set for concluding negotiations, Manchester United announces that Carlos will not be signing a new contract with the Club. "The Club agreed to pay the option price of £25.5m and offered Carlos a five-year contract which would have made him one of its highest paid players.

"Disappointingly however, his advisors informed the Club that, despite the success he has enjoyed during one of the Club’s most successful periods, he does not wish to continue playing for Manchester United.

"The Club would like to thank Carlos for his services over the last two seasons and wishes him good luck for the future."

The 25-year-old joined the Red Devils on a two-year loan in 2007.

Although the 50-time capped Argentina international was considered a first-choice player at Old Trafford in the 2007-08 season, it appeared he had dropped down the pecking order last season following the arrival of Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham Hotspur.

However, Tevez made 51 appearances in the 2008-09 campaign, scoring 15 goals - he only played 48 matches the year before, when he netted 19 times.

It is thought the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City might be in the running to acquire 'El Apache's' services.

The 5ft 6in striker has also been linked with a move to Spain and Italy, but he has recently ruled out a move to Liverpool.

CRISTIANO RONALDO - THE BEST PLAYER BUT WORST EGO FOR MADRID

2009-06-15T17:56:00.000+07:00

With all the hype around the world record-breaking transfer to be, will it end up being worth it? Yes and no, thinks Goal.com's Sulmaan Ahmad.
It's incredible to think that just a month ago, Cristiano Ronaldo was bulldozing his way through all opposition that came his way. Manchester United fans were ebullient that their golden boy had gone back to his best - people had even begun saying he was better than Leo Messi, again - but now, it's goodbye and good riddance to an ungrateful and overrated player who can be replaced by the likes of Karim Benzema and Franck Ribery.

Now, his move to Madrid was such an inevitability that many still feeling the effects of wounded pride are masking their surprise and sadness with a mere contempt for the entire affair.

Yes, it was ugly for long periods, as is often the case in such high-profile transfers, but central to the saga is that it was Ronaldo who initially declared his desire to play for Real Madrid and that ultimately, negotiations were civil, private, professional and amicable. Like it or not, the in-between is immaterial.

Florentino Perez, Real Madrid's returning president and Galacticos supremo, has never hidden his desire to purchase star players as commercial assets to enhance the financial strength of the club, a philosophy he traces back to the legendary presidential reign of the great Santiago Bernabeu himself.

There has been a litany of reasons already rattled out by heartbroken United fans and enemies of Perez's big business approach to the beautiful game why this transfer will go down as a failure, but in this instance, Madrid have not only have the most commercially viable footballer on the planet next to David Beckham, but they also have a player who, on the pitch, offers them everything they need in a manner that no one else - not even Kaka - could match.

As a right-winger, Ronaldo perhaps just about edges out Julien Faubert for talent. Factor in his ability to play on either flank, explosive pace, exceptional goalscoring instinct and aerial threat as a central striker - he's not just filling the blanks, he's filling los Blancos.

The inherent danger in signing a player like Ronaldo is that he already believes his own Galactico hype. One thing Ramon Calderon can at least be credited with having overseen at Madrid is the virtual elimination of the ego. Guti and Raul were appointed unopposed leaders of the dressing room and it proved to be to the immense benefit of the club, who performed beyond their means time after time to collect back-to-back Liga titles over a Barcelona side that, on paper, remained markedly superior.

While the risk in Ronaldo upsetting the balance at the Bernabeu is not one that can be overlooked even for a second, but then consider that even Arjen Robben, for all his on-field arm-flailing, has been a very muted and obedient figure off the pitch and in the press since joining Madrid.

For one, the commanding presence of Raul within the team as the leader is greater than that of the shared captaincy at United between the likes of Gary Neville, who barely plays, soft-spoken types like Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, or even Rio Ferdinand. He will be battling for supremacy with a Ronaldo for the second time in his career, with a much happier ending in sight due to his seniority, in every sense, within this team compared to the last one.

Furthermore, Ronaldo may feel relieved of many of the anxieties he faces week in, week out in the Premier League and even, as was the case with Robben, feel more at ease and less inclined to over-act and under-appreciate.

But this is where Florentino Perez, as creator, needs to safeguard against his own inclination to destroy what works on the pitch in preference of what keeps business running off it.

He has sold his vision to the global media of how Zidane, at €73m, was his cheapest Galactico signing and that Kaka, as well as Ronaldo, will pay for themselves.

Maybe they will. But if their sponsorship commitments in any way clash with team affairs, that is when the results take a hit, then the prestige, and then the finances - and you're back to square one. Back to Calderon - and nobody wants that.

But then again, let's remember this transfer is going through for £80m and the deal will be concluded by June 30. This, the same £80m and the same June 30 specified in the mythical pre-contract signed by Calderon and Ronaldo several months ago.

No matter how many times reputable journalists and figures within the game made reference to this contract, not one of the general public believed it was real. The revelations of the last six hours, though, would certainly suggest otherwise.

Maybe he wasn't so bad after all.

LAPORTA: BARCELONA’S TREBLE SUCCESS FORCING REAL MADRID TO SPEND BIG

2009-06-15T17:54:00.000+07:00

The Blaugrana boss is showing no signs of letting up as he continues to take a jab at Madrid's transfer policy.
It may sound all too obvious, but Barcelona president, Joan Laporta has pointed out how his side’s stunning ‘triplete’ triumph last season has pressured fierce rivals, Real Madrid into an uncontrollable spending spree in the transfer market.

Los Blancos’ re-instated chief, Florentino Perez has drawn incessant criticism from Laporta and large parts of the football community for dishing out close to €68 million to sign Kaka and another €94 million to tempt Manchester United to part with Cristiano Ronaldo.

“Our treble success has forced Real Madrid to spend compulsively and that has distorted the market,” he said during a quick interview with reporters while he attended yesterday’s Catalunya Moto GP.

“[Florentino] Perez makes signings based on preferential treatment and he is only showing off his arrogance,” he added.

Seemingly under some pressure to announce a few major signings of his own, Laporta was quick to assure that there will be news of transfer activity in the Blaugrana camp shortly.

“We will make important adjustments in order to give the team a fresh boost,” he declared.

“We won’t let anyone dictate the pace of our work but there will be news soon.”

Aside from focusing on recruiting new players, the Barca board are also busy negotiating contract extensions for several key players including Samuel Eto’o and Victor Valdes.

BARCELONA WON’T PAY MORE THAN €40M FOR RIBERY

2009-06-15T17:52:00.000+07:00

The Blaugrana are following through on their stance of not paying excessive fees in the transfer market.
Barcelona’s chances of signing Franck Ribery from Bayern Munich are slowly slipping away, even though they reportedly retain first option to negotiate a transfer.

Latest rumors indicate that the French midfielder will only join Real Madrid and no one else if he decides to leave the Allianz Arena. And coupled with reports that the Blaugrana are unwilling to budge on their offer, any potential move to the Camp Nou could soon be dead in the water.

According to El Mundo Deportivo, under strict instructions from coach Pep Guardiola, Barca have set a limit of €40 million on Ribery and if they are required to pay even one Euro more, they will drop their pursuit for the 26-year-old.

So far, Barcelona have yet to lodge an official offer for Ribery, even though club president Joan Laporta had reached a verbal agreement with his counterpart Karl-Heinz Rummeneige a few months ago.

Since then, however, the Bavarians appear to have changed their mind about selling their star playmaker, as well as slapping a cheeky €100 million price tag on him to ward off potential buyers.

PLATINI SLAMS MADRID'S 'EXCESSIVE' PURSUIT OF RONALDO

2009-06-15T17:48:00.001+07:00

The UEFA boss is not happy with the manner in which the summer transfer market is shaping up.
The president of UEFA, Michael Platini, often critical of the manner in which sides from the Premier League recklessly throw wages and transfer fees around Europe, has slammed Spanish side Real Madrid for following suit.

The Primera Division runners-up have spent close to €165 million on just two players: Brazilian attacker Kaka and Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo. Platini believes this contradicts the idea of "fair play".

The administrator, himself regarded as one of the finest footballers during his playing days with Juventus and France, told AFP, "These excessive transfers are happening almost every day."

Platini is keen to address the fiscal environment of European football and is keen to adopt a socialist policy to continental competition by creating a level economic playing field.

"These transfers are a serious challenge to the idea of fair play and the concept of financial balance in our competitions

"UEFA is working hard with clubs to set up a new set of rules as soon as it is possible to clean up the system and give it a more solid, more transparent base.

"That is our top priority today," he concluded.

KAKA HITS #2 SLOT ON WORLD'S MOST EXPENSIVE TRANSFER LIST

2009-06-15T17:46:00.000+07:00

The new Blanco is second only to Zizou in the list of transfers.
Kaka's transfer to Real Madrid from AC Milan this evening gives the Bernabeu yet another slot in the top five most expensive transfers of all time.

However, Florentino Perez's latest capture has fallen short of being the most expensive football deal ever:
Zinedine Zidane (Juventus - Real Madrid) 2001 - €76mKaka (AC Milan - Real Madrid) 2009 - €65mLuis Figo (Barcelona - Real Madrid) 2000 - €58.5mHernan Crespo (Parma - Lazio) 2000 - €53.6mGianluigi Buffon (Parma - Juventus) 2001 - €49.2
The Power Of Purchasing

By some measures, Kaka is even more expensive than Zidane. To give a rough guide, back then €76m was worth £46m, while Kaka's transfer of around €65m this year is worth a mammoth £56.3m.

However, as both the Zizou and Kaka moves took place between Italian and Spanish clubs, working off euros makes more sense. The euro, in fact, has not fluctuated quite as much as the weakening pound has since 2001, meaning that Kaka will, to most observers, be the second-most expensive transfer of all time.

Zizou may have given up his number 5 shirt for the Brazilian, then - but he still keeps his record!

FREDDY ADU WANTS SPAIN TRANSFER

2009-06-15T17:42:00.000+07:00

Freddy Adu is likely on his way out of Benfica with Spain a possible destination.
Monaco and Benfica outcast Freddy Adu could be on his way to Spain. The talented youngster was on loan with France's Monaco, but the Principality club decided not to purchase the 20-year-old. Back with Benfica, Adu looks set to be on the move yet again.

"Just got good news from my agent about possible destinations," Adu said via his Twitter account. "I'm hoping for Spain because I like the style of play a lot."

Adu first moved from Major League Soccer two years ago to Portugal, but has yet to carve out a place for himself in Europe. The attacker is currently with the U.S. national team in South Africa for the Confederations Cup.

ITALY’S LUCA TONI: EVERYONE ALWAYS THINKS I’M OUT OF SHAPE

2009-06-15T17:35:00.002+07:00

The Azzurri hitman says he is ready to play from the start against the United States.
Italy coach Marcello Lippi has the difficult task of selecting 11 Azzurri players to tackle the United States of America in the World Champion’s first match of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.

His toughest selections will come up front, as he has six in-form strikers at his disposal, all of whom will be keen to play from the start.

One of those is Luca Toni, and the Bayern Munich hitman recently staked his claim to be included in the starting line-up.

“When I come in to the national side, everyone is always in form except for me,” the giant hitman sarcastically told Rai.

“People think that I will be slow, awkward and that I’m out of shape. To them I say that at 32 years of age, I do not feel old, and I am full of maturity.

“In two years in Germany, I have scored 61 goals in all, and it appears to me that no one is taking notice of that.”

At this point, Alberto Gilardino remains the favorite of the six strikers in the side to get the call up, however Toni did add that he will support whatever decision his coach makes on the night.

“I hope to play from the first minute, but if Gilardino starts in my place, then I will support him.”

MU AKAN TAWAR TORRES £40 JUTA

2009-06-15T16:50:00.001+07:00

Rafa Benitez sangat tidak mungkin melepas pemainnya ke Old Trafford. Manchester United disebut-sebut akan membuat kejutan dengan melayangkan tawaran sebesar £40 juta kepada Liverpool untuk Fernando Torres.

The Sunday Express memberitakan Sir Alex Ferguson melihat Torres sebagai pengganti ideal Cristiano Ronaldo.

Meski tidak mungkin bagi Rafa Benitez melepas assetnya, tawaran besar ini bukan tidak mungkin mengganggu Liverpool. The Reds sedang mengalami kesulitan keuangan.

MU saat ini masih mempertimbangkan sejumlah nama; Karim Benzema, Franck Ribery, dan DAvid Silva, sebagai pengganti Ronaldo. Nama lainnya adalah Alexis Sanchez, gelandang Udinese, dan Antonio Valencia (Wigan).

Khusus untuk Torres, bukan kali pertama Fergie mendambakannya mengenakan kostum Red Devils. Sejak masih menjadi striker Atletico Madrid, Fergie beberapa kali membujuknya untuk pindah ke Old Trafford, tapi gagal.

Namun ketika Fergie melupakannya, Rafa Benitez dengan mudah memboyongnya ke Anfield dengan harga £24 juta.

Benitez dipastikan tidak akan menjual pemainnya ke rival seriusnya. Sama seperti Manchester United tidak akan menjual pemainnya ke Liverpool.

FABREGAS AKAN PERTIMBANGKAN TAWARAN DARI BARCA

2009-06-15T16:46:00.002+07:00

Gelandang Arsenal itu sudah menegaskan komitmen untuk timnya, namun akan mempertimbangkan tawaran yang datang dari Barcelona.Cesc Fabregas termasuk pemain jebolan akademi sepakbola Barcelona. Beberapa kali, baik Barcelona maupun Fabregas, sempat mengungkapkan ketertarikan untuk kembali bekerja sama.

Keinginan tersebut kembali terulang. Dilaporkan Reuters, Fabregas yang beberapa waktu lalu menegaskan komitmennya untuk Arsenal kini mengindikasikan siap mempertimbangkan pindah apabila ada tawaran datang dari Barcelona.

"Sangat jelas apabila ada tawaran datang dari Barca, hal itu akan menjadi hal yang spesial," paparnya.

"Tapi saya juga sudah menyatakan dengan jelas mengenai fakta Arsenal menjadikan saya sebagai kapten di pertengahan musim lalu. Hal itu membuat saya tanggung jawab lebih dan mengikat saya lebih erat dengan klub dan akan sangat menyenangkan bisa meraih gelar juara saat menjadi kapten The Gunners."

"Tapi apabila [pelatih Barcelona] Pep Guardiola menginginkan saya, akan lain ceritanya," tambahnya.

SPANYOL DUA KELAS DI ATAS SELANDIA BARU

2009-06-15T16:05:00.005+07:00

-------PARAGHHHH............
Diwarnai hattrick Fernando Torres, Spanyol tanpa ampun melibas Selandia Baru, 5-0!
Kekesalan penonton yang jemu menyaksikan pertandingan pembuka Piala Konfederasi terbalas sudah.

Belum setengah jam pertandingan, Spanyol sudah mampu mendulang empat gol ke gawang Selandia Baru. Strategi pelatih All Whites, Ricki Hebert, dengan memainkan lima bek sekaligus gagal total. Permainan Spanyol sulit dibendung.

Tiga gol Spanyol disumbangkan Fernando Torres. Gol pertama striker asal Liverpool itu diciptakan pada menit keenam. Gol tersebut menunjukkan kematangan dan naluri pembunuh yang dimilikinya. Ketika umpan Cesc Fabregas diterima, Torres tak menerima tekanan dari bek lawan dan melepaskan tendangan melengkung dari luar kotak penalti yang sukses menjebol gawang Glen Moss.

Torres tidak berhenti. Pada menit ke-13, menerima umpan manis dari David Villa, yang mendapat umpan terobosan indah dari Albert Riera, Torres membelokkan bola dengan mudah ke dalam gawang lawan untuk kali kedua.

Empat menit kemudian, Torres melengkapi hattrick dengan menyundul masuk umpan silang Joan Capdevila.

Kombinasi serangan sayap kiri Spanyol begitu mematikan dan pada menit ke-23, Fabregas menuntaskan kerja sama Riera dan Capdevila untuk menciptakan gol keempat timnya.

Gentar kebobolan lebih banyak lagi, Hebert memasukkan pemain bernaluri bertahan, Jeremy Christie, untuk menggantikan Jeremy Brockie.

Penampilan Selandia Baru lebih baik pada babak kedua. Meski demikian, mereka mengawalinya dengan sebuah kebodohan.

Umpan silang Torres dari sektor kanan pertahanan semestinya bisa dihalau dengan mudah oleh Andrew Boyens, namun bola lolos dari sasaran dan menerobos di sela-sela kakinya. Hadiah itu dituntaskan dengan baik oleh Villa.

Unggul lima gol tanpa balas membuat Spanyol mengendurkan serangannya. Produktivitas gol pasukan La Furia Roja terhenti dan Selandia Baru sedikit memberikan perlawanan.

Beberapa kali All Whites berani naik menyerang melalui permainan yang lebih terkoordinasi. Di lini pertahanan, Selandia Baru juga tampil lebih rapi. Namun, semuanya belum mampu menembus tembok pertahanan Spanyol. Selandia Baru hanya mampu menciptakan peluang melalui bola-bola mati.

Kedudukan 5-0 bertahan hingga akhir dan Spanyol unggul di puncak klasemen Grup A. Pada pertandingan kedua, Rabu (17/6) lusa, Spanyol akan berhadapan dengan Irak, sedangkan Selandia Baru bertemu tuan rumah Afrika Selatan.

Susunan pemain:
Selandia Baru Moss; Mulligan, Boyens, Vicelich, Lochhead, Elliott; Brown, Bertos, Smeltz / James (75'), Brockie / Christie (26'); Killen.
Spanyol Casillas; Ramos / Arbeloa (53'), Puyol, Albiol, Capdevila; Xabi Alonso, Xavi / Cazorla (53'), Fabregas, Riera; Torres / Silva (68'), Villa.

TEVEZ MINTA SARAN MARADONA

2009-06-10T21:21:00.002+07:00

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Keputusan akan diambil oleh Carlos Tevez setelah mempertimbangkan saran dari Diego Maradona.
Carlos Tevez, yang masih belum pasti akan bermain di mana musim depan, meminta masukan mengenai masa depan karirnya dari pelatih tim nasional Argentina Diego Maradona.

Kontrak pinjaman Tevez bersama Manchester United telah berakhir musim kemarin dan klub tersebut masih enggan untuk membayar harga yang dibutuhkan untuk menjadikan Carlitos pemain tetap mereka.

Berlarutnya masalah ini membuat Tevez seperti patah arang untuk terus bermain bagi Setan Merah dan sempat menyatakan kalau ia mencari klub lain di Inggris yang mau menampungnya.

The Sunday Mirror melaporkan kalau Tevez akan mengambil keputusan klub mana yang dipilihnya dalam minggu ini. Selain United, Manchester City adalah klub lain yang sangat agresif dalam mendekati pemain itu.

Seorang sumber yang dekat dengan Maradona mengatakan kalau semua pemain berdialog dengan Maradona saat mereka ingin mengambil keputusan penting.

"Ia bukan hanya menjadi pelatih tim nasional, ia juga merupakan sahabat para pemain," ungkap sumber itu lagi.

Meski pihak United dan Kia Joorabchian yang memiliki hak ekonomi Tevez terus melakukan negosiasi, tidak ada jaminan kalau klub itu berpeluang besar untuk mempertahankan Tevez.

MARADONA BANGGAKAN 'PENAMPILAN SEMPURNA'

2009-06-10T21:21:00.000+07:00

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Pelatih timnas Argentina itu merasa timnya bermain 'sempurna' dalam kemenangan telak 4-0 atas Venezuela. Gol dari Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Maxi Rodriguez, dan Sergio Aguero memberikan kemenangan dalam partai kompetitif pertama bagi Diego Maradona, Sabtu (28/4).

Maradona pun mengaku, "Ini lebih baik dari yang saya impikan. Itu partai sempurna dan saya bangga dengan tim ini. Kami menciptakan banyak peluang dan kami bermain baik. Tak mudah mencetak empat gol."

Bintang Barcelona Lionel Messi diberikan nomor mistis 10 yang sebelumnya pernah digunakan Maradona, dan Maradona gembira, "Saya katakan kepada Messi: 'Nomor 10 milikmu' dan ia menjawab (dengan penampilan di lapangan). Jika ia bermain seperti itu setiap pertandingan, itu akan menjadi suatu kegembiraan."

Meski juga tak lupa memuji kontribusi Carlos Tevez melalui keterlibatannya dalam tiga gol dan mencetak satu gol, Maradona mengaku timnya masih harus tampil lebih baik terutama di lini belakang.

"Kami harus bekerja keras di pertahanan. Tim Venezuela tidak kuat dalam penyelesaian akhir, tapi kami dapat mendapat masalah jika kami tak memperbaiki area itu," ungkap pemilik Gol Tangan Tuhan itu.

Dalam laga tandang ke Bolivia, Maradona memberi isyarat, "Sepertinya kami akan kembali menggunakan empat bek daripada tiga pemain belakang."

Ejekan terhadap Juan Sebastian Veron oleh pendukung tuan rumah di Buenos Aires tampaknya cukup mengganggu kegembiraan Maradona. "Ya, mereka tak menyukai saya karena Veron tampil, tapi usahanya tak layak mendapat reaksi seperti itu. Itu menyakiti saya. Mereka yang mengejeknya harus menyesali apa yang mereka lakukan," tegas Maradona.

MARADONA AKAN PASANG TRISULA MESSI-TEVEZ-AGUERO

2009-06-10T21:19:00.000+07:00

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Diego Maradona akan memanfaatkan semua amunisi yang dimiliki pada lanjutan kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2010 mendatang. Setelah dipermalukan Bolivia 6-1 di La Paz, pelatih timnas Argentina, Diego Maradon, mencoba menebus dosa dengan memetik kemenangan saat menjamu Kolombia pada lanjutan kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2010 zona Conmebol, Sabtu (6/6) lusa.

Menurut El Mundo Deportivo, Maradona akan memulai permainan dengan lini depan terkuat yang dimilikinya. Trio Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, siap diturunkan sejak awal pertandingan yang akan digelar di El Monumental nanti.

Trio penyerang akan membuat Maradona memainkan formasi 3-4-3 dengan Cata Diaz, Martin Cemichelis, dan Gabriel Heinze sebagai punggawa lini belakang. Di tengah, kuartet Fernando Gago, Javier Mascherano, Jonas Gutierrez, dan Juan Veron menjadi andalan.

Pemain veteran, Javier Zanetti, akan ditempatkan di bangku cadangan dan sepertinya baru akan dimainkan pada partai berikutnya menghadapi Ekuador, 10 Juni.

Maradona juga akan melakukan kejutan dengan menurunkan kiper debutan asal Estudiantes, Mariano Andujar.

MARADONA BALAS EJEKAN PELE

2009-06-10T21:16:00.000+07:00

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Pelatih Argentina ini tidak mau kalah dalam memberikan ejekan kepada Pele yang menganggap dirinya tak pantas menjadi contoh generasi muda.Kedua legenda hidup sepakbola dunia ini tidak pernah berhenti dalam melakukan serangan. Sebelumnya, Pele dan Maradona saling beragumen ketika diadakan pemilihan pemain terbaik sepanjang masa yang dimenangi Pele.

Hubungan Maradona dan Pele kembali memanas, menyusul pernyataan pesepakbola yang membawa Brasil meraih gelar juara dunia tiga kali itu dianggap mendeskreditkan Maradona ketika menuding Robinho dan Adriano menggunakan obat terlarang. Pele menilai Maradona sebagai contoh negatif bagi pesepakbola muda karena kesukaanya mengkonsumsi obat terlarang dan minuman beralkohol.

Maradona mempunyai balasan atas serangan musuh abadinya itu. Maradona mengingatkan pada perseteruan keduanya, 2000 silam. Saat itu Pele berusaha membantah keras tuduhan Maradona yang menyebut Pele telah mendapat pelecehan seksual dari pelatihnya pada usia 14 tahun.

“Anda ingin dari jawaban saya? Dia [Pele] telah kehilangan virginitas saat masih kanak-kanak dari seorang pria,” ledek Maradona dalam acara jumpa wartawan jelang duel melawan Venezuela di laga kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2010 zona Amerika Latin, dilansir suratkabar Marca.

ROMA TERUS KEJAR PAVLYUCHENKO

2009-06-10T21:12:00.000+07:00

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Real Madrid menjadi saingan AS Roma untuk mendapatkan Roman Pavlyuchenko.
Keinginan AS Roma untuk memboyong striker Rusia Roman Pavlyuchenko dari Tottenham Hotspur semakin besar setelah pelatih Luciano Spalletti mendapatkan lampu hijau untuk menyelesaikannya.

Pavlyuchenko yang baru bergabung di White Hart Lane Januari lalu itu tidak kerasan karena jarang diturunkan oleh pelatih Harry Redknapp. Ia juga menganggap Redknapp tidak menghormatinya.

Walau demikian, pemain Rusia tersebut belakangan menekankan niatnya untuk tetap bermain bagi Spurs.

Il Messaggero melaporkan kalau Giallorossi telah resmi menawar Pavlyuchenko dan siap membayar €10 juta kepada Spurs bagi dirinya.

Langkah Roma bisa jadi tidak akan berjalan mudah karena kabarnya mereka juga harus menjual beberapa pemain mereka terlebih dahulu.

Selain itu, Sport Express juga menginformasikan kalau Real Madrid akan menjadi saingan utama Roma. Agar berhasil, sumber yang sama menyebutkan kalau Ruud van Nistelrooy akan ditawarkan kepada Spurs sebagai bagian dalam penawaran Los Merengues.

BARCA, IBRA TELAH SEPAKAT

2009-06-10T21:09:00.000+07:00

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Menurut media Spanyol, kedua pihak telah menyepakati kontrak, dan kini tinggal menunggu persetujuan dari Samuel Eto'o.
Menurut El Mundo Deportivo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic mungkin segera bergabung ke Barcelona, tetapi transfer itu tergantung apakah Samuel Eto'o setuju untuk berpindah ke arah berlawanan.

Menurut media Spanyol itu, Barcelona dan Inter telah sepakat dengan harga transfer, dimana La Blaugrana harus membayar €10 juta sebagai tambahan dari perkiraan itu. Harga itu cukup jauh dari isu sebelumnya, dimana presiden Inter Massimo Moratti meminta Joan Laporta mengeluarkan €40 juta dari kocek Barca.

Motif Ibrahimovic untuk pindah adalah keinginannya untuk meraih gelar Liga Champions, sedangkan Eto'o tampaknya masih belum menemui kata sepakat soal gaji di San Siro karena striker Kamerun itu menginginkan €65 juta untuk lima musimnya di Italia.

Kira-kira setahun lalu, Eto'o masuk dalam daftar pemain yang tak lagi dibutuhkan Pep Guardiola yang menjadi pelatih baru di Nou Camp saat itu, tetapi akhirnya Eto'o berhasil membuktikan kemampuannya dan tak mengikuti jejak Deco dan Ronaldinho keluar dari Nou Camp.

BENITEZ TAKKAN LEPASKAN MASCHERANO

2009-06-10T21:07:00.000+07:00

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Pelatih Liverpool Rafael Benitez membantah pernyataan agen gelandangnya tentang kemungkinan pindah klub. Sebelumnya, agen Walter Tamer menyatakan Javier Mascherano akan menyambut kemungkinan pindah ke Barcelona dan mengaku bangga jika tim sekelas Barcelona tertarik pada kliennya.

Tetapi, pelatih Rafael Benitez langsung membantah spekulasi transfer itu dalam laman resmi Liverpool.

"Mascherano tak ada harganya. Barcelona tak sanggup membayar harga dari Liverpool. Kami tak ingin menjualnya, dan Javier sangat senang disini," tegas Rafa.

Benitez menambahkan, "Saya telah berbicara dengan Javier dua atau tiga kali pada musim panas ini, terakhir kali pekan lalu, dan ia sangat bahagia."

Selain itu, Benitez juga mengaku telah berbicara baik-baik dengan Tamer, dan mendesak Tamer untuk menolak tawaran dari dua klub besar.

"Jadi, saya terkejut melihat komentar sang agen. Ia (Mascherano) punya kontrak jangka panjang dan klub apapun dapat melupakan berusaha membelinya. Mereka dapat menawar £40 juta atau bahkan £50 juta, kami tak ingin menjualnya," ancam Benitez.

MALDINI DAN MILAN RESMI BERPISAH

2009-06-10T21:02:00.000+07:00

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Era Paolo Maldini di AC Milan resmi berakhir lewat konferensi pers terakhir yang dihadirinya. Hubungan antara Paolo Maldini dengan AC Milan akhirnya resmi berakhir hari ini dengan dilangsungkannya konferensi pers perpisahan bagi bek veteran tersebut.

Maldini yang total telah bermain sebanyak 901 kali bagi Rossoneri dalam rentang waktu 24 tahun terlihat sangat emosional kala mengucapkan terima kasih ke semua pihak yang terlibat dalam karirnya.

"Saya akan selalu menjadi pendukung Milan. Saya selalu memberikan yang terbaik bagi klub ini dan saya rasa saya pantas mendapatkan semua yang saya raih bersama Milan," katanya seperti dikutip oleh Sky Sport Italia.

Walau acara tersebut murni mengenai Maldini, ia masih menyempatkan diri untuk menjawab pertanyaan mengenai laporan tawaran dari Pep Guardiola yang mengajaknya bergabung di Barcelona dan tentu saja mengenai transfer Kaka ke Real Madrid.

"Saya merasa terhormat mengenai apa yang diutarakan oleh Guardiola, tetapi saya pikir masa depan saya bukan berada di Barcelona."

"Transfer Kaka menandakan akan adanya perubahan besar-besaran di Milan. Ia adalah pemain pertama dengan tingkat tinggi yang dijual oleh Milan. Pemain seperti itu dulunya tidak akan pernah dilepas oleh klub dan saya rasa penjualan ini adalah pukulan cukup besar bagi klub dan para suporternya."

"Ia adalah salah satu pemain terbaik di dunia dan saya rasa keputusannya sangat logis. Tantangannya sekarang ada di Milan untuk menjadi juara Liga Champions tanpa Kaka."

Mengenai ban kapten yang ditinggalkannya di San Siro, Maldini merasa kalau Massimo Ambrosini mempunyai kualitas dan karakter untuk menjadi kapten berikutnya. Sementara ia juga berpendapat kalau Andrea Pirlo akan tetap memilih bermain bagi Milan daripada pindah ke Chelsea.

"Saya percaya Massimo akan menjadi kapten baru Milan, tetapi semuanya akan tergantung pada keputusan Leonardo."

AGUERO MINTA GAJI £11 JUTA KE CHELSEA

2009-06-10T20:57:00.000+07:00

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Sergio Aguero hanya ingin pindah ke Chelsea jika gajinya lebih tinggi dari Ricardo Kaka. Sergio Aguero bersedia meninggalkan Atletico Madrid dan menerima tawaran Chelsea, dengan syarat mendapat gaji lebih tinggi dari Ricardo Kaka. Chelsea terpukul.

The Blues tidak keberatan mendapatkan Aguero dari Atletico £45, tapi permintaan gaji £11 juta per musim yang diajukan pemain berjuluk New Maradona dianggap tidak masuk akal.

Di Madrid, Kaka digaji £10 juta per musim, atau £200 ribu per pekan, yang menjadikannya pemain Los Blancos dengan gaji tertinggi.

Pers Inggris melihat permintaan gaji tak rasional itu sebenarnya merupakan penolakan Aguero. Pemain asal Argentina ini sebelumnya meminta Lionel Messi berbicara kepada Pep Guardiola agar membawanya ke Camp Nou.

Abel Resino, pelatih Atletico Madrid, tahu Aguero tidak akan menerima tawaran Chelsea. Dia yakin Aguero hanya menginginkan bermain dengan Messi di Barcelona.

"Saya tidak yakin Aguero ingin pergi ke Liga Primer," ujar Resino.

"Sebelum berangkat untuk memperkuat timnas Argentina di kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2010, Aguero mengatakan dia menyukai Atletico Madrid," tutur Resino.

Resino yakin pers berupaya memelintir pernyataan Aguero, yang membuat banyak klub berupaya mendapatkannya.

klasemeen akhir la liga

2009-06-09T02:45:00.000+07:00

LA LIGA

Main

Poin

1.

FC Barcelona

38
87

2.

Real Madrid

38
78

3.

Sevilla FC

38
70

4.

Atletico Madrid

38
67

5.

Villarreal CF

38
65

6.

Valencia

38
62

7.

Deportivo La Coruna

38

58

8.

Malaga

38
55

9.

Mallorca

38
51

10.

RCD Espanyol

38
47

11.

Almeria

38
46

12.

Racing Santander

38
46

13.

Athletic Bilbao

38
44

14.

Sporting Gijon

38

43

15.

Osasuna

38
43

16.

Valladolid

38
43

17.

Getafe

38
42

18.

Real Betis Sevilla

38
42

19.

Numancia

38
35

20.

Recreativo Huelva

38
33

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Bojan Ingin Seperti Messi.....Mungkin ga ya???

2009-06-09T02:41:00.001+07:00

Bojan Krkic ingin tetap di Barcelona agar bisa belajar banyak dari Lionel Messi.

Messi+Bojan

Pemain muda kelahiran Serbia ini seringkali diberitakan akan hengkang dari Camp Nou karena jarang dimainkan sejak Barca dilatih Pep Guardiola.

Meski begitu, Bojan kembali membantah kalau ia akan pindah dan menegaskan ingin terus berada di Barcelona.

Ia mengaku siap bersaing dengan Messi, Thierry Henry dan Samuel Eto'o untuk menjadi pemain utama. Bojan bahkan ingin belajar banyak dari Messi.

"Messi adalah pemain terbaik dunia dan banyak yang mengakuinya. Ia selalu menyebarkan enerji positif dan aku mencoba untuk memperhatikan dan belajar darinya. Ia sungguh luar biasa," tuturnya melalui Marca.

"Saya sudah sering mengamati permainannya dan sangat sulit mencari kelemahannya. Ia punya segalanya dan pemain yang komplet. Tapi lebih dari itu, ia punya kepribadian yang luar biasa."

Kombinasi Messi, Henry dan Eto'o sangat berpengaruh pada produktifitas Barca yang di musim ini mencetak lebih dari 100 gol di Primera Liga Spanyol.

Bojan yang di musim ini hanya enam kali menjadi starter, siap mengikuti jejak para seniornya dan meyakini suatu saat nanti akan menjadi bintang yang sesungguhnya.

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ROONEY PALING KONYOL, FLETCHER SUKA KLEPTO

2009-06-09T02:38:00.000+07:00

Rio Ferdinand membuka dapur Manchester United mengenai siapa yang paling usil, konyol, iseng dan suka maling.

Dasar Manusiaaa...

Manchester United rupanya tidak hanya memiliki materi pemain yang hebat, namun juga pelawak-pelawak kocak. Ya, begitulah pengakuan Rio Ferdinand dalam wawancaranya dengan Channelbee.com.

Menurut bek tengah MU itu, mulai dari Wayne Rooney hingga Darren Fletcher, hampir semuanya suka bertindak konyol.

"Di MU, kami memiliki sejumlah pemain yang suka mengganggu pemain lain. Rooney pastinya masuk dalam kategori itu, dan hampir semua keisengan dia selalu terlibat," tandas Ferdinand.

"Wes Brown dan Darren Fletcher biasa dengan guyonannya. Fletcher, yang tampak dingin di lapangan, semuanya berganti di ruang ganti. Dia selalu usil di sana dan paling sering menyembunyikan telepon genggam orang lain," paparnya.

Namun lelucon dan keisengan semacam itu hanya dilakukan antarpemain yang satu era. Dengan Paul Scholes dan Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand mengungkapkan rekan-rekannya terlalu segan mengusili mereka.

"Untuk Scholes, dia adalah pemain yang sangat baik, dan sosok pribadi yang juga demikian. Jangan sampai deh mengusili barang-barang Scholes. Dia adalah legenda hidup," tandasnya.

Orang lain yang juga jangan sampai diusik dengan aksi iseng itu adalah sang manajer Sir Alex Ferguson. Bahkan jika guyonan para pemain terlalu berlebihan, seperti menyembunyikan sepatu atau memotong setengah dari kaos kakinya, bisa-bisa pemain yang bersangkutan bisa tidak diperbolehkan ikut bus tim.

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CANNA BERHARAP IBRA DIJUAL

2009-06-09T02:27:00.000+07:00

Keinginan tersebut muncul agar bisa mempermudah Juventus mengejar Inter musim depan.

Cannavaro

Inter tampil dominan dalam beberapa musim terakhir dan secara tidak langsung Zlatan Ibrahimovic memiliki andil atas sukses tersebut.

Munculnya kemungkinan hengkang Ibrahimovic itu disambut antusias kubu Juventus yang dalam dua musim terakhir tak mampu mengungguli Inter.

"Inter terus memiliki skuad yang besar, jujur saja skuad yang mengerikan. dengan level teknis yang tinggi," ujar Fabio Cannavaro kepada Tuttosport.

"Bagaimana pun juga, Juventus berusaha untuk memperpendek selisih perbedaan antara kami. Tapi jika mereka tanpa Ibra, cerita bisa berbeda dan saya harap mereka memang menjualnya," tukasnya lagi.

Ada pun Ibrahimovic saat ini masuk dalam bidikan Barcelona dan kemungkinan menjual pemain Swedia itu cukup besar mengingat pemain yang bersangkutan juga ingin mencari tantangan baru di klub lain.

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BOLOGNA DAN PANATHINAIKOS PEREBUTKAN JULIO CRUZ

2009-06-08T14:25:00.000+07:00

Julio Cruz tengah mempertimbangkan tawaran Bologna atau Panathinaikos yang memberi kesempatan berlaga di Liga Champions.

Cruz

Penyerang Julio Cruz tengah mempertimbangkan meninggalkan Inter Milan. Cruz sudah jenuh hanya duduk di bangku cadangan. Karena itu, ia akan mengikuti jejak koleganya, Hernan Crespo, hengkang dari Inter. Duo veteran Argentina ini gagal mendapat tempat di tim utama karena kalah bersaing dengan Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Karena itu, Cruz berharap untuk segera pindah. Ia kemungkinan kembali ke Bologna, klub yang pernah diperkuatnya pada 2000 sampai 2003.

Hanya, ia juga mendapat tawaran yang tak kalah menggiurkan dari luar Italia. Klub elit Yunani Panathinaikos tertarik merekrut striker berusia 34 ini.

Bahkan Panathinaikos sudah menawarkan kontrak dua tahun. Ia juga mendapat gaji tinggi, yaitu €2,5 juta per tahun. Selain itu, Cruz juga mendapat kesempatan berlaga di Liga Champions.

Meski saat ini belum berniat untuk meninggalkan Italia, namun tidak menutup kemungkinan Cruz menerima tawaran menarik dari Panathinaikos. Mantan striker Feyenoord ini sudah mencetak 75 gol di berbagai kompetisi selama enam musim bersama Inter.

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KAKA MASIH BUNGKAM SOAL TRANSFER

2009-06-08T14:18:00.000+07:00

KAKA MASIH BUNGKAM SOAL TRANSFER

Senin Jun 08 10:05

Kaka belum bersedia memberi penjelasan mengenai kepindahannya ke Real Madrid.

Super KAKA(bukan kaka Slank lho...)

Gelandang AC Milan Kaka (foto, tengah) masih bungkam soal kepindahannya ke Real Madrid. Meski akan memberi penjelasan pada Senin (8/6), ternyata Kaka masih menolak berbicara terkait dengan transfernya.

Bungkamnya Kaka menjadikan kabar kepindahannya ke Primera Liga Spanyol tetap menjadi teka-teki. Meski demikian, bergabungnya Kaka dengan Madrid tinggal menunggu waktu.

"Saya akan berbicara dalam waktu dekat ini. Untuk saat ini, saya belum bisa berbicara," kata Kaka dalam sebuah konferensi pers dengan media dari Amerika Selatan.

Kaka hampir dipastikan meninggalkan Milan dan bergabung dengan Madrid. Harga transfer Kaka mencapai €65 juta yang memecahkan rekor transfer.

Hanya, transfer itu masih menunggu finalisasi dari Kaka karena belum ada kesepakatan personal antara pemain Brasil itu dengan Madrid.

Kaka sendiri memilih untuk fokus di tim nasional yang akan menghadapi Paraguay dalam lanjutan kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2010 melawan Paraguay, Rabu ini. Mereka berharap mencetak kemenangan kedua setelah membantai Uruguay 4-0, Minggu (7/6) dinihari WIB.

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SPANYOL ADAPTASI TANPA INIESTA DAN SENNA

2009-06-08T14:13:00.001+07:00

Pelatih Vicente del Bosque tegaskan Spanyol tak terpengaruh dengan absennya Andres Iniesta dan Marcos Senna.

Iniesta

Spanyol dipastikan kehilangan tidak diperkuat duo gelandang Andres Iniesta (foto) dan Marcos Senna saat berlaga di Piala Konfederasi di Afrika Selatan, pekan depan. Juara Eropa ini dihantam cedera pemain saat mempersiapkan diri tampil di turnamen pemanasan Piala Dunia 2010 ini.

Namun pelatih Spanyol Vicente del Bosque tegaskan absennya mereka tidak akan mempengaruhi performa dan permainan La Furia Roja.

"Tidak ada alasan untuk mengubah permainan karena tidak ada mereka. Gaya main kami tidak ada berubah," tandas Del Bosque.

Menurutnya, Spanyol tetap membutuhkan Iniesta dan Senna yang menjadi pilar kekuatan Spanyol saat memenangi Piala Eropa 2008. Bahkan Del Bosque masih berharap Iniesta bisa pulih.

Pasalnya, gelandang Barcelona ini tengah mencapai performa terbaik. Ia menjadi pialr Barca saat meraih treble. Namun, Iniesta dan Senna akhirnya terpaksa absen akibat menjalani kompetisi yang panjang.

"Kami harus bekerja keras karena absennya Senna dan Iniesta. Biar bagaimana pun, cedera adalah bagian dari permainan ini. Tapi, kami sudah menyiapkan alternatif dan bisa mengatasi masalah tersebut," lanjutnya.

Del Bosqe ungkapkan Spanyol tak akan meremehkan tim-tim nonunggulan seperti Selandia Baru, Irak atau tuan rumah Afrika Selatan. Menurutnya, mereka justru bermain tanpa beban saat bertemu La Furia Roja. Spanyol akan mengawali pertarungannya di Piala Konfederasi dengan menghadapi Selandia Baru, Minggu (14/6).

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SEEDORF KEMUNGKINAN DITUKAR DENGAN ALEX

2009-06-08T14:06:00.000+07:00

Clarence Seedorf bertemu dengan bekas pelatihnya Carlo Ancelotti untuk membicarakan kepindahannya ke Chelsea.

Super Seedorf

Gelandang veteran AC Milan Clarence Seedorf (foto) akan bersatu kembali dengan mantan pelatihnya Carlo Ancelotti di Chelsea. Bahkan ia sudah bertemu dengan Ancelotti untuk membicarakan kemungkinan pindah ke Stamford Bridge.

Menurut rencana, gelandang asal Belanda ini akan ditukar dengan Alex, bek Chelsea asal Brasil. Hanya belum ada pembicaraan di antara kedua klub terkait pertukaran Seedorf dengan Alex.

Seedorf sendiri sesungguhnya tetap berkomitmen bermain di Milan. Namun ia tidak menutup keinginan untuk mengikuti Ancelotti pindah ke Liga Primer Inggris.

Apalagi, ia menjadi sasaran tembak fans Milan setelah gagal menunjukkan performa terbaik musim ini. Karena itu, ia butuh penyegaran setelah menghabiskan separuh karirnya di Serie A Italia.

Menurut Giovanni Branchini, agen Seedorf, kliennya memang belum menerima tawaran dari klub mana pun, termasuk Chelsea. Namun, Seedorf diyakini tetap akan meninggalkan Serie A dan bermain di Inggris.

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MALOUDA MASIH INGIN BERTAHAN

2009-06-08T14:00:00.000+07:00

Florent Malouda merasa betah berada di Stamford Bridge.

Flotent Malouda

Sayap Chelsea, Florent Malouda (foto), ingin bertemu petinggi klub untuk membicarakan kesepakatan baru bersama klub London itu.

Malouda ingin tetap menjadi bagian dari Blues dan memenangi banyak gelar bersama tim.

Keinginan itu menjadi akhir dari sebuah cerita yang suram. Saat Chelsea ditukangi Luiz Felipe Scolari, Malouda menjalani momen buruk dan sudah siap meninggalkan klub pada bursa transfer musim panas ini. Sejumlah klub sudah siap meminangnya.

Namun, pemecatan Scolari mengubah jalan cerita. Kedatangan Guus Hiddink sebagai manajer sementara tak hanya mengembalikan moral seluruh anggota skuad, tapi juga penampilan terbaik Malouda. Sejak ditangani Hiddink, Malouda kian tak tergantikan di sektor sayap kiri.

Begitu Hiddink hengkang, masa depan Malouda kembali dalam tanda tanya. Belum diketahui persis keinginan manajer baru Carlo Ancelotti tentang posisi yang dimainkannya.

Meski demikian, Malouda sangat ingin mendapatkan kontrak baru dan meraih kejayaan bersama Chelsea.

"Kami akan mengadakan pertemuan soal itu. Senang berada di Chelsea, tapi ini baru awalnya. Aku ingin memenangi lebih banyak gelar di sini," ujarnya kepada News of the World.

Sejak bergabung ke Stamford Bridge 2007 lalu, Malouda sudah tampil dalam 52 partai Liga Primer Inggris dan mencetak delapan gol.

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BELUM ADA TAWARAN UNTUK ETO'O

2009-06-08T13:52:00.000+07:00

Agen Samuel Eto'o menyatakan, belum ada tawaran yang diterima Barcelona untuk kliennya.

Super Eto'o

Josep Maria Mesalles, agen Samuel Eto'o (foto), belum menerima kabar tentang ketertarikan klub-klub untuk merekrut kliennya. Mesalles menambahkan, saat ini Eto'o masih betah berseragam Barcelona.

Sudah beberapa pekan ini rumor kepergian Eto'o berkembang. Penyerang asal Kamerun ini bahkan dijadikan bagian dari penawaran untuk transfer penyerang Inter Milan, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, atau topskor Primera Liga Spanyol, Diego Forlan, dari Atletico Madrid.

Manchester City dikabarkan berminat menggunakan jasa pemain yang memborong 34 gol di La Liga dan Liga Champions musim lalu.

Menurut Setanta, belum ada tawaran yang diterima Barcelona untuk pemain berusia 28 tahun itu.

"Aku bisa konfirmasi, kami belum menerima tawaran dari klub manapun," tegas Mesalles.

Mesalles menyatakan, meski Eto'o ingin bertahan, pihaknya tak menampik kemungkinan tampil di Liga Primer Inggris.

"Sudah 40 ribu kali sang pemain bilang ingin tinggal. Namun, tak ada pemain di dunia ini yang menampik peluang tampil di Liga Primer," pungkasnya.

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KUALIFIKASI PD ZONA AFRIKA: NIGERIA TELAN KENYA, KAMERUN-MAROKO IMBANG

2009-06-08T12:45:00.000+07:00

Grup A
Kamerun 0-0 Maroko
Tim Singa Perkasa ternyata sama kuatnya dengan Singa Atlas.

Kamerun gagal memanfaatkan kesempatan bermain di depan pendukung sendiri untuk memetik angka penuh setelah pada pertandingan perdana Grup A ditaklukkan Togo, 1-0.

Carlos Kameni melakukan kesalahan tak perlu pada menit kedelapan, tapi untungnya tak mampu dimanfaatkan penyerang lawan. Kamerun mendapat pukulan telak ketika striker andalan, Samuel Eto'o, menderita cedera setelah bertabrakan dengan kiper Maroko, Nadir Lamyaghri.

Kegagalan Daniel Kome menuntaskan dua peluang yang diperolehnya sepanjang babak pertama makin memuramkan nasib tuan rumah. Meski penampilan Kamerun lebih baik pada babak kedua, kedudukan tanpa gol tetap terjaga hingga akhir pertandingan.

Hasil ini menjadi preseden buruk juga bagi Maroko, yang juga mengalami kekalahan 2-1 dari Gabon pada pertandingan perdananya.

Posisi puncak klasemen Grup A kini diduduki Gabon dengan raihan nilai sempurna dari dua pertandingan.

Grup B
Nigeria 3-0 Kenya
Tuan rumah Nigeria masih terlalu tangguh untuk dihadang Kenya.

Baru dua menit pertandingan berjalan, Ikechukwu Uche sudah membuka kedudukan. Penyerang asal Getafe ini bekerjasama dengan kakaknya, Kalu Uche, menyusul sapu bersih yang buruk dari bek George Owino, sebelum menjebol gawang lawan.

Ikechukwu terus mengancam pertahanan Kenya. Penampilan Elderson Echejile juga layak mendapatkan pujian karena kerap membantu serangan tim Elang Super dari sektor bek kiri yang ditempatinya.

Kegembiraan publik stadion Abuja National baru membuncah pada paruh kedua pertandingan. Pada menit ke-73, Victor Obinna sukses menjebol gawang Arnold Otieno melalui titik putih. Empat menit kemudian, Obinna menambah koleksi golnya dan memantapkan kemenangan Nigeria.

Hasil ini membawa Nigeria menguntit Tunisia di klasemen Grup B dengan raihan empat poin, selisih dua dari sang pimpinan grup.

Grup D
Benin 1-0 Sudan
Benin sukses memetik angka penuh pertamanya pada putaran final kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2010 zona Afrika Grup D.

Setelah mencuri poin saat menghadapi Mali, Sudan tampil penuh percaya diri. Tapi, Benin tak mau dipermalukan di depan publik sendiri. Tuan rumah mengawali pertandingan dengan baik dan terus menekan pertahanan lawan.

Gol kemenangan Benin tercipta melalui tekanan bertubi-tubi pada menit ke-22 melalui Razak Omotoyossi.

Pendukung tuan rumah layak merayakan gol tersebut karena hingga akhir pertandingan, Sudan tak mampu membalasnya.

Kemenangan Benin meramaikan persaingan Grup D. Dua tim lain, Ghana dan Mali, saling berhadapan dan hingga berita ini dilansir, pertandingan masih berlangsung.

Grup E
Guyana 1-2 Pantai Gading
Tak mau kalah dengan catatan sempurna Burkina Faso sehari sebelumnya, Pantai Gading meraih kemenangan di kandang Guyana.

Sempat menghadapi perlawanan sengit tuan rumah, Pantai Gading mencetak gol pembuka melalui Bakary Kone tepat sebelum peluit jeda. Akan tetapi, pertandingan kembali menghangat ketika Guyana mencetak gol balasan melalui Sambegou Bangoura pada menit ke-65.

Kemenangan Pantai Gading akhirnya ditentukan oleh gelandang asal Sevilla, Romaric, pada menit ke-72.

Hasil ini membawa Pantai Gading dan Burkina Faso bersaing ketat di puncak klasemen Grup E.

saya kutip dari m.goal.com

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