Yet Another Positive Review, This Time From Deadspin'

Ah, the online world loves the Baltimore Orioles. Here's another review -- just as harsh as the rest...

Link: Deadspin

Trachsel Sent On His Way: DFA'ed This Afternoon...

Steve Trachsel has been designated for assignment by Baltimore; thus, it should be no big surprise to anyone who has been following the team at all in 2008.

Good guy, but I don't see him coming back to the majors unless someone really needs an emergency starter.

From the Baltimore Sun: Rather than continue to use Steve Trachsel in an unfamiliar relief role, the Orioles decided today to designate him for assignment, ending his second stint with the club. The move was made before tonight's game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

To replace Trachsel on the roster, the Orioles returned to a four-man bench by purchasing infielder Oscar Salazar's contract from Triple-A Norfolk.

Trachsel, 37, left the clubhouse before reporters were allowed inside and wasn't available for comment. He went 2-5 with an 8.39 ERA in 10 games this season, the first eight as a starter.

Trachsel di! dn't make it past the third inning in four of his starts. As a reliever, he allowed six runs (four earned) and eight hits in six innings, with five walks and no strikeouts.

Oscar Salazar has been called up from Norfolk and takes Steve Trachsel's roster spot.

Phils Take World Series, Game One

Last night, the Fall Classic commenced in Tampa-St. Petersburg, and the Fighting Phils thanks to the golden arm of Cole Hamels and Chase Utley's two-run homer in the first inning lead them to victory, 3-2.

After a week off, the Phillies sure were not rusty; while the Rays seemed to be pressing.

Hamels went seven strong innings, and gave up two runs on five hits to earn his fourth win of the postseason. The kid is a master, with the ability to mix-up his fastball and breaking stuff to get guys out. Brad Lidge got the save -- the 47th in 47 chances including the postseason -! - that helped Philadelphia hold on to their narrow margin of victory.

The Rays were able to get two runs off of Hamels courtesy of a Carl Crawford solo homer run in the 4th inning, and a Akinori Iwamura that plated Jason Bartlett in the fifth.


Carlos Ruiz's groundout to score Shane Victorino made the difference for Philadelphia.

Kazmir, was good, but not great and took the loss despite what he did in game five of the ALCS. He went six innings and gave up three runs.

It was nice to see Tropicana filled with fans -- Rays fans -- and you've got to! think despite the loss, they still have the significant advan! tage at home.

As for the cowbell -- not a fan of it. Just scream and shot, but please no cowbell.

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.

The Angels Out of The Hunt For Teixeira

Ah, it looks like a team has withdrawn from the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes -- the Los Angeles Angels. Perhaps because they play on the wrong coast, the Angels might have found themselves in a race that seemingly they would not win.

From ESPN: The Angels' departure from the Teixeira sweepstakes leaves the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles as the four teams still in the mix for the premier position player in this winter's free-agent market.

Angels general manager Tony Reagins revealed before the winter meetings that the team had offered Teixeira an eight-year deal. The size of the team's offer was undetermined.

The Angels really needed Teixeira's bat, and although they are pretty much assumed to be the favorite to win the AL West, his bat really strengthened their lineup during the 2008 regul! ar season.

I guess at this point, one could assume they will go after Manny Ramirez, or some of the other big boppers on the market.

THKC Podcast: Jason Varitek, Free Agents, the Economy & Joe Torre's Book

Ian of Sox and Dawgs, Jason of My Baseball Bias hosted our internet radio show — "The Hits Keep Coming" — that aired on the Fantasy Sports Channel at this past Thursday on Blog Talk Radio.

We talked about Jason Varitek and the free agents left on the market along with Joe Torre's new book.

You can check it out by following the link provided at the end here or listen below. [The Hits Keep Coming - 1.29.09]

>>> Read More

The Birds of Baltimore Whip the Cards; Quick Hits...

A day after a lackluster Grapefruit League debut, the Baltimore Orioles bats woke up and beat the St. Louis Cardinals down in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 11-3.

The star of the game was Scott Moore who was a perfect two-for-two at plate and also hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning to pad Baltimore's lead. Youngster Nolan Reimold also went two-for-two with a two-run home run along with four runs driven in, and Brandon Snyder had two hits.

Danys Baez was not good in his first spring outing. He only lasted an inning, walked the bases loaded and gave up two runs.

>>> Read More

Yankees Takes Two of Three From The Orioles: Quick Hits...

It was a wonderful day for a ball game in Baltimore; however, when it was all said and done -- Koji Uehara pitched a great game, but his bullpen lost the game -- the Yankees took the three game series by defeating the Orioles, 5-3.

Baltimore might have lost, but Aubrey Huff made quite an impression on the New Yorkers and specifically, Joba Chamberlain.

The demonstrative Joba Chamberlain was on the mound for New York, and the Orioles jumped on him for a 3-0 lead. Baltimore started off the frame by Brian Roberts and Adam Jones got on base, and then Aubrey Huff hit a memorable home run by taking a Chamberlain offering to center field. Then in perhaps of one the most animated and funny celebrations I have ever seen, Aubrey Huff did a ridiculous fist pump -- first at rounding first and then at home plate -- to seeming! ly show up Chamberlain, who celebrates a huge moment with by doing it.

Did Chamberlain see Huff's display of affection -- maybe; however, his antics perhaps have irked many around baseball and it might be served as comic relief for Huff and the Orioles as well as giving the hurler the finger. Then again, it also might have urged the Yankees to get back into the game and overtake the Orioles.

>>> Read More

Harold Baines and Julie Wagner Inducted Into Orioles Hall of Fame - With Pictures

On Saturday, Harold Baines -- an Eastern Shore native out of St. Michaels -- who wore the black and orange for parts of seven seasons in his 22-year career and Julie Wagner, who worked in the community relations department of the team were inducted into the Orioles' Hall of Fame.

Congratulations to both Harold and Julie.

Here are some pictures taken by friend, Mike Oliver.

>>> Read More

Interesting Game For Me At MSG Last Night

I bought tickets for last night's Rangers game against Colorado the day individual tickets were released by the New York Rangers before the season began. However, it wasn't until yesterday at around 6pm that I finally decided that I was going to go. Normally it wouldn't have been an issue, but on Wednesday I had my appendix removed, so although the pain has been gradually declining every day since the surgery (yes, it hurt like crazy for a few days!) I still wasn't sure if I wanted to walk around Manhattan, walk through MSG and face the chances of some idiot bumping into my stomach.

Anyways, being the diehard Rangers fan that I am, I decided that I was going. I wore the brand new Colton Orr #28 jersey that I just got last month for the first time.

As you all know the Rangers offense has been pretty pathetic for the majority of this season (especially the past month), so when I walked into the arena and saw on the jumbotron that I was a little over three! minutes late and the Rangers were already winning 2-0, I was pretty damn surprised (actually pretty pissed that I missed 2 goals by being a few minutes late - which I never am!)

My tickets were for Section 304, so we walk over during the next stoppage in play to find our seats and they don't exist! I'm not exaggerating for the next 15 minutes+ I walked the section with five ushers and MSG management to look for non-existent seats! No idea how that happens, but it resulted in me & my fiancee being moved down to Section 40 --- about 8 rows from the ice!

The game continued with the Rangers leaving the first period with a 4-0 lead. The second period was pretty much more of the same. It was actually a pretty boring game despite the fact the Rangers were whipping the Avs, I mean there was no intensity, no hard hitting, no after the whistle pushing & shoving and it honestly seemed like the Avs knew they lost and were just playing out the game.
Suddenly out of nowhere with less than five minutes left ! in the g ame that all changed....Freddie Sjostrom took a cross-check to the face from McCormick and the two started to throw punches and immediately Colton Orr made a bee line for McCormick because he knows that Sjostrom doesn't fight (I was actually very surprised that Orr didn't get a 3rd man in, but they only ended up giving Sjostrom and McCormick minor penalties). Orr and Ian Laperriere ended up holding onto each other and you could just tell that Laperriere wanted nothing to do with Orr.

There was another scrum in the corner with Wade Redden showing yet again why I dislike him so much when he refuses to take off his gloves to get a better grip on Laperriere who is trying to find someone to throw a punch at in the middle of the pile of players. Every other player on the ice basically has their gloves off and is showing emotion and Redden looks like a clown!

Anyways, next shift, Orr is back out on the ice and you could tell that the Garden crowd was expecting! something. For a few seconds it didn't look like anything was going to happen but then Orr and Stewart came together and Orr had a decisive win. I actually give props to Stewart because he had to have known that he was way out of his league but he stepped up to the plate.

After Orr was issued his 5 minute major he was sent to the locker room because there was so little time left in the game. This is when Darcy Tucker decides that all of a sudden that Orr is out of the game that he's going to start talking to Orr and play the 'tough guy' role...

The next shift it was obvious that Laperriere wanted to go with someone (usually a fan of his but it was so obvious that the guy waited until Orr was gone). He lined up next to Callahan and challenged him right away, Callahan skated away and while play was going on for a good ten seconds Laperriere stood in front of the Rangers bench talking to the entire bench. (Afterward I watched the final five minutes on TV! to see what I missed and you could see that the majority of h! is conve rsation was with assistant coach Jim Schoenfield).

The last of the festivities was in the Rangers zone right in front of where I was sitting where Darcy Tucker went right for Paul Mara off the faceoff, but Mara was ready and surprisingly Mara pummeled Tucker with mini uppercuts as he held Tucker's head down and brought him down to the ice. With the two separated in the corner about 15ft from me, you could see the anger in Tucker's eyes, but it was way too little, way too late as he was invisible for the other 59 minutes of the game.

Below are some videos that my fiancee took at the game (I had no idea that she was even filming):

NHL Playoff Tickets

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Rangers Shopping Gomez

According to Pierre LeBrun of ESPN the Rangers have been shopping Scott Gomez around the league. Gomez is one of the Rangers highest paid players (has the biggest cap hit @ $7.357M per season) and is under contract for the next five seasons. It's a big contract, so the teams that would be willing to trade for Gomez are probably few and far between. The Los Angeles Kings are rumored to be seeking to bring in a "star" pl! ayer, but is Scott Gomez still considered that caliber of player? If we're going by his past few seasons as a Ranger he certainly isn't.

Another reason why the Kings are the main team being mentioned in any rumors is because they have the second most cap room in the league (under $44M next season), just behind the Atlanta Thrashers. If the Kings were interested in Gomez, what exactly would they be willing to give up in return? How much salary would the Rangers have to take back in return? Obviously if Sather were to trade Gomez the plan would be to clear as much of that $7M+ off the table as possible. But, even with the cap room that the Kings have, it's likely that they would insist on the Rangers taking back at least one big contract. Michal Handzus (under contract for 2 more years @ $4M per season) is a player that the Kings may insist on the Rangers taking in return. Would the Rangers be able to get anything of value in return? Or, would it simply be a trade ! to dump lots of salary?

In New York, the Rangers ex! pected G omez to be their number one line center, paying him and captain Chris Drury (both who are probably better suited as 2nd line centers) the type of money that top centers around the league earn. In LA, Anze Kopitar is the undisputed #1 center and Gomez would likely slide in more comfortably on the second line. But, the question remains whether the Kings would be willing to take on that huge contract. The Rangers have several contracts that they want to get rid of - including Drury & Redden's multi-year deals. Although Drury's contract is one year shorter than Gomez's, I would prefer to dump Drury's contract. Opinions Ranger fans?

Bruins Sign Derek Morris

According to TSN the Bruins signed UFA defenseman, Derek Morris, who finished the end of last season with the Rangers. Morris received a generous one year contract which will pay him $3.3M next season.

Rangers vs Leafs Game Day Notes

The Rangers have started the season with four wins in their first five games, all four wins coming after losing in Pittsburgh on opening night. The Leafs, who supposedly made major improvements to their team this summer, have started the season 0-3-1 --- which is their worst start since 1990-91.

Scotty Hockey takes a good look at the Maple Leafs and Blueshirt Banter has their normal excellent game day preview.

• Henrik Lundqvist will be back between the pipes tonight, after being given the night off last night against the Ducks.
  
  
• It's expected that the Rangers' lines will remain the same as the ones that were success! ful in shutting out Anaheim last night 3-0 at the Garden.
   
• I think we can all expect former Rangers enforcer Colton Orr, who signed a lucrative four year, $4M contract with the Leafs this summer to drop the gloves with Donald Brashear, the new sheriff in New York. (If you want to see how pissed I was on July 1st at the Rangers, just go back and re-read those two blog posts, which I wrote while my blood was still boiling).
  
  
• This whole Alexei Semenov situation is getting a little old and it's safe to assume that most you just don't care anymore. But, the NY Times has an article today in which Semenov basically claims that Sather lied a! nd that Semenov's wife wasn't the reason why he backed out of ! the deal to play for the Rangers this season.
  

After the jump you can listen to the audio from John Tortorella's pre-game media conference.





Sponsors: Stubhub | RazorGator | TicketsNow | TickCo

NBC succeeding online as well.

MLB ratings spiraling down on FOX.

Conclusion of Game 5 draws 13.4/21 overnight.

Big names.

NFL ratings wrap-up.

Steelers/Cardinals numbers game.

Golf's golden goose going, going, gone.

Sweeter ratings for Sweet Sixteen.

NBA, NHL attendance up.

1.1 million for Pens/Caps Game 7.

Big NFL preseason ratings, Pt. 1.

MLB Division Series up double-digits

NASCAR's ratings blues continue (UPDATED)

Liga Inggris 2009/2010 | Gerrard Ingin Samai Kenny Dalglish

Steven Gerrard memiliki ambisi untuk mengunguli catatan penampilan legenda Liverpool, Kenny Dalglish. Namun pemain internasional Inggris ini masih merasa minder jika belum mendaratkan titel Liga Primer ke Anfield.

Saat ini Gerrard tampil sebanyak 494 kali bersama Liverpool di semua kompetisi. Dari jumlah laga sebanyak itu! pemain berusia 29 tahun ini membukukan 123 gol.

Gerrard saat ini berada cukup dekat dengan Dalglish yang tercatat tampil sebanyak 515 kali pada tahun 1985-1991. Dalglish sendiri merupakan salah seorang legenda Liverpool yang telah membukukan 172 gol dan turut menghadirkan 19 tropi.

Gerrard sendiri cukup berhasrat untuk dapat menyusul catatan yang ditorehkan Dalglish tersebut. Dengan hanya tinggal membukukan 21 laga lagi, hal tersebut sangat mungkin untuk teralisasi, mengingat ia selalu berada di tim inti.

Namun kapten Liverpool ini tidak mau hanya mengunguli catatan Dalgish dari jumlah laga. Ia juga mau menghadirkan banyak titel, salah satunya tropi Liga Inggris sebagai gelar yang belum pernah dienyam Liverpool sejak berformat Liga Primer.

"Jika yang berada di atas Anda adalah orang macam Kenny Dalgish itu merupakan sesuatu yang spesial," tuturnya di The Sun.

"Kenny merupakan le! genda, salah satu pesepakbola sepanjang masa. Kenny memenangi ! liga, ke juaraan Eropa dan banyak lainnya, itulah yang juga saya ingin dapatkan untuk tim ini."

"Saya tidak hanya ingin bermain saja, namun saya mau menjadi bagian Liverpool dalam memenangi gelar-gelar dari satu tahun ke tahun lainnya," tuntasnya.

Mercato estivo anche per LEO e GIGI

Gigi, Leo, non scordatevi che avete 320 crediti a disposizione per comprare anche voi calciatori nel mercato estivo.
Dato che è passata la linea dei vincolati, createvi un gruppo di vincolati anche voi, acquistando dagli altri Presidenti della lega.
A destra nella sezione "TUTTO C.A.C. LEAGUE" trovate le rose aggiornate per sapere quale presidnete contattare.

Quindi fatevi avanti con le offerte!!

Qualcosa Raf riuscirà a vendervi!!

ciao

SPANISH FOOTBALL - LA LIGA 2008/09: AFTER 10 ROUNDS ETO´O LEADING GOALSCORER

OLYMPIC & WORLD RECORD 100 M CHAMPION USAIN BOLT A REAL MADRID FAN?

SPANISH FOOTBALL - LA LIGA - THE 2008/2009 SEASON FIXTURE/CALENDAR

EURO 2008 FINAL PREVIEWS - SPAIN vs GERMANY

REAL MADRID PRESENTS ITS NEW UNIFORM FOR THE 2008-09 SEASON

MOTO GP. JEREZ 2008 BRINGS THE PASSION

CESC FEBREAGAS ON THE VERGE OF A 44M CONTRACT WITH ARSENAL

EURO 2008 PREVIEW SPECIAL: GROUP A TEAMS PHOTOS - PART I

FC BARCELONA NEWS

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS OF THE LEVANTE vs FC BARCELONA & ZARAGOZA vs SEVILLA FC GAMES 2007

REAL MADRID TO POUNCE ON DIEGO MILITO?

SPANISH FOOTBALL. MORE TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP - ETO´O, EMERSON, BAPTISTA & ALVES

LIONEL MESSI. GOAL AGAINST MEXICO

EL MUNDANO DEPORTIVO - YES, WE CAN II

VIDEO: RACING DE SANTANDER 5 - ATLETICO DE MADRID 1

REAL MADRID: FLORENTINO PEREZ PRESIDENT

REAL MADRID: KAKÁ OFFICIALLY PRESENTED

FRIENDLY GAMES: SEATTLE SOUNDERS 0 - FC BARCELONA 4 ( VIDEO GOALS)

SPANISH FOOTBALL - LA LIGA 2009/2010 - ROUND 5 SATURDAY GAMES RESULT

Levy Set For Eto'o Talks

Simão Says No To Porto

Giggs Slams Greedy Agents

Agüero: I Was Inspired

Calcio Comedy: Pele & Maradona In Birthday Punch-Up

Atlético Madrid Clash Will Not Be Like The League - Lionel Messi

Below-Par Barcelona Beat Real Mallorca

Apoño Aware Of Tottenham And Hull Talk

Huntelaar rubbishes exit rumours

Why the world's biggest insurance company is still getting taxpayer funds

Roddick advances at Key Biscayne

Robredo and Wawrinka advance at Monte Carlo

Capsules on top women's French Open players

Eto'o closer to Inter

Muntari blasts Zlatan claim

Maradona The Legend

Maradona The Legend

Peace Cup 2009: Real Madrid Versus Juventus

Peace Cup 2009 is being held in Andalucia, Seville

Real Madrid Vs Juventus in Peace Cup 2009

Juventus football players celebrate their victory in peace cup 2009

Peace Cup 2009:
Neo Galacticos Versus Lavecchia Signora


Real Madrid which has neo galacticos is not too strong to beat Juventus in Peace Cup 2009. Real Madrid was beaten by Juventus with! score, 1-2 for Juventus. Now, football lovers are being doubt! to the Real Madrid football team. They are also worry Real Madrid will can't become the champions in this football season, even there Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Benzema and Albiol in its squad. For Juventus, this victory is a good step to face new season in Serie A. In the final Peace Cup 2009 Juventus will against Aston Villa from England Premiere League.

Anyone Know Who Dario Srna Is?

Ok, so we know that we have been linked with yet another player. We know that Srna plays for Shakhtar Donetsk and is a Croatian international.

Just in case there is some truth in the matter, I would like to know what type of midfielder he is?

Is he the creative/flair kind that our midfield has been crying out for, or is he the battling defensive kind we happen to have an abundace of?

Pictures of David "The Yid" Bentley

Its been a while in the making, but we've finally got our man!

"I want to be as successful as possible at Spurs and I'll give my all every day to do that," he insisted in his first interview at Spurs Lodge.

"The club has paid a lot of money for me and I want to repay that. I've never been happy with second best and I will give everything to succeed.

"If I do that and everyone else does ! that in the dressing room we'll be going places because the talent is here.

"I want to be part of something special, something that will grow and grow. A club like this deserves it."

It's comments like that that will win over the hearts of any fellow yid, plus his performances on the pitch of course.

In next?

Depending on who and what you believe;

• Andrei Sergeyevich Arshavin (approximately £17 - £22 million) from Zenit St. Petersburg
• Roman Anatolevich Pavlyuchenko (approximately £12 - £16 million) from Spartak Moscow
• Stephen Michael Bywater of Derby County for an undisclosed fee.

Cure needed for late goal disease

Plenty has changed over the last few seasons at White Hart Lane. Managers have come and gone and players have left (and come back!) but our tendency to concede late goals has remained unchanged.

Some teams are known for scoring late goals, others for conceding them. We definitely fit into the latter category, and whilst it is certainly true that the successful teams score more and concede less than others in the dying stages of games, Spurs were affected by this malaise in 2005/06, when we finished fifth.

Fourth place should have been ours that season. We were denied not so much by the infamous 'lasagne defeat' at West Ham, but by the points dropped late throughout the season.

We conceded injury time goals at the Lane against West Ham and on the road at Fulham, Sunderland and Chelsea, all of which cost us points. A late Robbie Keane penalty at home against West Bromwich Albion was our only late goal that brought point! s.

Kevin Davies' late winner at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday was a reminder that this problem is yet to be fixed. Having got back on level terms the momentum seemed to be with us, but a lack of organisation and concentration at a corner cost us, as was the case at Wigan earlier in the month.

Spurs' fitness levels have steadily improved – second half performances have generally been better than first half ones - so fitness should not be a factor. The problem is instead mental; players lack the nous to do the sensible thing in the closing stages – losing the ball in dangerous areas, conceding corners and free kicks.

Harry needs to quickly stamp out the problem, as well as rediscovering the luck that brought late goals and bonus points against Arsenal and Liverpool early on in his tenure.

Written by Philip Oliver, a professional sports writer who blogs about football betting.

Hindari Chelsea, Adebayor Ditawarkan Ke Inter & Milan

MILAN - Berdasarkan pemberitaan suratkabar Mirror, Chelsea yang sedang melakukan pembenahan besar-besaran dikabarkan memburu sejumlah penyerang untuk memperkuat barisan depan The Blues pada musim mendatang.
Nama Adebayor pun masuk ke dalam daftar pemain yang mereka incar. Ditambah agen Adebayor sudah menyatakan bahwa ujung tombak berusia 25 tahun ini tidak keberatan bila harus bermain bersama Chelsea di bawah asuhan Carlo Ancelotti.
Namun, Arsenal telah menghubungi duo Serie A Italia, Inter dan Milan, yang ingin mendapatkan Adebayor menjelang bursa transfer musim ! panas. Klub London Utara ini memberikan harga €29,1 juta untuk penyerang asal Togo itu. Penawaran ini sengaja dilakukan Arsenal supaya Adebayor tidak berlabuh di Chelsea.
Pelatih Arsene Wenger lebih suka melihat Adebayor berkiprah di kompetisi sepakbola di luar Inggris, ketimbang harus melihatnya bermain untuk Chelsea. Tapi Wenger merasa khawatir, karena duo klub Milan itu masih belum memberikan sinyal cepat menggaet Adebayor.
Selain itu, Arsenal juga ingin menggunakan uang hasil penjualan Adebayor sebagai alat membeli sejumlah pemain, seperti striker Bordeaux, Marouane Chamakh, gelandang Fiorentina Felipe Melo dan kemungkinan pemain tengah Udinese, Gokhan Inler.

Leonardo Berharap Ronaldinho Bangkit

MILAN - Setelah Kaka pergi, pelatih AC Milan, Leonardo, berharap Ronaldinho bangkit. Sebab, dia bakal menjadi pemain andalan untuk menghidupkan permainan. Ronaldinho gagal menunjukkan permainan terbaiknya sejak pindah ke AC Milan.
Pada musim pertamanya, dia hanya mencetak 7 gol dari 29 penampilan. Maka, kreativitasnya diharapkan pulih kembali seperti ketika dia membawa kejayaan Barcelona. "Ronaldinho adalah bakat hebat. Dia seorang yang mampu menafsirkan permainan sepak bola dengan cara yang berbeda. Tentu, dia harus bertanggung jawab unt! uk bekerja keras agar penampilan terbaiknya kembali lagi," jelas Leonardo.
"Dia hanya butuh semangat diri, berlatih keras, dan menjaga konsentrasi. Dia harus melakukan hal itu di lapangan. Jika dia melakukan semua itu, meski sudah 29 tahun dia akan tetap bisa tampil luar biasa," tambahnya. Dalam beberapa tahun terakhir, AC Milan lebih banyak mengandalkan pemain-pemain tua.
Leonardo mengatakan, Milan perlu mengubah kebijakan. Dia menunjuk Inter Milan yang sukses memaksimalkan pemain muda, seperti Davide Sanaton dan Mario Balotelli. "Sudah cukup lama kami kurang memberi tempat kepada pemain muda. Sekarang, ada ruang buat mereka dan kami tak bisa menganggap pemain berumur 18 atau 19 tahun masih ingusan.
Sekarang kami sedang mengamati para pemain muda yang potensial agar bisa dimainkan," jelas Leonardo. "Saya masih percaya Milan akan tetap kompetitif, meski sudah tanpa Kaka. Kami memiliki skuad yang kuat. Jika kami mampu memanfaatkan semua pemain potensial, maka ! bisa bersaing dengan klub lain," tambahnya.

Beckham Siap Kembali Ke Milan

MILAN - Beckham sudah bergabung kembali dengan LA Galaxy. Meski mendapat sambutan yang kurang mengenakkan, ia akan tetap bermain sampai akhir musim. Kompetisi MLS akan berakhir pada November mendatang. Setelah itu Becks punya kesempatan untuk kembali ke Milan agar kondisi fisiknya tetap terjaga, begitu juga dengan posisinya di timnas Inggris.
Pemain asal Inggris itu tampil mengesankan selama dipinjamkan ke Milan pada pertengahan musim lalu. Pelatih baru Rossoneri, Leonardo, berminat untuk kembali meminjam Becks. "Saya berharap bisa kembali ke Milan pada tengah musim na! nti. Mereka selalu ada di hati saya dan saya ingin memberikan yang terbaik bagi mereka," ucapnya seperti dikutip dari The Guardian.
"Kalau Leonardo membutuhkan saya, saya akan siap untuk kembali. Bersama Milan, saya juga yakin bisa berada dalam kondisi dan permainan terbaik." Bukan hanya Milan yang ingin mendatangkan pemain berusia 34 tahun tersebut. Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur dan Manchester City juga dikabarkan tertarik dan ingin membujuknya untuk kembali ke Inggris.

RESMI: Milan Gaet Huntelaar

MILAN - Dalam situs resminya, Milan memastikan telah memboyong striker Belanda itu dari Real Madrid. Usaha Milan mendatangkan striker baru akhirnya berujung sukses setelah Real Madrid setuju melepas Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
"Milan mengkonfirmasi telah mencapai kesepakatan dengan Real Madrid untuk pembelian striker mereka Klaas-Jan Huntelaar," demikian pernyataan resmi kubu Milan di situs resminya.
"Pemain asal Belanda itu besok akan menjalani tes medis dan setelahnya akan melakukan tanda tangan kontrak yang mengikatnya hingga 30 Juni 2013." Dalam keterangan resmi ters! ebut, pihak Milan tidak menyebutkan detail kesepakatan lain seperti nilai transfer yang harus mereka bayarkan ke Real Madrid. Kabarnya, Milan harus merogoh 20 juta euro untuk menebus Huntelaar.

Italia Kian Dekat Bergaya Premiership

ROMA - Pemisahan kompetisi Seri A dengan Seri B, yang akan bergaya seperti Premiership atau Liga Primer Inggris, kian mewujud setelah rencana itu mendapat persetujuan dari para presiden klub. Sepakbola Inggris belakangan sudah menjelma menjadi salah satu liga terkemuka di Eropa usai divisi teratasnya memisahkan diri dari kompetisi liganya untuk membentuk Liga Primer tahun 1992 silam.
Hal inilah yang kini coba ditiru oleh Italia yang prestise kompetisi Seri A-nya sudah turun di bawah Liga Primer Inggris dan La Liga Spanyol! . Rencana yang diumumkan bulan April itu kini sudah diratifikasi usai pertemuan para presiden klub.
Dengan pemisahan tersebut, Seri A diharapkan bisa menyamai kesuksesan Liga Primer Inggris. Hal ini juga diamini oleh para bos-bos klub di kompetisi Seri A yang berharap pemisahan akan mengefektifkan kompetisi. Jika proposal ini nanti benar-benar mewujud maka Seri A dan Seri B nantinya akan ditangani sebagai dua wujud berbeda dan tak ditangani bersamaan, meskipun Maurizio Beretta memang ditunjuk menjadi presiden kedua divisi itu.
Berbeda dengan poin tersebut, ada proposal yang tak disetujui oleh para presiden klub. Usulan yang datang dari Menteri Dalam Negeri itu berisikan wacana kartu khusus untuk suporter, yang harus dibawa untuk memasuki pertandingan.
Lontaran ide tersebut diyakini pemerintah, yang sedang berusaha menekan aksi anarkis fans sepakbola Italia, akan dapat memantau para biang keladi. Sejatinya wacana ini diminta untuk bisa segera berlaku bulan Jan! uari nanti, sebagaimana diwartakan Reuters.

Leonardo Tak Ubah Posisi Pirlo

MILAN - Pelatih AC Milan Leonardo, menegaskan dirinya sama sekali tidak terinspirasi dengan performa Andrea Pirlo di Timnas Italia, dengan posisi barunya. Leonardo akan tetap memainkan Pirlo dalam posisi yang sama di Milan, pada laga melawan Livorno, Sabtu (12/9/2009).
Leonardo masih percaya dengan taktik lamanya dan tidak ingin menjajal kemampuan Pirlo dengan posisi seperti di Tim Azzurri. "Saya sudah berbicara dengan Andrea tentang posisinya. Dia kini sedang bersama Milan, bukan Azzurri. Mil! an dan Azzurri punya karakter dan pemain yang berbeda," jelas Leonardo kepada Milan Channel, Sabtu (12/9/2009).
"Awalnya, saya sempat berpikir menjajal Pirlo seperti halnya di tim nasional. Tapi, terlalu banyak pertimbangan. Strategi dua tim ini sudah berbeda karakter. Saya tidak menutup kemungkinan untuk solusi tersebut," lanjut pelatih asal Brasil ini. Pada posisi di Timnas, Pirlo ditempatkan di belakang dua striker.
Mantan pemain Inter Milan ini punya kemampuan menjadi sosok playmaker. Tapi di Milan, Pirlo biasanya ditempatkan sebagai gelandang tengah untuk menjaga irama bermain tim. Bila posisinya dimajukan, Pirlo akan bersaing dengan Ronaldinho dan Clerence Seedorf yang sudah terbiasa dengan posisi itu.

Galliani Hadiri Sesi Latihan Rossoneri

MILAN - Rangkaian hasil buruk mewarnai langkah AC Milan musim ini. Terakhir, klub besutan Leonardo Araujo takluk 0-1 di tangan FC Zurich pada matchday kedua Liga Champions, Kamis (1/10/2009). Ini merupakan kekalahan pertama Milan di ajang Liga Champions.
Namun, pasukan Il Diavolo tampil kurang mengesankan di Serie A. Milan menelan dua kekalahan dan dua hasil imbang dari enam pertandingan. Kekalahan dari Zurich dinihari tadi terasa semakin menyakitkan. Pasalnya, Milan tumbang di hadapan penduk! ungnya sendiri di San Siro.
Tak ayal, seruan pemecatan terhadap Leonardo kian kencang terdengar. Namun, wakil presiden Adriano Galliani tampaknya masih berkeras mempercayai pelatih asal Brasil itu untuk menangani Pippo Inzaghi dkk. Meski begitu, bukan berarti dia hanya berpangku tangan menyaksikan terpuruknya Rossoneri.
La Repubblica melansir, Galliani mendatangi pusat latihan Milanello guna menemui Leonardo dan seluruh pemain. Galliani dikabarkan tiba di Milanello pada 10.50 pagi waktu setempat, atau 10 menit menjelang sesi latihan pertama.
Pria 65 tahun itu mengungkapkan kekecewaannya terhadap performa Rosonerri dan berharap mereka mampu menampilkan permainan lebih baik ketika menghadapi Atalanta pada lanjutan Serie A, Minggu (4/10/2009).

sumber : okezone.com

Arsenal future excites Brady

Wenger has avoided the temptation to recruit many well-established superstars in recent years, preferring to put his faith in youngsters.

Former Arsenal player Brady is currently the club's head of youth development and he enjoys working with a manager who shares the same principles.

And despite the Gunners enduring a mixed start to the season, Brady insists the long-term future of the club is in safe hands.

"There's definitely a few players for the future within that bunch," Brady told the Daily Mail.

"A lot of them joined us at 10, like Jack Wilshere, Henri Lansbury who is out at Watford getting experience, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas at Blackpool and Sanchez Watt, who was on the bench for the first team last week.

No fear
"We don't want to spend ?0million on a footballer we could produce here and Arsene doesn't have a fear of putting kids in the team.

"That's a tremendous comfort for someone in my position. H! e was always like that, going back to Nicolas Anelka and Jermaine Pennant, but Jermaine probably wasn't mature enough to handle being a big star overnight."

Brady accepts that it is difficult for young players to keep their feet on the ground but he is happy to do whatever he can to help.

"When I cast my mind back, it's a lot tougher for kids now. They're stars straight away," Brady explained.

"But Arsenal looked after me as a kid, I'll always appreciate that and it's nice to be doing the job I'm doing."

Milan Gagal Lagi

Raksasa Italia AC Milan yang sebelumnya dikabarkan tertarik untuk mendatangkan striker Brazil yaitu Luis Fabiano ke San Siro ternyata masih belum menemukan kata sepakat untuk nilai transfer dengan Sevilla.

Sevilla menginginkan AC Milan membayar dana transfer sesuai dengan buy-out clause, namun klub negeri pizza ini menola! k untuk menyanggupinya.

Rossoneri selama bursa transfer musim panas ini terus mengincar pemain-pemain untuk menambah daya gedor setelah kepergian Ricardo Kaka ke Real Madrid. Negosiasi Rossoneri dengan juara liga Jerman musim lalu Wolfsburg untuk mendapatkan Edin Dzeko pun gagal dan masa depan Fabiano pun kian jauh dari San Siro.

Fabiano yang bermain di Eropa sejak 2004 dimulai dari klub raksasa Portugal yaitu Porto, kemudian striker yang kini berusia 28 tahun ini hijrah ke Sevilla. Pada bulan lalu, Pemain ini baru saja memperkuat timnas Brazil memenangkan piala Confederation FIFA.

SERIE A

LA SERIE A DI TV CALCIO

Risultati

9ª GIORNATA
29/10/2008 20:30 Bologna 1-2 Juventus HLTS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy6GrAvnKQI
74' st Di Vaio 12' pt Nedved
56' st Nedved

29/10/2008 20:30 Catania 0-2 Udinese HLTS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3bPOn4oAIw
13' pt Sánchez
83' st Quagliarella

29/10/2008 20:30 Chievo 1-2 Lazio HLTS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TtDrmpDt8w
11' pt Pellissier 15' pt Pandev
82' st Mantovani (aut)

29/10/2008 20:30 Fiorentina 0-0 Inter HLTS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK4pA! Es6-yg
29/10/2008 20:30 Genoa 2-1 Cagliari HLTS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gja97RxZaro
25' pt Papastrathopoulos
56' st Motta 66' st Bianco

29/10/2008 20:30 Lecce 1-1 Palermo HLTS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=316ioOosJPY
22' pt Cacia 87' st Cavani

29/10/2008 20:30 Milan 2-1 Siena HLTS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZFG9EAF98s
31' pt Inzaghi
65' st Kakà (rig) 54' st Vergassola

29/10/2008 20:30 Napoli 3-0 Reggina HLTS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jydZMM1jecQ
7' pt Denis
16' pt Denis
63' st Denis

01/06/2009 20:30 Roma - Sampdoria RINVIATA AL 16 GENNAIO PER PIOGGIA
29/10/2008 20:30 Torino 2-1 Atalanta HLTS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RAF4GR-VC4
6! 2' st Am oruso
64' st Stellone 65' st Floccari

CLASSIFICA

SQUADRE Pt G V N P GC VC NC PC GF VF NF PF RF RS
Udinese 20 9 6 2 1 5 4 1 0 4 2 1 1 17 6
Napoli 20 9 6 2 1 4 4 0 0 5 2 2 1 14 7
Milan 19 9 6 1 2 5 4 0 1 4 2 1 1 14 7
Inter 18 9 5 3 1 4 3 1 0 5 2 2 1 13 5
Fiorentina 17 9 5 2 2 5 3 2 0 4 2 0 2 12 7
Lazio 16 9 5 1 3 4 2 1 1 5 3 0 2 17 12
Genoa 16 9 5 1 3 5 5 0 0 4 0 1 3 12 8
Catania 15 9 4 3 2 5 4 0 1 4 0 3 1 9 7
Juventus 15 9 4 3 2 4 2 1 1 5 2 2 1 9 7
Atalanta 13 9 4 1 4 4 3 0 1 5 1 1 3 9 9
Palermo 13 9 4 1 4 4 3 0 1 5 1 1 3 12 14
Lecce 10 9 2 4 3 5 2 3 0 4 0 1 3 9 11
Siena 9 9 2 3 4 4 2 2 0 5 0 1 4 7 8
Torino 8 9 2 2 5 5 2 0 3 4 0 2 2 9 13
Sampdoria 7 8 1 4 3 4 1 3 0 4 0 1 3 6 11
Roma 7 8 2 1 5 4 2 1 1 4 0 0 4 9 15
Cagliari 7 9 2 1 6 4 1 1 2 5 1 0 4 5 12
Bologna 6 9 2 0 7 5 1 0 4 4 1 0 3 7 14
Chievo 6 9 1 3 5 5 1! 2 2 4 0 1 3 6 13
Reggina 5 9 1 2 6 4 1 2 1 5 0 0 5 6 16

CLASSIFICA MARCATORI

7 Gilardino A. (Fiorentina)
6 Zárate M. (Lazio, 2 rig.)
5 Amauri C. (Juventus), Denis G. (Napoli), Ibrahimovic Z. (Inter), Miccoli F. (Palermo, 1 rig.), Milito D. (Genoa, 1 rig.), Pandev G. (Lazio)
4 Corradi B. (Reggina, 3 rig.), Di Natale A. (Udinese, 1 rig.), Di Vaio M. (Bologna), Floccari S. (Atalanta), Hamsik M. (Napoli), Quagliarella F. (Udinese)
3 Amoruso N. (Torino, 1 rig.), Cavani E. (Palermo), Kakà R. (Milan, 1 rig.), Mascara G. (Catania, 2 rig.), Mutu A. (Fiorentina), Nedved P. (Juventus), Paolucci M. (Catania), Ronaldinho G. (Milan, 1 rig.)
2 Acquafresca R. (Cagliari), Aquilani A. (Roma), Bianchi R. (Torino, 1 rig.), Calaiò E. (Siena), Caserta F. (Lecce), Cassano A. (Sampdoria, 1 rig.), Castillo J. (Lecce), D'Agostino G. (Udinese, 1 rig.)

DOMENICA 1/6/2008 ALLE 18.10 EURO GOL

La premiata ditta formata da M.Lestingi e L.Lupo vi invita all'ultima imperdibile e esaltante puntata di Euro gol. In primo piano gli europei di Austria e Svizzera che stanno per cominciare: gol,interviste e approfondimenti sui campioni del mondo e sulle grandi nazionali dell'europeo. In più la solita finestra sul calciomercato più pazzo degli ultimi tempi e finalmente verrà svelato il grande ospite di Euro 2008 su TvCalcio. Insomma i grandi appassionati di calcio non possono mancare.

IL "LAMPARD FURIOSO"VUOLE L'INTER ENTRO 48 ORE

Solo 48 ore separano ormai Frank Lampard dall'Inter. Il centrocampista del Chelsea, irritato per l'atteggiamento del club londinese, avrebbe infatti chiarito a Peter Kenyon la sua intenzione di lasciare l'Inghilterra per trasferirsi nella società nerazzurra. Se entro due giorni Abramovich non gli offrirà un lauto aumento dell'ingaggio, Lampard si accorderà con Moratti che, nel frattempo, ha offerto al Chelsea 10 milioni.

E' insomma solo una questione di tempo. Lampard è infatti furioso e capirlo, obiettivamente, non è troppo difficile. Al tavolo di quella che dovrebbe essere, ed effettiv! amente è, la "sua" trattativa, hanno parlato tutti tranne lui. Dal Chelsea a Scolari,passando per Moratti, ognuno ha detto la sua sull'affare dell'anno - del centenario direbbero a Milano - trascurando probabilmente la volontà del giocatore. Volontà che mai come ora è chiarissima: Lampard vuole l'Inter, a ogni costo, per almeno un paio di motivi. In primo luogo perché il Chelsea non gli garantisce lo stipendio che chiede (140mila sterline a settimana, 10mila in più di Terry). Quindi perché le dichiarazioni frettolose e azzardate di Scolari - il tecnico brasiliano ha giurato che Lampard resterà a Londra - lo hanno fatto andare su tutte le furie e, di fatto, lo hanno definitivamente allontanato dalla Premier.
ADDIO ANNUNCIATO - Il tutto dopo una giornataccia che ha convinto i quotidiani inglesi a "celebrare" precocemente l'addio dell'idolo di Stamford Bridge . Dal Telegraph al Sun, un po' tutti i tabloid d'Oltremanica parlano di ultime ore al Chelsea per Lampard. Non bas! ta: ripercorrono le sue "gesta" e, già che ci sono, si lagnano! per il finale non all'altezza della sua carriera in Blues. Avrebbero voluto un happy-end, finiranno con l'accontentarsi di uno strappo "feroce" buono per riempire pagine e pagine di giornali. E, magari, per trovare il nome giusto cui attribuire le colpe della crisi. PALLA A MORATTI - Di sicuro il colpevole non è Moratti. Il presidente nerazzurro ha fatto tutto secondo "norma". Ha spedito una proposta al Chelsea, ha incassato un primo no, ha rilanciato fino a 10 milioni di euro e, adesso, aspetta fiducioso. Da Londra dicono che nemmeno l'ultima offerta abbia fatto fare salti di gioia ad Abramovich. Sta di fatto che il paperone russo non ha più scelte. E che per Lampard all'Inter è davvero una semplice questione di ore.

VENDETTA DOLCISSIMA E SI VOLA AI QUARTI

L'Italia ha battuto 3-0 la Corea del Sud nella seconda giornata del Gruppo D del torneo olimpico di calcio e si è qualificata per i quarti di finale della manifestazione con un turno di anticipo. Azzurri in gol con Giuseppe Rossi al 16', Tommaso Rocchi al 31' e Riccardo Montolivo al 90'. La nazionale allenata da Pierluigi Casiraghi concluderà la prima fase del torneo affrontando il Camerun il 13 agosto.

ITALIA-COREA DEL SUD 3-0 con il commento di M.Lestingi

FACCIA A FACCIA MILAN

Dopo il ko di Lugano, l'arrabbiattura di Ancelotti e l'incontro con Galliani, l'allenatore del Milan ha voluto incontrare la squadra. Tutti i giocatori sono stati, infatti, convocati per un faccia a faccia con il tecnico. I rossoneri, che dovevano essere nel pomeriggio a Milanello per l'allenamento, hanno dovuto anticipare. E Kakà, atteso a Monza per le prove del Gp di Formula 1, ha dovuto rinunciare. E' davvero l'ora del chiarimento.

Insomma quel "Mi avete rotto" proferito alla squadra si è sentito un po' ovunque. E se ora Ancelotti, nell'incontro con i suoi ragazzi, oltre a sfogarsi, tenterà la sua ultima carta per motivare e ottenere risultat! i dallla squadra, l'eco è però giunta anche alle orecchie di chi potrebbe prendere il suo posto.

Ebbene sì. Perché la trasferta di Genova - sponda rossoblù - porta con sè venti di radicali cambiamenti. Se gli scricchiolii diventeranno squarci e se da Marassi non si dovesse tornare con il bottino pieno, allora la panchina comincerebbe a ballare.

Ma il Milan da dare ai milanisti rischia di restare orfanello. Van Basten non si schioda da Amsterdam, Rijkaard in corsa non prenderebbe nemmeno il treno dei desideri (e tra l'altro con la maglia rossonera c'è Ronaldinho), Donadoni paga un Europeo denso di critiche. Insomma, nel drastico caso di un cambio a settembre, resterebbero un paio di soluzioni. Una interna (Tassotti?) e una a più ampio respiro: Spalletti. Basta panchina a un rossonero del passato, girata di vite, nuova identità di gioco. Il problema è che per avere il tecnico della Roma bisognerà attendere giugno.

SERIE B, STOP PER GROSSETO ED EMPOLI

Rallentano dunque le due capolista. Al Grosseto non basta la rete di Carparelli per completare la rimonta sul Mantova, avanti con Locatelli e Godeas. Nassi (doppietta) e Mastronunzio stendono l'Empoli. In gol per i toscani Lodi. Un rigore di Barreto regala il successo al Bari, che raggiunge Sassuolo e Vicenza, fermati sullo 0-0. Il Piacenza sfiora il colpaccio nel derby emiliano con il Parma. Rickler sblocca il risultato al 26' della ripresa, pareggio in extremis di Pisanu. Laner e Zaninelli le firme delle reti in Treviso-Albinoleffe. Il Modena sfiora l'impresa: sotto di 2-0 per i gol di Ganci e Meggiorini, gli emiliani ribaltano il risultato con Gasparetto, Bruno (su rigore) e Gemiti, ma si fanno poi raggiungere da Iori al 50esimo della ripresa. Rimonta anche la Triestina in casa col Frosinone. Segnano Biso e Antonazzo, rimettono a posto le cose Tabbiani e Ardemagni.

TUTTI I RISULTATI:

AVELLINO-SASSUOLO 0-0


BARI-PISA 1-0
24' st Ba! rreto, rig (B)


EMPOLI-ANCONA 1-3
19' pt Nassi (A)
23' pt Lodi (E)
29' st Nassi (A)
34' st Mastronunzio (A)


MANTOVA-GROSSETO 2-1
14' pt Locatelli (M)
24' st Godeas (M)
33' st Carparelli (G)

MODENA-CITTADELLA 3-3
4' pt Ganci (C)
17' pt Meggiorini (C)
34' pt Gasparetto (M)
15' st Bruno, rig (M)
38' st Gemiti (M)
50' st Iori (C)


PIACENZA-PARMA 1-1
26' st Rickler (PI)
44' st Pisanu (PA)


SALERNITANA-VICENZA 0-0


TREVISO-ALBINOLEFFE 1-1
2' pt Laner (A)
30' pt Zaninelli (T)


TRIESTINA-FROSINONE 2-2
24' pt Biso (F)
46' pt Antonazzo (F)
2' st Tabbiani (T)
29' st Ardemagni (T)

L'ASTON VILLA NON SI FERMA PIU'

Si è concluso con l'inedito Tuesday Night tra Hull e Aston Villa il 20° turno di Premier League. Sfida tra due squadre in un momento di forma diametralmente opposto: i padroni di casa reduci da due sconfitte con nove goal sul groppone, Villans imbattuti da quasi due mesi e in piena corsa per la Champions. L'hanno spuntata proprio gli ospiti, ancora una volta nel finale, come accaduto domenica ai danni dell'Arsenal.I! ncontro noioso per lunghi tratti, della partita poco da raccontare a dire il vero. Almeno fino all'incredibile finale. Si è deciso tutto nel giro di pochi minuti, con un colpo di scena dopo l'altro. Il primo all'88': discesa di Agbonlahor sulla destra, cross al centro e deviazione in scivolata di Zayatte nella propria porta per la più classica delle autoreti.Finita qua, direte voi. E invece no, perchè in occasione dell'ultimo assalto dei Tigers alla porta dell'Aston Villa succede di tutto. Corner dalla destra: la palla carambola sul corpo di un giocatore dei Villans, schizza sulla parte alta della traversa e finisce fuori. L'arbitro però vede un fallo di mano di Young, appostato sulla linea, e assegna il rigore all'undici di casa per l'entusiasmo del KC Stadium.Poi la doccia gelata: il direttore di gara, dopo un rapido consulto con il guardalinee, ben appostato, ci ripensa e assegna la rimessa dal fondo. Decisione giusta, ma solo in parte, perchè il gioco sarebbe dovuto rip! rendere con un calcio d'angolo. Nell'impianto cala il silenzio! , interr otto pochi secondi più tardi dal fischio finale. A Birmingham sognare la Champions, quest'anno, si può...Hull-Aston Villa 0-188' aut. Zayatte

da www.goal.com

ARENA:"SUCCEDA QUEL CHE SUCCEDA..."

Le parole di David Beckham, che ha candidamente ammesso il proprio desiderio di restare al Milan, hanno colpito (e affondato) anche Bruce Arena. Il tecnico "ostruzionista" dei LA Galaxy sembra aver alzato bandiera bianca sull'esterno inglese ed essersi rassegnato a perderlo: "Succeda quel che succeda - ha infatti detto rassegnato -. Qualunque sia la conclusione dell'affare, sarà per il bene dei Galaxy".




Insomma, se non è un addio poco ci manca. Perché ormai l'assalto dei legali di Beckham agli States è partito e la! questione ha assunto contorni molto precisi: lo Spice Boy vuole restare al Milan, il Milan vuole tenerlo e i Galaxy se ne facciano una ragione. Tutti, compreso Arena, che evidentemente una ragione se la sta poco alla volta facendo. Le sue parole, sulla vicenda, sembrano piuttosto chiare: "Questo è un affare - ha spiegato - e noi aspettiamo di capire quello che accadrà esattamente come ci occupiamo di qualunque affare che riguardi i Galaxy. Sempre mettendo davanti a ogni cosa l'interesse della squadra e della società".

E proprio nell'interesse della squadra, sia pure orfana di Beckham, Arena chiarisce: "Non voglio che le voci su David creino complicazioni durante la preparazione e distraggano la squadra". Il tutto un attimo prima di annunciare, di fatto, la resa: "Succeda quel che succeda". E l'avventura americana di Becks sembra già passato.

MEXES SALTA L'ARSENAL,C'E' DIAMOUTENE

Il fischio d'inizio del "dentro o fuori" di Champions League contro l'Arsenal è ormai alle porte, ma la formazione della Roma chiamata a rimontare lo 0-1 di Londra è ancora tutto meno che scritta. Méxes, reduce da due giorni di febbre, getta la spugna: a fianco di Juan ci sarà Diamoutene. Permane incertezza su Totti, che proverà nel riscaldamento in campo, e sulla coppia di centrocampo Pizarro-Aquilani. Crescono le chances di Tonetto.

L'esterno andrebbe a collocarsi sulla linea di Taddei e Brighi, per la riproposta di un modulo che d! a qualche tempo Spalletti aveva messo nel cassetto: un 4-3-2-1 che a questo punto dovrebbe prevedere Baptista e Vucinic alle spalle di Totti. Già, Totti. Ancora una volta il dubbio, la "x" sulla pagina del taccuino dove il tecnico ha schizzato la formazione. La continua alternanza tra allenamenti e stop si è per ora fermata sul lato giusto: il capitano ha lavorato, seppur blandamente, è il cocktail tra logica e ragion di Stato vuole che sia regolarmente in campo alle ore 20.45. In realtà, come successe già a San Siro nella sfida con l'Inter, sarà il riscaldamento pre-partita a dire l'ultima parola sul numero 10.

Se questa fosse "no", il piano di Spalletti salterebbe già in partenza. Il mister di Certaldo, infatti, vorrebbe cominciare tenendo in panchina gli acciacatissimi Pizarro e Aquilani, che possono offrire la loro qualità solo per un limitato spicchio di una partita che, giova ricordarlo, potrebbe prolungarsi oltre il normale confine dei 90 minuti e spicciol! i. I due centrocampisti, insomma, come cambi e non come compon! enti del lo "starting 11": ma se Totti sventolasse bandiera bianca, uno dei due dovrebbe presentarsi all'appuntamento col fischio d'inizio.

E gli scricchiolii coinvolgono anche la difesa. Méxes non ce la fa, la febbre alta degli ultimi giorni lo ha debilitato oltre il consentito. Con Juan dentro Diamoutene, ma non è casuale il fatto che anche Loria, nell'ultima seduta, sia stato trattenuto a ripetizione di schemi, di situazioni tattiche. E' il segnale preciso che i due titolari sono molto a rischio, specie il francese, salito a quota 40 (di febbre) solo due giorni fa. E in tutto questo panorama abbastanza sconfortante Spalletti (e forse solo lui) non dimentica che sabato sera sarà campionato, sarà partita fondamentale per continuare la caccia a un quarto posto fondamentale per la sopravvivenza della Roma ai grandi livelli. De Rossi e Méxes, squalificati, e i lungodegenti Cassetti e Perrotta sono già fuori dai giochi, una sfida come quella con l'Arsenal può dare il colpo di! grazia a quelli che la giocheranno stringendo i denti: l'ennesimo puzzle giallorosso potrebbe rimanere con delle tesserine mancanti.

numero 21 (dicembre 2007)

"La mia vita rovinata dal Manchester United" di Colin Shindler

Quel maglione giallo

Una Juve galattica

Una Juve Super quella vista ieri sera a Torino.

I bianconeri hanno tenuto testa ai campioni spagnoli con un ottima prova di carattere.

Partenza arrembante di Del Piero e compagni che già al quinto, sull'asse Marchisio,Amauri,Del Piero passano in vantaggio.

È proprio il capitano che sigla la ! prima rete, dopo una perfetta combinazione col compagno di reparto, che chiude un triangolo perfetto. Palla sotto le gambe di Cannavaro e conclusione a giro da fuori area del capitano. L' Olimpico esplode all' ennesima linguaccia di Alex.

In mezzo al campo Sissoko è immenso, in difesa Chiellini è una garanzia, sulle fasce Grygera e Molinaro spingono. Ma la determinazione della squadra si vede nei "senatori" Nedved e Del Piero che non mollano fino a fine gara.

Nota negativa è stato l' infortunio di Marchisio, che ha rimediato una distorsione della caviglia in uno scontro con Sissoko. Costretto ad uscire, gli subentra Salihamidzic.

Dopo il gol del vantaggio la Juve ha rifiatato, concedendo qualche spazio al Real che in Va! n der Vaart ha trovato l' uomo più pericoloso.

Il secondo tempo comincia con Mellberg al posto di Legrottaglie. E subito è raddoppio, Nedved scambia con Marchionni sulla sinistra e mette una palla in mezzo l'area che Amauri schiaccia in rete, aiutato da un leggero tocco di Heinze. Lo stadio è in delirio.

Il Real non demorde e comincia a schiacciare i bianconeri nella propria area. Schuster cambia :fuori Higuain dentro Robben. Comincia un vero e proprio assedio alla porta juventina. Van der Vaart butta al vento un gol gia fatto, Snejder ci prova da fuori : palo.

Il gol è nell' aria e non tarda ad arrivare. Molinaro si dimentica di Van Nistelrooy che nell' aria piccola, stacca di testa e insacca alle spalle di Manniger.

Gli ultimi 20 minuti sono di fuoco. Anche Amauri e Del Piero rientrano, tutta la Juve nella sua metà campo, a difendere con i denti una vittoria conquistata con il cuore.

C' è tempo anche per Vincenzino Iaquinta, che prende il posto dell' ormai esausto Amauri.

Di contropiede la juve prova a mettere tutto al sicuro, ma i blancos non mollano e continuano a spingere con Robben sulla corsia di desta. Chiellini e Sissokò fanno buona guardia e rilanciano per Iaquinta che però è troppo solo. Il Real prova l' ennesimo assedio,ma non c' è più tempo, a Torino : Juve batte Real 2-1 ed è prima nel girone.

I bianconeri hanno vinto e convinto, la determinazione e il cuore hanno di fatto contenuto il Real, ma la crisi non è ancora lontana.

Del Piero e Amauri recitato bene la parte dei galattici, diretti in cabina di regia da un intramontabile Nedved.

Ranieri tira un sospiro di sollievo, ma sabato c' è il derby e da domani tutti a lavoro per risorgere in campionato.

Articolo pubblicato da Raffaele Simeone : CAPOREDATTORE SEZIONE F. C. JUVENTUS

Calcio Mercato Results: FIORENTINA

FIORENTINA

DE SI LVESTRI LORENZO ! ! ! !

data trasferimento	nome giocatore	tipo movimento	squadra di provenienza
31/08/2009	NSERKO SAVIO	PARTECIPAZIONE	WEST HAM
28/08/2009	DEFINITIVO	LAZIO
10/08/2009	ZANETTI CRISTIANO	DEFINITIVO	JUVENTUS
21/07/2009	TOZZO ANDREA	TEMPORANEO	VERONA
21/07/2009	ALVAREZ CASTILLO JOSE' IGNACIO	DEFINITIVO	LECCE
17/07/2009	MARCHIONNI MARCO	DEFINITIVO	JUVENTUS
10/07/2009	NATALI CESARE	DEFINITIVO	TORINO
09/07/2009	SANTOS MIRANDA MARCOS VINICIUS	DEFINITIVO	TREVISO
26/06/2009	BOADU ACOSTY MAXWELL	DEFINITIVO	REGGIANA
26/06/2009	DI TACCHIO FRANCESCO	PARTECIPAZIONE	ASCOLI
26/06/2009	ARATI MATTEO	PARTECIPAZIONE	REGGIANA

http://www.lega-calcio.it/it/Serie-A-TIM/Calciomercato/FIORENTINA.page

Liverpool start their season with a loss

Liverpool have started their season with a away loss at white hart lane.First half goal from Assou-Ekotto put the home team in the front seat.Liverpool equalised in the second half from the penalty by Steven Gerrard.The penalty given because of the Foul of the new liverpool boy Glen Johnson.

But the goal by spurs new signing Sebastien Bassong put the home team again in the lead.Well as far as liverpool's title credentials are concerned it was big setback for the reds.

But according to my opionio! n it an be treated as an eye-opener for the rafa benitez and his men for the new campaign and make the necessary changes to their squad before the transfer window closes on 31st August.

Reds boss Rafael Benitez had spent the summer plotting how to overhaul champions Manchester United, having fallen just short last season in the quest for a first title since 1990.

New arrival Glen Johnson, who cost £17million from Portsmouth, started at right-back, Dutchman Ryan Babel was chosen ahead of Yossi Benayoun with Spain forward Fernando Torres expected to again provide the goals along with captain Steven Gerrard, fit following a groin problem.

Given title rivals United had won earlier on Sunday afternoon, coupled with victories on Saturday for both Chelsea and, most impressively, Arsenal, there was little margin for error if Liverpool were to avoid playing catch up after just one match.

However, the Reds never reall! y got going, with Torres particularly disappointing.

Indeed , Liverpool should have been more than 1-0 down at half-time had Anfield old boy Robbie Keane not missed a couple of clear chances before full-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto smashed in a 25-yard effort past Pepe Reina.

Although the visitors were handed a lifeline back into the match when Johnson was upended by keeper Heurelho Gomes to give away a penalty, which Gerrard converted on 54 minutes, Spurs soon regained the lead as Bassong, an £8million signing from Newcastle, headed in a free-kick from Luka Modric.

While there is, of course, plenty of football left to be played between now and May, Benitez knows his men will have to do much, much better if they are to finish ahead of the rest.

After a slow start, there was a stoppage on 14 minutes when Martin Skrtel and Jamie Carragher collided heads after both jumping for a high ball.

The English defender had to go off for treatment on a bloody gash, before returning with some heavy bandages.!

Gerrard let fly with a 25-yard effort, which was just wide of Gomes' right-hand post.

Spurs then really should have gone ahead on 30 minutes.

Wilson Palacios got away down the right, and looped the ball across to the far post.

Modric lofted it back into the six-yard box, where Keane arrived with a diving header - but one which was straight at Reina, who reacted brilliantly.

The Liverpool keeper then denied his former team-mate once again, this time standing up well as Keane tried a chip.

On 44 minutes, Skrtel gave away a free-kick in a dangerous position, some 25 yards out, when he fouled Palacios.

Tom Huddlestone drove his effort into the defenders - but the ball fell kindly for Assou-Ekotto, who promptly smashed it back into the top corner.

Liverpool regrouped at half-time and produced a flowing move when Dirk Kuyt touched the ball back to Torres, who laid it on for Gerrard, but the E! ngland midfielder struck his low shot just wide from 20 yards.!
A fine fingertip save from Reina then denied Palacios a second goal for Spurs following a rasping 25-yard drive towards the top right corner.

Liverpool found a way back into the match when they were awarded a penalty on 54 minutes.

Johnson was upended by Spurs keeper Gomes as the full-back burst into the right side of the box, and Gerrard stepped up to fire the ball past the Spurs keeper.

Tottenham looked to respond straight away, with Defoe's shot on the turn blocked by Carragher.

The defender was then booked for a foul on the striker as the home side pressed again.

It proved a costly free-kick to concede, as from it, Spurs regained the lead on 59 minutes.

Modric, from the right, floated the ball over through a crowded penalty area, where Bassong got up to head into the corner and mark his debut in style.

On 67 minutes, Liverpool replaced Babel with Benayoun as Benitez opted for `Plan B', while! Spurs sent on summer signing Peter Crouch for Keane.

Liverpool felt they should have had a penalty when substitute Andriy Voronin went down following a shoulder challenge by Assou-Ekotto - but this time, referee Phil Dowd was not interested.

Tempers frayed on the Liverpool bench, with assistant boss Sammy Lee sent to the stands for continued protests.

Walcott eyes trophies

The winger was thrust into the limelight when he was selected as an untried 17-year-old by then England boss Sven Goran Eriksson for the 2006 World Cup.

Three years on, the 20-year-old is determined to keep level headed and work hard to achieve success with both club and country.

He cites Manchester United veteran Ryan Giggs as the perfect role model for how to conduct himself both on and off the pitch.

Walcott told The Guardian: "My friends, family and girlfriend have all helped, but I'm a level-headed guy anyway.

"I haven't changed at all. People always think it's about money, money, money but I just want to win trophies.

Perfect example
"Ryan Giggs is the perfect example for me, the amount of medals he has won. You want to look back on your career and see what you've achieved, not just have a fancy car and a big house."

He added: "It's not so much that he's been at one club all his career, more that yo! u don't see him on the front pages.

"It's the way he talks to people, the way he deals with the pressure every day. He is like an ambassador for his club."

Walcott says he is glad that he went to the 2006 World Cup, despite criticism of Eriksson's decision in some quarters.

"It doesn't bother me at all. I was only 17 and still developing so, yeah, I probably shouldn't have gone. Everyone has their own opinion but I was absolutely delighted," he said.

"You will have to ask Sven why. But now I feel it was the right decision. It's paid off because I feel like I've played well for England."


Toughened Gunners
Meanwhile, Walcott believes the young Arsenal side have now learned how to deal with the physical battle of the Premier League.

He said: "That's the thing we've learned. The way we've played so far, it's been great to see how we've coped with the physical battle.

"A lot of people think y! ou just have to kick Arsenal and they will shy out of tackles.! Other t eams have tried that but this year I don't think it's going to work.

"We've had a couple of years to learn and we're there to cope with the physical battle now. I definitely feel more capable of standing up to it.

"A lot of players have come on. Alex Song, Denilson - they've really come out of their shells. [Thomas] Vermaelen looks a fantastic addition."

The Gunners have not won any trophies in four years but Walcott believes the players are using this to their advantage.

"Because it's been so long, I think it's actually brought us closer together. Four years is a long time without a trophy. But we'll be OK. We just have to get results to shut people up," he said.

The ''seven lives'' of Raul

Gilardino, Two Sentenced Competition

Juventus to 1-0 with the Goal of Muntari: Coup in the hands of Inter classic

Ibrahimovic the Best Player Italian 2008

'You Talk Often Not Important, Mourinho'

Justin Langer on the Ashes

Australian bias aside, the highlight of the third Test was watching Ricky Ponting become the highest Tes! t run scorer for Australia. For a man with plenty more cricket left in him, this achievement is a sensational one.

Ever since I first laid eyes on the young prodigy from Tasmania, it was apparent he had a rare gift with a cricket bat in his hand.

In fact, whether he was kicking a football or swinging a golf club it was obvious that he possessed an incredible knack for ball sports with raw talent oozing from every pore in his body.

Typical of all great sportsmen it is his natural balance and grace which stands him ahead of the rest in terms of natural ability.

This balance and poise is best epitomised by the way Ricky is able to play the two toughest strokes in the game.

Those two strokes are the pull shot and the on-drive and there is no player in the world who plays these with the same consist! ency and timing as the Australian captain.

Time after time my mind has been blown by the ease in which Ponting gets off the mark with a perfectly executed straight or on-drive down the ground. In these shots alone, Ponting shows his mastery of the art of batting.

However, during this series it has frustrated me to see the way he has been depicted by the media.

Admittedly the English media can be harsh and cynical at the best of times but as a friend and former team-mate, the perception or depiction of Ponting the man can't be further from the reality.

There is no more humble person than the Australian skipper and while he has new challenges with this younger, inexperienced Test team, everything considered, he is the one man who can lead them through this new era.

Among ! his peers the respect for him is immense and behind the scowl which adorns the face of many champion sportsmen, 'Punter' is a generous and loving family man who has gone the full circle from tough street fighter to consummate professional and ambassador for the game of cricket.

He is a champion in every sense of the word and while he is at the helm, this series is well and truly alive and kicking.

The word momentum is often used but after the rain-interrupted Edgbaston Test I am sensing a slight shifting of momentum back in Australia's favour.

After the first Test, although the visitors dominated most of the match, the last day in Cardiff seemed to play havoc with the psyche of the young Australians.

You could almost sense that the frustration and disappointment of not banking the result took away the energy and spark of the Austral! ians at Lord's.

North and Clarke were Australia's match savers at Edbaston

England pounced on this flatness and took the match in impressive fashion.

Watching the match-saving partnership between Michael Clarke and Marcus North on Monday, I couldn't help but draw parallels between England toiling unsuccessfully and Australia missing out on an expected victory at Cardiff.

There is no doubt Andrew Flintoff is struggling physically and with England's bowlers having to turn up fresh on Friday, Australia will know they have a chance to wrestle back the initiative may present itself in the very near future.

Obviously Australia will have to be ready to pounce on their wilting opponent and with the street fighting instincts of the Australian captain bubbling with anticipation, England will have to be on guard.

England still hold the cards but my sense is that they will feel less at ease than they did six days ago.

Once again the Ashes are providing a wonderful spectacle for Test cricket.