***The Official World Soccer Thread***

Yeah my dad kinda rooted for them in the 80's, and when I lived over in the UK I started to follow them. Didn't want to jump on ManU / Chelesa bandwagons, and you can't be the Crouch Robot

 

Ronny Warns Barca

The Portuguese winger blazed a second-minute spot kick past the post as United and Barca fought out a goalless first leg draw, but he insists he will score when the teams reconvene in six days' time.

"Today I didn't score," he told Sky Sports. "No problem, now I'm going to score in Manchester. Nil-nil is a good result. Of course, if you score a goal it is better for us. We didn't score, but 0-0 is good.

"It was a tough game, Barcelona played very well and kept the ball a lot. But I think we defended very well and we played well too. I think 0-0 away is a good result."

 

I'm happy with the 0-0 draw and taking it to Old Trafford. It should be one hell of a game.

I saw that Henry missed some training this week and Alen mentioned him on the bench, did he come in at all? A fully rested Henry does scare the crap out of me because he's had plenty of success at Old Trafford when he was Gooner.

 

Yeah he came in at about the 70th minute I believe. I hope he sticks a goal down Ronny's throat, that ****y motha.......

 

hahaha,

and what's up with C. Ronaldo's completely uneccessary tricks sometimes in his own half of the field facing away from the opposition's goal. It just looks silly and almost as if he's trying to show off and be flashy on spite.

I understand taking somebody one on one down the wing or in/near the opponents area, but in your own half of the field with no one marking you or around you? give me a break.

He's a great player, no doubt. Probably the most feared and dangerous player in the world with the ball at his feet at the moment, but that garbage needs to go. Do it only when it matters.

 

There's something about Cristina ronaldo that just rubs me wrong. I know he is a great player, but I just don't like him.

 

Man, I hope that was on purpose...

 

I agree. I am not hating on him for being a great player because theres no reason to do that but he is very selfish and c*cky. He does pointless things and it showed that he is selfish in yesterday's game. He came all the way back to VDS' goal and asked for him to roll him the ball so he could take it up field and try to make a play, only to be waved off by Van Der Sar.

 

Inter chief keen to make Hleb swoop

Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini has revealed Arsenal star Alex Hleb is one of three players he wants to take to the San Siro this summer.

Hleb has been continually linked with a possible summer switch to Inter ever since reports emerged the Belarus midfielder had met with Nerazzurri officials last month.

Arsene Wenger has spoken of his fears of losing the talented midfielder - he has just two years to run on his current contract - and they will grow further after Mancini confirmed his interest in the 26-year-old, along with Genoa's Abdoulay Konko and Udinese's Gokhan Inler.

"We have already spoken about the players we would like to sign," Mancini told the Corriere dello Sport.

"We are interested in Hleb, Inler and Konko."

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/8067182/Inter-chief-keen-to-make-Hleb-swoop

 

Arsenal's failure good news for Euro 2008 participants?

LONDON (AP) - France, Spain and the Netherlands could all benefit from Arsenal's failure to win a trophy this season when they play at the European Championship.

With the Gunners eliminated from the Champions League and out of contention for the Premier League title, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger plans to rest some of his key players for the club's final three matches.

Bakary Sagna, William Gallas, Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie could be among those set to get some rest and practice time at the end of the nine-month English season.

And that can only help their countries at the June 7-29 tournament.

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/sto...failure-good-news-for-Euro-2008-participants?

 

it was... I love calling him that.

 

Lampard's mother dies in hospital

The mother of Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has died, it was confirmed this afternoon.

Pat Lampard, 58, had been admitted to hospital 10 days ago with pneumonia.

England international Lampard, 29, had missed the recent Barclays Premier League games against Wigan and Everton, but resumed training ahead of the Champions League tie on Tuesday after his mother had showed signs of positive improvement - only for her condition to deteriorate.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=528694&cc=5901

 

Toure eyes long stay at Emirates

Kolo Toure has declared his love for Arsenal and revealed his desire to remain at the Emirates Stadium for the rest of his career.

Toure is one of the longest-serving players at the club after joining from ASEC Mimosas in 2002.

The Ivory Coast international has established himself as a key member of Arsene Wenger's squad and he is determined to extend his stay in North London.

Toure believes the future is bright for Arsenal and he admits he would love to help the club win their first ever Champions League crown.

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/8067570/Toure-eyes-long-stay-at-Emirates

 

Agent: Milan won't pay for Sheva

Andriy Shevchenko will only return to AC Milan if Chelsea agree to loan the Ukraine striker free of charge, according to the player's agent.

Shevchenko has struggled to make an impact for the Blues since his £30million transfer to Stamford Bridge from the Rossoneri in May 2006.

He said: "(AC Milan vice-president Adriano) Galliani has always been very clear when stating that the deal can only be done if Chelsea allow Milan to have the player as a free loan.

"If Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will give his okay then I think the deal could be done."

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/8069008/Agent:-Milan-won't-pay-for-Sheva

 

Xavi confident Barca can progress at Old Trafford

Barcelona midfielder Xavi led the chorus of rallying cries in the Catalan ranks as Frank Rijkaard's players remained confident of reaching the final of the Champions League despite last night's stalemate with Manchester United.

Rijkaard's side could only draw 0-0 at home in last night's semi-final first leg, but Xavi, Samuel Eto'o and Gabi Milito all insist the club can prevail at Old Trafford on Tuesday to qualify for next month's final in Moscow.

Xavi believes Barcelona should have beaten United at the Nou Camp.

'The only thing missing was the goal and that leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. We dominated the 90 minutes. We are happy with the image we gave, but not the result,' he said.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=528611&cc=5901

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Sir Alex vows to attack Barca back on home soil

Sir Alex Ferguson has promised that Manchester United will go for broke next Tuesday at Old Trafford in search of a Champions League final place.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=528612&cc=5901

 

Chelsea tracking Ibrahimovic

The Independent claims that Chelsea is interested in securing the signature of Internazionale hitman Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Ibra is a man much in demand, with both Real Madrid and Chelsea apparently on the lookout to secure his services.

http://www.goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=671009

 

Chelsea offers Drogba to Inter

Chelsea is prepared to sell Didier Drogba to Inter, providing that teenage sensation Mario Balotelli is included in part exchange. Drogba has been strongly linked with a transfer away from Stamford Bridge for several months now, and he is widely expected to move on to pastures new in the summer. Inter is believed to be extremely interested in signing the Ivorian, particularly if his former boss at Chelsea, Jose Mourinho, takes over the reigns at San Siro from Roberto Mancini.

http://www.goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=669733

 

New Roma owner wants Lippi

Potential new Roma owner George Soros wants to lure Marcello Lippi to the club. The Paul Newman-look-alike will not replace Luciano Spalletti as coach, but instead will work in a higher managerial role at the club, helping to co-ordinate all footballing matters.

http://www.goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=669827

 

AC Milan eyes Madrid star

AC Milan is ready to take advantage of Sergio Ramos' recent dispute with Real Madrid by launching a transfer bid for the player. Milan has long admired the Spanish international, and it is believed that they see him as the long-term successor to the legendary Paolo Maldini, who is set to retire at the end of the season.

http://www.goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=669887

Wow that would be a great signing.

 

Barca star linked to Juve move

Barcelona star Gianluca Zambrotta could be set for a sensational transfer to former club Juventus. The Italian press has been virtually unanimous in agreeing that the 31-year-old would be moving to AC Milan, with the likes of Silvio Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani making numerous references to a summer transfer. However, according to Sport this morning, Juventus could hijack this deal, and seal a return to Turin for the Azzurri man.

http://www.goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=668580

 

Pele: Take Maradona's medals



Pele has hit out at his archenemy Diego Maradona in a controversial interview, saying that the Argentine legend was not a complete player, and stating that he should have his medals stripped for drug offenses.

http://www.goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=667317

 

Nike helping Inter's Ronaldinho bid

Sky Sport Italia claims that Inter is still working to head off AC Milan's bid for Barcelona star Ronaldinho, and are using the might of Nike to help them on their way.

http://www.goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=666346

 

Milan's Gattuso linked to Man U.

Despite AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti's declaration that Gennaro Gattuso was 100% certain to stay at the San Siro, rumors in Italy indicate that he could be en route to Manchester United.

http://www.goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=666331

 

Madrid forward headed for Milan



Real Madrid forward Ruud van Nistelrooy could be set for a switch to AC Milan. Sport claims that this agreement was made with the unspoken assumption that the player could move elsewhere if an appropriate offer came in, and a deal from Milan, plus a three-year contract for the player, could well be the transfer in question.

http://www.goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=663824

 

Juve offers Iaquinta for Mancini

According to the Corriere dello Sport, Juventus has offered Roma Vincenzo Iaquinta plus cash in exchange for Amantino Mancini. Juve is looking to add some flair to their squad in the summer, and the Corriere says that they have already opened negotiations with Roma to sign Mancini. The Bianconeri have offered the capital-outfit Vincenzo Iaquinta, plus cash, in order for the transfer to go through.

http://www.goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=663911

 

Has Real Madrid become defined by Champions League failures?



"Robinho (left), Royston Drenthe and Real are still in first place in the Spanish league, but they've lost nearly half their games in 2008."


Real Madrid's antiquated private jet, La Saeta, will remain grounded at Barajas airport. Not, as the Catalan media gleefully pointed out, because it breaks noise pollution laws and is prohibited from flying over Germany to get to Moscow, but because Real Madrid won't be traveling to the Russian capital at all.

On the day Madrid president Ramón Calderón proudly unveiled the MD-83 embossed with club logos, he boasted that it would fly to Moscow for the Champions League final at the Luzhniki stadium on May 21. But a defeat to AS Roma in the last 16 put an end to that.

This has not been a good Champions League for the Spanish, with only Barcelona making it past the round of 16. Valencia crashed out in the group stage, not even collecting the consolation prize of a UEFA Cup place in the midst of its worst run in 20 years, and Sevilla went down 3-2 on penalties to Fenerbahçe in the first knockout round after a 5-5 aggregate draw.

The following day, Madrid was knocked out, too, its dreams of a 10th European Cup going up in smoke after losing 2-1 at home to Roma -- it had lost by the same score in the first leg.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/world_soccer/04/16/real.madrid/index.html

 

I think in the end, Sheva will be let go on a free loan because there is nothing to do with him at Chelsea.

 

I dont think ANY defender on ANY team can make you forget Maldini. He is simply one of the greatest, if not thee greatest.