What you missed while admiring this pretty ha- oh, no, wait, that’s a jellyfish…

• Vincent Kompany has been dropped from the Belgium squad by Dick Advocaat for showing up late all the time. That means he may miss the World Cu- oh.
• Tottenham is interested in signing Ruud van Nistelrooy. This may be why Roman Pavlyuchenko wants to move back to Spartak Moscow.
• Arsenal is suddenly weak at left back after Kieran Gibbs was injured during an England U-21 match against Lithuania yesterday.
• Speaking of injured left backs: Yuri Zhirkov claims that his move to London is at the root of his injury problems.
• Freddie Ljungberg made the “MLS XI” squad; David Beckham, however, did not.
• Despite of heavy jetlag, Japan beat Hong Kong 4-0 to stay atop their Asian Cup qualification group.
• Edin Dzeko would love to leave Wolfsburg, but his agent doesn’t think it’s going to happen this Christmas.

Un mese e mezzo all’inizio del calciomercato di riparazio­ne, sei settimane per definire strategie e allacciare contatti. Senza liquidità economica, col preciso intento di alleggerire e riconvertire il monte ingaggi (circa 70 milioni) da alcuni compensi improduttivi, la Ro­ma proverà ad acquistare quel centravanti chiesto da Claudio Ranieri e, prima ancora, da Spal­letti. I nomi della sospirata punta mai arrivata non sono partico­larmente inediti, anzi. Ruud Van Nistelrooy e Roman Pavlyu­chenko, Luca Toni e Rolando Bianchi. Qualcuno sembra inar­rivabile per l’elevato stipendio, mentre altri, come il granata, a suon di gol hanno fatto impen­nare le proprie quotazioni. In comune, tutti hanno la strana prerogativa di figurare tra gli af­fari possibili da qualche mese a questa parte. Di Van Nistelrooy la Roma sta parlando col Real Madrid da agosto, quando ten­tò in extremis di convincere l’olandese ad accettare il trasfe­rimento. Sul suo conto pesano come macigni le remore di na­tura fisica, mentre per Pavlyu­chenko, in alternativa ai 12 mi­lioni richiesti, non è escluso che il Tottenham possa conside­rare di «barattarlo» sei mesi con Julio Baptista.

Nella lista dei papabili candi­dati ci sono almeno altri due centravanti italiani: Robert Ac­quafresca e Michele Paolucci. Per l’attaccante Conte sarebbe disposto a valutare la fattibilità di uno scambio di prestiti con Guberti e/o Cerci e l’agente di Paolucci, De Nicola, ha recente­mente rivelato che i giallorossi quattro mesi fa s’informarono sul suo assistito attualmente in forza al Siena. Se a queste opera­zioni si potrà lavorare con inter­locutori diversi, è indubbio che con la partner fissa delle ultime sessioni di mercato (l’Inter) Montali, Conti e Pradè dovran­no trattare ancora una volta. Non tanto per riprovare l’enne­simo assalto a Suazo, piuttosto per definire nelle prossime set­timane la situazione che riguar­da Burdisso. L’argentino è in prestito e ha chiesto di conosce­re al più presto il proprio desti­no, che pare sempre più legato a quello di Andreolli.

Mourinho vuole abbassare l’età media del suo smisurato organico e vede di buon occhio il reintegro del giovane difenso­re piacentino. Sarebbe proprio lui, a quel punto, la chiave per sbloccare l’acquisto di Burdis­so. Se n’è parlato tra dirigenti la scorsa domenica a Milano tro­vando un accordo di massima, anche se le parti si aggiorneran­no non prima di fine anno. In alcuni ambienti del calciomer­cato ieri è tornata a circolare vo­ce su un possibile ritorno di Mancini: ipotesi prontamente smentita a «Romanews.eu», co­sì come i presunti contatti tra i club, dal manager del brasilia­no Gilmar Veloz. Anche questa, forse più di tutte le altre messe insieme, avrebbe il sapore della minestra riscaldata.

Intanto Daniele De Rossi è ancora in ospedale per ulteriori accertamenti: una misura pre­cauzionale dopo la colica renale che l’ha bloccato. Improbabile che possa giocare col Bari.

Fonte: Corriere della Sera

Articolo preso da www.romagiallorossa.com

Le casse societarie languono da tempo. Di questo fastidioso aspetto è a conoscenza sia il presidente

totalclubfootball.com

MADRID–Tottenham Hotspur berpeluang mendapatkan striker veteran Ruud Van Nistelrooy setelah Real Madrid kemungkinan tidak lagi memperpanjang kontraknya. Spurs siap memboyong Nistelrooy kembali ke Liga Primer Inggris dengan nilai transfer sebesar satu juta pounds.

”Pada Januari mendatang, saya baru bisa melakukan negosiasi. Saya akan melihat apa yang bakal terjadi dan klub mana,” kata Nistelrooy yang kini berusia 33 tahun, Jumat (6/11).

Kehadiran sejumlah pemain bintang Cristiano Ronaldo, Ricardo Kaka, Xabi Alonso, dan Karim Benzema membuat Nistelrooy terdepak dari skuad reguler Real Madrid. Nistelrooy musim lalu absen hampir selama sembilan bulan akibat mengalami cedera engkel.

Nistelrooy kini membuka pintu bagi Spurs untuk datang melamarnya. Tottenham Hotspur musim lalu pernah melayangkan penawaran sebesar 1 juta pounds. Namun rencana tersebut batal karena klub Inggris itu tidak mampu membayar gaji Nistelrooy sebesar 100 ribu pounds per pekan.

Jika akhirnya jadi gabung ke White Hart Lane, maka itu merupakan periode kedua Nistelrooy berkiprah di kancah Liga Primer. Karena, sebelum hijrah ke Real Madrid, Nistelrooy memperkuat Manchester United sebalam lima musim sejak 2001. Mantan striker PSV Eindhoven itu tampil memperkuat MU sebanyak 150 kali dan mencetak 95 gol.

Kondisi Nistelrooy tidak muda lagi dengan usianya kini sudah 33 tahun. Nistelrooy, yang pensiun dari laga internasional usai Euro 2008, juga sering terkena cedera. Namun Nistelrooy membantah keras,”Saya saat ini dalam kondisi fit penuh. Saya fit secara fisik dan mental.”  (republika.co.id)

Raul Gonzalez Blanco è sempre più uomo-simbolo del Real Madrid. In occasione della partita disputata e vinta 4-2 contro il Valladolid al ‘Bernabeu’, ha superato il difensore Manolo Sanchis, diventando il calciatore che ha disputato il maggior numero di partite ufficiali con il club ‘merenque’: ben 711. L’attaccante spagnolo, inoltre, ha firmato due gol, portando il suo personalissimo score in partite ufficiali con il club di Madrid, a 320. Nella scorsa stagione, Raul aveva sorpassato il mitico Alfredo Di Stefano (fermo a 307 gol), diventando il calciatore del Real più prolifico. Raul e’ attualmente il capocannoniere di Champions League del Real, con 65 centri, davanti al compagno Ruud van Nistelrooy (60); ed inoltre è il detentore del record di gol con la maglia della Nazionale spagnola, con 44 gol in 102 presenze.Con il successo contro il Valladolid, il Real si porta a -1 punto dal Barcellona. I blaugrana hanno pareggiato 0-0 sul campo del Valencia.

Este documentário sobre futebol, é apresentado por John Cleese e Tom Konkle, garantido algumas gargalhadas com os sketches que a dupla vai fazendo ao longo do alfabeto. Para cada letra é apresentado um conceito e são mostradas algumas entrevistas a jogadores como Kaká, Thierry Henry, Ruud Van Nistelrooy e Michael Ballack, treinadores como Arséne Wenger, dirigentes como Platini ou Beckenbauer e ainda várias personalidades do cinema e outras artes que aparentemente se interessam por futebol (o que é jogado com os pés). Vejam se não sabem o que é um fora de jogo ou se nunca viram o Alemanha – Grécia dos Monty Python, ou simplesmente já têm saudades dele.

Estou desde já disponível para treinar o Sporting. Garanto que ponho os adeptos a sorrir na primeira época.

Vale a pena deixar de ver a bola e a caneca da cerveja a aquecer para ver isto

Recap and analysis of Real Madrid’s 5-0 win over Xerez at the Bernabeu. Read and comment, pretty pretty pleeease. =)

Another Impressive Scoreline Conceals Real’s Frailties

Highlights and goals below:

What you missed while commandeering a bus to ride around nude with five other police officers…

• Craig Bellamy and El-Hadji Diouf are the latest Manchester City players to face FA inquires; is it time to start talking about a lack of discipline yet?
• Barcelona beat Atlético Madrid 5-2 with goals from Ibrahimović, Alves, Keita, and a Messi brace.
• Rafael Honingstein asks the question nobody else dares to: why does Hertha BSC suck so badly this season?
• Burnley have lost midfielder Chris McCann for three months to a knee injury.
• Ryan Babel no longer wants to leave Liverpool. Or he never wanted to leave and was just misquoted. Or something.
• Guillermo Barros Schelotto’s second half brace clinched the Crew’s draw against Chicago.
• After missing nine months with a knee injury, Ruud van Nistelrooy came on as a late sub for Real Madrid, scored a goal, and injured his calf; he’s expected to be out for six weeks.
• AC Milan plays the Champions League theme in their dressing room for motivation.
• VfL Bochum announced the sacking of manager Marcel Koller before the board had actually met to confirm the sacking.
• Neridson Estevao of Progresso de Sambizanga in Angola’s second division died after collapsing during a match yesterday; he was 26.

I’m just going to get right into it today:

Calcio:

Juventus 2-0 AS Livorno – Four in a row for Juve – Ciro Ferrara’s men just keep on rolling, and newly-promoted Livorno couldn’t do anything to stop it. That’s not to say that l’Amaranto were helpless in Saturday’s match in Torino, but two first-half goals and another superhuman performance from Gianluigi Buffon were enough to see Juventus take three points away from the fixture. Vincenzo Iaquinta and Claudio Marchisio both appeared on the scoresheet for i Bianconeri, who now sit tied atop the table and two points clear of bitter rivals Inter.

Inter 2-1 Cagliari – Speaking of Inter, the reigning scudetto champions came from behind to win away at Cagliari this evening, largely thanks to a certain Argentine. I Nerazzurri went behind early in the match after Maicon got a little rough in the box with Alessandro Matri and Jeda converted the ensuing spot kick on 16′. Gli Isolani managed to hold their lead for the better part of an hour, but in the 52nd minute a gross defensive error saw the tides turn as Diego Milito capitalized on Cagliari’s mistake. Just four minutes later, Cagliari’s luck would worsen as the Argentine took advantage of a long ball and beat Federico Marchetti once more to put his side ahead. The slim lead would prove to be enough for La Beneamata (and I use that nickname with all due sarcasm) who take three points home to Milan this evening. However, it was not all smooth sailing for Jose Mourinho’s side, as Cagliari regained their confidence midway through the second half and youngster Daniele Dessena should have equalized on two seperate occasions. Mourinho himself had a mixed bag of a night, celebrating wildly upon Milito’s second goal but being sent off the bench just minutes later for complaining about a decision regarding Mario Balotelli – he would watch the remainder of the game from the stands. All in all, not an overly convincing victory for Inter – but a victory nonetheless.

AC Milan 1-0 Bologna – It seems that all of Milano will be celebrating tonight, as the Rossoneri managed to grab a late win at home in the San Siro this evening. Despite starting the match positively enough and retaining possession for the majority of the play, it took Milan 75 minutes to finally break down Bologna and take a deserved lead. That lead came via Clarence Seedorf, who once again proved that old dogs don’t need to learn new tricks – just be really good at the ones they know. The (flying?) Dutchman came barrelling up the wing, and finding no one to pass to, instead turned defender Andrea Raggi inside out and fired home himself. Bologna looked close to a late equalizer on a 30-yard bullet from Nicola Mingazzini in the 87th minute, but a spectacular save from Marco Storari ensured that Milan got the three points they were due.

Udinese 0-0 Napoli – Another case of the scoreline not telling the full story as both sides created more than their fair share of chances in highly spirited match at the Stadio San Paolo. Perhaps the closest of all of these was Antonio Di Natales’s wrongly disallowed goal (he was definitely on-side), doubly notable because the striker showed his class by not celebrating (he didn’t realize it had been disallowed) out of respect to his Neapolitan heritage. In truth, Napoli looked the stronger side going forward, but were unable to beat Samir Handanovic, who worked miracles between the uprights for le Zebrette. All in all an entertaining draw – neither side should be overly disappointed with the result as both could have gone behind on innumerable spurned chances from the other.

AS Roma 3-1 Fiorentina – Oh no, no, no – this one gets its own article.

Football:

The next Maradona? Somehow, I doubt it.

Arsenal 4-0 Wigan Athletic – Arsenal have bounced back from last week’s loss away in Manchester to trounce Wigan in an impressive performance at the Emirates. The home side’s four goals came from Eduardo and Cesc Fabregas, who netted one apiece, and Thomas Vermaelen who bagged a brace and put in a man-of-the-match performance. However, none of these goals could compete with what was undoubtedly the most memorable event in the match – Emmanuel Eboue’s Diego Maradona impression. Eboue was booked for deliberately striking the ball with his hand in attempt to score a Maradona-esque goal for the home side – an attempt which has some outraged (though not the Gunner support, who applauded him off the pitch after he was substituted in the 73rd minute). It’s not the first time the Ivorian has been booked for actions of an unsportsmanlike manner, as he was booked earlier in the season for diving when Arsenal faced Manchester United. What the game means for Arsenal is clear – three points – but what it means for Eboue is a little less certain. Cheatin’ bastard.

Manchester Utd 4-3 Manchester City - This, friends, is what a derby should be. It was truly one for the ages; a goal-fest in which the two teams competed as equals for perhaps the first time, Carlos Tevez was roundly booed by the Old Trafford faithful, and United’s winning goal was scored by a former Liverpool legend. Wayne Rooney gave his side an early lead on 2′, Gareth Barry equalized on 16′, Darren Fletcher twice gave his side the lead only to have Craig Bellamy twice equalize minutes later (including a 90th minute equalizer), and Michael Owen played the unlikely role of hero for United with a goal that came in the 95th minute of play. Sir Alex Ferguson and Mark Hughes have been engaged in a sort of war of words lately, and while Fergie will no doubt be happy to rub the loss in his opposite’s face, Hughes shouldn’t be too displeased with his side, who proved to be more-than-worthy opponents for the reigning EPL champions even without the suspended Emmanuel Adebayor. A derby to remember, and (though City fans will beg to differ) a good day for United and City fans alike.

Chelsea 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur – Judgement day for the Spurs – it was a second chance after losing to United, an opportunity to test their mettle against Champions League-level competitors and see if they could beat Chelsea at home for the first time in 20 years (give or take). Spoiler alert: They couldn’t. Tottenham went on the attack early, with Wilson Palacios and Jermaine Jena attempting to test Petr Cech early from range, but their efforts proved fruitless. Chelsea’s retaliation was swift, as Jose Bosingwa and Nicolas Anelka poured on the pressure down the right flank – though the opening goal would eventually come from the left, as Didier Drogba’s cross found the head of Ashley Cole and beat Carlo Cudicini. Chelsea would go into the half up one goal – but they weren’t done yet. When the two teams returned, Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba would double and triple Chelsea’s lead, respectively, in a furious span of 5 minutes. The Spurs would be unable to fight their way back into it, and while Carlo Ancelotti will be pleased with his players’ performance, one can be sure that Harry Redknapp’s men will be getting an earful as they return to the Lilywhite half of London tonight.

Liverpool 3-2 West Ham – Liverpool came out on top of a hotly contested match that saw West Ham twice come from behind to equalize and Fernando Torres twice give his side the lead with a brace that would ultimately win the game for the Scousers. Dirk Kuyt also netted for the Reds, while Carlton Cole and new signing Alessandro Diamanti each netted for West Ham. The first half of the match was energetic and fast-paced, with West Ham’s Zavon Hines impressing – though he should have put his side ahead early after Jamie Carragher committed a calamitous error – essentially offering the ball up on the edge of the ‘Pool box. In the second half the tempo slowed inevitably, though it remained a closely-fought match and Liverpool will feel happy (and perhaps a bit fortunate) to have won it.

Fußball:

VfL Wolfsburg 2-1 Schalke 04 – A brace from Edin Dzeko saw the reigning Bundesliga champs rise above hopeful contenders Schalke and the manager who took them to the title – Felix Magath. Magath left Wolfsburg last year for greener pastures after the club was crowned German football champions for the first time in its history. The scoring didn’t open until the 55th minute, when and unmarked Dzeko headed a perfect cross from Sascha Riether into the net. Magath’s side thought they had equalized in the 80th minute thanks to a strike from Benedikt Höwedes – only for Dzeko to restore the lead less than a minute later, finishing superbly on another well-placed cross. Wolfsburg parked the bus for the last nine minutes of the game, ensuring that Schalke could not get back into it and grab a share of the points.

Choupo-Moting - sounds German, right?

Bayern Münich 2-1 Nürnberg – Die Roten continued their fiery run of form, although the first half that didn’t really get started until 20 minutes in and Bayern did not really hit their stride until the half-hour mark. However, the second half would produce more results, as Ivica Olic game the home side the lead on 55′ minutes. After scoring the opener just Bayern maintained control of possession, but did not apply overt amounts of pressure on the Nürnberg goal. After falling behind, the visitors introduced German U-21 star Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting to instant effect, as the youngster caused Bayern’s back line all sorts of trouble, and showed a knack for getting behind defenses – he would equalize for his side on 73′ after doing just that. However, Bayern weren’t going to settle for anything less than a win, and it would be Daniel van Buyten who would put his side ahead less than ten minutes later (with less than ten minutes left). His effort would be enough to see his side take full points at the Allianz-Arena and keep their winning streak – and their confidence in the title race – intact.

Futbol:

Barcelona 5-2 Atlético Madrid – Barcelona beat los Colchoneros by a wide margin despite strikes from the deadly duo of Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero. Unfortunately for Atléti, the entirety of Barca’s squad seemed deadly last night, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Daniel Alves, Seydou Keita and Lionel Messi all appearing on the scoresheet. It was never an even match, as Barca went up 4-0 before Aguero and Forlan would pull two back for their side. Messi’s extra time goal in the 93rd minute would finish his brace and finish Atlético, who simply could not withstand the might of the Spanish champions.

Real Madrid 5-0 Xerez – Madrid’s other team fared much better this weekend, with Los Merengues stomping all over Andalucian squad Xerez – who are appearing in La Liga’s Primera division for the first time in their club’s history. Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring for his side in the first minute – though they would not improve upon their one-goal lead until the 74th minute, when CR9 would net again. This opened the floodgate for Los Blancos, with Guti, Karim Benzema and Ruud van Nistelrooy all joining Ronaldo on the scoresheet in the game’s final minutes. This was clearly a case of a little fish in a big pond – a pond called the Bernabéu in which little fish are caught, gutted, and fried.