Friday, November 25, 2005
GIANTS AGREE GIL TRIBUTE GAME
Spanish soccer rivals Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are to play a special match next month in honour of Atletico’s former controversial president Jesus Gil.
Gil died in May last year having been the club’s chief for 16 years. His family, however, remain the club’s major shareholders.
The two Madrid clubs will meet on December 30.
Atletico president Enrique Cerezo said: “We have reached an agreement to stage this match at our Vicente Calderon stadium in honour of Gil. Both sides will field strong teams.”
Gil died in May last year having been the club’s chief for 16 years. His family, however, remain the club’s major shareholders.
The two Madrid clubs will meet on December 30.
Atletico president Enrique Cerezo said: “We have reached an agreement to stage this match at our Vicente Calderon stadium in honour of Gil. Both sides will field strong teams.”
Ronaldinho fires warning
Brazilian star Ronaldinho has issued an ominous warning to world football, insisting that both he and Barcelona can improve further.
The Barca ace has been in awesome form this season, helping the Catalan giants to the top of La Liga and qualify as winners of their group in the Champions League.
Tuesday night's win over Werder Bremen made it seven straight victories for the Spanish champions, with the Brazilian once again on the scoresheet and pulling the strings at the Nou Camp.
But as well as he and the Barca team have played so far this term, Ronaldinho believes there is much more to come as we head into 2006.
The 25-year-old said: "With the quality of players we have I think we can carry on playing like this for quite a long time.
"With every game we win we are happier and more confident and our aim is to carry on like this."
The Barca ace has been in awesome form this season, helping the Catalan giants to the top of La Liga and qualify as winners of their group in the Champions League.
Tuesday night's win over Werder Bremen made it seven straight victories for the Spanish champions, with the Brazilian once again on the scoresheet and pulling the strings at the Nou Camp.
But as well as he and the Barca team have played so far this term, Ronaldinho believes there is much more to come as we head into 2006.
The 25-year-old said: "With the quality of players we have I think we can carry on playing like this for quite a long time.
"With every game we win we are happier and more confident and our aim is to carry on like this."
Rape charges against Manchester United star dropped
Scotland Yard said Thursday that soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo will not face rape charges due to insufficient evidence.
The 20-year-old Portuguese winger, who plays in the English Premiership with Manchester United, was arrested on Oct. 19 on allegations he sexually assaulted a woman in a penthouse suite at a London hotel earlier in the month.
Ronaldo, who always denied the accusations, was questioned and released on bail along with a man in his 30s.
He was questioned last month after voluntarily appearing at a police station. "We have been informed today by the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) that there is insufficient evidence to charge," a Scotland Yard spokesman said Thursday. "As such, the two men arrested during the course of this investigation will face no further action by police in connection with this matter."
The 20-year-old Portuguese winger, who plays in the English Premiership with Manchester United, was arrested on Oct. 19 on allegations he sexually assaulted a woman in a penthouse suite at a London hotel earlier in the month.
Ronaldo, who always denied the accusations, was questioned and released on bail along with a man in his 30s.
He was questioned last month after voluntarily appearing at a police station. "We have been informed today by the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) that there is insufficient evidence to charge," a Scotland Yard spokesman said Thursday. "As such, the two men arrested during the course of this investigation will face no further action by police in connection with this matter."
ZIDANE BEMOANS LOSS OF FEAR FACTOR
Zinedine Zidane admits Real Madrid's opponents no longer tremble at the prospect of facing the Spanish giants.
Lyon became the latest side to take points from the Bernabeu this season with a 1-1 draw in Wednesday's Champions League encounter.
Real have also lost three of their six home league games since the campaign began, with Barcelona romping to a 3-0 win there as recently as last weekend.
Real Madrid remain arguably the biggest name in club football, but while they once commanded respect and fear across Europe, Zidane reckons the club's inconsistent form over the last 18 months means that fear factor is no longer there.
"When you concede a goal it means there is a problem, especially in the second half where we clearly failed to keep up the pace," he told Lyon's website www.olweb.fr.
"We let our rivals play and we see what effects it has, whether it's against Lyon or Barca. We don't scare our rivals as much as we used to and it's been lasting for a year-and-a-half.
"We have qualities, of course, but we find ourselves in trouble when our opponents score. We must work but rediscovering our game is hard.
"We created opportunities, like in the first half, which is good, but we are capable of showing our worst too, as we proved very recently."
Luxemburgo will remain coach
Vanderlei Luxemburgo will remain as Real Madrid coach.
Madrid said Thursday there was "no suggestion of Luxemburgo's dismissal" following a board meeting, which was held a day after fans protested during its home Champions League game with Lyon. "The board has shown its backing to coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo and full confidence in the first-team squad," the club said.
The board meeting was scheduled before Madrid's humiliating 3-0 home defeat against FC Barcelona last weekend and not as a response to the team's current difficulties.
Club president Florentino Perez was reported to have discussed Luxemburgo's future with him immediately after the 1-1 draw with Lyon. This led to suggestions that the Brazilian would be fired if Madrid loses its next league game at Real Sociedad on Sunday
Madrid said Thursday there was "no suggestion of Luxemburgo's dismissal" following a board meeting, which was held a day after fans protested during its home Champions League game with Lyon. "The board has shown its backing to coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo and full confidence in the first-team squad," the club said.
The board meeting was scheduled before Madrid's humiliating 3-0 home defeat against FC Barcelona last weekend and not as a response to the team's current difficulties.
Club president Florentino Perez was reported to have discussed Luxemburgo's future with him immediately after the 1-1 draw with Lyon. This led to suggestions that the Brazilian would be fired if Madrid loses its next league game at Real Sociedad on Sunday
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Dynamo Moscow's Maniche excited by Atletico Madrid interest
Dynamo Moscow midfielder Maniche has made a 'come and get me' plea to Atletico Madrid.
The Portugal international is being considered by Atletico for the winter market as coach Carlos Bianchi demands a new holding midfielder.
"It pleases me a lot the idea of playing for a club like Atletico because it has great history and tradition. Everybody knows that the Spanish Liga is one of the most powerful on the continent," Maniche told AS
The Portugal international is being considered by Atletico for the winter market as coach Carlos Bianchi demands a new holding midfielder.
"It pleases me a lot the idea of playing for a club like Atletico because it has great history and tradition. Everybody knows that the Spanish Liga is one of the most powerful on the continent," Maniche told AS
Monday, November 14, 2005
DUO DOMINATE 'EL CLASSICO' BUILD-UP
Saturday's clash between Real Madrid and Barcelona is shaping into a battle between two prodigal sons - Ronaldo and Samuel Eto'o.
Matches between these two sides are always the ones everyone wants to see and play in, even if there is nothing more than pride at stake.
With Spain's two most powerful clubs, that is rarely the case and this season there looks to be more to play for than ever.
Barcelona take a one-point advantage to the Santiago Bernabeu, having overcome an indifferent start to the season to find their form and start hitting goals at exactly the right time.
They travel to Madrid having scored 18 goals and conceded just one - a spectacular late consolation goal for Getafe - in their last five games.
There are question marks over Madrid, however. Successive defeats to Valencia and Deportivo La Coruna were thought to have left coach Wanderley Luxemburgo on the verge of losing his job.
Madrid recovered to beat Betis 2-0 away from home and to scrape the same result away to Rosenborg in the Champions League, and then needed a dubious penalty to beat Zaragoza 1-0 at home.
The fans were not happy at the way they played, but the fact is that Madrid have battled through an injury crisis and the points are in the bag.
Now it is a question of waiting to see who will be fit for 'El Gran Classico'.
Matches between these two sides are always the ones everyone wants to see and play in, even if there is nothing more than pride at stake.
With Spain's two most powerful clubs, that is rarely the case and this season there looks to be more to play for than ever.
Barcelona take a one-point advantage to the Santiago Bernabeu, having overcome an indifferent start to the season to find their form and start hitting goals at exactly the right time.
They travel to Madrid having scored 18 goals and conceded just one - a spectacular late consolation goal for Getafe - in their last five games.
There are question marks over Madrid, however. Successive defeats to Valencia and Deportivo La Coruna were thought to have left coach Wanderley Luxemburgo on the verge of losing his job.
Madrid recovered to beat Betis 2-0 away from home and to scrape the same result away to Rosenborg in the Champions League, and then needed a dubious penalty to beat Zaragoza 1-0 at home.
The fans were not happy at the way they played, but the fact is that Madrid have battled through an injury crisis and the points are in the bag.
Now it is a question of waiting to see who will be fit for 'El Gran Classico'.
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Slovaks bemused by late Madrid kick-off time
The Slovakian national team have been shocked by the kick-off time for today's World Cup play-off away to Spain.
The Slovaks flew into Madrid on Thursday evening and were bemused to be told that today's game in Atletico Madrid's Estadio Calderon was scheduled for ... ten o'clock at night.
Coach Dusan Galis said he was “very surprised” at the kick-off time. “It's a very late hour to be playing football”, he told radio station Cadena COPE.
“I'm normally going to bed at that time, not preparing for a crucial game”, he said.
Galis claimed that “maybe the Spaniards hope to catch us asleep so late at night ... but I promise we'll be wide awake.”
The Slovaks flew into Madrid on Thursday evening and were bemused to be told that today's game in Atletico Madrid's Estadio Calderon was scheduled for ... ten o'clock at night.
Coach Dusan Galis said he was “very surprised” at the kick-off time. “It's a very late hour to be playing football”, he told radio station Cadena COPE.
“I'm normally going to bed at that time, not preparing for a crucial game”, he said.
Galis claimed that “maybe the Spaniards hope to catch us asleep so late at night ... but I promise we'll be wide awake.”
Atletico ward off Gunners
Atletico Madrid insist Arsenal have no chance of luring Fernando Torres to Highbury.
There has been recent speculation that The Gunners are preparing a multi-million pound bid to prise the young striker from the Primera outfit.
The 21-year-old is a regular in the Spain national side and is widely considered as one of, if not the most exciting young talent in Europe.
Having come through the youth ranks at Atletico, he is a huge favourite with the club's fans and has been top scorer at the Vicente Calderon for the past three seasons.
There has been recent speculation that The Gunners are preparing a multi-million pound bid to prise the young striker from the Primera outfit.
The 21-year-old is a regular in the Spain national side and is widely considered as one of, if not the most exciting young talent in Europe.
Having come through the youth ranks at Atletico, he is a huge favourite with the club's fans and has been top scorer at the Vicente Calderon for the past three seasons.
Torres drops Arsenal hint
Spanish striker Fernando Torres admits he could well be enticed to join Arsenal by the promise of Champions League football.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is understood to want to bring the 21-year-old Atletico Madrid forward to Highbury as a foil to Thierry Henry and Jose Antonio Reyes.
And Torres revealed the lure of top-level European football could tempt him away from Spain.
He told The Sun: "If a club like Arsenal and a coach like Arsene Wenger want to speak to you it is really flattering.
"Arsenal are in the Champions League every season and I want to play against the best teams and challenge for the biggest titles.
"At Atletico, things are going little by little."
Torres could well be the man to bolster the Gunners attack as they seek to continue their European adventure and close the gap on runaway leaders Chelsea this season.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is understood to want to bring the 21-year-old Atletico Madrid forward to Highbury as a foil to Thierry Henry and Jose Antonio Reyes.
And Torres revealed the lure of top-level European football could tempt him away from Spain.
He told The Sun: "If a club like Arsenal and a coach like Arsene Wenger want to speak to you it is really flattering.
"Arsenal are in the Champions League every season and I want to play against the best teams and challenge for the biggest titles.
"At Atletico, things are going little by little."
Torres could well be the man to bolster the Gunners attack as they seek to continue their European adventure and close the gap on runaway leaders Chelsea this season.
Friday, November 11, 2005
Gunners fight for Torres
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is set to become involved in a straight fight with Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho to secure the services of Spain's Atletico Madrid star Fernando Torres.
Both managers have players in the Spain squad for this weekend's World Cup play-off clash against Slovakia and are actively trying to sell their respective clubs to Torres.
FERNANDO TORRES Arsenal's Jose Antonio Reyes and Chelsea's Asier Del Horno are both trying to persuade Torres to join them in England.
"Right now only Thierry Henry is better than him," said Reyes.
"He is the best forward in Europe and has a great deal of experience while Torres is only 21.
Torres backs Atletico Madrid push for Mascherano
Atletico Madrid skipper Fernando Torres is backing coach Carlos Bianchi's push for Corinthians midfielder Javier Mascherano.
"Among the players we know that we're good enough to meet our goals," Torres told AS, "but if somebody can come here to improve us and help the team I would be delighted.
"And, if above all, it is a player of Mascherano's ability then that would be far better for everyone.
"Any new signing would be welcome if he comes to improve the team."
"Among the players we know that we're good enough to meet our goals," Torres told AS, "but if somebody can come here to improve us and help the team I would be delighted.
"And, if above all, it is a player of Mascherano's ability then that would be far better for everyone.
"Any new signing would be welcome if he comes to improve the team."
Getafe coach Schuster admits Atletico Madrid ambition
Bernd Schuster admits he'd like to coach Atletico Madrid in the future.
The Getafe coach has been linked with Carlos Bianchi's job at Atletico as the Argentine has struggled to make an impact at the Vicente Calderon.
Schuster said yesterday: "Who wouldn't want to coach such a great club? But that does not mean that I'm ready to go there now, but maybe in the future it could happen.
"Now I am here (Getafe) and I am very happy."
The Getafe coach has been linked with Carlos Bianchi's job at Atletico as the Argentine has struggled to make an impact at the Vicente Calderon.
Schuster said yesterday: "Who wouldn't want to coach such a great club? But that does not mean that I'm ready to go there now, but maybe in the future it could happen.
"Now I am here (Getafe) and I am very happy."
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