Total Football Madness

Brazil President : Ronaldinho Does Not Deserve To Go To World Cup

JD — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 08:21:59 +0000

Brazilian president Lula has revealed that he would leave AC Milan star Ronaldinho out of their World Cup squad.

Dunga has so far ignored calls for Ronaldinho to be recalled to his Brazil team.

“Ronaldinho is a great player, but that’s not enough,” Lula explained. “The important thing is to see how every player inserts himself into the development of the team.

“It’s something greater than the individual qualities of a player. It’s a question of the team.

“Ronaldinho doesn’t deserve to go to the World Cup. He has played relatively little for the Selecao and has never been decisive.”

Pique Confident Barcelona Will Defend Their La Liga Title

JD — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 08:15:26 +0000

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique is confident they will successfully defend their Liga title, despite Real Madrid currently being table leaders.

Pique insists the hunger remains inside the Barca dressing room, despite last season’s clean sweep.

“I always consider that the current champion is the favourite,” said Pique. “It is true that Madrid has made a big investment and now they will focus only on this competition, so it will be extremely difficult to beat them.

“But I am confident of winning the title again.”

Arsenal Monitoring Lazio Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera

JD — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 08:11:15 +0000

Lazio goalkeeper Fernando Muslera has revealed the interest of Premier League club Arsenal.

It is believed that the Uruguay international is delighted by the Gunners’ interest and is keen on moving to London.

Muslera recently told reporters that : “It is important that a Premier League club like Arsenal have been monitoring my progress and it motivates me to play even better.”

Kaka : I Don’t Have A Problem With Coach Manuel Pellegrini

JD — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 08:06:35 +0000

Kaka insists he is happy playing for his Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini.

Pellegrini hooked Kaka in the second-half of their Champions League setback against Lyon last week with the Brazilian’s camp highly critical of the coach on Twitter.

But the midfielder says: “He is always very good with me, I’ve never had a problem with any of my coaches. With Pellegrini, I appreciate the way he’s treated me and helped me. He is a person who has given me much support.”

On the Twitter rant from his spokesman Diogo Kotschko, Kaka added: “It’s his opinion and I have told him not to share it. I spoke with Diogo. I have spoken to the club to clarify the situation.”

Manchester City To Launch £40 million Bid For Higuain And Gago

JD — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 08:02:49 +0000

Manchester City are making a £40 million offer for Real Madrid pair Gonzalo Higuain and Fernando Gago.

It has been reported that Manchester City are making the double bid on request of manager Roberto Mancini.

City boss Mancini has had scouts check on striker Higuain in action for Real and Argentina in recent weeks, while he saw a January deal for midfielder Gago collapse at the final hurdle.

The Argentine pair arrived at Madrid in January 2006 for a combined fee of £27 million.

Fernando Gago

Samuel Eto’o : Manchester United Is Our Biggest Threat

JD — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 07:56:40 +0000

Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto’o rates Manchester United as the best team in Europe.

Inter visit Stamford Bridge for the second-leg of their Champions League tie defending a 2-1 lead.

Eto’o said: “Both teams will fancy their chances of going all the way. Real Madrid are out.

“On current form and given the way they destroyed our Milan rivals you would say Manchester United are the biggest threat.”

David Beckham : I Am Not Guaranteed To Go To South Africa

JD — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 07:53:01 +0000

AC Milan midfielder David Beckham admits he fears for his England World Cup place.

His cameo role for AC Milan in the 4-0 defeat by Manchester United at Old Trafford last week was watched by Fabio Capello, the England coach.

But Beckham, on-loan from LA Galaxy, said: “I’m not guaranteed to go to South Africa, not at all. I have to keep working hard and hopefully that will be enough to win a place.

“There are a few months left yet before the squad is announced and hopefully I can carry on playing well.

“But at the moment I am certainly not banking on being there.”

Man Utd To Sign Corinthians defender Dodo

flagged — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 07:14:09 +0000

Manchester United are ready to close a deal for Corinthians defender Dodo.

The Sunday Mirror says United are chasing another boy from Brazil – and will make a move for Corinthians’ Dodo this summer to kill off interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona.

United have an agreement that gives them first option on the 18-year-old until he turns 21 in 2013.

But the Reds will look to seal a deal with Corinthians after firm enquiries from the two Spanish giants.

Dodo, who can play as a left-back or in central defence, has been on United’s radar for the past year.

Hull City 1-2 Arsenal – Goals & Highlights Video

JD — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:31:45 +0000

Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner keeps Arsenal’s title hopes alive with a 93rd minute stoppage time goal.

Andrei Arshavin had given Arsenal the lead before it was canceled out by a Jimmy Bullard penalty.

Arshavin Goal

Bullard Penalty

Bendtner Goal

Kilmarnock 0-3 Celtic – Goals & Highlights Video

JD — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:04:50 +0000

Robbie Keane’s second-half hat-trick earned Celtic a 3-0 win over Kilmarnock in their Scottish Cup quarter-final clash at Rugby Park.

The home side had the best of the first period with striker Allan Russell clipping the bar with a shot.

However, the tide turned in the 63rd minute when Keane opened the scoring from Edson Braafheid’s long ball and two goals within a minute secured the visitors a place in Monday’s semi-final draw.

Robbie Keane