CR 9

Hungary 0 - 1 Portugal :Great escape launched?

noreply@blogger.com (zubairbh) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:39:00 +0000

Portugal struck early and held on for a 1-0 win over Hungary to breathe life into their bid for a place at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Pepe gave Portugal the lead, towering above the Hungarian defence to head in from Deco's free kick in the 10th minute.Hungary almost equalised moments later, but Roland Juhasz's header went wide.Victory for Portugal took them up to third place in Group One with 13 points from eight matches, and two still to play.Denmark top the group with 18 points after being held to a 1-1 draw by Albania, while Sweden moved up to second on 15 points after their 1-0 win over Malta. Hungary, like Portugal, have 13 points."We showed we are better then our opponents," said goalscorer Pepe. "This result re-launches our campaign for the World Cup."The group winners qualify directly, while eight of the nine second-placed teams will go into two-legged play-offs for the four remaining places.The Hungarians created danger through two Balazs Dzsudszak free kicks in the middle of the first half, with a low drive in the 23rd minute deflected to a corner and a powerful shot two minutes later flying inches from Eduardo's right post.Portugal came close to doubling their lead in the 30th minute when Meireles' through-ball put Cristiano Ronaldo clear, but the winger's curling shot was blocked by Gabor Babos.The Hungarians' best chance came from a Laszlo Bodnar free kick which forced Eduardo to a tight save in the 78th minute."There are still four teams in the race and now the team that has the most fire-power, personality and unity will win this final sprint," Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz said.

Hungary 0 - 1 Portugal : Keeping the dream alive!

noreply@blogger.com (zubairbh) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:07:00 +0000

Done. 3 Points. On to the next.

The best thing that can be said about this game is “we won” everything else was looked at in utter disbelief.

I must be completely oblivious to what exactly Hungary needed to keep alive any hope on qualifying for this worldcup because it looked like they couldn’t care less about the result and any outcome, except loosing to Portugal would be a major victory! And when we scored they changed there objective to “not loosing to Portugal by more then one goal”. The game was played on a pitch that looked like my backyard… laden with irregularities. Seemed hand picked for playing an adversary such as Portugal. Down by one goal from the 10th minute and we still had to call them out to our side of the pitch. All Hungary did was hog the midfield with all they had and wait… yep… wait… and wait some more… and when we got nearer play a very physical game bordering violent with the cunning blessing of the referee. What a dick.

Mind you Hungary is a tough opponent. Very tough. From today’s match it’s easy to assume what’s in store for the next game… park the bus in front of the goal and wreck Portugal’s nerve from the first minute hoping a venomous counter-attack gets the job done.

We played beautifully against Denmark and were down one goal at half-time. We got down and dirty, mistreated the ball against Hungary and were up one goal at half-time. Go figure.

What a mess. I had a knot in my stomach the entire game always expecting Hungary to score a fluke goal out of shear bad-luck from one of our defenders with 2 or 3 lucky rebounds mixed in. Queiroz did the usual lets-defend-this-goal tactic which has failed so miserably before. I’m still in disbelief it actually worked out this time. Nobody managed to win the midfield with an unbelievable amount of missed passes. We simply couldn’t string 3 passes together. And what happened with Tiago today hogging the ball on so many occasions? Did he read my previous game’s post and decided he would be able to pull a couple of Deco moves out of his hat? He played it very simple against Denmark. Received the ball and quickly fed it to Deco or Meireles. I had commented on it negatively although I did mention it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Now I know it wasn’t a bad thing. He can take comfort from the fact Meireles and Deco partnered in this sordid affair.
After an entire first half of this I was dismayed to see Queiroz sub Deco with Simão. The game was screaming for Maniche! Screaming! But… Maniche wasn’t on the bench was he? Nope. Maniche was as dismayed as I was sitting uncomfortably in the stands! Ok then who did we have that could win us the midfield battle? Moutinho was on the bench. He doesn’t have the strongest build but Simão isn’t exactly built like Arnold Schwarzenegger either. Come to think of it the lads are very similar in appearance. Oh well sometimes playing ugly wins you games and this was clearly the case.

We ended the game seeing Hungary desperately shoving the ball into our box in futile attempts to score. The knot grew tighter and tighter. Luckily no fluke goal appeared. No unlucky rebounds. And I thought we lacked scoring skills. But is my calculator not adding up right because I had us needing to score more goals to level out the goal difference disadvantage we have in case we tie in second place with Sweden?! Queiroz must have IBM’s Deep Blue doing his math! That freaking computer did beat Kasparov so what do I know. Fuck it.

A quick note on this night’s pathetic refereeing. There. Said it.

I can already hear some of the more ferocious critics of Portugal say we played crap and don’t deserve to go to South Africa. What do they understand?! Not a damn thing. You have to look at the entire picture of these qualifiers to fully understand exactly what happened and the game today is paramount to this understanding. This overall picture leads to one simple conclusion: Every effing opponent in this group is scared shitless of Portugal! I haven’t seen one single opponent (I mean it! Not one!) that played us head-on to win, even when winning was mandatory (as was the case today). Not Hungary, not Sweden and certainly not group leaders Denmark. And does Sweden deserve it more then us? They won against Hungary with a lucky rebound goal in the last minute and repeated the dose against Malta (MALTA FFS!) with a lucky late own-goal by a Maltese defender! I hope luck has run out for them and when they face Denmark next month it could very well show. And speaking of Denmark… excellent draw! Thank you Albania! Next months Denmark-Sweden will be a thriller! Best of luck for Denmark!

Group standings with 2 games to go:
Denmark - 18
Sweden - 15
Portugal - 13
Hungary - 13
Albania - 7
Malta - 1

Next games:
Denmark - Sweden (Oct. 10)
Portugal - Hungary (Oct. 10)
Denmark - Hungary (Oct. 14)
Sweden - Albania (Oct. 14)
Portugal - Malta (Oct. 14)

Real Madrid fear CR9 World Cup crisis

noreply@blogger.com (zubairbh) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:56:00 +0000

Real Madrid management are concerned with the prospect of Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal failing to qualify for next year's World Cup.

Sport says Real president Florentino Perez is banking on Ronaldo's appearance in South Africa to boost shirt sales and rake in the expected revenue that was to come from his arrival this season.

Carlos Godinho, Portugal's sports director, has conceded the federation will lose €100 million if they fail to qualify for the World Cup - and Perez has concerns Real will also suffer in the fallout.

If Portugal fail - and Real disappoint in their title chase - then Perez knows that the media and fans will drop Ronaldo to focus on other stars, like Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Manchester United's Wayne Rooney.

Real's new Galacticos policy relies heavily on Ronaldo remaining the world's most popular player - and biggest shirt seller.

Star players in danger of missing out on next year's World Cup

noreply@blogger.com (zubairbh) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:52:00 +0000

Some of the world's most famous players are in serious danger of missing out on a spot at next year's World Cup with critical fixtures coming up to determine their fate.

A World Cup without Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Thierry Henry is almost unthinkable, yet defeat in their respective games Thursday morning (EST) would leave their chances of qualification hanging in the wind.

Ronaldo's is the most serious predicament, with Portugal's whole campaign limping badly.

With three games left of the qualifying program Portugal are fourth of six teams - seven points off the top spot in Group One and automatic qualification, and three points away from the runners-up spot that would almost certainly secure a play-off for a World Cup spot.

Their one hope is that two of those games are against Hungary, the side currently in second place. But with just two wins from seven games, the 2006 semi-finalists have an anxious wait ahead.

France, meanwhile, look like they will get a runners-up spot and hence a play-off, at best.

Currently second and beset by tales of unrest in the squad, they face group leaders Serbia in Belgrade knowing a French defeat would give the home team tickets to South Africa.

That would leave France watching Austria over their shoulders, an ignominious fate for the 2006 runners-up.

"If we have to go through the play-offs, we will," striker Thierry Henry said.

"If we don't finish first we'll have to make sure we finish second, even though it's sad to say. Since I've been in the French team we've often got in through the back door. Whatever happens, we have to get to South Africa."

And then there is Argentina, coached by the inimitable Diego Maradona but listing badly in the South American qualifiers.

Having been comfortably beaten by Brazil at the weekend, Maradona's charges are in the fourth and last automatic qualifying place.

They have to visit Paraguay, five points above them in third and needing just three points to qualify for the finals.

Argentina have not won on the road for two years competitively.

Should an Argentine defeat be accompanied by away wins for Ecuador, in Bolivia, and Colombia, in Uruguay, Maradona's men will drop to sixth, below even a qualifying place for the play-off against the fourth-best side from the North Americas.

Argentina breezed to a gold medal at the Olympics and have a wonderful crop of young talent. But even that might not be enough for the double World Cup winners to secure a spot in South Africa.

The Magnetic Effect Of Cristiano Ronaldo

noreply@blogger.com (zubairbh) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:41:00 +0000

I am very openly supportive of Manchester United so if anyone feels a bit angry, disappointed or sad if I criticize another team(ahem ahem..Harshly), please forgive me. It’s in my blood."

There are evidently two kinds of fan following.

The first are, of course, the 'through thick and thin' fans. Those who will tattoo Champions League trophies on their arms (without actually winning one), paint themselves red and die for their clubs. AKA the True Fans.

Others are the infamous 'Gloryhunters'. Those who support the teams that are on top or winning or which have won. Seeing the last three years they wouldn’t have to change much, would they?

But I'm confident that I’ve found a third kind.

For the last few years the Gloryhunters joined the United fan club along with me and since we continued winning they decided to remain with me. A Red Devil forever.

Then one fine morning a huge headline splashed across all papers.

"Ronaldo to Real Madrid. Record Transfer Fee"

To be honest, I was very disappointed. Ronaldo provided something that nobody in the club's history provided. The amazing thing is, I don’t know what that 'thing' is but when Ronaldo was on the field, confidence was high.

Cristiano Ronaldo: 'I can’t please everyone'

noreply@blogger.com (zubairbh) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:38:00 +0000

Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is feeling the heat following Portugal's dismal qualifying matches leading up to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Ronaldo, 24, was disappointed when team Portugal lost to Denmark Sept. 5 and tied with Sweden recently.
“We are sad, and we know that we have to do better,” Cristiano told reporters after the Denmark game. “I can please a lot of people and bring happiness to many, but I can’t please everyone.”
The super-competitive Ronaldo once admitted that he cries after losing a match. "I still cry sometimes out of sadness when we lose," Cristiano confessed.
In fact, Ronaldo's older sister Elma revealed that Cris used to cry over the phone to her after he left his home island of Madeira to play with Sporting Lisbon at the tender age of 11.

"He was alone in Portugal and used to cry on the phone many nights," said Elma. "We cried too because we missed him, and because he was young and alone."
Fortunately, Ronaldo's early sacrifices have paid off big time. In June, Cristiano made history as the world's most expensive footballer after Real Madrid paid a record £80 million transfer fee to acquire him from Manchester United.
Since then, Ronaldo has stated he is training around the clock to recover his form. "I will prove to myself, my family, those who love me and those people who hired me, that I am worth it," he said. "I am very demanding of myself and I am working hard to reach the level that I am used to playing at. The pressure is great, but I am used to that."

Team Portugal faces off against Hungary Sept. 9 before home matches, a return game with the Hungary, and Malta. Meanwhile, Real Madrid will play Espanyol Barcelona Sept. 12.

The world expects Ronaldo to deliver

noreply@blogger.com (zubairbh) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:49:00 +0000

The World Cup finals have always showcased the planet’s finest football talent, yet there remains a distinct possibility that next year’s competition in South Africa will not feature the world’s best two players.

Lionel Messi’s Argentina were well beaten by Brazil on Saturday night in Rosario, leaving Diego Maradona’s side an uncertain fourth in the South American qualifying group.

More acute is the situation facing Portugal and their star player Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite Carlos Quieroz’s side’s sublime talents like Ronaldo, Ricardo Carvalho, Pepe, Deco and Simao, they could only draw 1-1 on Saturday against group leaders Denmark in Copenhagen. Having won just two of their seven group games, Portugal are also fourth in a group whose only guaranteed qualifier is the first-placed team.

The optimism which surrounded Quieroz’s appointment has evaporated and Portugal’s wretched home form has left them without a single home win. Instead, they have been defeated by Denmark and been held by Albania and Sweden, not the form expected of a side which dispatched England to reach the semi-final stage in the last World Cup.

Ronaldo cut a forlorn figure as he left Denmark’s national stadium on Saturday night.

“We are sad,” he said briefly as he passed journalists in the mixed zone, “and we know that we have to do better.”

Portugal face a key trip to Hungary this week, before home matches, a return game with the Hungary, and Malta.

The Portuguese public are understandably vexed, though their media are more critical and accuse Ronaldo of not taking his national team duty seriously. One columnist unfairly opined that Ronaldo would prefer the beach and the company of Hollywood babes next summer, misunderstanding the motivation and determination which has seen him realise his potential to be crowned Fifa’s World Player of the Year.

Ronaldo may be followed everywhere by the paparazzi and he may be spotted in the coolest Madrid cafes with the prettiest girls, but none of his coaches have ever questioned his professionalism. Former Manchester United teammates maintain he was among the best trainers at Carrington.

Ronaldo is also used to pressure and great expectations. These have moved up a notch at Real Madrid, where the frothy tabloid culture, his single status and tag of being the world’s most expensive player have made him the prime focus of media attention.

“It’s like that in Madrid,” said Barcelona captain Carles Puyol. “In Barcelona the media leave you alone and respect your priv-- ate lives.”

Because of the Ronaldo obsession, Real’s other stellar signings like Kaka can lead relatively quiet lives. That is not to say that Ronaldo is not enjoying his new life in Spain.

“I’m just a normal person,” Ronaldo said last week, “leading a very unnormal life.”

He tries to make it as conventional as possible, leaving his ivory towers to go shopping and to the cinema – and thus increasing the media obsession. Ronaldo has learned from David Beckham, the man he replaced at United and, in terms of profile, at Real. Beckham showed that a high profile need not derail a successful football career.

Ronaldo also has his family for support. Unlike Manchester where his bachelor pad did not always have the type of environment of which Sir Alex Ferguson would approve, his family now live with him in a plush Madrid suburb popular with other footballers.

Ronaldo dotes on his mother, a bond which became stronger when he lost his father while living in Manchester. Ronaldo has been hardened by years of living away from home and admitted that he cried every day when he first moved to Lisbon because he missed his family so much.

Now, they are reunited and happy where the language is similar to Portuguese, as are the culture and climate. His family were present in the Bernabeu for his competitive Real debut against Deportivo La Coruna last week, when Ronaldo scored a penalty. Raul usually takes Real’s spot kicks, but Ronaldo was adamant. It was as if he wanted to prove to himself that he can score for Real Madrid. He has shown glimpses of the outstanding form which became the norm at Old Trafford, but coach Manuel Pellegrini stated that he still needs a little more time to adapt to Spanish football – something Ronaldo acknowledges.

“English football is more physical,” he said. “In Spain players have more time and the ball is passed around much more on the floor.”

Challenges will come aplenty. He will play his first away game with Real at Espanyol on Saturday, but he knows that the biggest tests will be when he is expected to be a match winner in a Champions League knockout game or against Barcelona. That is the level of expectation attached to his talents, which justified the £80 million (Dh480m) fee. Despite the pressure, Ronaldo is sanguine and realistic. “I can please a lot of people and bring happiness to many,” he said, “but I can’t please everyone.”

Valdano: Ronaldo Signing Spelled The End For Robben

noreply@blogger.com (zubairbh) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:45:00 +0000

Real Madrid sporting director Jorge Valdano told Marca that Arjen Robben's time at the Bernabeu was up when the club signed Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United.

Robben joined Bayern Munich at the end of August for a fee of around €25 million but Valdano says that the Dutchman's fate was sealed once Ronaldo joined the capital city outfit.

"When a club signs someone like Cristiano Ronaldo, a player with the characteristics of [Arjen] Robben should go. It is difficult to have two players in that category, one clear headline and one back-up."

Valdano also reserved special praise for the Portuguese star, describing him as a "thorough professional" but suggested that he is a victim of his own successful image.

"Cristiano is just content being the best player in the world," said Valdano, "He is a prodigious natural talent and a thorough professional. He is a player with so much media power that it ends up creating a strong prejudice.

Countdown to South Africa

noreply@blogger.com (zubairbh) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 18:30:00 +0000

The identities of six of next summer's World Cup finalists are already known. More than 600,000 tickets have been sold and broadcasting rights flogged in more than 200 countries. Five new stadiums are at various stages of completion, while five existing ones have been revamped. New hotels and transport systems have sprung up across the nine host cities, and a leopard named Zakumi, the "jolly, self-confident, adventurous, spontaneous and actually quite shrewd" tournament mascot, is already on hand to welcome millions of visitors. Unfortunately for the organisers of the first World Cup to be held in Africa, those visitors may not include the world's two best footballers.

Troubled qualification campaigns for Portugal and Argentina mean Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, ranked first and second in Fifa's most recent world player of the year poll, could miss the finals. If they are absent, it could be the biggest setback in 50 years to the attractiveness of the biggest tournament in world sport.

Many fine players have never graced football's great jamboree – George Best and George Weah leap to mind – but not since 1958, when Alfredo di Stéfano and Ferenc Puskas were absent, has the tournament gone ahead without the two top talents of the day. Johan Cruyff refused to travel to the 1978 finals in Argentina after a kidnap attempt against his family, and England's failure to qualify also deprived the watching world of a chance to see the European footballer of the year, Kevin Keegan, in action. In truth, though, Cruyff was reaching the end of his magnificent career. Ronaldo and Messi, by contrast, are at their peaks, unlike when they played in the 2006 finals. The same cannot be said of their national teams, certainly in this qualification series.

Argentina's slick and enterprising football lit up the last World Cup and their quarter-final exit at the hands of Germany was one of the shocks of the tournament, yet they have found the road to South Africa difficult to navigate. They lost one manager en route, Alfio Basile resigning last year after his team's stuttering start to the campaign, and they went into this morning's bout with Brazil clinging on to South America's last automatic qualifying spot, and with Ecuador and Uruguay poised to profit from any more slip-ups.

Basile's replacement, Diego Maradona, is a national hero but many doubted he had the managerial acumen to harness the potential of a gifted bunch of players that, in addition to Messi, includes Javier Mascherano, Maxi Rodríguez and Maradona's own son-in-law, Sergio Agüero, of Atlético Madrid. Those sceptics felt vindicated in April when Argentina were spanked 6-1 by Bolivia, their worst defeat in more than 60 years.

Even a win over Brazil would not guarantee their place in the draw in Cape Town on 4 December, as tough away assignments to Uruguay and Paraguay remain, and Argentina are so far winless away from home since their trip to Venezuela 23 months ago.

In Europe, the power failure that interrupted September's Group One opener between Malta and Portugal could be symbolic of the Portuguese campaign. That a team featuring talents such as Ronaldo, Deco, Ricardo Carvalho and Nani went into last night's match in Copenhagen seven points adrift of the group leaders, Denmark, and four behind the second-placed Hungary attests to extraordinary underachievement.

Inevitably much of the blame for Portugal's predicament has been attributed to their coach, Carlos Queiroz, Sir Alex Ferguson's former assistant at Manchester United, and while it is true he has made some strange selections since taking the helm 13 months ago, giving debuts to no fewer than 17 players and recalling Luis Boa Morte to the international fold after a three-year absence, he also inherited a team without a top-class striker or holding midfielder and has frequently been betrayed by his star players' bad finishing. Hence three consecutive 0-0 draws, including the home games against Albania and Sweden.

The World Cup would be poorer without the great players of Argentina and Portugal. Both teams could still go straight through, but there is an even more appealing scenario – the play-offs. Finishing fifth in the South American table could set up a make-or-break game between Messi's men and Mexico, while finishing second in their group would pit Portugal against a fellow European runner-up such as, perhaps, France, Germany or Russia. Now that would be a fine appetiser for next summer's finals.

Denmark 1-1 Portugal: Liedson Debut Goal Not Enough

noreply@blogger.com (zubairbh) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 18:28:00 +0000

Portugal came close to scoring in the seventh minute, when Cristiano Ronaldo latched onto a through ball down the left, before moving past one defender, but his right-foot effort went slightly over the bar.

Four minutes later, Portugal produced more danger through a fast counter-attack that found Ronaldo without marking, but the Real Madrid ace's shot went straight at the keeper.

Denmark responded in the 16th minute as the ball luckily found the path of Jacobsen but the midfielder, with only the keeper to beat, could not direct it goalwards from close range.

In the 21st minute, the visitors wasted another chance. A low cross from Duda down the left found Simao, who did well to control the ball but his shot was weak and went straight into the hands of the keeper.

Portugal were dominating the game at this stage but were unable to capitalize on the many chances they were producing.

On 40 minutes, there were penalty claims by Portugal after Cristensen's hand ball inside the box but the referee waved away the protests. From the resulting corner, Simao Sabrosa tried his luck from 22 yards out but the effort went over the bar.

Just two minutes later, Denmark took the lead. A cross from the left found Bendtner in the box, and the Arsenal striker created space between Bruno Alves and Pepe to fire home a powerful shot with his left foot.

It was Denmark's first shot on goal but it was enough to give them the lead at half time. The Seleccao's wastefulness in front of goal was costing them.

The home side began the second period the brighter and could have doubled their lead on 56 minutes but Rommedhal's shot went just wide of the left post of Eduardo's goal.

Portugal wasted one of their best chances 63 minutes into the game, when Andersen could not save Raul Meireles' low cross from the left, Liedson could not score from close range and in the rebound Ronaldo's shot went against a Danish defender.

In the 87th minute, Portugal equalized through Liedson, who did not even have to jump to head home on his debut following a corner from the right.

The Seleccao would still try to find the winning goal on two occasions, without success. Denmark showed a lethal touch here, and demonstrated it's not the number of chances you create, it is what you do with the ball that counts, as they get closer to a place in South Africa.

Ronaldo faces World Cup heartbreak

noreply@blogger.com (zubairbh) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:36:00 +0000

Cristiano Ronaldo, the world's most expensive footballer, faces a tense World Cup survival battle this weekend as Portugal, semi-finalists in 2006, desperately seek to prevent their 2010 campaign from suffering a humiliating derailment.

Ronaldo is one of a host of superstars who have seen their national teams splutter through qualifying while 1998 champions France are also about to face a testing back-to-back examination.

Portugal are third in Group One on nine points, trailing leaders Denmark by seven points and Hungary by four with four games left.

On Saturday, coach Carlos Queiroz, a former assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, takes his team to Copenhagen to tackle the Danes and then to Budapest next Wednesday.

Only Europe's nine group winners are assured of places in the finals; the eight best runners-up have to play-off.

"We still have every chance of qualifying. None of us wants his only experience of the World Cup to be watching it on TV," Portugal striker Hugo Almeida told www.fifa.com.

"We've dropped vital points, largely because we have a lot of new and young players in the team. We're ushering in a new generation, and the process isn't complete, but I'm certain we'll pull it off."

Denmark coach Morten Olsen admits he is surprised by his team's progress which has yielded five wins and a draw.

"I think most people would have expected Portugal to be on top at this stage, especially as they've started with more home games," said Olsen, in charge for almost a decade.

France, who welcome Romania to Paris, are second in Group Seven, five points behind Serbia but with a game in hand ahead of a testing trip to Belgrade on Wednesday.

Despite boasting the likes of Thierry Henry, Karim Benzema and Nicolas Anelka, France have managed just four goals in seven matches since last November.

Fans have made their dissatisfaction known, but coach Raymond Domenech has called for patience.

"If they boo us at the end of the match because of the result, that doesn't shock me," he said.

"If I've paid to watch the game, I thought it was rubbish, I have the right to boo. But not during the match. At the very worst, you get up and you go."

Croatia, third-place finishers at the 1998 World Cup, are seven points behind runaway Group Six leaders England, who have a perfect record of seven wins in seven outings. They face Belarus before travelling to Wembley on Wednesday to take on Fabio Capello's England, who face Slovenia in a friendly on Saturday.

In Group Five, Spain also have a perfect record of six wins in six games and are six points clear of second-placed Bosnia Herzegovina with four games to go.

A win over Belgium on Saturday coupled with a Bosnia loss at bottom side Armenia would see Spain go nine clear.

"Saturday is a big game against Belgium but we know it will be difficult because it is their last chance (to qualify) if they beat us," said experienced midfielder Marcos Senna.

Turkey, World Cup semi-finalists in 2002, are third in the group, 10 points behind Spain and four off second-placed Bosnia.

"There are 12 points still to play for and I don't think Bosnia will take all of them," said Turkey striker Nihat Kahveci.

World champions Italy lead Group Eight by one point from Ireland and have a game in hand.

Italy go to Georgia while Ireland are in Cyprus, who still harbour outside hopes of making the play-offs while, in Group Four, Russia look to cut the gap on leaders Germany to just one point with a win at home over Liechtenstein.

Holland are the only team in Europe who have already made sure of qualifying with a perfect 21 points from seven matches leaving Macedonia and Scotland, who are second and third respectively, 14 points behind, to battle for a potential play-off spot.

They meet in Glasgow on Saturday with the Scots still smarting from their recent 4-0 defeat in Norway.

Terry Butcher, who is manager George Burley's assistant and who captained England to a 1990 World Cup semi-final in Italy, says a Scotland win would be his finest moment in football.

"I'm not being flippant, but after everything we have gone through in this campaign, this means as much to me now as any game I ever played in - just as much as a World Cup semi-final."

Cristiano Ronaldo has helped make this the most competitive La Liga season in years

noreply@blogger.com (zubairbh) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:32:00 +0000

La Liga elbowed the Premier League out of the spotlight this summer. And it’s not just the English games best players who have been seduced by the aura of an all-star Real Madrid – the fans have been sucked in as well.
As the Spanish season kicked off last weekend, staff in the Sky Sports studio were predicting basketball scores for Real Madrid’s opening game.
Yet, beyond the hype, La Liga remains competitive. We may think its obvious who the eventual winners will be but – like the Premier League - it’s no stroll in the park for the favourites.
For all the millions spent, the perfect team does not exist. Real Madrid find a visit to Bilbao as uncomfortable as United found their trip to Burnley and, on Saturday, the new Galacticos created plenty, but like Liverpool, they can’t stop conceding at set pieces.
Even the world’s most expensive player can struggle and after being the perfect counter attacker at United: Ronaldo must define a new role for himself in a passing team.
Manuel Pellegrini plays without wingers and Cristiano must adapt to combine his wide runs with build up play in the centre of the pitch.
While he finds his feet, on Saturday Cristiano felt he must justify his price tag and take centre stage, even if it meant seizing the ball from Kaka to step up and score from the spot.
Meanwhile, Barcelona’s big signing has failed to impress so far. Ironically, Barcelona criticised some of Real Madrid’s spending, yet saw fit to blow £58 million on Ibrahimovic (£38 million plus Samuel Eto’o).
They have spent a fortune on a striker who has scored around 50 fewer goals in the last five seasons than the one he has replaced.
Guardiola wanted Eto’o away from his club and felt he needed a different option to challenge the opposition this season.
He certainly has that: a striker who plays like a midfielder in place of one who scored 30 league goals last term. Why did Barcelona not sign David Villa? They had in agreement in place to sign the Valencia striker for £38 million.
Yet, the day after agreeing terms, Joan Laporta made a quick phone call to Massimo Moratti and diverted his private jet to Milan. After a long lunch with the Inter supremo, the Barcelona president found he had spent a club record fee on Ibrahimovic.
Barcelona’s season depends upon how well they re-write a winning formula. What do you say about fixing things that aren’t broken?

Cristiano Ronaldo Expected To Top Champions League Goal Scoring Chart

noreply@blogger.com (zubairbh) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:30:00 +0000

The Leo Messi versus Cristiano Ronaldo face-off will take place on two fronts this season, with the two star players attempting to outshine each other on the domestic and European levels. It’s the Real Madrid forward who is bet365’s 8/1 favourite to steal the honours from Messi, despite the latter finishing top of the Champions League scoring charts last season.

Bet365 make Messi 9/1 to repeat his fantastic achievement of last season, in which he scored nine goals in Europe. One of Messi’s former Barca team-mates also features at the top of the list, with Samuel Eto’o expected to be amongst the goals for Inter. The striker is a 10/1 chance, although it largely depends on how well the Italian champions fare.

There are plenty of Premier League players priced up to be the top scorer in Europe. Didier Drogba is 10/1, with bet365 also offering the same odds on Fernando Torres outscoring all of his rivals. Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard catches the eye at a bigger 20/1, while Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney is 18/1 with the world’s leading bookmaker.

Real Madrid Have Yet To See The Best Of Me

noreply@blogger.com (zubairbh) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:45:00 +0000

Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that he has yet to find his level at the start of the new season but is revelling in his new surroundings at Real Madrid.

The Portuguese star did score from the penalty spot last weekend in his league debut for the club against Deportivo, and showed glimpses of his talent.

But he admits that he is not at his best and must put in the hours on the training ground before Madrid will see the player that everyone is expecting.

"I am very demanding of myself and I am working hard to reach the level that I am used to playing at," he told AS, who gave readers a life-size poster of the player this week.

"What has happened is that the season has started and I am not quite 100 per cent and that is normal. It is a question of time and hard work for me to find my level."

The pressure at Madrid is intense, but Ronaldo explained that he is accustomed to that after six season trying to win something each year with Manchester United.

"I am enjoying it so much. We have a great team and this is an incredible club. We have already played ten games together and we are learning," he continued.

"Playing for Madrid is a dream come true for me.

"The pressure of winning is great. I am used to that and it is nothing new to me."

Portugal Can Qualify For World Cup

noreply@blogger.com (zubairbh) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:36:00 +0000

Real Madrid star and the world's most expensive footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo, insists that Portugal will qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, despite being seven points adrift of leaders Denmark in European Qualifying Group 1.

With four games remaining Portugal must beat the Danes and hope the leaders drop more points in their remaining fixtures, otherwise the best they can hope for is a play-off place.

Group leaders Denmark are so far undefeated and produced a stunning late show last September, scoring two stoppage-time goals, to beat Portugal 3-2 in Lisbon.

Portugal have four games remaining, starting in Copenhagen on Saturday, followed by a trip to second placed Hungary before hosting Hungary and Malta in October.

"There is great pressure, that is true. It's normal, with everything at stake but I am sure we will achieve victory and my team will be at the World Cup in South Africa," Ronaldo told AS.

"I am convinced Portugal will be at the World Cup. For sure."

Cristiano Ronaldo: 'I am a normal person'

noreply@blogger.com (zubairbh) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:15:00 +0000

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo insists he's a normal person, despite the intense media hype surrounding him.

"In my head I am a normal person," Ronaldo, "We have a profession that gives us nice things but also gives us responsibilities. We must win all the time, the pressure is great, but as professionals we adapt."

Most Expensive Footballer Ever

Cristiano made history this summer when Real Madrid bought him from Manchester United for a record $131 million transfer fee. Since then, the Portuguese international winger has been under pressure to justify his hefty price tag.

On Aug. 29, Ronaldo began delivering on his promise when he scored his first goal of the season in Madrid's 3-2 opening win against Deportivo La Coruña.

It's no accident that Cristiano, who is the reigning FIFA World Player of the Year, is the most expensive footballer in history. Ronaldo, who has been playing soccer since the age of 3, is known for his legendary work ethic.

Unparalleled Work Ethic

Cristiano has won high praise from ex-United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who says Ronaldo is the undisputed best player in the world. What sets Cris apart from other players is his consistency and peak athletic form, says Sir Alex.

"That's one of the things [Ronaldo] has above all other players: He was never injured, he always played. He never missed training," says Ferguson. "His contribution as a goal threat is unbelievable. His stats are incredible."

While innate athletic ability is crucial to Cristiano's football dominance, the superstar also works out rigorously and watches his diet. Ronaldo doesn't eat much junk food, and isn't a big drinker. During the season, his workout regimen includes plenty of running, stretching and weight training, as well as practice football matches with his teammates.

"I will prove to myself, my family, those who love me and those people who hired me, that I am worth it," Ronaldo vows. "I can say no more [but instead will] just work. "

I'll Show I Am Worth €94m To Real Madrid says CR9

noreply@blogger.com (zubairbh) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:12:00 +0000

Real Madrid's €94 million summer signing Cristiano Ronaldo insists that he will prove he is worth the record transfer fee Los Merengues spent to sign him from Manchester United.

"I am at a great club. I will prove to myself, my family, those who love me and those people who hired me, that I am worth it. I can say no more. Just work," the 24-year-old said in an interview with El Pais.

When asked about the criticism of the privileged lifestyle of professional footballers, Ronaldo said that life is not always fair.

"I respect what is said but don't always share the opinion. There are people who are happy and those who are not," he said. "Everyone has what he deserves."

He went on to say that he lives a normal life and has adapted himself to the demands of professional football.

"I have lived in the real world," he claimed. "In my head I am a normal person. We have a profession that gives us nice things but also gives us responsibilities. We must win all the time, the pressure is great, but as professionals we adapt."

Ronaldo also insisted that he tries to set a good example as a role model.

"I try to behave well on and off the field, although that is not always easy for different reasons," he said. "I try to look good, especially for the children. It is important to grow up with good examples. That is a big responsibility for me.

Fantasy La Liga? No, not today, says Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo

noreply@blogger.com (zubairbh) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:07:00 +0000

He scored, he was on the winning side and there were a couple of explosions to illustrate why, in a recession, Real Madrid excavated £80million to buy him.

But there were also fluffed freekicks, dead-end dribbles and some sluggishness tracking back. When Cristiano Ronaldo was later asked to convey his thoughts in English, he replied politely: ‘Not today, sorry.’

Ronaldo was en route for dinner with star-struck Usain Bolt, but those three words came close to encapsulating the debut of Ronaldo and Real’s new galacticos on Saturday night. Not today, sorry.

The most expensive player in history, in the most expensive team ever, eventually overcame bluecollar Deportivo La Coruna 3-2, but there was more hard labour
about the victory than the desired fantasy liga football.

‘There’s a lot of room for improvement,’ said Xabi Alonso. ‘We need to gel. As soon as possible.’

Alonso was one of six debutants in the starting XI, so the general response to the £250m investment — that there was enough here for optimism not to suffer — was
understandable.

But euphoria has been placed on hold and ultimately the slight disappointment might be a good thing, asmight Real’s defensive mistakes. It should help new manager Manuel Pellegrini focus minds in the club on the team rather than ‘the project’, on tackling, not marketing.

As Alonso said tellingly of a squad peppered with one-man brands: ‘Team spirit is crucial, this is a collective game. If you don’t have team belief, solidarity, if you are selfish and don’t think about the team, then it’s difficult to be successful.’ Pellegrini must forge a team.

But it is not a straightforward task. Anyone in doubt as to where the power lies at the Bernabeu only had to see the banner hanging above the net where Ronaldo drilled in his first goal in all white, from the penalty-spot. The banner addressed the lavish-spending returning president Florentino Perez. ‘Thank You For Keeping
Your Word. Welcome Home,’ it said.

It is inconceivable an equivalent banner could hang, for example, from the Stretford End. Pellegrini, like his 10 predecessors over the past decade, has been given the tools, but he did not select them.

Yet this is Realpolitik and at kick-off few were thinking about that. The atmosphere inside a sizzling Bernabeu was melting with expectation, Bolt’s appearance made
the noise soar and when Madrid put together a 50-second sequence of passing
from the start it almost climaxed in a goal for Kaka. The magnitude of the occasion could be gauged from Bolt’s reaction: ‘It’s the first time I’ve been nervous in my life.’

But in heat so thick you could nearly see it, the pace dropped. So, too, did Deportivo. Real saw familiar opposition banks of four. Now it was all about football, nothing else.
It took 26 minutes for Real to score. In that time there was warm applause for a 50-yard Alonso pass into touch, a big groan at a Ronaldo mis-control and a moan
from Kaka when he, Ronaldo, Raul and Karim Benzema ended up in the same 10-yard square on the edge of the visitors’ area.

But then Kaka fed Benzema, who hit a post, and Raul, the 32-year-old captain tapped in. New era, old face. Raul then let his defence know their failure to prevent Riki equalising was not good enough. And it wasn’t. Ronaldo restored Real’s lead with a 35th-minute penalty but Juan Valeron equalised straight after the interval.

In the 57th minute there were whistles of discontent inside the Bernabeu but three minutes later Lassana Diarra’s winner arrived. He is subtly derided as being ‘a former
Portsmouth player’ but he was good enough to have played for Chelsea and Arsenal as well his current employers.

And rather than Ronaldo and Kaka, Diarra and Alonso could turn out to be the key pairing at Real. One thing is certain, they will be busy. Asked about the failure of
the front four to help defensively, Alonso smiled and said: ‘That’s the way it is here.’

As he spoke, Ronaldo walked past. Real’s new No 9 had been last on the pitch and first off it. He had been by the touchline, close to the tunnel when the final whistle blew.
Head down, there were no handshakes for opponents or his new colleagues. Not today, sorry.

Madrid 2016 bid looks good to us, say Bolt and Ronaldo

noreply@blogger.com (zubairbh) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:55:00 +0000

MADRID, Aug 31: Superstar quality from across the world of high-profile sport spoke up for Madrid’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games when Usain Bolt and Cristiano Ronaldo came face to face.

The occasion was the opening league game of the season for Ronaldo’s Real Madrid against Deportivo de La Coruna at which world record-holding Olympic sprint hero Bolt was a VIP guest.

The Games bid has unified the capital’s major football clubs since, while Real has declared full support, the proposed Olympic stadium is the new home of their cross-city rivals Atletico.

Ronaldo, who scored a goal from a penalty against Depor, said afterwards: “I will pray for Madrid to host the Olympics in 2016 because I’d love to watch live all athletics events here."

Bolt, who won three golds at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and then another treble – including a 100m world record – at the Berlin world atletics championships, was equally enthusiastic.

He said: “After the welcome I have had, I would really love to run here. This weather is incredible. I wish the 2016 Olympics are held here. Surely they’ll do a great job. The city has thrown itself into the bid and it has so many facilities.”

The International Olympic Committee's evaluation commission publishes its report on the four rival bids – Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo – on Wednesday. The IOC decision on the 2016 host city falls due on October 2 in Copenhagen

Ronaldo starts a win with Real

noreply@blogger.com (zubairbh) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 15:18:00 +0000

The £80m Portuguese - one of eight summer 'galactico' recruits - netted the second goal, but Real had to rely on Lassana Diarra for the winner.

Raul put Real ahead while Riki equalised for Deportivo, before Ronaldo drilled home a 35th-minute penalty after Raul was fouled by Aranzubia.

Juan Carlos Valeron levelled, only for Diarra to fire home on the hour.

"We created a lot of chances, but the most important thing was to achieve the victory," said £65m signing Kaka. "It wasn't an easy game."

Usain Bolt, fresh from his record-breaking exploits in the 100m and 200m at the athletics World Championships, was presented to the Bernabeu crowd prior to kick-off and launched president Florentino Perez's latest 'galactico' era with the ceremonial first kick.

Perez spent about 250m euros bringing in the likes of Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso to the Spanish capital, and they were all included in new coach Manuel Pellegrini's starting lineup.

Perez is keen to dislodge archrival Barcelona from the pinnacle of European football after the Catalan club became the first Spanish team to win the treble - the Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey - in a season.

Although Real looked disjointed in the early stages, they took a 26th-minute lead when veteran Raul finished easily after Karim Benzema's shot was deflected onto the near post by Daniel Aranzubia.

Ronaldo should have made it 2-0 three minutes later but his header from fellow debutant Xabi Alonso's free-kick went over the bar.

Deportivo equalised from an almost identical situation, when Juca launched a free-kick into the box and Riki, the former Madrid youth-team player, got in between two defenders to direct a header past Iker Casillas from seven yards.

The equaliser fired Real into action and the spotlight was on Ronaldo when Raul had been sent sprawling by Aranzubia.

The Fifa World Player of the Year, Real Madrid's record signing, showed no signs of nerves as he drove his spot-kick just inside the post.

Real missed a few chances and were punished for their profligacy when, a minute after the break, Deportivo equalised again.

Andres Guardado's cross to the edge of the box found Valeron unmarked and the veteran had sufficient time to control the ball and fire past Casillas.

Ironically, given the publicity surrounding the high-profile signings this summer, Pellegrini had former Portsmouth player Diarra to thank for getting Real off to a winning start.

The midfielder took aim with a low 25-yard shot which crept inside the far post and handed Pellegrini's men the points as they seek to challenge Barcelona.

Ronaldo enjoying first goal goal in La Liga

noreply@blogger.com (zubairbh) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 15:14:00 +0000

Ronaldo, 24, became the most expensive player in history following a 94 million euro summer move from Manchester United and started to repay that fee with a well-taken 35th minute penalty.

The Portuguese international has taken over free-kick and penalty duties at Real and revealed that he had also been given licence to roam all over the pitch.

‘My position is set and then I play a free role in the centre, on the right and on the left,’ said Ronaldo.

Former coach Sir Alex Ferguson often allowed Ronaldo to roam at Manchester United and two seasons ago he responded with a staggering 31 league goals.

Despite a good personal performance on his debut Ronaldo admitted it had been tough going against Depor and called for an improvement.

‘It was important for us to start with a win as the first game is always complicated,’ Ronaldo explained.

‘We had some good and bad moments in the game and have to improve.’

Aside from Ronaldo there were seven other debutants in Kaka, Xabi Alonso, Karim Benzema, Raul Albiol, Ezequiel Garay, Alvaro Arbeloa and Esteban Granero.

Brazilian Kaka was lively before being taken off in the closing stages while Benzema, a 35 million euro signing from Lyon, could have had a debut goal had it not been for the woodwork.

‘It was great to start with a win against a tough Depor team,’ said Benzema. ‘I had my chances but they went against the woodwork.’

Benzema, who has taken over Arjen Robben’s number 11 shirt, appears to have won a starting place ahead of Gonzalo Higuain, last season’s top-scorer with 22 goals, and is revelling in his partnership with captain Raul.

‘We understand each other well and it will get better with more games.

Four shirts in different languages. No wonder Ronaldo is...The Ultimate Hero

noreply@blogger.com (zubairbh) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:06:00 +0000

They drove to the outskirts of the city, to stand on the sun-scorched scrubland where the Spanish building boom has stalled, in mid-morning temperatures of 90 degrees, simply in hope.

There might be a glance, at best there could be an autograph, but the Real Madrid believers appeared content to wait while the tarmac glistened. This was Real's training ground on Thursday morning and what it showed was that, as well as Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid have once again got another beguiling asset on their side: anticipation.

It is a powerful force at any club and it should make even a seen-itall stadium like the Bernabeu quiver. There on Saturday night, La Liga returns and, like a Hollywood sequel, the Galacticos are back.

Time will tell if they are to be better this time but, in terms of personalities, fees and audacity, they are this summer's blockbuster.

Ronaldo, Kaka, Benzema and Alonso will make their debuts in front of 80,000 in the towering stands and millions more watching around the world. When Ronaldo signed in June, 80,000 turned up to see him get changed.

Television crews from 32 countries were there, his shirt name was printed in Arabic, Chinese and Japanese as well as English. This is football, showbiz and branding entwined on a global scale. Again.

Just in case there is not enough stardust for tonight's occasion, a certain Senor Usain Bolt is due to be guest of honour. When Bolt shakes hands with Ronaldo, the fastest runner on the planet will greet its most expensive footballer.

It is impossible to separate what Real Madrid have done this summer from the cost, but a pleasing side effect for Spain is that Real's £220m-worth of summer recruits has amplified the country's claim to be the centre of football's universe.

Even before a 62-year-old industrialist called Florentino Perez walked back into Real as club president in June, Spain had a sound claim. Winning Euro 2008 entitled them to think so then, in May, Barcelona completed their pass-andweave across the continent to become European club champions.

What Perez has done since is crank up the volume. What he did within a week of returning to the role from where he orchestrated the buying of Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane, the first Ronaldo and David Beckham at the beginning of the decade was re-acquaint Real and the world with the club's capacity to take the breath away.

For Kaka - world player of the year in 2007 - Real broke the global transfer record in paying Milan £56m. For Ronaldo - world player of the year 2008 - Real broke it again, paying Manchester United £80m. The two previous records had been for Figo and Zidane. It is an astonishing Perez quartet. And Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery remains on the horizon.

Yet not all are impressed. Barcelona are as angry as they are perplexed. In Rome in May they not only clinched an historic treble of La Liga title, Copa del Rey and Champions League, in the same month Pep Guardiola's team went to the Bernabeu and took Madrid apart, winning 6-2. Gerard Pique scored the sixth that glorious Barca night. He had hoped to wallow all summer in the achievement but last week he said: 'You put the telly on and Madrid are the first thing on.'

Pique's is not the only dissenting voice. Inside the sterilised cleanliness of the Madrid training ground, the press room overlooks the strikingly green pitch on which the first team train. When training starts, an electronic screen oozes down the floor-to-ceiling window. It's a black-out. When training ends, the screen rises slowly.

When it did so on Thursday, the pitch was all there was left. But beyond it was a vista stretching back into Madrid and a skyline dominated by four skyscraper towers. Their nicknames are instructive: Figo, Zidane, Beckham and Ronaldo.

This is the site of the old Real Madrid training ground. Faced with more than £200m debt, in 2001 Perez sanctioned the sale of the ground. Real got £382m for it. Eight years on, it remains a breath-taking sum.

The profit helped buy Zidane and, in 2002, the Champions League. A league title followed in 2003, but then three seasons passed without a trophy and Perez's galactico policy lost lustre. Ultimately the first galactico experiment failed.

Beckham's presence sold a million shirts, so they claimed, but as Perez admitted before walking out: 'We sinned from an excess of ambition.'

But now he is back, with galacticos II. The excitement Perez cherishes has returned with a rush but, as before, does excitement equal cash? Something else asked domestically is: how in the midst of Spain's worst recession for generations, with unemployment touching 18 per cent, did Perez persuade banks Caja Madrid and Banco Santander to release a loan for £120m? And what is that borrowing set against?

'The numbers don't seem to fit,' Eugenio Martinez Bravo told Sportsmail this week. Martinez Bravo leads a 2,000-strong supporters' group called Plataforma Blanca; he stood against Perez for president.

'The funds are basically coming from debt and we don't have much more to give to the banks as guarantees. Like every fan, I am enthusiastic about the new signings, their quality. The club needed change, no question, but if we don't win any titles, then it is going to be dangerous. The only big asset left is the Bernabeu.'

Perez can say that £87m has been recovered in sales this summer but the overall concern will chime with Liverpool and Manchester United supporters. And Martinez Blanco has another: 'On the pitch, will it work? Is this a team?'

That is where Manuel Pellegrini comes in. The 55-year-old Chilean has had five successful years at Villarreal.

Pellegrini has demonstrated his talent but he is sure to be aware that he is Real's 11th manager in 10 years.

Accommodating superstars on and off the pitch is only one of his tasks. So far, off it, there have been no problems.

Most Real players live in the La Moraleja district near the training ground but Cristiano - as he's known here - has chosen Finca on the other side of the city. Nothing is being read into that and he and Kaka have given a chummy joint interview in Portuguese to Real Madrid TV.

On the pitch, Pellegrini has used Ronaldo on the left and Kaka on the right, behind a front pairing of Benzema and Raul. Further back, Lassana Diarra and Alonso will sit in front of the back four. It is a sort-of 4-2-2-2 formation and a worry is that, like the finances, it is top heavy.

In one way, so is La Liga. You can get odds of 33-1 against Atletico Madrid winning the title, 40-1 Seville and 80-1 Valencia. The latter are e500m in debt and have a half-built new stadium. So there is also caution: England possessing three of last season's four Champions League semi-finalists was mentioned this week in newspaper Marca.

Yet Valencia retained players of the calibre of David Silva and David Villa, two of the reasons for La Liga's self-confidence. Kaka and Ronaldo are two more and mostly there is the tingle of anticipation. Against Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday night, those who waited on the edge of town, all around Spain and across the world will be given a glimpse into Real Madrid's new era. Galacticos II: where will it end?

Life with Cristiano Ronaldo

noreply@blogger.com (zubairbh) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:59:00 +0000

Little more than two minutes were needed for 80,000 Germans to glimpse the sort of Real Madrid much of Europe dreads for the season ahead and

much of Europe anticipates with a quickening pulse. What mattered was not so much the way the first of Madrid's five goals against Borussia Dortmund was converted, by Esteban Granero, but how deliciously it had been set up: a subtle back-heel, delivered with speed and precision and not so much as a turn of his head by the Brazilian Kaka.

Three new recruits, Xabi Alonso, Kaka and Granero, were involved in the goal, which was pleasing for the coaches charged with the tricky task of creating a team where six, perhaps seven, first XI places will be occupied by players recruited since mid-June. Kaka has so far been the outstanding newcomer. Standing somewhat on the margins of this rout lingered the world's most expensive footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo.

"Ronaldo is the dark corner so far in the planning of coach Manuel Pellegrini," concluded Marca, the popular madridista newspaper. "Rich guy, poor game," decided Sport, a paper with a firm anti-Madrid agenda.

Afterwards Ronaldo acknowledged that fluent, peak form still felt some days away. "I'm sure I will be in top condition when the competitive matches start," he said. That date is today, the beginning of a Spanish domestic season more hyped than any since Real Madrid first began their studied policy of turning financial ostentation into an Olympic sport. Talking of which, Usain Bolt has been invited to attend the opening league fixture at the Bernabeu against Deportivo La Coruna, one world record-holder joining in the global scrutiny of another, Ronaldo.

These are unfamiliar pressures for the Portuguese. Even Ronaldo's more sympathetic colleagues talk of the weight his £80m transfer fee carries. "His main problem will be the amount of money that has been paid for him," said Luis Figo, his compatriot and once the bearer of a world-record fee at the same club.

What could Figo say to reassure his countryman? The circumstances are not quite like those that Figo, and, in subsequent summers during the early years of this decade, Zinedine Zidane, Brazil's Ronaldo and David Beckham found when they arrived, one after the other during the first stint in charge of the Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez. Madrid were the European champions when they paid Barcelona almost £40m in the summer of 2000 to hire Figo; they were Spanish champions 12 months later when they beat that record to recruit Zidane; European champions again when they bought the other Ronaldo; Liga title-holders when Beckham joined.

But the club that re-elected Perez in June and promptly spent some £170m on a new front three of Ronaldo, Benzema and Kaka are champions of nothing except inflation. They have not penetrated the last-16 of the Champions League for five years, and they finished a dull second to Barcelona in the league last May. Ronaldo must turn from providing the finesse in a very strong Manchester United to rescuing what has been a very ordinary Real Madrid. While he has the assurance of sharing that responsibility with the other newcomers, notably Kaka and Benzema - Xabi Alonso should be equally important but he does not have top billing here - their presence reminds him daily that this is a Madrid team which is being not so much rebuilt as blitzed into shape, suddenly.

Arrigo Sacchi, the club's director of football in the period Figo, Zidane, Brazil's Ronaldo and Beckham shared places in the XI, is alarmed by a sense of deja vu. "Kaka and Ronaldo are strong men and good footballers, so they should be able to play alongside one another. But Madrid should be careful not to do what they did once, and bring in players without thinking whether they complement each other technically."

Initially, Ronaldo is bound to miss the relationships he had at United. Benzema, 21, signed from Lyon, lacks the maturity, industry and range of influence Wayne Rooney provided in United's attack. And some of the freedom given to Ronaldo as a United footballer are inevitably allocated at Madrid to Kaka, a No. 10 with a manicured image of saintliness but also one capable of expressing his concerns quite powerfully at Milan when he thought his territory was being cramped by Ronaldinho.

Ronaldo is still seeking his bearings. A feature of the pre-season has been his starting from deeper positions; the murmurs have it that he feels perplexed by some of the instructions coming from his new head coach. What he does not want to be taken for, though, is a prima donna. The Sunday Times, London

Primera Liga fixtures: On Saturday: Real Madrid vs Deportivo Coruna, Real Zaragoza vs Tenerife. On Sunday: Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol, Malaga vs Atletico Madrid, Osasuna vs Villarreal, Racing Santander vs Getafe, Real Mallorca vs Xerez, Valencia vs Sevilla, Almeria vs Real Valladolid. On Monday: Barcelona vs Sporting Gijon.

All the summer transfer moves from every Barclays Premier League clubs

noreply@blogger.com (zubairbh) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:30:00 +0000

Barclays Premier League clubs have been busy in the transfer market over the summer.

Cristiano Ronaldo's world-record £80m switch from Manchester United to Real Madrid captured the headlines with the Red Devils quickly spending some of the income on Wigan Athletic winger Antonio Valencia and also bringing in Michael Owen as a free agent from Newcastle United and Gabriel Obertan for an undisclosed fee from Bordeaux.
Neighbours Manchester City have been eager to bring in new recruits, spending big on Gareth Barry from Aston Villa and Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn Rovers. They have also snapped up Carlos Tevez who left local rivals Manchester United.

New Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has brought in Yuri Zhirkov from CSKA Moscow while Liverpool have splashed out on Glen Johnson from Portsmouth.

Newly-promoted sides Birmingham City, Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers have all been swift to strengthen in a bid to ensure survival in the top flight.

Arsenal

IN: Thomas Vermaelen (Ajax, undisclosed)

OUT: Amaury Bischoff (released), Emmanuel Adebayor (Manchester City, undisclosed), Kolo Toure (Manchester City, undisclosed), Jay Simpson (Queens Park Rangers, loan)

Aston Villa

IN: Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough, undisclosed), Fabian Delph (Leeds United, undisclosed), Habib Beye (Newcastle United, undisclosed), Stephen Warnock (Blackburn Rovers, undisclosed)

OUT: Gareth Barry (Manchester City, £12m), Stuart Taylor (Manchester City, undisclosed), Zat Knight (Bolton Wanderers, undisclosed)

birmingham city

IN: Christian Benitez (Santos Laguna, undisclosed), Scott Dann (Coventry City, undisclosed), Joe Hart (Manchester City, loan), Giovanny Espinoza (Barcelona Sporting Club, undisclosed), Roger Johnson (Cardiff City, £5m), Lee Bowyer (West Ham United, free), Barry Ferguson (Glasgow Rangers, £1.25m), James O'Shea (Galway United, undisclosed), Gregory Vignal (Lens, undisclosed)

OUT: Mehdi Nafti (Aris, free), Stephen Kelly (Fulham, undisclosed), Robin Shroot (Burton Albion, loan), Radhi Jaidi (released)

Blackburn Rovers

IN: Elrio van Heerden (Brugge, undisclosed), Gael Givet (Marseille, undisclosed), Lars Jacobsen (Everton, free), Steven N'Zonzi (Amiens SC, undisclosed), Franco Di Santo (Chelsea, loan), Nikola Kalinic (Hajduk Split, £6m), Michel Salgado (Real Madrid, free), Pascal Chimbonda (Tottenham Hotspur, undisclosed)

OUT: Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City, undisclosed), Matt Derbyshire (Olympiakos, undisclosed) Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth, free), Josh O'Keefe (Walsall, undisclosed), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa, undisclosed)
bolton wanderers

IN: Sean Davis (Portsmouth, free transfer), Paul Robinson (West Bromwich Albion, loan), Zat Knight (Aston Villa, undisclosed), Sam Ricketts (Hull City, undisclosed)

OUT: Blerim Dzemaili (Torino, undisclosed)

burnley

IN: Steven Fletcher (Hibernian, £3m), David Edgar (Newcastle United, free), Tyrone Mears (Derby County, £500,000), Richard Eckersley (Manchester United, to be decided), Brian Easton (Hamilton Academical, £350,000), Fernando Guerrero (Independiente del Valle, loan), Andre Bikey (Reading, undisclosed)

OUT: Chris Mahon (Tranmere Rovers, free)
Chelsea
IN: Daniel Sturridge (Manchester City, undisclosed), Ross Turnbull (Middlesbrough, free), Yuri Zhirkov (CSKA Moscow, undisclosed), Nemanja Matic (MFK Kosice, undisclosed)

OUT: Ben Sahar (Espanyol, undisclosed), Lee Sawyer (Southend United, loan), Slobodan Rajkovic (FC Twente, loan), Sergio Tejera (Real Mallorca, undisclosed), Franco Di Santo (Blackburn Rovers, loan), Scott Sinclair (Wigan Athletic, loan), Claudio Pizarro (Werder Bremen, undisclosed), Jacob Mellis (Southampton, loan)

Everton

IN: Shkodran Mustafi (Hamburg, undisclosed), Anton Peterlin (Ventura County Fusion, undisclosed), Jo (Manchester City, loan), Diniyar Bilyaletdinov (Lokomotiv Moscow, undislosed)

OUT: Lars Jacobsen (Blackburn Rovers, free), Nuno Valente (released), Andy van der Meyde (released), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City, undisclosed)

Fulham

IN: Stephen Kelly (Birmingham City, undisclosed), Bjorn Helge Riise (Lillestrom, undisclosed), Damien Duff (Newcastle United, undisclosed), Jonathan Greening (West Bromwich Albion, loan), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Golden Arrows, loan)

OUT: Moritz Voltz (released), Collins John (released)

Hull City

IN: Steven Mouyokolo (Boulogne, undisclosed), Seyi Olofinjana (Stoke City, £3m), Jozy Altidore (Villarreal, loan), Stephen Hunt (Reading, undisclosed), Kamel Ghilas (Celta Vigo, undisclosed)

OUT: Dean Windass (released), Ryan France (released), Michael Bridges (released), John Welsh (released), Sam Ricketts (Bolton Wanderers, undisclosed)

Liverpool

IN: Glen Johnson (Portsmouth, undisclosed), Chris Mavinga (Paris St Germain, undisclosed), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid, undisclosed), Alberto Aquilani (Roma, undisclosed), Sotirios Kyrgiakos (AEK Athens, undisclosed)

OUT: Paul Anderson (Nottingham Forest, £250,000), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid, undisclosed), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid, undisclosed)

manchester city

IN: Gareth Barry (Aston Villa, £12m), Roque Santa Cruz (Blackburn Rovers, undisclosed), Stuart Taylor (Aston Villa, undisclosed), Carlos Tevez (free agent), Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal, undisclosed), Kolo Toure (Arsenal, undisclosed), Sylvinho (free agent), Joleon Lescott (Everton, undisclosed)

OUT: Joe Hart (Birmingham City, loan), Gelson Fernandes (St Etienne, undisclosed), Jo (Everton, loan), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea, undisclosed), Danny Mills (released), Dietmar Hamann (released), Michael Ball (released), Darius Vassell (released), Felipe Caicedo (Sporting Lisbon, loan), Ched Evans (Sheffield United, undisclosed), Shaleum Logan (Tranmere Rovers, loan), Elano (Galatasaray, undisclosed), Valeri Bojinov (Parma, loan)

Manchester United

IN: Antonio Valencia (Wigan Athletic, undisclosed), Michael Owen (Newcastle United, free), Gabriel Obertan (Bordeaux, undisclosed), Mame Biram Diouf (Molde FK, undisclosed)

OUT: Carlos Tevez (released), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid, £80m), Rodrigo Possebon (Braga, loan), Lee Martin (Ipswich Town, undisclosed), Fraizer Campbell (Sunderland, £3.5m rising up to £6m), Richard Eckersley (Burnley, to be decided), Manucho (Real Valladolid, undisclosed)

Portsmouth

IN: Aaron Mokoena (Blackburn Rovers, free), Steve Finnan (Espanyol, free), Frederic Piquionne (Lyon, loan), Anthony Vanden Borre (Genoa, loan), Antti Niemi (free agent), Tommy Smith (Watford, undisclosed)

OUT: Djimi Traore (Monaco, undisclosed), Glen Johnson (Liverpool, undisclosed), Andre Blackman (Bristol City, free), Sean Davis (Bolton, free), Noe Pamarot (released), Lauren (released), Glen Little (released), Jerome Thomas (released), Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo (Standard Liege, free), Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur, undisclosed), Arnold Mvuemba (released).

stoke city

IN: Dean Whitehead (Sunderland, undisclosed), Robert Huth (Middlesbrough, £5m)

OUT: Seyi Olofinjana (Hull City, £3m)

sunderland

IN: Fraizer Campbell (Manchester United, £3.5m rising up to £6m), Paulo Da Silva (Toluca, undisclosed), Lorik Cana (Marseille, undisclosed), Darren Bent (Tottenham Hotspur, rising up to £16.5m), Lee Cattermole (Wigan, £6m)

OUT: Greg Halford (Wolverhampton Wanderers, undisclosed), Michael Chopra (Cardiff City, undisclosed), Peter Hartley (Hartlepool United, free), Darren Ward (retired), Dwight Yorke (released), David Connolly (released), Nick Colgan (released), Arnau Riera (released), Dean Whitehead (Stoke City, undisclosed), Jack Colback (Ipswich Town, loan), Anthony Stokes (Hibernian, undisclosed)

tottenham hotspur

IN: Kyle Naughton (Sheffield United, undisclosed), Kyle Walker (Sheffield United, undisclosed), Peter Crouch (Portsmouth, undisclosed), Sebastien Bassong (Newcastle United, undisclosed)

OUT: Ricardo Rocha (released), Danny Hutchins (Yeovil Town, undisclosed), Didier Zokora (Sevilla, undisclosed), Darren Bent (Sunderland, rising up to £16.5m), Kyle Walker (Sheffield United, loan back), Pascal Chimbonda (Blackburn Rovers, undisclosed)

West Ham United

IN: Luis Jimenez (Inter Milan, loan) Jack Lampe (Harlow Town, free), Fabio Daprela (Grasshoppers Zurich, undisclosed), Alessandro Diamanti (Livorno, undisclosed)

OUT: Diego Tristan (released), Lee Bowyer (Birmingham City, free), Kyel Reid, Walter Lopez, Tony Stokes, Jimmy Walker (all released), Lucas Neill (free agent), Freddie Sears (Crystal Palace, loan)

Wigan Athletic

IN: Jordi Gomez (Espanyol, undisclosed), Hendry Thomas (Deportivo Olimpia, undisclosed), Jason Scotland (Swansea City, undisclosed), Scott sinclair (Chelsea, loan)

OUT: Antonio Valencia (Manchester United, undisclosed), Lee Cattermole (Sunderland, £6m)

wolverhampton wanderers

IN: Nenad Milijas (Red Star Belgrade, undisclosed), Marcus Hahnemann (Reading, free), Kevin Doyle (Reading, undisclosed), Andrew Surman (Southampton, undisclosed), Ronald Zubar (Marseille, undisclosed), Greg Halford (Sunderland, undisclosed), Michael Mancienne (Chelsea, loan)

OUT:

Ronaldo runs into pressure

noreply@blogger.com (zubairbh) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:54:00 +0000

Being the most expensive signing ever in the football world means the expectation around Cristiano Ronaldo is bigger than ever. As La Liga fires up, it is time for the Portuguese to prove his worth in one of the most demanding competitions.

Every summer, at least one star heads to the Spanish Liga, a signing that makes the front pages of all four sports papers in Spain either because of the player's talent but mostly because of the amount of money invested in him. That has been the case with Zinedine Zidane, Sergio Agüero and Thierry Henry for instance; come of them find their feet in La Liga easily, but some need time to earn the much-longed for praise from the journalism experts.

This year, it is down to Cristiano Ronaldo. Competing with other summer stars Kakà, Benzema or Ibrahimovic, the £80m Real Madrid dished out to Manchester United has increased the pressure on the brand-new arrival. After two seasons of rumours about his move to Real, the expectation peaked on July 6 when the club staged a massive presentation gala at the Santiago Bernabéu. 80,000 fans packed the stands and, unavoidably, ended up invading the pitch before a bewildered Ronaldo.

The power of popularity hit the Portuguese, despite him being more than used to stardom, and the club quickly assigned him two personal bodyguards to fight off eager fans wherever he went.

The Ballon d'Or, Golden Boot and FIFA World Player of the Year prizes are a reflection of the quality of the forward, enough to vouch for a successful future in Spain, but Cristiano is yet to fully impress with his new team.

After nine friendly matches during the summer, Ronaldo is the player to have featured most for Manuel Pellegrini's new squad but 603 minutes and three goals, two from the penalty spot, did not seem enough for the demanding fans. Whereas Kakà and Benzema received approval from the specialised press, the Portuguese international has convinced neither fans nor journalists.

'Cristiano Ronaldo is still far from being the player that was the most expensive transfer ever', read Sport, or 'Cristiano doesn't feel comfortable' in Marca reflected the general feeling in Spain before the start of the season. Without being explicitly critical, the fans are still waiting to see the best of the former Manchester United player.

"I'm improving and I think I'm ready to start the season off. I feel comfortable and we are working bit by bit to improve our performance. I have nothing to prove to anyone, which means I feel quite relaxed," said the attacking-midfielder after the team's official presentation match against Rosenborg on August 25 at the Bernabéu, which ended 4-0 to the hosts.

Coach Manuel Pellegrini asked for a little patience, saying that "all the players are trying to reach their fitness peak. Cristiano is experiencing a change of style and adapting to a new country and that usually takes a bit more time than for those who already know the Spanish league".

In any case, the trial time is up. Real Madrid need to start proving that the millions invested during the summer will bring an end to Barcelona's reign and if Cristiano's pre-season performance has brought on a touch of pressure, it will not compare to what it will be like during the official campaign.

But then, in all fairness, three weeks of training sessions and low-key matches does not seem enough to judge him.

It took Thierry Henry quite a long time to adapt to a new style of playing at Barcelona before he convinced the fans of his quality. Months of criticism and unfortunate injuries cast a long shadow of doubt over the Frenchman before he proved the press wrong. Or Zidane at Real Madrid, under the similar circumstances of being the most expensive signing, admitted to feeling under pressure in the Spanish capital.

Whether Cristiano may be under the influence of the 'Zidane Syndrome', as Marca puts it, comparisons with his team-mates, with how Manchester United will do without him and with rival Leo Messi at Barcelona, could become heavy burdens for the 24-year-old. If his football falters, it will be down to his mental strength to rally through a possible storm of criticism.