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Memorable fights in the history of football field

2011-03-02T16:13:00.000-08:00

Memorable fights in the history of football field:

Diogo vs Luis Fabiano:

Bowyer vs Dyer:

Ljungberg vs Mellberg:

Tevez vs Marquinhos:

Adriano vs Caneira:

Valencia vs Inter:

Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao:

Cagliari vs Bastia:

Switzerland vs Turkey:

QPR vs China U-23:

Palmeiras vs Corinthians:

Wenger vs Pardew:

Redknapp vs Calderwood:

Wenger vs Jol:

Moyes vs Mancini:

Rooney goal of the great Manchester City

2011-02-23T14:54:00.000-08:00

Rooney goal of the great Manchester City (2-1) 2011 :

FIFA Ban Chelsea From Signing Players Until 2011

2009-09-03T09:13:00.001-07:00

FIFA have banned the club from dealing for the next two transfer windows...

Sep 3, 2009 2:05:09 PM

Chelsea have been found guilty of breaking rules by inducing a player to break his contract and as a result have been banned from signing players until 2011.

The breach of rules revolves around former Lens player Gael Kakuta who was adjudged to have breached his contract with the French club when he signed for Chelsea.

FIFA published a statement on their own website that announced the decision of their Dispute Resolution Chamber which announced huge punishments for both the club and player.

The statement read, "The DRC found that the player had indeed breached a contract signed with the French club. Equally, the DRC deemed it to be established that the English club induced the player to such a breach.

"As a result the player was condemned to pay compensation in the amount of EUR 780,000, for which the club, Chelsea, are jointly and severally liable, and sporting sanctions were imposed on both the player and Chelsea in accordance with art. 17 par. 3 and 4 of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.

"A restriction of four months on his eligibility to play in official matches has been imposed on Kakuta. Chelsea are banned from registering any new players, either nationally or internationally, for the two next entire and consecutive registration periods following the notification of the present decision.

"Furthermore, the club, Chelsea, have to pay Lens training compensation in the amount of EUR 130,000."

The Premier League outfit will not be able to sign any players until January 2011 and the player himself, who is yet to feature in the first team, has also received a ban of four months.

Kakuta, just eighteen-years-old was voted Chelsea's Academy Scholar of the Year by staff and peers, and enjoyed an eye-catching first year after signing on with the Blues.

English Transfer Window Ends With Manchester City As Biggest Spenders

2009-09-03T09:11:00.000-07:00

The Citizens are serious about a top four push after a multi-million summer...

Sep 1, 2009 9:30:02 PM

The transfer window for English clubs closed this afternoon with Manchester City topping the net spending list in the Premier League by a significant margin.

By purchasing Gareth Barry, Carlos Tevez, Roque Santa Cruz, Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure, and Joleon Lescott, City spent almost €120 million net despite selling off five players for seven-figure sums.

Manchester United's biggest transaction was selling Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid for €94m - an all-time world record - giving them a significant summer profit. Incoming were Luis Valencia of Wigan and Bordeaux's Gabriel Obertan, as well as Michael Owen on a free.

Liverpool made two major acquisitions in the form of Glen Johnson and Alberto Aquilani, their summer reaching break-even status thanks to the sales of Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa to Real Madrid.

Chelsea made only one major signing in the form of CSKA Moscow's Yuri Zhirkov, with Nemanja Matic and Daniel Sturridge also arriving, and a host of lesser-known players departing for free or on loan.

Arsenal rounded off the top four with a profit, their €10m for Thomas Vermaelen being more than recouped by the sale of Toure and Adebayor to City.

Overall just seven Premier League clubs made net transfer profits in summer, Portsmouth topping the charts with an income of €38.5m and just €7m heading the other way, just ahead of Arsenal.

That leaves 13 clubs who opted to instead spend money, but the net amount outlayed ranges from City's nine-figure extravaganza to Tottenham Hotspurs' €2.6m.

The biggest individual buy of the summer for an English club was a tie: Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor both cost €29m. The latter serves as the biggest seasonal transfer between two English clubs, as well, while the highest amount spent on an English player was also a City purchase, namely the €27.5m scoop for Everton's Joleon Lescott.

The team that spent the least overall - gross, not net - was Fulham with €6m - while the team with the lowest gross sales was joint between Fulham and Wolverhampton Wanderers, none of whose departures left for a disclosed fee.

Luciano Spalletti: I Have Resigned From Roma

2009-09-03T09:03:00.000-07:00

The Italian has quit his position as coach of Roma, and Sky Sport Italia claim Claudio Ranieri will replace him... Carlo Garganese

Sep 1, 2009 11:58:36 AM

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti still able to put on a brave front despite the club's slow start to the season.

Luciano Spalletti has stepped down from his position as coach of Roma, and he confirmed his resignation with a brief statement to Sky Sport Italia.

"I handed in my resignation and Roma accepted it instantly," the coach told reporters.

Spalletti met with Roma president Rosella Sensi at the Villa Pacelli in Rome alongside director Daniele Prade. The reunion lasted little over half an hour as the coach informed the club of his decision.

The meeting came within hours of an earlier gathering involving Giallorossi chiefs and former Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri.

Prior to Spalletti's meeting, the 'Tinkerman' reportedly discussed terms with the club and he is likely to take over from the Tuscan. All that is missing is an official statement as the Spalletti era comes to an end.

The Italian took charge at Trigoria in 2005. He recently penned an extension with the club, but he has left with just two games into the season.

On Sunday, Spalletti hinted that he had lost the dressing room after claiming a number of players were not following him.

Top 5 Kaka Moments At Milan

2009-06-09T08:04:00.000-07:00

Calcio Debate: Top 5 Kaka Moments At Milan

Kaka finally completed his blockbuster transfer to Real Madrid last night for a fee of around €65 million. Carlo Garganese picks the Brazilian’s Top 5 moments during six superb years at Milan…

9 Jun 2009 13:30:49

Champions League: Kaka, Milan - Manchester United

5) The Debut Season

When Kaka arrived at Milan in 2003 from Sao Paulo for €8.5 million, he was still something of an unknown quantity. The Rossoneri were reigning European champions, and possessed one of Europe’s best playmakers in Manuel Rui Costa. The 21-year-old was only expected to be a backup to the Portuguese creator, but soon he had pushed the former Fiorentina man onto the bench.

Kaka celebrates a goal with compatriot Serginho

Kaka had a stunning debut campaign, scoring 10 times in Serie A as Milan won their only Scudetto of this decade. The youngster was also named as Serie A Footballer of the Year to crown a wonderful debut campaign.

4) That Goal Against Fenerbahce

Arguably the greatest goal of Kaka’s Milan career took place during the 2005/06 season. Milan were tied 1-1 with Fenerbahce at San Siro during their Champions League group game clash with less than five minutes remaining. Kaka then started a move in his own half, dribbled past three opponents with frightening slalom-paced speed, before thumping a low drive past the goalkeeper at his near post.

Kaka scored a similar goal against Celtic in 2007

3) Golden Ball, FIFA World Player & Club World Cup Champion

December 2007 was a great month for Kaka. The Brazilian won the prestigious Ballon D’Or, was named FIFA World Player of the Year, and crowned a perfect year by lifting the Club World Cup, as goals from Pippo Inzaghi (2), Alessandro Nesta, and Kaka himself defeated Boca Juniors 4-2 in Japan.

Kaka holds aloft the Ballon D'Or

2) Champions League Winner At Last - 2007

Kaka was not at his brilliant best in this Athens final, with Javier Mascherano following him closely, but the Brazilian was still hugely instrumental in Milan’s 2-1 win, as he finally got his hands on the Champions League, enacting revenge on the freak 2005 collapse against Liverpool in Istanbul.

Kaka falls to his knees at the final whistle

The former Sao Paulo man won the free kick for Pippo Inzaghi’s deadlock breaker, and then skilfully provided the inch-perfect through ball for the veteran Italian to finish off Liverpool eight minutes from time.

Pippo & Ricky celebrate the game-killing second

Kaka cleaned up the Champions League awards, finishing top-scorer, and being named UEFA Club Footballer of the Year.

1) Champions League Semi Final Destruction Of Manchester United

The greatest moment of Kaka’s Milan career was undoubtedly the 2007 Champions League semi-final against Manchester United. The Red Devils were hot favourites in the tie due to the Rossoneri’s indifferent domestic season, but Kaka had other ideas.

Vidic has no answer as Kaka blasts home

The Brazilian completely overshadowed anonymous rival Cristiano Ronaldo, putting on a master display in the first leg at Old Trafford, scoring twice, the second after bamboozling three United players. In the return leg at San Siro, Milan thrashed their opponents 3-0 to book their place in the final. Kaka again shone in the pouring rain, volleying home the opener from the edge of the area.

Kaka thanks the heavens as he brings down Man Utd

Late Barcelona Show Stuns Real Madrid In El Clásico

2008-12-14T06:20:00.000-08:00

Real Madrid so nearly held Barcelona to a draw on Saturday evening but they were denied a point by late goals from Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto'o, after the Cameroonian had been denied from the spot by Iker Casillas earlier...

Barcelona 2-0 Real Madrid

Barcelona took 83 minutes to break down a stubborn and resilient Real Madrid side in the Camp Nou on Saturday evening, despite having a penalty in the second-half.

The Catalan side were undoubtedly the more dominant of the two teams but they didn't create too many clear cut chances and Iker Casillas looked like he was going to be the hero as he saved a spot-kick from Samuel Eto'o with twenty minutes left.

However, the Cameroon international scored the opener with just seven minutes remaining, after Carles Puyol lept highest for a corner and nodded it to Eto'o just two yards out to poke in with his thigh.

Lionel Messi then put the icing on the cake as he latched onto a pass from Thierry Henry in injury time to beat Casillas on the counter-attack.

The goals sent the Camp Nou into raptures but even though Madrid were defeated there was no sign of the humiliating scorelines talked about in the build up.

The result still means that Barcelona extend their lead at the top of the table to nine points over Villarreal though and move a massive twelve clear of Real Madrid.

In a high quality and fast paced first-half the best chance actually fell to Real Madrid, despite the fact that they had been outplayed for the most part, and Royston Drenthe was the guilty party as he missed a clear one-on-one chance with Victor Valdés, after being played through in acres of space.

Barcelona failed to create much and the best opportunities they had fell to Lionel Messi, who when he wasn't getting kicked off the ball, tested Iker Casillas with a couple of decent shots.

The second-half was much the same story but Barcelona were gifted a chance to take the lead with just twenty minutes left as Michel Salgado bought down Sergio Busquets inside the box. Casillas pulled off a brilliant save to deny Eto'o though and was again the hero minutes later as he saved from distance this time.

Eto'o had the last laugh though as, in typical poacher style, he pounced from two yards to tap home a Puyol header from a corner late in the game, and then Messi rounded the night off with a lovely chipped finish over Casillas in injury time.

Swift Start

The big surprise before the match was that Juande Ramos opted to start Wesley Sneijder in midfield, who has been recovering from injury this week, and also started Sergio Ramos at left-back. Due to their other injury worries the visitors also began with three reserve team players on the bench, whilst Barcelona played with their normal 4-3-3 formation from the off.

As was expected the game started at quite a pace too, with Lionel Messi the centre of attention, first as he was chopped down in midfield and then as he drilled a shot at goal that Iker Casillas saved well, after some lovely skill on the right wing from the Argentine. Barcelona looked the more dominant of the two sides and only thanks to a great last ditch tackle by Fabio Cannavaro did they not go ahead after five minutes when Messi combined with Samuel Eto'o in the box, only to see his close range shot blocked.

The Real Madrid tactics were obvious from the outset, with the men in white taking it in turns to kick Messi, much to the frustration of Pep Guardiola and the Camp Nou crowd. The away side struggled to get out of their half in the early stages of the game as they looked more than happy to hit Barça on the counter-attack.

Indeed, it took until the 23rd minute for Victor Valdés to make his first save when Wesley Sneijder forced him to tip over the bar with a volley from inside the box. Less than a minute later though and Real Madrid should have taken the lead when Raúl played Royston Drenthe through behind the defence, only for the Dutch man to shoot tamely when one-one-one, allowing Valdés to save down to his right.

All the while the tackles continued to fly from the away side as Sergio Ramos and Christoph Metzelder both picked up yellow cards for poor tackles from behind. The home side were dominating possession but not really able to create any clear cut chances, and with just 36 minutes gone Sneijder had to be taken off to be replaced by debutant Miguel Palanca. The Dutchman was always a doubt for the match and presumably the risk to start him did not pay off as planned for Juande Ramos.

Madrid were holding their own though and bar a booking for Drenthe they managed to make it in to half-time unscathed. In fact, the whistles from the fans inside the Camp Nou towards referee Medina Cantalejo painted a clearer picture of the first-half than the scoreline. Barcelona had dominated for large parts but Madrid were happy to keep them at bay with borderline, and also reckless, tackles, that often the referee chose not to punish.

Real Chance

The second-half looked like it would begin in similar style to the first, with Barcelona monopolising the ball, but with just three minutes gone Real Madrid were again presented with a great chance from nowhere. A slack ball in midfield allowed a pass to be threaded through to Gonzalo Higuaín and until Carles Puyol slid in it looked like he would be one-on-one with Valdés. The Spanish defender put in a crucial tackle to prevent the Argentine from receiving the ball but still Barcelona could not create any chances early on.

Eto'o fired in a rasping volley from the right flank but that sailed over the bar whilst at the other end Higuaín threw himself to the floor theatrically on the edge of the box to no avail. The La Liga leaders looked the more likely of the two sides to break the deadlock but there was growing frustration in the Camp Nou as Sergio Busquets came on to replace Gudjohnsen.

Soon after coming on the young midfielder was involved in the incident which should have seen Barcelona take the lead too. Daniel Alves played a lovely little chipped ball over the defence after a corner and as Busquets burst through the middle he was tripped by Salgado, giving the referee no choice but to point to the spot. Eto'o was the man who stepped up but the Cameroonian saw his shot brilliantly saved by Casillas as he dived to his left.

Minutes later the Spanish number one thwarted Eto'o again as he made a great save from a shot on the edge of the box, and then denied Messi from close range. With the final whistle looming Barcelona were growing more and more anxious and they were nearly picked off on the break by Palanca, but he shot straight at Valdés from a tight angle.

However, with just over five minutes left Barcelona finally got the break though and it was Eto'o who atoned for his penalty miss by scoring. The striker was in the right place at the right time to tap home from a great header by Puyol and the Camp Nou exploded as the Cameroonian whipped his shirt off and whirled it around his head.

The home side didn't stop there either as they grabbed another late in injury time through Messi, who after being played through by Henry on the counter-attack, chipped over Casillas to end the game perfectly for Barcelona.

Keane exit spares him United pain

2008-12-05T18:46:00.000-08:00

Roy Keane

Roy Keane's resignation as Sunderland manager at least spares him an uncomfortable return to Old Trafford today where Manchester United would have been waiting to dish out more punishment.

United manager Alex Ferguson has only lost two of 25 matches against teams managed by his former players at Old Trafford and there was little sympathy shown to under-pressure Paul Ince on Wednesday when his Blackburn Rovers side was beaten 5-3 in the League Cup quarterfinal.

Ferguson also got the better of Mark Hughes, his former striker and boss of Manchester City, in a 1-0 derby triumph last weekend that put United hot on the heels of Premier League leader Liverpool.

Keane graced Old Trafford for 12 seasons as a midfield general but even his combative qualities might not have helped Sunderland which appears to be in freefall after losing five of their last six league games.

Last week's 4-1 home defeat by Bolton Wanderers increased the pressure on him but it was still a surprise that Keane decided to leave the Stadium of Light after the first major slump in his managerial career.

United is under pressure of a different kind as they seek to build on last weekend's win at City.

It is third in the table, six points behind leader Liverpool and five behind Chelsea, but has a game in hand on the top two and defender Rio Ferdinand said they are well placed to finish the season as champions again.

Liverpool, which went a point clear of Chelsea at the top despite only drawing 0-0 with West Ham United on Monday, makes the short trip to Blackburn, which, like Sunderland, has slid down the table after failing to win for nine league games.

Chelsea, beaten 2-1 at home by Arsenal on Sunday, visits improving Bolton, whose 4-1 win at Sunderland today was its fourth victory in five matches. Fourth-placed Arsenal, whose youngsters were beaten 2-0 by Championship (second division) Burnley in the League Cup on Tuesday, will be back to full strength for the visit of Wigan Athletic.

Honda quits Formula One amid financial woes

2008-12-05T18:43:00.000-08:00

Brazil's F1 driver Rubens Barrichello speeds his Honda during the third practice session for the European Formula One Grand Prix at the Nuerburgring racing circuit May 6, 2006. Honda is pulling out of Formula One motor racing and will close their team down if no buyer is found by the end of the 2008.

Honda delivered a major blow to Formula One on Friday by withdrawing from the sport with immediate effect, Japan's number two carmaker seeking to cut costs to combat the global economic crisis.

Amid slumping car sales triggered by the worldwide downturn, Honda is no longer willing to bankroll the Formula One team and its estimated annual budget of $500 million.

Honda Motor Co. Chief Executive Takeo Fukui told a news conference a return to the sport could take time, and that there were no plans to continue as an engine supplier. "This difficult decision was taken recently and was made in light of the quickly deteriorating operating environment facing the global auto industry," Fukui told reporters.

"Honda must protect its core business activities and secure the long term as widespread uncertainties in the economics around the globe continue to mount. "We will enter into consultation with associates of Honda Racing F1 and its engine supplier Honda Racing Development regarding the future of the two companies. This will include offering the team for sale."

Sensible spending

Fukui, who told Reuters this year that he would "spend a trillion yen" if he could to make Honda a Formula One winner, said there would be no speedy return to the sport. "At this stage we have no plans to return to F1. We have no plans to supply engines to other teams," he said. "We do not want to be half in and half out of the sport."

Honda would in any case have little time to find a buyer with the 2009 season starting in Australia on March 29. "We would love to be able to continue in Formula One but we're simply not able to in the current financial climate," Fukui said. "At testing in Barcelona last month we were still positive about racing in F1 next season. "But we have to use our resources sensibly. As far as potential buyers go, our criterion would be that they continue to employ the hundreds of engineers who work for the Honda team."

Honda, like all of its rivals suffering from a sharp fall in global car sales, saw its sales in the United States, its biggest market, slump 32 percent last month. "Pulling out of F1 will have a big impact in terms of cutting overall costs," said Fukui. "The most important thing for Honda is to see where we are in the next three to five years."

With Formula One's power-brokers desperately seeking cost-cutting measures to ensure its own survival, Honda's departure will have serious implications for the glamour sport. It also leaves Britain's Jenson Button without a drive for 2009, although some teams have yet to confirm their lineups.

Brazilian Bruno Senna, the 25-year-old nephew of the late triple world champion Ayrton, had also been tipped to take the place of compatriot Rubens Barrichello at Honda next season.

Honda's exit leaves the multi-billion dollar sport facing a depleted grid of 18 cars if no buyer can be found in the extremely tight time-frame available. It will also prompt fears that other major manufacturers, with their factory production suspended and thousands of staff laid off, could follow Honda's example. Honda and Toyota Motor Corp. have been the big spenders in Formula One in recent years.

Ross Brawn, the former Ferrari technical director who won multiple world championships with Michael Schumacher, was hired to run the Honda team at the end of last year. Despite its huge resources, Honda had a dismal 2008 season and was pinning its hopes on next year's new rules leveling the playing field.

Button, a winner for Honda in Hungary in 2006, scored just three points and Barrichello took 11. The team finished ninth overall. Honda's best finish in the constructors' championship was fourth, in 1967 and 2006, although they powered McLaren and Williams to a string of titles in the 1980s and 1990s. The last team to leave Formula One was Honda-backed Super Aguri, the tail-enders who folded for financial reasons in April. The sport's governing body said on Friday that Cosworth would provide Formula One teams with a low-cost engine option from 2010.

International Automobile Federation (FIA) President Max Mosley said the body was in exclusive negotiations with Cosworth, Xtrac and Ricardo Transmissions (XR) to provide a complete powertrain (engine and gearbox).

Two Many Talking Points In Thrilling North London Encounter

2008-11-08T16:52:00.000-08:00

Arsenal and Manchester United put on one of the best displays of football in the season thus far but it was the home side who managed to hold on for the win and the three points in a tie that could end up defining their season.

Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United

For Arsenal, the introductory fixture of the Premier League weekend against Manchester United provided an opportunity to not only get supporting fans off of their back but also to get their season back on track.

The visiting Red Devils' manager Sir Alex Ferguson recently admitted that his side would be playing catch-up until at least the turn of the year due to a congested fixture schedule. Any setbacks, he warned, would see them slip further behind league leaders Chelsea and Liverpool.

Arsenal welcomed back William Gallas, Mikael Silvestre, and Theo Walcott, and the Gunners played in a special kit with a poppy badge sewn onto the middle of their chest to serve as remembrance to those who died during the First World War..

FIRST HALF

Arsenal started the game nervously, as was shown with an early pass back from Mikael Silvestre's weaker right foot that was caught by Manuel Almunia instead of cleared to safety. Manchester United though failed to capitalise on the indirect free-kick inside the penalty area.

The two most successful sides in the history of the Premier League and arguably the greatest entertainers on the English stage played the game at a customary hectic and frenetic pace from whistle to whistle. United even had the ball in the net on the seventh minute but the goal was correctly chalked off as offside.

Manchester united enjoyed the greater share of possession during the first ten minutes but Arsenal's pass and move saw them grow into the game and a few early chances that were poorly cleared by Edwin Van Der Sar allowed Abou Diaby to have a shot on goal when the Dutch glovesman was off his line. Abou's shot though was weak as he was trying to jump back as he struck the ball and could never get the necessary power on the shot to really trouble the United defence.

One of the greater moves of the half arrived when Brazilian midfielder Anderson dominated his midfield counterpart Cesc Fabregas and the ball made way to Portuguese international Cristiano Ronaldo who threaded in Wayne Rooney before the English powerhouse launched a shot into Row Z. The final shot was not deserving of the build up, and it was a motif that was to follow the Red Devils (playing in Blue today), throughout the first half.

Attack-minded Frenchman Samir Nasri opened Arsenal's account on the 22nd minute taking advantage of a set piece. United were defending the zones, not the man, and the ball spilled out to Nasri who struck it hard and took a slight deflection off of Gary Neville and into the net. Manchester United tried to defend the space, instead of the man, and out of the two commodities it is the man who will attack the ball and score, not the space. And so the move highlighted the frailties of zonal marking in the English game.

Despite the goal the visitors remained the more dominant team on the ball and had far more touches than their hosts. Arsenal struggled to keep the ball and showed little drive in closing their men down to retrieve possession, perhaps saving their energy for the latter stages of the game where, if United were still chasing a result, would go at the home side with all guns blazing.

Clichy could have scored an own goal from glancing a header past Manuel Almunia's far post as a result of a dangerous in-swinging Cristiano Ronaldo free kick minutes later, but luckily for the full back a corner kick was the result, and not a goal.

As the half hour marked edged closer Arsenal continued to ride their luck but had an opportune moment to double their lead had it not been for Denilson slowing the counter-attack down with a slow run and Bendtner then bringing the move to a halt by taking the ball into the wide area of the penalty spot.

Arsenal then started attracting the yellow cards. William Gallas for a foul to the right flank of the defensive zone and Bacary Sagna for a pull on Ji Sung Park. The home crowd grew increasingly frustrated with referee Howard Webb though as a perceived knock on Abou Diaby in between the aforementioned bookings was waved as fair play.

The half-time break loomed nearer but instead of keeping possession and seeking to suck the pace of play out of the game Arsenal relinquished the ball and allowed United to attack. Arsenal returned to the dressing room though with their one goal advantage intact.

SECOND HALF

Within two minutes of the restart Arsenal, and Samir Nasri, penetrated United's goal for the second time of the afternoon. It was a vintage Gunners goal as fifteen passes were threaded together before Cesc Fabregas attracted Nemanja Vidic toward him about three foot outside the box and was then able to play through Samir Nasri who shimmied to his right before launching a shot past Van der Sar's right hand. The net bulged and the crowd were in raucous approval for the second time of the game.

Ronaldo had the chance to halve Arsenal's lead within seconds of the restart but his sidefoot was the wrong side of the post by, at most, an inch.

Manchester United's near misses would come back to haunt them though as Wayne Rooney, together with the winking wing wizard, had ample opportunities to get themselves back into the game, but they were squandered. Dimitar Berbatov was deemed to control the ball with his hand but Webb again waved play on, the silky Bulgarian striker then swivelled round to cross the ball into Wayne Rooney but his header was directed straight toward Almunia, instead of either side of him.

Arsenal's goalkeeper had to receive treatment for a knock 22 minutes from full time as Manc midfielder Michael Carrick shinned the Spaniard square on the side of the face while he scooped to collect a loose ball. Carrick was duly cautioned for the effort even though, in truth, he had the right to try and play the ball.

The end to end display of festival football continued to treat the onlookers but United had the bit between their teeth as they constantly probed for a goal so that their travelling support had something to celebrate.

With ten minutes remaining Almunia struggled in goal due to his earlier knock and so Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski was brought on to replace the number one as a purely precautionary measure.

Rafael da Silva, in the place of Gary Neville, made some assured clearances and blocks to ensure that Arsenal would not add another to Nasri's brace. The young Brazilian was solid at the back, but was also inter-linking play further up the field. His passing was sometimes questionable, but one wayward long ball was followed up with a perfectly-timed crunching challenge on fellow national Denilson, and Rafael's wall-like presence stifled a potentially dangerous counter.

If there were tired legs on the pitch in the closing stages of the game then they did not want to show themselves as the early pace of the game was maintained up until the final whistle.

Rafael ensured his impressive cameo made the backpages of the newspapers as his stunning strike seconds from the 90th minute mark gave Manchester United a lifeline as Fabianski was beaten and six minutes of added time were shown by the fourth official.

A fantastic bending through ball from Samir Nasri to Nicklas Bendtner could have wrapped up the win in the 95th minute but the big Dane failed to hit the target despite Fabregas running into the centre and begging for a cut back.

Arsenal though held on and a big win in north London could end up being a defining point in both clubs' seasons.

LINE UPS

Arsenal: Almunia - Sagna; Gallas; Silvestre; Clichy - Walcott; Fabregas; Diaby; Denilson; Nasri - Bendtner.

Manchester United: Van der Sar - Neville; Ferdinand; Vidic; Evra - Ronaldo; Carrick; Anderson; Ji Sung Park - Berbatov; Rooney.

Chelsea To Bid For Spurs' Dos Santos?

2008-11-07T18:52:00.000-08:00

Chelsea may bid for Tottenham Hotspur's out-of-favour Mexican striker Giovani Dos Santos when transfer window reopens in January.

Reports emanating from Mexico suggest that Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari might launch a bid for Tottenham's Giovani Dos Santos, after the player's less than exciting start to life at White Hart Lane.

The former Barcelona starlet has made just three starts since his £4.7 million move from the Catalan giants in the summer. He has not featured at all since Juande Ramos's last game in charge of the club against Udinese.

The nineteen-year-old, once hailed as 'the new Ronaldinho', may well find himself even further down the pecking order in Harry Redknapp's plans, as it is likely that 16-year-old John Bostock will join the squad instead of the Mexican for Thursday night's home Uefa Cup tie against Dinamo Zagreb.

Chelsea were linked with the player during the summer, but he felt that he would get more first team opportunities with Tottenham. Scolari is now tempted to acquire the player as cover for the likes of Joe Cole and Salomon Kalou.

Harry Redknapp would certainly find any cash raised useful as he embarks on a mission to revive Spurs and lift them from the bottom of the Premier League.

Balotelli Has Harsh Words For His Real Parents

2008-11-07T18:49:00.000-08:00

Inter striker Mario Balotelli has launched a stinging attack on his biological parents, accusing them of only wanting to know him now because of the fame and money he is earning as a professional footballer...

Mario Balotelli, the Inter Milan striker, was brought up by foster parents after his natural mother and father put him up for adoption when he was two years old.

It seems as if the relationship between the striker and his real parents is distinctly cold following his latest revelations.

"I think that if I didn't become Mario Balotelli, Mr and Mrs Barwuah (his biological parents) would not have cared about me for anything," Balotelli is quoted as saying in Ilsussidiario.net.

"I was adopted by the Balotelli family when I was just two. Why? No-one has ever asked the Barwuahs and now they have interviews with papers holding my photo in an Inter shirt with sad faces.

"Why did they never make a request to the courts to take me back once I had recovered from illness?

"My adopted parents used to take me there to see them but they were never at home, now I am a Serie A player they want to come and find me."

Balotelli was born in Palermo to the Barwuahs but he was brought up in Brescia by the Balotelli family who raised him and cared for him over the years.

The striker is clearly bitter about the way his natural mother and father have treated him.

Messi Caught Spitting At Rival

2008-11-05T09:14:00.000-08:00

Lionel Messi could be in danger of losing his innocent, squeaky clean image after he was caught spitting at Málaga’s Duda during Barcelona’s stunning 4-1 win on Saturday...

Nicknamed ‘The Messiah’, Lionel Messi has won endless praise ever since he burst into the scenes four years ago. The gawky-looking, media-shy 21 year old has always shown exemplary behaviour on the pitch to complement his breathtaking skills with a football.

However, during Saturday’s rain-soaked game against Málaga, Messi’s true colours may have finally been exposed after television cameras caught him spitting at his opponent, Duda.

The pair had been going at each other all evening long and, when they collided and stumbled to the ground at one point, Messi got up and spat towards the Portuguese, who had his back to the Argentine ace.

It is unclear whether the Barça forward was provoked in any way prior to the incident, but the Spanish sports journals, namely Madrid-based Marca, are already having a field day with this episode.

Milan Wins The Milan Derby!

2008-09-28T16:44:00.000-07:00

Milan 1-0 Inter

Ronaldinho scored his first goal since his summer move from Barcelona, as Milan inflict Jose Mourinho's first defeat on ten man Inter in an enthralling and explosive Derby della Madonnina.

Team News

Milan came into this game in good form, having won their last three matches in all competitions. However, they were without the injured Alessandro Nesta, Pippo Inzaghi, Tabare Viudez, Andrea Pirlo, Philippe Senderos, and Marco Borriello. Carlo Ancelotti launched the Ka-Pa-Ro in an exciting looking attack, while Paolo Maldini, Marek Jankulovski and Massimo Ambrosini returned to the starting XI after being rested against Reggina in midweek.

Inter were coming off a four game winning streak, but they too had injury problems as Walter Samuel, Luis Jimenez, Maxwell, and Luis Figo were sidelined, with Sulley Muntari suspended. Nicolas Burdisso partnerred Marco Materazzi at centre back, while Mancini, Ricardo Quaresma and Zlatan Ibrahimovic formed the forward trident.

First Half

Inter had the first attempt of the game as Mancini picked up the ball 30 yards from goal, but he dragged his effort well wide of Christian Abbiati's right hand post.

Milan were having all the possession in the early stages, but their first effort didn't arrive until the tenth minute when Ambrosini's deflected long range shot looped harmlessly into Julio Cesar's arms.

Ibrahimovic got into a dangerous position inside the area, but his cross was kicked away by Abbiati, while Kaka asked for a Milan penalty when he received a nudge in the back in the box. It was an entertaining game, and Zambrotta charged forward from right back and unleashed a missile that finished not too far over.

On 16 minutes, Ibrahimovic would have been through on goal had he not had a very heavy first touch which allowed Abbiati to race off his line and dive on the ball.

Down the other end, Kaka's speculative effort fell to Pato inside the area, and his left foot snapshot appeared goalbound until it was charged down by Burdisso.

On 23 minutes Milan were agonizingly close to taking the lead as Kaka went on a mesmerising solo run, beating three men before laying the ball back to Ronaldinho, who saw his ferocious near post shot brilliantly turned around the post by Julio Cesar. It was a simply world class stop by the goalkeeper.

Pato was then put clean through on goal by Zambrotta's fine pass, but he was flagged offside in what replays showed to be a highly debatable decision.

On 36 minutes the deadlock was broken, and it was Ronaldinho who sent the San Siro into ecstasy with his first goal in a Milan shirt. Kaka found space down the right, and crossed into the middle for Ronaldinho's perfect header from the penalty spot into the top corner of the net. Inter players asked for offside but replays showed Materazzi playing Kaka level.

Rino Gattuso was fired up like never before, and he went into the book for a late foul on Quaresma, before having a ferocious touchline argument with Ancelotti, who had asked him to calm down.

Milan came looking for the second, and Pato skinned Christian Chivu, only for Julio Cesar to race off his line and come to the rescue. Kaka then went on another fine run, before going down under pressure from Materazzi, but the referee waved away the penalty appeals.

Second Half

Into the second half and Ronaldinho still seemed to be enjoying himself as he took a ball down beautifully on the left before spraying the ball to Kaka on the right of the area, but the former Sao Paulo man blazed well over.

Mancini had been very quiet for Inter, but he had a decent opening on 51 minutes as he failed to make decent contact on a free kick curled in from the right.

Ronaldinho and Kaka were combining superbly at times, and the former found the latter, whose shot was deflected dangerously wide of the post. Ronaldinho then hit a snapshot off target from 25 yards, as did Kaka once again.

Jose Mourinho knew that changes needed to be made and, just shy of the hour mark, boldly brought on both Adriano and Julio Cruz for Materazzi and Mancini, thus forming a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Zanetti bombed forward from his new left back position, and crossed for Adriano, but the Brazilian's header was directed well off target.

Cruz went a little closer on 70 minutes, as he was afforded space to run at the Milan defence before firing wide. Ibrahimovic had a fine chance seconds later, as he ran unchallenged into acres of spaces, but he lashed the ball a couple of yards wide.

Ancelotti looked to tighten up the ship as Inter started to pile on the pressure, bringing on Mathieu Flamini for the tiring Pato.

Inter were on top now, but with 14 minutes remaining their hopes were hit when Burdisso received a second yellow card for a late foul on Kaka. With Materazzi off the pitch, Inter were now without both of their centre backs who started the game.

Kaka tried to take advantage of the one man advantage, and almost caught out Julio Cesar at his near post after another electric slalom. Mourinho then made his final change, introducing Dejan Stankovic for Vieira.

Stankovic almost scored with his first touch after a brilliant volley from the edge of the area that was beaten away by Abbiati, before Adriano fired the follow-up over.

Tensions were now high, and a touchline row erupted, which led to the departed Materazzi also seeing red. Goalscorer Ronaldinho left the pitch to a standing ovation soon after, with Andriy Shevchenko taking his place.

Milan were still looking for a second. Flamini was denied by Chivu at close range, before Shevchenko sliced his shot disappointingly from a promising position.

The Ukrainian went much closer with two minutes remaining, as his powerful drive was superbly tipped over the bar by Julio Cesar.

There was chaos in the Milan penalty area moments later, as Rossoneri players threw themselves in the line of fire as Adriano, Cambiasso and Quaresma all threatened to get shots in.

In the second minute of injury time Adriano had a glorious chance to equalise as he was left all alone at the back post just yards out on Maicon's cross, but he incredibly headed two yards wide.

Ibrahimovic then volleyed well over from the edge of the area, and Milan knew then that it was their day. Jose Mourinho suffers his first loss as Inter boss, and Milan are now well and truly back in the Scudetto hunt.

Teams

Milan: Abbiati, Zambrotta, Maldini, Kaladze, Jankulovski, Ambrosini, Gattuso (Bonera 87), Seedorf, Ronaldinho (Shevchenko 83), Kaka, Pato (Flamini 73)

Inter: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Burdisso, Materazzi (Adriano 58), Chivu, Vieira (Stankovic 80), Cambiasso, Zanetti, Mancini (Cruz 58), Ibrahimovic, Quaresma

Goals

Ronaldinho 36 (M)

Torres Clinches Euro 2008 For Spain

2008-06-30T07:28:00.000-07:00

Spain 1-0 Germany

Spain overcame a nervy start to outclass and control Germany in a largely one-sided Euro 2008 final...

Despite starting off on the back foot and almost conceding a penalty, La Furia Roja were able to steady themselves and carve out a first half lead which was very seldom threatened as they dominated the match and delighted their fans in equal measure. It was a merited tournament win for Spain - their first since 1964 - and an opportunity lost for a German side that wanted for a final ball and defensive stability.

Die Nationalelf had a full squad available after Michael Ballack recovered in time to make the squad, and he lined up in attacking midfield with Schweinsteiger and Podolski to either side of him. Klose began up front, while Fernando Torres did likewise for a Spanish side bereft of David Villa. Francesc Fàbregas supported him, while Xavi, Iniesta and Silva comprised the rest of the attacking midfield. Iker Casillas captained the side from in goal.

First Half

After just two minutes Sergio Ramos committed a grave error, inexplicably gifting the ball to the oncoming Miroslav Klose. To the Spaniard's relief, though, the Bayern man strode into the box and overtouched the ball, which rolled harmlessly wide.

Overall the early stages saw die Nationalelf come purposefully up the flanks, although there was little end product, even as Michael Ballack managed to whip in a cross (albeit a wayward one.)

Eventually they did register a shot on target eight minutes in. With yet another attack coming down the left that culiminated in a Klose shot from the edge of the area. Casillas, though, stooped to easily save the effort.

Spain, missing the movement of Villa up front, were largely reduced to the long ball game, while Germany made hay against what was a midfield more apt to stand off than tackle - Ballack looked particularly active in such an environment.

But with their first fluid move of the match, Spain came inches away from scoring. After a fine passing move through Torres and Xavi, Iniesta was gifted to a fine through ball into the left-hand side of the box. Touching the ball past Mertesacker (almost inadvertently), he attempted to play it across goal, only for Christoph Metzelder to get there first - and deflect it goalward. To his relief Jens Lehmann stretched acrobatically to save.

La Furia Roja were emboldened but still struggled to make too much of an impact in front of goal, with Fàbregas also somewhat slow to get involved. But yet again when they did manage to get into the final third, they oh-so nearly made it count. The ever-energetic Sergio Ramos - further forward than might have been anticipated against Germany - launched a cross to the far post, where Fernando Torres manager to tower above Friedrich and head the ball towards goal. With Lehmann unable to reach it, the ball clattered off the post and broke to Capdevila, who shot wide.

For a final the match was becoming remarkably open, and the opener could have come 28 minutes in. Many, in fact, will say that it should have. Capdevila, prior to making a clearance, appeared to handle the ball in the box after tapping it up off his foot, leading to fervent protests from the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger. Referee Roberto Rosetti, though, declined to blow his whistle.

Five minutes later, though, and Spain were in the lead. It was simple yet beautiful: a 1-2-3 pass move down the middle starting with Marcos Senna before reaching Xavi. The Barcelona man then weighted an absolutely magnificent through ball for Fernando Torres, who outmuscles Lahm and chipped the ball deftly over the onrushing Lehmann into the far corner of the net.

It should have been 2-0 seconds later after Iniesta broke down the left, performed his trademark across Mertesacker, and clipped a cross to the onrushing Silva. Completely unmarked, the Valencia man needlessly ballooned a volley over the bar when he had ample time in which to control the ball and test the 'keeper.

Spain's euphoria was tangible, and in truth they Germany had begun to fade after their dominant spell in the opening ten minutes while their counterparts grew in confidence.

Ugly scenes erupted 41 minutes in Ballack hacked down Fàbregas; in the end Ballack, as well as Spain captain Iker Casillas, were booked for their part inthe drama. But there was to be little more action of note in the first period as the half ended after another fine Xavi-Iniesta counter.

Second Half

Philipp Lahm, so convincingly beaten at Torres' goal, was hooked at half-time in favour of Marcell Jansen, but otherwise the teams came out unchanged.

Spain started the brighter side, but there were to be relatively few chances. Indeed, Germany were to enjoy the first as Jansen, a positive influence, managed to play the ball to Podolski, but the Polish-born forward was dispossessed just before pulling the trigger. La Furia Roja launched a counter, and Lehmann had to be at his best to force the corner after a Xavi shot. From the resulting corner Silva eventually played it through to Sergio Ramos, but the right-back could make no contact.

The Spaniards once again strode forward just a minute later, and with Mertesacker nowhere Torres was once again played through on goal. This time, though, Lehmann slid in well to save, much to the Liverpool forward's frustration.

The otherwise-impressive Puyol was then caught out after a passing move across the edge of the Spanish box that culminated in a shot for Ballack. Casillas reacted slightly late, but the ball inched wide anyway.

On came Xabi Alonso for Francesc Fàbregas as Spain changed shape. With Germany committing men forward the Furia Roja had to adapt, and thus they did by going 4-2-4-1, Xabi alongside Senna. After another half-chance for the Germans, there was more disciplinary drama as Podolski and Silva clashed off the ball. The German took issue with Silva's pulling him down and squared up to him. The Valencia man reacted by jutting his head forward, although the referee decided not to deem it a headbutt.

Silva was in any case withdrawn seconds later in favour of Santi Cazorla, and Spain renewed their offensive. Metzelder committed handball 30 yards out, and with relatively few staying back for it, it was a quiet box that met the delivery. It was a wonderfully taken free-kick by Xavi, and dreadfulyl defended by Germany, who played Sergio Ramos onside. The young Real Madrid man dived to meet the ball, but his header was saved brilliantly by Lehmann.

Lehmann was called into action again as the final 20 minutes approached, although it seemed that his evening was becoming quieter as Fernando Torres, booked, was substituted off for Daniel Güiza.

Germany, meanwhile, brought on Gomez for Klose as they committed men up front. In doing so, though, they merely afforded Spain a vast amount of space on the break and left their forwards stranded. The Roja almost took full advantage 81 minutes in after a mazy run by Senna - no doubt relieved to be given the freedom to surge forward and pass to Cazorla for a great cross to Güiza. The Mallorca man cut the ball back across goal, but the onrushing Senna
missed the ball by inches with the goal at his mercy.

Spain were well and truly in control as they reacted well to Germany's tactical change and kept the frazzled Nationalelf back four in disarray. Few would have been surprised if they managed a second, and as a solo Daniel Güiza somehow managed to force a corner despite being surrounded by four defenders it actually seemed inevitable.

With few men in the box the corner originally seemed set to come to little, but it was cut back once again to Senna, striding forward, but this time the Brazil-born midfielder won a free-kick 25 yards out. Xavi, though, sclaffed it over the top.

The probability of a second goal lessened as the match wore on, and indeed there was high drama at the other end as the whistle blew in the box, but in fact the referee saw a foul on Capdevila and not Schweinsteiger.

Spain, then, were able to run down the clock in relative comfort as Germany's belief evaporated. The colossus of European trophy-getting, then, were left worn and defeated by the side that had all too often in the past flattered to deceive. The fans saw what so many in football wryly remarked they'd never see again: Spain lifted a trophy as European Champions.

SPAIN 1-0 GERMANY
1-0 Torres 33'

SPAIN: Casillas (c); Sergio Ramos, Marchena, Puyol, Capdevila; Senna; Iniesta, Xavi Hernández, Cesc Fàbregas (Xabi Alonso 63); Silva (Cazorla 65); Torres (Güiza 77).

Subs Not Used: Palop, Reina, Albiol, Fernando Navarro, Villa, Sergio García, Arbeloa, Juanito, de la Red.

GERMANY: Lehmann; Friedrich, Mertresacker, Metzelder, Lahm (Jansen 46); Frings, Hitzlsperger (Kuranyi 57); Schweinsteiger, Ballack (c), Podolski; Klose (Gomez 78).

Subs Not Used: Enke, Adler, Fritz, Westermann, Rolfes, Neuville, Trochowski, Borowski, Odonkor.

Yellow Cards: Casillas 42, Torres 74 - Ballack 42, Kuranyi 87.

Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Italy)

Ballack Fires Germany Into Next Round

2008-06-16T17:03:00.000-07:00

Austria 0-1 Germany

A thunderous free kick from captain Michael Ballack early in the second half proved enough to see Germany through to the next round and a clash with Portugal.

Austria played well enough but were unable to put the finishing touch on any of their better moves. The host go out, while the Germans progress.

Germany secured the result they needed at the Ernst Happel Stadion as a Michael Ballack free kick saw them to a 1-0 victory and a clash with Portugal on Thursday.

Joseph Hickersberger made three changes. Hiden came in for the suspended Prödl, while in midfield new Bochum signing Fuchs came in for Leitgeb. Linz in attack went out, with Hoffer chosen.

Joachim Löw made just one change with Arne Friedrich in at full back for Marcell Jansen, which meant that Lahm switched to left back. Podolski stayed on the left of midfield with Gomez and Klose given another opportunity up front.

First Half

Austria kicked off the first half and straight away attacked down the left hand side with Fritz and Friedrich having to combine well to clear the early danger as the vociferous home crowd cheered their team on.

Both sides had set up with an attacking formation with Austria beginning with a 4-3-3. Germany’s first opportunity to attack arrived after five minutes after Stranzl lost possession to Podolski, but Fritz then wasted the ball on the edge of the area.

A minute later Germany wasted a glorious chance to open the scoring. Miroslav Klose burst down the right hand side and with a lack of a challenge; he squared the ball to Gomez, who just had to tap the ball in.

The Stuttgart striker however made a real hash of it and allowed Garics to clear. It was an unbelievable miss from a player who had so far failed to live up to the huge expectations of him.

The early pressure was taking place in the Austrian half, and the hosts were being limited to sporadic counter attacks. Despite enjoying the majority of possession, Germany were finding it difficult to find the space as a well drilled Austria dropped deep.

The Austrians did get a whiff of the German goal after 20 minutes following a through ball to Hoffer. One-on-one with Jens Lehmann, the forward was however denied by the out-rushing keeper.

That represented the start of a little period of pressure from Austria as Rene Aufhauser was next to fire an effort in on goal. Lehmann had to dive down alertly to parry the ball away for a corner. Three minutes later and Jürgen Macho had to produce an equally impressive save from a low Podolski shot.

On 40 minutes a little spat between Joachim Löw and Joseph Hickersberger on the sidelines saw referee Mejuto Gonzalez send both trainers to the stands.

Second Half

Right at the start of the second half Metzelder lost possession midway inside his own half and Hoffer took control to bear down on the German goal. Fortunately for Germany Per Mertesacker got back to clear the danger.

Germany then took the lead on 49 minutes with captain Michael Ballack firing in the first direct free kick of the whole tournament. Andreas Ivanschitz fouled Philipp Lahm and was rightly booked. From around 26 meters, Ballack fired in an unstoppable shot to hand the Germans the lead and knock the stuffing out of Austria.

With Austria reeling Germany pressed forward and were close to a second on 55 minutes when Ballack fed Podolski well. The Bayern forward however pulled his shot just wide.

Austria then looked to have recovered from the shock of the goal and started to put the Germans more and more under pressure. Joachim Löw took off the below-par Mario Gomez for Thomas Hitzlsperger, while Hickersberger sent on both Kienast and Säumel.

On 75 minutes Klose managed to get clear of his opposition player, but was culpable of a poor shoot that caused Macho no worries. Austria were playing well enough but as throughout the tournament lacked the cutting edge up front.

On 81 minutes impressive full back Garics very nearly put through his own net as he tried to head clear a Torsten Frings corner. Jürgen Macho was on hand to rescue the situation.

Right at the end Germany should have wrapped things up when the worked themselves a three on one opportunity, but Neuville was too selfish and the chance went begging.

Goals:

0-1 Ballack (49)

Yellow Cards: Stranzl (13), Hoffer (31), Ivanschitz (48)

Austria: Macho, Garics, Stranzl, Hiden (Leitgeb 55), Pogatetz, Aufhauser (Säumel 63), Fuchs, Ivanschitz, Korkmaz, Harnik (Kienast 67), Hoffer

Germany: Lehmann, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Lahm, Frings, Ballack, Fritz (Borowski 93), Podolski (Neuville 83), Klose, Gomez (Hitzlsperger 60)

Italy Peeled Like Oranges

2008-06-09T16:44:00.000-07:00

Holland 3-0 Italy

Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Wesley Sneijder and Giovanni Van Bronckhorst grabbed the goals as Holland crushed World Champions Italy 3-0 in an absorbing, and perhaps a touch controversial game in Berne.

Holland were dealt a number of blows coming into the game, the biggest of all came on Saturday when Arjen Robben was ruled out after picking up a groin problem.

The experienced Clarence Seedorf refused to travel to Euro 2008, Ryan Babel was also at home due to injury, while Robin Van Persie was still not fit enough to start.

Marco Van Basten surprisingly opted for Khalid Boulahrouz ahead of Johnny Heitinga in defence. Ruud Van Nistelrooy started as the lone frontman, supported by Rafael Van der Vaart, Wesley Sneijder and Dirk Kuyt.

The Azzurri had some problems in defence, having been robbed of the services of inspirational captain Fabio Cannavaro, who injured his ankle in training and was ruled out of the tournament. Roberto Donadoni also sprung a surprise by starting Massimo Ambrosini ahead of Daniele De Rossi to form an all-Milan midfield. Christian Panucci had been a doubt for the game due to a knee problem, but he started at right back. Donadoni employed a forward trident of Mauro Camoranesi, Luca Toni and Antonio Di Natale.

Italy had the first chance of the game as Di Natale lost his man down the right, but in a good shooting position he tried to find Toni in the middle, and over-hit his cross. Camoranesi then lashed a shot well wide from long range.

Toni and Camoranesi combined well, and the latter slipped a clever through ball to Ambrosini but he just couldn’t get onto the end of it. Down the other end Van Nistelrooy saw a shot charged down.

On 10 minutes Sneijder smashed a free kick from a promising position against the wall, while Gianluigi Buffon got down to make the first save of the game from Van der Vaart’s daisycutter.

Moments later Toni rose above his man at the back post but his header from Gattuso’s cross was misdirected. Van Nistelrooy ambitiously tried his luck but his effort bobbled harmlessly straight at Buffon.

On 17 minutes Holland missed a fantastic chance as Kuyt slipped Van Nistelrooy through on goal. The Real Madrid man rounded Buffon but lost his balance and was forced too wide to make the chance count. At first it looked like Buffon had made contact with Ruud and that a penalty could have been on offer if the Dutchman had gone down. However, replays show that Buffon withdrew from the challenge and Van Nistelrooy, in evading, lost his balance.

Van der Vaart then volleyed over from just outside the box as Holland controlled the midfield in the early stages.

On 24 minutes Marco Materazzi had his heart in his mouth as he back flicked a header from Sneijder’s free kick just inches wide of his own post.

Moments later Holland were in front amid some controversy. Buffon punched out a corner, Sniejder smashed the ball back in, and Van Nistelrooy turned the ball in from close range. Replays showed that the forward was clearly offside, and quite how both officials failed to spot it is incredible.

Italy were enraged and Toni was booked for protesting. The forward then went down in the penalty area under pressure from Mathijsen but the referee didn’t want to know.

On the half hour Pirlo’s corner was flicked on at the near post, and Van Bronckhorst cleared off his own line. Holland countered straight down the other end, Van der Vaart hit a wonderful cross-field pass to Kuyt, who headed down to Sneijder, and the midfielder turned the ball past Buffon superbly to make it 2-0!

Italy were shell-shocked, and Di Natale fired in a vicious volley but it was straight at Van der Sar, who saved at the second attempt.

Nevertheless the Italy team was all over the place especially in defence, where there was no leadership or organisation without Cannavaro. Barzagli and Materazzi looked like they had never meet each other in their whole life.

On 42 minutes it should have been three as Van der Vaart threaded through the red sea separating the two Italy centre backs to put Van Nistelrooy clean through on goal, but Buffon kept his side in the game by saving superbly with his feet.

On the stroke of half time Di Natale had a rare attempt for the Azzurri, striking a sweet half volley over the bar from 25 yards as the Dutch went in 2-0 up at the break.

Into the second half and Italy immediately came out of the blocks, Panucci heading wide from a corner at the near post. Holland also had a chance from a corner but Ambrosini just did enough to put off Andre Ooijer at the back post.

Zambrotta burst forward from left back, and delightfully cut inside Dirk Kuyt, but he sliced his shot off target. Donadoni made a change on 54 minutes, taking off Materazzi, who was having a stinker, and bringing on Fabio Grosso, meaning that Panucci moved into the centre.

Italy were much more purposeful after the break. Toni took the ball down well and turned at shot, but it was easy for Van der Sar.

On 63 minutes Pirlo tried to catch out Van der Sar at his near post from a free kick, and his effort was not too far wide. Moments later Alessandro Del Piero replaced Di Natale as Italy desperately looked for some inspiration.

He immediately got into the action, finding an angle on the edge of the area, and hitting a trademark curler, but it was straight at the goalkeeper.

Holland were now playing a containing game, and in a rare second half effort, Van der Vaart curled a free kick over the bar. Del Piero was looking lively, and he cut inside his marker on the left and curled over the bar.

Donadoni finally introduced Cassano, strangely waiting 15 minutes from the end to introduce the volatile star in place of Camoranesi, while Van Persie replaced Van Nistelrooy for the Dutch.

Cassano showed his brilliance immediately, with a simply magnificent chipped through ball for Toni, but with only the keeper to beat, he disappointingly turned the ball well over.

Italy were dominating now, and Grosso was next to be one-on-one but again he shot straight at Van der Sar, when it seemed easier to score. The ball was then hacked away by the Dutch defence.

On 78 minutes Van der Sar pulled off a simply world class save to turn away Pirlo’s free kick. Holland went straight down the other end. Buffon saved a one-on-one from Kuyt, but the ball was put back into the box, and Van Bronckhorst headed past Buffon via a deflection off Zambrotta. It was now certainly game over.

Grosso fired over a free kick, before Dutch substitute Ibrahim Afellay nearly made it four with a searing shot that skimmed the bar.

Van Persie also went close on 88 minutes, skipping past Barzagli, before flashing a shot inches wide from the angle.

The ball just didn’t want to go in for Italy. Toni held the ball up for Ambrosini, whose shot from six yards was somehow deflected wide.

The Netherlands thus go top after what was most definitely a deserved win, while Italy are now rock bottom, and will crash out of the tournament if they lose to Romania.

Holland: Van der Sar, Boulahrouz (Heitinga 76), Ooijer, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst, De Jong, Engelaar, Sneijder, Van der Vaart, Kuyt (Affelay 81), Van Nistelrooy (Van Persie 70)

Italy: Buffon, Panucci, Barzagli, Materazzi (Grosso 55), Zambrotta, Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini, Camoranesi (Cassano 75), Toni, Di Natale (Del Piero 63)

UEFA Cup final: Zenit - G.Rangers

2008-05-02T16:30:00.000-07:00

Rampant Zenit Humiliate Bayern Zenit St. Petersburg 4 - 0 Bayern München (5-1 agg.)

Bayern were outrun, outfought and outclassed by Zenit St. Peterburg, who strolled through to the UEFA Cup final in Manchester after a stunning 4-0 win...

A brace from Pavel Pogrebnyak, plus goals from Zyrianov and Fayzulin, see the St. Petersburg side through to their first ever UEFA Cup final at the expense of sorry Bayern.

From the fifth minute onwards the Russians were on top, and the four goal margin of victory was fully deserved despite the fact that the visitors managed no small measure of possession.

A Pavel Pogrebyak free-kick gave Zenit the lead early on. His effort wriggled its way through a flimsy Bayern wall past the unsighted Oliver Kan, before Konstantin Zryianov extended the hosts’ lead six minutes before half time with a strong shot across the hapless Kahn..

Viktor Fayzulin headed Zenit into a 3-0 after 54 minutes and Pogrebnyak completed his brace in the 73^rd minute to exacerbate the Bavarians’ misery.

The only negative from a thorough and convincing performance by Dick Advocaat’s charges was the yellow card picked up by the influential Pogrebnyak, which rules him out of the final in Mancester in a fortnight’s time.

On this showing, the 5-1 aggregate winners will provide stiff competition for either Rangers or Fiorentina.

Line Ups:

Zenit (4-4-2): Malafeev – Krizanac, Dominguez (Lee Ho 89’), Pogrebnyak, Shirokov, Zyrianov, Fayzulin, Anyukov, Denisov (Ionov 90’), Tymoschuk, Gorshkov

Bayer Munich (4-4-2): Kahn – Lucio, Demichelis, Jansen (Podolski 46’), Lahm – Van Bommel, Ze Roberto (Lell 46’), Schweinsteiger, Ribery – Klose (Sosa 62’), Toni

Cards:

Zenit: Pogrebnyak

Bayern Munich: Toni, Lell

Goals:

Zenit: Pogrebnyak (4, 73), Zryianov (39), Fayzulin (54).

Bayen: none

GOAL S

Hitzfeld Rues Zenit Catastrophe

Bayern Munich trainer Ottmar Hitzfeld was left perplexed by what he called a “catastrophic performance” as the Uefa Cup favourites crashed to a 4-0 defeat at the Petrovsky to Zenit St Petersbug.

With the tie poised at 1-1, Bayern knew what they needed to do but the Bavarians never really got started and were blasted by four Zenit goals to crash out of the competition.

Two goals from Pavel Pogrebnyak made him the tournament’s leading scorer, before Zyrianov and Fayzulin added to Bayern’s woes.

“We had a catastrophic performance tonight” Hitfeld mused. “Despite that the team tried every thing, but you get days where you don’t get the chances” he added.

“You simply cannot make the defensive mistakes we did in international football. In Europe we were simply not as good as were are in the Bundesliga” the General said.

Bayern Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenige was equally despondent, and seemed to blame fatigue on Bayern’s humiliating loss.

“Of course we’re disappointed not to reach the final” Rumenigge said after the game. “We are not used to losing 4-0.

“Today we came up against an opponent who played superb football. You cannot forget they started their Russian championship only a few weeks ago so they are quite fresh.

“Our team has been playing three times a week for the past few months and today Zenit were in better condition, fresher and fitter, whereas we were a bit tired.

“We have won two trophies and are German Cup winners and league champions. If you’d told us that at the start of the season, we would have been delighted.”

Advocaat: Today Was Our Day

Zenit St Petersburg trainer Dick Advocat was almost left speechless after watching his side blast four goals past Bayern Munich and make it through to the Uefa Cup final.

The Russian champions went into the game with a slight advantage after securing a 1-1 draw in the first leg, and they made the perfect start when Pavel Pogrenyak fired home a fourth minute free kick.

Goals from Zyrianov and a first ever career goal from Fayzulin but the home side well and truly in the driving seat, before Pogrebnyak steered home a fourth goal on 73 minutes to humiliate Bayern and see them crash out of the tournament they had set their hearts on winning.

“It is unbelievable the way we played today. I have never seen anything like it” Advocaat beamed.

“The most important thing today was not to give Bayern too much space. Bayern never got into the game so a big compliment to my team.

“Today was our day” the Dutchman added.

The only sour note of the evening for Zenit was the yellow card dished out to striker Pavel Pogrebnyak, who will now miss the final.

Heroic Rangers In Final After Shootout

Fiorentina 0-0 Rangers (0-0 on aggregate, Rangers win 4-2 on penalties)

Fiorentina dominated for 120 minutes, but a mixture of poor finishing and simply heroic Rangers defending, allowed the Scots to hold out for a penalty shootout, and substitute Nacho Novo struck home the winning spot-kick to take them through to the UEFA Cup final.

Both teams fancied their chances of joining Zenith St Petersburg in the final in Manchester, following the goalless draw in the first leg in Glasgow last week.

Fiorentina came into this game at full strength, as Marco Donadel returned from suspension. Fabio Liverani was preferred to Zdravko Kuzmanovic, as was Massimo Gobbi to Manuel Pasqual in the left back position.

Rangers had numerous injuries, with Stevie Naismith, Chris Burke, Allan McGregor, Lee McCulloch and DaMarcus Beasley all sidelined. David Weir picked up a groin injury against Celtic at the weekend, as did Steven Davis, but both recovered to play. Barry Ferguson and Kevin Thomson returned from suspension.

First Half

Fiorentina started with intent, and Carlos Cuellar was forced into a crucial challenge to prevent Gobbi getting onto the end of a give-and-go. The pattern of the game resembled that from the first leg, with the Viola looking to attack, and Rangers sitting deep waiting to counter-attack.

There was little space for Fiorentina to penetrate, and the next attempt didn’t arrive until the 19th minute when Riccardo Montolivo shot straight at Neil Alexander from long range.

Adrian Mutu held off Brahim Hemdani but didn’t get hold of his effort, while Montolivo shot wildly over from distance.

Fiorentina began to up the pressure, and Rangers were slightly fortunate when Alexander’s fumble from a Gobbi cross didn’t prove costly.

A delightful chipped pass from Fabio Liverani found Montolivo and his cut back caused Ranges’ hearts to stop inside the six yard box, before the danger was cleared.

Fiorentina’s best chance so far arrived on the half-hour as Liverani intelligently located Mutu on the edge of the box in a pre-worked free kick, but the Romanian’s shot couldn’t find its way through the mass of bodies.

Mutu saw another shot charged down, as the home side really searched for the breakthrough. Pazzini, who was finding Cuellar a difficult proposition, then headed well wide from a corner.

Fiorentina received a blow just before half time as Donadel failed to run off an injury and had to be replaced by Kuzmanovic.

Second Half

Into the second half and the attack versus defence pattern continued. Martin Jorgensen burst forward from right back and fired over, as did Mutu somewhat disappointingly.

Fiorentina had a fine chance to break the deadlock on 51 minutes as Mutu fired in a ball from the left, and Pazzini flashed a shot past Alexander’s near post.

The Viola were camped in the visitors half now, winning a succession of corners, and Mutu headed wide from one of these.

The ex-Chelsea man was involved in everything now, and he curled a low free kick wide from just outside the box. Pazzini then missed his kick as Ranger defended for their lives.

Just past the hour mark a miss-kick from Kuzmanovic, following a corner, fell to Ujfalusi, who thumped a ferocious half volley just over the bar.

The game was embarrassingly one-sided as almost the entire second half was played inside the Rangers half, but Fiorentina just couldn’t find a way past the bus parked in front of the goal. Montolivo fizzed in a long-range shot that went wide.

On 70 minutes Mutu had another free kick attempt, from fully 35 yards. Alexander spilled, but recovered before Pazzini got to the ball.

Jorgensen was the next Viola player to shoot from outside the box but his effort was high, wide and not very handsome.

Rangers had their first shot of the game in the 76th minute, and it was a half-decent chance as Steven Davis profited from an Ujfalusi mistake, but his left footed attempt was weak, and saved easily by Frey.

On 79 minutes Christian Vieri replaced Pazzini, and he should have scored with his first touch, as he fell on the ball with the goal at his mercy following a right-wing free kick.

Vieri missed another chance soon after, as Mutu left Kirk Broadfoot for dead, and his cutback was blazed over by the veteran.

For all Fiorentina’s dominance, Rangers could have stolen the tie on 84 minutes as Steven Whittaker’s curler was beaten away by Frey.

Liverani saw his shot deflected wide, and Kuzmanovic pulled his effort, as Rangers held out to take the game to extra time.

Extra Time

On 91 minutes Vieri missed a third decent chance, screwing his shot on the left just wide of the far post. Minutes later the home side missed another great chance as Gobbi’s cross was headed over the bar from just eight yards out.

Jorgensen whipped in a wicked cross from the right, and Vieri was inches away from being able to turn the ball home.

Substitute Daniel Cousin then had two attempts in quick succession as a tiring Rangers side continued to fight gallantly. Montolivo had his umpteenth long shot of the game, but he pulled the ball horribly wide.

Into the second period of extra time, and it continued to look like it wasn’t going to be Fiorentina’s night. Mutu’s volley was goal-bound but the magnificent Cuellar made yet another superb block.

On 110 minutes Rangers were reduced to ten men as Cousin received a second yellow card for putting his head into Liverani’s face.

Jorgensen flashed in a ball with his left foot that Vieri couldn’t grow enough to reach, as Fiorentina continued to launch wave after wave of attack.

In the space of 30 seconds both sides could have stolen it. First a corner from the right for Rangers caused havoc inside the Fiorentina box. Down the other end, Mutu headed the ball into the ground and over from just six yards out.

In the penultimate minute Vieri volleyed over with his right foot, before the 34-year-old flashed another effort with his stronger foot into the side netting. That was that, as the game moved into a dreaded penalty shootout.

Shootout

Barry Ferguson stepped up for Rangers’ first penalty and was denied by a simply world class one-handed Frey save. Kuzmanovic, Whittaker, Montolivo, and Papac all scored, before Alexander denied Liverani to make it 2-2 after three penalties each. Hemdani scored to put Rangers ahead, before Vieri blazed over. This left Nacho Novo with the chance to put Rangers in the final, and he sent Frey the wrong way to spark glorious scenes on the Rangers bench.

Fiorentin will be wondering just how they managed to lose this match having battered their opponents from start to finish, but Rangers will not mind, as they take on Zenith St Petersburg in the final in Manchester in 13 days time.

Fiorentina: Frey, Jorgensen, Ujfalusi, Gamberini, Gobbi, Donadel (Kuzmanovic 41), Liverani, Montolivo, Santana (Semioli 93), Pazzini (Vieri 78), Mutu

Rangers: Alexander, Broadfoot, Cuellar, Weir, Papac, Whittaker, Hemdani, Thomson, Davis (Novo 80), Ferguson, Darcheville (Cousin 64)

Penalties

Ferguson (R) – Saved

Kuzmanovic (F) – Goal

Whittaker (R) – Goal

Montolivo (F) – Goal

Papac (R) – Goal

Liverani (F) - Saved

Hemdani (R) – Goal

Vieri (F) – Miss

Novo (R) - Goal

PENALTIES