Goal.com’s KS Leong looks at whether Barca’s Three Musketeers are worthy to be crowned the best players of 2010.

Ballon D'or Award

It was announced on Monday that Barcelona trio Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Xavi have been nominated as the top three candidates for the FIFA Ballon d’Or, as voted by coaches and captains of national teams and a panel of global journalists.

Although this is the first year that FIFA’s World Player of the Award award has merged with France Football’s Ballon d’Or, it is the third time that three players from the same club will finish as the best three footballers of the year after the great Milan side of the late 80’s completely dominated proceedings in the 1988 and 1989 editions of the Ballon d’Or.

But as always, there will be debates and contentious arguments regarding the finalists. Many believe that Inter and Netherlands playmaker Wesley Sneijder should have been in the top three at the very least, and even perhaps a worthy winner.

Diego Forlan single-handedly carried Atletico Madrid to Europa League glory last season, and he did likewise with Uruguay in South Africa 2010, leading his country to a respectable fourth-place finish at the World Cup with some spectacular goals.

Then there’s Iker Casillas and Julio Cesar, two goalkeepers who performed miracles for club and country throughout 2010. But should any of those four, or any of the others for that matter, in the initial 23-man shortlist who deserve to be in the final three more than Iniesta, Messi and Xavi?

Iniesta’s inclusion will perhaps draw the most mixed reception. The attacking midfielder spent the first half of 2010 nursing a niggling injury and as a result, his performances were below his usual high standards. But the extra rests that he picked up along the way turned out to be a blessing in disguise as he has become the only star player who featured in the final of the World Cup to carry his form into the new league season.

Lionel Messi failed to carry Argentina far into the World Cup, but his form for Barcelona has been simply sublime in the whole of the calendar year: 54 goals in 47 club games in 2010 up until the final three shortlist was announced, including six hat-tricks. If the Ballon d’Or is part recognition and reward for consistency, then Little Leo deserves to retain the gong he won last year.

Since finishing second in the 2008 edition, Messi’s level has not dropped one bit. If anything, he has been steadily improving, not just in his goal ratio, but his all-round performance. And that doesn’t include the mesmerizing exhibitions and masterclasses that he puts on every time he steps onto the pitch.

There is hardly a more consistent player in world football at the moment. But if there is a challenger, then it has to be Xavi.

The midfield maestro is a real critics’ and players’ favorite. Not always as dazzling on eye as Messi and Iniesta, he is a footballer that you have to truly analyze and dig up some numbers to appreciate and admire his craft.

He didn’t score at the World Cup, he doesn’t bag hat-tricks, he doesn’t dribble past walls of defenders every week. He is a player who consistently strings close to 100 passes together match after match, he covers well over 10 kilometers per game, and his vision and passing range is incomparable.

The Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year accolades have always stirred up debates amongst fans in the past. Don’t expect it to be any different this year now that the awards have merged.

If you’re still craving more Spanish omelet, the top three coaches who are vying for the managerial equivalent of the award are all currently in Spanish football: World Cup winner Vicente del Bosque, Barca’s master conductor Pep Guardiola, and Inter’s treble winner and now property of Real Madrid, Jose Mourinho.

(source: by KS Leong, www.goal.com)

Cristiano Ronaldo - Most Expensive Player in Football History

Full name: Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro

Birthday: February 5, 1985 (age 24)

Birthplace: Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

Height: 1.84 m

Weight: 75kg

Nickname: Ronnie, CR, Rocket Ronaldo, CR7, C. Ronaldo

Position: Right/Left Winger

Current club: Real Madrid

Ronaldo is the most expensive player in football history after moving Manchester United to Real Madrid in a transfer deal worth £80 million (€94m, US$132m). Besides, his contract with Real Madrid, in which he is to be paid £11 million per year over the following six years, makes him the highest-paid football player in the world.

Early Life

Cristiano Ronaldo was born in Portugal and grew up with a brother and two sisters. His second name (Ronaldo) is relatively rare in Portugal. His parents named him after former US president Ronald Reagan because he was his father's favourite actor, and not for political reasons. 

He began kicking a football when he was three, and when he started primary school at age six, his passion for the sport was obvious.   By 1995, at just ten years of age, Cristiano Ronaldo's reputation was growing in Portugal. Madeira's top two teams, CS Marítimo and CD Nacional were both interested in signing him. Marítimo, the bigger team, missed a crucial meeting with Rui Santos manager of Andorinha, and as a result Ronaldo signed for Nacional. After a title-winning campaign at Nacional, Ronaldo went on a three day trial with Sporting who subsequently signed him for an undisclosed sum.

First Clubs in Portugal

Ronaldo joined Sporting's other youth players who trained at the Alcochete, the club's "football factory," where he received first-class instruction. He also featured for Portugal in the UEFA Under 17 Championships.

His performances at the UEFA Under 17 championship drew him to the attention of the wider football world. He came to the attention of Sir Alex Ferguson in the summer of 2003, when Sporting Clube de Portugal beat Manchester United 3–1 in the inauguration of the Alvalade XXI stadium in Lisbon. After the match, United's players spoke enthusiastically of the young talent that they had just played against, saying they would rather have him in their team than play against him in the future.[citation needed]

Christiano Ronaldo at Manchester United 2003–2006

Ferguson decided that he wanted the youngster for his team, who were in the market for a right-sided midfielder with the departure of David Beckham to Real Madrid; Cristiano was signed for a fee of £12.24 million.

Ronaldo requested the number 28 (his number at Sporting), as he did not want the pressure of living up to the expectation linked to the number 7 shirt, which had previously been worn by players such as George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, and David Beckham. "After I joined, the manager asked me what number I'd like. I said 28. But Ferguson said 'No, you're going to have No. 7,' and the famous shirt was an extra source of motivation. I was forced to live up to such an honour.”

2006-2009

The 2006-2007 season proved to be the breakout year for Ronaldo, as he broke the 20 goal barrier for the first time and picked up his first league title with Manchester United.

In November and December 2006, Ronaldo received consecutive Barclays Player of the Month honours, becoming only the third player in Premier League history to do so after Dennis Bergkamp in 1997 and Robbie Fowler in 1996.  He was voted into his second consecutive FIFPro Special Young Player of the Year award at the end of the year.

He finished as the runner-up to Kaká for the 2007 Ballon d'Or and was 3rd in the running for the FIFA World Player of the Year award, behind Kaká and Lionel Messi.

On 11 June, Manchester United accepted an unconditional offer of £80 million from Real Madrid for Ronaldo after it was revealed that he again had expressed his desire to leave the club.  It was confirmed by a representative of the Glazer family that the sale was fully condoned by Ferguson.

Real Madrid

Ronaldo was presented to the world media as a Real Madrid player on 6 July 2009, where he was handed the number 9 jersey. Ronaldo was welcomed by 80,000 fans at his presentation at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, surpassing Diego Maradona's record of 75,000 fans when he was presented in Italy, after he was transferred from Barcelona to Napoli in 1984.

With the departure of Raúl in the summer of 2010, Ronaldo was handed the number 7 jersey.

Drogba - one of best centre forwards

Name: Didier Yves Drogba Tébily

Club: Chelsea (Eng)

Position: Striker

Nationality: Ivory Coast

Date of Birth: March 11, 1978

Height: 188 cm

Strengths: Aerial prowess and power; there are few players in the world as strong.

Weaknesses: Temperament, propensity to dive and over-exaggerate tackles and confrontations.

 Style: Robust, bustling centre forward who harasses his markers. But he is excellent with the ball on the deck and a strong finisher with the ability to use both feet.

Club Career

1998-2002 : Le Mans

Undoubtedly one of the best centre forwards in the world, Drogba still manages to polarise opinion with his theatrical and temperamental style of play taking the shine off the powerful striker's incredible talent. Drogba moved from his native Ivory Coast to France in 1988, living with his uncle in order to pursue a career in football. He started his career at Dunkirk before moving to Abbeville, Levallois and Le Mans.

2002-2003 : En Avant Guingamp

But it was after a move to Guingamp that he really began to catch the attention, netting 17 goals in their 2002-03 Ligue 1 campaign before signing for Marseille.

2003-2004 : Olympique de Marseille

It was 2003 and Didier Drogba emerged rather late on the first scene of top European soccer, at age 25. Still, his appetite for goal wouldn't allow him to lay low, even though he reached a comfortable level for any footballer, Marseille being a team that would battle each year for the league and cup, as well as on the European front, in the UEFA Champions League.

The main passion for Drogba, goals, remained his primary target and he managed to score 19 times in 35 matches for Marseille, of which 5 in the UEFA Champions League group stages and another 6 in the following UEFA Cup run.

2004- Present: Chelsea

Age 26, it was the perfect setup for him to step in the light, as he got a contract offer from what is still the most important club in the career of Drogba, Chelsea London.  Chelsea and Jose Mourinho then came knocking and smashed the British transfer record for a striker, paying £24 million for his services in 2004.  

Although being helped by a tremendous performance by Drogba, Chelsea didn't manage to win the Champions League trophy, stopping in the finals, they are considered amongst the favorites each year and many, believe that only time separate Chelsea and Drogba from being crowned the kings of Europe.

Spain dominate shortlist for new FIFA Ballon d'Or

Seven members of Spain's World Cup-winning squad have made it onto the shortlist for the first ever FIFA Ballon d'Or award, with Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan the surprise name on the 23-man list.

Xavi, David Villa, Xabi Alonso, Iker Casillas, Carles Puyol, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas were the Spaniards who made the list, but there was no place for an Englishman, Frenchman or Italian after their poor performances in South Africa.

The winner will be revealed at a ceremony in Zurich on January 10, 2011, with the players chosen by football experts from the FIFA's Football Committee, the Technical and Development Committee and the Committee for Women's Football and the FIFA Women's World Cup, as well as by a group of experts from France Football magazine.

The new award is a combination of the FIFA World Player of the Year award and the France Football Ballon d'Or and on December 6, 2010, FIFA and France Football will announce the names of the three men who have received the most votes.

Shortlist for the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2010:

Xabi Alonso (Spain), Daniel Alves (Brazil), Iker Casillas (Spain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Didier Drogba (Côte d'Ivoire), Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon), Cesc Fabregas (Spain), Diego Forlan (Uruguay), Asamoah Gyan (Ghana), Andres Iniesta (Spain), Julio Cesar (Brazil), Miroslav Klose (Germany), Philipp Lahm (Germany), Maicon (Brazil), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Thomas Muller (Germany), Mesut Ozil (Germany), Carles Puyol (Spain), Arjen Robben (Netherlands), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany), Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands), David Villa (Spain) and Xavi (Spain).

World Coach of the Year nominees: 

Carlo Ancelotti (Chelsea), Vicente del Bosque (Spain), Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United), Pep Guardiola (FC Barcelona), Joachim Low (Germany), Jose Mourinho (Inter Milan/Real Madrid), Oscar Tabarez (Uruguay), Louis van Gaal (Bayern Munich), Bert van Marwijk (Holland) and Arsene Wenger (Arsenal).

source: ESPN (www.soccernet.com)

Jose not planning any Real deals

Jose Mourinho has all but ruled out the possibility of new signings at Real Madrid in January.

ollowing the return of Florentino Perez to the presidency in 2009, Madrid have spent huge sums on the squad, with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Xabi Alonso, Karim Benzema, Angel Di Maria, Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira among those to have arrived.

Despite the spending, Mourinho had complained of a lack of options in attack, with only Gonzalo Higuain and Benzema as established strikers, and there have been rumours of a move for Athletic Bilbao forward Fernando Llorente.

However, Mourinho has now said that, barring "something unusual", he is not expecting any additions to his squad before the end of the campaign.

"It's normal there's talk of players," he said on the club's official website. "Madrid is Madrid and there's always talk of players. Mainly it's great players because, if you talk of mediocre players, people won't believe it.

"It seems normal to me, but as coach I have to say not only what I think but what the club thinks and that is that this is the squad until the end of the season. These are the players which we have faith in.
"Real Madrid have made the investment that they had to do in previous years and this summer. We don't have the perfect squad, because the perfect squad doesn't exist. We have an excellent squad with players who give me a lot of confidence and I don't want any players in the winter market.

"It seems premature to me and unrealistic when there is talk of signings in January when the coach, and surely the director general (Jorge Valdano) and the president, will say that the market now and in January for Real Madrid is closed if nothing unusual happens."

source: ESPN

Juve deny Buffon rumours

Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta has dismissed reports Manchester United are working on a deal to sign Gianluigi Buffon.

United are currently in the process of identifying a successor to Edwin van der Sar, who turns 40 this month, and have recently spent time scouting Atletico Madrid youngster David De Gea and Anders Lindegaard of Aalesunds.

Reports have suggested that Sir Alex Ferguson may have made a move for Italy goalkeeper Buffon, 32, but Marotta insists no talks have taken place over a deal.

"I deny any negotiation with United. Buffon is a Juventus player," he told Tuttosport.

Buffon's agent, Silvano Martina, added: "These transfer rumours make no sense. Buffon has been sidelined for three months so who would want an injured player? Moreover, it seems to me that the best player at United so far has been Van der Sar."

Buffon will be out of action for the rest of the year after suffering a back problem during the World Cup.

source: ESPN

Ooops, I Didi it again. Arsene!

DIDIER DROGBA admits his amazing scoring record against Arsenal has him baffled.

His latest strike, as Chelsea went four points clear at the top, made it 13 goals in 13 clashes with Arsene Wenger's Gunners.
He said: "I don't know how to explain my record against Arsenal. Maybe it is just a question of being in the right place at the right time.

"It is good to go into the break now with a gap at the top, good to know we are four points ahead."
The Stamford Bridge goal-machine put the Blues in front before defender Alex scored from a stunning free-kick.
Yet Arsenal should have found the net themselves early on and Drogba admitted he complained to boss Carlo Ancelotti about the team's defending.

He added: "We were not defending well. We were not getting into the right positions. We didn't do what we were supposed to.

"In the second half we were much, much better. We showed more power, stayed in position better and played the ball out to Ashley Cole."

Arsenal have managed just one point, at Sunderland, from their last three Premier League matches.
Wenger admitted: "It was disappointing. We had the chances to win the game."

Source: thesun.co.uk

Spur have no Defence

HARRY REDKNAPP insists Spurs will go for the jugular against FC Twente on Wednesday - because he hardly has any fit defenders.

Tottenham have just two fully-fit centre-backs - Sebastien Bassong and Vedran Corluka - ahead of the Champions League clash at White Hart Lane.

Ledley King remains a doubt with his ongoing knee problems, Michael Dawson is out with ankle trouble and Younes Kaboul has a calf injury.

On top of this William Gallas has groin trouble and perennial crock Jonathan Woodgate is close to retiring.

Boss Redknapp will try to hammer the Dutch champions - who were managed by former England chief Steve McClaren last year - with an attacking line-up as he tries to ease away from the pack in Group A. Redknapp said: "We have to go for it. Winning the game is all-important and it will set us up nicely.

"The group is wide open with one point each. Inter Milan are obviously the favourites but after that, it's wide open. At home, our crowd are pumped up. It will be an intimidating atmosphere, just like it was in the qualifier against Young Boys. We attacked and got after them from the start.

"That is what we have to do in these European games, especially in this group. In Milan you might set up differently but at home... no.

"I have some concerns at the centre of defence. We've lost some key players through injury - even William Gallas, who I signed on a free from Arsenal, is out until after the next international break.

source:thesun.co.uk

Fàbregas - Youngest Arsenal first team player

Name: Francesc Fabregas Soler (Cesc Fabregas)
Club: Arsenal (Eng)
Shirt Number: 4
Personal
Position: Central midfielder
Nationality: Spanish
Date of Birth: 04/05/1987
Height: 177 cm
Weight: 69 kg in Arsenal Fàbregas started his career as a trainee with Barcelona but sensing that he would have limited opportunities at Barcelona.  Fàbregas also was signed by Arsenal in September 2003 at the age of 16.  Although life in England is not easy, he nevertheless made his debut for Arsenal not long after, on 23 October 2003, in a League Cup tie at home to Rotherham United.  He also became Arsenal's youngest ever first team player, aged 16 years and 177 days. In the next 2004-2005 season, he got the chance to be the First team player in the game against Manchester United in the Community Shield. Due to an injury of Vieira, Fàbregas stepped in and made four consecutive Premier League starts. Following injuries to key midfielders in the 2004–05 season, he established himself as Arsenal's starting central midfielder and playmaker. He went on to break several of the club's records, earning a reputation as one of the best young players for his position of his generation. Fabregas with Arsenal will end in 2014 before 2010/2011 starting, there was once again intense media rumour about his future, and in June 2010, a €35M bid from Barcelona was rejected. In Spain Team In UEFA Euro 2008, Fàbregas was issued with squad number 10.  He mostly was substitute but he scored his first international goal in that competition in Spain's 4–1 win over Russia. In the semi-finals, Spain defeated Russia 3–0 with Fàbregas providing two assists. The midfielder made the starting eleven in the final against Germany where Spain prevailed 1–0; this was Spain's first major title since 1964. Fàbregas was selected as a part of del Bosque's 23-man squad list for the FIFA World Cup 2010.  With del Bosque preferring a famous midfield of Sergio Busquets, Xabi Alonso, Xavi and Andrés Iniesta, Fàbregas didn't involve in any of Spain's games in the competition. He featured as a substitute in four of their seven matches. In the final itself, Fàbregas set up the extra-time winner for Iniesta to win Spain the World Cup for the first time in their history.

Arjen Robben - Magician Wing

Arjen Robbenis one of the top wingers in the current era. He is quick and quite tricky. He also is a dangerous customer at the goal with his left foot.

Full Name	Arjen Robben
Birth Date	January 23, 1984
Birth Place	Bedum, Netherlands
Height	1.83m

Weight	75 kg
Age	26
Position	Midfielder
Squad No	10

Club Career

Robben started his football professional player with Groningen in the 1999–2000 season.  He stayed with Groningen and improved steadily during the 2001–02 season, playing in 28 matches and scoring six goals.  Before the 2002–03 season, he transferred to PSV for €3.9 million. 

During his first season for PSV, the 2002–03 season, Robben played 33 matches and scored 12 goals. He was named "PSV co-player of the year" along with striker Mateja Kežman.  Later, Chelsea offered €18 million (£12.1 million), and PSV accepted.  However, Robben injured his hamstring twice and missed several games.  It also made his time with PSV end not impressively.

After a delayed debut at the Bridge due to a broken metatarsal, Robben then burst into the English game to damaging effect with performances full of speed and skill. Sadly for Robben that first season in London was probably his best as a series of injuries limited his involvement in a side which would win two Premier League titles.

He left Chelsea in 2007 to join Real Madrid in a £24 million deal. The Dutchman's first season in La Liga was spectacular, with the Spanish press locked in debate over whether Robben or Barcelona adversary Lionel Messi was the best player in the league. Real Madrid would win the Primera Liga title ahead of Barca.

In 2009-2010 season, although Robben was the important player of Real Madrid, It was claimed that he was "forced" to leave Real Madrid, saying that he "did not want to go, but the club wanted to sell him".  (At that time, Real Madrid got Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka as the new players)

In the national Team

Robben played with the Netherlands team in EURO 2004, World cup 2006, EURO 2008 and World Cup 2010.  Even though he was an unused substitute for the opening game against Denmark, the rest of games in World Cup 2010, Robben was always in the first team.  Unfortunately, Netherlands lost 0-1 Spain in the final round.  I believe that everybody will know and remember Arjen Robben as one of most important key men for Netherlands team and skillful players.

Brazil -1st Fifa World Ranking

Fifa World Cup

Winner (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)

Runners-Up (1950, 1998)

Third (1938, 1978)

Fourth (1974)

Now, we can say that the best football team in the world is Brazil.  They have many things to be legend for Football Brazil are the most successful national football team in the history of the World Cup with five championships: 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002.

Meanwhile, Brazil have many talents football players and one of them who are the legend is Pele’.  Pelé is hailed as a national hero. He is known for his accomplishments and contributions to the game of football in addition to being officially declared football ambassador of the world by FIFA  and a national treasure by the Brazilian government.   Pelé began playing for Santos at 15 and his national team at 16, and won his first World Cup at 17.  He was the youngest player of that tournament, and at the time the youngest ever to play in the World Cup. 

Pelé's technique and natural athleticism have been universally praised and during his playing years he was renowned for his excellent dribbling  and passing, his pace, powerful shot, exceptional heading ability, and prolific goalscoring.

Brazil are very excellent in Football until there is a saying: “the English invented it, the Brazilians perfected it” .

In World Cup 2010, Brazil are in group G with Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast and Portugal. 

Rooney is PFA player of the year

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been named the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year, though he missed out an awards double as James Milner beat him to the PFA Young Player of the Year prize.

Rooney, who has been in sensational form this season, saw off stiff competition in the form of Cesc Fabregas, Carlos Tevez and Didier Drogba to collect the honour, and United have now provided the winner in each of the past four years.

"It's a great feeling to win the player of the year award because it's voted for by the players,'' Rooney said. "It's something I'm really proud of and it's a great honour.

"I remember coming here in 2005 and 2006 to win the young player of the year. I saw the players winning the main one and it's something I've aimed for since.''

Rooney, who is the Premier League's top scorer with 26 goals to his name, missed United's 3-1 victory over Tottenham on Saturday with a groin injury sustained in training and there are doubts about whether he will play for his club again this season.

But the England striker insists he could be back for United's final game of the season and has promised that he will be fit to spearhead his country's World Cup campaign.

"The groin will be fine for the World Cup, there are no worries about that,'' he said. "I'm hoping to play for United in the last game of the season.''

Rooney is the first Englishman to win the award since Steven Gerrard in 2006 and he paid tribute to the influence United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has had on his career.


Rooney was also nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year, but that award went to James Milner of Aston Villa. Milner appears to have played himself into Fabio Capello's World Cup squad with a string of stellar performances, with the 24-year-old midfielder crediting a change in position for his success this season.
"I've been moved into the middle and that suits me as it helps me influence the game a bit more,'' Milner said. "Maybe sometimes wide right you want to influence the game but you just can't get yourself into it.''

Leeds legend and former South Africa captain Lucas Radebe, 41, won the PFA Merit award for his wide-ranging charity and community work.

"I'm very proud to get such a great award. Sport can change the world - football has played such a big part in lifting my community,'' Radebe said.

The PFA divisional team of the year contains four United players, spearheaded by Rooney. Arsenal, whose title challenge fell away in the final rounds, supply Fabregas and Thomas Vermaelen and there are also two from Chelsea in Drogba and Branislav Ivanovic.

source: ESPN

Bayern Munich surprised by Ribery red card

Bayern Munich officials and players have spoken of their surprise at referee Roberto Rosetti's decision to send off Franck Ribery during the Bavarians' 1-0 win over Lyon in the Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday.

Bayern Munich recovered from Franck Ribery's sending-off to take a slender lead in their Champions League semi-final thanks to Arjen Robben's goal.

France midfielder Ribery was dismissed after 37 minutes for an ugly studs-up challenge on Lisandro Lopez.

But an unadventurous Lyon side lost Jeremy Toulalon to a harsh second yellow card early in the second half.  And Robben gave Bayern a deserved win when his 30-yard effort took a slight deflection to beat Hugo Lloris.

It was Robben's glorious volley which had accounted for Manchester United in the previous round.  That win, coupled with their form in the Bundesliga which saw them thrash Hannover 7-0 on Saturday, had made Bayern favourites ahead of the semi-final.

Louis van Gaal's side dominated possession in the early stages against a defensive Lyon side set up to play on the counter, with just Lopez up front.

Bayern Munich manager Louis van Gaal:
"I am very satisfied. I think that we showed Europe how strong we are, we showed that by dominating with 10 men against 11.
"I did not think that we would win 1-0 with Ribery getting a red card, but we dominated. I think we created more chances when we were with 10 men against 11.
"When we were then 10 against 10 I sent in (another striker) Mario Gomez to score a goal faster. We created many chances but scored one goal. That is good."

Lyon coach Claude Puel:
"I am not looking for excuses. We still have some chances. We did not succeed in scoring that crucial away goal. I would have preferred to have lost with an away goal.
"We started well but we lost the ball too easily. In the second half we were too weak with the ball.
"Ribery's red card allowed us to take control of the match but then we then we had our player sent off. When it was 10 against 10 it became a very difficult match for us."

source:  ESPN, BBC

Nominations for the PFA Player of the Year Award

Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney is among the nominations for the Professional Footballers' Association player of the year award.

Rooney is joined on the four-man shortlist by Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea striker Didier Drogba and Manchester City ace Carlos Tevez.

Rooney and Fabregas are also nominees for the young player of the year award.
Aston Villa midfielder James Milner and Birmingham City's on-loan goalkeeper Joe Hart complete that particular list.

Rooney, who has already scored 34 goals for his club this term, is favourite to capture the PFA prize and make it the fourth successive year it has gone to a United player.
Cristiano Ronaldo recorded back-to-back wins in 2007 and 2008, while Ryan Giggs was handed the honours last season.

ooney, 24, and Fabregas, 22, will compete to join a select band of players to have won the young player award in the same season as the main honour.
Andy Gray, the former Aston Villa and Scotland striker, and Ronaldo achieved the feat in 1977 and 2007 respectively.

Both Rooney and Fabregas have already won the young player prize in the past. Rooney triumphed in 2005 and 2006, while Fabregas collected it in 2008.

Fabregas is currently injured and will miss the rest of the season after cracking his right fibula during the first leg of the Gunners' Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona.
But the Spaniard remains a key player for the Gunners, whose Premier League title aspirations were seemingly ended by their defeat by Tottenham on Wednesday.

BBC African Footballer of the Year Drogba, 32, has hit 32 goals to leave Chelsea on the brink of the first double in the club's history, while Tevez, 26, has also enjoyed a prolific campaign; netting 28 goals since joining City from neighbours United last summer.

The 24-year-old Milner, who looks like being a key player for England at this year's World Cup, is trying to emulate Aston Villa team-mate Ashley Young, who won the young player accolade last season.

source:bbc.co.uk

Olympiakos VS Bordeaux (0:1) Highlights UEFA champion League

Finally, Bordeaux is the last team which get the ticket to the Champions League quarter-finals.

Olympiakos vs Bordeaux Highlights (0:1)

Barcelona VS Stuttgart (4:0) Highlight UEFA Champion League

Lionel Messi staged another masterclass to power holders Barcelona into the quarter-finals of the Champions League at the expense of Stuttgart.

Barcelona 4 - Stuttgart 0
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Manchester United and Liverpool fans plan shock joint Old Trafford protest at their American owners

Manchester United and Liverpool fans could launch an incredible joint protest against their American owners.

Supporters from the arch rivals are rumoured to be plotting an 'unholy alliance' when they collide at Old Trafford next month.

The two sets of fans are prepared to put aside their bitter rivalry in a stunning combined backlash against the men who run their clubs.
Discussions on the move have already taken place between key fan groups, according to the Manchester Evening News.

United supporters are raging over the level of debt that has accumulated under the Glazers despite their huge success on the field in recent seasons.

Liverpool, who have struggled on the pitch this season, are also heavily in debt under the stewardship of co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks.
Although any joint protest has yet to be finalised, it is expected that United and Liverpool fans will perform the unthinkable at their showdown on March 21.
It is highly unlikely that the two sets of fans would march together outside the ground thanks to their huge rivalry. Instead, the protests would be confined to inside Old Trafford with huge banners and chants.

source: www.dailymail.co.uk

Terry thanks Chelsea's fans for backing

LONDON (AFP) – Chelsea's John Terry has thanked the club's fans for their support after allegations about his private life that cost him the England captaincy.

England manager Fabio Capello took a matter of minutes on Friday to tell Terry his time as captain of the national side was at an end following the central defender's alleged affair with Vanessa Perroncel, the ex-girlfriend of former Chelsea team-mate Wayne Bridge.

But the 29-year-old Terry remains the captain of Chelsea, where he has had the unstinting backing of manager Carlo Ancelotti, and the ongoing publicity over his private life appears to have had no adverse effect on his on-field performances.

It was from Terry's flick-on that Didier Drogba scored the first of his two goals on Sunday at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea beat Arsenal 2-0 to regain top spot in the English Premier League.

Terry, who has not so far commented publicly about his alleged infidelity, remains a hero to many Chelsea supporters and he told Chelsea TV, the club's in-house television station, after Sunday's victory: "On a personal note I would like to thank every single fan.

"It's been an emotional day (Sunday) for myself and how the fans have been with me over the last two weeks has been quite incredible.

source: Sports Yahoo

Arsenal - Manchester United 1-2 (01/30)

Manchester United moved to within one point of leaders Chelsea courtesy of an impressive 3-1 win at Arsenal.

AC Milan sink dismal Juventus in Turin

Milan moved to within eight points of Serie A leaders and city rivals Internazionale with a 3-0 away win at Juventus.

Three corners provided the Rossoneri's three goals. Alessandro Nesta prodded home Andrea Pirlo's cross at the far post in the first half, while Ronaldinho clinched the three points with 20 minutes to go with a glancing header, again from a Pirlo corner.

The Brazilian made it three in the closing stages, chesting down David Beckham's cross and finishing superbly past Juve 'keeper Alex Manninger.

The result keeps Milan in second, and underlines their status as the likeliest challengers to Jose Mourinho's Inter. Juve remain third, 12 points behind Inter, and four behind Milan.

Juventus had the better of a disjointed first half hour, in which misplaced passes dominated. Brazilian playmaker Diego was the only man who looked capable of providing the spark that would bring the match to life, and that almost proved the case as he cut in from the left, wrongfooting Gennaro Gattuso, before curling a right-foot effort just past the far post.

Uncharacteristically poor delivery from David Beckham meant nothing came from a series of Milan corners, though Andrea Pirlo's first corner of a game brought about the game's opening goal on the half-hour mark.

The Milan playmaker's cross should have been routinely booted clear at the near post by Felipe Melo at the near post, but he somehow missed the ball, allowing Nesta to pounce at the far post.

With the Rossoneri keeping the ball beautifully at the start of the second half, Juve coach Ciro Ferrara threw on Alessandro del Piero on 60 minutes in place of the anonymous Hasan Salihamdizic, while Christian Poulsen was almost immediately stretchered off and replaced by de Ceglie.

A free-kick blazed wastefully over the bar was the sum total of Del Piero's impact, and though Milan looked rather toothless in open play, they doubled their lead through another Pirlo set-piece with 20 minutes to go. Ronaldinho met Pirlo's corner at the near post with a glancing header, though it took another small but vital deflection off De Ceglie on its way in.

source: Eurosport (www.yahoo.com)

Four Premier League games called off

Four Premier League weekend fixtures have fallen victim to the adverse weather conditions enveloping England, with Liverpool's clash with Tottenham Hotspur the latest to be called off.

ulham's game against Portsmouth, Stoke's trip to Burnley and Sunderland's fixture against Bolton at the Stadium of Light have also been postponed. However, contrary to reports, Hull are "confident" their game with Chelsea will go ahead.

The big freeze has wreaked havoc with the fixture list in England this weekend with lower leagues also badly hit - not a single match will be played League Two or the Conference.

The Premier League fixture list had remained intact until Friday morning when it was announced that the game between Fulham and Portsmouth at Craven Cottage had been postponed.

A club statement read: "Saturday's Barclays Premier League fixture against Portsmouth at the Cottage has been postponed due to the adverse weather conditions which are not expected to improve over the next 24 hours.

"The safety of supporters is of paramount importance to the club and following an inspection of the areas surrounding Craven Cottage on Friday morning it was deemed unsafe for fans to travel.''

Burnley then announced that their game against Stoke City at Turf Moor will not be going ahead due to safety reasons before Bolton's trip to Sunderland was also called off.

Liverpool requested that their game with Spurs was postponed "for safety reasons" and by Friday afternoon the clash had been cancelled.

Birmingham have said that their pitch is completely playable ahead of their match against Manchester United on Saturday evening but, as with all games, there is a doubt about the pavements around the ground. Hull City have stated that if their game with Chelsea was due to take place on Friday it would have gone ahead, so expect the match to take place on Saturday lunchtime.

Meanwhile, Manchester United have rearranged their home game with Hull City for Saturday, January 23. The game should have been played at the end of the month but was postponed due to the rescheduling of the Carling Cup semi-finals.

source: ESPN

Aguero rules out move to Chelsea in January

Argentina striker Sergio Aguero has insisted there is no chance of him moving to Chelsea this month.

The Atletico Madrid hitman has been repeatedly linked with a move to the Premier League, and with the Blues allowed to sign players in the January window it is expected they will make a move.

But the 21-year-old has signalled his intention to remain in Spain with Atletico.

He told Atletico's official website: "I am aware that there are always rumours about my future, but actually I am isolated from everything. I have always made clear my commitment to Atletico and everybody knows it. Do not pay much attention to what comes out. All I am doing is playing and worrying about the team, so these things do not affect me.''

"I have changed many things,'' he said, reflecting on his time in Spain. "I am happy to be spending my fourth year at Atletico Madrid. I realise that I have learned many things both on and off the field during my time here.

"Now I know the Spanish league very well and that has made me grow as a footballer. Over these years, I have played alongside great players which has taught me a lot as a player and as a person.

source: ESPN