20/03/12 Barclays Premier League
Blackburn vs Sunderland
Ewood Park
21/03/12 Barclays Premier League
Man City vs Chelsea
Etihad Stadium
21/03/12 Barclays Premier League
Tottenham vs Stoke
White Hart Lane
21/03/12 Barclays Premier League
QPR vs Liverpool
Loftus Road Stadium
21/03/12 Barclays Premier League
Everton vs Arsenal
Goodison Park
Monday, March 19, 2012
Friday, July 15, 2011
Lionel Messi shrugs off criticism
Lionel Messi says he will continue to play for Argentina despite harsh criticism about his performance for the national team.
Messi on Thursday responded to Julio Grondona, the president of the Argentina Football Association, who suggested the star Barcelona playmaker could quiet the criticism by declining to play for his country.
Messi and Argentina played poorly in their first two group games in the Copa America and were booed off the pitch in one of them. But on Monday, Argentina beat Costa Rica 3-0 to reach the quarterfinals, and Messi showed some of the form he regularly displays with Barcelona.
"Although they criticize me, I will always come to the national team," Messi said in a press conference. "Criticism by the fans bothers me and everyone, but we are aware that we didn't do things correctly."
"Nobody likes to be whistled at," Messi added. "It happened because the team did not play well."
Grondona, in a radio interview, talked tongue-in-cheek about Messi staying away.
"The solution would be if (Messi) said: 'I'm not coming again, I'm staying in Spain.'"
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Messi on Thursday responded to Julio Grondona, the president of the Argentina Football Association, who suggested the star Barcelona playmaker could quiet the criticism by declining to play for his country.
Messi and Argentina played poorly in their first two group games in the Copa America and were booed off the pitch in one of them. But on Monday, Argentina beat Costa Rica 3-0 to reach the quarterfinals, and Messi showed some of the form he regularly displays with Barcelona.
"Although they criticize me, I will always come to the national team," Messi said in a press conference. "Criticism by the fans bothers me and everyone, but we are aware that we didn't do things correctly."
"Nobody likes to be whistled at," Messi added. "It happened because the team did not play well."
Grondona, in a radio interview, talked tongue-in-cheek about Messi staying away.
"The solution would be if (Messi) said: 'I'm not coming again, I'm staying in Spain.'"
Previewing Copa America quarterfinals
The Copa America group stage was a hit-and-miss affair, with superpowers Brazil and Argentina struggling until the final game, when each team seemed to spring to life. But now we're down to the business end of the tournament when there's no margin for error. Here's a look at the key questions all eight team managers face as we head into the quarterfinals, which start Saturday.
Colombia vs. Peru
How does Dario Hernan Gomez use his wingers?
With the exception of Carlos Sanchez replacing Gustavo Bolivar in the holding midfield role after the opening game, Gomez has kept the same side and formation throughout Colombia's three games in this competition so far. The one slight difference in tactics has been the use of Adrian Ramos and Dayro Moreno, the two wingers. Not only do they both have the ability to play on either flank, meaning mid-game switches are possible, Gomez has sometimes used them very high up against the opposition fullbacks, making a 4-3-3. At other points, he has brought them back alongside the two central midfielders, meaning more of a 4-1-4-1.
In all probability, they'll play both roles, depending on whether Colombia has the ball -- Gomez's side will dominate possession, and the positioning of the wingers will dictate how aggressive it is going forward.
How does Sergio Markarian breach the Colombian defense?
Colombia is the only side yet to concede a goal in this tournament, a record made all the more impressive by the fact that it has left out the player many would consider its best defender, Cristian Zapata, who this week joined Villarreal from Udinese.
Markarian will be consoled with the fact that he has one of the tournament's few in-form strikers, Paolo Guerrero, who scored two goals in two starts before being rested for the final group game against Chile. He's been excellent at leading the line. His only mistake has been a miss late on against Uruguay, when he should have headed Juan Vargas' cross in.
Guerrero thrives off delivery from wide areas, but since he's likely to be up against 35-year-old Mario Yepes and 32-year-old Luis Perea in this match, he'll be better off testing them for pace. His goal against Uruguay came from a long ball over the top -- he outsprinted the center backs, rounded the goalkeeper and tapped in. A similar direct approach might be in the cards here.
Argentina vs. Uruguay
How does Sergio Batista get Lionel Messi on the ball?
Messi's performance against Costa Rica in Argentina's previous game was possibly his best-ever performance at the international level. He picked up two assists, and could have had more were it not for the woeful finishing of Gonzalo Higuain. Batista will start with the same XI against Uruguay, meaning Higuain will start up front, Messi will play behind, with Sergio Aguero on the left flank and Angel di Maria shuttling forward from midfield. The right flank may be bare, with Messi and Higuain covering that side without the ball.
Messi will quickly be confronted with the Uruguayan duo of Egidio Arevalo and Diego Perez in the center of midfield, however. They work excellently as a unit, and will be focused upon stopping Argentina's No. 10. He'll be confident of dribbling past them, but if Messi finds it difficult to receive the ball, does he come deeper and isolate Higuain, or move higher up and make the initial pass to him more difficult? Alternatively, does he move back to his old position on the right?
What formation does Oscar Tabarez play?
Tabarez is a tactical chameleon, having played 3-5-2, 4-3-3, 4-4-2, 4-4-1-1, 3-4-3 and a 4-4-2 diamond at one point in last summer's World Cup and this Copa America tournament. The only constant is the use of Perez and Arevalo as a double pivot in the center of midfield.
This might be a rare occasion when he can afford to stick with the same formation, however. A narrow 4-4-1-1 worked well against Mexico, as Uruguay pressed well and dominated the ball in the center of the pitch. With Argentina's fullbacks not a huge attacking threat, Uruguay can afford to play without much width. Diego Forlan can drop deep and link play, and Luis Suarez can use his pace to trouble Argentina's elderly center backs.
Another decision is at left-back. Tabarez has used both Martin Caceres and Alvaro Pereira there -- the former is a better defender, but the latter is far superior on the ball, and has scored two goals in this competition. With Argentina set to either (A) not play a right-winger or (B) play the world's best footballer there, this is likely to be the key battleground.
Brazil vs. Paraguay
Which attacking combinations does Mano Menezes look to?
Menezes seems set to play the same side that overcame Ecuador in Brazil's final group game, which means Robinho starting on the right rather than Jadson, the man who started and scored in the group phase contest between these two sides.
Robinho's impact against Ecuador was negligible, and it seems strange that Menezes would choose to play a wide forward rather than Jadson, an attacking midfielder who plays much narrower. After all, Jadson combined with Ganso to open the scoring against Paraguay, and the two worked a great chance for Pato in the first half. Brazil's last-gasp equalizer also came right down the center of the pitch -- Ganso flicking the ball on for Fred. Paraguay looked most vulnerable through the middle, so the use of a wide forward would be a curious decision.
If Robinho does start, it will be interesting how Brazil plays in the final third. Will it still try to play through the middle, or will it embrace its width and play down the flanks? The fullbacks overlapping might be key -- Andre Santos crossed for Pato's first goal against Ecuador, and Maicon (in for Daniel Alves) stormed forward to assist Neymar's goal.
How does Gerardo Martino get Nestor Ortigoza on the ball?
Ortigoza, the small, stumpy and -- OK, we might as well say it -- rather plump Paraguay central midfielder has been one of the competition's star performers, dominating the midfield zone with his intelligent short passing, and sometimes knocking longer cross-field balls to the flanks to start attacks. He is likely to be the most important player in this match. Brazil can find itself a little understaffed in midfield when Ganso pushes forward and links up with the front three, and if Paraguay can get the ball quickly to Ortigoza, Paraguay can break forward and catch Brazil out on the break.
Chile vs. Venezuela
Who will Claudio Borghi play as the No. 10?
Chile started the tournament with Mati Fernandez in this position, but injury forced him to give way in the opening game against Mexico, and Luis Antonio Jimenez has played there since.
There is another contender, though: Jorge Valdivia, who actually wears the No. 10 shirt so revered in South America. He has been recovering from injury and has so far been limited to two substitute appearances, but he's still managed to show his class. A superb pass for Jean Beausejour got Chile back into the game against Uruguay, and there is an increasing feeling that Valdivia is the missing part of the puzzle.
A further decision is who should replace Beausejour on the left, after he was sent off in the final group game against Peru. He's started the past six Chile games in that position and is excellent at stretching the play on the left, making his absence a real blow. Arturo Vidal might be the solution. He's played as a central midfielder, a left wing-back and even a left-sided center back so far in this tournament.
How does Cesar Farias instruct his side to attack?
Chile is likely to make most of the running in this game, pressing from the front and getting plenty of men forward into attack. Venezuela will spend most of the game camped in its own half. The question is, how do Farias' men form attacks of their own?
Chile seems most vulnerable to quick, direct counterattacks -- the sheer number of players it pushes forward means it's often exposed at the back. This might suit Venezuela well. Farias likes to bring his wide players, Juan Arango and Cesar Gonzalez, into the center of the pitch quickly, turning a 4-4-2 into a 4-2-2-2, and meaning that quick forward passes are always an option.
The key factor might be how far Arango and Gonzalez track the Chilean wing-backs. If they go all the way and end up on the edge of their own box, they'll find it difficult to break. If they're a little braver and remain higher up the pitch, counterattacks will be much easier, and Venezuela could spring a surprise.
Brazil could play without Thiago Silva
Brazil could be without defender Thiago Silva against Paraguay in the quarterfinals of the Copa America on Sunday because of a right thigh muscle injury.
Thiago Silva missed Brazil's practice on Friday and doctors said it was unclear whether he would recover in time for the decisive match in La Plata.
Doctors said they will wait to see how the healing process progresses and reevaluate the AC Milan player on Saturday. The Brazilian football federation said the injury stems from natural fatigue after the three group matches.
If Thiago Silva is not able to play, coach Mano Menezes will have to choose between Benfica defender Luisao or Chelsea's David Luiz to play alongside veteran captain Lucio.
The 26-year-old Thiago Silva has been a regular starter since Menezes took over the national team after the World Cup last year. The coach used Thiago Silva and David Luiz in friendlies leading into the Copa America, but then brought Lucio back to add experience to the team, benching David Luiz.
Luisao hasn't played much under Menezes, but he has the experience of having played in the last two Copa Americas, both won by Brazil.
The possible change for Sunday's match could add even more pressure on the Brazilian defense, which has been criticized after below-average performances in the South American competition. Brazil allowed two goals in each of the last two matches after unusual defensive breakdowns and individual errors, including two by goalkeeper Julio Cesar against Ecuador on Wednesday.
"The defense hasn't been playing badly, we just allowed some goals because of mistakes, that happens in football, it's normal," Lucio said.
The coach likely won't have to make any other changes to the team after it improved significantly against Ecuador following the draws against Venezuela and Paraguay in the group stage. Menezes hasn't announced the official lineup, but could leave it unchanged for the first time in the tournament.
He hinted that Maicon will remain in the lineup after his impressive performance against Ecuador, when he replaced Daniel Alves on the right side of the defense. Daniel Alves made an error that cost one of Brazil's goals against Paraguay last week.
"It's up to Mano to decide who will be playing," Maicon said. "But if he decides to choose me, I hope I can play up to expectations and help again, just like I did against Ecuador."
Brazil was already without midfielder Sandro because of injury. The Tottenham player was dropped from the team earlier this week because of a left knee ailment.
Brazil is playing the Copa America with a squad mixed with veterans and young promising stars, including Paulo Henrique Ganso and Neymar, as Menezes works toward building a team for the 2014 World Cup at home.
Thiago Silva missed Brazil's practice on Friday and doctors said it was unclear whether he would recover in time for the decisive match in La Plata.
Doctors said they will wait to see how the healing process progresses and reevaluate the AC Milan player on Saturday. The Brazilian football federation said the injury stems from natural fatigue after the three group matches.
If Thiago Silva is not able to play, coach Mano Menezes will have to choose between Benfica defender Luisao or Chelsea's David Luiz to play alongside veteran captain Lucio.
The 26-year-old Thiago Silva has been a regular starter since Menezes took over the national team after the World Cup last year. The coach used Thiago Silva and David Luiz in friendlies leading into the Copa America, but then brought Lucio back to add experience to the team, benching David Luiz.
Luisao hasn't played much under Menezes, but he has the experience of having played in the last two Copa Americas, both won by Brazil.
The possible change for Sunday's match could add even more pressure on the Brazilian defense, which has been criticized after below-average performances in the South American competition. Brazil allowed two goals in each of the last two matches after unusual defensive breakdowns and individual errors, including two by goalkeeper Julio Cesar against Ecuador on Wednesday.
"The defense hasn't been playing badly, we just allowed some goals because of mistakes, that happens in football, it's normal," Lucio said.
The coach likely won't have to make any other changes to the team after it improved significantly against Ecuador following the draws against Venezuela and Paraguay in the group stage. Menezes hasn't announced the official lineup, but could leave it unchanged for the first time in the tournament.
He hinted that Maicon will remain in the lineup after his impressive performance against Ecuador, when he replaced Daniel Alves on the right side of the defense. Daniel Alves made an error that cost one of Brazil's goals against Paraguay last week.
"It's up to Mano to decide who will be playing," Maicon said. "But if he decides to choose me, I hope I can play up to expectations and help again, just like I did against Ecuador."
Brazil was already without midfielder Sandro because of injury. The Tottenham player was dropped from the team earlier this week because of a left knee ailment.
Brazil is playing the Copa America with a squad mixed with veterans and young promising stars, including Paulo Henrique Ganso and Neymar, as Menezes works toward building a team for the 2014 World Cup at home.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Young signs for United
Manchester United have announced the signing of England international Ashley Young from Aston Villa.
United have long been expected to tie up a deal for Young, who had expressed a desire to play Champions League football, and the 25-year-old has now completed the move after the clubs agreed a fee reported to be between £15 million and £20 million.
A statement on Manchester United's official website read: "Manchester United is delighted to announce it has reached agreement with Aston Villa for the transfer of Ashley Young. The player passed a medical in Manchester this week and has agreed a five-year contract."
Young added on MUTV: "The opportunity to come and play for one of the biggest clubs in the world is one I couldn't turn down. It's a chance to hopefully become part of their history by helping to win the 20th title.
"It's a prospect I always looked at from being a child: to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world. I've got that opportunity now so I've just got to take it with two hands."
Young, though, admits he faces a tough prospect to become a first-choice winger where he is set to compete with the likes of Antonio Valencia, Nani and Park Ji-sung.
''There's a lot of competition for places at the club,'' he said. ''If you are in the team there is always going to be someone biting away at your heels trying to get in.
''I'm going to be coming in looking to establish myself in the team. I know it is going to be a challenge, but I'm up for that challenge. It is a fantastic team. The club always produces fantastic players. They have that winning mentality. I hope to be a part of that this season. I can't wait to get started.''
New Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish was already resigned to losing Young as his contract was set to expire next summer, and he has passed on his best wishes to the player.
"Ashley has made a terrific contribution for Villa in the last four-and-a-half seasons and everyone at the club wishes him the best for the future," McLeish said. "He has become an important player in the England team during that time and I am sure he will be looking forward to this new challenge."
Young signed for Villa from Watford in January 2007 for an eventual fee of £10 million and scored 38 goals in 190 appearances. Watford are apparently due to receive 15% of the sell-on fee Villa have received as part of the original agreement.
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United have long been expected to tie up a deal for Young, who had expressed a desire to play Champions League football, and the 25-year-old has now completed the move after the clubs agreed a fee reported to be between £15 million and £20 million.
A statement on Manchester United's official website read: "Manchester United is delighted to announce it has reached agreement with Aston Villa for the transfer of Ashley Young. The player passed a medical in Manchester this week and has agreed a five-year contract."
Young added on MUTV: "The opportunity to come and play for one of the biggest clubs in the world is one I couldn't turn down. It's a chance to hopefully become part of their history by helping to win the 20th title.
"It's a prospect I always looked at from being a child: to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world. I've got that opportunity now so I've just got to take it with two hands."
Young, though, admits he faces a tough prospect to become a first-choice winger where he is set to compete with the likes of Antonio Valencia, Nani and Park Ji-sung.
''There's a lot of competition for places at the club,'' he said. ''If you are in the team there is always going to be someone biting away at your heels trying to get in.
''I'm going to be coming in looking to establish myself in the team. I know it is going to be a challenge, but I'm up for that challenge. It is a fantastic team. The club always produces fantastic players. They have that winning mentality. I hope to be a part of that this season. I can't wait to get started.''
New Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish was already resigned to losing Young as his contract was set to expire next summer, and he has passed on his best wishes to the player.
"Ashley has made a terrific contribution for Villa in the last four-and-a-half seasons and everyone at the club wishes him the best for the future," McLeish said. "He has become an important player in the England team during that time and I am sure he will be looking forward to this new challenge."
Young signed for Villa from Watford in January 2007 for an eventual fee of £10 million and scored 38 goals in 190 appearances. Watford are apparently due to receive 15% of the sell-on fee Villa have received as part of the original agreement.
FIFA eyes 2014 preparations in Brazil
MOSCOW -- FIFA remains concerned at the slow pace of Brazil's preparations for the 2014 World Cup, saying soccer officials in South America appear to have invested more energy in winning the tournament than organizing it.
"We don't have stadiums, we don't have airports," secretary general Jerome Valcke said on Friday at the Inside World Football forum in Moscow.
He added it looked increasingly likely that some facilities, including Rio de Janeiro's iconic Maracana, would be ready with only a few weeks to spare.
"The Maracana is not a World Cup stadium" yet, Valcke said, adding that in Brazil "the main issue is not to organize the World Cup but to win the World Cup."
Brazil, which won hosting rights by default after other South American nations withdrew, has been mired in organizational and bureaucratic problems since it was announced as host in 2007.
Builders working on one of the stadiums only this week returned to work after going on strike over pay and conditions. About 160 of the nearly 400 workers helping to upgrade Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte stopped working this month. The agreement includes a 4 percent wage hike, a health plan and more overtime pay.
Belo Horizonte is one of the cities vying to host the opening match. Others include the capital, Brasilia, and Sao Paulo, South America's biggest city.
Brazilian lawmakers this month were forced to approve a raft of measures aimed at reducing the paperwork needed to clear various infrastructure projects. The changes reduce the time to conclude the bidding processes on tenders, eliminating some stages and need for approval.
Saint-Clair Milesi, a spokesman for the local World Cup organizing committee, said from Brazil that with the exception of Sao Paulo, the construction of new stadiums and renovation of existing ones is "continuing according to schedule."
He declined to comment further.
Ricardo Leyser, a top official with Brazil's Sports Ministry, told the Estado de S. Paulo newspaper Friday that "it is obvious that Brazil will be ready on time to host the World Cup."
"We have no doubt that all the work being done to prepare the country to host the games will be concluded on time," Leyser said.
Valcke urged Russia, which is hosting the event for the first time in 2018, to have the required 12 stadiums ready two years in advance to allow time for test events.
Russia is building most of the facilities from scratch in a $10 billion project, a budget that doesn't include the massive infrastructure improvements needed such as rail networks, new roads and airport upgrades.
It was Valcke's first public appearance since FIFA exonerated him of wrongdoing for saying Qatar had "bought" the 2022 World Cup hosting rights.
Valcke alluded to the maelstrom of corruption allegations surrounding FIFA in recent months, beginning his keynote speech by saying, "It's good to talk about football. I mean, we need it at FIFA sometimes."
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"We don't have stadiums, we don't have airports," secretary general Jerome Valcke said on Friday at the Inside World Football forum in Moscow.
He added it looked increasingly likely that some facilities, including Rio de Janeiro's iconic Maracana, would be ready with only a few weeks to spare.
"The Maracana is not a World Cup stadium" yet, Valcke said, adding that in Brazil "the main issue is not to organize the World Cup but to win the World Cup."
Brazil, which won hosting rights by default after other South American nations withdrew, has been mired in organizational and bureaucratic problems since it was announced as host in 2007.
Builders working on one of the stadiums only this week returned to work after going on strike over pay and conditions. About 160 of the nearly 400 workers helping to upgrade Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte stopped working this month. The agreement includes a 4 percent wage hike, a health plan and more overtime pay.
Belo Horizonte is one of the cities vying to host the opening match. Others include the capital, Brasilia, and Sao Paulo, South America's biggest city.
Brazilian lawmakers this month were forced to approve a raft of measures aimed at reducing the paperwork needed to clear various infrastructure projects. The changes reduce the time to conclude the bidding processes on tenders, eliminating some stages and need for approval.
Saint-Clair Milesi, a spokesman for the local World Cup organizing committee, said from Brazil that with the exception of Sao Paulo, the construction of new stadiums and renovation of existing ones is "continuing according to schedule."
He declined to comment further.
Ricardo Leyser, a top official with Brazil's Sports Ministry, told the Estado de S. Paulo newspaper Friday that "it is obvious that Brazil will be ready on time to host the World Cup."
"We have no doubt that all the work being done to prepare the country to host the games will be concluded on time," Leyser said.
Valcke urged Russia, which is hosting the event for the first time in 2018, to have the required 12 stadiums ready two years in advance to allow time for test events.
Russia is building most of the facilities from scratch in a $10 billion project, a budget that doesn't include the massive infrastructure improvements needed such as rail networks, new roads and airport upgrades.
It was Valcke's first public appearance since FIFA exonerated him of wrongdoing for saying Qatar had "bought" the 2022 World Cup hosting rights.
Valcke alluded to the maelstrom of corruption allegations surrounding FIFA in recent months, beginning his keynote speech by saying, "It's good to talk about football. I mean, we need it at FIFA sometimes."
Charlie Davies fined $1,000 by MLS
NEW YORK -- D.C. United's Charlie Davies has been fined $1,000 by MLS for taking a blatant dive to draw a penalty kick that led to a goal late in Saturday's game against Real Salt Lake.
Davies flopped to the ground in front of Chris Wingert in the 83rd minute. The referee awarded a penalty kick despite Wingert's protest, and Davies converted to salvage a 1-1 draw.
MLS has been trying to crack down on diving this season. League vice president Nelson Rodriguez said Friday that "this type of behavior tarnishes the image of the league."
He says future diving infractions that impact a game could lead to suspensions.
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Davies flopped to the ground in front of Chris Wingert in the 83rd minute. The referee awarded a penalty kick despite Wingert's protest, and Davies converted to salvage a 1-1 draw.
MLS has been trying to crack down on diving this season. League vice president Nelson Rodriguez said Friday that "this type of behavior tarnishes the image of the league."
He says future diving infractions that impact a game could lead to suspensions.
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