Reinventing the Cosmos
(FIFA.com) Thursday 10 March 2011
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A rumour spread early this summer. “The Cosmos are coming back,” you’d hear in soccer circles of the USA’s north-east. “They’ll build a new stadium. They’ll play in Queens, in the City.” The word on the street was that a legendary American club was about to be reborn.

A great and enduring nostalgia exists for the New York Cosmos – the flashy, glitz-and-glamour boys of old who made resistant Americans care about the world’s game. However, the club’s imminent return seemed little more than a flight of fancy as the Cosmos's last game was nearly three decades ago.

The Cosmos were the figurehead of the old North American Soccer League (NASL), North America’s first attempt to launch a professional league to compete with the entrenched and hugely popular gridiron and baseball. While the league lasted a shade over a decade before collapsing in 1984, the Cosmos – whose oversize budget and flash-bang, jet-set persona became the stuff of legend – remained a beacon for the future.
The new philosophy will be about building an entertaining style of play. Johann Cruyff and Barcelona are the dream model and we want to replicate that with Pele, Cantona and Jones.
Cosmos executive Terry Byrne

The high-water mark ran from 1975 to 1980 as the Cosmos brought the best players in the world to New York City in the heyday of Studio 54. Pele came first; Carlos Alberto followed. Franz Beckenbauer, briefly Johann Cruyff, Johan Neeskens and Italian striker Giorgio Chinaglia all lined up for the club, and they consistently filled the over 80,000-seat Meadowlands to become what one journalist of the day called “the most glamorous team in world football.”

Soccer was set to topple the American scene. But reality caught up and the bubble burst. The likes of the San Diego Jaws, the Hartford Bicentennials and the Colorado Caribous - lesser teams with modest budgets in small markets - were all trying to compete with NYC, the Cosmos and their ultra wealthy owners, Warner Communications. The NASL eventually and inevitably collapsed under the New York super club’s weight.

The detritus of the Cosmos’s explosion became seeds that took root. Within ten years of the league’s collapse, the USA hosted a FIFA World Cup, and two years after that, the country had another professional league, Major League Soccer (MLS), a significantly more modest operation obsessed with fiscal responsibility and avoiding the mistakes of the past.

“The Cosmos are back!” old boy Pele enthused in August, when the would-be club’s directors announced the Brazilian icon, world football’s one and only O Rei, as honorary president. “Pele is the biggest name in the game,” Englishman and Cosmos executive Terry Byrne told FIFA.com in a recent interview. Byrne, 44, best friend to David Beckham, former taxi driver and part-time Chelsea team massage therapist, is the mouthpiece for the movement.

Following in the Cosmos tradition of bringing in the big names, Byrne and Co weren’t going to stop with Pele’s re-signing. Last month they announced former Manchester United cult figure Eric Cantona as director of football and Cobi Jones – USA's all-time caps leader – as his deputy. “Cantona’s been out of football for a long time and his signature is a huge coup for us,” Byrne said of the Frenchman, adored during his time at Old Trafford. “The pair will bring something special and with them we have the global and local angles covered.”

Major League ambition
The aim is to have the Cosmos join MLS in 2013 as the league’s 20th team. The league is eager to have a second team in New York alongside the Red Bulls, who play out of New Jersey and boast such foreign stars as Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez. But while the Cosmos have a clothing line, a Facebook page, a jersey (a revised take on the old green-and-white classic on sale for 75 USD), banners, billboards, a cool-looking office in SoHo and staff to work it, they have no team and no promise of a return to the big table of the American Soccer scene.

Entry to MLS would in fact require an update to the old style of cash-splashing and star-hunting that defined the Cosmos, a topic that Byrne is ready to address. “The vision will be the same – to shoot for the stars,” said Byrne, who was “gripped by the passion of the Cosmos” since seeing them train as a boy. “The DNA of the old Cosmos is still there.” MLS has learned the lessons of NASL’s failure: designated-player policies and club salary caps mean they would have to build from the ground up.

“We have two youth academies, one on in New York and one in LA (both recently purchased),” said Byrne as he outlined the new Cosmos ethos, one which he promises will focus on attacking football. “We can’t go out and buy the world’s best players. The new philosophy will be about building an entertaining style of play. Johann Cruyff and Barcelona are the dream model and we want to replicate that with Pele, Cantona and Jones.”

Anyone pining for the glitz and glamour of those old heady days will be disappointed with the new Cosmos’s necessary compromise with fiscal responsibility, but as Byrne is quick to add: “We respect the heritage and history of the old days, which were big days, and our aim is to bring them back, but through the grassroots.”

Reinventing the Cosmos

Reinventing the Cosmos
(FIFA.com) Thursday 10 March 2011
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A rumour spread early this summer. “The Cosmos are coming back,” you’d hear in soccer circles of the USA’s north-east. “They’ll build a new stadium. They’ll play in Queens, in the City.” The word on the street was that a legendary American club was about to be reborn.

A great and enduring nostalgia exists for the New York Cosmos – the flashy, glitz-and-glamour boys of old who made resistant Americans care about the world’s game. However, the club’s imminent return seemed little more than a flight of fancy as the Cosmos's last game was nearly three decades ago.

The Cosmos were the figurehead of the old North American Soccer League (NASL), North America’s first attempt to launch a professional league to compete with the entrenched and hugely popular gridiron and baseball. While the league lasted a shade over a decade before collapsing in 1984, the Cosmos – whose oversize budget and flash-bang, jet-set persona became the stuff of legend – remained a beacon for the future.
The new philosophy will be about building an entertaining style of play. Johann Cruyff and Barcelona are the dream model and we want to replicate that with Pele, Cantona and Jones.
Cosmos executive Terry Byrne

The high-water mark ran from 1975 to 1980 as the Cosmos brought the best players in the world to New York City in the heyday of Studio 54. Pele came first; Carlos Alberto followed. Franz Beckenbauer, briefly Johann Cruyff, Johan Neeskens and Italian striker Giorgio Chinaglia all lined up for the club, and they consistently filled the over 80,000-seat Meadowlands to become what one journalist of the day called “the most glamorous team in world football.”

Soccer was set to topple the American scene. But reality caught up and the bubble burst. The likes of the San Diego Jaws, the Hartford Bicentennials and the Colorado Caribous - lesser teams with modest budgets in small markets - were all trying to compete with NYC, the Cosmos and their ultra wealthy owners, Warner Communications. The NASL eventually and inevitably collapsed under the New York super club’s weight.

The detritus of the Cosmos’s explosion became seeds that took root. Within ten years of the league’s collapse, the USA hosted a FIFA World Cup, and two years after that, the country had another professional league, Major League Soccer (MLS), a significantly more modest operation obsessed with fiscal responsibility and avoiding the mistakes of the past.

“The Cosmos are back!” old boy Pele enthused in August, when the would-be club’s directors announced the Brazilian icon, world football’s one and only O Rei, as honorary president. “Pele is the biggest name in the game,” Englishman and Cosmos executive Terry Byrne told FIFA.com in a recent interview. Byrne, 44, best friend to David Beckham, former taxi driver and part-time Chelsea team massage therapist, is the mouthpiece for the movement.

Following in the Cosmos tradition of bringing in the big names, Byrne and Co weren’t going to stop with Pele’s re-signing. Last month they announced former Manchester United cult figure Eric Cantona as director of football and Cobi Jones – USA's all-time caps leader – as his deputy. “Cantona’s been out of football for a long time and his signature is a huge coup for us,” Byrne said of the Frenchman, adored during his time at Old Trafford. “The pair will bring something special and with them we have the global and local angles covered.”

Major League ambition
The aim is to have the Cosmos join MLS in 2013 as the league’s 20th team. The league is eager to have a second team in New York alongside the Red Bulls, who play out of New Jersey and boast such foreign stars as Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez. But while the Cosmos have a clothing line, a Facebook page, a jersey (a revised take on the old green-and-white classic on sale for 75 USD), banners, billboards, a cool-looking office in SoHo and staff to work it, they have no team and no promise of a return to the big table of the American Soccer scene.

Entry to MLS would in fact require an update to the old style of cash-splashing and star-hunting that defined the Cosmos, a topic that Byrne is ready to address. “The vision will be the same – to shoot for the stars,” said Byrne, who was “gripped by the passion of the Cosmos” since seeing them train as a boy. “The DNA of the old Cosmos is still there.” MLS has learned the lessons of NASL’s failure: designated-player policies and club salary caps mean they would have to build from the ground up.

“We have two youth academies, one on in New York and one in LA (both recently purchased),” said Byrne as he outlined the new Cosmos ethos, one which he promises will focus on attacking football. “We can’t go out and buy the world’s best players. The new philosophy will be about building an entertaining style of play. Johann Cruyff and Barcelona are the dream model and we want to replicate that with Pele, Cantona and Jones.”

Anyone pining for the glitz and glamour of those old heady days will be disappointed with the new Cosmos’s necessary compromise with fiscal responsibility, but as Byrne is quick to add: “We respect the heritage and history of the old days, which were big days, and our aim is to bring them back, but through the grassroots.”

Nilmar inspires comeback at Bayer

Nilmar inspires comeback at Bayer
(PA) Thursday 10 March 2011
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Substitute Nilmar scored twice, including a last-minute winner, to help Villarreal take a significant step towards the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League with an away 3-2 victory over Bayer Leverkusen tonight.

Bundesliga high-flyers Bayer, unbeaten in ten Europa League games this season, took the lead through a fine strike from Michal Kadlec but Villarreal drew level before the break through Giuseppe Rossi.

The Yellow Submarine then got themselves in front thanks to Nilmar, who netted just a minute after coming on in the 69th minute for Rossi, but that lead was short-lived before the hosts equalised through Gonzalo Castro.

That looked to be the way the game would finish, but Nilmar had other ideas and he broke through four minutes into stoppage time to prod in what could prove to be a crucial strike ahead of next week's second leg at El Madrigal.

Bayer, who had won seven of their last nine competitive games coming into tonight's match, started well. Renato Augusto brought a fingertip save out of Diego Lopez from a curling free-kick before the home side took the lead in the 33rd minute.

Rossi's attempted counter attack from a Bayer corner was halted on the halfway line and the ball fell to Kadlec, who progressed unchallenged towards the edge of the Villarreal area before thumping a 25-yard shot across Lopez and into the far corner.

That was not enough to give Bayer the lead at the interval though, with Rossi drawing Villarreal level in the 42nd minute. Carlos Marchena's through-ball put Rossi in the clear and the Italy international clinically finished past Rene Adler.

The second half was a similarly closely-fought affair to the first period, and it needed the introduction of Nilmar to help Villarreal gain the upper hand.

The Brazil ace had barely stepped foot on the pitch when he got possession on the edge of the Bayer box, turned well and then, after getting a bit of luck after the ball rebounded back to him off a home defender, fired a low shot past Adler.

That was a blow for Bayer, but Jupp Heynckes' side promptly went down the other end and equalised just a few minutes later. A cross to the far post arrived at the feet of Castro, who shaped to shoot then quickly cut inside Mario before drilling a low right-footed shot inside the near post.

Leverkusen continued to push for a third goal to try to gain an advantage to take to Spain, but it would end up being Villarreal who got the next - and final - breakthrough.

Santi Cazorla's diagonal ball over the top was brought down well by Nilmar, who showed good speed to hold off the challenge of Daniel Schwaab before poking the ball through Adler's legs for a dramatic late winner.

Union Espanola stun Velez as Godoy cruise

Union Espanola stun Velez as Godoy cruise
(PA) Friday 11 March 2011
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Godoy Cruz came from behind to inflict a 3-1 defeat on Argentinian rivals Independiente in the Copa Libertadores on Thursday.

Facundo Parra gave Independiente a 16th-minute lead but Hernan Fredes' own goal levelled the scores in the 28th and four minutes later Ariel Rojas gave Godoy the lead. Ruben Ramirez got a third goal 11 minutes into the second half as Godoy joined Penarol at the top of Group 8 on six points, three more than Independiente.

Chile's Union Espanola claimed a key win in Group 4, 2-1 over Argentina's Velez Sarsfield. The hosts took a fourth-minute lead through Martin Liguera and in the 26th Braulio Leal doubled the advantage, before David Ramirez replied midway through the second half.
We were also a tough team in defence - that gives us hope both in the national and the international futures.
Union Espanola coach Jose Luis Sierra

Union Espanola coach Jose Luis Sierra said: "We're satisfied because the team had a good performance, mainly with ball control. We were also a tough team in defence - that gives us hope both in the national and the international futures."

The group is very tight - after three rounds Venezuela's Caracas lead with six points, while Union and their Chilean rivals Universidad Catolica have four, one more than Velez.

In Group 5, Paraguay's Cerro Porteno could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to Venezuela's Deportivo Tachira. Roberto Nanni opened the scoring for the hosts in the first half, with Sergio Herrera equalising on the hour.

Caceres daunted by Barcelona strength


Martin Caceres, on loan to Sevilla from Barcelona, knows that his current side will need a fair share of good fortune if they are to prevail against his all-conquering parent club on Saturday.

League leaders Barcelona came through a controversial UEFA Champions League tie against Arsenal in mid-week, winning 3-1 for a 4-3 aggregate victory after visiting striker Robin van Persie was sent off at Camp Nou. Arsenal were drawing 1-1 when Van Persie received a second yellow card for kicking the ball away, but Caceres does not believe their tactic of defending deep and inviting pressure is an advisable strategy for Sevilla to adopt.

"The key is to be concentrated for 90 minutes and to try and impose our own football but it won't be easy as all their players have tremendous ability," said the Uruguayan, who is competing with Alexis and Federico Fazio for a starting place at centre-back.

"We will have to run a lot to beat them, be lucky and also play with the right mentality to win the match. Whoever starts in the centre of defence will go out and do their best. We obviously want to win but it is going to be very tough."
The key is to be concentrated for 90 minutes and to try and impose our own football but it won't be easy as all their players have tremendous ability.
Sevilla defender Martin Caceres

Sevilla are in the hunt for a place in Europe but they suffered a set-back with defeat at Athletic Bilbao and now face a Barcelona side led by the magical feet of Lionel Messi, who has scored 27 goals so far in the league.

Real Madrid, seven points behind Barcelona, continue to wait for a slip-up but are likely to face Hercules without Cristiano Ronaldo, recovered from injury but expected to be rested ahead of the Champions League visit of Lyon. Esteban Granero could keep his place in midfield despite the return of Lassana Diarra from suspension after an impressive performance in the 3-1 win over Racing Santander.

"(Granero) is a great player who does everything well. He knows how to read the game and his positioning is good. He will be an important player," said team-mate Xabi Alonso, who is happy with Real's progress this season.

"We are going well and in a good position to start the final run-in. The team is in a good frame of mind and looking forward to playing some important games. We are optimistic about the Champions League and then we are also in the (King's) Cup final (against Barcelona)."

Valencia may be riding high in La Liga but an early exit from the Champions League by Schalke has put the pressure on coach Unai Emery, whose side visit Real Zaragoza on Saturday. For the first half of the season, Villarreal managed to keep on the heels of the top two but they prepare to meet Sporting Gijon having lost their consistency, partly due to injuries.

The battle for a UEFA Europa League place has opened up, with Espanyol having lost six out of their last seven games and Bilbao ending a four-game losing run by beating Sevilla. Espanyol host Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday, while Bilbao travel to Getafe in the Monday night game. It means the door has opened up for Sevilla and Atletico Madrid, who are away to second-from-bottom Almeria.

Malaga's outlook is bleak as they sit at the foot of the table following two straight defeats, including a 7-0 thrashing by Real Madrid. They face a difficult away trip to Real Sociedad, one of the surprise packages this season, who still have an outside chance of qualifying for Europe.

Liverpool, City fall short in Europe

Liverpool, City fall short in Europe


Liverpool were brought down to earth in the UEFA Europa League today after losing 1-0 at Sporting Braga in the last 16, while big-spending Manchester City crashed 2-0 at Dynamo Kiev.

Liverpool, rejuvenated under interim coach Kenny Dalglish and 3-1 victors over arch-rivals Manchester United on Sunday, will have to turn their tie around in the 17 March return fixture if they are to reach the quarter-finals.

Braga took the lead in the 18th minute in Portugal, with Alan guiding an emphatic penalty into the bottom-left corner after Mossoro had been sent sprawling by Sotiris Kyrgiakos. Full-back Silvio came within inches of doubling the hosts' advantage 20 minutes later, but his magnificent left-foot half-volley from 25 yards crashed back into play off the crossbar.

With Liverpool toiling, Dalglish introduced big striker Andy Carroll for his European debut just before the hour and the burly former Newcastle man had an immediate impact. A Carroll knock-down obliged Braga goalkeeper Artur to save at Dirk Kuyt's feet before Carroll saw a deflected left-foot shot fall narrowly wide of the left post.

Kuyt then drew a sharp stop from Artur with an instinctive half-volley from the edge of the box, but Braga, UEFA Champions League debutants earlier this season, withstood the pressure to claim a memorable victory. "The way we started the game, the first 35 minutes, we were terrible," said Dalglish. "To the boys' credit, they picked themselves up a bit in the second half. I think at 1-0 you have got a chance."

City frozen out
City completed an underwhelming evening for the English sides as they went down 2-0 amid freezing conditions in the Ukrainian capital. Former AC Milan and Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko gave the hosts a 25th-minute lead when he diverted Andriy Yarmolenko's left-wing cross past Joe Hart to claim his 67th goal in European competition.
The way we started the game, the first 35 minutes, we were terrible.
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish

City introduced Carlos Tevez from the bench in the second half but to no avail as Oleh Gusev doubled Dynamo's advantage by controlling a clearance on his chest and volleying home.

Portuguese champions Benfica had to dig deep as they fought back from a goal down to beat Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 at the Estadio da Luz. Peguy Luyindula put PSG ahead before Mevlut Erding struck the post for the French side, but Maxi Pereira slammed in an equaliser shortly before half-time and Franco Jara lashed home a low shot to claim victory in the 81st minute.

Mixed fortunes for Russian reps
Dutch champions FC Twente took a sizeable step towards the last eight after Luuk de Jong claimed a brace in a 3-0 win at home to 2008 champions Zenit Saint-Petersburg. Spartak Moscow struck a blow for their country in the night's other Dutch-Russian encounter, however, by prevailing 1-0 at Ajax.

Earlier, Villarreal asserted control of their tie against Bayer Leverkusen as a goal in the fourth minute of injury time from Nilmar earned them a last-gasp 3-2 victory in the away leg.

Leverkusen, currently second in the German Bundesliga, took the lead in the 33rd minute when Michal Kadlec arrowed a fine drive into the bottom-right corner from 30 yards.

Italy striker Giuseppe Rossi drew the visitors level after exploiting a gap in the Germans' defence in the 42nd minute. A 70th-minute goal from Nilmar was swiftly cancelled out by Gonzalo Castro but the Brazil international striker had the final say in injury time, racing clear and beating goalkeeper Rene Adler with a low strike.

Elsewhere, a powerful 70th-minute effort by Colombian midfielder Fredy Guarin gave Portuguese league leaders Porto a 1-0 win at CSKA Moscow, while Scottish champions Rangers' visit to PSV Eindhoven finished goalless.

Matt McKay, A-League standard-bearer

Matt McKay, A-League standard-bearer


The A-League will reach its denouement this Sunday when Brisbane Roar host Central Coast Mariners in the championship decider, with a likely record crowd on hand. For many the sixth edition of the Australian league will be remembered in years to come as the season a budding competition blossomed. Numerous coaches and commentators have praised what they see as a significantly increased standard of play in what is still a fledgling competition in world terms.

A sure sign of the A-League’s footballing maturation was played out in the unlikely setting of Qatar in January. The performance of metronomic midfielder Matt McKay for Australia at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup was a kind of coming of age for the competition, with the Brisbane Roar captain not only making the step-up to the national team, but being the first A-League product to make a consistent contribution alongside a plethora of European-based players in the starting side.

Roar echoes around city
At the same time that the Socceroos were in Qatar, McKay’s home city of Brisbane was inundated with flood levels not seen in over a century. Even the Roar’s home stadium was devastated, with the playing surface disappearing under water nearly two metres deep. Now McKay and his team-mates - who finished at the top of the league ladder - have the opportunity to bring more joy to Brisbane fans. That achievement was a first for a Brisbane club despite the city being represented in nearly every season of the national league, in its various guises since 1977.

“Hopefully people can take some strength and also joy out of our success,” McKay told FIFA.com. “To see our fans happy and see us achieve something is wonderful for them and for the city of Brisbane, so we are seeking to give them even more happiness.”
The standard of the A-League has improved dramatically.
Brisbane Roar captain Matt McKay

Brisbane will start as warm favourites on the back on an undefeated run which now stretches over 27 matches; a current world record. The previously humble Brisbane club are in the heady company of Spanish giants Barcelona, no less, second with their current La Liga run of 25 matches. The Roar are also undefeated in all their home matches this season, helping them win the right to host Sunday’s season finale on their own turf. A full 14 years on from the city’s only previous national league championship, won by Brisbane Strikers in 1997, the Roar have the chance to write their own chapter in the sporting annals of the Queensland capital.

Born and bred in Brisbane, McKay recalls vividly watching as a 14-year-old when soon-to-be Socceroo coach Frank Farina led the Strikers to what has hitherto been a one-off achievement. “I was a season ticket holder the year we won it and was there for every single game that season,” said McKay. “I was at the grand final with my old man (father), brother and mother. I have great memories of sitting on the half-way line and seeing the trophy lifted.”

Domestic league’s shining light
Gold Coast United midfielder Jason Culina, possessor of a similar high-energy game to that of McKay, has been a permanent fixture in the Socceroo side for a number of years on the back of a highly successful career with Dutch Eredivisie giants PSV Eindhoven. McKay has never played in Europe, yet his performances were so impressive in Qatar that Australia coach Holger Osieck did the unthinkable by selecting the 28-year-old in place of Blackburn Rovers and Socceroo ever-present Brett Emerton for the semi-final against Uzbekistan.

The faith was repaid in spades with McKay remarkably providing an assist for three of the six goals against the Uzbeks, having already laid on the winner for Harry Kewell in the epic extra-time quarter-final victory over Iraq. “Going into the Asian Cup I didn’t expect to get as much game time as I did in Qatar,” says McKay, who commenced his international career in the same part of the world with the Young Socceroos at the 2003 FIFA U-20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. “Obviously I hoped to get on the field but to start the last four matches of the tournament was incredible. I learned a lot from the other players but I feel I made a good contribution.

“As much as I may not want it to be the case, it has shown other players in the A-League that if you play well each week in winning sides you will get noticed," he added. "Full credit to (Australia coach) Holger (Osieck) that he goes out and watches A-League games and recognises if players are doing well. The standard of the A-League has improved dramatically. I have never played in Europe but it shows that selection is possible without it.”

Van Gaal to leave Bayern in summer

Van Gaal to leave Bayern in summer
(PA) Monday 7 March 2011
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Bayern Munich have confirmed under-fire coach Louis van Gaal will leave the club at the end of the season.

The Dutchman's position has been under scrutiny following the weekend loss at Hannover which followed on closely from defeats in the Bundesliga to Borussia Dortmund and in the DFB-Pokal semi-finals to Schalke.

And although he will remain in the short-term, Van Gaal's current deal - which is due to end next summer - will be dissolved 12 months early with Bayern citing a "difference in opinion about the strategic direction of the club".

The club's board met with Van Gaal this morning and they appear to have come to a mutual decision to go their separate ways at the end of the 2010/11 campaign.

Bayern's statement ends almost 48 hours of speculation regarding Van Gaal's position. Initially it had been thought he would be sacked yesterday only for reports to emerge in Germany stating the club had had a change of heart due to a lack of suitable replacements.

The decision to maintain their relationship for the time being will enable Van Gaal to guide the club through the remainder of their UEFA Champions League campaign.

Bayern won the first leg of their last-16 clash with Inter Milan 1-0, with the teams meeting again at the Allianz Arena on 15 March. The tie is a repeat of last season's final which Inter won 2-0.

Elek out to revive Videoton glories

Elek out to revive Videoton glories
(FIFA.com) Monday 7 March 2011
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It was the 1984/85 season when Videoton, based in the Hungarian city of Szekesfehervar, surprised the whole of Europe by reaching the final of the UEFA Cup, beating the likes of Paris Saint Germain, Partizan Belgrade and Manchester United along the way. Only the mighty Real Madrid were able to stop the underdogs at the final hurdle.

"It's impossible to compare the team back then with that of today because the football was completely different," said Videoton midfielder Akos Elek in an exclusive interview with FIFA.com. "Of course I've seen footage of those games and was particularly impressed by the amazing crowds."

An integral part of the Hungarian league leaders' squad, the 22-year-old spoke of his satisfaction at the way the current season has gone and how his side's success has been met with astonishment in the land of the Magical Magyars. "Things have gone very positively so far. We're top of the table and keeping our competitors at arm's length. We're also confident we can achieve something in the cup," said the 6'3 midfielder, who netted the winner in last Saturday's 2-1 victory over MTK Budapest.

After finishing as runners-up in last year's championship race, Videoton are on course to claim the first national title of their 70-year history. For Elek, the secret to the club's recent success does not lie among the individual talents in the squad, such as 15-goal Andre Alves, but rather in the overall team spirit.
Our success is based on team unity. Everyone fights for each another here.
Videoton midfielder Akos Elek

"Every player has an important role to play, so I don't want to single out anyone for individual praise," he said. "Our squad hasn't changed much since last season and we have the same coach in Gyorgy Mezey. Our success is based on team unity. Everyone fights for each another here."

The biggest challenger to Videoton's title bid comes in the form of traditional heavyweights Ferencvaros, who currently rank six points behind the 2006 cup winners in second place. Despite the relatively comfortable advantage, Elek is wary of the threat posed by the capital club.

"I think that Debrecen and particularly Ferencvaros are our biggest rivals for the title. They both have plenty of experience in the championship race and Ferencvaros have made huge progress. Their coach Laszlo Prukner has made the club even stronger and they've recorded some great results recently," said the Hungarian international on the 28-time champions.

Nonetheless, the stats would suggest the current table-toppers are all set to go on and claim their inaugural crown. With 18 matches played, Videoton have won more games (12) and scored more goals (35) than anyone else in the league and boast the best defensive record with just 17 conceded.

"We're desperate to become Hungarian champions," Elek told FIFA.com. "We're still in the cup as well, so we're in a great position to win the double. We're going to have to take things one step at a time though."

Unsurprisingly, the defensive midfielder's excellent performances in the Soproni Liga resulted in a call-up to the Hungarian national squad last year, though Elek remains highly self-critical of his own displays as he aims to further develop his game.

"I've played some good games and some bad ones. We're only human and our performances fluctuate. I'm never really satisfied because I feel I can always improve. I'm constantly working hard at my game," said the eight-time international before revealing his Magyar dream.

"Qualifying for the European Championship or the World Cup with the national team would be a huge success. We're not the favourites in our group and certainly not for the game against the Netherlands," said Elek as the interview concluded, in reference to the sides' UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier on 25 March. "If we can get a point, that would be a success for us. We've got nothing to lose."

Fabregas: I want to win it for Arsenal

Fabregas: I want to win it for Arsenal


Cesc Fabregas believes Arsenal can have no better stage on which to prove their potential than against Barcelona in the Nou Camp tonight.

The Spain 2010 FIFA World Cup™ winner has shrugged off a hamstring problem to return to the team he left as a teenager for the first time in a competitive club fixture, with a place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League at stake. While it is sure to be an emotional evening for the Gunners skipper, the 23-year-old insists the glamour tie provides the perfect opportunity for Arsene Wenger's youngsters to show they have what it takes to deliver at the highest level.

"We have played so many games where we shown we have character, we have potential and that we are the present," said Fabregas, who was sidelined for the shock League Cup final defeat to Birmingham at Wembley. "We want to win things for the club and this is obviously a fantastic exam for all of us a team and individually. We want to show how good we are and it's a fantastic opportunity for the team to have a great game."

Arsenal will take a slender 2-1 lead into tonight's clash following their stirring fightback at the Emirates Stadium and could be boosted by the return of leading scorer Robin van Persie who will have a late fitness test on his injured knee.
We want to win things for the club and this is obviously a fantastic exam for all of us a team and individually.
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas

Despite the personal significance of the occasion for Fabregas, who endured another summer of transfer speculation over a £30million move back to the Catalan club, the Gunners skipper insists victory is the only thing on his mind. "I am not here to shut up comments or to beat anyone specifically or whatever. I am just here to win for Arsenal Football Club," Fabregas said. "Sometimes I don't understand these reactions or comments about people saying I want this or I feel this. I want to win for Arsenal and that's it. That's easy for me.

"I don't put anything extra in my head because I play against Barcelona in the Nou Camp. It is a special game for everyone because it is a special stadium and we play against a good team and that's it. It's one more game that we want to win. We want to do well for the club and we want to get through to the next stage of the Champions League. There is nothing more to it than that - we just want to go through and get to the quarter-final."

Fabregas missed last season's Champions League quarter-final encounter at the Nou Camp after suffering a broken leg in the first tie in London. The Gunners skipper knows full well his side cannot allow Lionel Messi to run riot again, the Argentinian having netted all four of Barcelona's goals in a masterclass last April.

"We know that you cannot give space to Messi because he scored four goals and was outstanding," Fabregas said. "For the rest, we showed what we have to do in the first leg a couple of weeks ago and we played some good football. We cannot always be focused on thinking what are they going to do or just defending - we are Arsenal and we have to make ourselves respected as well."

Spurs boss Redknapp vows to attack Milan

Spurs boss Redknapp vows to attack Milan
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Harry Redknapp has promised Tottenham will go on the attack when they face AC Milan in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League last 16 tie at White Hart Lane on Wednesday.

Redknapp's side are in pole position to reach the quarter-finals after Peter Crouch's goal secured a 1-0 win in a tempestuous first leg at the San Siro last month.

In the circumstances it would be easy for Redknapp to employ a low-risk defensive strategy aimed at frustrating Milan, but the Spurs boss is adamant he will stick to the cavalier approach that has already produced several high-scoring wins in the competition. "I think we've got enough to hurt Milan at home. We'll be positive," Redknapp said. "We will play an attacking team. We'll play (Aaron) Lennon and probably Gareth Bale and have a go."

Redknapp's commitment to attack is understandable given the wealth of creative talent as his disposal, especially since Wales winger Bale returned from six weeks out with a back injury in Sunday's 3-3 draw at Wolves. Dutch playmaker Rafael Van der Vaart could also feature after recovering from a calf injury, but it is the presence of Bale that is most likely to worry Milan. His virtuoso displays against Inter Milan in the group stage established Bale as one of Europe's brightest young stars and Redknapp can't wait to unleash him on the Italian league leaders.
We will play an attacking team. We'll play (Aaron) Lennon and probably Gareth Bale and have a go.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp

"When Gareth came on and started to run with the ball at Wolves it was exciting. We've missed that for the last five or six weeks," Redknapp said. "That was his first real exertion for six weeks. He started straight away to run with the ball and, when he does that, he scares people to death.

"He carries the game at the opposition and that makes a massive difference. Peter Crouch has had a great European campaign as well. And Van der Vaart has a good chance for Wednesday. I hope he will be fit."

Massimiliano Allegri's side have been the most formidable team in Serie A this season, but Italian football is at a low ebb at present and it would be little surprise if Tottenham followed in the footsteps of Arsenal and Manchester United after their Premier League rivals also dumped out Milan in recent years. Milan underlined their dominance in Italy with a 1-0 win at Juventus on Sunday, but they will be without several experienced players at White Hart Lane.

Gennaro Gattuso is serving a suspension after being booked in the first leg, although his absence might be a blessing as the veteran midfielder had enraged Tottenham with his astonishing touchline row with Redknapp's assistant Joe Jordan. Andrea Pirlo and Massimo Ambrosini are also sidelined and Allegri will need exceptional performances from Robinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to overturn the deficit.

If Milan are to successfully subdue a sell-out Spurs crowd that is sure to be at fever pitch, Allegri could do with former Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini keeping his emotions in check on his return to north London. Flamini's ugly first-leg foul left Spurs right-back Vedran Corluka with badly damaged ankle ligaments, but the Frenchman insists he isn't a dirty player.

"In four years in the Premier League I've never injured an opponent. I was never sent off in England," he said. "I am not a dirty player. I didn't have a bad intention. I apologised for what I did. Unfortunately he got injured but I went to the dressing room and apologised to Vedran personally and he accepted it."

Allegri remains certain Tottenham are beatable if Milan play at their best and he added: "It must be said that despite playing good football, Tottenham are not among the strongest in Europe. But we mustn't make mistakes against them because they profited with a good counter attack to beat us 1-0."

Inzaghi: I'm a fighter

Inzaghi: I'm a fighter


While some players like to dazzle fans with feats of extraordinary skill, others cultivate a knack for delivering end product. Filippo Inzaghi is a proud member of the latter camp, a fearsome forward whose no-nonsense style of play has tended to divide supporters down the years. “Born offside” according to Sir Alex Ferguson, the AC Milan striker can typically be found hovering on the shoulder of the last defender, ready to burst free and find the net from the most improbable of positions.

In addition to his winners’ medal from the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™, that pragmatic approach has helped him amass an incredible list of honours at club level. He is also the first, and so far the only, player to have got his name on the scoresheet in every single club competition, during a career that began with Piacenza and has also involved stints with Juventus, Parma and Atalanta. Out of action following a cruciate ligament operation on his left knee on 23 November, the 38-year-old is currently plotting a remarkable comeback.

FIFA.com met up with the archetypal fox in the box, a breed of striker some say is threatened with extinction, and found a man whose passion for the game still burns fiercely. As he explained himself: “My goal now is to play again so that I can win back my goals record in European competitions.”

FIFA.com: Filippo, despite your injury, you remain determined to battle your way back at 38 years of age. What is your secret to staying motivated after such a long career at the highest level?
Filippo Inzaghi: It’s true that after spending as long as I have at the highest level, a number of injuries have nearly wrecked my career along the way. I’ve never given up, though, even at the most difficult moments, like when I damaged my cruciate ligament in November. My secret is the passion and love I have for what I do. I consider myself lucky because I’ve had the possibility in life to do the one thing closest to my heart: playing football. I’ve also been lucky enough to win prestigious trophies like two Champions Leagues and other competitions with Milan.

When you heard that Ronaldo was retiring, did some part of you feel it was time to hang up your boots as well?
Every player has to manage their career as they see fit. Naturally it meant something to me to see a great champion like Ronaldo, one of the greatest players of all time, decide to stop playing football. That said, I feel even luckier that I’m still able to carry on fighting to return at 38, and to be able to depend on the support of my club, my team-mates and the fans who are right behind me.

How would you define your style of play?
I think that my play is based above all on good timing. That’s very important for a player like me who spends games right on the edge of offside, always ready to spring towards the opposition goal. After that, instinct helps a lot in terms of putting the ball in the net.
My secret is the passion and love I have for what I do. I consider myself lucky because I’ve had the possibility in life to do the one thing closest to my heart: playing football.
Filippo Inzaghi

Do you think that pure goalscorers like yourself are something of an endangered species?
A footballer’s instinct forms part of the make-up of his talents. But, beyond talent, you also need to show dedication during training and a great deal of discipline in your day-to-day life. I think there are plenty of players who have the talent but fail to exploit it properly. Talent is a gift that shouldn’t be wasted.

Which player has impressed you the most during your long career?
There’s been lots of them, but I think that if you take into account both age and talent, Lionel Messi is an extraordinary player.

If you were a child again today, who would be your idol?
It’s difficult to give names, but I’d have to choose a forward with qualities similar to those of the two idols I had when I was a kid: Marco van Basten and Paolo Rossi.

During your career, have you ever had a coach who asked you to help out more in midfield for the sake of the team?
Let’s just say that given the characteristics of my style of play, I’ve almost never dropped deep to help my team-mates. That said, it’s normal for any player in a team to go beyond his usual role and adapt to the needs of his side at certain moments of a game.

Which coach has left the greatest impression on you?
I remember Luigi Cagni and Bortolo Mutti with affection. The former [at Piacenza during the 1994/95 season] because of all the precious advice he gave me, and even today at 38 years of age he still helps me continue playing at the highest level. I recall the latter because it was he who gave me my first chance [at Leffe in 1992/93]. I’m also very attached to Carlo Ancelotti, who I had as a coach at both Juventus and Milan, and with whom I shared some unforgettable moments. I also formed a good bond with Massimiliano Allegri right from the start, and I hope with all my heart to win something for Milan and him.

Who has been the most difficult defender you have come up against?
I’ve found myself up against difficult defenders on numerous occasions. If I had to pick just one name, though, I’d say Paolo Maldini, whom I had the honour of facing as an opponent as well as playing with for many years at Milan, years in which we won some unforgettable victories.

As you look back over your career, what are your most cherished and most painful memories?
My best memory is without doubt the Champions League final in Athens in 2007, when I scored two goals against Liverpool [in a 2-1 win]. The worst memories are the various injuries which have kept me out for a long time. The losses themselves aren’t bad memories because they’re just part of the game.

Do you think you will still be able to win your place back at Milan, with Robinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Alexandre Pato and Antonio Cassano also in the squad?
I’d answer that by saying that the day after my injury, the whole team came over to embrace me at Milanello [Milan’s training ground]. I have to say I was moved by that. I don’t think my return will cause any problems. On the contrary, it’ll give us even more options in attack. I want to bring this team something extra and I think I do. If I thought I might be a problem, I wouldn’t play here.

When will you be back out on the pitch?
Soon, hopefully. Very soon. My goal now is to play again so that I can win back my goals record in European competitions.

Ancelotti plays down title talk

Ancelotti plays down title talk
(
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti did his best to pour cold water on the idea his side are back in the Premier League title race after Monday's 3-1 victory over relegation-threatened Blackpool.

Goals from captain John Terry and a double from Frank Lampard - the first a penalty - helped Chelsea to a win against the hard working home side, who pulled a late consolation goal back through Jason Puncheon. The win closes the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester United to nine points with a game in hand but the Stamford Bridge manager is uninterested in any talk of retaining the title.

"We have to prepare the next game and go game by game," he said. "It is too far to think we can fight for the title, it is better for us to go game by game - that makes it easier for us. It was a good performance and an important result. Salomon Kalou helped us a lot and played very well. Fernando Torres and Didier Drogba played well overall, they were dangerous and I think they played a good game."

Contrary to Ancelotti's opinion, Torres and Drogba appeared on different wavelengths for vast parts of this contest yet the Chelsea manager has faith that Torres can soon start to justify his £50million price tag. "It is important that he works for the team and he is doing that," he said. "He will improve and score. I think that they played well as a good combination. We are happy with his performance and he will score. It is not a problem."
It's nice to be looking upwards rather than fighting to be top four - though we still have a battle to make sure we do that.
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard

Lampard too preferred to downplay title talk. "I don't know if we've been given a second chance in the title race," said Lampard, whose absence through injury this season has affected Chelsea's form. It's too early to say and we're still behind. But it's nice to be looking upwards rather than fighting to be top four - though we still have a battle to make sure we do that."

Neither side wrested control of the game until Chelsea took the lead after 20 minutes through Terry as he headed home Lampard's corner. For Blackpool, Puncheons low effort hit the post after 33 minutes as Petr Cech let the ball slip through his grasp. However, the Chelsea keeper did show his undoubted class a minute later as Blackpool poured forward again and Ian Evatt's fine effort forced him into a brilliant fingertip save.

After the break, Drogba's recent barren spell continued as he made way within ten minutes of the restart for Salomon Kalou after another performance that suggested he and Torres have an awful lot of work to do if they are to build a profitable attacking relationship.

In fact, Kalou showed Ancelotti more than enough after coming on to underline that he deserves more of a chance at Stamford Bridge as he had a hand in both of the goals Chelsea scored in quickfire succession. Firstly, he was fouled in the area by Evatt which allowed Lampard to convert from 12 yards out before Kalou played Lampard through on goal four minutes later and the Chelsea midfielder calmly slotted past Richard Kingson to make it 3-0.

Blackpool tried manfully to give their fans something to smile about and Puncheon did just that with five minutes left as he grabbed one back with a fine left foot shot effort but it was too little too late.

"It showed the quality they have got - and you would hope so after spending £300million," said Blackpool manager Ian Holloway, whose side are sixth from bottom only two points above third from bottom Birmingham, who have two games in hand. "I feel we should have been closer to them and we needed something to go our way. We needed shots to go in because it is a big ask without Charlie Adam and DJ Campbell. We need the second goal in the game but they got it.

"I thought we had a really good spell going up to half-time and then they go and get three. Their third goal completely nailed us. When David is swinging his swing at Goliath, you need to hit him straight in the forehead but we missed. But we didn't stop swinging and I'm pleased about that."

Group stage taking shape

Group stage taking shape
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Following the nine games scheduled for this, the fifth week of group action in this year’s Copa Libertadores, all the teams in six of the competition’s eight groups will have played their first three section encounters. We will therefore be that much closer to seeing which of the 32 sides involved in the tournament are best-placed to secure a berth in the knockout stages.

Peru’s Universidad San Martin and Colombia’s Junior de Barranquilla are already in the running after winning their opening two games. Can the duo make it three from three in midweek? And what of struggling Deportivo Tachira, Guarani and Oriente Petrolero, who are all chasing positive results this week in a bid to revive their already faint hopes? Stick with FIFA.com for a look at the pick of the encounters on the Libertadores menu.

Game of the week
Union Espanola (CHI) - Velez Sarsfield (ARG)
Group 4, Thursday 10 March, Estadio Santa Laura (Santiago), 19.15 (local time)

Having led 3-1 at home against Chile's Universidad Catolica on 3 March, Velez Sarsfield ended up going down 4-3 in a result that denied them the chance to top Group 4 and dealt a heavy blow to morale. However, their spirits will have been lifted by the weekend’s 1-0 win over Boca Juniors, and coach Ricardo Gareca’s men travel to Santiago hopeful of inflicting more misery on Union Espanola. The latter need a response after defeats by Venezuela’s Caracas FC and Colo Colo in Libertadores and domestic action respectively. In the section’s other encounter, also taking place in Santiago, group leaders Universidad Catolica host Caracas.

Elsewhere
In the week’s opening game, Group 1 leaders Universidad San Martin travel to the Paraguayan capital Asuncion to take on second-placed Libertad. Both sides are unbeaten thus far, with the Peruvian visitors one of only two teams still in with a chance of maintaining 100 per cent record after three games.

The second are Junior de Barranquilla, who visit Group 2 rivals Oriente Petrolero. Without a point from their opening two games, the Bolivian outfit would be cast even further adrift with defeat at home on Tuesday.

Over in Group 5, leaders Cerro Porteno of Paraguay and their clutch of Argentinian stars could open up a four-point gap from nearest pursuers Colo Colo with a home win over Venezuela’s Deportivo Tachira. The visitors, for their part, have just one point in the bag from two games so far.

In this week’s only game in Group 6, there is plenty at stake in the meeting between Emelec and Jaguares de Chiapas, second and third on four and three points respectively. A win for the Bolivian side would take them three points clear of Brazil’s Internacional, with the title holders not in action. Victory for their Mexican opponents, who welcome back key men Jackson Martinez and Ismael Fuentes, would also put them top of the section.

Champions in 2009, Argentina’s Estudiantes La Plata will be without the influential duo of Juan Sebastian Veron and Gaston Fernandez through injury when they tackle Group 7's bottom side Guarani. A win for El Pincha would take them within a point of section leaders Cruzeiro and leave their Paraguayan opponents virtually out of the running.

Finally, we turn to a very neatly balanced Group 8, where all four teams are level on three points apiece after two rounds of games. Will the deadlock have been broken after Penarol host Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito and Independiente cross swords with Godoy Cruz?

Player to watch
Jackson Martinez (Jaguares de Chiapas)
The 24-year-old Colombian striker has been hailed as something of a talisman by followers of the Mexican club, as Jaguares rarely lose when he finds the net. On a run of five straight defeats, during which they have scored just three goals, his return from injury could barely have come at a better time.

The stat
11 — Throwing up the most excitement to date in this year’s Libertadores is Group 4, where Universidad Catolica, Velez Sarsfield, Union Espanola and Caracas FC have scored a combined total of 16 goals after just two rounds of games. Particularly entertaining are La Católica, who have struck six and conceded five, but can they continue in a similarly thrilling vein at home to Caracas?

What they said
“In my view, Penarol’s win (away to Argentina’s Godoy Cruz) was no surprise. We knew beforehand that this would be a very difficult and well-matched group. I still think that whichever team wins their three home games will go through, but that’s no easy task.” Edgardo Bauza, coach of 2008 champions Liga de Quito, whose side travel to Montevideo to take on Penarol in Group 8.

Group stage taking shape

Group stage taking shape


Following the nine games scheduled for this, the fifth week of group action in this year’s Copa Libertadores, all the teams in six of the competition’s eight groups will have played their first three section encounters. We will therefore be that much closer to seeing which of the 32 sides involved in the tournament are best-placed to secure a berth in the knockout stages.

Peru’s Universidad San Martin and Colombia’s Junior de Barranquilla are already in the running after winning their opening two games. Can the duo make it three from three in midweek? And what of struggling Deportivo Tachira, Guarani and Oriente Petrolero, who are all chasing positive results this week in a bid to revive their already faint hopes? Stick with FIFA.com for a look at the pick of the encounters on the Libertadores menu.

Game of the week
Union Espanola (CHI) - Velez Sarsfield (ARG)
Group 4, Thursday 10 March, Estadio Santa Laura (Santiago), 19.15 (local time)

Having led 3-1 at home against Chile's Universidad Catolica on 3 March, Velez Sarsfield ended up going down 4-3 in a result that denied them the chance to top Group 4 and dealt a heavy blow to morale. However, their spirits will have been lifted by the weekend’s 1-0 win over Boca Juniors, and coach Ricardo Gareca’s men travel to Santiago hopeful of inflicting more misery on Union Espanola. The latter need a response after defeats by Venezuela’s Caracas FC and Colo Colo in Libertadores and domestic action respectively. In the section’s other encounter, also taking place in Santiago, group leaders Universidad Catolica host Caracas.

Elsewhere
In the week’s opening game, Group 1 leaders Universidad San Martin travel to the Paraguayan capital Asuncion to take on second-placed Libertad. Both sides are unbeaten thus far, with the Peruvian visitors one of only two teams still in with a chance of maintaining 100 per cent record after three games.

The second are Junior de Barranquilla, who visit Group 2 rivals Oriente Petrolero. Without a point from their opening two games, the Bolivian outfit would be cast even further adrift with defeat at home on Tuesday.

Over in Group 5, leaders Cerro Porteno of Paraguay and their clutch of Argentinian stars could open up a four-point gap from nearest pursuers Colo Colo with a home win over Venezuela’s Deportivo Tachira. The visitors, for their part, have just one point in the bag from two games so far.

In this week’s only game in Group 6, there is plenty at stake in the meeting between Emelec and Jaguares de Chiapas, second and third on four and three points respectively. A win for the Bolivian side would take them three points clear of Brazil’s Internacional, with the title holders not in action. Victory for their Mexican opponents, who welcome back key men Jackson Martinez and Ismael Fuentes, would also put them top of the section.

Champions in 2009, Argentina’s Estudiantes La Plata will be without the influential duo of Juan Sebastian Veron and Gaston Fernandez through injury when they tackle Group 7's bottom side Guarani. A win for El Pincha would take them within a point of section leaders Cruzeiro and leave their Paraguayan opponents virtually out of the running.

Finally, we turn to a very neatly balanced Group 8, where all four teams are level on three points apiece after two rounds of games. Will the deadlock have been broken after Penarol host Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito and Independiente cross swords with Godoy Cruz?

Player to watch
Jackson Martinez (Jaguares de Chiapas)
The 24-year-old Colombian striker has been hailed as something of a talisman by followers of the Mexican club, as Jaguares rarely lose when he finds the net. On a run of five straight defeats, during which they have scored just three goals, his return from injury could barely have come at a better time.

The stat
11 — Throwing up the most excitement to date in this year’s Libertadores is Group 4, where Universidad Catolica, Velez Sarsfield, Union Espanola and Caracas FC have scored a combined total of 16 goals after just two rounds of games. Particularly entertaining are La Católica, who have struck six and conceded five, but can they continue in a similarly thrilling vein at home to Caracas?

What they said
“In my view, Penarol’s win (away to Argentina’s Godoy Cruz) was no surprise. We knew beforehand that this would be a very difficult and well-matched group. I still think that whichever team wins their three home games will go through, but that’s no easy task.” Edgardo Bauza, coach of 2008 champions Liga de Quito, whose side travel to Montevideo to take on Penarol in Group 8.

Gunners earn Guardiola's approval

Gunners earn Guardiola's approval


Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola maintains Arsenal have what it takes to win the UEFA Champions League sooner or later.

Guardiola collected European football's top prize in his first season in charge two years ago, and will be out to overturn a 2-1 deficit at the Nou Camp tonight to reach the quarter-finals. Arsenal may have suffered the bitter disappointment of defeat in the League Cup final at Wembley to Birmingham, but they remain very much in the hunt to end their six-season trophy drought.

Manchester United's defeat at Liverpool leaves the Gunners just three points off the top of the Premier League, and with a game in hand. They head to Old Trafford this weekend looking to secure a place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

Guardiola has been impressed by the Gunners' durability. "I keep hearing about the fragility in the minds of the Arsenal players, but I do not agree," the Barcelona boss said. "They are competing with Manchester United for the Premier League, reached the final of the League Cup and a few seasons ago were in the final of the Champions League. Arsenal are always in the top, when you compete every season at the top, it is because they are quality.
Yes, they (Arsenal) lack something, but they are a young team. When they win the first time, they will change the mentality, they will realise they are good.
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola

"Sometimes they sell players, but Arsenal always keep the same level. Many teams arrive at the top for one year, but then are finished. Arsenal are there every season. For many years they have kept up there, and that is the real merit. Yes, they lack something, but they are a young team. When they win the first time, they will change the mentality, they will realise they are good."

Arsenal will hand a fitness test to Netherlands striker Robin van Persie ahead of tonight's showdown, after he made a swift recovery from a knee problem. Guardiola would welcome all of the Gunners stars in the starting XI, with the likes of midfielder Alex Song and England winger Theo Walcott left behind because of injury.

"I would like Song to play, maybe there could be a private flight for Walcott to come in at the last minute - you never know," said Guardiola. "I want all the great players to play, everyone against everyone and see a great show. "I hope they are all in the team - Van Persie, [Samir] Nasri, Cesc, because I would like to play the best possible Arsenal."

The Barcelona boss, who himself has been plagued by a back complaint which needed hospital treatment, continued: "If Van Persie plays, then no problem. It is good for the team and good for everyone. If he cannot, then Arsenal have a squad with players at a great level.

"Arsenal have many alternatives, are very dynamic and can play in different positions, their counter-attack is great. We will try to prevent that. This is always a special game in the Champions League and it is a magnificent challenge."

Barcelona will be unable to field either of their first-choice central defenders tonight as captain Carles Puyol has failed to recover from a knee injury while Gerard Pique is suspended. Midfielder Sergio Busquets is set to drop back to help out in defence, meaning former Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano should get a rare start.

Messi strikes as Barça go ten clear

Messi strikes as Barça go ten clear
(AFP) Wednesday 2 March 2011
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Argentine sensation Lionel Messi scored his 27th league goal of the season as champions Barcelona defeated Valencia 1-0 at the Mestalla stadium to move ten points clear of rivals Real Madrid at the Spanish first division summit.

Messi netted a 76th-minute winner as Barcelona continued their unbeaten away run and put Real under extra pressure to win at home to Malaga on Thursday. FIFA Ballon d'Or winner Messi had missed several chances in the first half but came good 14 minutes from time slotting in a cross from Adriano to clinch a vital win. It handed coach Pep Guardiola his first ever victory at the Mestalla, which had been the only top-flight venue where he had failed to secure three points.

For third-placed Valencia it was a first league defeat since early December of last year and Villarreal are now just one point behind them in fourth. It was an emotional first return to the Mestalla for Spanish FIFA World Cup™ star David Villa, who spent five years at the club before joining Barcelona for €40million in the summer, and the forward was given a warm reception from the home fans.

Spanish international playmaker Xavi returned to the Barcelona starting line-up after recovering from his calf injury to join Javier Mascherano and Sergi Busquets in midfield. Valencia decided to play with Juan Mata, normally a winger, leading the line and the hosts started at a high tempo to try and disrupt Barcelona's possession game.

Eric Abidal and Dani Alves were both forced to make crucial clearances for Barcelona early on before the champions found their rhythm. In the ninth minute Messi went clean through on goal but the Argentine fluffed a chance he usually buries on autopilot. Messi had three chances to score but missed them all with goalkeeper Vicente Guaita, third choice at the beginning of the season, standing tall.

Valencia thought they had scored in the 20th minute but Jordi Alba's goal was ruled out for offside. Just after the half-hour mark Messi squandered another goalscoring opportunity when his lob landed on the roof of the net with only Guaita to beat. Villa and full-back Adriano both went close before the interval but Barcelona went into the break frustrated at the 0-0 scoreline.

Substitute Roberto Soldado volleyed just wide in the 51st minute for Valencia's best chance of the match and Pablo Hernandez then curled inches wide of the post minutes later to give Barcelona a warning. The decisive goal came on 76 minutes with Brazilian Adriano cutting the ball across goal for Messi to arrive on cue to guide in with his trusty left foot.

Villarreal roll as Bilbao stumble
Earlier Villarreal ended a run of four league games without a win with a 1-0 home victory over promoted Hercules. Italian international forward Giuseppe Rossi scored his 13th league goal of the season on 21 minutes to seal Villarreal's 11th home win of the campaign as they got back to winning ways after collecting two points from the last 12.

Elsewhere Athletic Bilbao crashed to their fourth successive league loss with a 2-1 reverse at Real Zaragoza. Czech Jiri Jarosik headed an equaliser three minutes after the break and Nigerian striker Ikechuwku Uche scored the winner on 55 minutes as Zaragoza moved out of the bottom three. Bilbao, who could have gone above Espanyol into fifth, stay sixth but Sevilla are now level on points after their 3-0 home win over Sporting Gijon on Tuesday.

In other matches, city rivals Getafe and Atletico Madrid shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez. Brazilian substitute Elias Mendes, only on the pitch for 14 minutes, grabbed an 81st minute equaliser for Atletico after Manu del Moral had put Getafe into a third minute lead.

Ryan Giggs: 20 years at the t

Ryan Giggs: 20 years at the top
(FIFA.com) Wednesday 2 March 2011
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In one sense, there was an element of symmetry to it. Last night, 20 years on, Ryan Giggs’ 863rd Manchester United appearance ended just as his first had: in defeat.
Yet although Chelsea simply succeeded in doing to the Red Devils legend what Everton had to a skinny 17-year-old on 2 March 1991, there seemed something ill-fitting about the outcome at Stamford Bridge. After all, if there is one thing Giggs has perfected in the intervening decades, it is the art of winning.

As Jose Mourinho said in a tribute to evergreen 37-year-old: “The proof is in the medals.” Certainly, those winner's baubles – 11 in the Premier League, eight from domestic cups and two in the UEFA Champions League - have established Giggs as the most decorated player in English football history.

Sir Alex Ferguson has described him as the greatest player of the Premier League era, while United’s fans recently bestowed an even greater compliment by voting him the club’s greatest-ever player. Giggs, typically unassuming, said that he “genuinely couldn’t believe” he had beaten the likes of George Best and Bobby Charlton. But few elsewhere were surprised.

Everton captain Phil Neville said of his former team-mate: “He’s my hero. I know United have had some great players, but he’s won everything, he’s broken almost every record, so he stands alone now as probably one of the greatest players who has ever lived. Even now, he is still putting in unbelievable performances. If young players need to know how to live their lives, they should look no further than Ryan Giggs. He is the real football superstar.”
He’s won everything, he’s broken almost every record, so he stands alone now as probably one of the greatest players who has ever lived.
Phil Neville on Ryan Giggs

Longevity undoubtedly helped him edge ahead of players such as Best, Eric Cantona and Cristiano Ronaldo, whose stars burned brightly at Old Trafford, but over a shorter period. Giggs, however, earns only deep admiration from Cantona for his ability to maintain not only his standards, but his desire.

"We are very different personalities," Cantona reflected. "Me, when I do things, I fall in love with them very quickly. I'm lucky because I have a lot of passions, so it's not a problem for me to go from one to another. But I admire this kind of person, I admire Ryan, because he still plays with a passion. I admire that, because it's so far away from my personality. It's the same for [Paolo] Maldini, players like this."

Maldini, a fellow model professional who survived - and thrived - over two decades at another of the world’s great clubs, is perhaps the only modern-day player whose achievements can be compared to those of Giggs. Yet no-one will need reminding that while the AC Milan icon starred in four FIFA World Cups™, Giggs will retire having never graced the game’s greatest stage.

He was eligible to represent England, and Bryan Robson – an idol of his – made early overtures to persuade him to do just that. However, the Cardiff-born youngster’s mind was set on turning out for Wales, a choice that has left even some of his fellow countrymen to wonder what might have been.

"He's proud of his Welsh background like I am,” said Clayton Blackmore, who played alongside Giggs for both club and country. “But if he'd played for England during the seven or eight years when he was at his absolute best, he'd perhaps have been the greatest player on the world stage.”

Giggs himself claims to have no regrets, once telling FIFA.com that he had never questioned that early decision. “The World Cup is special - your first memory of football as a boy is the World Cup,” he admitted. “But I can't complain at all. I've had a good career and I wouldn't swap it for anyone else's.”
I can't complain at all. I've had a good career and I wouldn't swap it for anyone else's.
Ryan Giggs

No wonder. Giggs has adapted over the years, morphing from an explosive, flying winger to an astute, intelligent midfielder, but success is the one element that has remained constant. Even in defeat last night, he was still making history, equalling Bobby Charlton’s record of 606 league appearances for United. Giggs has long since held the record in all competitions, having surpassed Charlton’s mark of 758 on 21 May 2008 – fittingly, the night he claimed his second Champions League winner’s medal.

For those wondering how he has managed to stay on top for so long, his manager points to Giggs’ shunning of alcohol, chocolate and fast food, twice-weekly yoga sessions and regular sessions with an osteopath and acupuncturist. Yet an enduring hunger and hatred of defeat seems to have been just as important. As Giggs explained this week: "Last year, for example, when Chelsea won the double - it winds you up. You don't want to feel like you did last summer. You want to feel like the year before when you won the league. You think about those moments just as much as you think about the things you've won. Probably more."

Fortunately, Giggs has spent precious little time wallowing in disappointments. Whenever he does retire – and, with a new contract just signed, that doesn’t seem imminent – it will be as the most decorated player that Old Trafford and England has ever seen.

As we attempt to put the Giggs era in perspective, it’s worth looking at the context in which he made his debut all those years ago. In March 1991, a 2-0 defeat to Everton wasn’t unusual for a Manchester United side without a win in its last seven matches – and without a league title in almost 25 years.

These days, the mere thought of United starved of success and Sir Alex Ferguson under threat seems incredible. Giggs will inevitably shun credit for the subsequent transformation, but his skill and consistency have helped establish his club as England’s dominant force – and secured his reputation as one of the game’s all-time greats.

Wenger focuses on title after cup romp

Wenger focuses on title after cup romp
(AFP) Thursday 3 March 2011
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger turned his attention back to the English Premier League title race immediately after defeating Leyton Orient to seal a place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on Wednesday.

The Gunners were the beneficiaries of Chelsea's win over Manchester United on Tuesday, as their game in hand and meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson's team mean their destiny is in their own hands. "For us, it keeps us even better in the race," Wenger said.

"I felt anyway, no matter what happened (in Uniteds clash), whether it was a draw, would have been good as well. It just depends on us. It's down to our results. I say that for a long time, it depends how consistent we will be with our results. That will decide the championship."

Wenger's side face Sunderland at the weekend and warmed up for that clash by thrashing League One team Orient in the Cup, with Nicklas Bendtner scoring a hat-trick. It went some way to getting over the disappointment of losing to Birmingham in the League Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.

They now face title rivals United in the next round at Old Trafford. "We were professional," Bendtner said. "After the disappointment of Sunday it was important for us. We know its going to be difficult against United but we very much look forward to that game when it comes. We just need to focus on Sunderland first."
I say that for a long time, it depends how consistent we will be with our results. That will decide the championship.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger

Next week Arsenal also play the second leg of their UEFA Champions League clash against Barcelona, taking a 2-1 lead to the Nou Camp. Robin van Persie is set to miss that match as he is out for three to four weeks with a knee injury.

Tomas Rosicky suffered mild concussion against Orient but should recover, and there is optimism of Cesc Fabregas overcoming his hamstring complaint. "I personally hope he will be there next Tuesday," Wenger said. "He has a chance to play in Barcelona.

"I don't think he will be involved on Saturday - no chance. But we will try with him on Sunday and Monday and have a final test on Monday morning. We go from day to day. Two or three days ago thinking to play part of game if all goes well."

Orient manager Russell Slade praised Wenger for getting the best out of his players after suffering disappointment at Wembley - Marouane Chamakh and Gael Clichy were the other scorers. "It was a hard night, we found a side in good form with a real strong focus and a spot-on attitude," Slade said. "Mr Wenger got the performance from his players.

"They were ruthless really with the first three goals. Three attacks, three opportunities and three goals. But I was proud of the way we kept the ball and kept passing. We need to go away and learn from that and establish some momentum in the league and try to push and see if we can attain a top-six spot. I think we can do that."

Higuain returns after surgery

Higuain returns after surgery
(AFP) Wednesday 2 March 2011
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Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuain returned to the pitch on Wednesday for the first time since he underwent back surgery in January to fix a slipped disc.

"[Higuain] began a new stage in his recovery process this morning. The striker worked out on the pitch today for the first time since his surgery and did ball work," Real said in a statement. "Higuain will be subjected to diagnostic tests in the coming weeks before starting the stage in which he will gradually rejoin the squad."
The striker worked out on the pitch today for the first time since his surgery and did ball work...
Real Madrid club statement

Doctors who carried out the surgery at Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital said at the time that it would take between three and four months for Higuain to return to competitive action and up to a year before he is fully recovered.

The 23-year-old Argentinian international, who normally starts in attack for Real alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, has been unable to play since the end of November because of the injury. Higuain scored 27 league goals for Madrid last season, making him La Liga's second-most prolific scorer behind fellow Argentinian Lionel Messi of Barcelona. He joined Real in January 2007 from River Plate.

Mancini: Best yet to come from Balotelli

Mancini: Best yet to come from Balotelli
(AFP) Thursday 3 March 2011
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Roberto Mancini believes Manchester City are still to see the best from Mario Balotelli, despite seeing his striker go some way to answering his calls with an eye-catching performance in the 3-0 victory over Aston Villa on Wednesday in their FA Cup fifth round clash.

The Manchester City manager questioned the Italian striker's work-rate and demanded he do more ahead of the match. Balotelli, who cost £24million, has been struggling with a knee problem and had threatened to earn more yellow cards than goals since his arrival from Inter Milan.

But after his fine finish took him into double figures for the season, Mancini said: "Mario played well and scored a fantastic goal against Villa. He's improving all the time, but it's hard as he has just returned from injury. But I know there's still more to come from him."
He's improving all the time, but it's hard as he has just returned from injury. But I know there's still more to come from him.
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini

Manchester City have been fighting on three fronts with the FA Cup joining the UEFA Europa League and the Premier League in their chase for silverware. It's been 25 years since their last trophy but they took a step closer to achieving that aim as goals from Yaya Toure, Balotelli and David Silva, all summer signings, saw off a weakened Aston Villa side.

Manchester City will now face Reading, the Championship side who pulled off a big upset by beating Everton. And although it appears that the Premier League title is unlikely, with Mancini writing off his team's chances, the FA Cup quarter-final is the least of his priorities.

Securing a place in next season's UEFA Champions League with a top-four finish has shot to the top of the Italian coach's list of priorities. "Against Villa they (Villa) had the option to change. I don't have that option at this moment. We have been playing a lot of games. I have some tired players.

"Of course I'm pleased to get through. But first we need to get fourth position. We have been between first and fourth for 28 games. Now is the time for key games before that."

While Manchester City were given a helping hand by Villa fielding a weakened team, manager Gerrard Houllier defended his team selection. The Frenchman, who will come under fire from his own supporters desperate for success having seen neighbours Birmingham City just win the League Cup, believes securing their Premier League status should remain their priority.

Despite an upturn in fortunes that sees them sit comfortably in midtable, Houllier refused to dismiss his side's chances of being dragged back into a relegation fight. "They (his players in the match) are all internationals and they are all doing well. They are proven top-class players who I picked. If I had to do it, I'd do it again. We have an important game against Bolton. We can still face a relegation fight, definitely."

Strong start for former champs

Strong start for former champs
(FIFA.com) Thursday 3 March 2011
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The opening 2011 AFC Champions League Matchday proved a positive one for previous continental kings, with two-time winners Al Ittihad, 2006 champions Jeonbuk Motors and 2008 victors Gamba Osaka all cruising to opening wins. Only the tournament's inaugural winners Al Ain got off to a miserable start after losing 1-0 to Korea Republic champions FC Seoul.

The round also provided a good launchpad for Iranian representatives with former runners-up Sepahan showing their Asian pedigree by overcoming hosts Al Hilal 2-1 while compatriots, and last year’s finalists, Zob Ahan, saw off debutants Emirates by an identical scoreline.

Although many traditional heavyweights fared well there were also a host of upset results. Perhaps topping the list was Hangzhou Greentown who were victorious in their tournament debut against Japanese champions Nagoya Grampus. Chinese hopes of success in 2011 receiving another boost as Tianjin Teda triumphed at highly-regarded K-League side Jeju United.

FIFA.com reviews the opening group matches as 32-teams commenced their tilt for Asian supremacy and passage to the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup.

The game
Al Hilal 1-2 Sepahan
Goals: Christian Wilhelmsson 90+3; Ibrahima Toure 51, Fabio Januario 60
Champions of their respective countries, Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal and Iran’s Sepahan entered the opening meeting of Group A seeking not only to gain maximum points but take a leap on the likely rivals for top spot in the group. With so much at stake, the game got off to a cautious start with chances limited throughout the opening half. The hosts pushed for an opener immediately after the interval but it was the visitors that went ahead through their Senegalese striker Ibrahima Toure. Disaster then struck for Al Hilal as goalkeeper Abdullah Alsdairy turned Fabio Januario's corner into his own net. Swede Christian Wilhelmsson may have pulled one back for Al Hilal in added time but the goal was too late, too little. The away triumph saw the Iranians sit atop the section ahead of Al Jazira and Al Gharafa, who battled out a goalless draw in the other game.

The surprise
Hangzhou Greentown 2-0 Nagoya Grampus
Goals: Luis Ramirez 60, Maimaitiyili Bali 86
The visiting Nagoya arrived at Hangzhou bolstered by their weekend Japanese Super Cup victory over Nagoya Grampus. However it was the home side that prevailed with Hangzhou coach Wu Jingui vowing to emulate the manner of Inter Milan's UEFA Champions League semi-final victory over Barcelona last season. Employing a similar game plan to that utilised by Jose Mourinho, Wu's charges successfully closed down their rivals and after holding Nagoya for an hour, striker Maimaitiyili Bali entered the fray adding potency in attack. The tactical change paid immediate dividends as Bali crossed for Luis Ramirez to open the scoring. The provider then turned scorer in the closing minutes when he caught out goalkeeper Seigo Narazaki with a shot from an acute angle. The win sent the Chinese side top of the group marginally ahead of FC Seoul on goal difference.

Elsewhere
Al Ittihad's Algerian striker Abdelmalek Ziaya was twice on target as the Saudi hosts outmuscled Persepolis of Iran 3-1. The comfortable victory put the Jeddah giants in Group C's driving seat ahead of Bunyodkor and Al Wahda who shared a 1-1 draw.

Zob Ahan were made to sweat against Emirates with the UAE debutants taking a surprise lead just prior to the break. But the Iranians hosts quickly drew themselves level courtesy of Seyed Mohammad Hosseini, before their Brazilian hotshot Igor Castro scored the match-winner ten minutes into the second half. The hard-earned three points ensured Zob Ahan led Group D with Al Rayyan and Al Shabab drawing 1-1 in the other game.

Across the other side of the continent, Gamba inflicted a 5-1 demolition on Melbourne Victory to set the pace in Group E alongside Chinese Tianjin, who recorded an unlikely away win at Jeju. Also celebrating three opening points were Japan’s Cerezo Osaka of Group G, who made hard work of dispatching underdogs Arema Indonesia 2-1 to stay top alongside Jeonbuk, 1-0 victors over Chinese champions Shandong Luneng.

It was honours even for all contenders in Group B with hosts Pakhtakor conceding an own goal with two minutes remaining to share the spoils with Al Nassr 2-2, while Esteghlal also threw away a 1-0 lead late on to draw 1-1 against Al Sadd. Group H looked the most even as all four teams – Kashima Antlers, Shanghai Shenhua, Suwon Bluewings and Sydney FC – failed to muster a single goal.

The player
Gamba’s new Brazilian striker Adriano Ferreira Martins proved his worth on debut by converting a spot-kick and setting up two goals as his side recorded a resounding victory over Melbourne.

The stat
7 – The total number of matches which ended in stalemate, including three goalless draws.

What they said
"If we had taken some of the chances that we had created in the first half then the game could have been more comfortable. But I am satisfied with the result. It is hard to win the first game of the season and this was just the start we wanted," Jeonbuk Motors coach Choi Kang-Hee

2011 AFC Champions League Matchday 1 results:
March 1-2
Group A: Al Jazira 0-0 Al Gharafa, Al Hilal 1-2 Sepahan
Group B: Pakhtakor 2-2 Al Nassr, Esteghlal 1-1 Al Sadd
Group C: Al Wahda 1-1 Bunyodkor, Al Ittihad 3-1 Persepolis
Group D: Al Rayyan 1-1 Al Shabab, Zob Ahan 2-1 Emirates
Group E: Jeju United 0-1 Tianjin Teda, Gamba Osaka 5-1 Melbourne Victory
Group F: Hangzhou Greentown 2-0 Nagoya Grampus, Al Ain 0-1 FC Seoul
Group G: Jeonbuk Motors 1-0 Shandong Luneng, Cerezo Osaka 2-1 Arema Indonesia
Group H: Shanghai Shenhua 0-0 Kashima Antlers, Sydney FC 0-0 Suwon Bluewings

Flu, Nacional suffer surprise defeats

Flu, Nacional suffer surprise defeats
(PA) Thursday 3 March 2011
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Argentinos Juniors claimed a key Copa Libertadores win as they downed Nacional 1-0 in Uruguay.

Franco Niell netted the only goal after 21 minutes following a defensive mix-up between Nacional defender Gabriel Marquez and goalkeeper Fernando Burian. The win takes the Argentinian outfit to the top of Group 3 on seven points while Nacional have just one point to show from their three games so far.

Argentinos coach Pedro Troglio said: "The guys are doing their work very well. I'm happy with everybody's hard work. This is a great win for us. We came here thinking that a draw would be good for us and we won."
This is a great win for us. We came here thinking that a draw would be good for us and we won.
Argentinos coach Pedro Troglio

Elsewhere in Group 3, Mexican side America defeated Brazilian champions Fluminense 1-0 at home to climb to second place. Daniel Marquez scored the winning goal in the 70th minute.

In Group 7, Cruzeiro moved to the top of the pile after a goalless draw at Colombian side Tolima, although the visitors were indebted to goalkeeper Fabio who saved a Wilder Medina penalty with 14 minutes remaining.

Mexican side San Luis drew 1-1 with Colombian outfit Once Caldas in Group One. Wason Renteria fired Once Caldas ahead early on but Michael Arroyo ensured it finished all square when he equalised from a free-kick.

It was a tale of two penalties in Group 5 as Santos of Brazil drew 1-1 with Paraguayan side Cerro Porteno. Elano put the hosts ahead from the spot nine minutes into the second half but, after Edu Dracena fouled Freddy Bareiro in the area in injury time, Roberto Nanni stepped up to equalise.