tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34014647725473945702024-02-07T02:12:15.831+00:00REAL TALK FOOTBALL BLOGTwitter @RealTlkFootball ... Facebook: RealTalk Football-BlogReal Talk Footballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13034436880822848572noreply@blogger.comBlogger209125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401464772547394570.post-79204210360968649072012-04-27T13:11:00.001+01:002012-04-27T13:11:41.944+01:00Pep Guardiola to leave Barcelona<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://images.christianpost.com/full/52660/barcelonas-coach-pep-guardiola-looks-down-during-the-el-clasico-soccer-match-against-real-madrid-at-nou-camp-stadium-in-barcelona-april-21-2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://images.christianpost.com/full/52660/barcelonas-coach-pep-guardiola-looks-down-during-the-el-clasico-soccer-match-against-real-madrid-at-nou-camp-stadium-in-barcelona-april-21-2012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">FC Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed in a press conference earlier today
that he will not be renewing his contract with Spanish giants at the end of the
season, and will be stepping down. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The 41-year-old discussed the decision with his players this
morning, as he led his sides training session.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Many of the clubs star players, including Xavi Hernandez,
Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas were present at Guardiola’s moving press
conference, where he apologised numerous times, but expressed his need for a
break from the game as he feels “drained”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Guardiola, who made 263 appearances for the Catalan club as
a player, is Barcelona’s most successful manager, winning an amazing 13
trophies in just four years at the club. It is truly an end of an era.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-social.s-msn.com/images/blogs/99e79f59-dc72-4537-b7e8-c5db4c1a22ba_f3873d7e-1355-4541-83fa-e223ef91bd8c_20120427104115_pep_stats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://media-social.s-msn.com/images/blogs/99e79f59-dc72-4537-b7e8-c5db4c1a22ba_f3873d7e-1355-4541-83fa-e223ef91bd8c_20120427104115_pep_stats.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guardiola's record as Barcelona boss compared to previous boss Frank Rijkaard</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In accordance with the Barcelona philosophy, the club have
ended all speculation linking numerous different big names with the job, by
appointing Guardiola’s right hand man, and a very popular name amongst the
Barcelona squad, Tito Vilanova as the new man who will take charge in the
summer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Real Talk Football</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Follow me on Twitter @RealTlkFootball</b></span></div>
</div>Real Talk Footballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13034436880822848572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401464772547394570.post-68539685430607414442012-04-25T09:04:00.001+01:002012-04-25T09:05:10.167+01:00Another great night at the Camp Nou<br />
Congratulations to Chelsea, who last night claimed a magnificent result away to Barcelona to seal their place in their second Champions League final.<br />
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On May 19th, Chelsea will fly to Munich to face either Bayern or Real Madrid, a opponent who will be determined tonight.<br />
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Chelsea's triumph came at a cost, with midfielders Ramires, Raul Meireles, and defenders Branislav Ivanovic and club captain John Terry all suspended for the final.<br />
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The West London club will be hoping Gary Cahill and David Luiz can recover from injuries to be fit in time for the final. Expect Bosingwa and the superb Ashley Cole to play in the full-back positions.<br />
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Mikel and Essien, will probably join Lampard in the midfield three, so thanks to Chelsea's strong squad, something which wasn't notice by Andre Villas-Boas, the suspensions won't be as crippling as first thought.<br />
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Congratulations to Roberto Di Matteo for a fantastic and well deserved result.<br />
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As for Barcelona, a small 21 man squad, although recognised by some as the greatest of all time, are in the end, just as human as anyone else. Fatigue and injuries have depleted the squad and left Barca falling short in the final straight.<br />
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On to tonight's semi-final second leg in Madrid. Real Talk Footballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13034436880822848572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401464772547394570.post-86382753853646397212012-04-23T16:58:00.002+01:002012-04-23T16:59:29.047+01:00Dortmund Regain Bundesliga Crown<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19.5pt;">Congratulations to Borussia Dortmund,
who beat league rivals Borussia Monchengladbach 2-0 at home on Saturday to regain
the Bundesliga crown, with two games to go.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Throughout the season I’ve kept an
eye on the Bundesliga, and it really is one of the most underrated leagues in
the World.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The stars of Dortmund’s campaign were
similar to those who had performed so superbly last season. The central
defensive pairing of Matt Hummels and Neven Subotic has been excellent, setting
the second best defensive record in the Bundesliga, behind Bayern Munich. Along
with full-back Lukasz Piszczek, the Poland international, who has staked his
claim as one of the best right backs in the league.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In midfield, the engine room, Sven
Bender, Sebastian Kehl have been solid, and typify consistency for Jurgen
Klopp’s men, as well as the fantastic Illkay Gundogan, whose recent form drove
Dortmund on to the title. Jakub ‘Kuba’ Blaszczykowski, and Kevin Grobkreutz
have also been superb in the midfield, and have become key figures this season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The main man from midfield this
season has been Japanese international Shinji Kagawa. He has taken over the
mantle of creative responsibility from Mario Gotze, who has suffered from
injuries this season. Kagawa has 13 goals from midfield this season, with 7
assists. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In attack, Polish international Robert
Lewandowski is in the form of his life. He has hit 20 goals this season, and
has relegated Lucas Barrios to the bench.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Congratulations to Jurgen Klopp, who
has led Dortmund to back-to-back titles for the first time since 1997. The 44
year old German has caught the eye of some of Europe’s top clubs, is hungry for
more success with the black and yellows and is unlikely to move any time soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>Real Talk Footballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13034436880822848572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401464772547394570.post-41527633084398713652012-04-22T23:37:00.000+01:002012-04-22T23:37:52.201+01:00El Clasico - Tale of an Absorbing Encounter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b style="line-height: 19.5pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">El
Clasico</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My overriding thoughts of last night’s
excellent encounter between arguably Europe's top two teams is how close the
perceived gap between these two side is no more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With a 2-1 win in the Nou Camp, Real
Madrid now sit a comfortable seven points clear of their fiercest rivals
Barcelona, with only four games left to play.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Christian Tello was Pep Guardiola's
surprise selection, continuing the trend he's set of springing a few surprise
inclusions in recent encounters with their eternal rivals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mascherano was selected at
centre-back, ahead of Gerard Piqué, where he has played 25 times this season.
More times than recognised centre-back’s Puyol or Piqué. Thiago Alcantara came
in in midfield, ahead of Cesc Fabregas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jose Mourinho went with a more
forward thinking line-up, then previous encounters, however with no real
surprises. The formation only had two defensive minded players in midfielders,
rather than three he had previously selected in the past. Ideally Mourinho’s
selection was aimed at catching, and beating, Barcelona on the counter (<i>a lot more on that later</i>).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fabio Coentrão was selected at
left-back ahead of the rogue Marcelo. Khedira and Xabi Alonso was the defensive
screen in front of the back four.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The game<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ultimately Barcelona's formation was
a 3-4-3, but at times they only really had two at the back. A 2-5-3 if you
will. Dani Alves pushed up high on the right, Adriano on the left. Mascherano,
Puyol sitting, with Sergio dropping deep. An unbelievably risky formation, as
Real looked to play on the counter. Guardiola must've felt comfortable that the
Barca centre-backs could handle Ronaldo on the break.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Throughout the game, Barcelona
<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/match/2012/apr/21/barcelona-v-realmadrid" target="_blank">dominated the possession</a>, as expected. They had a massive 72%, but still
managed the same amount of attempts on goal as Real with 14 attempts a piece.
Real had more on target with 6 on target to Barcelona’s 3.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the end, Barcelona was undone by a
set-piece, and one precise pace from Ozil to Ronaldo, who we all know doesn't
need a second invitation to score. Barcelona can feel disappointed, as Xavi and
Tello all missed great chances.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a poor decision to include the
20 year old winger Tello. He missed two excellent chances to get his side in
the game. A promising player, but he's too raw, and this game surely came too
soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Xavi was substituted again, with
concerns regarding his Achilles problems persisting, and it's evident that he
is in need of a rest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Resolute defending from the Real
Madrid back four, and Ronaldo’s potency on the threat, was undeniably the
reason they became the first team to beat Barcelona at the home since Hercules
beat them 2-0 on the 11th September 2010.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Real Madrid have been gearing towards
this game all season, knowing full well that if they are ahead, or even within
touching distance of the Catalan club in the title race, then Mourinho would
finally have a game plan to get a desired result.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All season, Madrid has dominated
teams, scoring at will and already surpassing the record goal total for any
club in La Liga history. Any team they faced, whether it be top class
opponents, or apparent minnows, the aim is clear: should they attack you, and
their attack breaks down near your box, or in your half, get the ball forward
as fast and as direct as possible. Hit the ball into the channels, ideally
hitting Ronaldo. Ruthless counter attacks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I remember watching Arsenal v.
Manchester United in previous where they employed the same tactics. On numerous
occasions Arsenal would dominate possession, the game plan was clear. Ferguson
had told his men not to panic, win the ball on the edge of your own box, or in
your own half, as Arsenal would play parallel passes, and use the likes of
Park, Rooney and the aforementioned Ronaldo to dismantle their opponents on the
counter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ultimately Real Madrid's players
deserved a lot of credit. At times their play yesterday bordered on
anti-football tactics, thumping the ball up the pitch just to relieve the
pressure, but it wasn't the Madrid side we'd seen previous who had used rough
methods in an attempt to kick Barcelona off the park. The likes of which Pepe
and Sergio Ramos had increasingly become known for, but yesterday showed that
they are indeed top class footballers, and world class defenders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/FC+Barcelona+v+Real+Madrid+CF+Liga+BBVA+0_9dl-nZ-TFl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/FC+Barcelona+v+Real+Madrid+CF+Liga+BBVA+0_9dl-nZ-TFl.jpg" width="357" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Post
match<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pep Guardiola was <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/la-liga/9219232/Barcelona-coach-Pep-Guardiola-hails-Real-Madrid-as-Spanish-champions-after-Camp-Nou-win.html" target="_blank">gracious</a> in defeat,
just as he is in victory. He said “I congratulate Real Madrid for their victory
and also on their league title which I have no doubt they have clinched tonight”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Barcelona <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/InfostradaLive/status/193789922602262529" target="_blank">lost their streak of going 34 successive league</a> games without defeat, will their streak of 54 home matches
without defeat in all competitions, is over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cristiano Ronaldo set a single season
<a href="http://twitter.com/#!/InfostradaLive/status/193784444212097024" target="_blank">La Liga record</a> of scoring 42 goals in a single season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/FC+Barcelona+v+Real+Madrid+CF+Liga+BBVA+Ez5rHHZ72yHl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/FC+Barcelona+v+Real+Madrid+CF+Liga+BBVA+Ez5rHHZ72yHl.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19.5pt;">Real Madrid are seven points clear,
and need to win two of their remaining four fixtures to win the league. They
now have to overturn a 2-1 deficit against Bayern Munich in the Champions
League, then look towards regaining the La Liga crown next season.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Barcelona, now concede they won’t win
the title. They still have a Copa Del Rey final to look forward too, while they
face Chelsea on Tuesday in the Champions League semi-final, and look to
overturn a 1-0 defeat.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19.5pt;">This game was effectively a title decider.
It was an absorbing, and a great game. Congratulations to Real Madrid,
fantastic season. Commiserations to Barcelona, but I’m sure they’ll be back.</span></div>
</div>Real Talk Footballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13034436880822848572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401464772547394570.post-60523398896997583622012-04-13T20:54:00.001+01:002012-04-13T20:57:20.672+01:00News: Rossi injured again<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Giuseppe+Rossi+SSC+Napoli+v+Villarreal+CF+AZKpbq_divAl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Giuseppe+Rossi+SSC+Napoli+v+Villarreal+CF+AZKpbq_divAl.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">Sad news for Italian fans this afternoon, after news confirmed that Giuseppe Rossi has picked up another serious knee injury.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">The Villarreal striker, who had recently been recovering from torn anterior cruciate knee ligaments in his right knee, and has again </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">injured</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> the same knee in training earlier today and currently face another six months out of the game. </span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 150%;">He will also miss the Euro 2012 championships in Ukraine and Poland, a major blow for the Azzurri, for which he had started to become a regular.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">Villarreal face another period without their talismanic striker, who since his arrival from Manchester United in 2007 has hit a total of 82 goals in 192 games for the Yellow Submarine.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">This Villarreal side has had serious problems this season, and find themselves in the midst of a relegation battle in La Liga. With a difficult and somewhat distracting Champions League campaign, a small squad, with a visible lack of depth, Villarreal have had their poorest season for some time, making their way through three managers in the process.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">The Anterior Cruciate Ligament, according to </span><span style="line-height: 150%;">everyone's</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> favourite spot for diagnoses and prognoses, Wikipedia, the ACL is "one of the four major ligaments of the human knee." The</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> picture below, highlights the ins and outs for all those interested.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/Knee_diagram.svg/658px-Knee_diagram.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="363" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/Knee_diagram.svg/658px-Knee_diagram.svg.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div>Real Talk Footballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13034436880822848572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401464772547394570.post-73826305865389586332012-01-13T18:50:00.001+00:002012-01-13T19:01:14.312+00:00African Cup of Nations Preview: Group A<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/03/2012_Africa_Cup_of_Nations_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/03/2012_Africa_Cup_of_Nations_logo.png" width="235" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Welcome to Real Talk Football's African Cup of Nation's preview. Here you'll find all you need to know about each team in this years tournament which gets under way on the January 21st. </b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>For news, listings and all you need to know, make sure you follow me on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/RealTlkFootball" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Group A</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieA9CLxI-3Vxndws1Bg1QyOgWvkaSkq3LPWLwo6Tqp3ke0I7xAp3eE9kRpPO9ambBbFfzJNa9r70WBmhZruocCdzbK-FyQKdQK3G37bKkZO3dAq7nghx4xUYBkyiS5zjHzXiSK7wrPqr4/s400/GEC+Javier+Balboa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieA9CLxI-3Vxndws1Bg1QyOgWvkaSkq3LPWLwo6Tqp3ke0I7xAp3eE9kRpPO9ambBbFfzJNa9r70WBmhZruocCdzbK-FyQKdQK3G37bKkZO3dAq7nghx4xUYBkyiS5zjHzXiSK7wrPqr4/s400/GEC+Javier+Balboa.jpg" width="352" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iban Iyanga</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: red;">Equatorial Guinea</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Best finish:</b> First time qualifiers</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Key Man:</b> Iban Iyanga</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Winger who plays for Las Palmas, in Spain’s Segunda Division, he is 24 years old and has 6 caps for the co-hosts.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Coach: </b>Gilson Paulo</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Took over as coach on the 3<sup>rd</sup> of January due to former coach Henri Michael quitting due to a protest at “third party” interference. Paulo had previously worked as Sports Director at the Vasco da Gama football academy.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J6Eg0KLTHMo/TvRrzm4wksI/AAAAAAAADHs/TG2RUIL1Xn4/s1600/DSCN4198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J6Eg0KLTHMo/TvRrzm4wksI/AAAAAAAADHs/TG2RUIL1Xn4/s320/DSCN4198.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Qualification process: </b>Co-hosts</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Previous appearances: </b>0<b><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Fixtures:<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Libya – 21/01/12</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Senegal – 25/01/12</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Zambia – 29/01/12</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.euronews.net/images_news/W500px_Libya-football-team-wins-mozambique-2012-African-Cup-of-Nations-qualifying-soccer-match-in-Cairo-pod2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://static.euronews.net/images_news/W500px_Libya-football-team-wins-mozambique-2012-African-Cup-of-Nations-qualifying-soccer-match-in-Cairo-pod2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><o:p><br />
</o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Libya</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Best finish: </b>Runners-Up 1982</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Key Man: </b>Samir Aboud</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">National team goalkeeper and captain. The most successful player in Libyan football history, winning 18 different titles with Al-Ittahad, the 39 year old brings vast amounts of experience.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Coach: </b>Marcos Paqueta</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Brazilian coach, 53, has previous experience coaching in United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and in his native country. Managed the Saudi Arabia national team at World Cup 2006. With the Arab uprising, and new found <span style="text-align: left;">patriotism, the national team are riding on the wave of emotion and new found optimism, and the football teams qualification has created its on piece of history. New kit, new flag, new colours, they'll hope to cause some history and be dark horses for the ACN title.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballkitnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Adidas-Libya-Kit-2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.footballkitnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Adidas-Libya-Kit-2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Qualification process: </b>Top Two Runners-Up</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Previous appearances: </b>2</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Fixtures:<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Equatorial Guinea – 21/01/12</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Zambia – 25/01/12</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Senegal – 29/01/12</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://u.goal.com/46000/46012hp2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://u.goal.com/46000/46012hp2.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #f1c232;">Senegal </span><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Best finish: </b>Runners-Up 2002</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Key Man: </b>Moussa Sow</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The Lille striker has been subject of a bid from Turkish side Fenerbahce which could hamper his preparation for the ACN tournament. The 26 year old will link up with fellow in-form striker Demba Ba, and could make up a feared front pairing.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Coach: </b>Amara Traore</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Been in charge since December 2009, he was a member of the historic 2002 squad which reached the World Cup quarter final, however he didn’t make a single appearance. His only other managerial experience was with second division Senegalese side ASC Linguere. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/wp-content/gallery/puma-african-kits-2010/senegal-home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/wp-content/gallery/puma-african-kits-2010/senegal-home.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Qualification process: </b>Group E Winner</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Previous appearances: </b>11</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Fixtures:<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Zambia – 21/01/12</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Equatorial Guinea – 25/01/12</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Libya – 29/01/12</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.africareview.com/image/view/-/1253540/highRes/266928/-/maxw/600/-/gmk8u4/-/CHIPO+IMAGE.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.africareview.com/image/view/-/1253540/highRes/266928/-/maxw/600/-/gmk8u4/-/CHIPO+IMAGE.gif" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Zambia</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Best finish: </b>Runners-Up 1974, 1994</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Key Man: </b>Colin Mbusema</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">This name may be familiar to a few Portsmouth fans, he made 4 appearances for the south coast club between 2005-07. He’s been a numerous clubs from Turkey to Portugal, but has found his feet again in South African football, now plying his trade with Golden Arrows, and has hit 11 goals in 14 appearances. Renowned for his poor behaviour, Mbesuma has a chance to prove his worth on Africa’s biggest stage. He has 14 goals in 36 appearances.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Coach: </b>Herve Renard</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Former defender who spent his career playing in France. Now, 43, has previously managed in England with Cambridge United, and is taking up his second stint as Zambian head coach.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.oldfootballshirts.com/img/shirts/2137/thumbs/football_shirt_16354_1_376x450x0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.oldfootballshirts.com/img/shirts/2137/thumbs/football_shirt_16354_1_376x450x0.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Qualification process: </b>Group C Winner</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Previous appearances: </b>14<b><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Fixtures:<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Senegal – 21/01/12</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Libya – 25/01/12</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Equatorial Guinea – 29/01/12</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Scroll down for part two!</div></div>Real Talk Footballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13034436880822848572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401464772547394570.post-32206492996560892652012-01-13T18:16:00.001+00:002012-01-13T19:15:53.859+00:00African Cup of Nations Preview: Group B<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/03/2012_Africa_Cup_of_Nations_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/03/2012_Africa_Cup_of_Nations_logo.png" width="235" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Group B</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.laligaticketsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/yaya-n-kkolo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.laligaticketsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/yaya-n-kkolo.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Cote d’Ivoire</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Best finish:</b> Winners 1992</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Key Man:</b> Yaya Toure</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Twenty years since Ivory Coast last won Africa’s biggest prize, Yaya Toure is at the peak of his career and can lead them to glory. His presence in the Manchester City midfield has already been felt during his absence, as he has become the main protagonist for the Citizens this season. He has 59 caps for the Elephants, and will form a solid partnership with Cheick Tiote in the middle of the park. Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and Gervinho will provide the firepower.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Coach:</b> Francois Zahoi</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A former Ivory Coast international, he replaced Sven Goran Eriksson in 2010. The Elephants won all of their games in the qualification process, scoring 19 goals and only conceding 4 goals. The pre-tournament favourites, with an array of the best players in Africa, Ivory Coast have high expectations.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/wp-content/gallery/puma-african-kits-2010/ivory-coast-away.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/wp-content/gallery/puma-african-kits-2010/ivory-coast-away.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Qualification process:</b> Group H Winner</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Previous appearances:</b> 18</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Fixtures:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Sudan – 22/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Burkina Faso – 26/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Angola – 30/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.starafrica.com/typo3temp/pics/d_99934_433_433_90.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://www.starafrica.com/typo3temp/pics/d_99934_433_433_90.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sudan national team</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Sudan</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Best finish:</b> Winners 1970</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Key Man:</b> Haitham Mustafa</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This man embodies Sudanese football, represented the biggest club in the country; Al-Hilal, for over fifteen years. He’s the club captain, national team captain, and has 120 caps for Sudan. Mustafa is a play making central midfielder, with excellent vision, passing ability, who dictates the tempo of play. He has more than 14 titles with his club side, and is one of the top players in African football.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Coach:</b> Mohammed Abdulla Ahmed</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ahmed led the only East African representative into the tournament as the top two runners-up. The “Falcons” finished level with Ghana in Group I, missing on topping the group on the head-to-head ruling. He was in charge of Sudan for the 2008 ACN, failing to pick up a single point or scoring a single goal. A vast improvement on that poor performance is a must.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Qualification process:</b> Top Two Runners-Up</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fifa.com/mm/photo/tournament/competition/87/42/15/874215_full-prt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.fifa.com/mm/photo/tournament/competition/87/42/15/874215_full-prt.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haitham Mustafa on the left, Sudan legend</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Previous appearances:</b> 7</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Fixtures:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Ivory Coast – 22/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Angola – 26/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Burkina Faso – 30/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fifa.com/mm/photo/tournament/competition/01/06/72/55/1067255_full-lnd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://www.fifa.com/mm/photo/tournament/competition/01/06/72/55/1067255_full-lnd.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jonathan Pitroipa, right, Burkina Faso winger</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Burkina Faso </span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Best finish:</b> Fourth place 1998</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Key Man:</b> Jonathan Pitroipa</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The speedy winger currently plays for Stade Rennais in France, after beginning his career in Germay and is arguably one of the most well known Burkinabe players. He has 23 caps, and has 3 goals.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Keep an eye on Lyon centre-back Bakary Kone who has put in some good first team performances this season, as well as midfielder Charles Kabore, who plays for Marseille.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A surprise inclusion to the squad is 16 year old midfielder Bertrand Troare who once had a trial with Chelsea Football Club. He made his International debut against co-hosts Equatorial Guinea last September.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Coach:</b> Paolo Duarte</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Former centre-back who spent the majority of his career playing in the top two tiers of Portuguese football. He was in charge of the club during the 2010 campaign that crashed out at the group stage in third place. In the qualification 12 goals from 4 games, and qualified with consummate ease.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballkitnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Burkina-Faso-Jersey-2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.footballkitnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Burkina-Faso-Jersey-2012.jpg" width="237" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Qualification process:</b> Group F Winner</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Previous appearances:</b> 7</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Fixtures:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Angola – 22/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Ivory Coast – 26/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Sudan – 30/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/res/772.$plit/C_71_article_1035178_image_list_image_list_item_0_image.jpg?05%2F02%2F2008%2008%3A57%3A58%3A726" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/res/772.$plit/C_71_article_1035178_image_list_image_list_item_0_image.jpg?05%2F02%2F2008%2008%3A57%3A58%3A726" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manucho, Angola star striker</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Angola </b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Best finish:</b> Quarter-finals 2002, 2010</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Key Man:</b> Manucho</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A name familiar with Manchester United fans, he was hailed as a promising young striker when he signed, but ultimately only one appearances and no impact at the club. The 28 year old has learned from his experiences, and is now on the books at Spanish side Rayo Valladolid, where he's still looking to settle.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">For his national team, it’s a completely different story. He’s showcased his scoring prowess, with his excellent aerial ability and powerful shot. He has 16 goals in 33 international appearances. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Coach:</b> Lito Vidigal</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As a player, he was a defender and played in the lower leagues of Portuguese football, where he also began his managerial career. He was capped 29 times as a player and represented Angola at the 1998 African Cup of Nations.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/wp-content/gallery/puma-african-kits-2010/angola-home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/wp-content/gallery/puma-african-kits-2010/angola-home.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Qualification process:</b> Group J Winner</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Previous appearances:</b> 5</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Fixtures:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Burkina Faso – 22/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Sudan – 26/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Ivory Coast – 30/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">Remember to vote in the poll, and let me know who you think will win the African Cup of Nations. Also follow me on Twitter @RealTlkFootball</span></div>Real Talk Footballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13034436880822848572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401464772547394570.post-86700757168402262912012-01-13T15:49:00.000+00:002012-01-13T15:49:03.995+00:00African Cup of Nations Preview: Group C<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/03/2012_Africa_Cup_of_Nations_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/03/2012_Africa_Cup_of_Nations_logo.png" width="235" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Group C </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mtnfootball.com/live/phase2/photo_admin/Upload/B10AQGB0011wl-1263754668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://www.mtnfootball.com/live/phase2/photo_admin/Upload/B10AQGB0011wl-1263754668.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bruno Ecuele Manga, Gabon's uncompromising centre-back</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #f1c232;">Gabon</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Best finish:</b> Quarter-Finals 1996</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Key Man:</b> Bruno Ecuele Manga</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The 6ft 1in centre-back is one of the most promising defenders in French football, currently playing for Ligue 1 side Lorient. He was signed in 2010 from Ligue 2 side Angers as a replacement for Arsenal bound Laurent Koscielny. A dominating and intimidating presence at the heart of the Gabon defence, he’s set for a key role in the side.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Coach:</b> Gernot Rohr</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The 58 year old German has more than twenty years managerial experience in French football, with a small stint in Tunisia and Switzerland, so it was a perfect fit for him to take charge of the French speaking nation since February 2010. The side are nicknamed “The Panthers”.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.uksoccershop.com/gabon-home-shirt-2012-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img.uksoccershop.com/gabon-home-shirt-2012-13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Qualification process:</b> Co-hosts</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Previous appearances:</b> 4</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Fixtures:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Niger – 23/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Morocco – 27/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Tunisia – 31/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://u.goal.com/109200/109287hp2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://u.goal.com/109200/109287hp2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Niger</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Best finish:</b> First time qualifiers</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Key Man:</b> Kassaly Daouda</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The 28 year old goalkeeper will be in for a tough time at the tournament and will have to be on point from the opening game against co-hosts Gabon. He plays for Cameroonian side 11 time domestic league champions Coton Sport, and has over 50 International caps.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Coach:</b> Harouna Doula Gabde</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Highly disciplined manager, who is seen as a motivator who relies on hard work and discipline from his team. His side edged into qualification with a better head-to-head record than their rivals despite topping the group with the worst goal difference in the group.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://can.starafrica.com/fileadmin/files/sport/football/football_africain/Illustration_Football_Niger_.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://can.starafrica.com/fileadmin/files/sport/football/football_africain/Illustration_Football_Niger_.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Qualification process:</b> Group G Winner</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Previous appearances:</b> 0</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Fixtures:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Gabon – 23/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Tunisia – 27/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Morocco – 31/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.arsenal.com/assets/_files/images/oct_11/gun__1318233491_chamakh_morocco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://www.arsenal.com/assets/_files/images/oct_11/gun__1318233491_chamakh_morocco.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="color: red;">Morocco</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Best finish:</b> Winners 1976</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Key Man:</b> Marouane Chamakh</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Arsenal forward has had a poor twelve months at the North London, after initially impressing. He is shot of confidence, and cannot catch a break. With the sensational form of fellow striker Robin Van Persie, he has found himself a serial bench warmer. He says he’s willing to wait for his chance at Arsenal, but needs first team football. So this tournament is a perfect chance to rebuild some confidence and return to Arsenal in the same vein of form he had when he joined for Bordeaux in summer 2010. The 28 year old has 17 goals in 59 appearances for the “Lions”.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Coach:</b> Eric Gerets</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The well respected Gerets, 57, is well travelled, having coached all over Europe, including Championship winning spells in Holland and Turkey, as well as successful spells in Germany, and his native Belgium. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.uksoccershop.com/10875.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img.uksoccershop.com/10875.png" width="270" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Qualification process:</b> Group D Winner</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Previous appearances:</b> 13</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Fixtures:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Tunisia – 23/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Gabon – 27/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Niger – 31/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/57781000/jpg/_57781122_issamjomaa2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/57781000/jpg/_57781122_issamjomaa2011.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Issam Jemaa, Tunisia's top goalscorer</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #e06666;">Tunisia</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Best finish:</b> Winners 2004</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Key Man:</b> Sami Allagui</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The pacey striker plays for Bundesliga side Mainz, and is expected to get the goals for the “Eagles of Carthage”. Paired up front with Tunisia’s all time top goal scorer Issam Jemaa, they could help reach the heights they reached in 2004.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Also watch out for impressive defenders Karim Haggui of Hannover, and Aymen Abdennour of Toulouse.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Coach:</b> Sami Trabelsi</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">His first managerial job taking over in March 2011. What the 43 year lacks in managerial experience, he makes up for in professional experience. As a centre-back, he made over 50 appearances for Tunisia, and appeared at the 1998 World Cup.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.soccerbox.com/images/shop/product_images/11352/regular_2009tunisiahomeshirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.soccerbox.com/images/shop/product_images/11352/regular_2009tunisiahomeshirt.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Qualification process:</b> Group K Runner-Up</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Previous appearances:</b> 14</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Fixtures:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Morocco – 23/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Niger – 27/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Gabon – 31/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Remember to vote in the poll, and let me know who you think will win the African Cup of Nations.</div></div>Real Talk Footballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13034436880822848572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401464772547394570.post-2961612405756839572012-01-13T03:06:00.000+00:002012-01-13T03:06:02.537+00:00African Cup of Nations Preview: Group D<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/03/2012_Africa_Cup_of_Nations_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/03/2012_Africa_Cup_of_Nations_logo.png" width="235" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Group D</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.usafricaonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Ghana-blackstars-flag2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.usafricaonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Ghana-blackstars-flag2010.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ghana right-back John Paintsil with his nations flag</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: lime;">Ghana</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Best finish:</b> Winners 1963, 1965, 1978, 1982</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Key Man:</b> Asamoah Gyan</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Who else but Baby Jet!? Ghana’s undoubted star man is one of the biggest characters on and off the field in African football. Gyan now plays in the UAE, where he has been on top form scoring 12 goals in 10 appearances.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The 26 year old has 27 goals in 54 appearances for Ghana, and proved himself as one of the most coveted strikers in the world, after his superb performances at World Cup 2010, and more recently at Wembley, scoring an excellent goal in the 1-1 draw with England. He could lead Ghana to glory again, along with the Ayew brothers, and an array of hard working technical players, the pre-tournament favourites tag is well deserved.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Coach:</b> Goran Stevanovic</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">He took over from fellow Serb Milovan Rajevac in January last year, and navigated Ghana undefeated to the top of Group I. The 45 year old has previous experience managing in his native Serbia with one its most famous clubs; Partizan.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bc/GhanaShirt2012-2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bc/GhanaShirt2012-2013.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Qualification process:</b> Group I Winner</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Previous appearances:</b> 17</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Fixtures:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Botswana – 24/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Mali – 28/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Guinea – 1/02/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.supersport.com/Dipsy-Selolwane-100904-RaisesHand-BPP-300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://images.supersport.com/Dipsy-Selolwane-100904-RaisesHand-BPP-300.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Botswana star Dipsey Selolwane</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: blue;">Botswana</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Best finish:</b> First time qualifiers</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Key Man:</b> Dipsey Selolwane</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Botswana’s all time top goal scorer with 15 goals from 35 appearances. The versatile 33 year old, can play central midfield, or as a striker where he is expected to start for the side nicknamed “The Zebra’s”.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Coach:</b> Stanley Tshosane</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The 54 year old was named CAF African Coach of the Year thanks to his achievements in getting relative minnows into the African Nations Cup. He has called no fear in his sides approach to the tournament, and is in the mood to cause an upset.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo186/kenetico/botswaname.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo186/kenetico/botswaname.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Qualification process:</b> Group K Winner</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Previous appearances:</b> 0</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Fixtures:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Ghana – 24/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Guinea – 28/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Mali – 01/02/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Clubs/Club_Home/2010/1/10/1263160501856/Malis-players-celebrate-a-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Clubs/Club_Home/2010/1/10/1263160501856/Malis-players-celebrate-a-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mali players celebrate coming from 4-0 down to draw 4-4 with Angola</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #bf9000;">Mali</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Best finish:</b> Runners-Up 1972</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Key Man:</b> Modibo Maiga</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Sochaux forward has well and truly put himself in the shop window, after pining for a move to Premiership side Newcastle, which eventually fell through, will use this as a chance to showcase his talent with the option to make a summer transfer. The £7 million rated forward can play wide left or centre forward has 4 goals in 12 appearances for his club side this season.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Coach:</b> Alan Giresse</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Former French international footballer and member of the Euro 1984 wining side. He spent five years managing in France, before heading into international management with the Georgian national side, Gabon and then taking over the “Eagles” in 2010.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.football-shirts.co.uk/fans/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/mali2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.football-shirts.co.uk/fans/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/mali2012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Qualification process:</b> Group A Winner</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Previous appearances:</b> 6</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Fixtures:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Guinea – 24/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Ghana – 28/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Botswana – 01/02/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0akf93s9zX0eA/610x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0akf93s9zX0eA/610x.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captain Pascal Feindouno set to show his abilities to find a new club</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: red;">Guinea</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Best finish:</b> Runners-Up 1976</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Key Man:</b> Pascal Feindouno</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The 30 year old forward was in the headlines recently due to his club side Sion being deducted 36 points due signing six ineligible players due to a transfer embargo set on the club, which he was one of. He has subsequently been released, is a free agent and this is a chance to find himself a new club. He has 21 goals in 55 appearacnes, and is the national team captain.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Coach:</b> Michel Dussuyer</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">His second stint in charge of the “National Elephants”, the 52 year old was a former goalkeeper who spent his whole career playing in France. He was the assistant manager of the Ivory Coast at the 2006 World Cup, and is a former manager of the Benin national team.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.football-shirts.co.uk/fans/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/guinea2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="http://www.football-shirts.co.uk/fans/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/guinea2012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Qualification process:</b> Group A Winner</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Previous appearances:</b> 6</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Fixtures:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Mali – 24/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Botswana – 28/01/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vs. Ghana – 01/02/12</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Remember to follow me on Twitter @RealTlkFootball and don't forget to vote in my poll, let me know who you think will win the tournament.</div></div>Real Talk Footballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13034436880822848572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401464772547394570.post-78996110231021109682012-01-11T14:50:00.000+00:002012-01-11T14:50:50.721+00:00Mark Hughes appointed Queens Park Rangers manager<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02105/sparky_2105490b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02105/sparky_2105490b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New boss Mark Hughes at Loftus Road yesterday</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday Mark Hughes was named new manager of QPR. The West London club have had a turbulent return to the Premiership to say the least, with off field issues such as ownership issues, and race rows, have been an ever presence in the background at a club who had a reasonably good start to the season before going on an alarming slide going nine games without a win, last beating Stoke 3-2 away on the 19th of November. This saw Neil Warnock, a little surprisingly losing his job.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2010/8/11/1281483649810/Neil-Warnock-QPR-v-Port-V-006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2010/8/11/1281483649810/Neil-Warnock-QPR-v-Port-V-006.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warnock saw QPR not win for nine games</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The egos in the dressing room haven’t caused the major problems as some pundits predicted, with the combustible characters at Loftus Road, including names such as Adel Taraabt, Jay Bothroyd and of course, not forgetting, Joey Barton have yet to caused any headlines in the national newspapers. Unfortunately, the notably poor on field performances have been the subject of much criticsm and caused Warnock his job.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now, enter a similar person with a no nonsense approach to management, adding to the name of combustible names in that dressing room; Mark Hughes. The 48 year old former Barcelona, Manchester United and Chelsea striker has managed at many different scales, beginning his career as Wales’s national coach, then spending four good years at Ewood Park as Blackburn manager learning the ins and outs of Premiership football, then taking the coveted Manchester City role, somewhat controversially due to his ties with the red side of Manchester.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">He signed a majority of the players who are still currently at the club, and fighting for the title. These include the current club captain Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta, Gareth Barry, Kolo Toure and Nigel De Jong.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">He made some excellent signings as Blackburn boss as well, signing Christopher Samba for £400,00 from Herta Berlin, Benni McCarthy from Porto for just £2.5 million, David Bentley from Arsenal for £500,00 (who went on to be sold to Spurs for £15 million) and even brought in Ryan Nelsen on a free from DC United. Proof that he has an eye for a bargain, and knows who is and isn’t good enough to play in the Premiership.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00794/vincent_kompany_794905c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00794/vincent_kompany_794905c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark Hughes signs Vincent Kompany from Hamburg for £6m in 2008</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Crucially for QPR fans, ignoring his odd tenure as Fulham boss, Hughes will add some discipline to the squad and hopefully some more stability. He is ultimately more tactically astute that Warnock, who was more of a motivator. He’s signed a three year contract, and those dreams of managing a “big club” have hopefully gone from his system, and he should look to create his own success.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another plus, which I have to praise Hughes for, is that he has a proven he has a knack for making good purchases when there is a little amount of money available (at Blackburn) and with lots of funds available (at Man City). At QPR where there are a reasonable amount funds available, Christopher Samba and Alex are both names who have been linked, as a centre-back is the top priority. A striker is needed as well, with Andy Johnson linked, and possibly another central midfielder, as Alejandro Faurlin is out for the rest of the season.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">QPR have a good range of players in the squad, the likes of Joey Barton, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Anton Ferdinand with lots of Premiership experience, with some raw potential in Adel Taraabt and Armand Traore, adding to a side who are good enough to stay up, it’s just up to Hughes to get the club back on the right track and steer them clear of relegation.</div></div>Real Talk Footballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13034436880822848572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401464772547394570.post-41063876407376340682012-01-11T13:31:00.002+00:002012-01-11T13:36:01.882+00:00Real Talk Football Returns!<blockquote style="text-align: justify;">“Writer’s block: a condition primarily associated with writing as a profession, in which an author loses the ability to produce new work. The condition varies widely in intensity. It can be trivial, a temporary difficulty in dealing with the task at hand. At the other extreme, some “blocked” writers have been unable to work for years on end, some abandoning their careers.”</blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;">Not to make excuses, but there was a lot on my plate for the last four months, and I finally find myself in a position to get writing again. I also suffered from this “Writer’s Block”. Of course, there were things to write about, however the motivation wasn't.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Football is in a different place at the moment, compared to the last time I posted on this blog, and everything seems to be moving so quick! We’re in the middle of a transfer window, which has gone excruciatingly slow. There are new managers, race rows are rife, teams are suffering from poorly managed pre-seasons (Barcelona) and legends are coming out of retirement to save their respective clubs. Real Talk Football is back to take a look, and try make sense of some of the biggest stories in football.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Finally, the main reason to my hiatus, for me, it was due to an alarming drop in the quality of my work. Falling below my own personal standards is something I won’t stand for, and will not allow it to happen again. So I had to step away and sort myself out.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Welcome back, Happy New Year to you all, I wish you all the best for 2012. Let’s get back to the beautiful stuff, you know, the football.</div>Real Talk Footballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13034436880822848572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401464772547394570.post-58223640358990910212011-09-17T02:16:00.003+01:002011-09-17T02:20:27.530+01:00Andrey Arshavin set for Arsenal 'Playmaker' role<p style="text-align: justify;"><img src="http://juantadeo.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/andrei-arshavin-arsenal-vs-barcelona-feb16-2011-ii.jpg?w=350&h=476" width="350" height="476" /></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Tomorrow, Arsenal face Blackburn with no less than three first team midfielders missing, as well as a lingering question mark over Aaron Ramsey’s fitness ahead of the game. This has led to speculation that Arsene Wenger has been considering playing Andrey Arshavin in a new role within the side.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The rumours started earlier today; stating that the 30-year-old Russian is set to play in the advance midfield role, which has been occupied by three other players this season; by Yossi Benayoun against Borussia Dortmund, Aaron Ramsey against Swansea, and the departed Samir Nasri against Liverpool.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cesc Fabregas played the majority of this position last season, with Jack Wilshere and Alex Song the two deeper players. Now it seems, with Tomas Rosicky and the aforementioned Wilshere both out with injuries, it seems Wenger could overlook Benayoun and play Arshavin in support of Van Persie.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now of course, every Arsenal fan knows Andrey Arshavin has undoubted ability. He has a fair amount of pace, and relies on his tricky footwork and skill to take on opponents. He has spent the majority of his Arsenal career on the left side of the front three in Arsenal’s 4-2-3-1 formation. More of an inside forward rather than an out and out winger (which Walcott is on the right flank).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It paid dividends last season, as he racked up 17 assists in all competitions last season. His best tally since the 2007 season, where he was playing in Russia with Zenit St. Petersburg.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now, this opportunity for Arshavin, would allow him to revert to the position he played so successfully for Zenit and for Russia. Most recently, Russian national team manager <a href="http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Arsenal-news-Andrey-Arshavin-not-being-used-properly-by-Arsene-Wenger-says-Russia-coach-article745673.html">Dick Advocaat criticized Arsene Wenger</a> saying he was using Arshavin incorrectly, and that he would more affective playing behind the striker. In the manner of how Dennis Bergkamp used to play.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now, obviously Arsene Wenger doesn’t pay attention to what other managers say, but it would seem that option was always in the back of his mind, more so with the two big departures this season, and tomorrow he’ll get the opportunity to prove his worth.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With Gervinho brought in to play on the left flank, effectively taking Arshavin’s place, it seems that with the exit of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas, that attacking midfielder/playmaker role is up for grabs. Tomas Rosicky was the obvious option, but after his injury two seasons ago, he hasn’t been the same since, and hasn’t impressed. With Jack Wilshere out injured, our ready-made replacement for Fabregas, Arshavin could now step in to fill the void.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Arshavin hasn’t overly impressed over past two seasons, and his bad habit of cutting back in when playing wide left, taking on a defender, cutting back onto his right foot and eventually losing the ball, which has been frustrating for all. He’s also always been a candidate for substitution due to his average performances.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">To play in this attacking midfielder role, he’ll need to be more disciplined, as he gets extremely lazy out on the left, and doesn’t track back. This new role can’t be used as an excuse for him now calling himself a forward, and not press from the front. His tracking back has become anonymous, and it has frustrated a large majority of the Arsenal supporters.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He was <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIRxxurh0xg">excellent in this playmaker role at Zenit</a>, under the management of Advocaat. His creativity during this periods, as well as his form, was superb. His vision, threading passes to the forwards, after receiving the ball on the turn and running at defences. He’d receive these passes from the likes of Tymoshuk, Zyranov and Denisov in the 4-3-3 formation which led to Arshavin in a free role behind striker Pavel Pogrebnyak/Fatih Tekke. This is the side that won the 2008 <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7393752.stm">UEFA Cup</a> and the basis for this example.</div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://this11.com/"><img alt="football formations" src="http://this11.com/boards/abBeS9Bapk.jpg%20border%20=" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Blackburn are expected to line up with two central midfielders, N’Zonzi and Dunn, however due to their precarious position in the league, and the pressure on manager Steve Kean, I think they might put another midfielder in the middle. This would mean an extra man to deal with the threat of Arshavin and gladly it show Arsenal fans whether AA23 could actually play that role.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If it was a simple 4-4-2 by Blackburn, the two Arsenal centre midfielders would compete with Rovers two, leaving Arshavin to roam behind the midfield and in-between the lines. Pretty much giving him the opportunity to play effectively. One way to combat Arshavin, would be to have one of the centre backs step up and interject whenever he picks up the ball. I don’t exactly think Samba or Dann are quick enough to afford to get caught on the turn so it’ll be intriguing to see how Steve Kean plays it.</div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://this11.com/"><img alt="football formations" src="http://this11.com/boards/abBeTpRadv.jpg%20border%20=" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;">I hope to see an improved Arshavin this season. He was culpable, just as much as anyone else in the side that were responsible for the 8-2 hammering. Hopefully will grasp this new opportunity with both hands, as it could rejuvenate him and his Arsenal career.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote>This was a guest blog post by a Tumblr blog called "Real Talk Arsenal" which can be found here <a href="http://realtalkarsenal.tumblr.com/">http://realtalkarsenal.tumblr.com/</a></blockquote><a href="http://realtalkarsenal.tumblr.com/"></a></div>Real Talk Footballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13034436880822848572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401464772547394570.post-13436454485109000662011-09-12T21:11:00.003+01:002011-09-12T21:39:09.716+01:00Champions League 11/12 Preview - Group F<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.getsportsnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/UEFA_Champions_Leaguse_2011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.getsportsnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/UEFA_Champions_Leaguse_2011.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Group F</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Arsenal FC</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Last season:</span><br /><br />4th Premiership<br />Champions League, round of 16<br />Carling Cup runners-up<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manager:</span> Arsene Wenger<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Key Man:</span> Robin Van Persie<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Stadium:</span> Emirates, capacity 60,361<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Robin+Van+Persie+Arsenal+v+New+York+Red+Bulls+0n8_wBBWNdGl.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 335px; height: 495px;" src="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Robin+Van+Persie+Arsenal+v+New+York+Red+Bulls+0n8_wBBWNdGl.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Arsenal has finally put a summer of turmoil behind them, which saw them lose their talismanic captain Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona. Arsene Wenger responded by spending £50 million on nine new players this summer to add depth to his squad. It’ll be interesting to see how they respond, and whether the staggering amount of injuries could make the group difficult to navigate. Arsenal overcame Udinese in a tricky two-legged tie in the qualifying round.<br /><br />I had Jack Wilshere at the club’s key player, but due to his ankle injury, he won’t feature in any of the group matches, a big miss. New signings Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun will look to impress for their new club at the highest level.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best Starting XI:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/224135_Arsenal.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 513px;" src="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/224135_Arsenal.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Olympiacos FC</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Last season:</span><br /><br />1st Greek Super League<br />Europa League third qualifying round<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manager:</span> Ernesto Valverde<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Key Man:</span> Kevin Miralles<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Stadium:</span> Karaiskakis, capacity 33,334<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.thenationalherald.com/ImagesUP/1583813.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 420px; height: 280px;" src="http://www.thenationalherald.com/ImagesUP/1583813.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />In a same group as Arsenal two years ago, Olympicos qualified ahead of AZ Alkmaar and Standard Liege, and also beat Arsenal 1-0 on their way. The Greek side are coming off a successful league campaign last season where they won the title by 13 clear points, and conceded 18 goals in 30 matches.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best Starting XI:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/224143_Olympiakos_SF_Piraeus.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 513px;" src="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/224143_Olympiakos_SF_Piraeus.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Olympique de Marseille</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Last season:</span><br /><br />2nd Ligue 1<br />Coupe de la Ligue winners<br />Trophee des Champions winners<br />Champions League, round of 16<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manager:</span> Didier Deschamps<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Key Man:</span> Loic Remy<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Stadium:</span> Stade Velodrome, capacity 60,031<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.lefigaro.fr/medias/2010/08/19/sport24_407878_7084279_5_fre-FR.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 410px; height: 260px;" src="http://www.lefigaro.fr/medias/2010/08/19/sport24_407878_7084279_5_fre-FR.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Didier Deschamps’ side has an array of attacking individuals in his starting line up, and young exciting players from the bench. It would seem Marseille are strong in knockout matches, collecting two domestic trophies last season. They’ll look to improve on their round of 16 finish, losing to eventual finalists Manchester United last year.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best Starting XI:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/224149_Olympique_de_Marseille.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 513px;" src="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/224149_Olympique_de_Marseille.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Borussia Dortmund</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Last season:</span><br /><br />1st Bundesliga<br />Europa League group stage<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manager:</span> Jurgen Klopp<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Key Man:</span> Mario Gotze <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Stadium:</span> Signal Iduna Park, capacity 80,720<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sport1.de/media/_redaktion/sportarten/fussball/bundesligasaison20102011/vereine_4/borussiadortmund_1/goetze_mario_5x4_Diashow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.sport1.de/media/_redaktion/sportarten/fussball/bundesligasaison20102011/vereine_4/borussiadortmund_1/goetze_mario_5x4_Diashow.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Dortmund returned to the summit of German football, winning their first domestic title for nine years. Manager Jurgen Klopp had the Black and Yellows playing some sensational attacking football which blew their opponents away. Not to discredit their defence either, the likes of Neven Subotic and Mats Hummels saw them only concede 22 goals, the best defensive record in the league.<br /><br />They’ve lost one of their best players; Nuri Sahin to Real Madrid, but still has undoubtedly quality in Mario Gotze and Shinji Kagawa in midfield, and Lucas Barrios up front. A tough team, and could run out group winners.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best Starting XI:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/224153_Borussia_Dortmund.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 513px;" src="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/224153_Borussia_Dortmund.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Real Talk Footballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13034436880822848572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401464772547394570.post-27531248785370286032011-09-12T19:27:00.002+01:002011-09-12T20:07:58.305+01:00Champions League 11/12 Preview - Group E<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.getsportsnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/UEFA_Champions_Leaguse_2011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.getsportsnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/UEFA_Champions_Leaguse_2011.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Group E</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Valencia CF</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Last season:</span><br /><br />La Liga 3rd<br />UEFA Champions League, round of 16<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manager:</span> Unai Emery<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Key Man:</span> Roberto Soldado<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Stadium:</span> Mestalla, capacity 55,000<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Roberto+Soldado+Valencia+v+Villarreal+La+Liga+8sYYz1kgHLxl.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 354px;" src="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Roberto+Soldado+Valencia+v+Villarreal+La+Liga+8sYYz1kgHLxl.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Perennial underachievers in the Champions League in recent years, many fans are disappointed that the Spanish club have failed to reach the latter stages on the tournament of the competition for some time, which has led to some unfair extra pressure on manager Unai Emery.<br /><br />This season, Valencia have strengthened and have a lot more options going forward and more strength in depth. Watch out for star striker Roberto Saldado, and playmaker Pablo Piatti, who is seen as the replacement for Juan Mata, who has joined Chelsea.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best Starting XI:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/224068_Valencia_C_F_,_S_A_D_.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 513px;" src="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/224068_Valencia_C_F_,_S_A_D_.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Chelsea FC</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Last season:</span><br /><br />Premier League runners-up<br />Champions League, quarter-finals<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manager:</span> Andres Villas-Boas<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Key Man:</span> Fernando Torres<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Stadium:</span> Stamford Bridge, capacity 41,841<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Fernando+Torres+Sunderland+v+Chelsea+Premier+XPhC5t84FPbl.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 354px; height: 497px;" src="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Fernando+Torres+Sunderland+v+Chelsea+Premier+XPhC5t84FPbl.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Chelsea has a fresh face in charge, and have started the Premier League season strongly, although not setting the world alight. Villas-Boas’ side have been quietly picking up results and it’s interesting to see how they’ll fair in a very tricky group. Away trips to Leverkusen and Valencia will be tough ties; while Michael Ballack and Juan Mata will both be interesting plot twists as both face their respective former clubs.<br /><br />I’ve named Fernando Torres the key man, because for £50 million he has to start reproducing at some level. Torres could be one of Villas-Boas’ biggest achievements is he can get the Spaniard firing again.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best Starting XI:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/224065_Chelsea.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 513px;" src="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/224065_Chelsea.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Bayer 04 Leverkusen</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Last season:</span><br /><br />Bundesliga runners-up<br />Europa League, round of 16<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manager:</span> Robin Dutt<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Key Man:</span> Sidney Sam<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Stadium:</span> BayArena, capacity 30,210<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.spox.com/de/sport/fussball/bundesliga/0901/Bilder/renato-augusto-514.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 466px; height: 269px;" src="http://www.spox.com/de/sport/fussball/bundesliga/0901/Bilder/renato-augusto-514.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Bundesliga runners-up will believe they have a great chance of making it out of the group and into the knockout stages for the first time in six years. Their side is full of quality and technical players, strong going forward, but this team leaked 44 goals in the league last season, the third most in the Budesliga top 10.<br /><br />Look out for winger Sindey Sam and Brazilian playmaker Renato Augusto. Former Chelsea fans favourite Michael Ballack will make his return to Stamford Bridge.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best Starting XI:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/224060_Bayer_04_Leverkusen.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 513px;" src="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/224060_Bayer_04_Leverkusen.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">KRC Genk</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Last season:</span><br /><br />1st Belgian Pro League<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manager:</span> Mario Been<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Key Man:</span> Kevin De Bruyne<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Stadium:</span> Cristal Arena, capacity 24,956<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://theshedender.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/kevindebruyne.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://theshedender.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/kevindebruyne.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Don’t expect too much from the Belgium champions, as they will have a tough task on their hands to make it out of the group. They beat both Partizan Belgrade and Maccabi Haifa on route to the Champions League group stage.<br /><br />Watch out for left winger Kevin De Bruyne who was linked with a transfer to Chelsea in the summer.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best Starting XI:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/224049_K_Racing_Club_Genk.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 513px;" src="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/224049_K_Racing_Club_Genk.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></div>Real Talk Footballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13034436880822848572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401464772547394570.post-58359579290818320382011-09-12T18:13:00.005+01:002011-09-12T19:26:59.205+01:00Champions League 11/12 Preview - Group D<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.getsportsnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/UEFA_Champions_Leaguse_2011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.getsportsnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/UEFA_Champions_Leaguse_2011.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Group D</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Olympique Lyonnaise</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Last season:</span><br /><br />3rd Ligue 1<br />Champions League, Round of 16<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manager:</span> Remi Garde<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Key Man:</span> Michel Bastos<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Stadium:</span> Stade de Gerland, Capacity 40,494<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Michel+Bastos+Lyon+v+Celtic+Emirates+Cup+hMuOcA8R1Trl.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 501px;" src="http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Michel+Bastos+Lyon+v+Celtic+Emirates+Cup+hMuOcA8R1Trl.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The dominant force in French football over the last few years, have struggled to recreate their strong domestic form on the European stage. Semi-finalists two years ago, and with new manager Remi Garde in charge, and a new sense of excitement around the club, Lyon will look to challenge once again. They qualified for the group stage by beating Rubin Kazan 4-2 on aggregate.<br /><br />Lyon are quite familiar team around the world, Lisandro Lopez, undoubtedly their best striker, will miss the next month of action through injury, but should return to have an impact in the latter half of the group matches. Michel Bastos, the Brazilian flying winger, is the man to watch out for.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best Starting XI:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/224018_Olympique_Lyonnais.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 513px;" src="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/224018_Olympique_Lyonnais.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">GNK Dinamo Zagreb</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Last season:</span><br /><br />1st Prva HNL<br />Croatian Cup winners<br />Europa League, group stages<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manager:</span> Krunoslav Jurcic<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Key Man:</span> Milan Badelj<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Stadium:</span> Stadion Maksmir, Capacity 38,923<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.cleansheetsallround.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Milan-Badelj-Chelsea-2011.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 497px; height: 329px;" src="http://www.cleansheetsallround.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Milan-Badelj-Chelsea-2011.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Croatian champions have reached the Champions League group stage for the first time in 10 years, making a long awaited return. They beat Malmo 4-3 on aggregate over two legs in the last round.<br /><br />Players to look out for in the Zagreb squad include; 24 year old midfielder Sammir, who already has 3 goals in 5 Champions League games this season. Also promising full back Sime Vrsaljko, and deep lying playmaker Milan Badelj who has been watched by some English Premiership clubs. Familiar faces in the squad include club captain Igor Biscan, who won the Champions League as a Liverpool player. Jerko Leko, who used to play for Monaco and defender Josip Simunic who spent nine years playing in Germany, with Hertha BSC.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best Starting XI:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/224013_NK_Dinamo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 513px;" src="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/224013_NK_Dinamo.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Real Madrid CF</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Last season:</span><br /><br />2nd La Liga<br />Copa Del Rey winners<br />Champions League, Semi-final<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manager:</span> Jose Mourinho<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Key Man:</span> Cristiano Ronaldo<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Stadium:</span> Santiago Bernabeu, capacity 81,254<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Cristiano+Ronaldo+Real+Madrid+CF+v+Getafe+4bEcqCw6Yyvl.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 337px;" src="http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Cristiano+Ronaldo+Real+Madrid+CF+v+Getafe+4bEcqCw6Yyvl.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The biggest club in the world, what we can automatically tell is that they have closed the gap on rivals Barcelona, and I expect them to reach this year’s final. A manager with a game plan, and two Champions League titles to his name, Jose Mourinho will look to formulate a plan to get Real’s hands back on the trophy, which has eluded them for nine years.<br /><br />They’ve added Fabio Coentrao and Nuri Sahin to their current crop of fantastic players, and the nine times champions will look to match winners Ronaldo, Di Maria and Ozil to take them further than last season.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best Starting XI:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/224010_Real_Madrid_C_F_.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 513px;" src="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/224010_Real_Madrid_C_F_.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">AFC Ajax</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Last season:</span><br /><br />1st Eredivisie<br />Champions League, group stage<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manager:</span> Frank De Boer<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Key Man:</span> Christian Eriksen<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Stadium:</span> Amsterdam Arena, Capacity 52,960<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Ajax+v+Chelsea+VotXip58BQxl.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 497px;" src="http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Ajax+v+Chelsea+VotXip58BQxl.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The four times Champions League winners last collected the title in 1995. Since then, major European teams in leagues with bigger budgets and greater competition have lured away some of their brightest talents, causing them to no longer be the major European powerhouse they once were. They returned to group stage last season after spending a couple of years in the Europa League, and have now secured back to back seasons in the group stages.<br /><br />The current squad, as usual, feature some of brightest talent in Europe. The key men in this team include; Danish playmaker Christian Eriksen, who is just 19 years old and already, has represented his national team at senior level, and was instrumental to their first Eredivisie win in seven seasons.<br /><br />Icelandic Kolbeinn Sigþórsson is the main striker at the Amsterdam Arena at the moment. He signed from AZ in the summer and at the moment has 4 goals in 4 games for his new side. He has fantastic movement, and as his record shows, an eye for goal.<br /><br />They no longer have Dutch number one Marten Stekelenburg, who has joined Roma, so Kenneth Vermeer is the new number one. New club captain Jan Vertonghen is a quality left footed centre half, who partners fellow countryman Toby Alderweireld, another great prospect.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best Starting XI:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/224005_AFC_Ajax.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 513px;" src="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/224005_AFC_Ajax.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Real Talk Footballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13034436880822848572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401464772547394570.post-35972532906749398452011-09-12T17:29:00.007+01:002011-09-12T18:09:43.793+01:00Champions League 11/12 Preview - Group C<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.getsportsnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/UEFA_Champions_Leaguse_2011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.getsportsnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/UEFA_Champions_Leaguse_2011.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Group C</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manchester United FC</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Last season:</span><br /><br />1st Premiership<br /><br />Champions League runners-up<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manager:</span> Sir Alex Ferguson<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Key Man:</span> Wayne Rooney<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Stadium:</span> Old Trafford, Capacity 75,975<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Ashley+Young+Bolton+Wanderers+v+Manchester+DgKZ9UMVR2Al.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 506px; height: 337px;" src="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Ashley+Young+Bolton+Wanderers+v+Manchester+DgKZ9UMVR2Al.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Manchester United continued their domination of English football by winning their 19th league title, and progressing to their third Champions League final in four years. Sir Alex Ferguson finally has his United challenging for major European honours on a yearly basis, with nothing less expected than reaching the latter stages of the Champions League.<br /><br />Man United have replaced outgoing experienced, established stars, with energetic, exciting and enthusiastic youth. De Gea has replaced Van Der Sar in goal, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones in defence, Tom Cleverly and Ashley Young in midfield, and Danny Welbeck with Javier Hernandez up front.<br /><br />Expected United to be challenging once again.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best Starting XI:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/223923_Manchester_United.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 513px;" src="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/223923_Manchester_United.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">FC Basel 1893</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Last season:</span><br /><br />1st Swiss Super League<br /><br />Europa League, round of 32<br /><br />Uhren Cup<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manager:</span> Thorsten Fink<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Key Man:</span> Yann Sommer<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Stadium:</span> St. Jacob Park, Capacity 38,500<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Yann+Sommer+Switzerland+v+Belarus+UEFA+European+mnUS8U-9jxql.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 495px; height: 312px;" src="http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Yann+Sommer+Switzerland+v+Belarus+UEFA+European+mnUS8U-9jxql.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The 14 times Swiss Super League winners make their return to the Champions’ League group stages after gaining automatic qualification thanks to their Super League title. This Basel side boast five full Swiss national first team players (more than any other club), as well of two of the most promising players in Europe; midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri and goalkeeper Yann Sommer. Also keep an eye on Swiss legend and goal machine Alexander Frei, who has 46 goals in 61 appearances for the club.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best Starting XI:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/223929_FC_Basel.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 513px;" src="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/223929_FC_Basel.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">FC Otelul Galati</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Last season:</span><br /><br />1st Romanian Liga I<br /><br />Supercupa Romaniei<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manager:</span> Dorinel Munteanu<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Key Man:</span> Sergiu Costin<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Stadium:</span> Otelul, 13,500<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Petrolul+Ploiesti+v+Otelul+Galati+Romanian+K_GLuKv7R8Xl.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 499px;" src="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Petrolul+Ploiesti+v+Otelul+Galati+Romanian+K_GLuKv7R8Xl.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Champions League new boys, Galati is a town on the west coast of Romania, Otelul is the main football club and last year’s Romanian league champions (the first time in their history). Similar to many other football fans, I don’t know too much about the Romanian side, but there are two web pages with have a little more details on the obscurely known club.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best Starting XI:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIXD6HDY2c0dlH6I4RKChyphenhyphenlXpE5W_gWKYat0mDZxLDpMFQ62y0KDGoqrqWcBffGn3xenBQ5B_Eitu9_WuHhmhHpERSxeFFN0Sx8qnHGS0cC5VT3lWvHRcdN7dORaEL3R7Xw3CyS5bg2o/s1600/olutel.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 198px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIXD6HDY2c0dlH6I4RKChyphenhyphenlXpE5W_gWKYat0mDZxLDpMFQ62y0KDGoqrqWcBffGn3xenBQ5B_Eitu9_WuHhmhHpERSxeFFN0Sx8qnHGS0cC5VT3lWvHRcdN7dORaEL3R7Xw3CyS5bg2o/s320/olutel.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651519117942951202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">SL Benfica</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Last season:</span><br /><br />2nd Primeira Liga<br /><br />League Cup<br /><br />Champions League, Group stage<br /><br />Europa League, Semi-finals<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manager:</span> Jorge Jesus<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Key Man:</span> Oscar Cardozo<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Stadium:</span> Estadio de Luiz, Capacity 65,647<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Oscar+Cardozo+SL+Benfica+v+FC+Twente+UEFA+wdDLid6Tjp2l.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 499px;" src="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Oscar+Cardozo+SL+Benfica+v+FC+Twente+UEFA+wdDLid6Tjp2l.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Benfica had a frustrating season last year, falling short on both the domestic and European front. They finished miles behind Andres Villas-Boas’ Porto side in the league and they lost to eventual Europa League finalists SC Braga in the semi-finals last season, beating Paris Saint Germain, PSV and Stuttgart en route.<br /><br />They’ve lost one of their best players in Fabio Coentrao to Real Madrid, but signed midfielder Axel Witsel, left backs Emerson and Joan Capdevila, centre-back Ezequiel Garay and winger Enzo Perez to add to a very good squad. Benfica beat FC Twente 5-3 on aggregate in the Champions League play-offs.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best Starting XI:</span><br /><br />Arthur – Emerson, Luisao, Garay, Maxi Pereira – Javi Garcia, Witsel, Aimar – Gaita, Nolito, Cardozo</div>Real Talk Footballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13034436880822848572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401464772547394570.post-78263959176101453022011-09-03T20:48:00.004+01:002011-09-03T22:26:41.919+01:00Champions League 11/12 Preview - Group B<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.getsportsnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/UEFA_Champions_Leaguse_2011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.getsportsnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/UEFA_Champions_Leaguse_2011.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Group B</span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Trabzonspor AS</span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Last season:</span>
<br />2nd Super Liga
<br />Europa League play-offs
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manager:</span> Senol Gunes
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Key Man:</span> Alanzinho
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Stadium:</span> Huseyin Avni Aker, Capacity 28,169
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.footballerpicture.info/resimler/alanzinho-2."><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 485px; height: 323px;" src="http://www.footballerpicture.info/resimler/alanzinho-2." alt="" border="0" /></a>
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<br />Installed into the Champions League in dramatic fashion, replacing Turkish “champions” Fenerbahce, who were removed from the Champions League by the Turkish Football Federation after being instigated in a match fixing scandal.
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<br />They were in the Europa League playoffs last season, crashing out 3-1 on aggregate to Liverpool, and finished second in the Turkish Super Liga, missing out on the title on the head to head ruling in favour of Fenerbahce.
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<br />Well known names that play for the Turkish club include Marek Cech who signed from West Brom on deadline day, former Spurs midfielder Didier Zokora, and former Schalke winger Halil Altintop. Less familiar names, but a player to look out for is Burak Yilmaz, who is a 26 year old Turkish international striker, who has scored 23 goals in 41 games for Trabzonspor.
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best Starting XI:</span>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/214052_Trabzonspor.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 513px;" src="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/214052_Trabzonspor.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">LOSC Lille Metropole</span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Last Season:</span>
<br />1st Ligue 1
<br />Coupe de France
<br />Europa League round of 32
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manager:</span> Rudi Garcia
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Key Man:</span> Eden Hazard
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Stadium:</span> Stade Lille-Metropole, Capacity 17,754
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://whackthehippo.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/100723hazard04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 502px; height: 376px;" src="http://whackthehippo.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/100723hazard04.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
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<br />All conquering Lille had their best season in history, collecting the Ligue 1 for the first time in over 50 years, as well as winning the French Cup to complete a domestic double.
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<br />This summer, the success of the 10/11 season saw the clubs star performers become the interest of side all over Europe, as forward Gervinho left to join Arsenal, Yohann Cabaye joined Newcastle and Pierre-Alain Frau left also. Undeterred, Lille spent wisely strengthening by signing central midfielder Benoit Pedretti from Auxerre, winger Dimirti Payet from St. Etienne and most intriguingly Joe Cole on loan from Liverpool.
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best Starting XI:</span>
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/214081_LOSC_Lille_Metropole.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 513px;" src="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/214081_LOSC_Lille_Metropole.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">PFC CSKA Moskva</span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Last season:</span>
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<br />2nd Russian Premier League
<br />Russian Cup
<br />Europa League, round of 16
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manager:</span> Leonid Slutsky
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Key Man:</span> Zoran Tosic
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Stadium:</span> Luzhniki Stadium, Capacity 78,360 (artificial turf)
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Zoran+Tosic+CSKA+Moscow+v+Lokomotiv+Moscow+wbusKJ7Ueakl.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 352px; height: 462px;" src="http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Zoran+Tosic+CSKA+Moscow+v+Lokomotiv+Moscow+wbusKJ7Ueakl.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
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<br />The Russian side are regulars in the Champions League, but missed out last season and took part in the Europa League last season, losing to eventual winners Porto. This time round, they make their fifth appearance in the Champions League in the last seven years. With long term injuries to key players Igor Akinfeev and Keisuke Honda, CSKA have a tougher task than usual.
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<br />Look out for fomer Manchester United winger Zoran Tosic, ex-Liverpool midfielder Mark Gonzales, and with the injury to Honda, Alan Dzagoev will have a bigger part to play for CSKA.
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best Starting XI:</span>
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/214090_CSKA_Moscow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 513px;" src="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/214090_CSKA_Moscow.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">FC Internazionale Milan</span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Last season:</span>
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<br />2nd Serie A
<br />Coppa Italia
<br />Champions League, quarter-finals
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manager:</span> Gian Piero Gasperini
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Key Man:</span> Wesley Sneijder
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Stadium:</span> San Siro, Capacity 80,074
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Wesley+Sneijder+Inter+Milan+v+Manchester+City+Y7oH6bPU8C6l.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 323px; height: 523px;" src="http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Wesley+Sneijder+Inter+Milan+v+Manchester+City+Y7oH6bPU8C6l.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br />After securing a sensational treble from the 2009/10 season, and losing manager Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid, Inter Milan struggled to match those heights last season. First in charge was former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, whose reign at the top was extremely short due to severe injuries which caused poor results on the pitch, saw him replaced by the turn of the year. Leonardo took over, and guided Inter to second place in the league, and the Coppa Italia trophy.
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<br />Inter only had one major exit, and that was talismanic striker Samuel Eto’o to Russian billionaires Anzhi. They reinvested heavily signing experienced forward Diego Forlan from Athletico, winger Ricardo Alvarez, midfielder Andrea Poli from Sampdoria, Luc Castaignos from Feyenoord and Mauro Zarate from Lazio. Firepower to replace Eto’o, while their experienced midfield and defence will need to adapt to Gasperini’s expected formation alteration from 4-3-3 to 3-4-1-2 fast in order to steer clear of any potential upsets.
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<br />Best Starting XI:
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/214109_F_C__Internazionale.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 513px;" src="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/214109_F_C__Internazionale.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></div>Real Talk Footballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13034436880822848572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401464772547394570.post-29622571406330224592011-09-03T19:50:00.006+01:002011-09-03T20:48:25.467+01:00Champions League 11/12 Preview - Group A<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.getsportsnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/UEFA_Champions_Leaguse_2011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.getsportsnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/UEFA_Champions_Leaguse_2011.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">GROUP A</span>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Bayern</span> Munich</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Last season:</span>
<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Budesliga</span>, 3rd
<br />Round of 16 – Lost to Inter Milan 3-3 on away games
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manager:</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Jupp</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Heynckes</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Key Man:</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Arjen</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Robben</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Stadium:</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Allianz</span> Arena – Capacity: 69,901
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Manchester+United+v+Bayern+Muenchen+UEFA+Champions+SunLRuVsXsvl.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 525px; height: 360px;" src="http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Manchester+United+v+Bayern+Muenchen+UEFA+Champions+SunLRuVsXsvl.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Bayern</span> Munich have been drawn in the toughest group of this season campaign, and will look to do all they can do to reach the 2012 final, as it takes place at the clubs home ground.
<br />
<br />They had a disappointing 2010/11 season, finishing third behind champions <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Borussia</span> Dortmund and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Bayern</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Leverkusen</span>, while The Bavarians sacked manager Louis Van <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Gaal</span> in the final third of the season with caretaker manager <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Andries</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Jonker</span> securing that coveted final qualification spot.
<br />
<br />Club president <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Uli</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Honeß</span> instilled <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Jupp</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Heynckes</span> for his third spell in charge as manager. He guided his side through the Champions League qualification third round by comfortably beating Swiss side <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">FC</span> Zurich 3-0 over two legs.
<br />
<br />Look out for new signings Manuel <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Neuer</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Rafinha</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Takashi</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Usami</span> and Jerome <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Boateng</span>.
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best Starting XI:</span>
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/213989_FC_Bayern_Munchen.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 513px;" src="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/213989_FC_Bayern_Munchen.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manchester City</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Last season:</span>
<br />Premiership, 3rd
<br />Europa League, round of 16, lost 2-1 on aggregate to Dynamo Kiev
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manager:</span> Roberto Mancini
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Key Man:</span> David Silva
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Stadium:</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Etihad</span> Stadium, Capacity 46,802
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/David+Silva+Inter+Milan+v+Manchester+City+pBiPw1X7TgFl.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 297px; height: 500px;" src="http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/David+Silva+Inter+Milan+v+Manchester+City+pBiPw1X7TgFl.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br />The richest club in the world have continued their unbelievable spending spree as they look to compete on all fronts and mainly in preparation for their first ever Champions League campaign. They have recruited <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Sergo</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Kun</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Aguero</span> from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Atheltico</span> Madrid, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Samir</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Nasri</span> and Gael <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Clichy</span> from rivals Arsenal, as well as promising defender Stefan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Savic</span>.
<br />
<br />They have a tough group, facing experienced Champions League sides in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">Bayern</span> and Villarreal, as well as newcomers <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">Napoli</span>, but will look to cause quite a stir and live up to their dark horses tag. They finished 3rd in the Premier League last season, ascertaining the final automatic qualification slot.
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best Starting XI:</span>
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/213993_Manchester_City.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 513px;" src="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/213993_Manchester_City.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">SSC</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">Napoli</span></span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Last season:</span>
<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">Serie</span> A, 3rd
<br />Europa League, round of 16 lost 6-1 on aggregate to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">Bayern</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">Leverkusen</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manager:</span> Walter <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">Mazzarri</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Key Man:</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">Edinson</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">Cavani</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Stadium:</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">Stadio</span> San Paulo, Capacity 60,240
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Edinson+Cavani+SSC+Napoli+v+Genoa+CFC+Serie+MpDxm7sO3Opl.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 524px; height: 478px;" src="http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Edinson+Cavani+SSC+Napoli+v+Genoa+CFC+Serie+MpDxm7sO3Opl.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br />This is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">Napoli</span>’s first season in the Champions League, with Italian Walter <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">Mazzarri</span> in charge of the side who finished behind AC and Inter Milan in the league.
<br />
<br />Look out for new signing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">Gokhan</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">Inler</span> in midfield, alongside 24 year old <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48">Marek</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49">Hamsik</span>; who is one of the best <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_50">playmakers</span> in Italian football. Up front, is undoubtedly <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_51">Napoli</span>’s biggest asset, with the sensational <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_52">Edinson</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_53">Cavani</span>, who scored a total of 33 goals in 47 appearances last season, and was a member of the Uruguayan national team who won the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_54">Copa</span> America this summer. Up front, he is partnered by Argentinean striker Ezequiel <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_55">Lavezzi</span> and Macedonian Goran <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_56">Pandev</span>, who was a 2010 winner with Inter Milan.
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best Starting XI:</span>
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/214008_Napoli.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 513px;" src="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/214008_Napoli.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Villarreal CF</span>
<br /></div>
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Last season:</span>
<br />La <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_57">Liga</span> 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_58">th</span>
<br />Europa League, Semi-finals lost 7-4 on aggregate to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_59">FC</span> Porto
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manager:</span> Juan Carlos <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_60">Garrido</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Key Man:</span> Giuseppe <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_61">Rossi</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Stadium:</span> El Madrigal, Capacity 25,000
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Giuseppe+Rossi+Odense+BK+v+Villarreal+CF+UEFA+Uu8uzyg-TWNl.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 515px; height: 343px;" src="http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Giuseppe+Rossi+Odense+BK+v+Villarreal+CF+UEFA+Uu8uzyg-TWNl.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br />Villarreal played some of the best football in Spain last season, but went slightly unnoticed as all eyes seemed to be focused on the duopoly at the top of the La <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_62">Liga</span> table. However they got their just rewards, finishing 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_63">th</span> in the league, and attaining Champions League qualification.
<br />
<br />Villarreal had a stuttering finish towards the end of their league campaign as a tough Europa League challenge took its toll on Juan Carlos <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_64">Garrido</span>’s small squad. They have strengthen this summer with two marquee signings; Cristian Zapata from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_65">Udinese</span> and Javier <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_66">Camunas</span>.
<br />
<br />They’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_67">ve</span> sold midfielder Javier <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_68">Matilla</span> to Real <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_69">Betis</span>, experienced full back Joan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_70">Capdevila</span> to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_71">Benfica</span>, while cashing in on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_72">playmaker</span>/winger <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_73">Santi</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_74">Cazorla</span> for €19 million to rich boys <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_75">Malaga</span>. The squad is thinner, so they will rely on players from their B side or will have to do some business before the transfer window closes.
<br />
<br />Villarreal made it into the group stage, overcoming a difficult two legged tie against Danish side <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_76">Odense</span>. They surprisingly lost the first leg 1-0, but won the return leg 3-0 and secured qualification.
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Best Starting XI:</span>
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/214021_Villarreal_C_F_,_S_A_D_.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 513px;" src="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/09/214021_Villarreal_C_F_,_S_A_D_.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></div>Real Talk Footballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13034436880822848572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401464772547394570.post-6648181773311801532011-08-12T14:23:00.003+01:002011-08-12T15:10:39.560+01:00Anzhi Makhachkala – Samuel Eto'o's New Destination<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://u.goal.com/126200/126286hp2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 513px; height: 319px;" src="http://u.goal.com/126200/126286hp2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br />With one of the world’s best strikers set to move to one of the most obscure football clubs in the Europe, for an absolute shed load of money I might add, a sum in which would make even Carlos Tevez blush. Samuel Eto’o is all set for a £30 million transfer to Anzhi Makhachkala, where he will earn wages of a rumoured £330,000 a week.
<br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />With all the financial madness in the game today, Manchester City owned by the brother of Abu Dhabi ruler; <a href="http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Trillion-dollar-wealth-of-new-Manchester-City-owner-Sheikh-Mansour-bin-Zayed-Al-Nahyan-article38353.html">Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan who has an estimated worth of £555 billion</a>. Malaga, owned by Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Abdullah Al Ahmed Al Thani, has undisclosed wealth and member of the Qatari royal family. Paris Saint Germain, who just this week completed the £37 million signing of Javier Pastore ahead of English giants Chelsea, have similar Middle Eastern financial backing as Malaga, with 70% of the club owned by the Qatari Investment Authority who also have ties to the Malaga owners. Show's that financial super powers are no longer the big names we are used to.
<br />
<br />As for Anzhi Makhachkala, they were founded only twenty years ago in 1991 and have spent a majority of time during professional existence in Russia’s first division, the second tier of Russian football, before returning to the Premier League in 2009 after a seven year hiatus. They’ve now consolidated their position in the Russia’s top flight, and in January of this year, a major revolution took place at the Dagestan based club.
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://uefaclubs.com/images/Anzhi-Makhachkala.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 316px;" src="http://uefaclubs.com/images/Anzhi-Makhachkala.png" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br />Russian businessman Suleyman Abusaidovich Kerimov, listed number 118th on Forbes list of the Worlds’ Billionaires, <a href="http://sport.ria.ru/sport/20110118/323273254.html">purchased the football club</a> and has a personal net worth of US$7.8 billion. A month later, the clubs first major signing was then 37 year old Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos. He signed a two-and-a-half year deal, where he is to earn approximately €10 million. He is currently Anzhi’s club captain.
<br />
<br />Current players on the books include Brazilian striker Diego Tardelli, who was once one of Brazil’s most promising forwards, joined from Athletico Miniero for a €7.5 million in March of this year, making himself the fourth Brazilian at the club.
<br />
<br />Another interesting note is that Anzhi clubs stadium only a capacity of 11,600.
<br />
<br />Some of the more recent signings include former Chelsea midfielder Yuri Zhirkov, who has 44 caps for Russia, joined for £13.2 million and signed a four year contract worth €5.5 million annually. Also former PSV forward and Hungarian international <a href="http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1451668.html">Balázs Dzsudzsák joined</a> for €14 million where he will earn £2.5 million a year, for five years.
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/sports/photos/2008/06/18/hiddink-guus-lg-080618getty.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 392px; height: 230px;" src="http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/sports/photos/2008/06/18/hiddink-guus-lg-080618getty.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br />Big money moves, with a few well known names in European and World football have joined the club, but these will all be eclipsed by the blockbuster move for Cameroonian captain Samuel Eto’o. Inter have been <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14476302.stm">offered €40 million for the 30 year old, offering Eto’o wages of £330,000 a week</a>. But before Eto’o signs for Anzhi, there are serious concerns whether this is the right move for the striker, and many people are sceptical and believe it’s not right for someone who has been subject to racial abuse in his career, something which club captain Roberto Carlos suffered recently. Is this the sort of haven Eto’o would like to reach the twilight of his career in?
<br />
<br />These concerns regarding racism in Russian football, with no better example than this video that surfaced a few months ago of Anzhi player (and captain) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFahv-TmGwE&feature=related">Roberto Carlos being racially abused during a match against Zenit St. Petersburg and Krylia Sovetov Samara</a> where banana’s were waved at him and at the latter, thrown at him. West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie was the subject of racism in Russia, the striker was subject to racist abuse while playing at for Lokomotiv Moscow.
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cdn.worldcupblog.org/www.worldcupblog.org/files/2010/08/odemwingie-banner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 263px;" src="http://cdn.worldcupblog.org/www.worldcupblog.org/files/2010/08/odemwingie-banner.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br />Eto’o would argue why he should care about the prospect of <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/etoo-threatens-to-walk-after-racial-abuse-in-zaragoza-467875.html">racism</a>, after he was racially abused during his time at both <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/9101230.stm">Inter Milan in Italy</a>, and while playing for FC Barcelona in Spain. It must obviously faze him, and Eto’o would respond by saying he’s here to play football, and may even <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/4261881.stm">brush it off</a> as somewhat idiotic and ignorant people, but it is not at all excusable. Racism in UK football is nonexistent as it was back in the 1970’s, and it’s met with shock and anger when reported in this country, but the proof is there, that it still pops up in different corners of European football.
<br />
<br />This is a factor Eto’s would have to consider, and considering how upset he was after this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go_z3GTmUQI">incident against Real Zaragoza</a>, shows that he is human and is deeply affected by such abuse. This is of course is a blog post about who Anzhi are, and not racism in football, but with Eto’o expecting to be a marquee signing, racism is something I had to discuss and make it clear to football fans reading, that this is something which has been displayed by their fans.
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<br />Whether Samuel Eto’o signs, and fancies himself a new challenge is yet to be confirmed, it is however widely expected to be a done deal next week. This could see a shift in power from Western European to Eastern European football. Clubs in Russia and Ukraine have always had money, but have struggled to bring big big names, and more importantly players in their prime. Eto’o may be 30 years old, but he scored 37 goals in 53 appearances last season, and is by no means past his best. This will be a massive move for this ambitious Russian side, and will surely open the path to other international stars that can persuaded by the big funds offered by clubs outside of the top three leagues in European football. One thing’s for certain, with Malaga, Paris Saint Germain and now Anzhi Makhachkala bankrolled by major financial sources, how long will it be before traditional clubs fall away unable to compete with the financial leaders and more importantly how will UEFA level the playing field?
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01662/eto_o_1662070a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 460px; height: 288px;" src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01662/eto_o_1662070a.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Real Talk Football</span></div>Real Talk Footballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13034436880822848572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401464772547394570.post-54924317664572805672011-08-10T14:31:00.003+01:002011-08-10T14:47:35.072+01:00Barclays Premier League 2011/12 Preview - Manchester United<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Alex+Ferguson+Manchester+United+v+Juventus+4KZODnMzGBHl.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 289px;" src="http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Alex+Ferguson+Manchester+United+v+Juventus+4KZODnMzGBHl.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manchester United</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manager:</span> Sir Alex Ferguson
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Captain:</span> Nemanja Vidic
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Last Season:</span> 1st
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">In:</span>
<br />
<br />David De Gea – Athletico Madrid – £17.6 million
<br />Phil Jones – Blackburn – £17.6 million
<br />Ashley Young – Aston Villa - £15.8 million
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Out:</span>
<br />
<br />John O’Shea – Sunderland – £4 million
<br />Wes Brown – Sunderland – £1.3 million
<br />Bébé – Besiktas – £880,000
<br />Paul Scholes – Retirement
<br />Edwin Van Der Sar – Retirement
<br />Owen Hargreaves – Free
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Ashley+Young+Manchester+City+v+Manchester+yMWWmNVBqTFl.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 521px; height: 403px;" src="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Ashley+Young+Manchester+City+v+Manchester+yMWWmNVBqTFl.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">This Season:</span>
<br />
<br />Manchester United was “<span style="font-style: italic;">weaker</span>” last season, and it wasn’t one of Sir Alex Ferguson's “<span style="font-style: italic;">strongest sides</span>” but they still won that coverted 19th league title, knocking Liverpool “<span style="font-style: italic;">off their perch</span>”. That side who was led by the talismanic Wayne Rooney, who was abject before Christmas, but transformed his form at the turn of the year scoring vital times against noisy neighbours, as well as that elegant hat trick against West Ham were the stand out moment of his season. Defensive rock Nemanja Vidic also led the list of plaudits, and the vastly improving Nani, who hit 10 goals and got 15 assists last season, as well as the brilliant Edwin Van Der Sar all contributed to Manchester United claiming that symbolic 19th league title.
<br />
<br />Javier Hernandez was another stand out name who had a fantastic season last year, and now with the addition of winger Ashley Young, who has already shown he's hungry for success, and United’s future defensive pairing of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling (the latter who has been filling in at right back and doing a great job) along with the returning Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverly from successful loan spells, not only do Manchester United have quality new additions, but have strength in depth to add to the abundance of youth at the club. De Gea, and Welbeck, 20, Smalling, Cleverly, Fabio and Rafael, all 21, Anderson, Hernandez, both 23, and Nani, aged just 24 shows that the future certainly is bright for Manchester United.
<br />
<br />That blend of experience and youth, pace, power and ability will lead Manchester United to the front of the pack, leaving the others in their wake. A strong Champions League challenge has become the norm, while I’m sure Sir Alex Ferguson would like to get his hands on the FA Cup trophy. They are Real Talk Football’s favourites for the title, but will have a long tough season ahead.
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Prediction:</span> 1st
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best Starting XI</span>
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/08/183357_Manchester_United.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 513px;" src="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/08/183357_Manchester_United.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">One to watch this season:</span> Tom Cleverly
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Is it more of the season for Manchester United this season? How will they fair against the new City challenge? Leave a comment below</span>
<br /></div>Real Talk Footballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13034436880822848572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401464772547394570.post-67362651798483032642011-08-10T13:51:00.002+01:002011-08-10T14:16:44.248+01:00Barclays Premier League 2011/12 Preview - Manchester City<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Roberto+Mancini+Manchester+City+v+Manchester+GdKpjPh2yPjl.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 343px; height: 495px;" src="http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Roberto+Mancini+Manchester+City+v+Manchester+GdKpjPh2yPjl.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manchester City</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manager:</span> Roberto Mancini
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Captain:</span> Vincent Kompany
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Last Season:</span> 3rd
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">In:</span>
<br />
<br />Kun Aguero – Athletico Madrid – £39.6 million
<br />Stefan Savic – Partizan Belgrade – £10.5 million
<br />Gael Clichy – Arsenal – £6.9 million
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Out:</span>
<br />
<br />Jerome Boateng – Bayern Munich – £11.9 million
<br />Shay Given – Aston Villa - £3.3 million
<br />Felipe Caicedo – Levante – £880,000
<br />Michael Johnson – Leicester – Loan
<br />Jo – Internacional – Free
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Edin+Dzeko+Los+Angeles+Galaxy+v+Manchester+Rf1wVQqXOm3l.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 519px; height: 405px;" src="http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Edin+Dzeko+Los+Angeles+Galaxy+v+Manchester+Rf1wVQqXOm3l.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">This Season:</span>
<br />
<br />Well, where to start, the oil rich blue side of Manchester have brought in one of the best forwards in the world in Sergio Aguero to replace the frustrated Carlos Tevez. As I write this, Tevez is still on the books at Man City, and he’s going to have to sit it out until January at least.
<br />
<br />Roberto Mancini achieved his objectives from last season, winning the FA Cup, ascertaining third place in the Premiership, and subsequently gaining Champions League qualification. Now it’s time for them to kick on and mount a serious challenge for the title. They have the most money in the league, they have arguably the best squad in the league, but this is my major sticking point, I do not believe they have the best team in the league, and this could hinder their progress. Unhappy, tantrum throwing players and in fighting could all damage Man City’s shot of winning their first Premiership title. Carlos Tevez pretty much hates Manchester, Adam Johnson isn’t happy warming the bench, Jerome Boateng wanted out and subsequently got his wish, and Mancini has shown this preseason that he still hasn’t tamed the enigmatic and wild Mario Balotelli. Last season saw fights in training, off the field drug bans and all sorts of madness, yet City still managed to achieve their objectives!
<br />
<br />Anyhow, should Tevez should, there is a big hole up front. Considering a team with so much quality, he and Yaya Toure carried the City team at times last season. David Silva was brilliant in spells, while Vincent Kompany’s fantastic consistency and excellent defending saw him considered one of the best defenders in the league. Balotelli, Sergio Aguero and James Milner will all need to step up this season and take City to the next level.
<br />
<br />Before watching the Community Shield, I had Manchester City as my favourite for the Premiership. But after seeing that Manchester United have just as much, if not more strength in depth as Manchester City, I now have the Red Devils as favourites. Manchester City will have to deal with the Champions League campaign which will ultimately take its toll on their Premier League campaign, and it will be interesting considering how lacklustre they were in the Europa League last year.
<br />For me, a strong Champions League campaign, Premiership runners-up and a strong FA Cup challenge. Transitional yet hugely impressive season lies ahead for the blue half of Manchester.
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Prediction:</span> 2nd
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best Starting XI</span>
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/08/183317_Manchester_City.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 513px;" src="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/08/183317_Manchester_City.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">One to watch this season:</span> Sergio Aguero
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Can Man City challenge for the title? How do you think they will do in the Champions League? Leave a comment below</span>
<br /></div>Real Talk Footballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13034436880822848572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401464772547394570.post-34338918697814476802011-08-10T13:10:00.003+01:002011-08-10T13:40:34.447+01:00Barclays Premier League 2011/12 Preview - Liverpool<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Kenny+Dalglish+Liverpool+v+Valencia+Pre+Season+PoH18v0kW8ol.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 396px; height: 594px;" src="http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Kenny+Dalglish+Liverpool+v+Valencia+Pre+Season+PoH18v0kW8ol.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Liverpool</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manager:</span> Kenny Dalglish
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Captain:</span> Steven Gerrard
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Last Season:</span> 6th
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">In:</span>
<br />
<br />Stewart Downing – Aston Villa – £20 million
<br />Jordan Henderson – Sunderland – £15.8 million
<br />Charlie Adam – Blackpool – £7.4 million
<br />Doni – Roma - Free
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Out:</span>
<br />
<br />Paul Konchesky – Leicster - £1.5 million
<br />Peter Gulacsi – Hull City – Free
<br />Stephan Darby – Rochdale – Free Transfer
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Stewart+Downing+Liverpool+v+Valencia+Pre+Season+BUt3kGNmuBol.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 351px; height: 503px;" src="http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Stewart+Downing+Liverpool+v+Valencia+Pre+Season+BUt3kGNmuBol.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">This Season:</span>
<br />
<br />They’ve made big money signings, but all in the same area of the pitch. This seems to be the underlying feel to Liverpool's summer. They have had a poor preseason, and news that both Glen Johnson and Steven Gerrard will miss the start of the season, no one will be to surprised if Liverpool's confidence is a bit low at the moment. It's up to the Anfield faithful to raise the players, and demand a strong season from the club.
<br />
<br />There is still lots of “deadwood” in that midfield, so I wonder how big Liverpool’s wage budget actually is. Kudos to Dalglish however, for getting the ludicrously overpaid Milan Jovanovic off the books and sent him packing to Belgium. I think Kenny Dalglish should have strengthened defensively, while injury prone defenders such as Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel could’ve been replaced, but the manager clearly believes they’re the right men for the club.
<br />
<br />I expect Luis Suarez to have a big season for Liverpool, he has been in blistering form this summer and was instrumental in Urugauy's Copa America win. A fully fit Andy Carroll has to start scoring goals to pay off the big £35 million price tag, while Alberto Aquilani will have a point to prove (should he get the opportunity) or he could be heading back to Italy, with Fiorentina heading up the possible list of suitors.
<br />
<br />I still believe there best XI is the side that finished last season, with Charlie Adam filling in when Steven Gerrard is injured. It’ll be interested to see where Stewart Downing fits in, and how much Jordan Henderson will play. Liverpool have continued their recent trend of paying over the odds for English players, so it remains to be seen how long it will take for them to gel together and for Liverpool to gain some much needed consistency. I do however, see them competing for a top six place.
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Prediction:</span> 6th
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best Starting XI:</span>
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/08/183293_Liverpool.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 513px;" src="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/08/183293_Liverpool.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">One to watch this season:</span> Jordan Henderson
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How do you think Liverpool will get on this season? Leave a comment below</span>
<br /></div>Real Talk Footballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13034436880822848572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401464772547394570.post-71071368520560542942011-08-10T12:47:00.002+01:002011-08-10T13:08:41.449+01:00Barclays Premier League 2011/12 Preview - Fulham<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Martin+Jol+Fulham+v+NSI+Runavik+UEFA+Europa+l45HOD0i3vCl.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 522px; height: 348px;" src="http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Martin+Jol+Fulham+v+NSI+Runavik+UEFA+Europa+l45HOD0i3vCl.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Fulham</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manager:</span> Martin Jol
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Captain:</span> Danny Murphy
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Last Season:</span> 8th
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">In:</span>
<br />
<br />Pajtim Kasami – Palermo – £3.3 million
<br />John Arne Riise – AS Roma – £2.4 million
<br />Marcel Gecov – Slovan Liberec – £704,000
<br />Csaba Somgyi – Rakospalota – Free
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Out:</span>
<br />
<br />Kagisho Dikgacoi – Crystal Palace - £590,000
<br />Jonathan Greening – Nottingham Forrest - £616,000
<br />Diomansy Kamara – Eskisehirspor – Free
<br />Eddie Johnson – Free
<br />Zoltán Gera – Free
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Bobby+Zamora+Fulham+v+Crusaders+UEFA+Europa+GfoQFWAewcNl.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 506px; height: 337px;" src="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Bobby+Zamora+Fulham+v+Crusaders+UEFA+Europa+GfoQFWAewcNl.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">This Season:</span>
<br />
<br />Fulham have a new man in charge; Martin Jol, who was clubs first choice before Mark Hughes came in, who ended resigning after doing his mandatory one season in charge before attempting to manufacture a move to Aston Villa job. He was ultimately not offered the job, and is unemployed and will be watching the Premiership just like everyone else from the comfort of their sofa.
<br />
<br />Fulham have brought in some new signings to freshen up the squad and will look to match last season 8th place finish. A long Europa League qualifying will impact on their Premiership finish, that’s why I have them slipping into the bottom half. The core of the squad is still there, and with a fully fit Bobby Zamora and Clint Dempsey, going forward Fulham should be look to the Carling Cup and Europa League as their best opportunities for trophies.
<br />
<br />New signing Pajtim Kasami is a 19 year old promising defender who impressed at the European U21 Championships for Switzerland, and he joins from Italian side Palermo. Old face and Liverpool cult player John Arne Riise returns to the Premiership after spending three years in Italian capital.
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Prediction:</span> 12th
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best Starting XI</span>
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/08/183263_Fulham.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 513px;" src="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/08/183263_Fulham.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">One to watch this season:</span> Pajtim Kasami
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How do you think Fulham will do this season? Leave a comment below</span>
<br /></div>Real Talk Footballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13034436880822848572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401464772547394570.post-57528087856619131872011-08-10T11:55:00.004+01:002011-08-10T12:45:53.017+01:00Barclays Premier League 2011/12 Preview - Everton<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/David+Moyes+Everton+v+Villarreal+Pre+Season+yDTWqaHABD8l.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 341px; height: 497px;" src="http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/David+Moyes+Everton+v+Villarreal+Pre+Season+yDTWqaHABD8l.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Everton</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manager:</span> David Moyes
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Captain:</span> Phil Neville
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Last Season:</span> 7th
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">In:</span>
<br />
<br />Eric Drier – Sporting Lisbon – Loan
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Out:</span>
<br />
<br />James Vaughan – Norwich – £2 million
<br />Iain Turner – Preston – Free
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">This Season:</span>
<br />
<br />Another tough season ahead for Everton, but that seems to always be the case every season for Evertonians. Notoriously slow starters, and industriously strong finishers, David Moyes know’s that they cannot afford more of the same and need to develop consistency from the get go. This Everton team is based on hard work, which tough defence and quality attack aspects further up the pitch.
<br />
<br />No key signings as yet, with David Moyes having one of the smaller transfer budgets in the league, he knows full well the club have to sell before they can buy. Phil Jagielka is the only name being linked with a move, with Arsenal the main protagonists for the England international defender, however the £12 million offered wasn’t even considered by the Toffees.
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Louis+Saha+Everton+v+Villarreal+Pre+Season+NCmIYUbOQ4Al.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 392px; height: 525px;" src="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Louis+Saha+Everton+v+Villarreal+Pre+Season+NCmIYUbOQ4Al.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br />Everton know that their weakness is scoring goals; they don’t have an out and out striker, while Jermaine Beckford and Tim Cahill were the clubs joint top goal scorers last season hitting 10 goals each. Louis Saha must try to complete a full season, while the Cahill/Saha combination, with Beckford coming from the bench will most likely game plan for Moyes this season.
<br />
<br />This close knit squad cannot afford any major injuries, and with captain Phil Neville boosting the club by saying he expects to play for another two seasons, Everton can achieve a top 10 finish and push for a Europa League place should they keep hold of their key players in the remaining three weeks of the transfer window.
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Prediction:</span> 8th
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best Starting XI</span>
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/08/183224_Everton.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 513px;" src="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/08/183224_Everton.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">One to watch this season:</span> Mugaye Gueye
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">How do you think Everton will do this season, leave your comment below</span></div>Real Talk Footballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13034436880822848572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3401464772547394570.post-30664120576930051152011-08-10T11:19:00.003+01:002011-08-10T11:40:37.181+01:00Barclays Premier League 2011/12 Preview - Chelsea<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Andre+Villas+Boas+Andre+Villas+Boas+Unveiled+BR_bmTmFqXZl.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 326px; height: 489px;" src="http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Andre+Villas+Boas+Andre+Villas+Boas+Unveiled+BR_bmTmFqXZl.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Chelsea</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Manager:</span> Andres Villas-Boas
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Captain:</span> John Terry
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Last Season:</span> 2nd
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">In:</span>
<br />
<br /><a href="http://realtalkfootball.blogspot.com/2011/07/who-is-romelu-lukaku.html">Romelu Lukaku</a> - Anderlecht - £20 million
<br />Lucas Piazon – Sao Paulo – £6.6 million
<br /><a href="http://realtalkfootball.blogspot.com/2011/07/who-is-thibaut-courtois.html">Thibaut Courtois</a> – KRC Genk – £7.9 million
<br /><a href="http://realtalkfootball.blogspot.com/2011/07/who-is-oriol-romeu.html">Oriel Romeu</a> – FC Barcelona – £4.5 million
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Out:</span>
<br />
<br />Nemanja Matic – Benfica – £4.4 million
<br />Michael Mancienne – Hamburger SV – £2.2 million
<br />Fabio Borini – Parma – Hamburger SV – Free
<br />Jeffrey Bruma – Hamburger – Hamburger SV – £440,000
<br />Jack Cork – £740,000 – Southampton
<br />Thibaut Courtois – Athletico Madrid – Loan
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Andre+Villas+Boas+Chelsea+v+Aston+Villa+2011+8BGaxgUBlgwl.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 349px; height: 545px;" src="http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Andre+Villas+Boas+Chelsea+v+Aston+Villa+2011+8BGaxgUBlgwl.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">This Season:</span>
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<br />New boss Andres Villas-Boas has an interesting task on his hands at Chelsea, he has to get the side playing exciting football, he has to deal with the white elephant that is Fernando Torres, and most importantly; he must get Chelsea a trophy (preferably the Champions League). All these tasks will require Chelsea to hit the ground running in their opening Premier League away to Stoke.
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<br />This preseason has given a good indication to where the West London club, no marquee signings so far although Romelu Lukaku is set to join, but being outbid by Paris Saint Germain for much needed playmaker Javier Pastore, and Luka Modric not too fussed whether Abramovich cough’s up the fee for him or not, you wonder where this injection of youth and excitement will come from within the Chelsea ranks. With just three weeks left of the transfer window, expect a push for Modric, as he only seems to be there main target.
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<br />The 4-3-3 formation will return, while I fully expect Daniel Sturridge to have a great season. Abramovich will expect Villas-Boas to get the best out of the Fernando Torres, while keeping Didier Drogba happy. Defensively, Chelsea are still fantastic, but the midfield leaves a lot to be desired. They need a playmaker in that midfield, maybe incorporate Josh McEachran into the first team, and see how he develops. With Jon Obi Mikel not impressing, and Michael Essien injured (again) new Barcelona recruit <a href="http://realtalkfootball.blogspot.com/2011/07/who-is-oriol-romeu.html">Oriol Romeu</a> may get his run in the Chelsea first team sooner rather than later.
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<br />You can read more on Chelsea's new boss <a href="http://realtalkfootball.blogspot.com/2011/06/andre-villas-boas-footballs-brightest.html">here</a>, and their now signings; <a href="http://realtalkfootball.blogspot.com/2011/07/who-is-romelu-lukaku.html">here</a>.
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<br />The Chelsea winning machine will grind on, and be the main source of competition in all four competitions. I don’t think they have enough strength in depth to win the Champions League, but none the less they will look to win a trophy after finishing last season empty handed.
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Prediction:</span> 3rd
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Best Starting XI</span>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/08/183155_Chelsea.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 513px;" src="http://www.footballuser.com/Formations/2011/08/183155_Chelsea.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">One to watch this season:</span> Daniel Sturridge
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How do you think Chelsea will do this season? Leave your comment below</span>
<br /></div>Real Talk Footballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13034436880822848572noreply@blogger.com0