Football Discussion (Part 6)

[G7SEV]

He has had a hard time (RE: Jonathan, Santos right back) with injury this year. He only signed from Cruzeiro. World Soccer has a piece on Santos this month and he hasn't been mentioned that much with regards Santos' Libertadores triumph.

[danny275]

Hopefully he becomes good. Maicon wasn't that big when we signed him from Monaco. He was seen as backup for Zanetti (bit of an odd move seeing Zanetti is nearly never injured) but became the first choice RB and one of the best, if not the best in the world

[G7SEV]

I would be lying if I said I heard of Maicon before he moved to Inter. Inter have helped him reach the next level with his ability, becoming one of the best right backs in the world. Such a shame the media (mainly English) decided to tear him to shreds based off of to games just to build Bale up to be the second coming. Albeit from the small parts I seen of him, a few reports and your posts, he hasn't had the best season but it was hardly the end of his career.

[Manutd4life]

Such a shame the media (mainly English) decided to tear him to shreds based off of to games just to build Bale up to be the second coming.

I don't think the English media trashed him just to talk up Bale but they sort of decided he was crap after that one game where Bale destroyed him.

[G7SEV]

Well considering everytime Bale was mentioned, either the Maicon footage was shown or Maicon was mentioned soon after Bale's name. Sky Sports news where showing the Inter Spurs footage for Bale when the nominations for PFA awards was happening.

[danny275]

I don't recall Maicon getting any flack from the media at all. I remember Bale being bigged up as Pele, Maradona and God's right testicle all in one.

Serie A fans seemed to be the only one's indicating that Maicon was having a 'mare of a season

[Peruzzi]

Latest people looking at Pasquale Foggia are apparently QPR.

Now, I really dont want him to go, I think hes a great player, who doesnt get the game time he deserves, mainly through the fact that he is behind better players (Hernanes and Mauri) in the picking list, but he is the ultimate pro, never complains, does what hes asked to do even if it is out of position, and gives 100% when he plays.

But, I will totally understand if he leaves to get more game time, and if he goes to QPR I will support QPR next season! And id post him my Lazio "Foggia 17" shirt and get him to sign it!

[ShadyKnight]

Essien out for 6 months. A shame. I really like him - a great talent and a joy to watch.

Although when he returns, expect to hear the usual from pundits "Its like a new signing", etc....

[x Tru3 Blu3]

Essien out for 6 months. A shame. I really like him - a great talent and a joy to watch.

Although when he returns, expect to hear the usual from pundits "Its like a new signing", etc....

He probably will be like a new signing although it does get annoying when they say it every time he touches the ball.

Real shame, I reckon if he gets another that's him done and will retire

[Peruzzi]

Cisse just landed in Rome for his medical. Hope his legs break again and he fails it.

[ReturnOf-TheMac]

Supposedly Tevez going corinthians for 35 mil?

[ReturnOf-TheMac]

Just reading a old report on a rovers game i went to once, brings back so many memories such a good day aswell.

Blackburn 3-2 Barcelona
Substitute Mark Hughes scored a late winner for Blackburn as they defeated Barcelona 3-2 in a pre-season friendly.

Hughes was only on the field because of an injury to summer signing Corrado Grabbi but less than 60 seconds after his 81st minute introduction he volleyed home the decisive goal.

The result was just reward for an enterprising, industrious Rovers performance against a Barca team including Marc Overmars, Philip Cocu and Patrick Kluivert.

Rovers manager Graeme Souness was delighted with his team's performance.



It was just what we wanted at this stage
Graeme Souness
Blackburn manager
"Everybody worked hard and it is always great to beat such a big team no matter when or how you do it," said the Scot.

"What can you say about Mark Hughes? He will be delighted with his goal but winning is not the most important thing.

"It's about getting your fitness and everybody worked very hard.

"It was just what we wanted at this stage, we concentrated and we were organised."

The match was not so rewarding for Grabbi, who endured a miserable afternoon and was substituted following an accidental penalty box clash 10 minutes from the end.

He was helped from the field clutching his head.

Barcelona took the lead after 18 minutes when an Overmars cross deflected off Stig Inge Bjornebye into the path of Cocu, who shot past Brad Friedel from close range.

Fightback

But Rovers equalised in the 28th minute when Damien Duff beat Gabriel de la Torre and crossed to the far post for Garry Flitcroft to head home.

Three minutes from half-time Blackburn were awarded a penalty when the impressive Nathan Blake was fouled in the Barcelona area by Philippe Christenval.

David Dunn's penalty was parried but he shot home the rebound.

Javier Saviola excelled for the visitors in the second half and almost created an equaliser for Kluivert with an incisive through-ball, but the Dutch striker hammered his shot against the bar.



Mark Hughes is a dangerous player and he proved it
Carles Rexach
Barcelona coach
Barcelona eventually restored parity through Xavier Hernandez's penalty in the 75th minute.

The spot-kick had been controversially awarded for shirt-pulling.

But Rovers took the lead for the second time through Hughes and the Welsh forward almost increased Blackburn's lead in the final minute but he fired over from 15 yards.

Barcelona coach Carles Rexach paid tribute to Rovers' performance and particularly that of former Barcelona man Hughes.

"He is always a dangerous player and he proved during the game that he doesn't need many opportunities to score a goal," he said.

"They are a typical English team, very aggressive, very direct, and it is a team that maintains the good spirit and the good things about English football."

[danny275]

They've offered that but it'll probably be rejected

[G7SEV]

I read it's £40m. If they reject it then they're idiots. He wants out and they wouldn't be strengthening a rival (Prem or Europe).

But knowing Man City, it will probably be rejected.

[danny275]

Inter director Marco Branca shot down Manchester United’s interest. “Wesley Sneijder is not for sale and we received no formal offer.”

The British and Italian newspapers have reported that a deal could be struck in the next few days for €39m, but the Nerazzurri paint a very different picture.

“There is nothing to update,” declared technical director Branca in an official Press conference this afternoon.

“It’s not surprising Sneijder is wanted by other clubs, but we have received no formal offer, nor do we intend to wait for one.

“We know what we have to do and there are no meetings planned with his agent. Sneijder is not for sale.”

Meanwhile, Branca confirmed the Nerazzurri interest in Genoa’s Rodrigo Palacio, but not that Goran Pandev refused an exchange.

“It’s true we’re thinking about Palacio, but Goran did not refuse simply because we never asked him if he wanted to move.

“We have to finalise a few details this afternoon for Jonathan, so he could be here at the pre-season training camp either this evening or tomorrow.

“Arturo Vidal is not part of our strategy. We’re keeping an eye on various situations, but already have many midfielders considering the Coach will play with only two or three in the middle.”

http://www.football-italia.net/jul12t.html

On the whole Jonathan thing. I hear it's €15m Seems a bit high considering what i've heard about him but he could rise to the challenge

[G7SEV]

Inter Milan new boy Luc Castaignos has expressed his delight at joining what he believes is "the best club in the world". The Italian club reached an agreement with Feyenoord back in January to acquire the 18-year-old striker's sporting rights, and today Castaignos signed a four-year contract at the San Siro.

"I am delighted to be here," said Castaignos. "I am a fast striker with one aim: to score goals. The time has come to prove myself at what I consider to be the best club in the world."

Castaignos is a product of the Feyenoord youth academy and emerged as an important first-team player last season. The Netherlands U-19 international scored nine goals in 30 Eredivisie appearances, and believes he can only improve further by playing alongside Inter's star names.

He said: "My number one idol is Samuel Eto'o, but all of my new team-mates are champions. Perhaps the one that has impressed me most is Wesley Sneijder. He has great quality, shoots well with both feet and has an incredible way of playing. I believe I will be able to learn a lot from these players."

http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1473963.html?cid=twitter_voiceofthesite

[danny275]

The new Henry...apparently
Hope he's given some chances this season. It'll be difficult, mind you.

[G7SEV]

He's only young and has a lot of time to develop. I can't see him getting a lot of chances in his first season but a loan move might allow for first team football and the chance to get used to Serie A.

[ReturnOf-TheMac]

Anyone know anything on adriano nowadays? A journalist i speak to on the net has said we're in talks with a tall striker, not european, never played in the prem and a free agent, i got adriano in my mind just want to know where hes at now?

Or david suazo wheres he at now aswell?

[danny275]

Anyone know anything on adriano nowadays? A journalist i speak to on the net has said we're in talks with a tall striker, not european, never played in the prem and a free agent, i got adriano in my mind just want to know where hes at now?

Or david suazo wheres he at now aswell?

Adriano's at Corinthians. It wouldn't be wise to hope for him even if he was free...

David Suazo will be signing for Cagliari, supposedly but he's not tall...