When I first read this I imagined I was reading it on the “Football Manager 2008″, its a Football Management game on PC, anyway, if you told me a year ago that this kind of offer was possible I would have laughed hysterically. Now some people think that Barcelona are desperate to land Adebayor, I really doubt that, I think they are desperate to offload Eto’o, and I think Arsenal will take this deal.
Arsenal will accept for two reasons, the first thing is that Adebayor is actually requesting the move or (a) move, he wont mind going to AC Milan or Barcelona. The second reason, well Arsene Wenger needs the cash to get new players, he must use this money to add to the money he will get from Hleb sale and get a replacement. We heard about the financial issues holding Arsenal from buying new quality players.
Nasri is amazing, but in the past two seasons I cant name one player that Arsene Wenger bought to the squad who was high profile established player. If you still do no get what I mean, look at what other big clubs were buying and compare. I know that buying a ready made star doesn’t always work, and I know that it is an Arsene’s Wenger tradition to make the stars, but that was before we see Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and other clubs being bought by billionaires who throw money to get ready made stars.
One last note, this news that everybody is talking about was first reported by the “DAILY STAR”, some might ask and why is this important? Well, I just ignore what they report because most of the time its pure fabrication. Lets wait and see.
Tournament hosts Switzerland went in to this game knowing nothing they could do would qualify for the quarter final stages, so were playing for pride, while Portugal were also playing for pride, knowing that they were definitely through to the knock out stages, and unless there was a massive shock, they were going to win the group.
Portugal took control in the first half, playing good football as we expect from them, but, surprisingly, Switzerland are still going for it and creating some good opportunities, and the fans are loving their night out.
Nani and Quaresma were causing havoc, playing lots of balls in to the box and generally running riot, putting the Swiss goal keeper under immense pressure. Pepe had shot saved, while Manchester United winger Nani so nearly scored twice, with a long distance free kick being flicked over the cross bar and a different shot hitting the post.
It was in the second half when the game came alive, especially the Swiss. But Nani yet again hit the wood work, when he really should have scored after a Swiss error. Postiga had a good shot saved, as well.
Then, with twenty minutes to go, Switzerland started pressurizing immensely, and it wasn’t long before Hakan Yakin smashed a volley in to the goal between Portuguese goal keeper Ricardo’s legs.
And then a late strike from the first goal scorer, Yakin, scored his second of the game from the penalty spot, smashing the ball in to the top corner, giving penalty specialist Ricardo no chance of saving it.
Tonight’s results mean that Portugal top the group with six points, along side Turkey who finish below them on goal difference. Czech Republic and Switzerland fail to qualify, but the Swiss fans will be happy they went out on a high.
In their first game France suffered a disappointing goal less draw to Romania, where as the Netherlands beat the current World Cup holders Italy by a three goal margin. Winning this game would allow the Dutch to qualify for the quarter finals, and a loss for France would put them in serious trouble and make it difficult for them to get in to the knock out stage.
After kick off, France started to dominate the game, keeping possession well and even having a few early shots, but it was after just nine minutes when, on a counter attack, the Netherlands were awarded a corner. After a superb cross, on form Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt headed the ball past the helpless French goal keeper in to the net.
After that the Dutch dominated for a long time, keeping possession extremely well and creating some good opportunities for shots, although they failed to capitalize these chances. Then, on the thirtieth minute the tides changed and France started to dominate, pounding shot after shot in to the capable hands of Manchester United shot stopper Edwin Van Der Sar, although he was getting increasingly annoyed with his defence’s poor display.
Back out for the second half, and the French look fresh and ready to go, coming extremely close to scoring on a couple of occasions, but they can’t get the ball in to the Dutch goal, then all their hard work is undone by an Arjen Robben cross which Robin Van Persie slams into the French goal keeper, who can’t keep it out.
France look more and more beaten as the game progressed, but there was a glimmer of hope when Willy Sagnol played a ball across the Dutch goal and Barcelona strike Theirry Henry touches the ball into the Dutch net.
But the French celebrations are cut short, as less than a minute later, Chelsea winger Arjen Robben runs up the left wing before cutting inside and blasting the ball past the keeper from what appeared to be an impossible angle.
Understandably, the men from France are getting extremely worried, and are pressing, desperately trying to salvage a draw from the game, but on the last minute of stoppage time, Van Persie passes to Wesley Sneijder on the edge of the box, who turns and pounds the ball into the top corner to round off an amazing game.
Well, what a game! The Netherlands are through to the quarter finals, and France, Italy and Romania all have a chance to come second. A remarkable performance by Holland though, who look like they might just go all the way.
This game was expected to be a thrilling one, with both teams winning their first matches. Confusingly, the Czech Republic players were wearing all red, where as the Portuguese played in all white.
The game got off to a flying start, with both teams trying to take the initiative. It didn’t take long for Portugal to get a grip of the game, and it was after just eight minutes that Portugal scored their first goal. After Ronaldo had been blocked by Petr Cech, the ball rolled to Deco, who was also blocked by Cech, but the Chelsea goal keeper couldn’t keep out the third shot, which again fell to Deco, who just about got it through the defender’s legs and into the Czech goal.
Just nine minutes later, Czech Republic got a corner, and a superb cross, sloppy defending and a great header allowed Libor Sionko to equalize for the Czech team, pulling away from his marker and heading beyond Portugal goal keeper Ricardo.
After that, Czech Republic pretty much dominated the first half, with Portugal getting an occasional break, but Czech Republic seemed well in control, passing around fluently and creating one or two opportunities. Just before half time, though, Ronaldo got a free kick thirty three meters from the goal, and everyone’s heads were turned. The ball swerved violently through the air, but the strong hands of Petr Cech kept the ball out.
As Czech Republic kicked off for the second half, it was soon apparent Portugal were going to get the third goal of the game, playing fluent football and creating some good opportunities. Then, inevitably, on the sixty third minute Deco played ‘that man’ Cristiano Ronaldo in to smash the ball under a helpless Petr Cech from just outside the penalty area.
Portugal knew they were not safe yet though, and kept on playing brilliant football. Czech Republic looked increasingly beaten as the game progressed, and then in stoppage time for the end of the game a counter attack and a long ball led to Ronaldo selfishly passing to Quaresma who passed the ball calmly into open goal.
Overall a good performance from Portugal, who are almost definitely through to the knock out stage, all they have to do is get a point against Switzerland and they are guaranteed a place in the last eight.
I always hated Manchester United and I will always do, but no one can deny that Cristiano Ronaldo is a great player, actually I see that he played THE main role in this year’s Manchester United winnings. So any club in the world would want him to be part of their squad.
During the past few days he Cristiano Ronaldo was just giving hints on his wish to move to Real Madrid, but that is not the case anymore, yesterday he talked to the Brazilian website Terra.com.br and he said “ Yes, I would like to play for Real Madrid, That’s the truth, depending on what they are willing to spend on me and what Manchester United ask. But that’s not up to me.”
Then he added “I think I’ve put across an important message, As of today, I will speak no more about this with absolutely anyone. I’ll only talk about it after the Euros. Nobody is to ask me anymore, as I will not answer.”
Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson was not happy with what have been said, actually they were not happy even earlier since Real Madrid approached Cristiano Ronaldo, Ferguson slammed Real Madrid and the Spanish media for unsettling the player.
Today another news came out, Marca announced that Cristiano Ronaldo have agreed terms with Real Madrid, and now all what needs to be done is setting the price with Manchester United. Calderon told Marca “It’s an honour that Ronaldo wants to play for us”. But it is a known fact that Manchester United summer transfer plans will be hugely affected if Cristiano Ronaldo leaves, and the player is very important that Alex Ferguson will try to convince him to stay.
But it looks like Cristiano Ronaldo have set his mind, he actually refused meeting Alex Ferguson as it was announced in the British media few hours ago that a meeting was set as Alex Ferguson decided to cut short his holiday in France to meet Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal’s Euro 2008 training camp.
It is believed that Cristiano Ronaldo’s salary if he moves to Real Madrid will be around $200,000 if not higher. There were shouts from many players and managers in the game urging Cristiano Ronaldo to stay in Manchester United and not to go to Real Madrid for the money, but it seems those shouts were not heard by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Am I happy that he might be with Real Madrid, YES!!, but really worried that another talented player already in Real Madrid will be sold, lets say someone like Robinho.
A lot was at stake today, it is the grand slam Sunday, Manchester against Liverpool, Arsenal against Chelsea. Manchester won 1-0 by Tevez’s goal, so Arsenal had to win to stay top of the table, and they WON.
A very vital win against rivals Chelsea. Arsenal simply deserved to win today by far more than just a 1-0 scoreline, two goals were canceled, and tons of amazing shots on target. Amazing game, great goal by Gallas in the last seconds of the first half, huge team effort.
Read more and watch the video highlights after the jump…
Today Gallas gave Arsenal the first win against Chelsea since 11 matches in all games, the last time Arsenal beat Chelsea was in a Premier League match on Feb. 2004 that ended 2-1 in the Stamford Bridge. Gallas have also saved Arsenal last month when he gave them the equalizer against Manchester United which ended 2-2.
Arsene Wenger seemed satisfied, he said: “It was a tough game, locked in the first half, open in the second and one where we should have scored a second goal, our defense was outstanding today. Not only did they keep a clean sheet but they scored the goal as well. Overall I felt it was a great football game.”
Terry was injured in the 40th minute of the first half, but it is still not clear if it is a serious injury. 5 players from both sides were given yellow cards. The match heated up in the last 15 minutes of the second half, Van Persie and Adebayor both scored, but the goals were disallowed, one was an offside and the other was a foul.
Since the controversial resignation of Jose Maurinho, Drogba was in a bad mood. He criticized the club and the management several times. But later the team went on to perform well and he scored some goals and everybody thought the situation is resolved.
Apparently no, Chelsea is angry with Drogba because he has chose to represent Ivory Coast in the Olympic team next summer which will this winter between Jan and Feb of 2008. Which makes him unavailable for chelsea in the Pre-Season and the start of the Premier League. Add to this him not being available this winter for around 5 weeks because of the African Cup.Here comes Real Madrid stepping in with $30 million to get the player as an option for Ruud van Nistelrooy, especially being prone to injury lately.
In my opinion Drogba is not the right choice, seeing how Schuster play he wont fit and it will take him time and effort to fit in, which could be costly in results for Real Madrid. Drogba will just disrupt the squad which itself is not that stable anyway.
I can imagine Drogba playing for teams such as Manchester United, AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Valencia.
Arsenal will accept for two reasons, the first thing is that Adebayor is actually requesting the move or (a) move, he wont mind going to AC Milan or Barcelona. The second reason, well Arsene Wenger needs the cash to get new players, he must use this money to add to the money he will get from Hleb sale and get a replacement. We heard about the financial issues holding Arsenal from buying new quality players.
Tournament hosts Switzerland went in to this game knowing nothing they could do would qualify for the quarter final stages, so were playing for pride, while Portugal were also playing for pride, knowing that they were definitely through to the knock out stages, and unless there was a massive shock, they were going to win the group.
This game was expected to be a thrilling one, with both teams winning their first matches. Confusingly, the Czech Republic players were wearing all red, where as the Portuguese played in all white.
Today another news came out, Marca announced that Cristiano Ronaldo have agreed terms with Real Madrid, and now all what needs to be done is setting the price with Manchester United. Calderon told Marca “It’s an honour that Ronaldo wants to play for us”. But it is a known fact that Manchester United summer transfer plans will be hugely affected if Cristiano Ronaldo leaves, and the player is very important that Alex Ferguson will try to convince him to stay.
A lot was at stake today, it is the grand slam Sunday, Manchester against Liverpool, Arsenal against Chelsea. Manchester won 1-0 by Tevez’s goal, so Arsenal had to win to stay top of the table, and they WON.
Since the controversial resignation of Jose Maurinho, Drogba was in a bad mood. He criticized the club and the management several times. But later the team went on to perform well and he scored some goals and everybody thought the situation is resolved.