Welcome to Football A-Z

Football A-Z is a football blog that covers a wide range of subjects related to international football. You can find news about transfers, football gossip, results and rankings, football history articles, nice football videos and many more.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

CL Preview: Chelsea - Liverpool


Can Liverpool do something they haven't previously managed under Rafael Benitez - score a goal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge? They will have to if they want to reach their third Champions League final in four seasons. The Reds need at least a score-draw at the Bridge, a venue that Chelsea have turned into a formidable fortress. The Blues have suffered a solitary defeat in their last 125 home games, while Liverpool have failed even to score on Chelsea's ground in eight attempts under Benitez.

Chelsea are unbeaten in eleven Champions League home ties, a run spanning eight victories and three draws, dating back 26 months to a 2-1 defeat by Barcelona in the first knockout round of 2005-06.

So, is the tie firmly in Chelsea's favour? Well, not necessarily, although John Arne
Riise’s stoppage-time howler has given Liverpool a far steeper hill to climb than had seemed probable when last week's first leg entered its fateful 94th minute.

The away goal Chelsea secured via Riise's largesse will only be significant if the score at the Bridge finishes 0-0. Any other result and its importance diminishes, although another 1-1 draw would force extra-time and, possibly, penalties. Chelsea know all about spot kicks, having succumbed to the Merseysiders in a shoot-out after extra-time at the same stage of last year's competition.

A higher scoring draw than 1-1 and Liverpool will go through.

Liverpool's focus will be clear - go for victory. Chelsea could be tempted to gamble on a goalless draw, but that would be a high-risk strategy and one that manager Avram Grant and his players will almost certainly reject - particularly after going for the jugular at home to Manchester United last Saturday in the Premier League title race and being rewarded with a priceless win. That outcome should have given Chelsea plenty of confidence as they strive to reach a Champions League final for the first time in their history, even though Liverpool have never lost a semi-final tie to Chelsea, either domestically or in Europe....

The Reds have also not lost a semi-final in this competition since being controversially defeated 4-3 on aggregate by Internazionale in 1964-65, subsequently beating Zurich (1976-77), Borussia Monchengladbach (1977-78), Bayern (1980-81), Dinamo Bucharest (1983-84), Panathinaikos (1984-85) and Chelsea (2004-05, 2006-07).

In contrast, the Blues have fallen at the semi-final hurdle three times previously. Those three semi-final appearances have all come since Roman Abramovich bought the club and launched them into football's financial stratosphere. Claudio Ranieri's side stumbled against Monaco in 2004, and Jose Mourinho's Chelsea were thwarted twice by Wednesday's opponents Liverpool in the last three seasons. Now Avram Grant has the opportunity to put those heart-breaks behind the West London club and make it third time lucky against Liverpool.

But Benitez is undaunted by history or venue, and has challenged his players to break their dismal Stamford Bridge scoring hoodoo to set up a Moscow date with either Barcelona or Manchester United. The identity of the other finalists will be known when Chelsea and Liverpool kick-off on Wednesday, following Tuesday's conclusive second leg at Old Trafford, with the first all-English, all-Premier League final one of the two possible prospects. The chance to meet and try to beat United in Moscow next month is likely to provide additional incentive to the protagonists at Stamford Bridge - although taking on Barca in a showpiece event is also the stuff of dreams.

Benitez played it cool when journalists asked him if Chelsea's home record concerned him. “Not really,” he said. “I don't know how many games they are without losing. When you talk about Chelsea over the past four or five years, they are a team that are progressing and improving so I think it is normal. The majority of teams have problems there. This is something we can change tomorrow. It's another competition, it's totally different. The mentality, the atmosphere, the time of kick-off - everything will be different.”

Liverpool have now guaranteed themselves fourth place in The Premier League after Everton were held to a draw by Aston Villa on Sunday, so the Reds can afford to concentrate solely on Champions League glory. For Chelsea, their win against United at the weekend means they are neck-and-neck with the Red Devils at the top of the table. Only goal difference separates the two sides, who both have two League games left in which to clinch the title. Grant's strategic and therefore tactical considerations will be rather more complex as a result.

It might be said that Benitez has the potential distraction of Anfield's boardroom civil war to shut out of his pre-match thinking, though given Liverpool's failure to mount a serious title challenge, the Champions League has assumed disproportionate importance for the Spaniard, and he will be desperate to avoid a semi-final defeat in the competition.

Benitez insists: “I'm not really worried about how the season will be judged. It is more about how can we progress in this competition and can we feel happy with ourselves after the game? I think it is important to know we have guaranteed fourth position. That has been the key over the past few years and now we must try to go to the final.”

Meanwhile Grant can argue that his job has been on the line since succeeding Mourinho in September, with a hostile media and unsympathetic fans choosing to ignore his impressive record as Chelsea boss and instead focusing on the negatives. The Israel has been repeatedly told, at least by the newspapers, that anything less than triumph in the Premier League and Champions League will spell his exit from the Bridge. Yet he has carried that burden while steering the Blues to the brink of ultimate success in both competitions, and deserves credit and respect for that.

Deja-Vu

The rivalry between Liverpool and Chelsea intensified following the appointment of Iberian adversaries Benitez and Mourinho at the respective clubs in the summer of 2004. They have since met six times in Champions League encounters, excluding this season's semi-final. Liverpool have shaded the meetings, with two wins to Chelsea's one.

Their first Champions League clash was in the 2004-05 semi-final when Luis García's fourth-minute goal in the second leg at Anfield was enough to earn the Reds a 1-0 aggregate victory on the way to their epic final triumph on penalties against AC Milan in Istanbul.

The following season, Liverpool and Chelsea were paired in the group stage, and produced two goalless draws as both reached the knock-out rounds, Liverpool as group winners.

Then last season Liverpool proved to be Chelsea's nemesis again at the semi-final stage. They lost the first leg 1-0 at Stamford Bridge thanks to a 29th minute strike from Joe Cole, but won the return on 1st May, also 1-0, when Daniel Agger netted after 22 minutes. Extra-time failed to separate the sides but in the penalty shoot-out, Liverpool emerged 4-1 winners.

The Reds took the first spot-kick, Boudewijn Zenden converting (1-0); Arjen Robben's shot was saved (1-0); Xabi Alonso scored to make it 2-0; Frank Lampard pulled one back (2-1); Steven Gerrard, scored (3-1); Geremi's effort was saved by Pepe Reina (3-1); and Dirk Kuyt score to make it 4-1 and take it beyond Chelsea's grasp.


Previous Meetings In The Champions League

27.04.2005 Semi Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
03.05.2005 Semi Liverpool - Chelsea 1-0
28.09.2005 Group Liverpool - Chelsea 0-0
06.12.2005 Group Chelsea - Liverpool 0-0
25.04.2007 Semi Chelsea - Liverpool 1-0
01.05.2007 Semi Liverpool - Chelsea 1-0 (Liverpool win 4-1 on pens aet)
22.04.2008 Semi Liverpool - Chelsea 1-1


Liverpool and Chelsea have also met three times in domestic competition this season. The first clash was early on and produced a 1-1 draw at Anfield on 19th August, though Chelsea enjoyed good fortune when referee Rob Styles unaccountably awarded them a penalty when Florent Malouda fell over in the box, Lampard making the most of the 62nd-minute gift to equalise Fernando Torres' first goal for his new club in the 16th minute.

When the two sides squared up again, Grant had replaced Mourinho as manager. It was a Carling League Cup quarter-final at Stamford Bridge on 19th December, and Lampard (59) and Andriy Shevchenko (90) scored the goals that ended Liverpool's interest in the competition.

The third meeting this season yielded no goals in a Stamford Bridge stalemate in the Premier League on 10th February.

Then came last week's first leg of this Champions League semi-final. Riise's own goal four minutes into added time at Anfield cancelled out Dirk Kuyt's 43rd-minute strike and shifted the balance of the tie in Chelsea's direction.

Asked if Chelsea were fortunate to take a 1-1 draw from that first leg, Benitez said: “Yes, clearly they were lucky because Petr Cech made two or three saves, so they were lucky, yes."

He added: "I was really surprised and of course very disappointed with the own goal. The reaction in the dressing room was one of great disappointment."

Overall the clubs have now met 151 times. There have been 67 wins for Liverpool, 52 for Chelsea, and 32 draws.

Chelsea's home record against Liverpool in all competitions is P73 W41 D16 L16, while Liverpool have managed three draws and five defeats in eight visits to Chelsea under Benítez. Their last goal at the Bridge was scored by Bruno Cheyrou in a 1-0 Premier League victory on 7th January, 2004.


The Teams For Last Week's First Leg:

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio (Riise 61), Kuyt, Alonso, Mascherano, Babel (Benayoun 75), Gerrard, Torres. Subs Not Used: Itandje, Hyypia, Crouch, Pennant, Lucas.
Goal: Kuyt 43.

Chelsea: Cech, Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Lampard, Makelele, Ballack (Anelka 86), Joe Cole (Kalou 63), Drogba, Malouda. Subs Not Used: Hilario, Shevchenko, Obi, Alex, Belletti.
Booked: Terry.
Goal: Riise 90 og.

APRIL FORM GUIDE

Chelsea

26 Apr (Premier League) v Man Utd (H) WON 2-1 (Ballack 2, 1 pen)
22 Apr (Champions League) v Liverpool (A) DREW 1-1 (Riise og)
17 Apr (Premier League) v Everton (A) WON 1-0 (Essien)
14 Apr (Premier League) v Wigan (H) DREW 1-1 (Essien)
08 Apr (Champions League) v Fenerbahce (H) WON 2-0 (Ballack, Lampard)
05 Apr (Premier League) v Man City (A) WON 2-0 (Dunne og, Kalou)
02 Apr (Champions League) v Fenerbahce (A) LOST 1-2 (Deivid og)

Liverpool

26 Apr (Premier League) v Birmingham (A) DREW 2-2 (Crouch, Benayoun)
22 Apr (Champions League) v Chelsea (H) DREW 1-1 (Kuyt)
19 Apr (Premier League) v Fulham (A) WON 2-0 (Pennant, Crouch)
13 Apr (Premier League) v Blackburn (H) WON 3-1 (Gerrard, Torres, Voronin)
08 Apr (Champions League) v Arsenal (H) WON 4-2 (Hyypia, Torres, Gerrard pen,
Babel)
05 Apr (Premier League) v Arsenal (A) DREW 1-1 (Crouch)
02 Apr (Champions League) v Arsenal (A) DREW 1-1 (Kuyt)

TEAM NEWS

Chelsea

Midfielder and top scorer Frank Lampard looks set to return, having played in the 1-1 draw at Anfield but missed Saturday's 2-1 win over Manchester United following the death of his mother Pat from pneumonia.

Squad: Cech, Hilario, Belletti, Ferreira, Carvalho, Alex, Ben-Haim, Terry, A Cole, Bridge, J Cole, Ballack, Essien, Lampard, Wright-Phillips, Malouda, Kalou, Anelka, Drogba, Shevchenko, Mikel, Makelele.

Last Starting XI (v Man Utd): Cech, Ferreira (Anelka 66), Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Ballack, Obi, Essien, Kalou (Shevchenko 81), Drogba, Joe Cole (Makelele 87). Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Belletti.

Liverpool

Norwegian full-back John Arne Riise, who scored that injury-time own goal after coming on as a substitute in the first leg, could replace injured Fabio Aurelio, the Brazilian defender having been ruled out by a groin injury.

Benitez could also recall Sami Hyypia to centre-back, switch Jamie Carragher to right-back and Alvaro Arbeloa to the left - or recall Steve Finnan to one of the full-back berths.

Striker Fernando Torres is sure to start after being rested for Saturday's draw with Birmingham. Peter Crouch, who has scored when used recently, could partner Torres at the expense of Ryan Babel.

Squad: Reina, Carragher, Arbeloa, Hyypia, Skrtel, Riise, Finnan, Babel, Benayoun, Gerrard, Lucas, Alonso, Mascherano, Pennant, Crouch, Kuyt, Torres, Voronin, Itandje.

Last Starting XI (v Birmingham): Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Skrtel, Riise (Insua 64), Pennant, Plessis, Lucas, Benayoun, Crouch, Voronin. Subs Not Used: Itandje, Gerrard, Kuyt, Carragher.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

On such an occasion as this managers and fans look for their biggest names to perform, although often it is the unsung hero who changes the course of the match.

For Chelsea, the biggest names are John Terry, Michael Ballack, Didier Drogba and (if he plays), Frank Lampard. Terry and particularly Ballack were outstanding at the weekend against United, though Drogba was well below his best apart from the superb ball in for Ballack's headed opener. It is impossible to predict what frame of mind Lampard will be in; he was distinctly below par in the first leg, however understandably. An intriguing statistic is that Terry, who will undoubtedly lead by example, has scored only one goal in a very long time. Given that a set-piece is likely to determine the outcome of another tense, tight encounter, maybe Terry will be the scorer. As for Ballack, he is in top form and the best bet in blue to dictate the play. His experience and cool in high-pressure situations could be helpful to Chelsea.

Liverpool's key players will probably be Jamie Carragher at the back, Steven Gerrard in midfield and Fernando Torres up front. Carragher's tussle with Drogba could prove significant, and the Scouse defender will be anxious to keep the Ivorian out of the Reds' penalty area for all the obvious reasons. Gerrard's ability to impose his will on the game from midfield will probably be aided by Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano, but challenged by Ballack and Michael Essien, with Mikel or Makele lending support and - if he plays - Lampard looking to run from deep positions and strike.

In attack Liverpool look to have the edge with Torres, given that Chelsea's strikers have not delivered much lately. On Chelsea's last ten goals in all competitions, three have been scored by their opponents, six by midfielders and only one by a striker (Salomon Kalou). Torres, in contrast, is in clinical mood.

Connections

Kalou in fact is a former team-mate of Liverpool's Dutch striker, Dirk Kuyt. The two were together at Feyenoord in Rotterdam between 2004 and 2006 and struck up a productive partnership. Kuyt netted 51 League goals and Kalou 35 during their two seasons together.

As for Liverpool's Israeli midfielder, Yossi Benayoun, he played for Chelsea boss Avram Grant when the pair were employed by Maccabi Haifa in the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons. They won two League titles together, and Benayoun later also played under Grant for the Israel national team.

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka spent the second half of the 2001-02 season on loan to Liverpool, scoring four goals in 20 League appearances for the Reds and professing disappointment when then manager Gerard Houllier chose not sign his compatriot on a permanent deal.

Andriy Shevchenko may feature in a cameo role but he will be particularly keen to inflict defeat on Liverpool. The Chelsea striker's penalty for AC Milan in the shoot-out at the end of the 2005 Champions League final was saved by Liverpool keeper Jerzy Dudek, sealing the Reds' amazing comeback against the Rossoneri and allowing Steven Gerrard to hoist the trophy.

PREDICTION

If past clashes are a reliable guide, this will be tense, incredibly tight and unlikely to be laden with goals. The subtle changes this time around are that the second leg is at Chelsea not Anfield, and that Liverpool will have to go out to try and win the game. Both camps have been making the expected pre-match noises, but when the match kicks off it will be decided on the margins, by a flash of brilliance or momentary lapse. It is almost impossible to pick a winner, but Chelsea may just have a jot more momentum after Saturday, and have forgotten how to lose at the Bridge. They might just shade it and give Grant the satisfaction of going one better than Mourinho.

Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool

Author: Graham Lister
Source: goal.com

Monday, April 28, 2008

Inter set to retain title


Internazionale could retain the Serie A title if they beat city rivals AC Milan next weekend after they secured a 2-1 victory against Cagliari on Sunday. Goals by Patrick Vieira and Marco Materazzi put Inter in control of the match and Davide Biondini's late goal proved to be no more than consolation for Cagliari. AS Roma kept the title race alive with a 4-1 victory against relegation-threatened Torino. David Pizarro's penalty gave Roma the lead before Mirko Vucinic doubled their advantage and a Mancini brace put them 4-0 ahead at the interval.

Nicola Ventola scored for a well-beaten Torino side early in the second half before Roma defender Juan was sent off. Juventus also led 4-0 at half-time before eventually clinching a 5-2 victory against Lazio. Defender Giorgio Chiellini scored the first and last goals for Juve with Mauro Camoranesi making it 2-0 before Alessandro Del Piero grabbed his 18th goal of the campaign. David Trezeguet made it 4-0 before the interval but Lazio responded with goals of their own after the break from Rolando Bianchi and Sebastiano Siviglia.

Daniele Gastaldello scored with a stoppage-time header as Sampdoria drew 2-2 at Fiorentina while Filippo Inzaghi notched a hat-trick as AC Milan won 4-1 at Livorno. Udinese remain on track for a UEFA Cup spot after beating Catania 2-1 and Empoli won 1-0 at Genoa thanks to Ignazio Abate's goal which gives them a chance of avoiding the drop. Francesco Cozza scored twice as Reggina beat Parma 2-1 in a crucial relegation battle but the game between Napoli and Siena, and Palermo's clash with Atalanta ended goalless.

Source: football.co.uk

Friday, April 25, 2008

Premiere League weekend preview


It’s a huge weekend in the English Premier League as the season reaches it’ climax. Who will win the title? Who will reach Europe? Who will go down? This weekend should give us some big clues!

Chelsea 2.5 Draw 3.00 Man Utd 2.7

With a three point lead going into this match a victory here for Man Utd over their closest rivals would all but secure the Premiership title. Any chance for Chelsea?

Birmingham 2.8 Draw 3.2 Liverpool 2.3

After a crushing defeat at the hands of Aston Villa last week Birmingham are in real trouble of suffering relegation. On Saturday they face a huge task as they welcome Liverpool to St Andrews.

Man City 1.85 Draw 3.4 Fulham 3.75

Fulham could be relegated this weekend if a number of results go against them but they’ll fancy their chances of taking something from a Man City side with nothing to play for.

Sunderland 2.2 Draw 3.2 Middlesboro 3.00

Both these sides are locked together on 36 points and should be clear of any relegation worries. Sunderland lost to local rivals Newcastle last week and will look to regain some North East pride here.

Tottenham 1.85 Draw 3.4 Bolton 3.75

Two wins in a row for Bolton have given their survival hopes a shot in the arm and on Saturday they look to move out of the relegation zone when they travel to White Hart Lane.

West Ham 2.4 Draw 3.2 Newcastle 2.7

After an excellent run of form lately Newcastle are now just five points behind West Ham in the Premier League. Another win for Kevin Keegan’s side?

Wigan 2.1 Draw 3.2 Reading 3.2

Reading are in real trouble after three consecutive defeats and Steve Coppell’s side can’t afford to lose again here against Wigan on Saturday.

Portsmouth 2.1 Draw 3.2 Blackburn 3.2

Both these sides have Europe on their mind as we approach the end of the season. Blackburn need to win to keep their Intertoto Cup hopes alive while Portsmouth will qualify for the UEFA Cup if they beat Cardiff in the FA Cup Final in three weeks.

Everton 2.2 Draw 3.2 Aston Villa 3.0

This is a huge game for both sides as the race for 5th place and the UEFA Cup spot reaches its conclusion. Villa are in great form and are going for their fourth win in a row.

Derby 9.0 Draw 4.75 Arsenal 1.28

Both these sides will be playing out the season with nothing to play for and for Derby it’s a season they’ll be eager to forget with just one win in the league all year!


Who will win Euro 2008?


There is not much time left before the start of Euro 2008, and people are already starting to think who the favorites are. The bookmakers have all agreed that Germany is the main favorite to win Euro 2008. Having a look at the odds for winning Euro 2008 at any major bookmaker you will notice that Germany is way ahead of the next teams.

The second favorites are Spain and Italy, considering the bookmaker's odds. Spain has a slight advantage over Italy, but the odds are pretty similar. On the fourth place comes Portugal, followed by France, Holland, Croatia and Czech Republic.

There is another thing all bookmakers agree on: the fact that Austria has the smallest chances to win. Betting on Austria could get you 100 times the money staked.

A detailed list of odds for winning the Euro 2008 for all major bookmakers can be found here: Euro 2008 winning outrights

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Last-second own goal hands Chelsea draw at Liverpool


Liverpool's John Arne Riise erased 94 minutes of hard work on the final play of Tuesday's Champions League semifinal clash against English rival Chelsea.

Riise scored an own goal in the 95th minute - just seconds before the whistle was blown to end the match - and Chelsea escaped Anfield with a 1-1 tie in the first leg of their series. Chelsea hosts the second leg April 30 at Stamford Bridge.

Dirk Kuyt scored late in the first half and Liverpool was in control until the disastrous ending. Liverpool, which won the Champions League in 2005 and lost in the championship last season, is trying to advance to the final for the third time in the last four years. Liverpool and Chelsea were evenly-matched in the first half but the hosts were able to create more scoring chances. Kuyt had the first chance, playing the ball down off his chest in the 13th but before he could run onto the ball a few steps into the box, a Chelsea defender was able to touch the ball away with goalie Petr Cech also charging out. Chelsea's clearance was just in time because Kuyt's outstretched foot was only inches away from poking the ball past Cech.

One of Chelsea's best scoring opportunities was stopped by Liverpool's Jamie Carragher, who made a sliding effort at the top of the penalty area to deflect the ball away from Didier Drogba. Liverpool's Fernando Torres wasted his only chance of the first half, shooting straight into Cech in the 31st minute. Torres broke free on the left side of the area and would have scored if he would have placed the ball to either side of the Chelsea goalie. Liverpool finally got the goal it was looking for in the 43rd minute when Kuyt volleyed a shot through Cech's legs from about eight yards out.

Javier Mascherano's poorly-hit shot looped into the box and dropped to Kuyt in behind Chelsea's defense. Kuyt was able to hold off Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele, who then fell into the Liverpool striker, and convert the goal. Chelsea nearly equalized in the 67th minute on Michael Ballack's header but it was poorly directed and Liverpool goalie Pepe Reina made an easy save. Less than a minute later, Ballack helped set up another chance when he passed to Frank Lampard, who made a quick pass to Florent Malouda on the left side of the area. Malouda unleashed a hard shot, but Mascherano came out of nowhere to slide and knock the ball away for a corner kick.

With four minutes of extra time added, Liverpool was within seconds of taking a 1-0 lead to Chelsea for the second leg. But just a few seconds into the fifth minute of stoppage time, Chelsea took a quick throw in and Salomon Kalou crossed low cross to the front of the net. Riise dove to the ground to try and head the ball wide, but it deflected into the upper left corner past a helpless Reina. Riise remained on the ground and could only put his hands to his head in disgust as Chelsea celebrated.

On Wednesday, England's Manchester United hosts Spain's Barcelona in the first leg of their semifinal series. The second leg is at Barcelona on April 29.

Source: sportsnetwork.com

Monday, April 21, 2008

Serie A top scorers


19 Borriello M. (Genoa)
18 Trezeguet D. (Juventus)
17 Del Piero A. (Juventus)
16 Di Natale A. (Udinese) , Mutu A. (Fiorentina)
15 Ibrahimovic Z. (Inter)
14 Kaka' R. (Milan) , Totti F. (Roma)
13 Amauri C. (Palermo)
12 Bellucci C. (Sampdoria) , Pandev G. (Lazio) , Rocchi T. (Lazio)
11 Cruz J. (Inter) , Doni C. (Atalanta)
10 Maccarone M. (Siena) , Quagliarella F. (Udinese) , Tavano F. (Livorno)

Serie A results


April 19
AS Roma 1 - 1 Livorno
Fiorentina 1 - 0 Palermo

April 20
AC Milan 5 - 1 Reggina
Atalanta 0 - 4 Juventus
Cagliari 2 - 0 Empoli
Catania 1 - 0 Lazio
Parma 1 - 2 Napoli
Sampdoria 3 - 0 Udinese
Siena 0 - 1 Genoa
Torino 0 - 1 Inter Milan

Friday, April 18, 2008

Great Players - Paolo Rossi


Paolo Rossi (born September 23, 1956, Santa Lucia, province of Prato, Tuscany) is a former Italian football (soccer) player. In 1982, he led Italy to the 1982 World Cup title, scoring six goals to win the Golden Boot. Rossi made his debut in the professional Italian soccer with Como, to which Juventus had sent him to gain experience after three operations to his knees. His career come to a turing point when Vicenza, then Lanerossi Vicenza, engaged him: in the 1976-'77 season Rossi's qualities of implacable striker led his team to the promotion to Serie A, Italy's soccer first division. In the following season Rossi realized 24 goals, and was selected by Italian national football team's manager Enzo Bearzot for the 1978 World Cup. Rossi confirmed his growth in the tournament, gaining international fame as one of world's best strikers.

Rossi's property as footballer had been till then shared by Vicenza and Juventus. When the two clubs were called to set the property, Lanerossi offered the shocking sum of 2,7 billions lire for Rossi, who therefore became Italy's most costly sportsman ever to that date. In 1979 Vicenza was declassed to Serie B, and he was loaned to Perugia. Here he was involved in a famous betting scandal, and was disqualified for three years (later reduced to two).

Rossi returned just in time for 1982 World Cup, but Italian journalists and tifosi lamented he was in very poor shape. This view seemed to be confirmed by Italy's first, appalling three matches, in which he was allegedly described as a ghost wandering over the field aimlessly. Bearzot, however, staunchly confirmed Rossi for the decisive round robin, in which his team was to face Argentina, the last World Champion, and Brazil, then considered the No. 1 favorite for the final title. After Italy surprisingly beat Argentina, Rossi shattered the latter signing three memorable goals and leading Italy to semi-finals. Here his two goals again won the match for Italy against Poland. He also opened the series of three goals with which Italy beat Germany in the final, to gain win third World Cup. Rossi's accomplishments in the Spanish World Cup gained him the title of European Footballer of the Year in 1982. After 1982 Rossi played with Juventus, winning one European Winners Cup (1985), one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1984) and one Intercontinental Cup. After his stint with Turin's club, he was ceded to a then straggling AC Milan. Rossi's abilities, however, were declining. After a dismaying participation to 1986 World Cup, he ended his career at Verona in 1987. He is currently a construction entrepreneur, together with his former team mate Giancarlo Salvi.

Rossi scored a total of 20 goals in 48 caps for Italy. Rossi was named by Pelé as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers in March 2004.

Source: netglimse.com

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Standings for major European leagues


We are proud to announce that we added a new feature on this blog. We added the standings for the most important leagues in Eurpe: English Premiership, Spanish Primera Division and Italian Serie A. They can be found on the right side of the blog, and are automatically updated, so you don't have to worry about the updates.

We are planning to add more cool features in the future to the blog, so you can enjoy the stay. Live scores and odds, player biography or match previews with betting suggestions are some of the features we're planning to implement.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Wenger insists trophies will come


Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has vowed their attacking style will bring them silverware as he conceded the Premier League title was now out of reach.The club are set to be trophyless for a third season after their 2-1 defeat by Manchester United on Sunday, but Wenger was unequivocal.

"We will continue to play the way we do but better," Wenger said. "The trophies will come. The main target is to keep the team together. They are absolutely amazing." And striker Emmanuel Adebayor has backed Wenger's "vision" for Arsenal - and declared the Gunners will come out fighting next season. "Arsene is a great man and a great manager," declared Adebayor, who now has 20 Premier League goals this season. He has achieved a lot of things with this club. For sure he is going to be here. He has a vision to bring a lot of good players to this club like Alex Hleb, Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue, Cesc Fabregas and William Gallas. They are his players. So, for sure, we will win something, no doubt about that."

The Gunners are now nine points behind leaders United with just four fixtures remaining, and three points behind Chelsea having played a game more. A disappointed Wenger hinted that certain decisions which went against Arsenal at Old Trafford highlighted a recent trend, but was keen to stress the pride he felt in a team which were controversially knocked out of the Champions League by Liverpool in midweek. "Overall, I am very proud of my team's performance," he said. "We had to be exceptionally strong after the Liverpool game - and we were. I feel the difference between success and failure is very little. We do not feel there is much between ourselves, United and Chelsea when it comes to technical ability and quality. So it is difficult to accept we will not win the title. I want to win trophies and it is sad we cannot win a trophy this season. On the other hand, I feel we have done a lot for the Premier League this season by the way we have promoted it."

Arsenal needed to win at Old Trafford to start clawing back the Premier League leader's six-point advantage but a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty cancelled out Adebayor's opener before Owen Hargreaves grabbed the winner to effectively end Arsenal's hopes. Hargreaves' free-kick came after Gilberto had been punished for a challenge on Patrice Evra while Ronaldo's penalty was awarded following a handball by William Gallas. Wenger said: "Those two decisions made it difficult for us but overall we have to take it. With the penalty you can give it or not give it. As for the free-kick I do not think Gilberto touched Evra."

Friday, April 11, 2008

Paddy Power special offers for this weekend


Please find to follow Paddy Power's Weekend Football Bulletin.

Paddy Power specials this week look at the clash between Man Utd and Arsenal and managers under pressure. For the big game, and with Ronaldo seemingly unable to stop scoring, Paddy Power are betting on the inevitable with odds for when the Portu-geezer scores his first v Arsenal on Sunday.

We are also offering sack race head-to-head betting between Wenger & Fergie as well as Benitez and Avram Grant whilst for the first time in a long time due to customer requests Paddy Power are offering betting on the next Arsenal manager.

Finally, with the awarding of penalties (or not in some cases) proving hugely topical of late Paddy Power are betting on who next gets a penalty favour between Liverpool and Arsenal, how many penalties will be awarded this weekend and whether Arsenal or Man Utd get a spot kick at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Paddy Power Weekend Bulletin

Premiership outright
Championship Outright & Relegation
Man Utd v Arsenal penalties
When will Ronaldo score his first v Arsenal
Arsenal v Liverpool - first penalty favour
How many Prem penalties this weekend
Wenger v Ferguson Sack Race
Benitez v Grant Sack Race
Next Arsenal manager
Ronaldinho next season

Correct score and 1st scorer betting for live TV games

Match betting for all English & Scottish domestic matches