Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Zidane: Beckham is class

Feb 12, 2013 7:38:00 PM

The France icon has lauded his former Real Madrid teammate's professionalism and hunger for the game as he embarks on another European adventure at the age of 37.

Real Madrid and France legend Zinedine Zidane has paid tribute to David Beckham as his former teammate prepares for a spell with Paris Saint-Germain.

The former Manchester United midfielder and England captain is due to start working with Les Parisiens on Wednesday, and Zidane has lauded him for his professionalism and longevity in the sport.

"Beckham is someone who comes 45 minutes early to training and leaves a half an hour after everyone has left," Zidane told Canal+. "He is truly a great professional. Some players today could benefit from his level of professionalism.

"Now he 37-years-old, he does not play every game for 90 minutes, but is still capable of influencing any match in the 20 or 30 minutes he has. This is a man who loves the sport. At the age of 37, his passion is still there. The guy is class."

PSG boss Carlo Ancelotti revealed Beckham could make his debut against PSG rivals Marseille later this month. The two-time MLS Cup winner met his new teammates prior to Tuesday's 2-1 victory over Valencia in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie.
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Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Iniesta: Guardiola will be great for Bayern

Feb 12, 2013 7:55:00 AM

The Spain international is pleased to see his former coach return to the game, and has little doubt he will prove to be a success at the Bundesliga leaders

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta is confident that Pep Guardiola will become an instant hit at Bayern Munich, and feels the successful coach is the right choice for the Bavarians.

The 42-year-old recently signed a three-year deal with the Allianz Arena side and will replace Jupp Heynckes at the helm at the end of the 2012-13 campaign.

"I am happy for Pep. It's important for football and for himself that a coach like him is training a club. He will try to get his new players used to his playing style. Bayern have some great players," Iniesta was quoted as saying by Bild.

"I believe Pep will hold on to his own style. Bayern's playing style is quit similar to Barcelona's style. Possession is quite important, plus they have a number of players of the highest level.

"Pep always gives 100 per cent in what he does. He is very close to his players, both on and off the pitch. It will be something great for the Bayern players. The fans can also look forward to him, something wonderful will happen.

"I don't expect any difficulties. He will take charge of a great club and try to win the people's respect. I have no doubt that he will succeed."

Guardiola is currently enjoying a one-year sabbatical away from the game after leaving Barcelona last summer.

Monday, February 11, 2013

Ronaldo or Van Persie will decide Real Madrid-Manchester United, says Solskjaer

Feb 11, 2013 4:20:00 PM

The Norwegian believes that the Champions League tie will between the two European giants will be very tight and could be decided by a moment of magic from either attacker

Former Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes the Red Devils' clash withReal Madrid on Wednesday will be decided by Robin van Persie or Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Dutchman moved to Old Trafford from Arsenal in the summer, and has led his new side's title charge, while the Portuguese has been in fine form of late, scoring a hat-trick against Sevilla on Saturday.

And Solskjaer believes that the result may well come down to which of the duo are on form on the night.

"Both coaches know each other well and the teams are very evenly matched. I think it will be decided by a moment of genius from Van Persie or Ronaldo," he told Marca.

"I want Manchester United to win, but, for the first time, I really don't know what's going to happen. I'd like a 4-3, with Cristiano scoring three goals.

"Almost everything I know, I've learned from Sir Alex. We both believe in ourselves, we always want to win, we invest in young people and work hard. The bigger the challenge, the more Ferguson gets out of it."

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Zubizarreta praises 'magician' Iniesta after Barcelona win

Feb 10, 2013 3:23:00 PM

The Blaugrana sporting director singled out the playmaker for special praise following his performance in the 6-1 win over Getafe on Sunday morning

Andoni Zubizarreta labelled Andres Iniesta a "magician" after the midfielder's display in Barcelona's win over Getafe.

The midfielder set up the opening goal for Alexis Sanchez after just six minutes, and also scored himself in the 90th minute of a match the Blaugrana controlled from start to finish.

"We had a magician wearing orange boots and the number eight, handing out the ball," the sporting director told Canal +.

The win moves Barca 16 points clear of arch-rivals Real Madrid and Zubizarreta added that he had never spoken with president Sandro Rosell about the prospect of signing a Blancos player, following his revelation that he was admirer of one of Jose Mourinho's players.

"I speak very little with him [Rosell] about players, and never about Real Madrid players. Only when we play against them. They have a great squad and the Castilla as well," he explained.

The former goalkeeper then revealed he will paying a visit to coach Tito Vilanova as he continues his recovery from a cancer relapse.

"I'm going to see him [Tito] in person and we will talk about football, as we usually do when we are together, and so I can touch him and see him. We all also discuss the future."

Keshi looks to ensure Nigeria keep improving after Afcon win

Feb 10, 2013 9:41:00 PM

The coach praised his side after their Cup of Nations win on Sunday but vowed that the team would continue to improve and build on their recent success

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has said winning the Africa Cup of Nations is just another step for his side as he looks to build a "great" team.
Keshi, who took over after the side failed to qualify for the 2012 edition of the tournament, watched on as his players won in Johannesburg thanks to Sunday Mba’s 40^th minute goal against Burkina Faso.
But the side's boss, who captained Nigeria to the Afcon title in 1994, said the team must continue to improve.
“We’re not there yet," he told reporters.
“My plan was to build a good team for Nigeria when I came on board almost a year-and-a-half ago.
“Now we are on the path to building a great side,” added Keshi, who is only the second person to win the trophy as player and coach.
Nigeria will now represent Africa in the Confederations Cup later in the year.

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'I am in the best condition of my life' - Van Persie reveals secret behind prolific Manchester United form

Feb 10, 2013 1:58:00 PM

The Red Devils' striker has scored 22 goals in 28 games since his summer move from Arsenal, and reveals his improved physique allows him to compete more easily with defenders

Robin van Persie says his more muscular frame is behind his scintillating recent form for Manchester United, and the £24 million summer signing from Arsenal feels he is in the best shape of his life for the Premier League leaders.

The 29-year-old forward has netted 22 goals in 28 games to prove an astute purchase by Sir Alex Ferguson as his side look forward to a Sunday afternoon game against Everton with the chance of going 12 points clear of Manchester City.

And the Netherlands striker - who has struggled with injuries throughout his career - believes his current run this season is largely due to becoming heavier and being able to compete with opposition defenders with more strength.

"I am on a streak of matches and goals that has never happened to me before and it is all down to my fitness," he told reporters.

"My body weight used to always be around 77 kilos. Now I weigh 81 kilos. That is a difference of more than eight pounds - and it is all pure muscle.

"I haven't been spending more time in the gym lifting weights. I have got myself super-fit and as a result I am both heavier and stronger.

"It means I am stronger in battles with defenders, but I also feel like I am in the best condition of my life."

The prolific Dutchman has scored a number of vital goals against the likes of former club Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea this season, and has warned the rest of the league that he is coping well with his current workload.

He continued: "I also recover faster. The week before last, I played on Wednesday and Saturday.

"There was only two-and-a-half days between the games, yet I felt super-fit and had no trouble doing extra work in the final part of the game."

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Man Utd - Everton Preview

Manchester United - Everton Preview: Toffees winless at Old Trafford since 1992

David Moyes will be looking to improve his woeful record at the home of the Red Devils, but Sir Alex Ferguson's side have only been beaten once on their own turf this season

By Tom McKeown

More On : Everton, Man Utd., Man Utd. vs Everton

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EPL : Rio Ferdinand vs Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United vs Everton)

Panoramic

PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER UNITED

De Gea
Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra
Valencia, Cleverley, Giggs, Nani
Rooney
Van Persie

EVERTON

Howard
Jagielka, Heitinga, Distin, Baines
Mirallas, Gibson, Osman, Pienaar
Fellaini, Anichebe

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is likely to make one change from his side's 1-0 win at Fulham, drafting in Ryan Giggs for Michael Carrick (hip), who sat out England’s 2-1 win over Brazil in midweek.

Ashley Young could return to the Red Devils squad after recovering from a knee injury, but is likely to start on the bench, whilst Phil Jones (illness) is ruled out alongside long-term absentee Darren Fletcher (illness).

Phil Jagielka failed to start England’s friendly on Wednesday due to a slight knock, but is set to start at right-back for Everton, with David Moyes shorn of full-backs Tony Hibbert (calf) and Seamus Coleman (hip).

The Everton boss has no other fresh injury concerns to contend with, and so is likely to name the same XI that came from behind to draw 3-3 with Aston Villa last weekend.

DID YOU KNOW?

Manchester United have won 11 out of 12 league games at home this season.

The Red Devils’ tally of 62 points after 25 games is their highest-ever points haul at this stage in a Premier League season.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have scored 32 league goals at home so far this season; only Arsenal (33) have registered more.

Robin van Persie is 3/1 to score the first goal in the game with bet365.

Everton have a poor record at Old Trafford, having not won there since August 1992.

However, the Toffees have only lost twice in their last six games against Manchester United.

Steven Pienaar (pictured right) bagged a late equaliser in this fixture last season as the sides drew 4-4, equalling the highest-ever score in this fixture.