Udinese defender Mehdi Benatia believes his side’s 2-1 win at Napoli shows the Italian club is capable of Champions League football.Udinese inflicted a potentially fatal blow to Napoli’s Scudetto hopes on Sunday, handing AC Milan a six-point gap at the top of the Serie A table with five matches to play.
Swiss midfielder Gokhan Inler broke a goal-less deadlock 10 minutes into the second half, and Argentinean striker German Denis – known as ‘El Tanque’ – found the net four minutes later.
Napoli fought mightily to turn around the sudden two-goal deficit but could only manage a penalty to Giuseppe Mascara deep into injury time after Udinese defender Maurizio Domizzi saw red.
Udinese rise to within one point of the Champions League places with the win, and Benatia is eager to see his club displace Lazio in the top four before the season ends.
“We have to focus on one game at a time, but our objective is the Champions League,” the Morocco international said.
“We’re battling to finish fourth and we want to play very well in our last five matches.”
“We have achieved a great result. It isn’t easy to play against Napoli in the San Paolo stadium.”
“We put in a great performance and showed that we are a skilful team, for this reason I am very happy. We played very well in defence and didn’t even concede a penalty.”
“The whole team played very well today. I’m also very happy for Tanque (German Denis) who hasn’t played very often this season. When he plays he always does a good job.”
Walter Mazzarri has stunned Napoli by announcing he may leave the Serie A club at the end of the season.The Naples-based club have had one of their best seasons in recent memory, and look destined to finish third in the Serie A, earning a Champions League berth for next season.
But despite that success, Mazzarri said there was no guarantee he would be at the helm to lead the team in Europe.
“I have alerted the club to the fact I might not stay next season. Besides, I also have a contract, so the club has to give its own say on the matter,” Mazzarri said.
“You’ll know at the end of the campaign what I have to say to Napoli, but as a professional I always give fair warning.”
“I now turn to the fans and tell them not to be led astray by detractors. The respect I have for them and will continue to have while I am here has been proved through my work.”
Speculation has been rife Mazzarri will join Juventus next season as a replacement for Luigi Delneri, but the 49-year-old said nothing had been confirmed.
He said he was determined to be up-front with the public about his future, but hit out at the media for fuelling inaccurate rumours.
“Carlo Ancelotti said the same thing yesterday at Chelsea, because he is in the same situation,” Mazzarri said. “Nothing has changed on a personal level and my rapport with the President is perfect.”
“I hear lies swirling around here and it’s a Kafka-esque situation. In football there is too often an ambiguous way of talking about things, but seeing as I have so much respect for my staff and the fans, I have always been clear.”
“People appreciate someone who works hard here and speaks with actions, especially in a world where it’s often the other way round.”
Napoli are still a chance to overtake second-placed Inter on the table, but must defeat Lecce on Sunday to keep that hope alive.
“I spoke to the players and told them they have been exceptional in achieving the Champions League, but there are still nine points up for grabs, so we can become Vice-Champions of Italy,” Mazzarri said.
“We need to stay concentrated, believe and play like Napoli. We’ve got to give our fans satisfaction to the very end.”
“It’ll be tough against Lecce, especially after they got David Di Michele back by appealing his ban. We must try to match their motivation.”
Roberto Mancini claimed his Manchester City side deserve to finish in the top four this season following their 2-1 win over West Ham.Goals from Nigel De Jong and Pablo Zabaleta inside the first 15 minutes of Sunday’s English Premier League match at Eastlands proved enough for City to collect all three points, with West Ham unable to add to Demba Ba’s 33rd minute effort.
The victory means fourth-placed City are now seven points clear of Liverpool and Tottenham and on course to secure a Champions League qualification berth.
City and Spurs have four matches left this season, while Liverpool have played one game more.
“Everything is in our hands,” Mancini said. “We’ve been between first and fourth position all season. After what we’ve done, we deserve to be in the Champions League.”
“We are not under pressure. We know we have a big chance in this moment. The Champions League was our target at the start of the season and we are in a good position.”
“We’re also in the FA Cup final so we’ve done a good job.”
“We will relax after May 22. We must get the maximum points we can do. We have four games left and so do Tottenham.”
“The next game (against Tottenham) will be very hard for us but it’s important to get a positive result.”
West Ham meanwhile are now bottom of the league, three points from safety with matches against immediate relegation rivals Blackburn and Wigan coming up next.
And West Ham boss Avram Grant knows his team must pick up close to maximum points in the remaining fixtures if they are to avoid the drop.
“Now we play against a team that are in our area, so we have to win this game,” Grant said.
“I thought that other teams would take more points in the last two games, so the gap stays three points.”
“Our target is to take seven points – and we will try to take all nine – but we are playing against teams that also want the points.”
“But we believe if we use character we have shown in past games away against top teams, we can win games.”
Manchester City look close to agreeing a fee with Bolton for England defender Gary Cahill.
The defender played in every league game for the Trotters this year and made his England debut in November. Cahill is thought to be keen on playing Champions League football as he looks to establish himself as a regular in the national side.
Bolton are thought to want £20 million plus Nedum Onuoha in exchange for the 25-year old. Cahill moved to the Reebok in January 2008 and has made 126 appearances for the club.
Manchester City are looking to strengthen their squad in preparation for next season’s Champions League having finished third in the league. With Kolo Toure still waiting for the hearing following his failed drugs test a centre-back is high on Roberto Mancini’s wish list.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Bolton had also been keen on taking Dedryck Boyata and Craig Bellamy on loan as part of the deal but the Welshman reportedly favours a return to hometown club Cardiff. Onuoha, on the other hand, spent this season on loan at Sunderland and is thought to be keen on a permanent move away from Manchester City.
FIFA Executive Committee member Chuck Blazer insists he has not been sacked from his role as General Secretary of CONCACAF.Lisle Austin, acting president of CONCACAF – the federation of North American, Central American and Caribbean football associations – has twice attempted to dismiss Blazer after he accused senior FIFA figures Jack Warner and Mohamed Bin Hammam of corruption.
Warner has been suspended from his role as CONCACAF President pending an investigation by the FIFA Ethics Committee.
Warner’s deputy, Austin, has attempted to remove Blazer from his role within CONCACAF, but the 66-year-old American insists Austin does not have the authority to dismiss him.
“I still have my job, very much so,” Blazer said.
“The majority of the executive committee has said very clearly that I have a job and they are the only ones who can control it.”
“I have always been comfortable with CONCACAF. There’s an individual who thinks he has more power than he does.”
The farcical row involving Blazer and Austin comes as FIFA President Sepp Blatter was re-elected unopposed on Wednesday.
The English and Scottish FA’s sought to have the election delayed over concerns about Blatter’s integrity.
Blazer acknowledged their right to seek the delay, but believes FIFA are still a force for good in football, despite the recent storm of corruption allegations.
“I feel they have every right to do it, that’s all,” Blazer said, referring to the attempted delays.
“These decisions are for national associations to make for themselves, and they have every right to do that.”
“I think that FIFA is doing a really excellent job of promoting football around the world, if I look back 10 years, 20 years and see the progress we have made, I’m very proud of our accomplishments.”
South African FA Vice-President Danny Jordaan supported Blatter’s re-election to the top job, claiming he had been given a mandate for reform from the FIFA Congress.
“I think the structures have been put in place to deal with the matter so I think the congress has given Sepp Blatter a 91-percent mandate, they have endorsed 100 percent the proposals that he proposed so he has got the institutional structures now to deal with any and every matter,” Jordaan said.
“He was talking about the independence of these enquires, the governance and so on.”
“We are very happy, I think coming from where we’ve come from if these proposals are implemented I think there is a bright future for FIFA.”
The story of Carlos Tevez will no doubt go down in the folklore of English football as one of the most bizarre and intriguing tales in the modern history of the game in this country. A tale that began with his stunning arrival at West Ham in 2006 is now set to end after 5 years of transfer sagas, key goals by the bucket-load, ownership questions, city-crossing experiences… you name it, Carlos Tevez has been involved in it.
But enough eulogising, the man is not dead. In fact, far from it. He is currently taking part in the Copa America in Argentina, which upon arriving at and reuniting with his daughters and wife Vanesa, he has taken the decision that his time in England is over. So, what now for the blue half of Manchester?
On the day in which he sealed the transfer of Gael Clichy from their top-of-the-table challengers Arsenal, Roberto Mancini must have been quietly confident for the coming season. He has been rapidly approaching his goal of having two quality players for each position within the squad, and was looking to add another winger, possibly Udinese’s Alexis Sanchez or Arsenal’s Samir Nasri if rumours are to be believed. A sale of those deemed surplus to requirements such as Wayne Bridge and Roque Santa Cruz and decisions on the futures of players like Shaun Wright-Phillips and Emmanuel Adebayor would be carried out in the coming weeks now that the players are returning from holidays, but other than that the squad was looking settled for the season ahead.
And then came the news that Captain Carlos was looking for a way out of the club, and Mancini’s hopes for a calm (relatively, for City) summer went hurtling out the window, with the Argentine sure to follow.
City’s summer now rests on finding a replacement, as it is safe to say the current crop of strikers at the club are not at the level Mancini needs or wants. The South American trio of Felipe Caicedo, Jo and Santa Cruz will be told to look elsewhere as they have all fallen so far out of favour with the manager that it would take a resurrection of Biblical proportions to get back in the team. Moves for Craig Bellamy and Adebayor to Celtic and Real Madrid respectively seem to be more a case of when not if. The self-proclaimed ‘second best player in the world’ Mario Balotelli still has a bit to learn before he can usurp Messi as player numero uno, but he will stay at City for the time being, as will Edin Dzeko, whose start to life at the club cannot really be used to judge him just yet, but this is set to be a defining season for him in the Blue’s team.
The current state of affairs only really leaves City with the two main strikers, and while that should satisfy Mancini in so far as he plays 4-4-3 with two wingers flanking the striker, it is highly likely that he will be in the market for a new centre forward.
A few options have been bandied about in the media recently, the club strongly linked with a move for Samuel Eto’o even before the Tevez statement. It was suggested that Inter Milan were interested in the perpetually want-away Argentine and that there were hopes of a swap deal being concluded, not for the first time in Eto’o’s career, although Inter had stated that they were unwilling to sell their star striker.
An almost like-for-like alternative would be Atletico Madrid’s Sergio Aguero or Napoli’s Ezequiel Lavezzi. Both from Argentina, both strong and fierce competitors, Aguero is the better finisher and the more prolific scorer but Lavezzi has a more bullish style akin to that of Tevez. Aguero has stated that he is definitely leaving this summer, and despite an offer from Juventus being discussed by his club, he refuses to make any decision until after the Copa America. According to the Lavezzi’s agent, President of Napoli Aurelio De Laurentiis has said that, “No player is not for sale,” suggesting that the door will be open should they get the price they want. Aguero is the more straightforward option, as he has a minimum fee release clause thought to be around £42 million, and while some clubs may baulk at this it is certainly within the City budget of ‘practically infinite’. The only real issue is how the club sells the City of Manchester to another player used to sun, sangria and siestas.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Whether this appeases the fans or not is one thing. Whether the fans even care about Tevez’s departure after half a year of ‘will he-won’t he’ is something entirely different. Either way, City supporters are going to be in for another bumpy summer of speculation. Buckle up.
It appears one of Tottenham’s biggest transfer battles this summer will be to keep Luka Modric out of the clutches of their Premier League rivals. The player confirmed yesterday his desire to move to West London this summer, much to the frustration of supporters.
At FFC this week we have seen a mixed bag of Spurs blogs that includes Jol out to raid Tottenham; Modric does the dirty and 10 big things we learned from this season.
We also look at the best Spurs articles around the web this week.
Doing the dirty on Tottenham
Is he really that ‘irreplaceable’ at Tottenham?
A critical season for Tottenham Hotspur?
A weclome addition to the WHL ranks, or no better than what they have?
There’s no place like White Hart Lane for Jol
The perfect DEAL for Tottenham?
10 BIG Things That We Learned From Tottenham’s Season
Tottenham’s shrewd transfer move could signal an exciting summer
The THREE ideal signings for Harry?
Could Tottenham and Arsenal benefit from a little faith?
*Best of WEB*
Looking through the transfer window. – Spurs Musings From Jimmy G2
My name is Luka – Daily Mail
And So It Begins – Tottenham On My Mind
Modric, Bentley, J**** & Wilson – Harry Hotspur
Is Rodwell The Answer? Probably Not – Who Framed Ruel Fox?
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Click on Wayne Bridge’s lady below to unveil our WAG XI of the season
As the clock counts down on UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations coming into effect, many a club seem to be spending big money like there’s no tomorrow. In England alone this summer, we have already seen massive money being spent on transfer deals, and indications are there’s more to follow. So are clubs seeing this as a final chance to spend big, before they have their unmetered purse-strings cut by the powers that be?
Thus far Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea have all been involved in, or are linked with, massive summer deals. Indeed, Manchester United have already spent close to £60 million and Liverpool, if you count January’s transfer window when Kenny Dalglish took charge, have spend close to over £100 million. On the continent Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan, Juventus and Roma have also been involved in, or linked with making big signings. Until this current transfer window closes, it shows no sign of slowing down.
The financial years ending 2012 and 2013 will be the first financial years to be assessed and come under UEFA’s scrutiny, leaving any club spending this summer, less than a full year to do what they need to do, in order to meet the requirements. Some clubs have already started this process – whilst continuing to spend (or threaten to spend) big. Selling the naming rights of their stadium for a massive fortune, one of the more ‘enterprising’ ways, to circumnavigate the rules thus far.
However, whilst the spending spree continues at its current pace, it is worth noting that for every massive purchase made, there is an equal one being received – thus helping the selling club balance the books. The imposed UEFA situation then, is probably the sole reason for such a busy period; with players who may not normally be available, possibly being considered if it helps the club in meeting UEFA’s stipulations.
UEFA say they aren’t worried by the busy transfer activity that’s happened around the continent during the last two transfer windows. But it led them to curiously publish a statement on their own official website stating as such. So, are they really worried? ‘UEFA is aware of the recent transfer activity across Europe and is confident that clubs are aware of the nature of its financial fair play regulations which require them to balance their books.’ Surely this serves as a, not so subtle reminder, to clubs that they better be prepared when the time comes. UEFA were also keen to point out, again, that they are not stopping clubs from spending money, just require them to balance the books.
So enjoy this summer’s transfer speculation, and massive or ridiculous (or both) transfer deals whilst you can. It may not be seen on this scale again.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Owen Coyle is preparing a bid for Shaun Wright-Phillips to replace injured star Chung-Yong Lee reports the Mirror.
South Korean Lee suffered a double leg fracture against Newport County on Saturday, which will keep him out for 10 months.
Coyle had planned to spend his remaining transfer funds on two attackers to offset the loss of Johan Elmander and Daniel Sturridge but Lee’s horror injury has forced him to do a U-turn.
The Bolton boss has now turned his attentions to Wright-Phillips who would be a like for like replacement.
Talks are set to be opened with a view to bringing the diminutive winger to the Reebok Stadium either on loan or on a permanent deal.
A temporary deal with the option to buy at the end of the season is a more attractive proposition for the Trotters.
One sticking point for Wanderers could be the wages he is on at the Etihad Stadium which may prove to be a problem.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
However with the offer of guaranteed first team football at Bolton it’s thought that Wright-Phillips would be open to taking a wage cut.
The winger is way down the pecking order at City with manager Roberto Mancini unlikely to use him in big games this season.
In light of the launch of the new football gaming phenomenon that is ‘Goaldash’ I decided to look at the six greatest solo goals of all time.
Footballers around the world have graced the game with many fantastic solo goals. Most include mesmeric runs around defenders who just fall at their feet whilst others may include one or two slices of luck. But these are all goals that fans will never forget…
1. Diego Maradona
This stunning effort in the 1986 World Cup is a goal few fans will ever forget, especially the English who were on the receiving end of a goal that often tops the ‘best of’ charts. Whilst the Argentine may also be remembered for another infamous strike, this one is by far the greatest solo goal of all time.
[youtube -rW-lK9F6TU]
2. Ryan Giggs
Giggs’ individual goal in 1999 was definitely a sign of the greatness to come from one of the Premier League’s most talented players ever. Taking on and beating the whole Arsenal defence is not an easy task but Giggs managed it with deadly ease and this goal will be fondly remembered as one of the defining moments in the English game.
[youtube quI_LkMj4HI]
3. Lionel Messi
Any list of the greatest solo goals would not be complete without a strike from the master of turning defences inside out, Lionel Messi. The Argentine is the current king of the spectacular and this goal against Getafe in 2007 sums up why Messi is the world’s greatest footballer.
[youtube 5vmm-xCq4To]
[divider]
Find Out More About GOALDASH by clicking here
[divider]
4. Michael Owen
Whilst this goal may not be as mesmeric or spectacular as others, the way in which a young Michael Owen introduced himself onto the world stage with his amazing goal was worthy of a mention. Owen attacked the Argentine defence all by himself and stunned the 1998 World Cup with a sublime finish.
[youtube fV7XxkqLjDE]
5. George Weah
Again this goal doesn’t include fantastic skill but Weah’s ability to run from his own penalty box, past a handful of defenders and then calmly slot the ball into the corner deserves a place in the best solo goal charts. He did get a couple of slices of luck along the way but it was still a fantastic effort from Weah for AC Milan against Verona in 1996.
[youtube MMnR1QM5Te4]
6. John Barnes
Another fantastic individual goal that was partly one of the greatest solo goals for Barnes fantastic individual effort but also the setting in which he scored it. Barnes took on Brazil and beat them at their own game, dodging past defenders with ease to score this unforgettable goal in 1984.
[youtube 9SCyXGiJ-jc]
[divider]
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
So how does Goaldash work?
So what is Goaldash all about then?
Bored of playing the Lottery? Failing every week on the Pools? Then why not give ‘Goaldash’ a go – a football gamble with a difference.
‘Goaldash’ is a fabulous concept which fuses the Lottery format with pre-chosen football fixtures. Whereas you may use birthdays or your own favourite numbers to pick your six numbers, with ‘Goaldash’ you need to use your foresight of the Beautiful Game to select the six teams that are likely to score the quickest in the pre-selected 24 fixtures.
It only costs £1 a pop to enter and you have the chance to win a million pounds, every given week.
All you have to do is scour the 48 teams and pick out the 6 teams that are likely to score the quickest on the Saturday afternoon. The matches are chosen from the Premier League, the Football League, as well as the Scottish divisions therefore you will have plenty to work out and strategise before you make your selections.
Playing the Lottery has just got fun, especially as your odds are a damn sight greater.
Fancy your chances? Fancy winning £1million pounds? Why not give it a go!