Reuters Soccer Blog

Does Petrov deserve more of a chance at City?

Bulgarian winger Martin Petrov’s days with Manchester City may be coming to an end. Rigsby, as Petrov is known among City fans, has once again expressed his frustration to reporters back home about the lack of opportunities he is getting.

When Petrov joined Bulgarian giants CSKA Sofia they called him Hristo Stoichkov’s successor as he was fast, greedy for the ball and produced a memorably angry look when ending up on the losing side.

He was successful enough — at Servette, Wolfsburg, Atletico Madrid, all of them famous teams but none of them part of the European elite – but the great expectations have proved hard too fulfil.

He made a promising start at Sven-Goran Eriksson’s City but under Mark Hughes they are aiming even higher these days and there’s much tougher competition for places.

Hughes decided to leave Petrov on the bench for the game at Aston Villa on Monday, despite his goal and assist against West Ham.

Petrov’s frustration could only have when he was asked to get ready to go on at Villa Park, only for Hughes to change his mind when Craig Bellamy swept home the equaliser.

PHOTO: Manchester City’s Martin Petrov (R) and Shaun Wright-Phillips celebrate a goal against Barcelona during a friendly at the Nou Camp, August 19, 2009. REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino

Role model Milosevic hangs up international boots

When Savo Milosevic joined Partizan Belgrade from little known Bosnian outfit Radnik Bijeljina as a 19-year old in 1992, few people imagined he would become the most capped Yugoslav player with 101 international appearances to his name.

Later this month, Milosevic will draw a curtain on his international career when Serbia entertain neighbours Bulgaria in a friendly in Belgrade. Ironically, it will be his only appearance for Serbia as he has not played for his country since it became an independent nation after the 2006 World Cup.

Never acclaimed as one of the game’s most talented strikers, Milosevic still earned his place at the top level through a work ethic which was second to none. (more…)