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It’s still July and already we see a European domestic shock
Yes it’s July when people should be on beaches in Europe rather than sweltering in soccer stadiums.
Well modern football (and Euro 2012 at the end of the campaign) dictates we have to start proper matches in July in the European season these days.
The Scottish league has already started while on Friday VfL Wolfsburg made a miserable start to their season by going out 3-2 at fourth division RB Leipzig in the first round of the German Cup.
Borussia Moenchengladbach and VfB Stuttgart, the other Bundesliga teams playing on Friday, beat third division opposition while former German champions Rot-Weiss Essen, now in the fourth tier, overcame second division Union Berlin on penalties.
The first round is a potential minefield for Bundesliga and second division clubs as the seeding system forces them to play one-leg ties away to lower division opponents.
Playing before the league has started adds to the chances of top teams being caught unprepared.
Daniel Frahn scored a hat-trick for RB Leipzig, who were known as SSV Makranstaedt until 2009 when the Red Bull energy drinks manufacturer bought the playing licence and changed the name.
From Tranmere to Bayern Munich in a flash
Dale Jennings may as well be called Roy of the Rovers.
The teenage striker, who only made his first-team debut last season, completed a dream move from English League One (third division) side Tranmere Rovers to German giants Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
Tranmere said the 18-year-old, who scored six goals in 32 appearances and was named League One Apprentice of the Year, had signed for an undisclosed fee.
“This is an amazing opportunity for Dale and one which any younger player would jump at,” Tranmere manager Les Parry told the club’s website.
“Bayern Munich made us a very good offer for Dale and we’re happy for him to progress his career with them in Germany.
“He has had an incredible 12 months with us now and hopefully he’ll go on to do great things at Bayern.”
Such comic book transfers are rare these days but Bayern have made similar moves before with differing results.
Soccer Break Friday – titles at stake
The week is ending but the drama is just cranking up. Yes, the weekend is almost upon us, and that means loads more football action around Europe where there is still plenty at stake.
European competition is almost over for another season after Braga and Porto booked their places in the Europa League final in Dublin.
Borussia Dortmund became the Bundesliga champions last weekend, and AC Milan need just a point against AS Roma to lift the Serie A title on Saturday.
In Spain, should Real Madrid lose at Sevilla on Saturday and Barcelona grab a point at home to Espanyol on Sunday, the Catalans will be La Liga champions.
Things are a little tighter in the Premier League and Ligue 1, where two or three clubs in each league have a decent shot at glory.
All eyes will be on Old Trafford come Sunday, where leaders Manchester United host Chelsea. A United win, and they would need a mere point from their two remaining fixtures.
A Chelsea win, and both sides will be level on points though the Londoners would hit the top of the table due to a better goal difference. Who would have thought it after Chelsea’s woeful run of form in the middle of the season?
hot tip. Lyon to win French league in shock finish
Soccer Break Tuesday – Bad omens for United
The semi-finals of the Champions League are upon us and the omens are not good for Manchester United ahead of their double-header against Schalke 04.
They might be running away with the Premier League title and facing a side who are 10th in their own table (ok, those portents look pretty rosy), but they have come unstuck the last two times they have lined up against German rivals in the semi-finals.
And these particular German rivals have Raul, the pocket poacher who proved far too wily an opponent when they lost to Real Madrid in the quarter-finals in 2000.
But the motivation is there for manager Alex Ferguson, who after 25 years spent overhauling Liverpool’s domestic record, has admitted he is more than a little envious of their red rivals’ European success.
If this clash doesn’t whet the appetite then you only have 24 hours to wait for Real Madrid’s semi with Barcelona – and if you are not looking forward to that then I’m guessing you’ve clicked this link by mistake.
Real boss Jose Mourinho has a knack of rubbing Barcelona up the wrong way and after last season’s semi-final victory with Inter Milan, he has been struck off many a Catalan’s christmas card list.
And for those of you who don’t know your ‘Cules’ from your ‘Meringues’, we have prepared a little pocket phrasebook to accompany the ‘Clasico’.
Good Soccer Break Friday
It’s Easter weekend but there’s no rest for the world’s football players with another hectic schedule of matches.
To bring you up to date with all of the major European leagues, read our Serie A, Ligue 1, Premier League, La Liga and Bundesliga previews ahead of the next round of matches.
There’s also news about the football rich list, David Beckham topping one magazine’s top earners while his former club Manchester United are apparently the richest club in the world. A Champions League trophy in 2011 would certainly help their cause.
In England, West Ham United’s Scott Parker was voted as the best player by the football writers, a change from Gareth Bale’s win as voted for by the players.
Who would you rate as the Premier League’s best player in 2010/11?
Discuss all these topics and other stories in world soccer on the Reuters Soccer Facebook page. And please feel free to send us recommendations for your pick of the day’s stories.
Picture: David Beckham (R) and Tim Leiweke, President & CEO of AEG, talk as they watch the Los Angeles Lakers play the New Orleans Hornets during Game 2 of their NBA Western Conference first round playoff basketball game in Los Angeles, California April 20, 2011. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson
Gareth is the master no matter what – check this http://www.watcharsenalfc.com/
Soccer Break Thursday – Champions League recap
Where to start after four brilliant Champions League quarter-finals, even if the intrigue for next week’s second legs has all but gone from three of the ties with Barcelona leading Shakhtar Donetsk 5-1, Real Madrid 4-0 up against Tottenham Hotspur and Schalke 04 in total charge against holders Inter Milan after the 5-2 triumph at the San Siro.
However, the appetite has most certainly been whet for the very probable ‘Clasico’ semi-final between Real and Barcelona, a meeting of the world’s two best players Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. April 26 or 27 and May 3 or 4. Do not miss these dates. Not that Spain’s two leading clubs are thinking that far ahead.
There is of course more top European action on Thursday in the Europa League, which has a distinctly Portuguese feel this year. Not that Spain’s Villarreal agree mind you.
In 2003, who can forget the young Jose Mourinho leading Porto to UEFA Cup glory and the way he would rise to the top of the managerial tree in years to come. This time round there could be a similar story. Porto’s current coach is Andre Villas-Boas, who used to work under his compatriot. Could he be the new Mourinho? Watch this space…
Attention now turns back to domestic leagues so read our Premier League, Bundesliga and Ligue 1 previews to bring you up to speed with what lies in store in the coming days.
A club usually associated with the English title race is Liverpool, who despite their mediocre season continue to hit the headlines. Plus basketball star LeBron James has invested in the Anfield club.
Here’s more on Wayne Rooney, the goalscorer in Manchester United’s Champions League 1-0 win over Chelsea in London on Wednesday, after it was announced he will miss the FA Cup semi-final against city rivals…Manchester City.
for more information check out this recap
http://mizzousportswriters.com/2011/04/1 3/manchester-united-and-barcelona-punch- their-tickets-to-the-champions-league-se mifinals/
Soccer Break Friday
The first day of the fourth month means April fools day, so we would really love to hear from you if there are any dubious stories doing the rounds.
Here are some. Frank Lampard’s ‘goal that never was’ at the World Cup is to be finally given. Ronaldo will start playing for Spain. And here is a list of five other classics from the past.
How about Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho for Manchester United? Or do you agree that West Ham United would have been in the hunt for Europe bar refereeing decisions?
Back to this weekend, and the title races in Spain and Italy are really hotting up as our previews will tell you. In Germany, Borussia Dortmund are still well clear but need to steady the ship.
Breaking news on Friday was the joint announcement by FIFA and UEFA that Bosnia were being suspended from international competition. Stay tuned for more including a chat with the Bosnia coach.
Finally the latest on Chad Ochocinco as the debate rages on…can athletes successfully transfer their skills in one sport to another?
Kevin Fylan adds: All betting fans, please also check out the latest edition of our sports spreads show on Insider: Click here for our lightning look at the Premier League programme and the cricket World Cup final.
Soccer Break Friday
Friday. That means almost weekend. Which means yet more football. When does it ever stop? We don’t want it to though, especially with some cracking FA Cup games in store as well as Europe’s top sides slugging it out in their respective leagues.
First however, here’s our take on the Europa League action on Thursday. Some nicely poised ties, though it was not a good night for Liverpool or Manchester City, or Mario Balotelli for that matter.
This blog argues Balotelli is damaging his Man City career. What do you think? Balotelli is undoubtedly talented, just not consistent enough. Perhaps time will tell.
As for Liverpool, the Europa League is their only realistic chance of silverware this season. Was it disappointing to see so little urgency at the start of the game? Or do you feel the league match against Manchester United took a great deal out of Kenny Dalglish’s men?
For any Liverpool fans, would you prefer to have a storming end of the season in the league and finish in the top four (thus guaranteeing a chance to qualify for the Champions League) or win the Europa League? Have a read here for all things Anfield.
Over to my colleagues now to give their expert previews on all things Europe, from La Liga to Serie A then Ligue 1 to the Bundesliga.
Finally, the FA Cup. Still the greatest cup competition out there? Debatable, but for all his medals at Man United, midfielder Michael Carrick badly wants to raise the famous old trophy aloft.
Soccer Break Thursday
Breathe in. Breathe out. The Champions League is over for this week after a tense two days of last 16 drama. And now for Europa League action on Thursday with yet more top sides in action.
First of all however let’s dissect the Champions League from Wednesday where underdogs Tottenham Hotspur and Schalke 04 progressed past their more fancied rivals, AC Milan and Valencia respectively.
The fact Spurs, who lie fifth in the Premier League compared to Serie A leaders Milan, and Schalke sit 10th in the Bundesliga as opposed to their La Liga third-placed victims, can overcome such stiff tests is yet more testament to how unpredictable and ultimately fascinating a competition the Champions League is.
This blog argues AC Milan are becoming the new Real Madrid by their constant failure in the world’s biggest club competition. Agree?
Anyway, bring on next week. What excites you more, the Champions League business end or your national league?
Arsenal’s defeat to Barcelona on Tuesday continued to fill the pages on Wednesday, small wonder after manager Arsene Wenger and midfielder Samir Nasri were charged for improper conduct after the match.
The Europa League perhaps gets a little forgotten after the thrills and spills of its big brother, but not here. Some of Europe’s most decorated sides, Liverpool, Ajax Amsterdam and Porto will be in action later on Thursday. Only first legs mind, but any predictions out there?
Soccer Break – Friday edition
Lionel Messi one day, Cristiano Ronaldo the next. It does not get any better than seeing the world’s best players at the top of the their game after Ronaldo’s hat-trick inspired Real Madrid to a 7-0 hammering of Malaga.
There’s plenty to get your teeth into here, while other Real blogs are debating the future of midfielder Kaka. Could you see him in the Premier League?
Back to England, and not good news for Manchester City after Kolo Toure was suspended after testing positive for a specified sample. The former Arsenal man has been key in the heart of City’s defence this season and they will struggle to replace the Ivorian international if he does get a ban.
North of the border, and Celtic and Rangers passionate yet fiery relationship lives on.
Looking ahead to the weekend and there is so much at stake in all the top European leagues. Read our Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1 previews to fill you in on what’s going on.
Enjoy the weekend of football action and see you again on Monday to discuss all things soccer.
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