Reuters Soccer Blog
World Soccer views and news
Will Gasperini last at Inter?
Many sceptical Inter Milan fans will tell you they could see their dreadful start to the season coming as soon as Gian Piero Gasperini was surprisingly named as coach.
Unproven at the very top level and having always shown a penchant for a leaky three at the back, the former Genoa boss was undoubtedly not Inter’s first choice when Leonardo left after only six months to seek a new challenge in the boardroom at Paris St Germain.
For various reasons, Inter could not find anyone more accomplished and after going through Jose Mourinho, Rafa Benitez and Leonardo in just a year, the club thought an Italian coach who at least understood Serie A in detail would be a decent if unspectacular appointment.
However, three opening losses including Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat at home to Champions League group stage debutants Trabzonspor has prompted Italian media to suggest Gasperini will be sacked if the 2010 European Cup winners lose this weekend’s league clash with AS Roma.
Looking for a fifth boss in just over 12 months would not appeal to president Massimo Moratti, but neither would another season of woe.
His hands are tied by a rule which says Serie A bosses can not manage two top-flight Italian teams in one season so a move for Napoli’s Walter Mazzarri is impossible.
Some fans think Moratti should have made that move in the close season while Zenit St Petersburg’s Luciano Spalletti won many admirers in Italy with his Roma side’s stylish play.
Do Manchester United need Wesley Sneijder?
Paul Scholes may have left a huge pair of boots to fill in Manchester United’s midfield, but Alex Ferguson may not have to add a big-money signing to his squad if their performance in a captivating 3-2 Community Shield win over Manchester City is anything to go by.
While Ferguson has apparently made several attempts to lure Inter Milan and Netherlands playmaker Wesley Sneijder to his outfit during the break, United’s second-half comeback at Wembley suggests he may have found one or two replacements closer to home.
Trailing 2-0 at the interval, Ferguson threw Tom Cleverley into the fray and the youngster made an immediate impact with his crisp passing and movement which kept City on the back foot until the final whistle.
Cleverley’s mature performance capped an excellent pre-season buildup for the 21-year old midfielder, who has now been called up to the England squad.
Brazilian midfielder Anderson, inconsistent since joining the English champions in 2007, also provided plenty of eyecatching moments and had a good spell of form in last season’s run-in. He could be a valuable asset this term in United’s bid to win their 20th league title and reach their fourth Champions League final in five years.
Having signed Ashley Young from Aston Villa to boost the already strong-looking flanks where Nani, Antonio Valencia and the seemingly evergreen Ryan Giggs offer a plethora of options, does Ferguson need to splash 40 million pounds or so on playmaker Sneijder?
The 27-year old attacking midfielder is undoubtedly an exceptional player but whether he would hit the ground running at United, in line with his price tag, is another matter.
Just want to echo was was already said. You guys were a really good read, and Real Madrid are one of my least favorite teams in the world. Best of luck on the new blog!
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Who is new Inter coach Gian Piero Gasperini?
It is the question on the lips of many football fans around the world. Why would the 2010 European champions recruit an unknown as coach?
Inter would argue Gasperini is not a nobody having guided Genoa to decent success in Serie A but the fact he was sacked by the mid-table side in November is not particularly aupiscious. He was also shocked to get the job.
Some may ask why no other club recruited him until now, but the simple answer is that coaches in Serie A are not allowed to train two team in the same season.
This doesn’t mean Gasperini was Inter’s first choice though. Far from it. Marcelo Bielsa, Andre Villas-Boas and Sinisa Mihajlovic were all contacted along with probably several other more high profile figures.
The fact Inter have struggled to recruit a top name after boasting Jose Mourinho, Rafa Benitez and Leonardo in the last year is probably as much a reflection on Serie A as it is on the club.
Italian football has been outstripped by Spain and England on the pitch and in terms of financial clout with the onset of UEFA’s financial fairplay likely to hit Inter and AC Milan quite badly given they rely on rich benefactor owners Massimo Moratti and Silvio Berlusconi.
Ageing stadiums, match-fixing scandals and hooliganism make Italy not the hot destination it was once was.
Soccer Break Friday
How can the upcoming domestic matches beat this week’s European action for goals? 19 were scored in Thursday’s four Europa League quarter-finals, with a further 18 coming in the four Champions League last eight ties on Tuesday and Wednesday.
What the top leagues around Europe do have however is drama, with most leagues set to go down to the wire, whereas only two out of eight of next week’s quarter-final second legs are in the balance.
Do you think the goings on in Europe will affect any title races? Will Inter Milan’s confidence be so badly shattered that they may as well leave Napoli to pursue Serie A leaders AC Milan?
Fan chanting made an unwelcome return to the spotlight this week, while Wayne Rooney’s swearing on camera was dealt with by the FA. Too harsh a penalty?
This time of the year some teams are already looking ahead to the next season, take for example Liverpool. They have nothing much to play for apart from an outside chance of a Champions League berth by finishing in the top four. Captain Steven Gerrard has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, however. Will that knock Liverpool off course?
Now for some transfer gossip. After another fine performance for the ‘Yellow Submarine’ of Villarreal in Thursday’s 5-1 humbling of Dutch champions Twente Enschede in the Europa League, Giuseppe Rossi is again being talked about.
Finally, a sending off for Brazilian Neymar in comical fashion. Agree with the referee or sometimes should the officials ease up on the rules?
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 Wednesday – Champions League week special
Got your breath back yet? Perfected the Dejan Stankovic volley in your mirror ready to take out on the pitch? Well Tuesday’s first installment of four Champions League quarter-final evenings was spectacular and there is more to come on Wednesday.
First, a recap of last night. The Real Madrid backlash did kick in, though against the 10 men of Tottenham Hotspur and two extremely well-taken goals that on another night may have gone wide of the post.
Would 11 v 11 have made a difference? Is there any way back for Tottenham? And do you think some players may leave the club in search of Champions League next season if Spurs don’t qualify this time around?
And how about holders Inter Milan? Hopelessly outplayed in their last two games and with a creaking defence, can they score four unanswered goals in Germany to make the semi-finals? The Inter chairman has pledged his support for coach Leonardo but surely his days are numbered on this form.
So, Chelsea fans. Worried that a fired up Wayne Rooney will wreak havoc tonight after he was dropped by Coke? Or will that have taken the fizz out of the frontman? Frank Lampard seems to think his team will have to be on their guard against him. Predictions? Something tells us it’ll be a lot less open than Tuesday’s matches.
Finally, Barcelona v Shakhtar Donetsk just seems about as good as it gets. Two passing teams, easy on the eye, trying to outpass and outthink each other. Only a few more hours to wait so don’t worry.
Read here for a look at strike partnerships in the Champions League this season and of days gone by. Who does Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti pick then? Fernando Torres and Didier Drogba? What about Nicolas Anelka? Or a rejuvenated Salomon Kalou?
Soccer Break Monday – Champions League last eight week special
With all the hype surrounding this week’s Champions League quarter-finals, the events of the weekend seem like a distant memory. Here’s a recap of a fascinating set of results around Europe the past few days.
Before we move on, your thoughts please. Does Wayne Rooney deserve to be punished for his outburst on camera against West Ham? And Fulham fans, did you take a picture with Michael Jackson on Sunday?
So we start with Real Madrid against Tottenham Hotspur at the Bernabeu on Tuesday. Predictions? Spurs have looked far better in Europe than in the Premier League this season, and their 0-0 against Wigan on Saturday could be a good omen.
That said, Jose Mourinho’s astonishing nine-year unbeaten home record as coach ended on the same day. Will Real’s backlash hit the Londoners?
Also in action on Tuesday are holders Inter Milan against Schalke 04. Worried for the Germans after Inter’s crushing 3-0 defeat by city rivals AC Milan on Saturday got them angry?
Wednesday, and it’s Chelsea against Manchester United. Ok, so there won’t be penalties like in Moscow so John Terry won’t be stepping anywhere near the spot.
Favourites Barcelona will play another high-speed, easy on the eye, slick passing team in Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk in what should be a cracking tie. We are all very excited.
Soccer Break Friday – Champions League draw special
Well well well. Now the Champions League really is wide open..
So here’s that quarter-final draw again:
Real Madrid v Tottenham Hotspur
Chelsea v Manchester United
Barcelona v Shakhtar Donetsk
Inter Milan v Schalke 04
As Gary Lineker put it, there will be an English team in the semi-finals, but could Tottenham make it two sides? Real are certainly not invincible.
Chelsea against Manchester is the game to watch as both sides come into the game with revenge on their minds. Chelsea for the 2008 final defeat where as Man U, will be looking for a payback to the recent lost at the Stanford Bridge.
I predict either Inter or Barcelona to be in the final
Soccer Break Wednesday
That Champions League and drama undoubtedly go hand in hand was again in evidence after another tense night in Europe, with one blog even describing Inter Milan’s comeback victory over Bayern Munich as one of the best Champions League matches of all time.
As if that’s not enough, a “Little Pea” was scoring a double for Manchester United to send them through to their 11th quarter-final in just 19 years of the competition. No club has reached the last eight on more occasions.
What a night of action. Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar, instrumental in last year’s cup win, made another bad mistake. Are you worried Inter fans?
Despite the nervous ending for Man United it was all smiles in the end, Wayne Rooney in bullish mood after the match.
Looking to join holders Inter and Premier League leaders Man United in the next knockout round on Wednesday are fellow European giants Real Madrid while Chelsea should progress against Copenhagen.
Real, for all their spending and talent, have not reached the quarters since 2004, and failure again at the hands of Olympique Lyon would leave many baffled critics and fans. Do you think with twice Champions League winning coach Jose Mourinho at the helm they have a better chance?
On to Chelsea and rumours that Fernando Torres, badly in need of a goal to boost his confidence, could be rested. Where’s the logic in that?
Soccer Break Tuesday
The pain for Arsenal fans just rolls on it would seem, as a trip to my office’s kitchen confirmed on Monday when I heard two voices grumbling about “Van Persie” and “not enough shots”.
The North London club’s woes of the last two weeks or so have been much publicised, but perhaps at last there is some news to cheer Gunners fans up in the return of former keeper Jens Lehmann? Who would you prefer in goal? Lehmann, or Arsenal’s only currently available goalie Manuel Almunia, in good form in the last two matches against Barcelona and Manchester United?
Keep a close eye out as the signing could be confirmed on Tuesday after Arsenal moved to sign the German late on Monday.
Some very recent news on the earthquake repercussions is that Japan’s J. League has been postponed indefinitely, while news on the international friendlies is due on Wednesday.
Now onto Tuesday’s Champions League matches, including four former winners. Do you agree with these predictions?
Inter Milan must become only the second team in Champions League knockout phase history to overturn a first-leg home defeat with a second leg away win. Some task.
Worth a bet given Bayern’s turbulent last week in which coach Louis van Gaal said he would leave at the end of the season? Bear in mind however that Van Gaal, while at Ajax Amsterdam in the 1995/96 season, was the only coach to achieve this feat according to UEFA statistics.
