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France Euro 2012 profile: Review of the French National Team.
How France qualified for Euro 2012
France, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Romania, Belarus, Albania and Luxembourg; that was the final line up from top to bottom in Group D. The battle for the first spot went right down to the final moments of the UEFA Euro 2012 qualification campaign.
Between France and Bosnia-Herzegovina, there was little to differentiate. The latter finished with a 6-2-2 record while Les Bleus clinched 6 wins, 3 draws and only 1 defeat.
Real Madrid vs Real Zaragoza Report
Jose Mourinho offered Pepe yet another spot in Real Madrid’s starting XI. The Portuguese defender partnered with Carvalho and Hamit Altintop at the back whereas Granero and Xabi Alonso featured as defensive midfielders in the 4-2-3-1 formation. Kaka and Mesut Özil joined Cristiano Ronaldo in attack as Karim Benzema led the line as a lone striker.The first great chance of the match fell to Karim Benzema inside the 6th minute. Cristiano Ronaldo set up the Frenchman who headed the ball into the wrong direction from 4 yards. Despite having little ball possession, Real Zaragoza broke the deadlock at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Dropping Cristiano Ronaldo & 3 things Real Madrid must do to beat Barca at home
For Real Madrid, like for all clubs these days, beating Barcelona is a phenomenon. Joseph Guardiola’s Catalans have grown so mighty that opponents tremble in fear at the thought of facing them. Some downplay panic, but the outcome remains the same; Barcelona maintain their dominance at the end of the day.
Manchester United, AC Milan and Santos are some of the world’s top teams that have bowed down to the unrivalled power of the Blaugrana. It’s probably right to say that Real Madrid know even more suffering than Santos, Milan or 2009 and 2011 Champions League beaten finalists United. The routine of El Clasicos tells it all.
Since defeating Barcelona 4-1 in 2008, Real Madrid have managed only one victory against the Catalans. It occurred in the final of the Spanish Copa del Rey in April last year. A 103rd minute goal from Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo made the difference as Xavi, Lionel Messi and David Villa ran out of tonic. Madridistas described the victory as the beginning of a new era for Los Blancos and as the end of Barcelona’s dominance in Clasicos. Time and results, however, proved otherwise.
Mallorca vs Real Madrid Preview
This game will be Los Blancos’ second encounter away from home this week. Fatigue may be an issue within the squad but Jose Mourinho has an array of top names to choose from. In-form striker Karim Benzema played just over 20 minutes against Malaga in midweek whereas Kaka, Marcelo and Özil went through 45 minutes of action each.Don’t be surprised if Mourinho doesn’t offer Cristiano Ronaldo 90 minutes of football against Real Mallorca. The Portuguese striker looked angry, frustrated and quite ineffective during Real Madrid’s last two matches in all competitions.
Málaga vs Real Madrid Preview
Malaga aren’t doing badly at La Rosaleda this season. That’s where they staged a late comeback to draw 2-2 against Getafe en route to the Spanish Copa del Rey’s Round of 16.But trace back Malaga’s home run in all competitions, and you’ll find an interesting fact. Manuel Pellegrini’s men haven’t lost any of their last five matches at La Rosaleda. Their most recent defeat at this venue dates from October 22; and it occurred in the hands of Jose Mourinho’s flying Blancos.
It was a thumping 4-0 defeat, which ended Malaga’s perfect home run. Prior to that, Los Boquerones enjoyed league wins against visitors Granada, Athletic Bilbao and Getafe.
Real Madrid vs Granada Report
The home crowd could expect a flood of goals right from the start of the game as Jose Mourinho paired Higuain and Benzema in the starting XI.The latter didn’t lose much time to assume his duties. He broke the deadlock after 19 minutes to complete Özil and Ronaldo’s excellent team work on the offensive.
Granada equalized through Mikel Rico quickly after but Sergio Ramos put Real Madrid back in front inside the 34th minute. The Spaniard, who returned to action earlier than expected, sent the ball home with a bullet header.
Real Madrid vs Málaga Report
Jose Mourinho picked up a strong starting XI as Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain led the forward line with the assistance of Kaka and Callejon. Lass and Xabi Alonso combined in the defensive midfield area as Real Madrid’s back four missed the services of Sergio Ramos. For Malaga, former Merengues Ruud van Nistelrooy started.
The first goal in 2012 at the Santiago Bernabeu went the visitors’ way. Sergio Sanchez was too strong to beat in the air and his header from a corner ended up crossing the line.
Real Madrid tipped to reach knock-out stages tonight with first victory in Lyon
Real Madrid have experienced defeat at the Stade de Gerland so many times. They are yet to clinch victory at that venue but their marvelous form—both in La Liga and in the UEFA Champions League—could inspire them to a breaking of the Lyon curse.The Spanish giants have not conceded a goal in Europe and they’ve taken maximum points from their first 3 matches. Olympique Lyon, meanwhile, have only scored twice so far and they are 5 points adrift Real Madrid.
“We want to defeat Olympique Lyonnais because doing so would qualify us for the next round and we'd practically be group leaders for sure,” Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho declared during the pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
France vs Albania Preview
The French are poised to edge past Albania to remain in the lead in the table. After opening their UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying campaign with a shocking home defeat to Belarus, Les Bleus bounced back with 2 wins in Paris. Laurent Blanc’s men are expected to record their third consecutive victory on home soil against Albania. But they will have to do so without the likes of Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema who netted an 11th minute goal in Tirana back in September. Benzema has been out of action since picking up a hamstring injury against Ajax in the UEFA Champions League.
Top 8 Barcelona & Real Madrid quotes—2011 Supercopa de España second leg match
Real Madrid seem confident enough but Pep Guardiola and Barcelona are counting on fans to be the team’s 12th man at the Camp Nou. Check out what men from Barcelona and Real Madrid’s camp have been saying ahead of August 17’s 2011 Supercopa de España second leg match in Catalonia!
Pep Guardiola at a press conference on Tuesday:
“In the first-leg, Madrid were better, in these three days we have improved some things, but I believe they are still better.”
Aitor Karanka to Realmadrid.com on Tuesday:
“We have to try to win from the start of the game. We will bring the title back with us if we play like we did at the Bernabeu. […] We know a title is at stake and that the first leg score forces us to win. We really want to win in Barcelona, especially after Sunday's match.”
Jerzy Dudek: Karim Benzema Is Better Than Ronaldo
Benzema once famously admitted that he was a true fan of the Brazilian Ronaldo but Jerzy Dudek believes that the Frenchman is a step above from his idol. Dudek, who just recently left Madrid after his contract expired said that Benzema is an extraordinary player and a step above the Fenomena."When I first saw his first training session, I was impressed," Dudek said in an interview with France Football.
"I told all my friends that Madrid had signed an extraordinary player. For me, he is even better than Ronaldo, the Brazilian. Karim has incredible qualities; he is fast and he is elusive, and he has an eye for goal."
Transfer News: Wenger Eyes Benzema As Real Madrid May Acquire Sergio Aguero
Arsenal fans can expect Arsene Wenger to splash money on the table in summer. The Frenchman vowed earlier this week to get “very active” on the transfer market for the first time in a while as he fears UEFA will soon all but close doors to make big signings.
The Gunners went through their sixth consecutive year without trophy and Wenger is now looking to do all it takes to prevent Arsenal from enduring yet another unfruitful season. Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema is apparently in his transfer thoughts although Jose Mourinho keeps insisting that the ex-Lyon striker is part of Los Blancos’ plans for the future.
“Signing him doesn’t seem impossible,” Arsene Wenger stated according to English news source The Sun as he talked about Karim Benzema.
Champions League 2011: Barcelona vs Real Madrid War In Quotes
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Controversy is the perfect word to describe what we call the ongoing war of words ahead of tonight's gigantic clash at the Nou Camp. So what doe the current world of football say about the prospect of a mouthwatering match tonight?
Ottmar Hitzfield Unimpressed With Jose Mourinho
Well, last week's match was marred by unwanted incidents which clearly irritated Jose Mourinho as portrayed in his post-match interview. The former Chelsea and Inter Milan manager launched a robust outburst on the Catalans, questioning their integrity as well as making unpleasant comments about Pep Guardiola.
Real Madrid’s Clasico Team News: Cristiano Ronaldo Leads Attack, Benzema’s Back
With Karim Benzema returning to the squad after missing Real Madrid’s last few games, it remains to be seen which striker will partner Cristiano Ronaldo in attack. Emmanuel Adebayor and Higuain complete the 19-man squad’s forwards section.There are no surprises in midfield, though, with Xabi Alonso, Khedira and Özil named alongside Kaka and Angel di Maria. However, Pedro Leon and Sergio Canales have been dropped by Mourinho based on coaching assessments.
The absentees are Lassana Diarra and Fernando Gago – this duo is injured. Granero, meanwhile, is suspended.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona & Eight Money Facts Ahead Of El Clasico 2011
Welcome to Saturday’s showdown between the team that has it all when it comes to money and the team that rests most on their home products. What could we be talking about but Saturday’s Real Madrid vs Barcelona match at the Santiago Bernabeu?
It’s El Clasico time! Eventually, Live Soccer TV gives you an opportunity to know 8 interesting facts about the differences that exists between Florentino Perez’s and La Masia-inspired Barcelona.
Real Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspur: Why Real Madrid Are Not Favourites
Just when many football fans expected Real Madrid’s perfect home run in all competitions to continue, Los Blancos proved otherwise – in a negative way, actually. Last weekend’s defeat to Sporting Gijon in La Liga was possibly the most improbable manner in which Jose Mourinho could lose his 9-year unbeaten home record. And as if it wasn’t disappointing enough to suffer such a shock, it happened at such an unfortunate moment! La Liga seems all but decided now, with Real Madrid offering an 8-point lead to rivals Barcelona before the final 7 round of matches. Besides the misery of having to concede the league title, Real Madrid are also under more fears as they look to resume their UEFA Champions League campaign on a good note:
Real Madrid vs Sporting Gijon: A Crucial Moment For Los Blancos
There were sensations that games in La Liga would be pushed back by a week after the LFP decided to suspend Day 30 following a TV dispute between them and the government. The association’s postponement threats were however decimated yesterday when a Madrid court ordered the league to continue with its normal agenda—due to a valid complaint presented by six clubs of the Primera Division.The speculations are now over, and the focus has drifted on the efforts that each of the two leading giants in La Liga need to make in search of the league title this season. Real Madrid currently lie in second position with 73 points, but they are not too far away from defending champions FC Barcelona—who are 5 points above. Only 27 possible points can be caught by both teams in the remainder of the Spanish League, and the nine upcoming match-days promise to be full of suspense.
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid And The Cristiano Ronaldo-Benzema Factor
Cristiano Ronaldo: Statistics And Analysis
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid will mean a return to La Liga action for CR7. The Portuguese winger had to miss Real Madrid’s matches against Racing Santander and Hercules through injury and it will be interesting to see how he will resume his adventure in La Liga.
Ronaldo had a relatively decent night at the Santiago Bernabeu earlier this week in the UEFA Champions League when Real Madrid hosted Olympique Lyon. However, his lack of full fitness deprived him from playing the full 90 minutes.
Now 3 days after that game, Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to be in much better condition. Los Blancos will be hoping to have him performing better against Atletico Madrid tonight.
Lyon 1-1 Real Madrid: Blancos With One Foot In Or Out From Next Round?
Olympique Lyon 1-1 Real Madrid: Lucky French Survive
On Tuesday night, Olympique Lyon showed again that their luck at the Stade de Gerland against 9-time UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid was no fluke. In a scrappy game as it was, Bafetimbi Gomis had the final word after former Lyon play maker Karim Benzema broke Real Madrid’s barren record in terms of goals away to Les Gones.
In fact, Olympique Lyon had to thank the wood-work for saving them a couple of times in the early stages of the second period. Firstly, Cristiano Ronaldo – who has quite a good record against French teams – smashed a free-kick off the top of the post in the 49th minute. A few seconds later, defender Sergio Ramos also had his header from a corner hit the wood-work.
Real Madrid vs Sevilla: 1st Leg Hero Benzema Calls On Real Madrid Crowd Support
Unlike Barcelona who seem to have sealed their place in the final of the competition, Los Blancos have some job left to do. In other words, Sevilla are not dead and the controversy which saw them lose at the Sanchez Pizjuan could inspire them for revenge.In an interview with the club’s official website and TV, Karim Benzema assured fans about Real Madrid’s upbeat mood. However, he also singled out the importance of having good support from the Spanish giants’ home fans.
“We feel fine. We are preparing for a crucial match and we are expecting to defeat Sevilla,” Benzema declared when asked about Real Madrid’s spirit before the cup match.