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Is Andre Villas-Boas’ Delight At Being Chelsea’s New Coach Premature?
“This job is all I ever wanted,” said Andre Villas-Boas as he reflected on his position as Chelsea’s new manager. And while this statement may not go down well at all with FC Porto fans, it may also have Chelsea followers pondering. What is the level of ignorance or of confidence in Villas-Boas’ strong declaration? This job is all I ever wanted… We heard similar words from debut flop Fernando Torres back in February following his switch from Anfield to Stamford Bridge where blue is the color. The rest of Torres’ story at Chelsea so far, everyone knows it.
Only opinions may differ. Either way, the general public admits that the Spaniard’s first year with the Blues can be likened to a nightmare. It is this type of fiasco that Andre Villas-Boas better not suffer.
Andre Villas-Boas Set To Become Chelsea's New Manager
After weeks of intense speculation and rumors, Chelsea have apparently found their perfect replacement for Carlo Ancelotti. Andre Villas-Boas is set to be unveiled as the man to take the helm at Stamford Bridge.Chelsea have been eyeing Guus Hiddink prior to this but the Dutchman is seemingly keener on a Sporting Director role. So Roman Abramovich jumped at the chance of bringing in Villas-Boas, who previously worked at the club as an assistant to Jose Mourinho.
According to The Guardian, Chelsea have already agreed to pay the £13.2m release clause in Villas-Boas' contract with Porto. He will reportedly earn £4.4m a season; the exact salary that Mourinho received during his time with the Blues.
Manchester United Vs Chelsea: My Future Is Definitely Safe - Ancelotti
Speculations have already been arising regarding Ancelotti's future at Chelsea in case they fail to progress further in this season's Champions League. However, the Italian is absolutely valiant about his future by insisting that his job will always be impervious regardless of what happens at Old Trafford tomorrow.He said: “I think that a lot of times I’ve said the pressure is not bad. The pressure for me is to give concentration to the players, so that they can do their best. It will be difficult tomorrow but we have the possibility to deliver a perfect game.
Roman Pavlyuchenko Wants To Leave Tottenham Hotspurs
After joining Spurs in 2008, Roman Pavlyuchenko hasn't really settled into the team as much as he would have wanted. There were even rumors that he would leave last summer but he stayed at White Hart Lane.Now, Mr. Pavlyuchenko has come out and warned Harry Redknapp to play him or lose him at the end of the season. He said that sitting on the bench is something hard for him to accept.
“It is absolutely inconceivable why Redknapp keeps me on the bench – he does not say anything,” ranted the Russian.
Monterrey vs Santos Laguna Report
A tinge of fear was felt all throughout the city of Monterrey on Sunday night. The dread wasn't stemming from the home team's locker room, as the Rayados looked loose and confident despite being a goal down. Santos Laguna weren't guilty of the feeling either. They were just 90 minutes away from potentially winning the title.
No, the fear that could be felt throughout the Estadio Tecnologico and beyond came strictly from the side of town that supports UANL Tigres... a team that has gone nearly 30 years without a title, were now dreading the fact that their hated rival could pick up their third in just seven years.
Monterrey vs Santos Laguna Preview
Ninety minutes separate Ruben Omar Romano from his first championship as a manager. Twelve years of near-misses, cruel bounces of the ball and poor squads are almost over for the Argentine, who nonetheless will face an incredibly difficult task in front of him as a battle-hardened Monterrey team headed by a five-time champion manager lie before him.
Santos Laguna repeated their bid to be Mexican league champions after they were denied in the Bicentenario 2010, and with a favorable 3-2 result in the first leg, stand before their fourth league title in franchise history.
Italy vs Romania Report
Italy and Romania could not be separated after 90 minutes of play in Austria. The 1-1 draw, however, only came after Fabio Quagliarella scored in the 82nd minute, so Italy were made to work for the stalemate.Italy coach Cesare Prandelli started with Villarreal's Giuseppe Rossi and Manchester City's Mario Balotelli up front, but neither of them could break through the Romania defence.
In the 33rd minute Romania scored when Marica pounced on defensive hesitance in the box.
Qugaliarella's headed goal ensured Italy save face.
The game itself was overshadowed by racist abuse, with banners calling for an Italy free of multi-ethnicity.
Italy vs Romania Preview
Cristian Ledesma's inclusion in the Italian squad to face Romania in tomorrow's friendly in Klagenfurt, Austria has, not for the first time, revived an old debate: should the oriundi represent Italy. Oriundi are foreigners who have Italian ancestry, and have historically comprised many successful Italian sides. For example, Luis Monti played in the Italy side that was victorious at the World Cup in 1934, just four years after he represented Argentina (FIFA rules now state that a player can ever only represent one country). In recent memory, Mauro Camaronesi was in the 2006 Italy squad that won the World Cup in Berlin.Italian football has had an ambivalent relationship with foreigners that often has been a function of how well the national team does at tournaments.
Czech Republic vs Scotland Report
The Scot’s made no secret of their intent to try and frustrate the Czech’s and defend in the pregame interviews, but their methods went beyond even what was expected. Coach Craig Levein benched in form goal scorer Kenny Miller and fielded a 4-6-0 formation with no recognized central striker.
France vs Romania Preview
Having defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 on match-day two of the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, France seem to be back on track. Les Bleus are actually in a transition, which makes their hopes to reach Poland and Ukraine more fragile as Coach Laurent Blanc explained:“When there is a transitional problem, there is often a generational problem. Here, we’re trying to start again with a new generation of players, with some good players who aren’t yet great players.”
Now although the former World Cup champions are experiencing something new altogether with young talents included in the squad, the ambition of the team and of the fans remain the same: qualifying for Euro 2012 is definitely a must!
Euro 2012 Qualifying: Belarus vs Romania Match Preview
Belarus are joint leaders with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Group D, which also includes France and Romania. This fact is surprising – actually as surprising as Belarus’ shocking 1-0 victory away to France on match-day one of the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign. Was it just a fluke to defeat Les Bleus last Friday?
Romania will try to explain that it was, indeed, just one of these amazing results that can occur from time to time – especially against giants like France who are experiencing a transition in international football. In the meantime, Belarus manager Bernd Stange wants his side to add more points to the precious three they stole away from France. The boss declared:
Romania vs Honduras – International Friendly Match Preview
Honduras stumbled to a disappointing 0-0 draw against 109th placed Azerbaijan on June 2. Los Catrachos, who had so much power during their qualification campaign with, have score in only one match out of the last four they played. Besides, they are winless since beating the USA 3-1 back in January.
Things must change, and change quickly for Honduras who haven’t made much of their recent two friendly matches. Saturday’s encounter against Roumania will mark Los Catrachos last opportunity to warm-up ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Another unconvincing result might affect the players mentally, so Coach Reynaldo Rueda will need to guide his team to victory against Romania.
Romania vs Honduras – International Friendly Match Preview
Honduras stumbled to a disappointing 0-0 draw against 109th placed Azerbaijan on June 2. Los Catrachos, who had so much power during their qualification campaign with, have score in only one match out of the last four they played. Besides, they are winless since beating the USA 3-1 back in January.
Things must change, and change quickly for Honduras who haven’t made much of their recent two friendly matches. Saturday’s encounter against Roumania will mark Los Catrachos last opportunity to warm-up ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Another unconvincing result might affect the players mentally, so Coach Reynaldo Rueda will need to guide his team to victory against Romania.
Oman vs Brazil International Friendly Match Preview
Strong aspirations for both sides
Currently at two very distinctive levels of soccer in their respective countries, Oman and Brazil share a common goal in continual growth with their levels of play.
Brazil, coming from a steady win against England in Qatar 1-0 this Saturday, will need another victory to show that they mean business and will be top contenders...