RSSQ Related Content
USA vs Scotland and Jurgen Klinsmann’s challenge ahead of next five games
Jurgen Klinsmann will be testing the strength and spirit of USA when he leads his men against Scotland in the first of a series of important games.
The former Germany coach named his final 23-man squad ahead of his three friendlies against Scotland, Brazil and USA, and also his two World Cup qualifying matches against Antigua & Bermuda and Guatemala.Klinsmann initially called up 27 players at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando; but having now made his selection, the entire team is now heading to Jacksonville prior to their Scotland encounter on May 26 at EverBank Field.
For the USA manager, who won his last four international games, the Stars and Stripes can accept nothing other than good results in the Five-Game Tournament, which is supposed to mimic the pressure and consequences of a true tournament.
Spain Euro 2012 profile: Review of Spain’s team, coach and more
Spain will play to defend their European Championship title. Four years after their historic triumph in Vienna, can the Red Fury impose their power again?
.jpg)
How Spain qualified for Euro 2012
Giants Spain had to play against Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Scotland and the Czech Republic in the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifiers. The Spaniards enjoyed positive run which included 4-0 and 6-0 wins against Liechtenstein.
With 24 points from 8 games, Spain secured automatic tickets to this summer’s competition. However, the road was not as smooth as numbers may suggest.
Scotland threatened Spain’s perfect record when both teams met in Glasgow in October 2010. A 58th minute strike from Naismith and a 67th minute own goal from Gerard Pique cancelled Spain’s 2-0 lead. However, Fernando Llorente rescued his side with a winner 11 minutes from time.
Barcelona vs Bilbao Copa del Rey final: A tribute to Pep Guardiola – Career recap
Barcelona’s players have promised to put on a show in honour of departing manager Pep Guardiola. The 2012 Copa del Rey final represents Pep’s last match in charge of the Catalans.
.jpg)
“If there is something extra about this [Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona Copa del Rey] final, it is the possibility of winning the title for our coach [Pep Guardiola], the possibility of him winning yet another title and leaving with his head held high.”
Cesc Fabregas was in a confident mood while declaring this statement at a press conference in mid-May. Barcelona have won several titles during the last four years in an unprecedented manner. If this season is considered as a disappointing one it is purely because the judgement of the public is based on comparisons with the Blaugrana’s achievements between the 2008/09 and 2010/2011 seasons.
Fernando Santos names 25-man provisional squad for Greece
Fernando Santos went with experience over youth in his 25-man selection. Will this prove fatal for the Greeks in this summers Euro 2012?
Over the last few weeks there have been many rumors regarding who Fernando Santos would choose for this summers Euro 2012. It is now safe to say that he may have thrown many people a curve ball with his 25-man provisional roster. Looking at the squad he chose, he clearly went for experience over youth, which leaves many fans surprised.One of the surprises for many was the inclusion of 36-year-old Nikos Liberopoulos from AEK Athens FC. Although he only featured two times for Greece in the qualifying stage of the competition, he somehow managed to beat out PAOK FC's Stefanos Athanasiadis who had an impressive campaign.
Santos passed up on two other promising young talents - Apoel goalkeeper Dionysis Chiotis and Panathinaikos striker Lazaros Christodoulopoulos. After the stellar display Chiotis had in the UEFA Champions League this season, many would have though that he would have been an option.
Paulo Bento Named His Squad and his goals for Portugal
The Portuguese head coach said that the Quarter Finals is his primary goal. Is that good enough for a squad with the talent of the Portuguese?
On Monday afternoon, Portuguese National Team coach Paulo Bento announced his squad of 23 players for the upcoming Euro 2012. While their were a few players left out that may have left some Portugal fan's confused, for the most part the picks were what many expected. In Paulo Bento's press conference he said: "Our goal is to reach the quarter-finals, and then once we get there we will work to make it further."
"Holland and Denmark are potential candidates for the title and it is possible that the next European Champion could come from our group," said Paulo Bento.
Manchester City avoid dramatic anti-climax, QPR survive, Arsenal finish third
Manchester United were seconds away from winning the English Premier League title when Manchester City issued a dramatic comeback.
.jpg)
At Sunderland, Man United did their homework by recording a 1-0 victory thanks to Rooney’s lone goal but at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City did the impossible. The Citizens netted 2 goals in injury time to turn around a 2-1 deficit against Queens Park Rangers.
The latter got reduced to ten men early in the second period as Joey Barton kicked Carlos Tevez with his elbow. With the numerical disadvantage, City became ultra-defensive.
However, the introduction of Armand Traore was the turning point in the game. Out of nowhere, Queens Park Rangers went 2-1 up inside the 66th minute.
Traore’s run down the left wing was vital in the build up to his team’s second goal. Djibril Cisse had previously equalized Zabaleta’s first-half opener.
"We have to be faithful to the soccer which has brought us here" - Athletic midfielder Herrera
The youngster believes the Basques will have increased chances of winning the Europa League by imposing their dynamic approach against Atletico Madrid.
Ander Herrera feels that in order for Athletic Bilbao to defeat Atletico Madrid in the final of the Europa League, it will be vital to approach the game with the same style which they use during all of their games.Marcelo Bielsa's side have surprised many en route to the final due to their entertaining and effective soccer, and are expected to confront the title decider by utilising the same strategies as always.
Since arriving at Athletic at the beginning of the season Bielsa has got his team playing dynamic, combative attacking soccer, and many have questioned whether he will employ those strategies for the final.
"The players are the ones that play, Bielsa and I are on the outside" - Atletico coach Simeone
The efficient Argentine denied claims that he and his counterpart will have a direct influence on the outcome of Wednesday's Europa League final.
Diego Simeone recognized that although Marcelo Bielsa is an important figure for Athletic Bilbao, it will be the players who decide the outcome of the final of the Europa League on Wednesday."The players are the ones that play and we are only on the outside. Like I have always said, I have great admiration for Bielsa, and great memories. He is a great professional," Simeone declared to the press.
The Argentine coach, who lifted the UEFA Cup as a player with Inter Milan, is conscious that in order to win matches of this nature, experience is very important, because the players who are more accustomed to fighting for big things know how to deal with the added pressure and the nervousness better than those who lack experience.
Andrea Stramaccioni claims the Milan derby is equally important for both teams
The Inter Milan coach will be hoping to guide his team to a victory which would keep their Champions League aspirations alive.
Andrea Stramaccioni, the coach of Inter Milan, admitted that while arch-rivals AC Milan will confront the city derby with the Scudetto in their sights, the game is equally important for his side.Inter currently find themselves three points away from the Champions League qualification zone, which currently belongs to Napoli, and will need to claim maximum points against Milan to remain in the hunt for the third and final Champions League spot.
Stramaccioni, who has put in an acceptable effort since replacing Claudio Ranieri as the coach of Inter in March, is more than aware of the importance of the derby for his side.
"We will have to do something extraordinary to win the Scudetto" - Milan coach Allegri
Ahead of their visit to Siena, the coach admitted that the Rossoneri will have to pray for a miracle to win back-to-back league championships.
Italian champions AC Milan confront Sunday's Serie A clash with Siena knowing that they are in a must-win situation, because anything less than the three points would practically hand the Scudetto to league leaders Juventus.Milan trail their rivals by just three points, but with only a handful of games left to play this season, the Rossoneri can't afford any more slip-ups.
Massimiliano Allegri, the coach of Milan, understands that the title isn't in his team's hands any longer, but as a mathematical possibility still exists he has no plans of relinquishing the title.
"We certainly won't underestimate Cesena" - Inter coach Andrea Stramaccioni
The former Primavera coach won't be taking any chances against the already-relegated outfit as he aims to send the Nerazzurri to the Champions League.
Andrea Stramaccioni is more than aware that Inter Milan face a depleted Cesena, but won't be taking any chances, especially because Cesena had Juventus deadlocked for a good eighty minutes before the league leaders finally edged them 1-0 in an evenly-balanced clash midweek."The team we'll be up against tomorrow are clearly having a difficult time of things because they've just been relegated but if we look at their recent performances they've only lost to Juventus, and that was 10 minutes from the end after playing the whole game at high tempo," affirmed Stramaccioni during a pre-match press conference.
"We certainly won't underestimate Cesena: Inter will have to be very good tomorrow. We've got ourselves in a position where this is an important match and we want to do well in front of our fans. We're fired up and, as I said, we're not underestimating Cesena but tomorrow I want to see a top performance from Inter."
Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri expects an "extremely difficult" Derby of the Sun
The Neapolitans would take a giant leap towards Champions League qualification if they manage to defeat Roma on Saturday.
Napoli travel to the Stadio Olimpico to take on Roma in a match which they must win in order to move within touching distance of a place in the UEFA Champions League.Walter Mazzarri's side have been in sensational form in recent games, and against Roma they will rate their chances of returning home with the three points, even if the hosts also find themselves in a must-win situation in order to keep their Champions League dream alive.
"Tomorrow's match counts more than the others because it is the one that comes first. We know the extreme difficulties that await us at the Olimpico, and we will prepare for them in the best possible manner," said Mazzarri.
"We come from two consecutive wins, the team are steady and compact, but today soccer doesn't ever allow you to feel comfortable. Each event is a match aside."
John Terry's racism trial makes Premier League suspend pre-match handshakes
The English Premier League have decided to retain the traditional ritual due to legal purposes.
Pre-match team handshakes will be suspended prior to Sunday's match between Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers at Stamford Bridge.Terry, the captain of Chelsea, is accused of racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand during a Premier League game in October and due to this the EPL believed it was best to retain team handshakes.
"The Premier League position on the pre-match handshake convention remains consistent. In all normal circumstances it must be observed," the Premier League announced in an official statement.
FC Barcelona’s Pep Guardiola said to quit Nou Camp after the end of the season
Reports in Spain indicate that having been hit hard after winning so much, Pep Guardiola believes his time has come to leave the Nou Camp.
Pep Guardiola is said to meet with his players on Friday prior to their weekend match against Rayo Vallecano to communicate his decision to them. The club is also expected to confirm the news and its consequences during the pre-match press conference.Guardiola has been linked with English clubs Chelsea, Manchester United and also the Three Lions. Nevertheless – having tasted ultimate success, the pressure that comes along with it and the pain that follows the inability to keep the momentum – the former Barcelona B coach might just opt to take a break from football.
The Telegraph quoted him saying after the Chelsea match: "I will speak with (assistant manager) Tito and see what we have to do.
"We have to return to the top of the table even if just for a couple of hours" - Milan boss Allegri
According to the Milan tactician the Rossoneri have no choice but to rack up the three points against Bologna to remain hot on Juve's heels.
Italian champions AC Milan welcome Bologna to the San Siro stadium on Sunday in a game which they must win in order to remain in contention for the Scudetto.Milan find themselves one point behind league leaders Juventus with only six rounds left to play in the Serie A this season, and simply can't afford to slip-up any more to win back-to-back titles.
But according to head coach Massimiliano Allegri, the Rossoneri will have to be in top form because they face a very difficult Bologna side who are particularly dangerous when in the attacking third and will arrive in the San Siro with nothing to lose.
"We will try our hardest to reach the Champions League" - Inter boss Stramaccioni
The former Primavera coach believes it is essential for his side to pick up the three points against Fiorentina to inch closer towards their objective.
Inter Milan know that they will face a must-win situation when they travel to the Stadio Artemio Franchi to take on hosts Fiorentina on Sunday, because if the Nerazzurri fail to return home with the three points they could kiss goodbye to their chances of qualifying for the Champions League next season.Andrea Stramaccioni, the coach of Inter, understands the importance of the match and that of earning a spot in Europe's maximum club competition, but he is wary of the possible threat posed by a struggling Fiorentina outfit who find themselves in a devastating 16th position of the Serie A and in danger of being relegated to the Serie B next season.
"The Roma game will be an open affair" – Juventus ace Alessandro Matri
The Juventus striker is eagerly awaiting what he believes will be a hotly-contested encounter at the Juventus Arena on Sunday.
With only a handful of matches left to play in the Serie A this season Juventus have a one-point lead over second-placed AC Milan and are highly fancied to secure what would be a 28th Scudetto.La Vecchia Signora come into Sunday's mouthwatering fixture with Roma with five consecutive victories under their belt and will be hoping to make it six in a row to move within touching distance of the much sought after title.
However, they must be on top of their game at all moments, because rivals Roma are hungrier than ever and on paper appear to have what it takes to end Juve's impressive 32-game unbeaten run.
Will Newcastle or Tottenham be able to close the gap on Arsenal?
Newcastle and Tottenham will be looking to take advantage of Arsenal's slip up against Wigan on Monday.
Newcastle vs. Stoke
Newcastle sits fifth in the Premier League table having won their previous five games and is looking to claim fourth spot by displacing Tottenham Hotspur. Their opponents are Stoke City- the side fourteenth in the table. Stoke has recorded just one win in their previous...
Arsenal vs Chelsea: Crucial game in the Blues’ quest for a glorious finish this season
Can Chelsea top off an already incredible week with a victory at the Emirates in the English Premier League on Saturday?
Chelsea looking for revenge after losing to Arsenal earlier this season
Roberto Di Matteo has managed to lift the spirits at Stamford Bridge and he will look to keep things rolling this weekend. After a hard fought victory mid-week over Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League, Chelsea will now turn their attentions to the Premier League. With hopes of finishing in the top four, anything but a win could really hurt their aspirations.
Atletico Madrid boss Simeone expects a "tough" Europa League semi-final against Valencia
'El Cholo' is eagerly awaiting what he believes will be an extremely stiff all-Spanish affair at the Vicente Calderon on Thursday.
Diego Simeone expects his side to be in for an extremely difficult contest when they battle with Valencia in the first leg of the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday.Simeone is well aware of the threat posed by opponents Valencia but believes his team can obtain the desired result if they manage to maintain their concentration throughout the entire ninety minutes.
"It will be a tough match, we have to play serious and to win the game in the best possible manner," said Simeone.
The Argentine praised both sides by stating: "They are two teams that give their all almost always and they know exactly what they are playing for."