Bleacher Report - Articles by lankapo

Italy's Olympic Soccer Squad

lankapo — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 02:52:00 -0400

ROME (AFP) - Italy coach Pierluigi Casiraghi unveiled his 22-man squad for next month's Beijing Olympics here on Thursday.

The Azzurrini (the little Azzurris) will undergo their pre-Games medical examinations on Monday before heading off to their training camp at Coverciano near Florence.

They have a warm up game against Romania scheduled for July 22 and are due to arrive in Beijing four days later.

A genuine waiting room for the senior line-up, the U-23 team is composed almost entirely of Serie A representatives, which unsurprisingly gives them solid experience of top-level football. The star of the side is nonetheless Giuseppe Rossi, who plies his trade in Spain with Villarreal and forms one third of Italy's formidable attacking trio alongside Sebastian Giovinco and Robert Acquafresca.

Meanwhile, captain and Torino prospect Marco Motta looks to be the natural successor to a long line of talented Italian defenders. All that remains to be seen now is whether Casiraghi decides to bolster his squad with three older players, as the rules permit.

Facts and figures

Former stars
Franco Baresi (1984), Demetrio Albertini (1992), Andrea Pirlo (2000), Alberto Gilardino (2004)

Key players
Giuseppe Rossi (forward), Marco Motta (defence), Claudio Marchisio (midfield)

Qualifying statistics
Placed third in a strong group after one win, one draw and one defeat, Italy finally won through on penalties in a play-off contest with Portugal (0-0; 4-3 on penalties).

The numbers game
19: the number of goals scored by Alberto Gilardino, the top scorer in the history of the team, with a record three superior to that of his AC Milan colleague Andrea Pirlo, who fired 16.

Italy Olympic squad

Italy U-19 lose in European Championship Final

lankapo — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 03:20:00 -0400

Francesco Rocca's Under 19 boys were defeated 3-1 in the finals of the European Championship despite having more men on the pitch for a good part of the game. A well deserved win for the Germans, who played better.

JABLONEC (Czech Republic), 26 July 2008—This time around, it's the Germans who win. Italy's Under-19 team see their golden dream vanish. Germany win the finals of the Under-19 European Championship. And they do it leaving no room for doubt: the final score is 3-1, although it could have been more. It's a pity, because Francesco Rocca's lads have played almost one half of the game with the numerical advantage (after Jungwirth was sent off in the 36th minute).

DARN IT, PALOSCHI—Italy dominate at the beginning of the game: Paloschi, taking advantage of a gap in the German defence, prods a shot over Zieler that barely misses the goal. The Germans don't seem irresistible; but every time they advance, they create confusion in the Italian defence. The most "inspired" player in Hrubesch squad is Gebhart, a real playmaker who keeps drilling into the defensive lines.

BENDER, WHAT A GOAL—Half an hour into the game, Germany open the score. It all begins with a couple of kicks in the area: no one sends it out and Lars Bender lashes a left-foot shot that leaves Fiorillo motionless. A well deserved advantage, soon "levelled" by Jungwirth's dismissal, who knocked Okaka down twice in no time, earning a couple of yellow cards and the subsequent red card.

FEW CHANCES—Despite having more men on the pitch, Italy do not create great chances. Rocca leaves Poli on the bench at the half. The forward is replaced by Bonaventura, a centre-half. Few chances to score.

Germany are well organized and they punish the Italians with their breakaways. Gebhart gives an excellent pass to Sukuta-Pasu, who catches Fiorillo by surprise with his shot. The game is almost over, although in the meantime Italy are down to ten men due to Gentili's dismissal.

THE GEBHART PUZZLE—The only Azzurro goal comes 15 minutes from the final whistle. Not randomly from Forestieri, who was the most toned down today, also considering the expectations about him. The German goalkeeper makes a save with his fists in front of Okaka; the ball is lost in the area and Raggio Garibaldi strikes it into an empty goal.

This would be the time for a comeback, if it weren't for Gebhart (him again). Two minutes after the Genoa centre-half's winning shot, the playmaker from Monaco 1860 overtakes Bruscagin and heads in a free-kick, defeating Fiorillo.

It's the final verdict, and our goalkeeper has to avoid a 4-1 in the 90th minute, with a desperate save, again against Gebhart. The game ends with a well deserved German victory. This time around, they were better than us.

Alessandro Ruta

Real Madrid Hunting Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar

lankapo — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:57:00 -0400

Inter Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is back on the radar of Real Madrid.

Marca says concerns over Ruud van Nistelrooy's long-term fitness has forced Real to draw up a shortlist of potential striker signings for the summer market.

As we all know, Nistelroy is prone to injury and Zlatan's performance lately with Inter is quite disappointing. His inability to score against Liverpool in the Champions League is totally outrageous. He missed even easy chances. Maybe it is time for him to switch places with Nistelroy.

Ibrahimovic is high on Real's agenda, with the Swede's frosty relationship with coach Roberto Mancini fueling talk that the Spanish giants could tempt the striker to Madrid in the summer.

The Spanish capital club are reported to be scouring the market since Ruud van Nistelrooy was confirmed to be facing some time on the sidelines, with the Merengues wanting more first-team options for next season so that such injuries cannot jeopardise the team's plans to the same extent next season.

Although coach Bernd Schuster sees Didier Drogba as his number one pick for the team, Real Madrid sports director Predrag Mijatovic is said to have his eyes on Huntelaar as the 24-year-old still has plently of time ahead of him to improve.

The former Montenegrin player has reportedly been following the Dutch striker for two years, having guaranteed before Wesley Sneijder's signing that Huntelaar would become a target for Real next season.

The Dutch international is currently Eredivisie's leading in the the goal-scoring tally, having netted twenty-seven times this season.

However, Real Madrid are not the only club interested in his services, as Chelsea, AC Milan and Roma are claimed to be monitoring the Ajax player. It's said that a bid in the region of 35 million euros may be required to prise the Dutchman away from the Godenzonen.

Thierry Henry Unhappy at Barcelona?

lankapo — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 13:41:00 -0400

Just looking at his face, we know that he is lying when he said :

"It has been a fantastic experience. I am enjoying it," he told The Sun.

"When you play with Barca away from home, it is chaos.

"When you travel with Barca it's like the The Beatles are in town.

"I don't have any regrets. Not at all. I've only been on the bench three times and one of those was for a rest.

"I have seven goals in the league, three in the Champions League and three in the cup. And I have eight assists. For a winger, that is not bad!

"I love London, don't get me wrong. But I also love Barcelona. The weather here is amazing."

THE FACT THAT :

Despite being forced to play on the left wing for much of the season Henry still feels that he has enjoyed a successful first season in Spain, even if it has taken time for him to get used to the welcome the Barcelona squad often receive on their travels.

He is not King Henry anymore, his time has already passed. In Barca, people talk more about Messi, Ronaldinho—even Frank Rijkaard. Henry fate is quite similar with Shevcenko of Chelsea. Once a feared striker in Europe now only played in reserve match.

Soccer Drills to Improve Your Game

lankapo — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 23:11:15 -0500

By nikoman

A question soccer coaches and dads ask is this - how do I get my son to be good at soccer? Does it really just involve bonding with your kid until he finally understands the sport well enough? Does it really stop with knowing the basic rules and instructions of the game until one becomes strong enough as a player of the game? The answer to becoming a good soccer player is by practicing using soccer drills. A soccer player is never born, but made. If you want your amateur soccer player to be an eventual success, then you have to be industrious enough and practice the basics of the game.

What are Soccer Drills?

Soccer drills are a set of exercises that are focused on optimizing a particular skill in soccer. As in a workout, soccer drills complement each other. Some soccer drills focus on the improvement of the thigh area, so that a player can have enough leg power while running in the field. Some soccer drills specialize in optimizing the hamstrings, because it is important for fast and flexible movement of the hips. It works like a workout scheme wherein you use certain machines that aim to strengthen a particular part of your body. In soccer drills, you practice in order to make a particular part of your body strong enough in order to fit the demands of the game. More than that, soccer drills are also practiced in the field. It not only strengthens one’s body but also makes one practice soccer in a particular area of specialization, such as dribbling, passing, etc.

The Importance of Soccer Drills

If soccer drills were not undertaken, then there probably wouldn’t be any person good enough to play the game. David Beckham himself attests to the importance of soccer drills in developing the soccer skills of a person. One does not get good at soccer solely through talent. That talent has to be developed over time, and the only way for that to happen is by practicing through soccer drills.

Types of Soccer Drills

There are dozens of soccer drills out there, all of which are aimed at making you good at a particular skill. Certain drills focus on developing more than one skill. If you are under a tight schedule, then you might as well practice these multi-faceted soccer drills.

Lucas Podolski Set on Loan to Manchester City

lankapo — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 09:23:06 -0500

Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness says the club would be willing to allow Lucas Podolski to leave on loan.

The news will interest Manchester City who are keeping tabs on the Germany striker.

City were keen on signing Podolski, but were warned off by Bayern, as Jurgen Klinsmann—who is set to replace Ottmar Hitzfeld in the summer—wants him as part of his squad next season.

Hoeness said: "We have got to talk about what we are going to do. I am torn. A club like Bayern Munich needs four top strikers.

"If we loan him out and everything goes well, we have done everything right. Then we have got him games and he comes back on July 1."

Source: Setanta Sports

He needs to play ; he hasn't done very good this season, as well as last, in terms of number of starts and goals. Manchester City could definitely offer him some good experience. I say, let him go on loan for the rest of the season, then come back to Bayern after the Euro, and be part of the Klinsmann-era.:)

Liverpool-Inter Milan: Reds Come Up Big at Anfield

lankapo — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 22:14:47 -0500

The Italian Champions' 29-game unbeaten run has ended at Anfield.

Liverpool, after being shown the exit in the FA cup by giant killer Banrsley, demonstrated strong dominance in midfield and attacking.

The absence of Materazzi gave Liverpool the advantage to score in five minutes before the end of time.

We will see they back in action in second leg to see which team will survive

Liverpool 2 - Inter 0

Liverpool (4-4-2): 25 Reina; 3 Finnan, 23 Carragher, 4 Hyypia, 12 Fabio Aurelio; 8 Gerrard, 21 Lucas Leiva (15 Crouch 64), 20 Mascherano, 19 Babel (16 Pennant 72); 9 Torres, 18 Kuyt.
Subs not used: 30 Itandje, 6 Riise, 11 Benayoun, 14 Xabi Alonso, 17 Alvaro Arbeloa.
Coach: Rafa Benitez.

Inter (4-4-2): 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 2 Cordoba (16 Burdisso 76), 23 Materazzi, 26 Chivu; 4 Zanetti, 19 Cambiasso, 5 Stankovic, 6 Maxwell; 8 Ibrahimovic, 9 Cruz (14 Vieira 55).
Subs not used: 1 Toldo, 7 Figo, 18 Crespo, 28 Maniche, 29 Suazo.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.
Referee: De Bleeckere (Belgium).
Booked: Chivu 4, Materazzi 12.
Sent off: Materazzi 30.

Champions League photos from Anfield

International Football: Match Fixing in Asia

lankapo — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 11:22:16 -0500

I am just happen to read an article about match fixing and gambling particularly in Asia by Joel Morisson.

Match fixing happen all around the world, but Asia remain as the main source of betting syndicate.

The syndicates in Asia run a brisk and lucrative business, with football competitions played nearly all-year round globally. Popular international tournaments, such as the World Cup, European Championship and African Nations Cup, often result in a massive increase in bets. In Thailand, it is estimated that Thais bet nearly one billion dollars on the 2006 World Cup.

Even Benin Coach, Reinhard Fabisch claimed he was approached by a bookie from Singapore to fix his first game againts Mali in the opening match African Cup Nation. See, how far they can go . The writer give a few examples from all around the Asia. From China, Sinagapore even in Malaysia.

Recently, Malaysia coach Chow Kwai Lam was found guilty for deliberately asking his keeper to let go some goals in S league.He was fined S$50,000 by the Singapore Court.Gambling should not be allowed anyway. It can kill the whole football future. Serie A in Italy has faces this football tragedy. If the gambling is stop, there will no bookie wandering around asking for insider information among the football player.

List Your Top 11 U-21 Top Current Pro Soccer Players in Europe

lankapo — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:25:02 -0500

My Question at Yahoo Answer

Can You List Eleven U21 Top Soccer Player in Europe right now?

2 Striker
4 Midfield
4 Defender
1 Goalkeeper
I will put this in my blog at www.lankapo.blogspot.com

by Manc 07

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Joe Hart - GoalKeeper - Age 20 - (Manchester City)(England)

Vedran Corluka - RightBack - Age 21 - (Manchester City)(Croatia)

Gareth Bale - Leftback - Age 18 - (Tottenham Hotspur)(Wales)

Micah Richards - CentreBack - Age 19 - (Manchester City)(England)

Sergio Ramos - CentreBack - Age 21 - (Real Madrid)(Spain)

Theo Walcott - RightMidfield - Age 18 - (Arsenal)(England)

Aaron Lennon - LeftMidfield - Age 20 - (Tottenham Hotspur)(England)

Michael Johnson - CentreMidfield - Age 19 (Manchester City)(England)

Francesc Fabregas - CentreMidfield - Age 20 - (Arsenal)(Spain)

Gabriel Agbonlahor - Striker - Age 21 - (Aston Villa)(England)

Leo Messi- Striker - Age 20 - (Barcelona)(Argentina)

Source(s):

Being A Football Fan!

Arsenal News: Theo Walcott To Be Loaned Out

lankapo — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 22:12:05 -0500

Arsene Wenger will consider sending Theo Walcott out on loan as the fallout from Tuesday's 5-1 mauling by Tottenham continues.

Sportsmail can reveal that a number of Barclays Premier League clubs were contacted yesterday about the prospect of taking the 18-year-old until the end of the season.

Well, for a 13 million pounds transfer fee at the age of 16 years old, Wenger still believes he made the right choice. Although he did admit that the developing pace of Theo as a World Top Class player is not as he expected. Maybe too slow. Without Henry in the club, he likes a wandering teenager without a mentor. As we can see now Henry has Bojan Krikic as his mentee in Barcelona while Ronaldo will monitor Pato in AC Milan.

To have someone to look up to, is important I guess. Now he is on his own. I think we should blame the media for overrating him, don't you think ?

EPL News: Lucas Podolski Set on Loan to Manchester City

lankapo — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 01:00:44 -0500

Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness says the club would be willing to allowed Lucas Podolski leave on loan. The news would interest Manchester City who are keeping tabs on the Germany striker.

City were keen on signing Podolski but were warned off by Bayern as Jurgen Klinsmann, who is set to replace Ottmar Hitzfeld in the summer, wants him as part of his squad next season.

Hoeness said: "We have got to talk about what we are going to do. I am torn. A club like Bayern Munich needs four top strikers.

"If we loan him out and everything goes well, we have done everything right. Then we have got him games and he comes back on July 1."

Source: Setanta Sports

He needs to play; he hasn't done very good this season, as well as last, in terms of number of starts and goals. Manchester City could definitely offer him some good experience. I say, let him go on loan for the rest of the season, then come back to Bayern after the Euro, and be part of the Klinsmann-era.:)

Anelka to Drogba: Please Stay, Didier

lankapo — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 11:18:55 -0500

As a new Chelsea player, there is nothing best that Anelka can give than a piece of advice to Drogba.

“When Didier comes back, I will speak with him,” he said. “I know that English football and the Premier League is the best. I will tell him to stay because he will not find anywhere else what he has in Chelsea. I spoke with him on Wednesday and am looking forward to playing with him.

Anelka is once predicted as one of future superstar in football, his transfer from Arsenal to Real Madrid was a big flop. At suc a young age, I understand everybody no one will say no to Real Madrid, even Michael Owen.After eight years wandering around Europe, from Fenerbache to Bolton, from a bad boy French to a muslim, Anelka has find his form again.

Drogba desire to move/play along Eto'o might be digging his own grave. Barcelona already have plenty of fish in a small pond already. With Henry,Messi and Ronaldinho in the house, a new striker won't do any good to Barcelona.He is not young anyway, already reaching 30. In my opinion, Anelka has a good point there, Drogba should rethink his intention to leave.

Read here for more

Latest Europe Football Prodigy: Bojan Krkic

lankapo — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 08:39:43 -0500

We all know Messi, Samir Nasri, Kareem Benzima, and Fabregas as the young and lethal big names in Europe. They are the future superstars of European football. But the latest sensation from Spain, Bojan Krkic, should not be left out.

Bojan plays alongside Ronaldinho, Thienry, Henry, and Samuel Eto'o in the Spanish Giant Club in Barcelona. Inevitably shadowed by these famous players, he still emerges with superb skills as a steady goal scorer.

He is another fruitful product of the Barcelona Youth System, and at 17 he has taken the Spanish media by storm. His first appearance was in the team squad against Al-Ahly in April of last year where he wore number 14, once donned by John Cruyff.

"It's just a coincidence," he tells FIFA.com, "but it was special all the same. What a debut, I was hoping to get on for a few minutes, but to start the game and score a goal was just amazing."

Bojan led Spain to the final World Cup in Korea against Nigeria. They ended up losing to Nigeria by a penalty shootout.

Ronaldo, Kaka, and Pato: The Brazilian Tradition in Milan

lankapo — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 08:21:33 -0500

Past

Ronaldo has achieved all in football, just name it.

Well, he still does have the Euro Cup to win, I guess. But apart from that, he has successfully secured the World Cup, World Player of the Year, Champions League, and League Title. Plus, membership and play with top clubs distinguishes his CV.

Now, he is no longer at his best. But even Kaka and Ronaldinho for me are no match for Ronaldo at the time he was crowned FIFA Player of the Year. I have a lot of respect for Ronaldo—with his abilities and speed he was the most feared striker in the world.

Right now I can see him serving as a mentor in Milan, especially to youngster Pato. Ronaldo is the anchor of a successful Brazilian tradition in Milan.

Present

AC Milan is desperate to regain their position as a main contender for the Series A title. Right now they are in 12th place with 11 points. Until last weekend, they had not won a game at home. During this home victory Ronaldo scored two goals and spent the rest of his time trying to set up Pato for his first.

And Kaka was also a great player for Brazil, winning the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2007. He is the driving force on the Milan team, continuing the remarkable contributions of Brazilians to Milan. Playing a major attacking role and even being pursued by many top European teams, Kaka still remains modest and wants to remain with Milan.

Future

Milan's future will rely upon Pato—the hot, sizzling attacking player. His first appearances are long awaited by all Milan Supporters. His skills and technique remind me of the 17-year-old Ronaldo. There is a lot of pressure for Pato to handle, especially having just turned 18.

Milan has a lack of fire power up in front. With an aging Inzaghi and a diminishing Gilardino, Pato's debut is a blessing.

But Pato, in my opinion, cannot save his club alone. He needs a mentor to guide him through his development as a major player. Who else better than Ronaldo? I believe with the assets of Brazil's past, present, and future figuring heavily into the state of the club, Milan will succeed again!

FORZA MILAN

AC Milan-Napoli: Ronaldo Inspires Milan

lankapo — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 04:33:12 -0500

ROME (AFP) — Ronaldo was the inspiration as AC Milan ended their dismal winless home run with a 5-2 victory over Napoli on a dream night at the San Siro on Sunday.
Ronaldo was playing only his second match of an injury-plagued season but scored a brace as he partnered debutant teenage sensation Pato in a new-look three-pronged Brazilian attack that included world player of the year Kaka.
Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti finally got the firepower that has been missing from the team at home in the league this season, as Pato and Kaka also got their names on the scoresheet.
In their previous seven matches - five draws and two defeats - Milan managed just three goals, they had doubled that tally 30 seconds into the second half against Napoli.
Ronaldo gave the hosts the lead on the quarter hour, latching onto Andrea Pirlo's clever through ball to fire home off goalkeeper Gennaro Iezzo's legs.
Milan were dominating but Napoli were dangerous on the counter-attack and soon levelled through Roberto Sosa, who converted fellow Argentine Ezequiel Lavezzi's right wing cross.
Ronaldo then tried to turn provider, twice teeing up Pato with just Iezzo to beat but the keeper denied him both times before Clarence Seedorf smashed home the follow-up.
Maurizio Domizzi then levelled from the spot after Georgia centre-back Kakha Kaladze's clumsy challenge on Lavezzi in the box, sending the teams in at half-time all square.
more

Church Corruption: Is Kaka Involved?

lankapo — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 04:28:19 -0500

Monday January 14, 2008

The Guardian

Kaka, the Fifa World Player of the Year, has been asked by Brazilian authorities to explain his link with leaders of an evangelical church who have pleaded guilty to money smuggling, a news magazine reported.

A judge wants to know what connection the Milan playmaker has to the Brazilian couple who were sentenced last year to nearly five months in prison after pleading guilty to smuggling more than $56,000 (£28,500) into the United States, the Carta Capital magazine reported.

No accusations have been made against Kaka. Brazilian police say Estevam Hernandes Filho and Sonia Haddad Moraes Hernandes, founders of the Reborn in Christ Church - an evangelical church with hundreds of thousands of followers - have been using the faithful's donations to buy mansions and horse farms in Brazil and the United States.

The deeply religious Kaka has said previously he makes annual donations to the church, estimated by Carta Capital to reach about $1m.

The judge, Marcelo Batlouni, sent a questionnaire to Kaka wanting to know the level of friendship he has with the Brazilian couple. Among the questions submitted to the Brazilian footballer is whether he used to visit the couple's home and whether he knew they had been arrested. The questionnaire, sent in September, has not yet been answered by Kaka, according to Carta Capital.

Kaka's spokesman said the player never received the questionnaire or any other contact from authorities. "He has never received any request from Brazilian authorities," said Diogo Kotscho, adding that the player should be respected and not judged because of his religious faith.

1	Emiliano VIVIANO
2	Marco MOTTA
3	Paolo DE CEGLIE
4	Antonio NOCERINO
5	Luca CIGARINI
6	Domenico CRISCITO
7	Riccardo MONTOLIVO
8	Claudio MARCHISIO
9	Tommaso ROCCHI
10	Sebastian GIOVINCO
11	Giuseppe ROSSI
12	Daniele DESSENA
13	Andrea CODA
14	Robert ACQUAFRESCA
15	Salvatore BOCCHETTI
16	Lorenzo DE SILVESTRI
17	Ignazio ABATE
18	Andrea CONSIGLI