Raul Dropped From Spain Squad After Ten Years

Spain coach Luis Aragones has been dropped skipper Raul from the Spanish national team – for the first time in ten years – for the upcoming Euro qualifier against Sweden.Spain play Sweden in a crucial Euro qualifier on October 7, having lost to Northern Ireland last time around. That will be followed by an interesting friendly against Argentina on the 11th. That the squad had attracted attention away from Sunday’s Madrid derby, says enough about the significance of Aragones’s decision.

“I’ve picked the players who I think are in the best shape at the moment,” said Aragones. “However this is only a decision I made for this game. I’ve talked with Raul, even though I usually don’t talk with players unless they are injured.”

 

Valencia winger Joaquin also drops out, while Fernando Morientes continues to struggle to make an impression on Aragones despite a very bright start to the season. However, Che winger-forward Miguel Angel Angulo makes a return to a squad, in a indication that Aragones is looking to settle upon a 4-3-3. Also out of the squad are Mariano Pernía, who has been kept on the Atleti bench by Antonio Lopez, and Borja Oubiña, who has had an average start to the season in Celta’s struggling midfield, though it also has to do with Aragones naming a smaller squad. Injured Marchena and Salgado have also been left out, with Deportivo full-back Capdevila being drafted in. Ironically, the decision comes after Raul showed some very decent form during the midweek mauling of Dynamo Kiev at the Bernabeu. Only earlier this week, he got a huge vote of confidence from compatriot Fernando Torres, and Mexican Javier Aguirre, in the build-up towards the Madrid derby.

Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Reina (Liverpool), Casillas (Real Madrid);

Defenders: Antonio López and Pablo (Atlético Madrid), Puyol (Barcelona), Juanito (Betis), Capdevila (Deportivo), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid);

Midfielders: Cesc (Arsenal), Iniesta and Xavi (Barcelona), Luis García and Xabi Alonso (Liverpool), Albelda and Angulo (Valencia);

Forwards: Reyes (Arsenal), Fernando Torres (Atlético Madrid), David Villa (Valencia).

What can i say……his burst of form came too late and Arragones is still stupid and should be sacked…..all the bad coaches were sacked after the WC ex. Sven, Carlos Alberto and others… and all showed the potential of the team that was supposed to be shown in the last WC.

Ronaldo Back In Real Madrid Squad

Fabio Capello has named Ronaldo in the Real Madrid squad for Sunday’s clash against Atletico Madrid. The Brazilian trained well on Friday, and was seen running very comfortably with the ball. However, Ronaldo is still not completely match-fit, and is unlikely to play any more than 10-15 minutes, and even that only if Real need to throw everything into attack. The other surprise selection has been that of Ivan Helguera, who finally finds favour, albeit due to a minor injury picked up by Pavon.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Casillas, Diego Lopez;

Defenders: Roberto Carlos, Sergio Ramos, Meji­a, Cannavaro, Helguera, Raul Bravo;

Midfielders: Emerson, Diarra, Guti, Beckham, Reyes;

Forwards: Robinho, Raul, Cassano, Ronaldo, Van Nistelrooy.

Lool its funny that i hate Helguera so much that i would play an injured Pavon than an in form Helguera…

Gourcuff Blow For Milan

Milan have been hit with the news that Yoann Gourcuff is expected to be out for around three weeks after damaging a hip. The 20-year-old bruised his hip in training ahead of the club’s Champions League clash with Lille this week. Gourcuff has hit the headlines since joining from Rennes this summer and his absence will be a blow for a Milan side who have drawn their last two matches 0-0. The Frenchman has made three appearances fir Milan, scoring once.This guy is truly amazing….THE NEXT ZIDANE !! But seriously he will be a blow for Milan because he is the star now and not Kaka…he has been outplayed yet i sure wish Kaka comes to Real Madrid because we really need a playmaker for the future (we have Guti) cause Guti wont play forever….

Capello Cannot Be Criticized – Aguirre

Atletico Madrid coach Javier Aguirre has come to the defense of Real Madrid counterpart Fabio Capello ahead of this weekend’s Madrid derby.“I do not understand how Fabio’s work can be criticized, or that of Raul,” said Aguirre.

“Real Madrid are playing very well, are at the top in the [Primera] Liga, and have only conceded one goal; yet the criticism continues.”

 

Despite praising Real, the Mexican denied that they could be favourites for Sunday’s clash: “Both the teams are in a new potition, familiarizing with the new players, organizing as a team, though they might be a step ahead.

“Because we are the ones away from home, some believe that they will be favourites. But it will be eleven against eleven on the field, and I see us very equal.”Aguirre also sought to play down the significance of the clash: “I do not believe that this derby is a make-or-break for the future, because this is matchday 5, and there are 33 more left. Neither a defeat, nor a loss, can be definitive.”

I dont understand how you are making excuses b4 the game :S?? I am not saying that we are 100% going to win but it kills me that he is just trying to be the middle man…

Check This :P!!

Lool dosent the guy on the right look like Dustin Hoffman (he’s the president of Athletico Madrid)

Oliveira Not Worried By Goal Drought

Milan have failed to score in their past two matches, something which did not occur in years. The Rossoneri have always been considered an offensive side, and therefore it is quite surprising to see that they ended in a goalless draw for the past two matches. However, new striker Ricardo Oliveira is not too worried by this goal drought, and is confident that the Rossoneri will soon be back to scoring goals.

“Against Lille it was not an simple match, but we knew it wouldn’t be easy, however I think that returning back home with one point is important. Surely, it would have been better winning, but a point is fine.”We had many chances even though we did not take advantage of them, but even though we don’t score, it’s always better managing to create chances. This way it’s easier to return to scoring ways.

“I’m not worried, because the important thing is to feel fine and managing to play well the matches. This way the goals will be back.”

Oliveira has so far managed to score just one goal for the Rossoneri since his move from Real Betis this summer.

As expected Milan failed to find Shevchenko’s replacement……and y the hell did he leave……He said he wanted to learn english and he wanted his son to learn english………aaah arent there any english classes in Italy :S?? Based on Maldini’s explanation…after the fight with Ancelotti he wanted to leave….

Camoranesi Accepts Serie B

After weeks of speculations on a possible January transfer, Mauro German Camoranesi has accepted to remain with the Bianconeri.

“I’m happy that I did not leave, with Juventus I spoke two months ago and we understood each other.”Serie B is very interesting and is equal, as a level, to that of Serie A. I’m happy that I have won back the fans and I hope to repay them with the promotion.”

Camoranesi admitted that he was close to a move to Spain this past summer.

“There were contacts with Spain, but then nothing happened. However, I’m very interested in the foreign leagues.”

What club in spain wanted him :S?? Never heard he was going to Spain I remember Lyon and Inter Milan where linked to him but not any club in Spain…….in any case it is settled now he will stay in the Old Lady……

Juventus Rejected Chiellini Bid From Chelsea

The player’s agent revealed that the Bianconeri will not sell the international full-back at any price. Davide Lippi, son of Marcello and also agent for a number of players, spoke about his client Giorgio Chiellini, who was requested by various clubs this past summer, including Chelsea and Roma, but Juventus decided not to sell him.

“Juventus have always believed he is not for sale, and even said not to Chelsea too.”In any case, Roma did not make a real offer.”

This is Chiellini’s second season with the Bianconeri, following his previous excellent year with the Old Lady.

Chiellini is the future for Juve and for Italian football cause Grosso isnt enough for the long run cause the Italian National Team still fail to replace the legend Maldini….

Eto’o Out For Up To Five Months

Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o may not play again for five months after having surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. The Cameroon ace was stretchered off in the 65th minute of the club’s 1-1 draw with Werder Bremen in the Champions League on Tuesday.

 

“We carried out the operation this afternoon and found a meniscus in perfect condition apart from the damaged area,” Barca doctor Ramon Cugat said.

 

“We told Samuel, who was conscious throughout, that we could repair it and that was what we decided to do. To remove a professional sportsman’s meniscus alters the biomechanics of the knee, and you could pay for that later.

 

“He is a young player, and the fact we have been able to preserve the meniscus means that when he recovers it will be as if he had never had an injury, although it has a longer recovery time.”

It had originally been thought that Eto’o would only be out for two to three months but HooRaY!! Its 5 months and that means that there are 3 candidates for top scorers this season…..Ruud, Ronaldo, and Villa (Raul might join them )

Valencia Worry Me More Than Real Madrid – Giuly

“Real Madrid are not the team that worry me more,” said Giuly in an interview to France Football. “I think that Valencia, who are more stable, and have strengthened themselves very well, will create more problems for us.”The winger-forward said that Barca, Real and Valencia, along with possibly Sevilla, should be in the race for the title, but said he still put Barcelona above the other three, as they had “built the team over a period of time, and were very well settled.”

Giuly should shut the fuck up he’s just ignorant…..he dosent know the history between Madrid and Barca hence who won more and who is really the superior team of all time…..anyways i will leave the statistics to talk for themselves and we will see when we face each other this season….