Opta Sports and the Professional Football Players’ Observatory, a pair of soccer research groups, released a report Monday that ranked players and clubs in Europe’s five major leagues. Spanish teams, notably Real Madrid and Barcelona, were first in four key categories: shots on goal, assists and key passes, dribbles and fouls received and passing. La […]
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Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Prandelli rings in changes
[ITALY] American-born Giuseppe Rossi was called up for Italy’s first game under new coach Cesare Prandelli, but he isn’t expected to start for the revamped Azzurri, who play Ivory Coast Tuesday in London. But Prandelli will likely start Mario Balotelli, who will turn 20 on Thursday and is considered the top young talent in Italy. […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Inter Milan's Benitez happy with progress
Following a two-week U.S. tour that ended Thursday with a 2-2 tie against FC Dallas, Inter Milan, the defending European and Italian champion, returned home to continue its preparations for thestart of the Serie A season Aug. 30 against Bologna. “The players had to improve their physical condition,” said Coach Rafael Benitez, who leftLiverpool for […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Baggio has his work cut out
[ITALY] Former Italian great Roberto Baggio will have a huge job of helping turn around Italian soccer when he takesover as technical director at the Italian federation. Baggio, Italy’s biggest star when it finished third at the World Cup it hosted in 1990 and second at the World Cup four years laterin the United States, […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Baltimore promoters look on positive side
This summer’s international friendlies haven’t enjoyed the success of the games during the 2009 “Summer of Soccer.” Saturday’s Inter Milan-Manchester City match at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadiumdrew 36,569 fans. Last summer Chelsea and AC Milan attracted more than 71,000. Dick Cass, the NFL Ravens president, isn’t discouraged by thecrowd. “We’re going to try to get […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
South Americans out to make history
[QUARTERFINALS] Will the prospect of an all-South American final four materialize, or can Ghana break new ground by punching through to the semifinals? Either would be a first. South American nations have contested the final only twice (in 1930 and 1950), and never have they filled all four semifinal slots. Cameroon lost to England, 3-2, […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Italy's Lippi issues mea culpa
Four years after he guided Italy to the World Cup title, Coach Marcello Lippi‘s team finished last in Group F, which was considered the weakest of the tournament. “Itake all responsibility,” said Lippi after a 3-2 loss to Slovakia sent the Italians packing. “I haven’t prepared this team well enough. I didn’t think we could […]
Posted inSpecial Edition, Story
Italy headed home in disgrace
[GROUP F] Slovakia pulled the latest upset in what has been a wild tournament when it eliminated defending champion Italy, 3-2, and claimed second place inGroup F behind Paraguay. For what we liked and didn’t like on the final day of play in Group F … What we liked … — Slovakia, playingin its first […]
Posted inSpecial Edition, Story
Everything to play for in Group F
[PREDICTIONS] All four teams have a chance of qualifying from Group F, where the drawing of lots could determine the second-place team. In Group E, Japan andDenmark will face off to decide the second-place berth in the knockout phase. For a look at Thursday’s four games and Soccer America’s predictions … GROUPE: DENMARK (3 pts. […]
Posted inSpecial Edition, Story
New Zealand shows the way
[GROUP F] Who would have ever predicted that after the second weekend of play at the World Cup England, France, Italy and Spain would all be winless? Perhapsthe most shocking result to date was New Zealand’s well-deserved 1-1 tie with Italy. For what we liked and didn’t like about Sunday’s action in Group F … […]