[SPAIN There was joy in Barcelona as Lionel Messi needed only four minutes to score his first goal of La Liga season ona sweet lob and send Barca, the defending champion, on its way to a 3-0 win at Racing Santander. But Real Madrid went scoreless in Jose Mourinho‘s debut ascoach and had to a […]
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Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
De Jong deserved a red says Webb
By Paul Gardner Six weeks after the event, we now get referee Howard Webb’s explanation of why he did not red-card the Netherlands’ Nigel de Jong in the World Cupfinal. An explanation that is factually sound, that makes a lot of sense … but is not entirely satisfactory. Webb admits that he should have shown […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus are big spenders
[TRANSFER WATCH] Spain’s La Liga and Italy’s Serie A are the last two major European leagues to kick off their 2010-11 seasons this weekend. With only a fewdays to go before the close of the summer transfer window, most clubs have used caution. There have been only 10 eight-figure transfer deals in Spain and seven […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Hodgson dodges Mascherano absence
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson deflected sharp questions about the absence of midfielder Javier Mascherano inManchester City’s 3-0 victory over the Reds on Monday. A bid from Barcelona for the Argentine midfielder had been rejected by Liverpool, whereupon Mascherano opted not to play. Hodgsonsaid he was staying out of the discussions about a possible transfer. “Javier […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Messi rediscovers scoring touch
[SPAIN] There is nothing wrong with Lionel Messi‘s scoring touch. The Argentine star, scoreless in five games at theWorld Cup, scored a hat trick to lead Barcelona to a 4-0 win over Sevilla and help it claim its first trophy of the season, the Spanish Super Cup. The first goal in the 14th minute camewhen […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Zanetti and Cambiasso back in the fold
[ARGENTINA] It’s perhaps a little late for the liking of Argentine fans, but defender Javier Zanetti and midfielderEsteban Cambiasso of Inter Milan are back on the Argentina national team, called up for the Sept. 7 friendly against World Cup champion Spain in BuenosAires. Zanetti and Cambiasso won Italian league and cup titles and the UEFA […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Lichaj makes Villa debut, Altidore returns to action for Villarreal
[AMERICANS ABROAD] The first leg of the Europa League playoffs was notable for two significant developments: 21-year-old EricLichaj made his competitive debut for English Premier League club Aston Villa and national team forward Jozy Altidore played his first competitive gamefor Villarreal in 20 months. Lichaj had a solid game at right back for Villa in […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Real Madrid wraps up $100 million spending spree
Real Madrid wrapped up the signing of German World Cup star Mesut Ozil, the sixth and final player signed in a summer spending spree for young talent thatcost the Merengues $100 million. Their other signings: Sami Khedira, Pedro Leon, Angeldi Maria and Sergio Canales, all 23 or younger, as well as Chelsea veteran Ricardo Carvalho. […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
It's official … Spain's La Liga is the best
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 […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Argentine teammate takes swipe at Messi
Martin Palermo, Lionel Messi‘s teammate on Argentina’s World Cup team, says the Barcelona star doesn’t have theleadership qualities that Diego Maradona had when he led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title. “Messi isn’t Maradona,” Palermo said Monday onAmerica TV. “To me, Messi does not have Maradona’s mentality. He’s not prepared to carry the team. […]