About.com World Soccer

Victory for the Pragmatists

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:06:05 +0000

The two standout matches in the big European leagues on Sunday were Chelsea's encounter with Arsenal and Roma's visit to Fiorentina.

In both games, pragmatism triumphed over style. Didier Drogba, so often Arsenal's tormentor, scored two first-half goals to earn Chelsea a 2-0 win, while Roma struck late through Mirko Vucunic to win 1-0 in Florence.

Victory for the Pragmatists originally appeared on About.com World Soccer on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 13:06:05.

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Capello Wields the Axe

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 10:53:55 +0000

England coach Fabio Capello is not a man to shirk his responsibilities, never afraid to make tough decisions.

His sacking of John Terry as England captain after allegations of an affair with Wayne Bridge's ex-partner was a timely reminder that he remains the sergente di ferro (iron sergeant), as he became known in Italy.

Capello Wields the Axe originally appeared on About.com World Soccer on Saturday, February 6th, 2010 at 10:53:55.

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Berlusconi Wades in

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:09:43 +0000

Milan president Silvio Berlusconi's comments regarding the club's signing of Inter Milan winger Amantino Mancini intrigue me.

The Italian Prime Minister said he did not "understand" the loan deal, which will see the Brazilian stay with the rossoneri until the end of the season.

Berlusconi Wades in originally appeared on About.com World Soccer on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 19:09:43.

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Nani Delivers at Last

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 03:40:12 +0000

I was at the Emirates Stadium to witness Manchester United's 3-1 destruction of Arsenal and a mesmeric display from Nani.

Lu�s Carlos Almeida da Cunha, to give him his full name, was scintillating down the right, and his cross after a sensational piece of skill to bamboozle the hapless Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri, forced goalkeeper Manuel Almunia to push the ball into his own net, giving United the lead.

Nani Delivers at Last originally appeared on About.com World Soccer on Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 03:40:12.

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Boot-Licking �N� All

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:45:43 +0000

Another�tempestuous week in England has seen Carlos Tevez label Gary Neville "a boot-licker," Owen Coyle accuse William Gallas of "assault" and Steve Bruce brand Liverpool "disrespectful."

Tevez's unique�form of�playground name calling came after Gary Neville reportedly said he was not worth the�US$41 million�Manchester City paid for him after he�left United�last summer. Tevez gestured at Neville - suggesting�the latter talks too much -�during the Carling Cup semi-final between the two sides, and Neville responded by raising his middle finger.

Boot-Licking �N� All originally appeared on About.com World Soccer on Friday, January 22nd, 2010 at 18:45:43.

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Back in the Big Time

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:00:58 +0000

Ronaldinho's third goal in AC Milan's 4-0 win over Siena on Sunday was not only his ninth of the Serie A season but also confirmation that he is returning to something like the form he demonstrated on a weekly basis with Barcelona.

The Catalans were desperate to offload�him and Deco in the summer of 2008 as both were becoming disenchanted with life at Camp Nou. They were emerging as destructive influences in the dressing room, Ronaldinho's relationship with Samuel Eto'o in particular having deteriorated.

Back in the Big Time originally appeared on About.com World Soccer on Tuesday, January 19th, 2010 at 19:00:58.

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Pitiful Punishment

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 04:45:06 +0000

So the Lega Calcio have closed a section of Juventus' Stadio Olimpico because of the racist behavior of the club's fans.

The Curva Sud, where the hardcore ultras sit and�regularly vent their racist spleen will not be open when the club host Roma on January 23.

Pitiful Punishment originally appeared on About.com World Soccer on Saturday, January 16th, 2010 at 04:45:06.

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Rafa�s Realization

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:55:18 +0000

I was interested to read Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez's recent quotes about the importance of qualifying for the Champions League.

The Spaniard suggested that the money garnered for making it into next season's group stages is key to keeping the club's best players. And by that he meant Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.

Rafa�s Realization originally appeared on About.com World Soccer on Tuesday, January 12th, 2010 at 17:55:18.

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Soccer on Backburner as Tournament Kicks off

Sun, 10 Jan 2010 15:49:42 +0000

The African Cup of Nations got underway in Angola on Sunday but rarely can a tournament have been so overshadowed by outside events.

Captain Emmanuel Adebayor and his Togo national team are returning home after three people died when their bus was attacked, while nine others, including two players, were injured. The team bus driver, assistant coach and a spokesman all died in Friday's horrific attack.

Soccer on Backburner as Tournament Kicks off originally appeared on About.com World Soccer on Sunday, January 10th, 2010 at 15:49:42.

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Can we Believe Him?

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 04:28:03 +0000

A familiar pattern has been replicated over the last few days - that of a player allegedly criticizing an element of his club in a foreign newspaper, only to deny his words the following day.

Chelsea midfielder Florent Malouda is the player in question. On Saturday Malouda was quoted in reputable French daily L'Equipe as saying that Frank Lampard was getting into the Blues team on reputation and not his current performances. He also suggested that he was ready to leave due to his lack of regular starts.

Can we Believe Him? originally appeared on About.com World Soccer on Tuesday, January 5th, 2010 at 04:28:03.

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