Tag: FIFA

LIVERPOOL CANNOT SETTLE FOR ROBERTSON

Liverpool have made some important strides in the last two years.


The team is widely expected to crown their effort with at least a trophy. This season could be that time for Liverpool. The team’s problems lie in the left back role, central defence and one-touch strike role.

The Reds did very well in attack last year even though injuries seemed to blight their record. As the club desperate tries to add a worthy central defender, the club need not rely on Andy Robertson as the choice for the left back role. While his left foot might be luring, his youth and record might be good enough but the Merseyside outfit needs more!

Liverpool should be really chasing the Premier League, and there’s the Champions League to play aside other commitments. The team needs a proven top player for the role not just someone with good figures for the moment. Continue reading LIVERPOOL CANNOT SETTLE FOR ROBERTSON

BIGGEST MADRID DEFEATS IN RECENT HISTORY

After Real Madrid defeated their city rivals Atletico 3-0 in the first leg of the Champions League, many feel the race is over and that little would change at the Vincente Calderon.


However, there have been big defeats against the Spanish side in history but the issue is if Atletico would be able to rise to the occasion.

The 2009 game against Liverpool in the Champions League Round of 16 easily comes to mind. Former Spurs coach Juande Ramos was in charge as Madrid sought to overturn a 1-0 defeat. Liverpool had Fernando Torres who was in form. He was a threat to the Madrid defence that had Sergio Ramos and Pepe in their prime. Steven Gerrard combined with the Spaniard to punish Fabio Cannavaro and the rest of the team. Andrea Dossena was on the scorers’ list alongside Gerrard who grabbed a brace on the night.

Real are arguably the most consistent side in recent European football history. There was a time not too long ago that Barcelona were the force to reckon with but Real seem to have picked up the baton. The 5-0 loss to their biggest rival in the 2010/2011 season remains one that would not be forgotten in a hurry. Coach Pep Guardiola andJose Mourinho clashed and the Catalan side were the victors in the La Liga game. Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro, David Villa and Jefferson combined to humble the mighty Madrid.

Atletico did something similar in the league in 2014/15 as the defending champs defeated Madrid 4-0. Madrid were touted as the La Liga champions in waiting under manager Carlo Ancellotti but that failed to materialize as they crashed to Diego Simeone’s men. Continue reading BIGGEST MADRID DEFEATS IN RECENT HISTORY

RED LEGENDS FACE MADRID COUNTERPARTS

Liverpool FC Foundation charity match is set to bring some of the world’s biggest soccer stars together at Anfield on Saturday.


Both sides are two of the most successful in European history – with 16 European Cups and 50 League titles between them.

Both sides have met in different competitions in the past but this occasion is for charity and it is a repeat of the Corazon Classic of 2015. Reports say Steven Gerrard will appear for the first time since his retirement. He would play alongside legends like Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman, Luis Figo, Roverto Carlos, Jamie Carragher and others.

With the domestic football fixtures suspended for the international break, this offers some of the best excitement over the weekend. Both sides have met a few times in history, on the pitch and during contract talks.

The Reds won the European Cups of 1977 and 1978 but met Madrid in 1981in Paris. Liverpool emerged victors after the sole goal of Alan Kennedy.

Whilst Robbie Fowler was one of the biggest Liverpool stars in the 90s, the 1999 incident surely made his infamous compared to the exploits of McManaman. The highly-talented midfielder left the club controversially though to Madrid after the club allowed his contract run down in its last season. Continue reading RED LEGENDS FACE MADRID COUNTERPARTS

LIVERPOOL LEFT BACK PROBLEM REMAIN UNSOLVED

The lack of a sterling Left Back affected Liverpool when they lost the Europa league final to Sevilla.


The reason for the loss was a collective poor performance but the position was one the opposition used to terrorize the defence and it was naturally blamed after the loss. Even popular Pundit and former player Jamie Carragher tweeted that the coach Jurgen Klopp or the transfer committee to get another capable left back.

The players are set to return to training on Saturday for the pre-season plans, especially those not on national team duty at the Euro 2016 or Copa America.

The team is set to play their first friendly on Friday July 8 against Tranmere. New signings Joel Matip, Marko Grujic, Loris Karius and Sadio Mane are likely to join the team in training, if not play at the friendly. The major concern going into the new campaign is the fact that a Left Back is missing. Alberto Moreno is favoured to continue but the plan of the management to sign Leicester City’s 19-year old Ben Chilwell doesn’t sit well with the fans. Moreno, 24, seems a better option with his pace, ball control and attacking prowess.
Continue reading LIVERPOOL LEFT BACK PROBLEM REMAIN UNSOLVED

ANDREA DOSSENA: I WAS TREATED “LIKE A TERRORIST”

Italy International, Andrea Dossena narrated his embarrassing experience in Harrods. The defender who played in England at Liverpool and Sunderland described being treated “like a terrorist” during his recent arrest on suspicion of shoplifting in Harrods.


The 33-year-old Italian, who joined Leyton Orient in November 2014 before moving to FC Chiasso, was detained with his wife, Deborah, and young son, Romeo, at the Knightsbridge department store, but all charges were later dropped when the issues were cleared. The left back described the embarrassing experience to Corriere dello Sport. He said:

“When we got to the checkout and paid, I didn’t notice that there was also a pack of dried beef and a jar of honey in our bag. I don’t know how it happened, I’ve no idea.”

When the alarm sounded and staff called police, Dossena said they were handcuffed, “as you would do with a terrorist. I was obviously in disbelief, not only because of that gesture but because I didn’t know what was going on – I hadn’t realised the mistake we’d made.”

“They asked to see our documents that prove our status as residents of London, and obviously I didn’t have them with me – I’d left them at home. So then they took us to the police station, where they held us until half past 10 at night, despite the needs of a two-and-a-half-year-old child. It’s absurd to treat a child this way. Continue reading ANDREA DOSSENA: I WAS TREATED “LIKE A TERRORIST”

Massimiliano Allegri says that Juventus can certainly learn a lot

Massimiliano Allegri says that Juventus can certainly learn a lot from the recent stumbles faced by Barcelona in the Spanish league.

The Catalan club had a 10 point advantage going into the months of April and May. It looked like the title race in Spain was done and dusted despite the league having one of the best teams in the world – Real Madrid. Barcelona, though, have suffered a huge wobble and the title race is back on again. Failure to win the last three games in the league have meant that Barcelona have lost their huge advantage in the league.

They are now only three points ahead of Atletico Madrid and just one point ahead of Real Madrid, who have played a game more. The team is under immense pressure now to win the home game against struggling Valencia. Allegri does not want his Juventus team to also face the same fate. He refused to attribute this decline down to complacency. Juventus have been one of the inform teams in European football over the last few months. Despite a very poor start to the season, they have stormed to the top of the table. Their last defeat in the league was back in October 2015. Even more impressive is that they have dropped only two points since then. Continue reading Massimiliano Allegri says that Juventus can certainly learn a lot