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Real Madrid Avoids English Clubs in Champions League Draw

Posted: Aug 27th 2009 1:20PM by Michael Cardillo (author feed)
Filed under: European Soccer , Soccer Posts, UEFA Champions League

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The UEFA Champions League draw was held Thursday.

Let's face it, the European method of pulling names out from the proverbial hat to determine the pairings for its knockout competitions is, well, a foreign concept. About the only Stateside comparison is the selection committee drawing up the NCAA Tournament brackets every March.

To whit, Thursday in Monaco, UEFA staged its annual gala to determine the groups for the 2009-10 Champions League replete with glitz, glamor and the former Miss Switzerland pulling balls out of pots. Certainly a far cry from a group of middle-aged men sitting together in a hotel room discussing RPI.

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Ibrahimovic Close to Barcelona Transfer

Posted: Jul 17th 2009 2:23PM by Michael Cardillo (author feed)
Filed under: European Soccer , Soccer , La Liga (Spain), Serie A (Italy)

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Not to be outdone by their eternal rivals Real Madrid, European champion Barcelona appears on the verge of making a major splash by adding Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic on a transfer from Inter Milan. What makes the move all the more spectacular is that 2008-09 La Liga second-leading goal scorer Samuel Eto'o is rumored to be going back to Milan in the exchange as well as somewhere in the range of $65 million.

As of Friday afternoon reports were varied on the progress of the deal. The Associated Press said the two sides have a deal in principle, while other outlets are reporting the two sides are still talking. The deal, it would seem, hinges on the individuals themselves, which also include former Arsenal winger Aleksandr Hleb going to Italy.

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All Eyes on Champions League Final

Posted: May 26th 2009 1:07PM by Michael Cardillo (author feed)
Filed under: European Soccer , English Premier League, Soccer , UEFA Champions League, La Liga (Spain)

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Manchester United ... Barcelona ... the UEFA Champions League final. What more really needs to be said?

Wednesday night in Rome (ESPN, 2:25 PM ET) the best team in Europe will be crowned in a contest pitting the champions of what are considered the two top professional leagues in the world -- the (English) Premier League and La Liga. Oh right, there's the juicy subplot between two of the world's best players, too, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi squaring off at the Stadio Olimpico.

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Barcelona Deals Chelsea Heart-Breaking Loss, Reaches Champions League Final

Posted: May 6th 2009 4:51PM by FanHouse Newswire (author feed)
Filed under: English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, La Liga (Spain)

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LONDON (AP) - Barcelona advanced to the European Champions League final against Manchester United in dramatic fashion, tying Chelsea 1-1 Wednesday night when Andres Iniesta scored in the third minute of second-half injury time.

Michael Essien scored on a 20-yard shot in the ninth minute for Chelsea, which lost last year's final to Manchester United on penalty kicks.

Champions League Snapshots

Chelsea's Michael Ballack (R) screams at referee Tom Henning Ovrebo after a possible handball by Barcelona during their Champions League second leg semi-final soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London May 6, 2009. The game ended 1-1, Barcelona won on the away goal rule. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh (BRITAIN SPORT SOCCER IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Reuters

Frank Lampard of Chelsea reacts after Andres Iniesta of Barcelona scored the winning goal against his team in injury time during their Champions League second leg semi-final soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London May 6, 2009. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh (BRITAIN SPORT SOCCER)

Reuters

Barcelona's Lionel Messi (R) is congratulated by his manager Josep Guardiola after their Champions League second leg semi-final soccer match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in London May 6, 2009. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh (BRITAIN SPORT SOCCER)

Reuters

Barcelona's Andres Iniesta (R) and Samuel Eto'o celebrate a goal against Chelsea during their Champions League semi-final second leg soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London May 6, 2009. REUTERS/Albert Gea (BRITAIN SPORT SOCCER)

Reuters

Barcelona's Andres Iniesta, center, celebrates with Samuel Eto'o after scoring his sides equalising goal during their Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match against Chelsea at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Wednesday, May, 6, 2009. (AP Photo/ Matt Dunham)

Barcelona's Andres Iniesta, left, reacts after scoring a goal against Chelsea during their Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Wednesday, May, 6, 2009. (AP Photo/ Jon Super)

Barcelona's Andres Iniesta, no8 shoots and scores a a goal against Chelsea during their Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Wednesday, May, 6, 2009. (AP Photo/ Jon Super)

Barcelona's Andres Iniesta , center, celebrates at the end of the match as his team win their Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match at against Chelsea at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge Stadium in London, Wednesday, May 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Reuters

Barcelona's Andres Iniesta celebrates a goal against Chelsea during their Champions League semi-final second leg soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London May 6, 2009. REUTERS/Albert Gea (BRITAIN SPORT SOCCER)

Reuters

Continue Reading Barcelona Deals Chelsea Heart-Breaking Loss, Reaches Champions League Final

The Messi Mess: Why South Americans Care So Much About Olympic Soccer

Posted: Jul 30th 2008 10:35AM by David J. Warner (author feed)
Filed under: Americas, Europe

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Barcelona FC is doing everything in its power to keep Lionel Messi out of Beijing.

Despite repeated reminders from FIFA that clubs must release players under the age of 23 for the Olympics, Barcelona is refusing to let Messi, 21, play for Argentina, claiming that Olympic soccer not a FIFA-sanctioned event and that FIFA has no right to demand any player's release. The Spanish superclub plans to take its case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport this week while taking Messi with them on their American tour.

Barca isn't the only one holding players back. Two German Bundesliga clubs, Werden Bremen and Schalke 04, are defying a FIFA order to release under-23 Brazilian stars Diego and Rafinha for the Olympics. They plan to go to the CAS as well.

By contrast, Liverpool was under no obligation to release Javier Mascherano, 24, for the Olympics, but they did anyway, and Messi has made it clear that he wants to join Mascherano in Beijing and win the gold for Argentina.

This begs the question: why do these Brazilians and Argentinians care so much about Olympic soccer, which certainly doesn't have the prestige of a World Cup or even a Copa America? They care because, as the BBC's Tim Vickery points out, it was the Olympics that put South American soccer on the map -- and begat the FIFA World Cup.

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The Messi Mess: Why South Americans Care So Much About Olympic Soccer

Posted: Jul 30th 2008 10:35AM by David J. Warner (author feed)
Filed under: European Soccer , FIFA World Cup, International Soccer

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FIFA Boss: Clubs Must Release Players 23 and Under for Olympics

Posted: Jul 23rd 2008 9:15PM by David J. Warner (author feed)
Filed under: Americas, Europe

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FIFA president Sepp Blatter should not have to remind clubs that they are obligated to release all players aged 23 and under for the Olympics. That's what he did today, though, after several European clubs attempted to hold back big name players from the competition.

Barcelona, for example, insists that it will not allow Lionel Messi to go to Beijing, because the Olympic soccer competition not a FIFA-sanctioned event. They reportedly have the backing of La Liga on this matter. Likewise, Werder Bremen is attempting to hold back world-class striker Diego from Brazil, and Schalke 04 has no plans to release Brazilian right back Rafinha. Both those players, however, are with the Brazilian national team in defiance of their clubs' wishes.

Blatter's statement comes just days after Real Madrid pulled Robinho from the Brazilian squad after discovering he had a groin pull. Robinho, however, is 24, so Madrid is under no obligation to release him, though the move didn't make the Brazilian Football Confederation any less angry.

This saber-rattling could continue right up until the opening ceremonies, though I suspect the clubs will eventually relent. What's Barca going to do, bench their biggest young star in retaliation? Argentina and Brazil are serious about winning gold, and they're not about to let any Europeans stand in their way.

FIFA Boss: Clubs Must Release Players 23 and Under for Olympics

Posted: Jul 23rd 2008 9:15PM by David J. Warner (author feed)
Filed under: European Soccer , International Soccer

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Emmanuel Adebayor Is Suddenly Very Popular

Posted: Jun 19th 2008 1:45PM by David J. Warner (author feed)
Filed under: Soccer, Premier League, European Soccer

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Has anybody else noticed the long line of players exiting Arsenal these days?

First, French midfielder Mathieu Flamini bolted for A.C. Milan on a free transfer. Another midfielder, Alexander Hleb, has been rumored to head to either Barcelona or Bayern Munich, though he would prefer you shut up about it. Now come reports that Emmanuel Adebayor, the Gunners' top goal scorer last season, is drawing interest from both Barcelona and AC Milan.

It's plainly obvious why Barca and Milan would throw upwards of €30 million to get their hands on a tall 24-year-old striker who scored 24 goals in the Premier League last season. What's less obvious is why Arsenal is even considering putting Adebayor on the market, let alone allowing so many players to leave the Emirates. Has the club lost faith in the current direction Arsene Wenger is taking them? Has someone above Wenger decided that four years without a trophy is too long, and thus, drastic changes are necessary?

Selling a striker who has scored 36 goals in 78 appearances seems a little too drastic. Who's going to score the goals if he leaves? And is this a sign that the Gunners are in for a struggle next season? Yes, we thought that last year when Thierry Henry left, but this is a stranger and more problematic exodus from the Emirates than we saw last summer. Wenger better hope his wunderkinder are ready for the Premier League. They weren't ready for the Carling Cup last season.

Barcelona: Everything Must Go! (Except Messi)

Posted: Jun 19th 2008 9:30AM by David J. Warner (author feed)
Filed under: Soccer, Premier League, European Soccer

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In case you hadn't heard, Spanish superclub Barcelona is one of three European clubs that will be touring the U.S. this summer. Premier League clubs Everton and West Ham are also coming to America, though unless Everton nabs Michael Bradley, Barcelona will likely be the biggest draw.

Here's the real question about Barcelona, though: who's going to play for them?

New manager Pep Guardiola announced Tuesday that the club is "contemplating the future without" Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o and Deco. Barcelona finished 3rd in La Liga last season, and Guardiola was brought in to reshape the lineup and save it from the feuding that cost the club an automatic bid to the Champions League group stage. From the sound of it, Guardiola is ready to chop anyone not named Messi.

What's more, Guardiola seems eager to bring in a world-class striker as soon as possible, and various reports say he's got his sights set on either Arsenal's Emmanuel Adebayor and Tottenham Hotspur's Dimitar Berbatov. Selling both Ronaldinho and Eto'o, who feuded openly last season, should help pay for one of those guys. It should also be a sign that Thierry Henry's MLS career could begin about a year from now.

A.C. Milan is reported targeting Eto'o, while Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra remains eager to pour his cash into Ronaldinho's coffers. I can already hear many a chorus of "Who Ate All the Pies?" in England next season.