Five-star Spain crushes Saudi Arabia

http://www.marca.com/2012/09/08/en/football/national_teams/1347121181.html

Marca.com

2012-09-08

Five-star Spain crushes Saudi Arabia

Cazorla, Pedro and Cesc stole the show on Friday night as they put a poor Saudi Arabia side to the sword during the first half at the Nuevo Pasarón Stadium in Pontevedra. Another highlight was the display of Beñat, who slotted in as if it was his hundredth international cap, rather than just his third. The four linked up perfectly and cut through Rijkaard's men mercilessly. After 23 minutes Pedro sauntered in effortlessly from the left and slammed a shot goalwards, the Saudi goalkeeper succeeding only in pushing the ball out to Cazorla, who had plenty of time to pick his spot to open the scoring.

After Beñat struck a post from outside the box, Spain doubled its lead through Pedro, who latched onto a beautiful through-ball from Cazorla and delicately dinked the ball over the advancing Waleed. 'La Roja' was utterly dominant and should have gone into half-time three to the good, after good build-up between Torres and Pedro concluded with Cazorla curling a lovely effort against the angle of post and bar.

Xavi and Ramos came on for Cesc and Piqué in the second half and the Barça midfielder took just 56 seconds to make it 3-0. So inch-perfect was his free-kick that it hit the vintage-style rod holding up the net, rebounding onto the Saudi 'keeper and bouncing out across the goalline, to the confusion of players and crowd alike. Fortunately, the referee had watched it all the way and correctly awarded the goal.

The crowd's next big ovation came for David Villa, who replaced Fernando Torres after 53 minutes. The Barcelona striker made his return for the national side almost ten months since his last appearance. Within ten minutes he had the net bulging from the penalty spot after Monreal was brutally taken out, making it 52 goals in 83 international fixtures for the Asturian marksman.

Casillas was introduced for his 139th cap in the 71st minute in place of Valdés, who would have had a busier night in the stands than in goal. As part of the changes, Busquets and Cazorla made way for Silva and Iniesta and after 73 minutes the Manchester City midfielder played a slide-rule pass through to his fellow Canary Islander, Pedro, who made it 5-0 with much aplomb.

This "Canary connection" was the cherry on top of the treat served up by Spain, which dispatched Saudi Arabia in Pontevedra with utter relish. Now the squad will turn its attention to Tuesday's match against Georgia, the opening World Cup qualifier on the road to Brazil 2014.

第4節 ポンフェラディーナ戦

9/8 18:00K.O.（日本時間25:00）

会場：エル・トラリン

観客：6000人

ポンフェラディーナ　0-1　ビジャレアル

71’　パンディアーニ(VIL)

ポンフェラディーナ

オルランド・キンターナ、カルピオ、カルロス・ルイス、サムエル、ナノ、アコラン、ジョナタン、フアンデ、イバン・モレーノ（81分→ラフエンテ）、マジョル、ウルコ・ベラ（71分→フォフォ）

ビジャレアル

フアン・カルロス、マリオ、メルベリ、ムサッキオ、オリオル、セナ、ブルーノ、カニ（89分→ルジューヌ）、トリヘロス（60分→パンディアーニ）、ハウメ・コスタ、カベナギ（83分→ボルダス）

Nine players earn more than Ronaldo

http://www.marca.com/2012/09/04/en/football/real_madrid/1346777676.html

Marca.com

2012-09-04

Nine players earn more than Ronaldo

Year after year, Cristiano Ronaldo has stepped onto the podium for all kinds of individual trophies, but his name does not feature amongst the top 3 best-paid players.

The list includes exceptional cases, such as Eto'o at Anzhi of Russia or Drogba at Shanghai. However, there are players who earn more than CR7 in less exotic places, such as Ibrahimovic, Rooney and Messi.

This has led the striker to feel financially undervalued at Real Madrid, and he believes that he deserves to be paid more.

The top place on the list is held by Samuel Eto'o. The Cameroonian hit the jackpot with Suleyman Kerimov's offer for him to sign for Russian club Anzhi: €20 million, which secured him the title of the best-paid player in the world, a long way above second.

After Eto'o comes Ibrahimovic. The money of the sheikh Nasser al-Khelaifi was the deciding factor in his incursion into French football with PSG. Zlatan is the centre of the galaxy, which Ancelotti's team of stars revolves around. He takes home wages of €14.5 million for each season that he plays on the banks of the River Seine.

The top 3 is completed by one of Cristiano's former colleagues, his former Manchester United teammate, Wayne Rooney. The bad boy of English football threw a tantrum at his club last season, reaching the point where he said that he wanted to leave. Three days later, he signed a new contract with the Red Devils for €13.8 million a year.

Also above Cristiano are Yaya Touré (€13 million) and Kun Agüero (€12.5 million), the two greatest exponents of the display of wealth by the sheikh who owns Manchester City.

Drogba, Conca, Fernando Torres and Leo Messi also earn more than CR7.

"It's a recognition of a generation"

http://www.as.com/english/articulo/iker-casillas-and-xavi-it/20120905dasdenspo_4/Ten
as.com
2012-09-05

Xavi and Casillas celebrated the Prince of Asturias award they won today, something which also rewards the harmony and style of 'La Roja'. The two footballers acknowledged this. "It's a recognition of our work, but also of this generation of players, some of which we have a friendship of more than 15 years with. In some way, the prize recognizes all of Spanish football", said Xavi.

"We've known each other for a long time. It's an award for many players who were able to overcome differences, things that happened, because of the good work of the group. And w want to stay together to have the opportunity to keep making history", said Iker Casillas.

There were no denials of the discrepancies after the most controversial cláscios, but there was a call for understanding. "There are always calls between us. It's true that there was tension at that tme, but friendship comes ahead of everything", said Xavi.

"Hopefully I'll reach the 100 matches and play m

http://www.as.com/english/articulo/hopefully-i-ll-reach-the/20120905dasdenspo_8/Ten
as.com
2012-09-05

Chelsea's Spanish forward Fernando Torres is set to reach 100 internationals with Spain in the upcoming matches against Saudi Arabia and Georgia. 'The kid' said today that he's "lucky to be part" of the generation that has made history winning the World Cup and two European Championships.

"If God wants it, I'll have one more match to get to one hundred. I'm lucky to be part of this generation of footballers. Many of us have been together for many years; we've lived good moments recently and bad ones. Being amongst the chosen is really tough in this team. Hopefully I'll reach the 100 matches and play many more", he stated.

A new Camp Nou

http://www.marca.com/2012/09/05/en/football/barcelona/1346834718.html
Marca.com
2012-09-05

Barcelona will ask the Delegate's Assembly on 22nd September to approve the holding of a referendum amongst the 'Azulgrana' members to decide on the future of the Nou Camp. The club is currently considering two possible scenarios. One of these is the remodelling of the current Nou Camp, and the other is the construction of a new stadium.

The Board is gathering arguments as both options have pros and cons. What is certain is that it needs the approval of the Assembly to be able to call a referendum among its membership base and to decide.

Freixa also reported on other decisions to be taken by the club. One of which was to approve the budget for the 2012-13 season which forecasts an income of €470 million. The club calculates a profit of almost €36 million.

Another burning issue in the Barcelona camp was Cruyff's words of doubt about Vilanova's plans. Rosell made his position of support clear by stressing that he was a coach with the one of the "most successful" starts in the history of Barcelona. And Zubi said that he respected Cruyff's opinion as he was a Barça member.

第3節 グアダラハラ戦

9/1 20:00K.O.（日本時間27:00）

会場：エル・マドリガル

ビジャレアル　2-1　グアダラハラ

13’　ケパ・ブランコ(GUA)

68’　ムサッキオ(VIL)

81’　パンディアーニ(VIL)

グアダラハラ

トニョ、エスピン、ガフォール、オルティス、ソリアーノ、イオン・エリセ、アントン、アイトール、ビセンテ（73分→アスコーラ）、ケパ・ブランコ（49分→クリスティアン）、アルバロ・サーソ（46分→ジョニー）

ビジャレアル

フアン・カルロス、マリオ、メルベリ、ムサッキオ、オリオル、セナ、ブルーノ、カニ（89分→ルジューヌ）、トリヘロス（60分→パンディアーニ）、ハウメ・コスタ、カベナギ（83分→ボルダス）

グアダラハラの5番ガフォールはフランス人DF。交代出場したジョニー（ジョナタン・ニゲス）はアーロン・ニゲス（元バレンシア）やサウル（アトレティコ）の兄。アルバロ・アントンは元バリャドリード。

13分にグアダラハラが先制。左サイドからのフリーキックに相手選手が頭で合わせ、フアン・カルロスが弾いたボールがクロスバーを叩く。その跳ね返りにケパ・ブランコがやはり頭で詰めて先制。フアン・カルロスの弾き方が悪くて絶好のチャンスボールになってしまった、というのは可哀そうか。

fuori classeでは単に「ブランコ」と表記されていたけど、かつてセビージャにいた、痩身禿頭のケパ・ブランコである。ウェストハム、ヘタフェ、レクレアティーボを経て、今夏にセグンダのグアダラハラに移籍したらしい。まだ28歳であるが、結局大成せずにセグンダプレーヤーになっていた。

68分にムサッキオが同点弾。左サイドからのコーナーキックみたいなフリーキックに、ビジャレアルの選手と相手キーパーが飛び込むも、もつれて両者転び、ボールが後ろにそれる。ムサッキオはハンドを取られてもおかしくなかったが、泥臭くヒールで流し込んだ。

途中出場のパンディアーニ兄貴が81分に逆転弾。右コーナーキックにビジャレアルの選手が頭で合わせ、キーパーが弾いたボールを豪快に右足で決めた。背番号12のパンディアーニは移籍後初出場にして初得点。

 

第3節 グアダラハラ戦招集メンバー

第3節　グアダラハラ戦招集メンバー

GK：フアン・カルロス、マリーニョ

DF：ハビ・ベンタ、ムサッキオ、マリオ、メルベリ、オリオル、ハウメ・コスタ、トルジョルス

MF：セナ、ブルーノ、カニ、エルナン・ペレス、トリゲロス、モイ・ゴメス

FW：ウチェ、カベナギ、パンディアーニ

新加入のパンディアーニの背番号は12．トリビオ、ボルダス、カンテロス、ロッシが怪我。ルジューヌは出場停止。

90 versus 1

http://www.marca.com/2012/08/23/en/football/spanish_football/1345739490.html

Marca.com

2012-08-23

90 versus 1

César Azpilicueta may become a Chelsea player. The agreement was reached between Monday and Tuesday, but is not yet official. The almost €10 million which Chelsea will pay for Azpilicueta are joined by the €40 million which it already paid for the Frenchman Hazard, from Lille; the €32 million which the Brazilian Óscar cost, who previously played for Internacional; and the €8 million to sign Marko Marin, who came from Werder Bremen. That is €90 million in total.

Roman Abramovich has pulled out the chequebook once again, despite having finally fulfilled the dream of winning the Champions League last season. The only club to have outdone him is PSG with €140 million.

Chelsea is due to face Atlético in just eight days' time, with the European Super Cup at stake. The financial disparity between the two is striking. Whilst the English club puts on a display of wealth, the Spanish club is committed to austerity. The Madrid-based club has only spent €1 million – on Cata Díaz –, and is much more concerned in the short term with its obligations towards the tax authorities than the need to reinforce its squad.

Emre and Cebolla Rodríguez also arrived, but both were out of contract with their respective clubs, Fenerbahçe and Oporto, meaning that they came on free transfers. Atlético has also recovered players who were on loan last season, such as Raúl García, Pulido and Diego Costa.

Wolfsburg sends scout to watch Beñat

http://www.marca.com/2012/08/26/en/football/spanish_football/1346000025.html

Marca.com

2012-08-26

Wolfsburg sends scout to watch Beñat

The transfer market is still open and German side Wolfsburg remains determined to take Beñat to the Bundesliga. For this reason the German club sent a scout to watch the Basque midfielder play in Betis’ home game against Rayo Vallecano at the Benito Villamarín stadium, according to 'alfinaldelapalmera.com'.

In sending one of its men to watch the player, it’s obvious that Wolfsburg intends to continue its negotiations with Betis to sign the midfielder. The German side’s latest offer was €15.5m whilst offering one of its players in the deal.

We’ll have to see what happens in the next few hours, but it looks as though the Germans are coming for Beñat. Betis coach Pepe Mel has said that his priority is football but that he’s aware of the club’s financial situation.