Primera Division 2008/2009 Thread

[beavis]

Real relieved over Sneijder

Contrary to what was suggested on Sunday, Real Madrid midfielder Wesley Sneijder did not suffer a cruciate knee ligament injury against Arsenal.

The Holland international, tackled by Abou Diaby, was forced off the Emirates Stadium pitch and the worst was feared - a total rupture of his knee ligaments.

But further tests have revealed Sneijder will 'only' be out of action for around 3 months.

The news is a massive boost for manager Bernd Schuster, who will welcome back his set-piece expert in November.

"Following the scan carried out today by the Real Madrid medical staff on the player Wesley Sneijder, it can be confirmed said player has suffered an injury of the internal lateral ligaments and damaged part of the anterior cruciate ligaments", read a statement on Real Madrid's official website.

"With the orthopaedic treatment and rehabilitation work required it is estimated that the player will be out of action for approximately three months."

[deangel9]

I'll Help Madrid Win The Champions League - Van Der Vaart

Van der Vaart is aiming high and he cannot wait to get started at the Bernabeu.

“I will fight to hold down a place in the team but Real Madrid has a lot of great players in their side and so, if I sit on the bench, it wouldn’t be a problem,” said the midfielder.

“Real Madrid has an objective, and that is to win the Champions League. I can help them but the important thing is to play.

“Ronaldo? It would be good if he came.”

Van der Vaart then explained the reason why he didn’t play against Real in the Emirates Cup. The midfielder seems to suggest he missed the clash because he didn’t want to risk an injury.

“Everyone saw what happened to Wesley Sneijder, things like this can always happen and it was just a friendly.”

The former Hamburg player will now be hoping to prove himself as his new team challenge for the Champions League as well as La Liga.

[beavis]

Rafael Van der Vaart (Real Madrid)

[beavis]

Villa in contract talks

David Villa is negotiating an improved new contract with Valencia and his agent appears to be optimistic over the striker's chances to remain at the Mestalla.

The European champion is one of the most highly rated players in the world, and his name has been linked with top Premier League clubs such as Liverpool and Tottenham.

Despite being rumoured to be on his way to England, Villa has opened talks with Valencia over a new long term engagement including a massive pay rise.

The Spain international is believed to earn £2.4 million before taxes per season, and his employers to have offered him a £400.000 annual rise.

Villa's agent Jose Luis Tamargo commented to AS that: "It has been a positive meeting and all the parties are looking in the same direction to find an agreement."

"I am just saying we are all in the same boat, Villa and Valencia."

"David Villa is a Valencia footballer; he is under contract and loves the shirt."

"He is very content at Valencia and has always been, and I'm hopeful he will still be for many years to come."

[deangel9]

Chelsea Make Robinho Bid - Official

Chelsea have issued a bid thought to be in the region of €25m (£19.7m) for Real Madrid star Robinho. The Brazilian admitted earlier this week that he'd had talks with the London club, who now appear to have made their interest concrete...

However Robinho, who signed up at the Bernabéu from Santos in 2005, apparently has other ideas. The Brazilian international was said to be tremendously upset at his potentially being used as a bargaining chip in the Ronaldo deal and began to plot his exit from there.

His being refused permission to travel to the Beijing Olympics, ostensibly due to injury, upset him further, with his agent relating that the player was reduced to tears by this development.

In the aftermath of such dramas the mercurial forward told the press that he had spoken to Chelsea and could not rule out a move, even in the wake of media reports that he was to pen a new deal with the blancos.

Further newspaper mumblings today indicate that Madrid coach Bernd Schuster may be willing to part with Robinho, and as such he and sporting director Predrag 'Pedja' Mijatovic will have some serious thinking to do.

[2shae]

am vazut ieri pe sport.ro o stire care spunea ca jucatorul lui Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo va semna cu Real Madrid la 1 iulie 2009
pana atunci va juca tot la diavoli

[deangel9]

Jimenez Satisfied Following Arsenal Draw

Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez was pleased with his side’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Saturday evening as he took some positives from the game.

“I believe this was our best game of pre-season,” said Jimenez after the match.

“Our players were not 100 percent and you could tell. The pity is that we could have won the tournament had we stuck away half of the chances we created.

“We could have scored plenty had it not been for the Arsenal goalkeeper who was brilliant on the night but I saw some positives throughout.”

Vela gave Arsenal the lead just after four minutes but Sevilla created a flurry of chances following the Gunners goal.

[deangel9]

Yaya not for sale

Barcelona have insisted Ivory Coast star Yaya Toure is not for sale despite speculation linking the player with a move to Arsenal.

The North London club are rumoured to be interested in boosting their midfield ranks with the capture of the defensive midfielder but Barca have moved quickly to dismiss the 25-year-old’s potential departure.

“Yaya Toure will not be leaving,” said the spokesman.

“He is an important player for the team and it does not enter our plans to sell him.”

Manager Pep Guardiola echoed these sentiments by saying, “Yaya is a key man in my scheme.”

The Barcelona man is the younger brother of Arsenal centre back Kolo Toure.

[beavis]

Marchena out for three weeks

Valencia defender Carlos Marchena will have to miss the start of the coming season as result of an ankle injury and is expected to be out for three weeks.

Marchena, who helped leading Spain to victory at the European Championship in June, will therefore most probably miss the Super Cup match first leg match with Real Madrid next Sunday.

The born Sevillan joined Valencia in 2001 and has formed a key part of 'los Ches' since.

Marchena's absense is bound to give Valencia manager Unai Emery some head-ache as the Copa del Rey winners have difficulties filling their defensive positions.

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Hildebrand Hopeful Of Number 1 Status

Valencia’s German shot-stopper Timo Hildebrand is confident of becoming the undisputed first choice in the team for the new campaign despite the club’s desire to bring in a new goalkeeper.

The appointment of Unai Emery as coach and a clear-out in the boardroom has brought a certain level of stability to the dressing room and Mestalla hero Santiago Cañizares’ retirement has elevated Hildebrand to the status of first choice ‘keeper.

And despite Emery’s wishes to bring in a new goalie, one who might usurp Timo’s rank, the 29 year old is not looking concerned at all.

“It is natural for the club to want to sign another goalkeeper because Mora and Cañizares have left,” he told Marca.

“I am only devoted to working hard. I have always been a fighter and I did not come here to go out after one season.

“I left Germany to look for a new experience and I want to continue to improve here. I believe I have the qualities to be the first choice,” he elaborated.

Hildebrand then said that he has not yet spoken with Emery face to face about the situation, although he has full faith in the new boss.

“This season will be very different from the last and it is necessary to approach it with tranquillity and have confidence in the trainer and in ourselves,” he concluded.

[deangel9]

Barça Ready For One Last Silva Push

The Catalan club know that the 22-year-old does not want to go abroad and have been told that he would only be willing to be prepared to listen to an offer from them.

Valencia attempted to quash all speculation on Tuesday as the club president, Vicente Soriano, declared that both Silva and David Villa would be staying at Mestalla.

That has not stopped Barça from pressing ahead with plans to make one final move to truly test the nerve of the newly-installed leader of los che.

Pep Guardiola has asked the Blaugrana hierarchy for a replacement for Ronaldinho on the left side and technical secretary Txiki Begiristain sees Silva as the only option.

While Valencia have ruled out a switch, Silva has stayed quiet on the matter in recent days and is said to be waiting to hear from his agent, Julio Llorente, for any developments.

Barcelona have made their intentions clear and a bid would not come as a surprise to Soriano, but if Silva did leave there would be a backlash from the fans.

Previous chief, Juan Villalonga, assured everyone that Silva would not be going anywhere and the supporters believed him, but the current incumbent does not have that backing.

€25m is set to be put on the table and with debts said to be rising, if not yet unmanageable, it would be a huge test for the Valencia board to turn it down.

[beavis]

Valencia win first leg in Spanish SuperCup

The first leg of the Spanish SuperCup between Valencia and Real Madrid ended in a 3-2 victory to the home team.

Van Nistelrooy had put the 'Galacticos' in the lead after 13 minutes and Real would hold on to that lead until the ninth minute of the second half when Mata levelled the score.

Not much later, Euro 2008 top scorer David Villa made it 2-1 to Valencia but Van Nistelrooy replied by netting for 2-2 in the 67th minute.

The winning goal went to the Bats though, as winger Vicente scored in the 80th minute to make it 3-2.

The two teams will meet again for the second leg at Santiago Bernabeu stadium on August 23rd.

[baal]

Barcelona isi cauta capitan. Dupa 4-0 in preliminariile Champions League contra celor de la Wisla, Pep Guardiola cauta omul care sa tina echipa in picioare.

Iniesta, Xavi si Puyol au cele mai mari sanse sa obtina banderola de capitan. Varsta si experienta este criteriul decisiv de care Pep Guardiola va tine seama in a stabili capitanul. Portarul Valdes este si el pe lista, fiind unul dintre cei mai importanti jucatori, dar si un caracter jucator foarte comunicativ. “Cine vrea sa fie capitan sa faca un pas in fata. Este o tema pe care numai ei o pot rezolva. Parerea lor este cea mai importanta. Ce cred eu este pe locul doi” , a spus Pep Guardiola.

[deangel9]

Capel "Excited" By Barcelona Interest

Speaking to Sport.es, the left-sided ace celebrated his call-up to the Spanish squad by stating that he was flattered by Barcelona's interest.

"To have teams interested in you makes you proud," he said.

However, he stated that he was in no hurry to leave the Ramón Sánchez P�*zjuan anytime soon.

"I'm relaxed and happy with a great club like Sevilla," he added.

Moving on to discuss his national call-up, which could see him debut on Wednesday, he added, "I was anxious to see this game come, and I want to enjoy the experience alongside those players who did so much to excite the country. I'm very happy.

"My first words to Vicente Del Bosque? That I appreciate his giving me this opportunity.

"Spain have a high-level squad. I need to enjoy the experience and also seize the opportunity given to me."

Capel, 20, was a fringe player from late 2004 onwards at Sevilla, but last season he became a key man for the rojiblancos, making 31 Liga appearances.

[beavis]

Robinho gives up on Chelsea dream

Brazilian striker Robinho has given up all hope of a move to Chelsea due to Real Madrid's refusal to even discuss a possible deal, his advisor claimed on Wednesday.

Chelsea have been bidding to sign the 24-year-old following the appointment of his countryman Luiz Felipe Scolari as manager at Stamford Bridge.

But Robinho's representative Wagner Ribeiro insists the door has now been closed on the deal by the Bernabeu hierarchy.

"The dream of Chelsea is broken because Real Madrid will not even negotiate. It is impossible to advance any conversation", he told the Daily Star.

[beavis]

Senna signs new deal at Villarreal

Spain international Marcos Senna has agreed a one-year contract extension at Villarreal that will tie him to the club until 2011.

The 32-year-old midfielder was one of the stars of Euro 2008 and with Spain boss Luis Aragones having left to manage Fenerbahce after the tournament, he had been widely linked with a move to Turkey.

But Villarreal president Fernando Roig has confirmed that the player has now committed his future to the club and agreed a €100 million buy-out clause to curb interest from other sides.

[beavis]

Real Madrid a câştigat Supercupa Spaniei



REZUMATUL MECIULUI

Real Madrid a câştigat duminică Supercupa Spaniei, după ce a învins cu scorul de 4-2 echipa Valencia, în manşa secundă a competiţiei.

În meciul tur, disputat la 17 august, Real Madrid pierduse cu scorul de 2-3, însă duminică a reuşit să se impună şi să câştige primul trofeu al sezonului 2008/2009, deşi a evoluat în inferioritate numerică încă din finalul primei reprize.

Real Madrid a rămas în 10 oameni după ce Van der Vaart a primit cartonaşul roşu în minutul 40, şi apoi în 9, după ce Ruud van Nistelrooy a fost şi el eliminat în minutul 74.

Pentru Real Madrid au marcat Van Nistelrooy '49 (penalty), Sergio Ramos '77, De la Red '85 şi Higuain '88, în timp ce Valencia a punctat prin Silva '33 şi Morientes '90.

[baal]

Lionel Messi si-a amintit de Barca dupa ce a luat aurul cu Argentina la Beijing si a tinut sa-i multumeasca antrenorului Guardiola pentru sprijinul acordat.


Campion olimpic cu nationala Argentinei, Messi a avut cuvinte de mutumire pentru intreaga echipa a Barcelonei, in special pentru antrenorul sau Guardiola care i-a dat voie sa mearga la Olimpiada din Beijing.
Messi a luat aurul cu Argentina la 16 ani dupa ce Guardiola a reusit aceeasi performanta la JO-1992, de la Barcelona.
"Sunt foarte fericit! Ma bucur pentru medalia obtinuta alaturi de colegii din nationala. De-abia astept sa ma intorc la club, sa-mi imbratisez antrenorul! Ii multumesc pentru tot sprijinul acordat ! Si el a fost jucator si stie ce inseamna asta. Acum voi putea discuta cu el ca de la campion olimpic la campion olimpic.", a spus Messi.

[deangel9]

Banega Joins Atlético On Loan

After weeks and weeks of negotiation, Atlético Madrid have, at long last, closed a deal with direct rivals Valencia for the services of Banega on a one season loan after Los Ché agreed to forego any compensation fees.

The Mestalla outfit were originally asking for €2 million but Los Colchoneros were only willing to pay €1.5 million. And that was understood to be the main reason why the deal had not been able materialize until today.

Banega, who won the gold medal with Argentina in the Beijing Olympics despite being only a fringe player, signed for Valencia in January 2008 from Boca Juniors for €18 million.

[beavis]

Real to miss out on winger

Real Madrid target Santiago Cazorla has signed a contract extension with Villarreal according to Spanish reports.

The European champion impressed in the last two Primera seasons, and his displays in Austria & Switzerland convinced Real Madrid to launch a bid to secure his services.

But after expressing his desire to join Los Merengues, the 23-year-old is rumoured to have agreed to extend his stay at El Madrigal, were he enjoys a key role in the starting line-up.

His agent Julio Llorente is believed to have told Real sporting director Predrag Mijatovic that his client has decided against leaving the Yellow Submarine this summer.