Quote:
| Originally Posted by ManUtd19 Wow that's uncool. Why would he say that?
Surely Ronaldo needs to report to training as soon as he can to begin rehabilitation? Can't Sir Alex do both anyway?  - Absolutely! I always wonder how the papers know the going-ons and intentions of people they don't have access to.
What a fool. If the academies offered better deals to their players they wouldn't want to move. It's not like they're being kidnapped by English clubs. If all transfers of players under 18 are banned things would get retarded. Kids would have to choose clubs carefully lol. - - they would have to choose very well and this law cannot not possibly enforced.
Not sure how true this is. Surely the families were all at the wedding in Italy? Why the hell do they want another one? Can't blame Rooney, it's such a chore doing it all over again. - As a guy who is being bugged by his fiiancee to plan our wedding, I can tell you that it is more than a chore.
Thanks RFR. |
- Thank you for the interest
JULY 14th 2008
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Villa learn Intertoto opponents
Aston Villa will travel to Denmark next weekend to face Odense BK in the first leg of their Intertoto Cup third-round tie.
On Sunday, the Danes made it through to a two-legged meeting with Villa after beating Finnish visitors TPS Turku 2-0 on the day and 4-1 on aggregate.
Villa are set to face Odense, known as OB, at their Fionia Park ground on Saturday July 19 (8pm kick-off local time) before the second leg at Villa Park on Saturday July 26 (5.15pm). Eleven places in the UEFA Cup second qualifying round are up for grabs to the third-round winners.
OB, who finished fourth in the Danish Superliga last season, are managed by Lars Olsen, who captained Denmark to their Euro 92 triumph.
Among their current squad are former Norwich defender Thomas Helveg, one-time Derby midfielder Morten Bisgaard and young striker Mads Timm who began his professional career at Manchester United.
On Sunday, Odense took a stranglehold on the tie with TPS after 21 minutes of the second leg when Baye Djiby Fall swept home Bjorn Runstrom's pass.
And the Senegalese striker grabbed his second goal six minutes after the interval following a neat lay-off from veteran former Denmark international Helveg to seal a 4-1 aggregate win.
Olsen is relishing the visit of Villa to Fionia Park on Saturday.
"We had the chance to score more than two goals against TPS, but I'm really pleased," Olsen told the club's official website.
"We now have to build on that. We like to be in possession of the ball but this time we'll be the underdogs. We won't get as many chances so we have to score with the chances we do get.
"We'll have to see. They're an English Premier League team but why can't we take them by surprise?"
Big Phil: I'll make gamble pay off
Luiz Felipe Scolari admits Chelsea "gambled" by making him their new boss - but insists he will bring world-class football to Stamford Bridge.
The Brazilian coach was named as Avram Grant's successor midway through Portugal's Euro 2008 campaign and despite a glowing CV, which includes victory at the 2002 World Cup with his native country, there were some concerns about his lack of experience in top-level European club football.
Scolari agrees that there was an element of risk in his appointment but has backed himself to deliver the results - and the style - owner Roman Abramovich wants.
"Chelsea gambled on my ability but I believe in myself," he said. "I had two meetings with the owner Roman Abramovich (before getting the job). He said to me 'I want Chelsea to play well, beautiful and win'. I said 'yes, I agree with you'.
"I am not afraid of my job. All over the world coaches need to win competitions, not only in Chelsea."
Jose Mourinho brought home back-to-back Premier League titles during his stint with the Blues but failed to capture the Champions League, while Grant got to the final of the competition before losing to Manchester United on penalties.
But Scolari denies his focus will be on European success, instead choosing to cast his net wider.
The 59-year-old continued: "My pressure is the desire to become world-class, not just to win the Champions League.
"If I say to my players that the Champions League is more important than another competition, I think the players might only prepare for the Champions League. I don't think that's the correct way to look at it.
"I need to prepare my players for the Carling Cup, the FA Cup, for the Champions League, for the Premier League.
"If I say to my players all competitions are important for Chelsea, then I think that is the way."
Scolari also sought to clarify his position with Abramovich, insisting he has full control of all on-field decisions.
"I also told him that when it comes to the pitch it is all mine, no-one interferes. He was happy with that."
Ronaldo looks Flamengo bound
AC Milan look to have lost Brazilian striker Ronaldo to Flamengo, who have an agreement with the player's agent.
Marcio Braga, the president of the Brazilian club, has announced an agreement with the agent of Ronaldo, who is now out of contract with the Italian giants.
Ronaldo has been out of action since suffering a knee tendon injury while jumping for a cross in AC Milan's 1-1 Serie A draw with Livorno on February 13.
His subsequent battle for fitness prompted Milan to opt to wait before committing to another season.
But this policy seems to have back-fired, with the Brazilian now set to sign for Flamengo.
Braga told Globoesporte newspaper: "We have a deal with the player's agent.
"As soon as he has recovered from the injury, we will sit around a table and complete the paperwork."
He added: "Flamengo's medical staff are personally following his physical progress.
"Ronaldo will be this club's top priority."
The 31-year-old striker has played for a host of top European sides - PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Inter, Real Madrid and Milan - since leaving Brazilian outfit Cruzeiro in 1994.
While his career has been blighted by a series of injuries, he has still won the coveted FIFA World Player of the Year title a joint record three times.
Klinsmann content with Bayern win
Jurgen Klinsmann declared himself satisfied after his first game in charge of Bayern Munich ended in a 7-1 win over SV Lippstadt on Sunday.
Bayern were without the likes of Luca Toni, Lukas Podolski, Philipp Lahm, Miroslav Klose, Bastian Schweinsteiger and the injured Franck Ribery.
But Thomas Muller bagged a hat-trick, Andreas Ottl scored twice and Toni Kroos and Deniz Yilmaz also netted as Klinsmann gave his youngsters a chance to impress against the German sixth division side at the Stadion Am Waldschlosschen.
"It was interesting for us to see today how, after two weeks of training, the team puts a few things into practice, how the boys are, how their play without the ball is, how they look for and support each other," Klinsmann said after the game.
"From that point of view, it was actually a really top game."
Inter may use Adriano as bait
Adriano's agent has remained tight-lipped on reports saying the Inter Milan striker could be used as bait in a bid for Chelsea's Frank Lampard.
Inter are hoping to sign Lampard and have already seen a near £8million offer for the England midfielder rejected.
The Italian champions' president Massimo Moratti stated on Saturday that it is now up to the player, who has yet to agree a contract extension at Chelsea.
The latest speculation claims Inter will offer Brazilian striker Adriano plus cash in a bid to tempt Chelsea into a sale.
Adriano's future at Giuseppe Meazza is uncertain after talks with new coach Jose Mourinho and his representative Gilmar Rinaldi did not confirm reports he could swap places with Lampard.
"Mourinho and Adriano have met and talked, but I can't say how this meeting went," Rinaldi told Observer Sport. "The player is flying back from Rio de Janeiro to Milan next week as the pre-season starts on Wednesday.
"I will neither confirm nor deny that he will be exchanged for Lampard."
Meanwhile, Inter midfielder Patrick Vieira says Lampard would be welcome at the club and believes the 30-year-old would improve the team.
Vieira told the Sunday Mirror: "It will be a big challenge for him, but at the same time it will be a fantastic one.
"Would he be welcome at Inter? He is a fantastic player and you want to play with players of that class. It will be one more good player.
"If Frank comes here then we will be stronger. The better players you have then the better chance you have."
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