Argentina legend Diego Maradona has moved to defend star player Lionel Messi in the aftermath of the South American country's disappointing performances at the 2011 Copa America.
Sergio Batista's men currently sit third in the table in Group A with two points from two games after draws against Bolivia and Colombia with Messi unable to replicate his fine Barcelona form for the national side.
"In the saddest moment of my life, I want to defend Messi," Maradona told Ole as he referred to the deteriorating health of his mother.
"The national team didn’t attack at all [against Colombia] and we blame him; we are being very unfair to Messi when I hear all those idiots slamming him."
The 50-year-old then spoke about his own form ahead of the 1986 World Cup and how he received his fair share of criticism before leading his side to victory over West Germany in the final.
"I spoke to him during the week and I told him to remain calm. Before the 1986 World Cup I was a disaster and I was criticised by 80 per cent of the journalists [in Argentina]. Later, there wasn’t one who didn’t ask me for a story, so I can understand what’s going on."
Source: Goal.com
Minggu, 10 Juli 2011
Brazil's Dani Alves: I made a 'bad error' which resulted in Paraguay's second goal
Brazil right-back Dani Alves gave an honest appraisal of his own personal performance in the aftermath of his country's 2-2 draw against Paraguay in their second game of the Copa America group stage.
The defending champions had been leading 1-0 thanks to a goal from Jadson, who had been included at Robinho's expense. Paraguay equalised through Roque Santa Cruz before a critical error from Alves led to the defending champions falling behind.
"I think we were playing well but after their equaliser, they began to get better. Then, I made a bad error, which resulted in their second goal at a time when we were controlling the game," Alves told reporters in the mixed zone, which was attended by Goal.com.
"Lucio told me to get rid of the ball. I let the ball slip a little and then it got stuck in the grass and the Paraguayan player was very clever in being able to see this and take the ball away from my grasp.
"I take my share of the blame and apologise to my team-mates because until that point, we were in control of the game."
The Barcelona man was equally forthcoming with his opinions on the general state of the Brazil team, who have performed below expectations thus far: "We have to get better. We know the responsibility that comes with playing for the Selecao. We know what we did wrong and what we did right.
"I think that everyone has to be aware of their own responsibility within the squad and try to get better as time goes on. The competition should bring us more rhythm and understanding.
"People demand immediate results but we can't despair. We must learn to accept the criticism and get better."
Brazil will take on Ecuador in the final group game on Wednesday.
Source: Goal.com
The defending champions had been leading 1-0 thanks to a goal from Jadson, who had been included at Robinho's expense. Paraguay equalised through Roque Santa Cruz before a critical error from Alves led to the defending champions falling behind.
"I think we were playing well but after their equaliser, they began to get better. Then, I made a bad error, which resulted in their second goal at a time when we were controlling the game," Alves told reporters in the mixed zone, which was attended by Goal.com.
"Lucio told me to get rid of the ball. I let the ball slip a little and then it got stuck in the grass and the Paraguayan player was very clever in being able to see this and take the ball away from my grasp.
"I take my share of the blame and apologise to my team-mates because until that point, we were in control of the game."
The Barcelona man was equally forthcoming with his opinions on the general state of the Brazil team, who have performed below expectations thus far: "We have to get better. We know the responsibility that comes with playing for the Selecao. We know what we did wrong and what we did right.
"I think that everyone has to be aware of their own responsibility within the squad and try to get better as time goes on. The competition should bring us more rhythm and understanding.
"People demand immediate results but we can't despair. We must learn to accept the criticism and get better."
Brazil will take on Ecuador in the final group game on Wednesday.
Source: Goal.com
Copa America preview: Colombia - Bolivia
| Colombia: Martinez; Zuniga, Yepes, Perea, Armero; Sanchez, Guarin, Aguilar, Moreno, Ramos; Falcao |
| Bolivia: Arias; Raldes, Alvarez, Amador, Hoyos; Garcia, Chavez, Campos; Rojas, Arce, Martins |
| DID YOU KNOW? |
- Colombia sit in first place in Group A as they look to earn their second Copa America title.
- Falcao, who scored 39 goals in 42 games for Porto this season, has not found the net in two games so far in Argentina.
- Luis Martinez is the only goalkeeper from Group A to not have allowed a goal thus far in the tournament.
- Gustavo Ramos scored Colombia's goal in their 1-0 victory over Costa Rica in their first match of the tournament. The striker plays his club football for Hertha Berlin of Germany and was the club's top scorer this past season with 15 goals.
- Colombia will advance to the quarter-finals as long as they avoid defeat by more than two goals.
- Bolivia have not made it past the group stage of the Copa America since they hosted the tournament in 1997, where they lost in the final to Brazil.
- To break the streak of four straight tournaments without knockout stage qualification, they will need to beat Colombia by at least two goals.
- Gustavo Quinteros, the coach of Bolivia, was born in Santa Fe, Argentina. The battle against Colombia will take place in the city in which he was born.
- In the past six months, Bolivia have played seven contests, including two games in the Copa. They have not won any of those games, losing four and drawing three.
Source: Goal.com
Juventus' Giuseppe Marotta admits interest in Villarreal's Giuseppe Rossi
Juventus director general Giuseppe Marotta admits progress is being made in attempts to sign Villarreal'sGiuseppe Rossi, but added that the striker is not the club's only transfer target.
Last week the 24-year-old’s agent, Federico Pastorello, said that the Turin giants had made enquiries for his client, who is tied to the Spanish outfit until 2016.
Marotta is assessing a number of options, and also continues to be linked with Atletico Madrid’s Sergio Aguero, who has a €45 million buy-out clause.
"Rossi? We’re getting there, it’s true, but we are also tracking other players," he told TuttoJuve.
"We are working without haste, but are focused on many objectives."
Rossi was linked with Barcelona, but the move collapsed after Pastorello said the Spanish champions did not meet Villarreal’s €30m valuation.
Speculation suggests Juventus are considering a €25m cash offer plus the services of Felipe Melo for the American-born forward.
Source: Goal.com
Last week the 24-year-old’s agent, Federico Pastorello, said that the Turin giants had made enquiries for his client, who is tied to the Spanish outfit until 2016.
Marotta is assessing a number of options, and also continues to be linked with Atletico Madrid’s Sergio Aguero, who has a €45 million buy-out clause.
"Rossi? We’re getting there, it’s true, but we are also tracking other players," he told TuttoJuve.
"We are working without haste, but are focused on many objectives."
Rossi was linked with Barcelona, but the move collapsed after Pastorello said the Spanish champions did not meet Villarreal’s €30m valuation.
Speculation suggests Juventus are considering a €25m cash offer plus the services of Felipe Melo for the American-born forward.
Source: Goal.com
Andres Iniesta reiterates desire for Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas to join Barcelona
Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta insists his side will fight for titles once again next season, and once again stressed his wish to see Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas move to Camp Nou this summer.
Fabregas continues to be linked with a switch to his former club, and the Catalan giants are thought to be hopeful of concluding a deal this summer.
"We have always said what we think of him [Fabregas]. If he comes he will help us to make the step up in quality," Iniesta told Sport.
"I have spoken with him on many occasions and he could achieve his desire to come [to Barcelona]."
The objectives for Pep Guardiola's side next season remain the same; Barcelona cruised to the Spanish title and Champions League in 2010-11, and Iniesta is confident of lifting more trophies in the coming campaign.
"Every year is different and we will be fighting for all the titles. Why can't we have another great year? Our intention [to win] and motivation is always there," said the midfielder.
Source: Goal.com
Fabregas continues to be linked with a switch to his former club, and the Catalan giants are thought to be hopeful of concluding a deal this summer.
"We have always said what we think of him [Fabregas]. If he comes he will help us to make the step up in quality," Iniesta told Sport.
"I have spoken with him on many occasions and he could achieve his desire to come [to Barcelona]."
The objectives for Pep Guardiola's side next season remain the same; Barcelona cruised to the Spanish title and Champions League in 2010-11, and Iniesta is confident of lifting more trophies in the coming campaign.
"Every year is different and we will be fighting for all the titles. Why can't we have another great year? Our intention [to win] and motivation is always there," said the midfielder.
Source: Goal.com
Wesley Sneijder preparing to discuss future with Inter as agent claims there is 'nothing concrete' in terms of transfer
The agent of Inter's Wesley Sneijder, Soren Lerby, is not surprised that his client is being associated with a move to England, but added that there has been no official approach from a Premier League side to secure the services of the Dutch international.
Manchester United have been linked with a move for the 27-year-old, while transfer guru Ernesto Bronzetti claimed that ambitious Malaga have also made a €35 million offer for the player.
Lerby, however, stressed that there are no developments at this stage in terms of a move away from San Siro, telling La Gazzetta dello Sport: "I don't find it strange that Sneijder's name is being linked with the big movements of the English teams on the market.
"But, I think it is early for the big clubs to move definitively and for the moment there is nothing concrete."
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Sneijder, who is contracted to the Milan-based club until 2015, will meet to discuss his future with transfer director Marco Branca in the coming days.
Source: Goal.com
Manchester United have been linked with a move for the 27-year-old, while transfer guru Ernesto Bronzetti claimed that ambitious Malaga have also made a €35 million offer for the player.
Lerby, however, stressed that there are no developments at this stage in terms of a move away from San Siro, telling La Gazzetta dello Sport: "I don't find it strange that Sneijder's name is being linked with the big movements of the English teams on the market.
"But, I think it is early for the big clubs to move definitively and for the moment there is nothing concrete."
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Sneijder, who is contracted to the Milan-based club until 2015, will meet to discuss his future with transfer director Marco Branca in the coming days.
Source: Goal.com
David Beckham: Real Madrid can win everything with 'genius' Jose Mourinho
Real Madrid are on course to win everything under the expert guidance of "genius" Jose Mourinho, believes former Santiago Bernabeu favourite David Beckham.
The ex-England captain spent four years in the Spanish capital between 2003 and 2007, and believes that the Portuguese tactician will take next season by storm, and in doing so end Barcelona's run of dominance in La Liga.
Beckham told Marca: "Madrid are building a powerful side with important players and they can win all competitions. They are a team that strikes fear [into opponents] and I have no doubts they are able to win everything.
"They have one of the best coaches in the world - Mourinho is a genius - and he has proved this with all the teams he has coached."
The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder also hailed former Manchester United man Cristiano Ronaldo, and added that he hopes to face him when Madrid arrive to do battle in a pre-season friendly next weekend.
He said of the winger: "Ronaldo is a phenomenon and one of the best. I hope to play against him."
The ex-England captain spent four years in the Spanish capital between 2003 and 2007, and believes that the Portuguese tactician will take next season by storm, and in doing so end Barcelona's run of dominance in La Liga.
Beckham told Marca: "Madrid are building a powerful side with important players and they can win all competitions. They are a team that strikes fear [into opponents] and I have no doubts they are able to win everything.
"They have one of the best coaches in the world - Mourinho is a genius - and he has proved this with all the teams he has coached."
The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder also hailed former Manchester United man Cristiano Ronaldo, and added that he hopes to face him when Madrid arrive to do battle in a pre-season friendly next weekend.
He said of the winger: "Ronaldo is a phenomenon and one of the best. I hope to play against him."
Source: Goal.com
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