BARSELONA(1)

Gudjohnsen: Henry Has Much More To Give
Barcelona midfielder Eidur Gudjohnsen had a fine game himself against Real Murcia, but chose to praise team-mate Thierry Henry after the 4-0 win.



Henry Can Do Better

The Frenchman was indeed the star of the show, helping in three of Barcelona's four goals, including Gudjohnsen's opener, when he dragged the two centre-halves with him, leaving the Iceland international free to turn Zambrotta's cross into the net.

He also set up Bojan Krkic and Samuel Eto'o, and came close himself a number of times.

"This is not the best Henry I have seen, because in England he was even better," insisted Gudjohnsen.

"However, today he showed his spark, and that he has that quality in him that can prove decisive in games.

"He can get into even better form when he is fully fit. He is one of the best footballers ever."

More Of The Same For Himself

He himself had a great match in midfield, working hard for the team, and also contributing in attack.

"I try to do all I can to help the team, and to win the confidence of the coach," he continued.

"It was very disappointing not to play against Madrid [when Rijkaard susprisingly chose an unfit and out of form Deco], but it was a decision of the coach.

"After all, it was Deco who played, and he is an extraordinary player. However, now I am only looking ahead, and not behind."

He also admitted that he had entertained doubts about his future in the summer, when he had been transfer-listed.

"It was not easy. I had to do a lot of thinking about my future. Now I feel much better about the decision I made, and hope to continue in the same vein," he concluded.

Scotland - Premier League

1 Rangers FC 44
2 Celtic FC 43
3 Motherwell FC 35
4 Aberdeen FC 33
5 Dundee United FC 32
6 Falkirk FC 32
7 Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC 31
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11 Heart of Midlothian FC 21
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Portugal - Superliga

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12 Leixões SC 16
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15 FC Paços de Ferreira 15
16 UD Leiria 5


                               January 13

16:00 Amadora ? - ? Nacional

16:00 Boavista ? - ? Uniao Leiria

19:15 Academica Coimbra ? - ? Sporting Lisbon

21:15 Belenenses ? - ? Associacao Naval

Holland - Eredivisie

1 PSV Eindhoven 39
2 Feyenoord 36
3 FC Groningen 36
4 AFC Ajax 33
5 FC Twente 33
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12 De Graafschap 22
13 VVV Venlo 18
14 NEC Nijmegen 14
15 Willem II  13
16 Heracles Almelo 13
17 Sparta Rotterdam 12
18 SC Excelsior 12


                                January 13

12:30 De Graafschap ? - ? Vitesse Arnhem

14:30 Ajax Amsterdam ? - ? AZ Alkmaar

14:30 FC Utrecht ? - ? SC Heerenveen

14:30 Heracles Almelo ? - ? Sparta Rotterdam

Germany - Bundesliga I.

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France - Ligue 1

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9 FC Lorient 27
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12 Toulouse FC 25
13 Stade Rennais FC 25
14 RC Strasbourg 24
15 AJ Auxerre 23
16 LOSC Lille Métropole 22
17 Paris Saint-Germain FC 22
18 RC Lens 20
19 FC Sochaux-Montbéliard 19
20 FC Metz 8

                                       January 13

18:00 Paris S.G. ? - ? Lens

20:55 Rennes ? - ? Marseille

Spain - Primera Division

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20 Levante UD 8

                           January 13

17:00 Almeria ? - ? Espanyol

17:00 Osasuna ? - ? Racing Santander

17:00 Real Betis ? - ? Getafe

17:00 Valladolid ? - ? Recreativo Huelva

17:00 Villarreal ? - ? Deportivo La Coruna

17:00 Zaragoza ? - ? Mallorca

19:00 Levante ? - ? Real Madrid

21:00 Atletico Madrid ? - ? Valencia

Italy - Serie A

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9 Calcio Catania 22
10 UC Sampdoria 21
11 Genoa Cricket and Football Club 19
12 AC Milan 18
13 Parma FC 18
14 S.S. Lazio 18
15 Torino FC 17
16 Empoli FC 16
17 AS Livorno Calcio 15
18 AC Siena 14
19 Reggina Calcio 14
20 Cagliari Calcio 10

                                     January 13

15:00 Atalanta ? - ? AS Roma

15:00 Cagliari ? - ? Udinese

15:00 Lazio ? - ? Genoa

15:00 Parma ? - ? Fiorentina

15:00 Sampdoria ? - ? Palermo

15:00 Siena ? - ? Inter Milan

15:00 Torino ? - ? Livorno

20:30 AC Milan ? - ? Napoli

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                            January 13

13:30 Sunderland ? - ? Portsmouth

16:00 Bolton W. ? - ? Blackburn R.

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INTERNAZIONALE MILANO

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    Anelka

REAL MADRID

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ARSENAL FC

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19 Gilberto »
34 Kieran Gibbs *
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FENERBAHCE SK

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11 Tümer Metin »
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18 Ali Bilgin »
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21 Selçuk Şahin »
25 Uğur Boral »
32 Gürhan Gürsoy *
87 Güven Güneri *

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99 Deivid »

LYON

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34 Loïc Abenzoar *
39 Mickaël Charvet *
47 Francesco Migliore *

Midfielder:
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6 Kim Källström »
8 Juninho Pernambucano »
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36 Aurélien Badin *
41 Brice Ducarre *
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CELTIC FC

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53 Simon Ferry *
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56 Theodor Bjarnason *

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27 Scott McDonald »
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LIVERPOOL

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39 Stephen Darby »
46 Jack Hobbs *

Midfielders:
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16 Jermaine Pennant »
20 Javier Mascherano »
21 Lucas Leiva »
22 Mohamed Sissoko »
33 Sebastian Leto »
34 Jay Spearing *
35 Ray Putterill *
36 Ryan Flynn *

Forwards:
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10 Andriy Voronin »
15 Peter Crouch »
18 Dirk Kuyt »
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OLYMPIACOS CFP

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14 Michał Żewłakow »
15 Raúl Bravo »
18 Paraskevas Antzas »
30 Anastasios Pantos »
35 Vassilis Torosidis »
92 Kyriakos Papadopoulos »

Midfielders:
6 Ieroklis Stoltidis »
8 Rodrigo Javier Archubi »
11 Predrag Djordjević »
16 Marko Né »
19 Konstantinos Mendrinos »
22 Konstantinos Mitroglou »
28 Cristián Raúl Ledesma »

Forwards:
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9 Darko Kovačević »
10 Leonel Núñez »
20 Lefteris Matsoukas *
23 Michalis Konstantinou »
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ROMA

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27 Julio Sergio »
32 Doni »
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26 Adrian Florin Pit »
77 Marco Cassetti »

Midfielders:
7 David Pizarro »
8 Alberto Aquilani »
11 Taddei »
15 Antunes »
16 Daniele De Rossi »
20 Simone Perrotta »
29 Ahmed Apimah Barusso »
33 Matteo Brighi »

Forwards:
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10 Francesco Totti »
14 Ludovic Giuly »
18 Mauro Esposito »
30 Mancini »
36 Claudio Della Penna *

FC SCHALKE 04

Goalkeepers:
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32 Ralf Fährmann *
33 Mathias Schober »
34 Toni Tapalović »

Defenders:
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4 Mathias Abel »
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16 Darío Rodríguez »
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24 Christian Pander »

Midfielders:
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7 Gustavo Varela »
8 Fabian Ernst »
10 Ivan Rakitić »
13 Jermaine Jones »
17 Mesut Özil * »
21 Carlos Grossmüller »
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11 Peter Løvenkrands »
14 Gerald Asamoah »
19 Halil Altıntop »
22 Kevin Kuranyi »

MAN. UNITED

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15 Nemanja Vidić »
19 Gerard Piqué »
22 John O'Shea »
23 Jonny Evans * »
25 Daniel Simpson * »
27 Mikaël Silvestre »
35 Kieran Lee *
44 James Chester *
46 Richard Eckersley


Midfielders:
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8 Anderson »
11 Ryan Giggs »
16 Michael Carrick »
17 Nani »
18 Paul Scholes »
24 Darren Fletcher »
33 Chris Eagles »
42 Sean Evans *
43 Sam Hewson *


Forwards:
7 Cristiano Ronaldo »
9 Louis Saha »
10 Wayne Rooney »
21 Dong Fangzhuo »
32 Carlos Tévez »
45 Fabian Brandy *

MILLAN

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4 Kakha Kaladze »
13 Alessandro Nesta »
17 Dario Šimić »
18 Marek Jankulovski »
19 Giuseppe Favalli »
25 Daniele Bonera »
27 Serginho »
36 Matteo Darmian »
44 Massimo Oddo »

Midfielders:
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8 Gennaro Gattuso »
10 Clarence Seedorf »
20 Yoann Gourcuff »
21 Andrea Pirlo »
23 Massimo Ambrosini »
32 Cristian Brocchi »

Forwards:
9 Filippo Inzaghi »
11 Alberto Gilardino »
22 Kaká »
84 Willy Aubameyang *
99 Ronaldo »

VILLARREAL(1)

Pellegrini: We Must Beat Smaller Teams Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini hopes that his team can break a negative trend that has seen them drop poin



Pellegrini is concerned that his team have struggled against weaker sides at El Madrigal this season, but has demanded them not to make the same mistakes against Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday.

“The teams at the bottom have taken lots of points off us at home and we hope to change this now because we play at home and a victory is necessary, especially ahead of three consecutive matches at home,” affirmed the Chilean.

In his opinion, Pellegrini does not feel that his team should be concerned about Deportivo’s position on the table, because according to him every team in the league have “good players.”

“If you lose concentration, we already know that they can take the points away from you,” he stated.

The coach insists that it is “very important” for his team to win at home, particularly because they have allowed “lots of points” to escape from them, even after having played well.

“There were matches in which we didn’t have much luck, in which we deserved better for all the goal scoring opportunities we created, but we can’t do anything about it, and must do our utmost to make sure the points against Deportivo don’t escape from us,” he said.

Pellegrini commented that rivals Deportivo come into Sunday’s clash with “some problems with their goalkeepers due to things that sometimes happen in the dressing room when things aren’t going well.”

STUTTGART(1)

Heldt Hits Back At 'Hypocrite' Hoeneß Stuttgart's sporting director Horst Heldt has continued the war of words with counterpart Uli Hoeneß, branding



VfB Stuttgart and Bayern Munich, the two great rivals of southern Germany, have never been close.

But the clubs' respective sporting directors Horst Heldt and Uli Hoeneß have been embroiled in a very public spat this week as speculation over striker Lukas Podolski continues.

Stuttgart have shown interest in bringing the out-of-favour German international to the Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion, but their attention was most unwelcome at the Allianz Arena.

“It’s not right to flirt with a player in this way, who still has a two-and-a-half year contract with his club” ranted Hoeneß. “I don’t know how Stuttgart would react if we said that we were interested in Mario Gomez.”

Hypocrite Hoeneß

But Hoeneß' suggestion that the Swabians "follow the proper etiquette in future" has really riled VfB sporting director Heldt, who branded Hoeneß a hypocrite.

"I merely said that we, VfB Stuttgart, must act if Podolski ever comes on the market," he told Bild. "No contact has been initiated."

Murky Magath Dealings

But Bayern, he says, should practise what they preach. "We're not happy that advances were made to our manager (Armin Veh) by Bayern in front of live TV cameras," he complained. "Because we've already had bad experiences with them over Felix Magath."

Magath, now manager at Wolfsburg, was controversially poached from Stuttgart by Bayern three years ago. It was a controversial move that saw Uli Hoeneß announce a deal had been done with the manager live on TV before the end of the season - Stuttgart were in the dark and Magath still had another year on his contract at the Daimler.

Klose Controversy

It is easy to see why Bayern president Franz Beckenbauer's recent suggestions to Veh, who led VfB to the league title last season, about the job in Munich have so angered the Wuertemmburg side. And after Bayern were caught tapping up then Bremen striker Miroslav Klose in a Hannover hotel last season, it's clear that it isn't just managers that the Munich side approach in a shady way.

No Love Lost

This spat is just the latest in a line of incidents that prove there is no love lost between Hoeneß and Heldt. Hoeneß famously questioned 31-year-old Heldt's talents as a sporting director last summer when asked if the VfB man would make a suitable successor to him the Allianz Arena. "I can't just let some 30-year-old take the seat here like Heldt," scoffed Hoeneß.

NAPOLI(1)

Napoli To Appeal Against Zalayeta Ban



History is repeating itself at Napoli. Just like it happened following the controversial home victory over Juventus (3-1), during which the Partenopei were awarded two dubious penalties, the club have decided to change their defensive strategy in reaction to the suspension of striker Marcelo Zalayeta because of a dive.

After what looked like a more than evident dive by the "Panther" during the match against Torino, which tricked referee Matteo Trefoloni into awarding a penalty, the club had initially announced they would not appeal the subsequent decision to suspend the player for two rounds. Sporting director Pierpaolo Marino even openly criticised the player for his action.

But then, just as after the match against the bianconeri, some TV images convinced the club to change its mind. Contrary to what the club announced initially, they will make an appeal against the sports judge's decision.

"New elements have emerged that could be evaluated better by the Federal Justice Court," said an official statement by the club, who will now hope in a favorable new decision by the authorities.

LAZIO(1)

Teams Queue Up For Behrami Lazio wing-back Valon Behrami is attracting the interest of a whole host of teams in Italy and Europe, according to report




The 22-year-old is regarded as one of Europe’s upcoming talents, however his development has been hampered in recent times by injury.


This season Behrami has made just eight appearances in Serie A and his lack of playing time has been sorely felt as Lazio currently languish in 14th position, just four points above the relegation zone.


Nevertheless the Swiss international has a long-list of admirers wanting to sign him, including Palermo, Fiorentina, Tottenham, Liverpool and Bayern Munich.


Behrami has played 10 times for the Swiss national side, scoring once, and was part of the squad that travelled to the 2006 World Cup in Germany.


However Lazio President Claudio Lotito has made it perfectly clear that he has no intention of selling the young starlet, and has slapped a €12m price tag on any clubs wanting to sign him.


Behrami has been playing in Italy since 2003 when Genoa and Udinese jointly signed him from FC Lugano.

 

ESPANYOL(1)

Espanyol Unimpressed By Athletic's Line Dance Athletic Bilbao were forced to repaint their pitch markings before the Copa del Rey game against Espany




The Basque Country outfit altered the normal dimensions in San Mamés in a bid to prevent their visitors' using the width to cause them problems.

Although it is frowned upon to complain, Espanyol boss Ernesto Valverde was so incensed that he reported the matter to referee Fernando Teixeira Vitienes.

After a quick inspection the matchday official ordered Athletic to cover over the new lines and repaint their original markings before the game could begin.

The referee made the decision as it is against the rules for clubs to alter the size of their pitch mid-season and he included the incident in his report.

In Athletic's defence, coach Joaquín Caparrós said that it was no different to the tricks that other clubs try when he takes his team to different grounds.

"They let the grass grow long or cut it very short when we play at other places to try and give them an advantage," he said.

FIORENTINA(1)

Skrtel Anxious To Complete Dream Liverpool Move Liverpool target Martin Skrtel has admitted to a touch of nerves before the completion of his dream


Rafael Benitez is a big believer in the defender’s potential and is set to make him the most expensive defender in the club's history.

Although Skrtel insists a move to the Reds would be amazing, he nonetheless revealed that he is becoming restless thinking about the new life waiting for him around the corner.

"The last two weeks I have been in constant contact with my agent Karol Csonto," he told Plus.

"I hope everything will turn out well in the end, the dream will come true, and I will become a player for a famous club.

"It is most important that everything works out well, and I cannot wait to put pen-to-paper.

"I have realised that in all likelihood a new era of my life is beginning.

"I struggled to get any sleep on Saturday night, and I normally have no problems sleeping.

"I have been pondering what will be waiting for me there and how I will get used to the conditions."

LEVAERKUZEN(1)

Skibbe: Barbarez Must Stay At Leverkusen Bayer Leverkusen boss Michael Skibbe has stressed the importance of veteran Sergej Barbarez to the side.

He



He may be 36 years old, but German club Bayer Leverkusen value striker Sergej Barbarez more highly than ever.

The Bosnian has been instrumental this season as Bayer 04 seek to progress up the Bundesliga table and bag themselves a Champions League spot.

In a team of so many youngsters, Barbarez has become an experienced leader that future stars like Stefan Kiessling or Tranquillo Barnetta can turn to for advice - but he's more than capable of turning in impressive displays himself, too.

It's been a topsy-turvy career for the former Hamburg man, and at once point it even seemed as though Barbarez would not receive a new deal when his current contract with Leverkusen expired at the end of the season.

But this season's efforts have convinced the club's management to change their minds. "Of course I want Sergej to stay on for another year," said boss Michael Skibbe from the side's winter training camp.

"He is incredibly important for our young team, both on and off the pitch, and he's in great condition."

The player himself is also keen to put pen to paper, even though it means continuing to live away from his family in Hamburg and take a pay-cut of around €1m.

"My body is ready to keep on going," the Bosnian told Bild. "I think the club and I will soon sit down and reach a decision."

DEPORTIVO(1)

Aouate After Bust-Up: Either Munua Goes, Or I Do
After being assaulted by Gustavo Munua, Dudu Aouate he said, "it's him or me..."


Deportivo La Coruna 'keeper has spoken out after being assaulted by his fellow stopper and squadmate, Gustavo Munua.

Munua was said to be angry with Aouate after the latter spoke out in the press stating that he did not deserve to be dropped in favour of the Uruguayan.

But things came to an ugly head on Friday, with Aouate describing the situation.

"Training had fnished, and after taking a shower I was getting dressed.

"Munua showed up, and when he arrived, I said, 'What are you looking at?' Suddenly, I received a punch in the eye, which began to bleed heavily.

"When I saw that blood, I fell to the floor. The whole team was there. Soon the doctor came, and the physio, Pablo, helped me. I went to the locker room with the doctor while the team stood in shock.

"This was no fight. It was a surprise. I was hit without any explanation. A big surprise. I was shocked that a team-mate of mine would do that."

The player would not rule out legal action, but definitively stated that he would not return to training while Munua was present.

"I don't know what I'm going to do," he sighed. "I'm very, very pained. But I will not go to Abegondo while this player is there.

"Until yesterday, we had a good relationship. I've never fought with anyone in my life."

Defending allegations that his words on Thursday regarding being dropped had fanned the flames, the Israeli international said, "I never complained, nor talked ill about a fellow player.

"I talked only about my situation and the quality of the team. They asked me about Munua and I said nothing. I talked about the situation of the team, which is not good.

"In any case, nobody has the right to hit anyone else."

Spanish sports daily Marca tried to get in touch with Munua to hear his side of the story, but to no avail.

WEST HAM(1)

Anton Decks Fulham After Curbs' Half-Time Blast
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley laid down the law to his central defenders at half-time against Fulham, and Anton Ferdinand responded by scoring the the decisive second-half goal in the Hammers' 2-1 victory over struggling Fulham.


West Ham came from a goal down to leave Fulham stuck in the mire of the Premier League's bottom three.

Simon Davies put the Cottagers ahead with an early free-kick that eluded everyone to go in at the far post.

But Dean Ashton headed the Hammers level from a Freddie Ljungberg cross before being twice denied by excellent goalkeeping from Fulham's Antti Niemi.

Niemi deflected one close-range strike against the cross-bar, then dived to push away another Ashton effort.

However, Niemi stood no chance when the fired-up Ferdinand lashed the winner into the roof of the net.

The win maintained the Hammers recent improvement at home, following the FA Cup draw with Manchester City and the victory over Manchester United.

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley revealed: "We didn't start so well and Anton [Ferdinand] copped it at half-time. I wasn't happy with how he and Matthew Upson started.

"But they came out to put it right. We wanted to cement our position in the top half and this was a big result for us."

The important change for West Ham was to start passing the ball more quickly to build attacks rather than rely on long balls forward. It was a tactical adjustment that suited Ashton in particular, with Ljungberg supplying a succession of teasing right-wing crosses in his best game so far for the Hammers.

Curbishley added: "We feel if we can give Ashton the chances he will take them. Niemi made a fantastic save to deny him.

"He is trying to get fit in the first team and it is a case of him getting a bit sharper and us playing better to give him the chances.

"Today we felt that if we could get the ball into the box we would cause them problems. We had one cleared off the line from Carlton Cole and Niemi has made a couple of saves. I think we created the better chances."

WIGAN(1)

Wigan Boss Bruce: The Better Team Won
Wigan Athletic's improvement since Steve Bruce took over as manager in succession to Chris Hutchings continued at Pride Park today where the Latics beat Derby County 1-0.



Wigan have now collected 12 points from a possible 24 under Steve Bruce, who continues to lead the Latics away from the Premier League relegation zone.

Their 1-0 victory over bottom club Derby County - managed by ex-Wigan boss Paul Jewell - was crucial.

The Latics enjoyed the better of the chances in the first half, and Derby handicapped themselves by having centre-back Claude Davis sent off for a second yellow card just before the hour mark.

But Wigan still found it hard to break down Derby's ten-men - until 81st minute substitute Antoine Sibierski came on and scored with a 22-yard effort.

It was Sibierski's first goal for five months - and it was enough to give Wigan their first away League win of the season.

"When he [Sibierski] went off last week on a stretcher, I thought he was going to be out for two months," said Bruce.

"However, he had a go in training yesterday, confident there was nothing on the scans.

"That's the little break you need, that one of your big players like him was not seriously injured last week, and it was a great first touch in the end.

"To be fair we should have been out of sight in the first half because in the Premier League you don't get the chances like we had.

"When you miss those chances you think, 'Are we going to get punished?', but thankfully we didn't and the better team won."

JUVENTUS(1)

We Have To Start Games Better - Del Piero
Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero reflected on tonight's 1-1 away to Catania, which saw him score a last-gasp equaliser from the spot.



Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero was the hero once again tonight for his club, even in a match the Bianconeri never gained control of. His last minute penalty was only good enough for a 1-1 draw away to a feisty Catania side.

Following the match, he talked to SKY about his impressions of this encounter.

"I think the draw was deserved," he said. "We created a lot of chances, we put a lot of pressure on them, in the second half we kept them in their own half, they never had a shot on goal. I think we gave it our all and in the end we are quite satisfied."

About his penalty, he said: "There was a lot of tension there, also because [Catania keeper Ciro] Polito had saved a penalty of mine last year in Serie B. So it was tough, but it went well."

Asked whether he thinks Juve have problems away from home, or if the team have been penalised by certain refereeing decisions, he said: "I don't know, I think episodes always have an influence on games.

"We have to make sure that the episodes are in our favour, and not, like tonight, having to go behind on the opposition's first shot on goal. We must be more determined at the start of the games. Tonight, we were a bit less determined than them, and they were also helped by the crowd, they started very strongly."

PORTSMOUTH(1)

Redknapp Explains Newcastle Rejection
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp wxplained why he has turned down an offer to take over from Sam Allardyce as Newcastle manager. Redknapp travelled to the north east to hold talks with the clubs' chairman, Chris Mort, but after considering the move overnight, has decided to stay on the south coast.


 
"Obviously it was a difficult one but I'm happy here and I enjoy working at Portsmouth," said the 60-year-old. "People have been good to me here so i would have found it difficult to walk away."

Redknapp revealed that the reason he didn't take the job was that he felt a sense of loyalty to everyone at Pompey.

"I felt a loyalty towards the club and the fans so that was the main part of my decision really," he explained. "And towards the players I've bought in, I've told them it was a good club, I've sold the club to the players..

"People like Sylvan Distan could have gone to Newcastle in the summer but i persuaded him to come here instead so I think he'd have probably looked at me and thought thanks very much, that was clever, so that was the main reason."

The former Bournemouth, Southampton and West Ham manager admitted that he was tempted by the offer.

"Its a fantastic club, Newcastle, a massive club, great support, terrific chairman, the new man there Mike Ashley, the owner. As I say it was difficult but this is where i'm happy so this is where I'm going to stay," he said.

Redknapp also explained that it wasn't the unfamiliarity of the North East or the distance away from his family that made him turn the job down.

"We live here, me and my wife and the grandchildren, but you know I'd have moved up, that wouldn't have been a problem for me and Sandra.

"But I just feel that when people treat me well, the owner treats me well, I get on well with Peter Storrie, the fans have been great to me, I've been good for them, then it makes sense to stay, so I've decided to keep pushing on with Portsmouth."

MANCHESTER CITY(1)

Poor Performance From City Leaves Sven Frustrated
A normally placid and serene Sven Goran Eriksson was left frustrated after his Manchester City side succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to Everton.




City never got of the blocks in the first half at Goodison Park and consequently fell behind to a Joleon Lescott goal.


The Sky Blues emerged slightly better in the second half but still didn’t threaten to equalise, a fact that left Eriksson scratching his head wondering how it went wrong.

"It was frustrating," Eriksson told Sky Sports.

"We lost, which is bad of course, but even more frustrating is how we played for the first 40 minutes.

"We started to kick it long and tried to win second balls, which we shouldn't have done because we are not good at that.

"We are not brave enough to try and play and when we got the ball we gave it away. There were too many errors.

"But it got better, in the second half we started to play as we can.

"But I don't think we created enough to deserve a draw."

MIDDLESBROUGHT(1)

Southgate Envies Torres
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate cast an eye of envy across at the talent that dragged Liverpool back into a game they eventually drew.



Boro took a deserved lead at the Riverside after dominating the first half, however a wonder strike from Fernando Torres sparked a spirited Liverpool fight-back.

But the Reds couldn’t force a winning a goal and had to settle for a 1-1 draw, a result that Southgate was equally as happy to settle on after watching what Torres is capable of.

"When you look at the guy (Fernando Torres) who scored their goal - I think he cost about as much as our entire 16 - and it is not such a bad result.

"I am really pleased with the performance we gave", admitted Southgate.

However, Southgate did claim that if a certain shot from Jermaine Aliadiere had bounced the right way Boro would have gone on to win.

"Had we got the second when we hit the post, I think we would have won the game."

BAYERN MUNICH(1)

Kroos Extends Until 2012
Bayern Munich starlet Toni Kroos has extended his contract with the Bavarian giants until 2012.




The young midfielder has made the move up to ‘professional’ status from the club’s amateur team extending his current deal by a year in the process.

The 18 year old joined Bayern in 2006 from Hansa Rostock, and rose to prominence at the U-17 World Cup in the autumn, where Germany finished third and he was voted the tournaments best player.

He also finished as the third highest scorer in the competition.

He has succeeded in making his Bundesliga debut this season under Ottmar Hitzfeld and now has four appearances to his name.

The high point for the skilful teenager was his match wining substitute appearance against Red Star Belgrade in the group stage of this season’s Uefa Cup, where he set-up one and scored the winner himself.

Kroos is seen as one of the hottest prospects in European, let-alone German football so Bayern fans will be delighted that his long-term future has been secured by the club.

TOTTENHAM(2)

Ramos Goes Dutch For Robbo Replacement
Reports are circulating that Sevilla manager Juande Ramos is looking to replace Tottenham Hotspur and England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, with Maarten Stekelenburg of Ajax his latest target...




The Daily Mail are reporting that Tottenham may launch a £7 million move for the shot-stopper in this transfer window, which would no doubt spell the end of Paul Robinson's spell with the club.

Many rumours reported an animated bust-up between 'keeper Robinson and his manager Juande Ramos (pictured) after the ex-Leeds man was dropped from the side to face Arsenal in the Carling Cup midweek; that stance was maintained today in Spurs' game against Chelsea and Robinson's situation looks bleak.

Stekelenburg, a Dutch international, is the prospective heir to Edwin van der Sar's spot between the sticks for the national side.

In form Espanyol defender Jarque has also attracted Ramos' attention as a potential solution to Spurs' continuing problem at the back, but Espanyol, pressing for a Champions League place, will be reluctant to sell one of their form players.

Stekelenburg, then, remains the primary target for the London club and he is reportedly eager to move to the Premiership, despite his club's reluctance to sell.

"I've always said that if I would leave one day, that it would be for England," declared Stekelenburg. "I knew I would make the step to the Premier League one day. The question is when the actual moment comes."

Stekelenburg, 25, is an Ajax youth product, having debuted for the side in 2001.







Poyet: Belletti The Difference
Tottenham assistant manager Gus Poyet claimed there was little difference between his Spurs side and Chelsea, despite seeing them go down to a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge.


In what he described as a poor game, the strike from Brazilian Juliano Belletti was the difference between a loss and gaining some vital points away from home.

“There was lots of emotion and passion from the beginning but not many chances” Poyet explained.

“So it was that kind of game where something different from somebody would change the game completely, and that was the Belletti goal” he said.

With Radek Cerny again preferred to Paul Robinson in goal again, Poyet refused to criticise the keeper for the opening goal.

“But it was a great strike, top corner and difficult for any goalkeeper so there’s no complaints about that.

“I think you have to accept that Chelsea control these types of games. They’re a team that even when not playing the best or creating chances, they are going to find a way to score a goal and win the game.

“Our young midfield did very well, they competed, and we got a few yellow cards, but it’s important for them to experience playing here against Chelsea” he added.

VALENCIA(7)

Transfer Market Heats Up In Argentina




As usual, Argentina's big two Boca Juniors and River Plate are the club's who are making a stand in the transfer market. Not only have they appointed new coaches this season: Carlos Ischia and Diego Simeone, respectively, but their squads are taking some shape.

Boca Juniors may have offloaded teenage sensation Ever Banega to Valencia, but they have been reinforced by key playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme, a player who guided them to the Copa Libertadores title last year.

Their other important signing was that of Lucas Castroman, who returned to Argentine football after a brief stint with Club America of Mexico.

Bitter rivals River Plate haven't had much to show for in recent years, but although they sold team-captain Fernando Belluschi to Olympiakos of Greece, they have reinforced their side with popular Uruguayan international striker Sebastian Abreu, who has played most of his career in Mexican football.

Earlier in the week they signed Gustavo Cabral from Racing Club, a highly-talented defender with a bright future.

2007 Clausura champions San Lorenzo have signed former Argentine international Diego Placente, while they have offloaded Gaston Fernandez, Osmar Ferreyra, and Walter Montillo.

While last season's Apertura champions Lanus, have only made one new signing, that of Ivan Macalik. But they are expected to make more incorporations in the coming weeks.

Uruguayan striker Diego Alonso has been Gimnasia de La Plata's only new signing to date, although they could close in on Guillermo Barros Schelotto of the Columbus Crew.

Hugo Tocalli's Velez Sarsfield have reinforced their squad with Patricio Perez, and Waldo Ponce, but have offloaded Mexican international Mario Mendez, who returned to Toluca.

Independiente have yet to make any new signings, as haven't Avellaneda rivals Racing Club. Both clubs will need to make some signings if they want to improve on poor campaigns last season.








La Liga Preview: Athletic Bilbao - Sevilla



Athletic Bilbao and Sevilla both go into Saturday's game off the back of mid-week draws in the Copa del Rey and looking to improve on their current league positions.

There is bound to be an excellent atmosphere inside the San Mamés for Bilbao's first home league game in 2008, as Joaquín Caparrós' side look to improve on their decidedly dicey league position, which sees them just one place and one point away from the relegation places.

Sevilla go into the match in 8th place in the league and will be looking to follow their convincing victory in last week's derby against Real Betis with an away victory at Bilbao, despite their lacks of options up front.

Mixed Reactions

After staying in the Primera Division by just one point at the end of last season, Athletic Bilbao were on the search for a new manager who could take the side forward and avoid a repeat of the relegation battles that have plagued the team in the last couple of years.

Bilbao's board elected to appoint Joaquín Caparrós, who had recently parted company with Deportivo La Coruña. The decision was met by some criticism in the local media, claiming that a Southern man such as Caparrós - born in Sevilla - could not begin to understand the Northern and Basque traditions that are at the heart of Athletic Bilbao.

Their Cantera policy, which sees them only recruit players from a Basque background, severely limits the players that a manager is able to target and Caparrós has had to try and improve results on the pitch with practically the same squad that survived on the final day of last season.

Unsurprisingly, results have not really improved and with the midway point in the season approaching, Bilbao find themselves in the same position they finished last season: 17th.

They lost their first league game of 2008 away to Racing Santander 1-0 despite having numerous chances to score. Their home form has been average so far this season and they will be looking to make the San Mamés the fortress it once was in the second half of the season.

Coming Back Together

Sevilla finished last season just five points away from eventual champions Real Madrid in third and were expected to be among the challengers for the 2007/08 campaign.

4-1 victories in both of their first two games seemed to confirm this belief, but they were followed by a poor run of results, which left Sevilla squarely in mid-table at the beginning of October.

Just a week after an away victory at Levante brough their poor run to an end, Sevilla's manager Juande Ramos resigned from his position to take up the vacancy at Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premiership.

Manolo Jiménez stepped up from the reserve team to take over first-team affairs and after a patchy start has steered Sevilla to a run of eight games unbeaten in all competitions.

Sevilla have been excellent at home, scoring ten goals in their last three league games at the Sánchez Pizjuán, but their away form has been less than great.

Jiménez will look to turn that around in 2008 and will see Saturday's tie with Bilbao as the ideal opportunity to get an away victory under his belt.

FORM

Athletic Bilbao

Recent MatchesMatch Result Date Championship
Athletic Bilbao - Espanyol 1 - 1 09/01/2008 COPA DEL REY
Racing - Athletic Bilbao 1 - 0 06/01/2008 LA LIGA
Athletic Bilbao - Murcia 1 - 1 23/12/2007 LA LIGA
Mallorca - Athletic Bilbao 0 - 0 16/12/2007 LA LIGA
Athletic Bilbao - Real Madrid 0 - 1 08/12/2007 LA LIGA
Valencia - Athletic Bilbao 0 - 3 02/12/2007 LA LIGA


Sevilla

Recent MatchesMatch Result Date Championship
Sevilla - Barcelona 1 - 1 09/01/2008 COPA DEL REY
Sevilla - Betis 3 - 0 06/01/2008 LA LIGA
Sevilla - Racing 4 - 1 22/12/2007 LA LIGA
Valladolid - Sevilla 0 - 0 16/12/2007 LA LIGA
Slavia Praha - Sevilla 0 - 3 12/12/2007 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Sevilla - Murcia 3 - 1 09/12/2007 LA LIGA


TEAM NEWS

Athletic Bilbao

Iraizoz, Aitor Ocio and Joseba Etxeberria are still out injured so the only change is likely to be a return to a 4-4-2 formation now that Aritz Aduriz is fully fit to partner Fernando Llorente up front.

Probable Starting XI: Aranzubia, Iraola, Ustaritz, Amorebieta, Koikili, Orbaiz, Lopez, Yeste, Garmendia, Llorente, Aduriz.

Sevilla

Arouna Kone, Seydou Keita and Fredi Kanoute are away at the African Cup of Nations; Ivica Dragutinovic and Luis Fabiano are suspended; Andres Palop, Alexandr Kerzhakov and Javi Navarro are injured.

Jiménez wishes to stick with his favoured 4-4-2 formation and with a lack of strikers is likely to move Renato forward from midfield to partner Javier Chevanton up front.

Probable Starting XI: De Sanctis, Daniel Alves, Mosquera, Escude, Crespo, Navas, Maresca, Poulson, Capal, Renato, Chevanton.

PREDICTION

Sevilla have struggled away from home so far this season and with so many attacking players unavailable, it is hard to see them scoring more than once on Saturday. Athletic Bilbao will be desperate to get a home victory to start a revival in the second half of the campaign, but despite their best efforts I can see this being a score-draw.

Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Sevilla







Clemente: Barça Must be More Consistent



The former Spain coach thinks that although the Blaugrana may have a stronger squad than their arch rivals, they are not performing as well every week.

As last weekend's victory Real Zaragoza proved, Bernd Schuster's side can still find a way to victory even if they are not on top of their game, according to Clemente.

"I like Barcelona. They have the strongest squad in Spain, but the difference is that Madrid are now working better and are playing at a higher level," he said.

"Barça have a good team, but Madrid pulls out the performances and that is why they are seven points ahead.

"Madrid are very stable. It is difficult to see them dropping many points. When Barça play badly they lose, but Madrid do not."

Despite the gap at the top, Clemente can still see Barcelona making a challenge and does not believe that any other side will have a say.

"Barça are still serious contenders and have the chance to win the league. As I have said before, the race will be between Barça and Madrid," he continued.

"The only other team that could have competed economically is Valencia and they have fallen away.

"Atlético de Madrid are a great side but lack consistency. Espanyol are the big surprise and they are good up front, but they may not have the money required to bring in new players to add that extra something now."






Juande: We Have To Be More Positive



Results improved before Christmas when Paco Chaparro replaced Héctor Cúper at the helm and hopes were high that the team could edge back up the table.

The New Year has changed all that, however, and after losing to Valencia in the Copa del Rey and Sevilla in the league, Juande thinks that confidence needs to be restored.

"We have to remain positive as we are coming under more and more pressure with each day that passes and we do not achieve a good result," he said.

"Everyone must change their way of thinking."

After the defeat at home by Valencia in the cup in midweek, Betis were booed off the pitch by their own supporters as the frustration finally came out.

Despite not enjoying the experience, Juande claims that he realises why it happened and said that the team must ensure that it does not happen again.

"Nobody likes to be jeered, but is it understandable because we have been in this situation for two-and-a-half years," he continued.

"It is our duty to try and lift the fans again as all they want is to see us win."










Aguirre sets Atlético agenda



Club Atlético de Madrid coach Javier Aguirre knows his side are "entering a very important phase" as they prepare to welcome Valencia CF to the Spanish capital on Sunday – the start of a pivotal week.

Challenge
Aguirre finished seventh in his debut season at the Vicente Calderón and began this term with the simple aim of improving on that return while negotiating a first UEFA Cup foray in eight years. With Atlético fourth in Spain and through to the UEFA Cup last 32 it is a case of so far, so good, yet the former Mexico national team manager knows it will count for nothing if that form does not continue. "The players have shown they have clear goals in their heads," said Aguirre. "In a short space of time we'll be playing for a lot, though. In the league we face teams like Valencia and Real Madrid [CF] and we also have key matches coming up in the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Cup."

Cup hopes
Their UEFA Cup meeting with Bolton Wanderers FC kicks off in mid-February, so for the next month the sole focus will be on domestic matters. First up Valencia, then Real Valladolid CF for the second leg of their Copa del Rey last-16 meeting - Thursday's first leg ended in a 0-0 draw - before the Madrid derby at the Vicente Calderón, and Aguirre knows he must beware of fatigue: "We'll be trying to share out the minutes among the players as much as possible; I think our squad is well balanced and able to deal with it."

Striking partnership
Well balanced it may be but an undeniable factor in Atlético's success this term has been a potent partnership between Diego Forlán and Agüero, players Aguirre says "look as though they've been playing together for years". The duo have registered 15 between them in the league this season, fed by a productive supply line of Luis García, Raúl García and Simão, and will need to be firing on all cylinders when Valencia arrive on Sunday keen to give a better account of themselves in the second half of the season than they have in the first.

Valencia task
Seventh, Valencia are nevertheless just seven points off a coveted top-four spot and coach Ronald Koeman will be aware that their record on the road has, at least, been impressive – Aguirre for one, is taking nothing for granted. "Valencia will be battling with us for the rest of the season," said the 50-year-old, who guided CA Osasuna to a highly creditable fourth-place finish in 2006. "I was surprised that they drew 0-0 with [UD] Levante last week but it shows that you can't write off any team." That includes Atlético.










Arizmendi: We Intend To Beat Atlético
Valencia's forward turned right-back Javier Arizmendi believes that his side have every chance of beating his former employers Atlético Madrid on Sunday night.



Valencia travel to the Vicente Calderón on Sunday having not won in La Liga since mid-November, but Arizmendi feels that the confidence within the squad is high and that they will be going into the game looking for all three points.

"We go with the plan to take the three points," he told Marca.

"It will be a complicated match but we go into it with much confidence; we are improving in defence and we must maintain this improvement."

Arizmendi has been used as a right-back in recent weeks and insists that he is "comfortable" with playing there, despite having played as a forward for most of his career.

"The important thing is to play and to help the team in their current position."

Having begun his footballing career at Atlético, Arizmendi will be looking to prove a point on Sunday night, having rarely featured for their first-team in the Primera Division and having spent the last few seasons on loan at Racing and Deportivo.

"Atlético gave me the opportunity to play in the top league, but each time I returned there it seemed less special."

Finally, Arizmendi was asked how new recruit Ever Banega was settling into training with his new team-mates and suggested that patience will be required if they are to see the best of the young Argentine.

"He is adapting little by little and it is not easy in its circumstances, but I see him with a great future," he concluded.