A welcome distraction

For the footballing folk of Italia, the World Cup may have come at the right time. The scandal engulfing Serie A and more specifically its leading club, Juventus, has besmirched the reputation of calcio, perhaps irreparably.

Antonio Cassano will not be getting the chance to exorcise the pain of Euro 2004.But maybe amid headlines of police investigations, match-fixing and transfer irregularities, there can be unity behind the Azzurri as they attempt to lay to rest a growing reputation of being the nearly men of world football.

After Sylvain Wiltord's last-minute equaliser denied them the Euro 2000 crown, they were knocked out embarassingly, though controversially, out of World 2002 by South Korea and then came Euro 2004; the manner of their exit coming off the back of a questioned 2-2 draw between Sweden and Denmark.

The look of joy on Antonio Cassano's face as he converted the winner against the Bulgarians and its rapid conversion to misery was truly evocative, but the exit of Giovanni Trapattoni's side from Portugal can be blamed on the age-old problem of not converting chances after getting into a winning position.

The coaching this time is in the hands of Marcello Lippi, who alongside Fabio Capello, his successor at Juventus, is the most decorated Italian coach around. After his sacking by Inter he was the obvious candidate to follow Trap as the old dog continued his coaching tour of European football. Lippi's approach will be little different from that which won him three chanpionships and the Champions League while at the Stadio Delle Alpi.

His teams are always hard-working, combining the typical facets of a tough defence, a pressing midfield and strikers able to hit opponents on the break. A four-man defence is always there, though Lippi varies between a 4-3-3 and a 4-4-2. This may depend on the fitness of Francesco Totti or his willingness to play the ageing Alessandro Del Piero in the 'hole'.

Lippi is currently in the midst of deflecting any irregular links to scandalised Juventus former chief exec Luciano Moggi, who is alleged to have tried to tell his old employee who to pick for the national team.

Lippi has remained typically intransient to any questioning and has said that the 'quality of this squad is what makes me calm'.

His 23 contains just four Juventus players; Zambrotta, still one of the best full-backs around, Mauro Camoranesi, the adopted Argentinian who will play on the right-hand side and Alessandro Del Piero, a man linked whose misses will be forever with the failings of the last three tournaments. The participation of Juve's fourth man, goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, is in doubt after his own implication in the betting scandal. The fact that Lippi can only now replace him by citing an injury means the Italians must be confident the world's most expensive keeper will be able to play.

Del Piero, going on 33, has become something of a supersub for his club, scoring one of the goals at Reggina that secured the bianconeri their 29th and most disputed title. It seems likely he will have the same role for his country. The attacking fulcrum, the playmaker, this time will be Francesco Totti, a man who has something to prove after besmirching his reputation at the last two finals tournaments.

The sending-off against the Koreans in 2002 and the disgraceful spitting incident in the opening match of Euro 2004 have ruined Totti's hopes of the type of recognition internationally that he receives nationally. And this is perhaps not the right time for him either; he is only just returned from a broken leg and strained left ankle ligaments sustained on February 19.

Luca Toni: Towering striker who could be the star man for the Italians.Totti's involvement was restricted substitute appearances as Roma missed out on the Champions League and lost in the final of the Coppa Italia. His absence derailed Roma push of 10 wins and eventually it was Fiorentina who got that 4th place, mostly as a result of the goals of Luca Toni, who seems likely to be playing up alongside the Roman.

Toni has been the Italian star of the season. His 31 goals dwarfed the tally of any of his rivals. A late developer, it is hoped he can make the type of impact that Christian Vieri, absent this time with injury, made at France 98, but was never able to repeat. Toni is certainly more media-friendly than the grumpy Monaco man, with his good looks and good hair winning the approval of the female fan.

There are hopes that as an unknown quantity to many of the other contenders, he could be this year's Toto Schilacci.

At 6'4", he has the power to trouble defenders and has the cliche of a 'good touch for a big man' to complement that. A target man then who may yet find himself partnered by Milan's Pippo Inzaghi, who has made a late charge for inclusion by Lippi. Inzaghi's predatory skills helped a creaking AC Milan to the semi-finals of the Champions League, and during the game against Lyon he looked in the form of his life.

Inzaghi and Udinese's Vincenzo Iaquinta, a suprise choice after a season which saw him fall out with his club over an unsigned contract, took the final striking places at the expense of Livorno's Cristiano Lucarelli and Cassano, whose move to Real Madrid failed to generate sufficient football to be considered by Lippi. Alberto Gilardino, Milan's megabucks buy of last summer was always a likely choice, despite being behind Lucarelli in the scoring stakes.

The midfield has long been a problem area for the Italians. Their defensive approach has recently been matched by attacking talent. Yet the supply lines between have been lacking at the last two finals. It seems likely that Andrea Pirlo, who has looked leg-weary of late, will reprise his deep-lying playmaker role with either youngster Daniele De Rossi of Roma or old Milan oppo Gennaro Gattuso as the midfield engine.

Width, as ever since the days of Bruno Conti, is not a facet the Italians are likely to choose. Zambrotta will be given licence to bomb-on while Totti may begin on the left of midfield with licence to roam. Camaronesi too has a tendency to tuck in from the right-hand side.

Defensively, the partnership of Fabio Cannavaro of Juventus and Alessandro Nesta of Milan is likely to play its third World Cup together. Nesta, even at 30, is the young man of the Milan defence these days while Cannavaro, three years his senior, has recovered from the crisis of confidence he suffered while an Inter player. Age may see them never repeating the heroic defending that got them to the final of Euro 2000 but they remain as difficult a proposition as any international forward could come across.

Their back-up will be provided by Marco Materazzi, whose presence as the sole Inter player in the 23 reflects the United Nations that is the nerazurri, and perhaps the reason why they are the eternal also-rans of the scudetto. And maybe Lippi's continuing ire at an unsuccesful spell at the San Siro. Meanwhile Palermo supply no less than three defenders - first-choice right-back Christian Zaccardo, the versatile Fabio Grosso, who can play at left-back and left wing and 24-year-old Andrea Barzagli, likely to be at centre-back ahead of the unreliable temperament of Materazzi should either of the first choicers miss out.

Goalkeeping issues, of course, remain dependent on the Buffon situation.

Alessandro Nesta and Fabio Cannavaro are playing their fifth major finals together.Lippi's team made sure that there would be an azzurri at the World Cup to continue their record of having qualified for every finals since 1958. In truth their group should have provided few scares and, despite an early defeat to Slovenia and away draws with Scotland and Norway Italy were well clear of 2nd-paced Norway.

In typical style the Italians made heavy work of the Slovenians in the game that secured progress before a late Zaccardo goal secured that 12th successive appearance.

A 4-1 friendly defeat of hosts Germany in Florence gave rise to typical optimism from a rabid Italian press but the furore has died down as the old fears set in about players being in form and fit for action.

The draw could have been kinder to Lippi since all three opponents will present a significant challenge, with the Czechs featuring a few Serie A veterans and the athletic approach of the Ghanians and Americans will always pose a problem to a side that enjoys having as much time on the ball as the Italians.

But perhaps the low-key feeling around the Italians will work in their favour this time. The last time they were under as little expectation was 1982.


---www.soccernet.com---

Striker Totti bewails Azzurri's injury curse

Italy striker Francesco Totti has bemoaned the Azzurri's bad luck after they were hit by a series of late injuries ahead of their opening World Cup match against Ghana on Monday.

'What a great start we have made! We really have been unlucky,' he was quoted as saying in La Repubblica on Thursday.

'I'm going to end up being the player in the best shape around here,' said Totti who has himself only recently recoved from a serious ankle injury.

In the past 48 hours, fullback Gianluca Zambrotta and midfielder Gennaro Gattuso have been ruled out of Italy's opener with thigh injuries.

Alessandro Nesta also risks missing the match after aggravating an old adductor muscle injury. The central defender will have tests on Saturday to decide if he is fit to play.

Italy's lengthening casualty list unfolded in front of a bemused Totti, who had been the focus of the team's fitness concerns in the run-up to the World Cup.

The Roma captain, often described as the linchpin of Italy's World Cup bid, is struggling to regain form after spending three months on the sidelines.

The absence of Zambrotta and Gattuso, plus the possible loss of Nesta, have forced coach Marcello Lippi to reshape his team, with Fabio Grosso and Marco Materazzi coming into the back four and Simone Perrotta replacing Gattuso on the right of midfield.

'It's strange. On Tuesday, Gattuso was running about, tackling. It seems impossible,' said Totti, who could start on the bench after poor performances in draws against Switzerland and Ukraine in warm-up matches last week.

'It will be a different Italy from the one that should have been there at the start of the tournament,' he added.




--www.soccernet.com--

Nesta 'could recover in time for Monday opener'

Italy defender Alessandro Nesta could recover in time for the Azzurri's Group E opener against Ghana on Monday, coach Marcello Lippi said.

Nesta missed training on Thursday along with full-back Gianluca Zambrotta and midfielder Gennaro Gattuso who have both been ruled out of Italy's opener with thigh injuries.

'Nesta has the most chance to recover (quickly),' said Lippi, adding that the centre-half could be fit in time for the Ghana game.

Milan central defender Nesta is suffering from a recurrence of an old adductor muscle injury.

'It is an injury that he has been dealing with for some time, for a few months,' the Italy coach told a news conference.

Lippi said that he was not overly worried by the injuries that have inflicted his side in the past week and refused to discuss any possible tactical changes he may have to make.

'My only worry is to get to the day before the game with as many players in the best condition possible.

'Unfortunately, we have had some injuries. You hope, obviously, that you will have everyone available but if you have faith in your squad you can't cry about a few players missing.

'You need to have faith in the squad,' added Lippi who said it was important that reserve players knew he had confidence in them.

'I've never cried about injuries. I might have a thousand faults as a coach but I feel it is very important that all the players in the squad feel important. That is my character, if someone is injured then I try to find something positive.

'I want to transmit the greatest faith possible to my players and especially in moments when there are injuries.

'I am not angry or upset by the injuries, we will get to Sunday or Monday morning and then decide,' added the Italy coach.

The Azzurri also face the United States and the Czech Republic in Group E.


--www.soccernet.com--

Jermaine Wright departs........

Midfielder Jermaine Wright has today had his contract with Leeds United cancelled by mutual consent.
The Club wishes him well for the future.
He is now free to join another Club without payment of a Compensation Fee.
The 30-year-old arrived at Elland Road on a free transfer from Ipswich in July 2004 and there were high expectations of him.
He made 37 appearances in his first year at the club but last season found it difficult to force his way into Kevin Blackwell's first team plans despite starting the season.
He made just three appearances before joining home town club Millwall on loan for three months and when that spell expired he joined Championship rivals Southampton until the end of the season.
In total he made 43 appearances for the Whites.

--www.lufc.com--

World Cup just around the corner......

Everyone who loves football must be waiting for the World Cup 2006 which will begin early on next month. People from over the world now focus to host Germany to start the kick off on June of 9th between Germany and Costa Rica. Anyone will support their own team include me. My favourite team is Italy and hopefully they will challenge for the title this time. After lost to the France in the Final of Euro 2000, this team didn't perform well in big tournament including World Cup 2002 in Korea & Japan and Euro 2004 in Portugal. With the big name players like Alessandro Del Piero, Totti, Buffon and Nesta, they still cannot achive what they should get. Here, I put all the name list for the Italy squad:

Goalkeepers
1 Gianluigi Buffon
12Angelo Peruzzi
14Marco Amelia

Defenders
2 Christian Zaccardo
5 Fabio Cannavaro
6 Andrea Barzaqli
13Alessandro Nesta
22 Massimo Oddo
23Marco Materazzi

Midfielders
3 Fabio Grosso
4 Daniele De Rossi
8 Gennaro Gattuso
16Mauro German Camoranesi
17Simone Barone
19Gianluca Zambrotta
21Andrea Pirlo

Strikers
7 Alessandro Del Piero
9 Luca Toni
10Francesco Totti
11Alberto Gilardino
15 Vicenzo Iaquinta
18Filippo Inzaghi
20Simone Perrotta

Tomas Rosicky Profile

Tomas ROSICKY
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Height: 1.79m.
Weight: 65.00kg.
Nationality: Czech Republic
Born: 04/10/1980 in Prague



Career History
*(Season, Club, European Competition, Championship, Caps)

98-99
Sparta Prague
3 Games
(-)
(-)

99-00
Sparta Prague
5 Goals, 24 Games
(-)
6 Games

00-01
Sparta Prague
3 Goals, 14 Games
2 + 0 + 0 Goals, 6 Games (Champions League)
(-)

00-01
Borussia Dortmund
15 Games
(-)
5 Games

01-02
Borussia Dortmund
5 Goals, 30 Games
1 + 0 Goals, 6 + 8 Games (Champions League + UEFA Cup)
2 Goals, 4 Games

02-03
Borussia Dortmund
3 Goals, 30 Games
2 Goals, 7 Games (Champions League)
(-)

03-04
Borussia Dortmund
2 Goals, 19 Games
2 Games (UEFA Cup)
(-)

04-05
Borussia Dortmund
4 Goals, 27 Games
(-)
(-)

05-06
Borussia Dortmund
5 Goals, 28 Games
(-)
(-)

Honours

1999 Champion of Czech Republic (Sparta Prague)
2000 Champion of Czech Republic (Sparta Prague)
2001 Champion of Czech Republic (Sparta Prague)
2002 Bundesliga Champions (Borussia Dortmund)
2002 UEFA Cup Finals (Borussia Dortmund)


Story
- http://www.borussia-dortmund.com-

CAREER
Tomas Rosicky (nicknamed „dumpling“ because of his favourite dish: „Bohemian dumplings”) ‘s football passion must be congenital: his father was a famous player to Czechoslovakia. Rosicky himself followed up his father when changing to Prague after two years with CKD Kompensory.Aged 17, he was assigned to Sparta’s first team winning the championship in 1999 and 2000 which paved his way to the Czech national team. Declared one of the most talented players throughout Europe, “Football Mozart” Rosicky changed to Dortmund in 2001. He was one of the main characters in Borussia’s championship and the UEFA-Cup final of 2002, that’s why he’s respected in Bundesliga and his home country where he was elected “Footballer of the Year” in 2001 and 2002. Another very important role he had in EURO 2004 when the Czech Republic reached the semi final. As one of Europe’s leading midfielders, Rosicky is permanently related to the top clubs which he meanwhile declares to be accustomed to. “I did not have to change for playing more effective. I recognized the football had changed. If I didn’t had adapted to that, my national team career would have stopped”, the young star declares.

STRENGHTS
His technics and overview are declared „unique“: he plays the ball with elegance and airiness paired with decisive passes in the right moment. His dribblings as „ambitioned filigree worker“ (kicker sports magazine) are a feast for the eyes, same as his determined, unadorned play. Former Czech national coach Josef Chovanec is sold on his sensational overview: „Tomas has all the features a key player needs to have for international class“

SEASON REVIEW
Rosicky was one of the most successful strugglers in the league with 58 per cent duels won outflanked by Soldo and Owomoyela only, but his annihilating in the midfield led to a lack of goal traction. At least, Rosicky seemed to have improved his freshness: having scored one Bundesliga goal only in 2004, he had three of them in 2005’s first half. Six out of his eight scorer points he collected within the last ten matches. His goal in Hamburg was his first field goal abroad since three years.

Arsenal will become better and better...........

After the final Champions League last week, what can I say about this team they are very unlucky to win their first trophy for the Champions League. Only 14 minutes left to grab the first victory, they conceded 2 goals in five minutes only. They played with 10 men after Jens Lehmann saw a red card, became the first player to be sent off in a Champions League final and the 63rd red card of Wenger's decade at the club. But they still can take a lead before half time with brilliant header from Sol Campbell after free kick taken by Henry, he escaped his marker Oleguer to jump and power a bullet of a header into the corner of the net. After that, even Arsenal play only with 10 players, Barca men still look struggle to break up Arsenal defence. Until last minutes Barce got 2 goals for a short time, what can I say here they are lucky. I believe if both teams played with 11 players, I'm sure Arsenal team can win the trophy. After the game, I can see how dissapointment on their faces. Again, Arsenal can get better for next season. With future of Henry had been confirmed (after signed new contract), the combination between the seniors player and youngster players (like Cesc Fabregas, Van Persie, Senderos and etc. ) this team can be stronger and stronger. The good news for Arsenal fans now is their new signing, Tomas Rosicky one of Czech Republic star. This is what I'm waiting from last season to see this versatile midfielder to play with Arsenal. Even I'm not Arsenal's fan, I'm support this club because the style of their games. They always to play attacking game and I'm not getting bored when watched their games. It's an entertaining games. The ability of Arsene Wenger to keep track young player and become a potential star very attract my attention. As a club with no money power to purchase big name like Chealsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United done, this ability is important to keep this team to stay as among the strong team in Europe and even in the world.

Leeds United fail to make a come back to EPL after Championship play-off final

Here is the story;

Watford completed their fairytale turnaround at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff as goals from Jay DeMerit, a Neil Sullivan own goal and Darius Henderson accounted for disappointing Leeds in the Coca-Cola Championship play-off final.
Empics
Leeds United's Eddie Lewis and Watford's Lloyd Doyley
The Hornets were installed as third favourites for relegation at the start of the season and the appointment of Adrian Boothroyd as boss in March 2005 did little to appease frustrated fans.
But 14 months on the Bradford-born 35-year-old has worked a minor miracle, lifting the club from the depths of the Championship and into the Barclays Premiership in his first full season as a manager.
He will, quite literally, be the Premiership's new kid on the block.
American defender DeMerit's far post header gave Watford a 25th-minute lead.
Chambers enjoyed a lucky deflection off Eddie Lewis before the ball hit the post and went in off Sullivan to increase their lead in the 55th minute.
Then Henderson rounded off his side's stunning season with an 83rd-minute penalty.
Slick and well-drilled, each of Boothroyd's players looked well versed in their own roles, while in contrast Leeds at times looked lost.
Paul Butler deflected Henderson's header from Ashley Young's second-minute corner over the crossbar, while Shaun Derry's left-foot shot from just inside the Watford penalty area hit Lloyd Doyley's outstretched leg.
Watford then forced two quick corners and made the second one count to take the lead in the 25th minute when centre-half DeMerit barged his way past Hulse onto the end of Young's left-wing corner to head beyond Leeds goalkeeper Sullivan.
Sean Gregan was booked soon after for appearing to flick an arm into Henderson's face, although the Watford striker, sent off at Elland Road in February, made the most of it.
The opening goal, which came without warning, rattled Leeds, the back four looking jittery from Jordan Stewart's in-swinging free-kick not long after.
Gregan could not get power nor direction on his header from Gary Kelly's free-kick and, as Leeds enjoyed their best spell towards half-time, Derry's shot rolled harmlessly into Ben Foster's hands.
Lewis went close with a 25-yard free-kick which curled over the crossbar following Gavin Mahon's foul on Derry, but Leeds were left chasing the game at half-time.
Blackwell responded by replacing the ineffective Richardson with Robbie Blake and switching to a four-four-two system, while Watford gave early indication of their intentions when Doyley was booked for time-wasting in the 51st minute.
Henderson's left-footed half volley forced Sullivan into a fine one-handed save, while Leeds still lacked Watford's incisiveness.
Leeds were then dealt a cruel blow in the 55th minute when Chambers' tame shot in the penalty area following Mahon's long throw took a wicked deflection off Lewis' boot and spun over Sullivan before hitting the post and ricocheting off the prone Leeds goalkeeper's shoulder and trickling over the goalline.
David Healy immediately replaced Miller and the Northern Ireland international soon tested Foster, racing onto Blake's clever dummy and forcing the Watford goalkeeper to save low down to his left.
Gregan failed to keep his header down from Lewis' free-kick and Derry's header was cleared off the line by Chambers as Leeds at last gathered some momentum.
Lewis' rasping drive was then well held by Foster, but Watford were not content to sit back, Spring's fierce near-post shot beaten away for a corner by Sullivan.
Leeds looked forlorn enough with the score at 2-0 but shoulders dropped in the 83rd minute when Henderson stepped up to side-foot home from the spot after Derry appeared to have clipped King's foot in the area.

What a dissapointment to see again this club play in Championship League next season.Hopefully, they will bounce back next season with automatic promotion.

* Leeds United's fan..........................................
-Source from www.soccernet.com-