Real Madrid - AC Milan preview: prepared for tomorrow's clash

Real Madrid and Milan will star in the most interesting Champions League game this week. The Whites had their final session this morning and Milan trained at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium at 19:00.

Real Madrid's morning session was followed by a press conference given by coach Manuel Pellegrini and Kaka.

Pellegrini selected 18 of his men for the match. They will meet at the stadium at 20:30 and will then set their team camp at Mirasierra Suites Hotel.

Milan are currently third in Group C behind the Whites and Zurich. The Italian team landed in Madrid at 12:10. The squad and coaching staff are staying at Villa Magna Hotel.

Real Madrid Press

Inter Milan lost points against Dynamo Kiev: 2-2

Inter twice came from behind as Tuesday's Champions League Matchday 3 clash against Dynamo Kiev at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza ended in a 2-2 draw. But the Group F situation is evenly balanced with three matches left to play as defending European champions Barcelona lost 2-1 at home to Rubin Kazan.

Dynamo came out with all guns blazing and fired an early warning when Yarmolenko just failed to make contact with Milevskiy's flick from Magrao's corner. Gazzaev's men stepped up the pressure and took a fifth-minute lead through Mikhalik, who rifled past Julio Cesar after Milevskiy's free kick came off Stankovic.

Penned back for the opening fifteen minutes, Inter gradually settled but Dynamo went inches close to a second with Shevchenko heading wide after climbing above Maicon. Inter's leveller came from a counter-attack after Julio Cesar's punched clearance from Magrao's cross. Sneijder turned an opponent and played to Lucio who fed Stankovic and the Serbian slotted beyond the onrushing Bogush.

In his pre-match press conference Mourinho said a few moments are enough to go from heaven to hell in football and Lucio must have been thinking just that when he inadvertently headed Magrao's corner into his own net five minutes before the break. But the Brazilian's partner in defence Samuel grabbed a quick equaliser after half time, rising in the box to head Sneijder's corner kick into the top left corner.

Spaces opened up for both teams and mistakes abounded, and the result could have gone either way. Eto'o was narrowly beaten to Magrao's wayward back pass by Bogush, who made a point-blank save from the Cameroonian seconds later. At the other end, Lucio found himself in Purgatory after mis-timing his clearance but Inter were let off the hook as Shevchenko fired wide with just Julio Cesar to beat.

Suazo had an impact after coming on for Muntari at half time and with five minutes to go he missed from the close range after a storming run to the byline by Zanetti. The Honduran had a further chance from a tight angle before having a goal disallowed for offside in stoppage time.

Inter 2-2 Dynamo Kiev (HT: 1-1)

Scorers: Mikhalik 5, Stankovic 35, Lucio (o.g.) 40, Samuel 47.

Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 6 Lucio, 25 Samuel, 26 Chivu; 4 Zanetti, 19 Cambiasso (23 Materazzi 86), 11 Muntari (18 Suazo 46); 5 Stankovic (14 Vieira 86), 10 Sneijder; 9 Eto'o.

Subs not used: 1 Toldo, 2 Cordoba, 30 Mancini, 39 Santon.

Coach: José Mourinho.

Dynamo Kiev: 31 Bogush; 11 Eremenko, 34 Khacheridi, 44 Almeida, 21 Magrao (3 Betao 71); 17 Mikhalik, 36 Ninkovic (20 Gusev 69), 5 Vukojevic, 70 Yarmolenko; 7 Shevchenko, 10 Milevskiy (22 Kravets 90+3).

Subs not used: 55 Rybka, 8 Aliyev, 20 Gusev, 25 Atanda, 79 Zozulia.

Coach: Valery Gazzaev.

Referee: Martin Atkinson (England).

Booked: Stankovic 23, Maicon 29, Almeida 31, Chivu 52, Shevchenko 61, Milevskiy 68, Vukojevic 82, Zanetti 83.

Inter Press

Historical victory of Rubin Kazan squad at Barcelona FC

Barca suffered their first defeat of the season as Rubin Kazan shocked the Nou Camp with a 1-2 win tonight. Barca had the lion's share of the ball and hit the woodwork twice, but the Russians proved more effective in front of goal.

On paper Rubin Kazan were the weakest team of the Group F, but they showed that upsets are still a part and parcel of the game with their shock win at the Nou Camp. After a very early goal put them ahead, they defended doggedly and in the end inflicted Barca's first defeat of the season.

Barca seemed to have punctured Rubin's hopes when Ibrahimovic drew them level just after half time and with nearly 70% of possession, Guardiola's men certainly dominated, but the Russian team hit them on the break to make it 1-2 and with two posts denying them late on, Barca were left to rue their bad luck on a disappointing evening at the Nou Camp.

After just a minute,Rubin Kazan were one up when Ryazantsev connected with a scorching 35-yard drive that gave Valdes no chance as it shot into the top left hand corner. Barca seemed unperturbed by the goal though and were soon in charge with Ibrahimovic making the keeper Ryzhikov work on 4 and 10 minutes.

For their part, Rubin tried to sit on their lead, closing down midfield and packing their defence against Xavi and Iniesta's clever probing and with Messi coming deep, Barca found the congested centre hard to break through.

It was therefore out on the flanks that Barca got most joy with Alves cutting in and hitting the side netting with a shot on 15 minutes and Pedro heading just wide on 38 minutes, but it was still the Russians who went in ahead at the break.

The second half began as almost a carbon copy of the first, but this time it was Barca who got the early goal. And what a goal it was: Xavi lofting a pinpoint pass for Ibrahimovic in the inside right lane to turn and fire low past the keeper. Now the fans were roaring Barca on as they searched for their second against opponents who were determined to sit back and defend.

Despite having nearly 80% of the possession in the second half, it wasn't Barca, but rather Rubin who broke the deadlock as Karadeniz rounded off a lightening quick counter attack on 73 minutes. That second goal was a real body blow to Barca and though there was still time for Ibrahimovic on 79 minutes and Toure in injury time to both hit the woodwork, it just wasn't to be -sometimes there's just no justice in football!


FC Barcelona Press

Poland 0 - Slovakia 1: Slovakia to South Africa 2010 too

Subtitles: 1.the dream became true 2. the small but proud Slovakia is in the football elite 3. 11th June starts the biggest celebration of football in the world 4. 32 elite football countries 5. Slovakia included 6. maybe we will never have the technique like Brasilians have 7. maybe we will have never so much titles as the French have 8. maybe we will never be a superpower 9. but no one can take us our pride and power 10. Lets go Slovakia!


Final Standings:
Europe - Group 3

Slovakia 22 South Africa 2010
Slovenia 20 Playoff
Czech Republic 16
Northern Ireland 15
Poland 11
San Marino 0

Mario Bolatti goal defines Argentina 1 Uruguay 0 road to South Africa 2010: video and South America Final Standings

Standings

Brasil 34 South Africa 2010
Chile 33 South Africa 2010
Paraguay 33 South Africa 2010
Argentina 28 South Africa 2010
Uruguay 24 Play-off
Ecuador 23
Venezuela 22
Colombia 20
Bolivia 15
Perú 13

Ibrahimovic: “Guardiola explains well what he wants”

Barca's latest signing talks to the “Revista Barca” in their latest addition about his career so far and his first few months at the club.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic spoke to the club's magazine before the game against Malaga and revealed much about his background, his motivation and his hopes and expectations for his time at Barca.

Winning mentality

Zlatan's father was Bosnian and his mother Croatian and he grew up in the a quiet Swedish town. He began playing football at Rosengard where he began to develop his strong personality: “you have to be strong in life and I didn't let anybody put me down. If you show me respect, I'll respect you. I like people to speak clearly and say things as the are. I don't want to be second, third or fourth . That's the same as being last. I want to be first – or nothing”,

Inter

La Liga is Ibrahimovic's fourth league after starting in Sweden, moving to Ajax and then Italy where he played two seasons at Juventus before switching to Inter for the next three years. Now he's at Barca and he's clear about the difference between this and his previous clubs: “At Inter there were not as many players who could turn a game. When one of them was off form, the game was tough, but here even if one of the bets players Is out, there is always somebody else who can make a difference ready to come in. That's want makes Barca such a great team”.

Eto'o

The Swedish striker's goals and assists so far this season have put a stop to any yearnings for Eto'o from the fans, but Ibrahimovic has plenty of respect for the African striker: “ he did a great job at Barca and I've got a lot of respect for what he did. He's one of the greats, but that pressure doesn't affect me, maybe the opposite in fact, it drives me on. However, I don't think you can compare us as we are so different”.

Guardiola

After working under bosses such as Koeman, Capello, Mancini or Mourinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic likes Guardiola's system: “he explains well what he wants and wants to know what you like most, what you want to do......There's always a very open dialogue. He's got a winning mentality like me, but he also wants to win with elegance and by playing attractive football”.

A place in history

With five goals in his first five League appearances, Ibrahimovic has made his mark and entered into club history, a history he is very well aware of: “I remember the times of Romario, then Ronaldo, one of the bets ever players – the most complete footballer ever for me. Players like Stoichkov, Ronaldo, Romário, Eto'o... they've all done extraordinary things here and I'd love to be able to leave my mark too”.

Source: Barca Press

South Africa 2010 World Cup Qualifying live stream free TV links

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Europe

14/10/09 17:30 Andorra La Vella Andorra Ukraine
14/10/09 18:00 Hamburg Germany Finland
14/10/09 19:45 Guimaraes Portugal Malta
14/10/09 20:00 Basel Switzerland Israel
14/10/09 20:00 Vaduz Liechtenstein Wales
14/10/09 20:00 Zenica Bosnia-Herzegovina Spain
14/10/09 20:00 London England Belarus
14/10/09 20:30 Chorzow Poland Slovakia
14/10/09 20:30 Serravalle San Marino Slovenia
14/10/09 20:30 Prague Czech Republic Northern Ireland
14/10/09 20:45 Solna Sweden Albania
14/10/09 20:45 Copenhagen Denmark Hungary
14/10/09 21:00 Riga Latvia Moldova
14/10/09 21:00 Athens Greece Luxembourg
14/10/09 21:00 Baku Azerbaijan Russia
14/10/09 21:00 Bursa Turkey Armenia
14/10/09 21:00 Saint-Denis France Austria
14/10/09 21:00 Piatra-Neamt Romania Faroe Islands
14/10/09 21:30 Tallinn Estonia Belgium
14/10/09 21:30 Astana Kazakhstan Croatia

South America

14/10/09 15:00 Lima Peru Bolivia
14/10/09 18:00 Campo Grande Brazil Venezuela
14/10/09 19:00 Santiago De Chile Chile Ecuador
14/10/09 20:00 Asuncion Paraguay Colombia
14/10/09 20:00 Montevideo Uruguay Argentina

Africa

14/11/09 Morocco - Cameroon
14/11/09 Togo - Gabon
14/11/09 Kenya - Nigeria
14/11/09 Mozambique - Tunisia
14/11/09 Egypt - Algeria
14/11/09 Sudan - Benin
14/11/09 Ghana - Mali
14/11/09 Burkina Faso - Malawi
14/11/09 Côte d'Ivoire - Guinea
14/11/09 Rwanda - Zambia

Playoff Asia / Oceania

14/11/09 New Zealand – Bahrain

North, Central America and Caribbean

14/10/09 18:05 San Salvador El Salvador Honduras
14/10/09 20:05 Port Of Spain Trinidad and Tobago Mexico
14/10/09 20:05 Washington Dc USA Costa Rica

Aston Villa trio hold the key, insists Barry

Barry, who left Villa Park for Manchester City in the summer, says he has been impressed with the recent performances of former team-mates Gabriel Agbonlahor, Emile Heskey and James Milner.

"If Gabby gets the chance in his first game at Wembley in front of the home fans for the full England team then that will only help him," said Barry. "He's hit the ground running, is scoring goals for Villa and he can go and show everyone what he can do.

"Emile has struck a great partnership with Wayne Rooney in this campaign. The way he plays for the team is second to none and everyone's thrived playing off him. He's a big part of the England team.

"And James has improved again this season and his confidence will again improve him. Playing on both sides can only help him so being versatile can only help when going to the World Cup."

Barry is hoping to start at Wembley on Wednesday night after sitting out the 1-0 defeat in Ukraine and the midfielder says the whole squad is determined to round off their qualifying campaign on a high.

He added: "The buzz is still in the camp and we'll be in front of our own fans so we want to get a good performance and celebrate in front of our home fans."

Source: FA

Miroslav Klose strike sends Germany to South Africa 2010

Klose booked Germany their place at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa as his first-half goal sealed a 1-0 win for the 10-man Germans over Russia in Moscow on Saturday. Klose's 34th-minute strike leaves Germany four points clear at the top of Group Four and means they can not now be caught by their main pool rivals Russia regardless of either side's remaining World Cup qualifier on Wednesday. Russia play Azerbaijan in Baku while Germany host Finland in Hamburg in their last qualification game, but Guus Hiddink's Russian side now face two-legged play-off matches if they are to reach South Africa.

Hambury defender Jerome Boateng started his first international in the cauldron of Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium, but a second yellow card midway through the second-half earned him a red card as Germany finished with ten men.

Russia made a strong start and missed the opportunity to take the lead after nine minutes when Alexander Kerzhakov got in behind the German defence, but the Dinamo Moscow forward volleyed wide. Germany's best chance came when Mesut Özil made a strong run into the head of the defence and Lukas Podolski's shot was blocked by defender Vasili Berezutsky on 22 minutes.

Germany goalkeeper Rene Adler was the visitors' hero with at least four world-class saves. Adler pulled off a superb save when Russia captain Andrei Arshavin slid a perfect pass through the German defence to Zenit St Peterburg midfielder Vladimir Bystrov. Adler made a save with his legs from point-blank range and it proved to be crucial as Germany took the lead moments later when Klose netted. Despite Russia's pressure, Germany got the breakthrough when Podolski's pass found Özil down the left side of the penalty area and Klose slipped his marker long enough to flick the ball past Igor Akinfeev.

After the break, Germany defender Philipp Lahm fired wide past Akinfeev, but Adler was Germany's saviour again with two world-class saves in quick succession as his defence did him few favours. On 55 minutes Arshavin unleashed a fierce drive directly at Adler which the 24-year-old German did exceptionally well to block, before an acrobatic effort by Vladimir Bystrov landed on the roof of the net. Adler again came to Germany's rescue when he saved from Igor Semschov as Russia poured forward with time running out. Joachim Löw's side safely saw out the game and leave Moscow with the three points.

dfb.de

Cristiano Ronaldo out for South Africa 2010 Qualifying

Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo's injured right ankle will keep him out for three or four weeks, Spanish media said Monday.

"Madrid upset; they think Portugal should not have pushed the player," to turn out for Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Hungary, headlined Marca.

"Four weeks out", the daily noted, listing all the matches the world's most expensive player will miss, including Champions league ties against AC Milan on October 21 and November 3.

"It was reckless of him to play," Marca quoted a Real Madrid source as saying. "Understandable recklessness, but reckless."

Ronaldo had shaken off a twist to the same ankle to start Saturday's Group One clash, but lasted just 27 minutes of the 3-0 victory in Lisbon.

Real Madrid lie second in the league after six games, three points behind champions Barcelona.

Ronaldo, Real's leading league scorer with five, missed their 2-1 defeat away to Sevilla on October 4 because of the ankle problem he picked up the previous week against Marseille in the Champions league.