Ronaldinho has had an injury-plagued campaign for Barcelona.
The former World Player of the Year has been dogged by injury and fitness problems this season, starting only 13 of his team's 30 league games so far.
The injury means the 28-year-old would miss a potential Champions League semi-final against Manchester United. The teams are on course to meet in the last four after both won their quarter-final first-leg ties. Ronaldinho last played for Barcelona in the 2-1 loss at home to Villarreal on 9 March, after which he began to complain of muscle pain in his right leg.
A scan revealed no damage to muscle or tendon, but he was on a training programme to deal with the complaint when the injury occurred. Barcelona club doctor Ricard Pruna said: "The injury has no link with the other one. This one happened in an incident with Edmilson in training on Thursday." With eight games of the Spanish season remaining, Barcelona are third in the table, a point behind second-placed Villarreal and seven adrift of leaders Real Madrid.
The injury to Ronaldinho adds to problems caused by the absence of midfielder Deco, who has missed the last six matches with a calf problem. But inspirational Argentine midfielder Lionel Messi hopes to be back in action in about two weeks time, ahead of the Champions League semi-final first-leg matches on 23 April.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Injury ends Ronaldinho's season
Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
Arsenal's Premier League title hopes took another huge blow as they were held at home by Liverpool. The Gunners made a lethargic start and fell behind to Peter Crouch's powerful finish into the bottom corner. Nicklas Bendtner levelled when he met a Cesc Fabregas free-kick and powered his header past Pepe Reina. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger urged his side forward looking for a winner but Andrei Voronin wasted two good chances to give Liverpool victory late on.
Interview: Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez
The draw is enough for the Gunners to move second in the table and go above Chelsea on goal difference. But with Manchester United still five points clear, and with a game in hand, Arsenal's title ambitions look all but over. Wenger desperately needed a win here if his side were to retain any realistic hopes of overhauling United at the top but Liverpool were never likely to roll over.
As expected, both sides made several changes from the teams that drew 1-1 here on Wednesday in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final. Only three of the Liverpool side that started that match began here - goalkeeper Reina, Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel - as Reds boss Rafa Benitez confirmed his focus was on the second leg of that tie at Anfield on Tuesday.Arsenal's side seemed stronger on paper but they were poor in the early stages and it was the visitors who had the better chances. Crouch, playing up front on his own, tested Gunners goalkeeper Manuel Almunia from 30 yards with a dipping shot. Crouch was involved again when Liverpool next came forward, slipping the ball on to John Arne Riise, who lost his marker Justin Hoyte but blasted his shot over the bar when clean through. That failed to rouse Arsenal from their slumbers, however, and they were fortunate to escape again when Yossi Benayoun dragged his shot wide from inside the box. The Gunners only began to come forward as half-time approached and Bendtner should have done better when the ball fell for him after Carragher tackled Theo Walcott, the Dane shooting weakly at Reina. Emmanuel Eboue was also wasteful when he ran clear and his poor first touch was followed by a cross that was cleared by Steve Finnan. But just as Arsenal were enjoying their best spell of the match, they found themselves behind.
Nicklas Bendtner celebrates scoring Arsenal's equaliser
Crouch met Reina's goal-kick, picked up the ball from Benayoun and drove forward to the edge of the area before drilling a low shot into the bottom corner. That left the Gunners 45 minutes to turn things round and they made a decent start. Kolo Toure headed wide from a Fabregas corner, before the Spaniard conjured up the equaliser from another set-piece.
Fabregas curled in a free-kick and, with Reina stationary on his line, Bendtner rose to power home from close range. But the expected Arsenal onslaught in the final half hour did not materialise and it was Liverpool who had the best chances to take all three points.
Crouch set up Voronin but he screwed his shot well wide and the Ukraine striker made an even bigger hash of his next chance, rounding Almunia but falling over as he tried to shoot from a tight angle. Arsenal had plenty of possession but few clear openings and their best opportunity was wasted when Alex Hleb failed to control the ball when well placed in front of goal
West Brom 0-1 Portsmouth
Kanu returned to haunt his old side.
A second-half goal from Kanu was enough to send Portsmouth through to their first FA Cup final in 69 years. Ex-West Brom striker Kanu side-footed an easy chance to see off the Baggies after Dean Kiely had denied Milan Baros and Zoltan Gera had failed to clear. Baros, who looked to have handled in the build-up to the goal, missed a simple chance to seal the win. They were almost made to pay but Robert Koren's shot hit the bar and Ishmael Miller fired wide late on.Portsmouth will face the winners of the all-Championship tie between Barnsley and Cardiff on Sunday in the final. Their win carries on the top flight's run of having a team in every FA Cup final. Pompey were already odds-on favourites to lift the trophy before the game, but for long periods it was West Brom who looked the better bet for a return to Wembley on 17 May.
Harry Redknapp's south coast side were not at the races during a lacklustre first-half display and it Albion who looked like the Premier League thoroughbreds.Portsmouth's defensive pair of Sol Campbell and Sylvain Distin struggled throughout to deal with veteran forward Kevin Phillips dropping deep. The former Southampton striker found plenty of space and tested Pompey early on with a long-range shot just over the bar before a neat lay-off that ended with Zoltan Gera causing problems for a fumbling David James with a low shot. Portsmouth were all at sea going forward, with Baros wasteful and Kanu barely contributing as Redknapp looking increasingly agitated on the sidelines. They enjoyed their best spell of the first half shortly before the break but Redknapp, on his first appearance in the FA Cup semi-finals and at Wembley as player or manager, would have had strong words at the interval. There appeared to be little immediate change in Pompey's play, but less than 10 minutes after the break they broke the deadlock.
Glen Johnson played a ball into Baros, who may have controlled the ball with his arm before getting off a shot which Kiely did well to keep out. However, as Kiely looked to pounce on the loose ball Gera tried to clear and could only steer the ball into the direction of Kanu to slot into the empty net from only a couple of yards out. It should have been game over as Baros was played in by a slide rule pass from Niko Kranjcar and seemed certain to score, but he made an awful hash of the finish and Kiely produced a desperate save. The Baggies almost made them pay as the game burst into life in the latter stages. Carl Hoefkens set up Koren and his shot beat James but smacked the top of the bar. Moments later substitute Miller got clear on the left and tried to pick out Phillips at the back post, but James anticipated well and plucked his cross out of the air. There were further worries as Hoefkens set up an onrushing Miller but he side-footed wide and Pompey survived to book their place in the final.Interview: Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp .Interview: West Brom's Kevin Phillips
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Fulham 1-0 Everton
Brian McBride's second-half header gave Fulham a ray of hope in their battle to avoid Premier League relegation but dented Everton's European dreams.
Joseph Yobo flicked Simon Davies' cross into McBride's path and the American headed past the helpless Tim Howard.
Everton's best chance came through Yakubu who forced Kasey Keller into a fine save, but they created little.
Davies should have doubled Fulham's lead but he failed to convert Jimmy Bullard's delightful pass.
This was only Fulham's fourth victory in the Premier League and leaves the Londoners effectively four points from safety because of their inferior goal difference.
Roy Hodgson's men deserved the win and the smiles on his players' faces when the final whistle blew illustrated how crucial a victory this could prove to be.
Fulham have matches against fellow strugglers Newcastle, Derby, Sunderland, Reading and Birmingham remaining and survival could be within their grasp.
The red half of Merseyside will also be happy as Everton are still three points behind fourth-placed Liverpool in the chase for the final Champions League spot, having now played the same number of games.
Fulham started brightly, with Bullard, Danny Murphy and Davies prominent in midfield.
Indeed, it was former Everton player Davies who created Fulham's best chance of a poor first half with his cross creating space for McBride, whose toe-poked volley whistled past Howard's left-hand post.
When Andrew Johnson limped off injured after 15 minutes Fulham sensed that this could be their day.
Right-back Tony Hibbert replaced the England international, as Everton did not have a striker on the substitutes' bench, and consequently the visitors posed little threat in attack.
Facing the strong wind, David Moyes' men struggled and only in the final minutes of the first half did they force Keller into action. Yakubu was allowed time and space to turn inside the box and his shot forced the Fulham goalkeeper to dive low to his left.
Both teams started the second half with greater attacking intent.
Eddie Johnson's pace posed the Merseysiders problems and his jinking run on the hour forced the visitors to concede a corner, from which the American should have done better, but the striker's header was way off target.
Johnson's miss would not prove costly, however, as Davies and McBride combined for a deserved goal, the striker's second of an injury-plagued season.
Yobo unintentionally flicked Davies's cross into McBride's path and the American's downward header into the corner gave compatriot Howard no chance.
The defender had a chance to make amends minutes later but he wastefully headed wide when unchallenged in the box.
In the closing stages, Davies - standing inside the box - had a great opportunity to put the game to bed but the midfielder failed to do justice to the industrious Bullard's magnificent pass.
When referee Steve Bennett brought the game to an end however Fulham did not give one jot about their profligacy as McBride's solitary strike was enough to give them the points that they so desperately needed.
"We can look forward to the last eight games with optimism. We started extremely brightly but Everton know how to defend and grind out results.
"The goal was vital. For us the difference between one and three points in the match was everything."
We did not play well at all. We have never been very good at Craven Cottage and this was the same.
The players are a good group who have done well. We would have settled for where we are if we had been offered this at the start of the season."
Man City 2-1 Tottenham
Manchester City won for the first time at home in the Premier League since mid-December after second-half goals from Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onuoha.
Robbie Keane's spectacular strike into the top corner gave Spurs the lead.
But City got a deserved equaliser when Elano headed towards goal and Ireland, who appeared to be offside, hooked the ball into the net from five yards.
Onuoha got the winner when he rose unchallenged to head a corner past a statuesque Paul Robinson.
Manchester City, so imperious at Eastlands at the start of the season, had not won at home in the league since their 4-2 win over Bolton.
And manager Sven-Goran Eriksson will be pleased with the way his side fought back from a goal down to claim their first victory over Tottenham since April 2003.
Both teams made a lackadaisical start, with the final ball often disappointing, but the game sprung into action in the 30th minute.
City appealed for handball as Michael Dawson appeared to stop Michael Johnson's close-range shot with his hand. Elano then reacted the quickest to the rebound, but the alert Dawson blocked the Brazilian's 25-yard effort.
Tottenham's response was immediate when Pascal Chimbonda and Keane combined for the Republic of Ireland striker's first goal in seven games.
Vedran Corluka allowed Chimbonda to get the better of him down the flank and the former Wigan full-back set the deadly Keane free.
 Keane scored his 21st goal of the season |
Eriksson's men could, and perhaps should, have levelled before the break with Elano forcing a reflex save from Paul Robinson and January signing Nery Castillo profligate on two occasions.
Castillo had another opportunity to equalise in the 52nd minute but the Mexico striker's hesitancy, when just a few meters from goal, allowed Paul Robinson to clear the danger.
City's deserved goal came on the hour when Castillo mis-kicked Benjani's cross and Elano headed goalwards for Ireland to tap-in from five yards.
In response to the home side's domination, Juande Ramos replaced Darren Bent with Keane, much to the captain's annoyance, and Jamie O'Hara with Steed Malbranque.
But it was City who took the lead thanks to Onuoha's first goal for the club.
Spurs' substitutes combined with Bent poking O'Hara's free-kick beyond Joe Hart for what looked like a legitimate goal, but it was disallowed for offside and City celebrated a rare home win.
Beckham aims to convince England
David Beckham was watched by Fabio Capello's right hand man Franco Baldini to assess his form and fitness ahead of England's friendly with France.
Beckham is hoping to earn his 100th cap in Paris on 26 March.
The 32-year-old played the full 90 minutes for LA Galaxy, in a 0-0 draw in a charity match against FC Dallas.
Beckham said: "Baldini came to see me. Some people might think that adds a little added pressure, but from my side, there was no added pressure."
Interview: David Beckham The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star added: "I just had to perform, play the balls I could play and work hard.That's just part and parcel for a player playing for his national team. You're always being watched by somebody. It just comes with the territory."
New England coach Capello has already said he was considering Beckham, after leaving him out of his first squad because of fitness concerns.
The Italian said: "There is a strong possibility that he will be selected."
Wigan 1-0 Bolton
Emile Heskey's 33rd minute goal secured a vital three points for Wigan but deepened Bolton's relegation worries. Wigan had lost Jason Koumas who was red carded for a late challenge on Gary Cahill after only four minutes. But Heskey superbly volleyed home Mario Melchiot's long-throw from six-yards out and despite a second-half rally from Bolton, Wigan held on. Bolton had penalty claims for handball in both halves while Erik Edman also cleared off the line from Kevin Nolan. Wanderers manager Gary Megson had rested nine players in midweek for this crunch clash at the JJB Stadium, but it made little difference. His side played without fluency and rhythm while their passing was erratic and poor in a disappointing first half. Despite Bolton having the numerical advantage thanks to Koumas' early sending-off it was Wigan who had the best of the opening 45 minutes. Koumas was red carded for a reckless tackle on Cahill, although replays suggested the Welshman was unlucky to be sent-off. It mattered little to Wigan who started brightly and came close through Heskey and Marlon King early on. But despite the early pressure it took 34 minutes before the deadlock was broken. It came through Heskey who superbly volleyed Melchiot's long throw past Ali Al Habsi from six yards out for 1-0. Only seconds earlier Wigan had thought they opened the scoring when Paul Scharner saw his header cleared off the line by Ivan Campo. Scharner was certain the ball had crossed the line and television replays suggested he may have had a case but it mattered little as Heskey hit the back of the net seconds later. The goal galvanised Bolton who pushed for an equaliser and Nolan was convinced his shot had been blocked by the hand of Emmerson Boyce as he struck goalwards. Minutes later El-Hadji Diouf had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for an earlier foul by Nolan. With half-time approaching tempers became frayed as Michael Brown and Campo kicked out at each other, but no action was taken. Players from both sides carried the arguments into the tunnel with Brown and Campo having to be separated as they left the field. To their credit Bolton looked a different side in the second period as they went in search of a vital point. Matt Taylor, Nolan and Kevin Davies both went close in quick succession with Kirkland proving an unbeatable force in the Wigan goal. Their best chance came with 25 minutes remaining when Davies appeared to have his goalbound header cleared off the line by the arm of Brown. But despite furious protests from Bolton captain Nolan, no penalty was awarded as Wigan breathed a huge sigh of relief. Bolton dominated possession in the final 20 minutes and Nolan had his header cleared off the line by Edman in the last minute but Wigan held on to secure a significant three points
Interview: Bolton boss Gary Megson 
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
Chelsea eye Kaka & Messi
Chelsea will reportedly demand AC Milan midfielder Kaka or Barcelona forward Lionel Messi as a direct summer replacement for Didier Drogba.Blues boss Avram Grant and the Stamford Bridge hierarchy have run out of patience with the unsettled Ivory Coast international's public posturing over his future, according to the Daily Mirror.
Chelsea feel that Barcelona and AC Milan are the two most likely suitors for the former Marseille striker, who has spoken of his desire to join either club.
Drogba is valued at £40million by Chelsea and any possible swap deal would illustrate the club's determination to drive the hardest possible bargain.
Kaka and Messi represent the "fantasy" footballers that Roman Abramovich wants to bring to Stamford Bridge.
Over the last two summers AC Milan have resisted Real Madrid's attempts to snap up Kaka, however their signing of Brazilian boy wonder Pato could open the door to a potential deal.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta, however, would be more reluctant to let Messi leave the Nou Camp.
Deco's Future at Barca Uncertain
Deco has revealed that he will decide his future at Barcelona at the end of the season, but hinted that the pressure of the media could drive him out.
The Portuguese midfielder has been at the centre of allegations that that he is one of Edmilson's 'black sheep' and that he was not injured when left out of the team recently.
Reports such as those have dismayed the player, who was an integral part of the Blaugrana side that won two consecutive league titles and the UEFA Champions League.
Recent stories have quoted him as saying that he would like to go to England, with Manchester United being his preferred destination, but he was not willing to expand on these rumours.
"I do not want to speak about my future because I have a contract (until 2010), but some things are changing," he said.
"Right now I do not want to think about this because we are playing for the league and have many things to win.
"At the end of the season I will decide upon my future.
"Football has changed a lot and the good and the bad come and go very quickly. With so much news every day there are too many people talking about the game.
"In the end though, it is the fans that count and I have to thank them for being great."
Deco was delighted to hear the crowd chant his name as he came on as a substitute during Barca's Copa del Rey encounter in midweek against Sevilla.
"I have always said that the support people give you is the best thing I can say about the club," he continued.
"That is what is most important and it is what motivates me to carry on working until my last day here.
"People respect me. The fans are great and have been like that since I joined and that makes me proud because this is a huge club with so many great players."
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Pele calls for patience over Alexandre Pato
Alexandre Pato 
Pele
Brazil legend Pele has asked fans to be patient with AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato.
The former Internacional forward scored his first goal for the Rossoneri last weekend in their 5-2 thrashing of Napoli and the press have hailed the arrival of a new star.
Pele believes the 18-year-old has all the attributes to become the next Brazilian superstar, but insisted it would not happen overnight.
"He is above average. We have to be patient as he has a long way to go to prove his ability," the former Santos idol told Jovem Pam radio network.
"The press have put a lot of pressure on him because he scored the other day, but in the future he is going to be marked harder."
Tostao, Pele's team-mate in Brazil's 1970 World Cup-winning side, added: "Not even Pele was so celebrated in his early years.
"We have to be careful as Pato is being treated as a star before he has played more than 30 matches in his career or been called into the national squad."
AC Milan crash out of the Coppa Italia
AC Milan crashed out of the Coppa Italia on Wednesday night after a 1-1 draw at Catania.
The Rossoneri lost the home leg 2-1 and were unable to overcome the deficit in Sicily.
Juan Vargas put the home side ahead but substitute Alberto Paloschi levelled for a much-changed Milan side midway through the second half.
Both sides finished with 10 men, Catania's Andrea Sottil and Milan's Gennaro Gattuso seeing red. Gattuso had only been on the pitch for three minutes after coming on as a 75th-minute substitute.
Catania will now play Udinese, who advanced thanks to Floro Flores's stoppage-time goal against Palermo.
The 1-0 win carried Udinese through after a goalless first leg.
Roma also made the quarter-finals after overturning a 3-1 first-leg deficit against Torino.
The Giallorossi won the return 4-0 thanks to four goals in the final half hour from Amantino Mancini, Francesco Totti (two) and Ludovic Giuly.
Sampdoria also won 4-0 to dump out Cagliari and set up a clash against Roma.
The Genoa-club, who lost the first game 1-0, were rampant with Emiliano Bonazzoli scored twice with Luigi Sala and Angelo Palombo also netting.
Fiorentina beat Ascoli 2-0 to complete a 3-1 aggregate success. Giampaolo Pazzini grabbed both goals for the Viola.
Juventus beat Empoli on Tuesday night while, on Thursday, Internazionale meet Reggina and Lazio go to Napoli
