23 nominees have been announced for this years FIFA World Player of the Year Award. There are not many surprise nominees this year, many old faces on this list.
This years list consists of the following players:
NOMINEES FOR 2009 FIFA WORLD PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Player- Team- Age
Michael Ballack- Chelsea- 33
Gianluigi Buffon- Juventus- 31
Iker Casillas- Real Madrid- 28
Diego- Juventus/Werder Bremen- 24
Didier Drogba- Chelsea- 31
Michael Essien- Chelsea- 26
Samuel Eto'o- Inter/Barcelona- 28
Steven Gerrard- Liverpool- 29
Thierry Henry- Barcelona- 32
Zlatan Ibrahimovic- Barcelona/Inter- 28
Andres Iniesta- Barcelona- 25
Kaka- Real Madrid/AC Milan- 27
Frank Lampard- Chelsea- 31
Luis Fabiano- Sevilla- 28
Lionel Messi- Barcelona- 22
Carles Puyol- Barcelona- 31
Franck Ribery- Bayern Munich- 26
Cristiano Ronaldo- Real Madrid/Man Utd- 24
Wayne Rooney- Manchester United- 24
John Terry- Chelsea- 28
Fernando Torres- Liverpool- 25
David Villa- Valencia- 27
Xavi- Barcelona- 29
My prediction for this years top 3 nominees are Lionel Messi, Iker Casillas and Cristiano Ronaldo. I do not see a double for Ronaldo this year so my pick goes to, of course, Lional Messi.
Messi's 2009 La Liga season, Champions League play and taking in the treble for Barcelona give him this years award easily. Receiving second will be Casillas and rounding off is Ronaldo. Ronaldo will need a high showing with Real Madrid this season to take home next years FIFA Player of the Year Award, living up to his 94 million euro price tag he received this summer. Winning anything less then a treble for Real will be considered a disappointment.
Enjoy,
JC
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
World Cup Special: Italy’s 23 Players For The 2010 World Cup - Goal.com
This is a story I found interesting on Goal.com. I have included the link at the bottom of the page.
Enjoy
JC
World Cup Special: Italy’s 23 Players For The 2010 World Cup
With the World Cup qualification program completed following last night’s dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Cyprus in Parma, all the talk in Italy now is over who will make the Azzurri squad for South Africa.
Much of the debate has, of course, centered around the likely exclusion of Antonio Cassano, as well as coach Marcello Lippi’s other questionable decisions since returning to his post after Euro 2008.
With just seven months to go until world sport’s greatest competition kicks off, time is running out for Calcio’s stars to earn a place on the plane to The Rainbow Nation.
There are not too many spots up for grab, though. Some players already have their tickets, barring injury. Others are fighting it out for a squad place, while a select few such as Cassano are outsiders but cannot be completely ruled out if things go their way.
Below is a full run-down of how Italy’s 23 places will be taken…
Goalkeepers (3)
On The Plane: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)
In The Airport Lounge: Federico Marchetti (Cagliari), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Marco Amelia (Genoa)
Outsiders: Luca Castellazzi (Sampdoria)
Buffon is untouchable as the No.1 and is the first name on the teamsheet in this current Italy setup. Marchetti and De Sanctis are the current favorites to be Buffon’s deputies, but Amelia has a chance of working his way back into the squad if he continues his promising start to the season with Genoa. Castellazzi is the outside bet.
Defenders (8)
On The Plane: Gianluca Zambrotta (Milan), Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Fabio Grosso (Juventus)
In The Airport Lounge: Davide Santon (Inter), Nicola Legrottaglie (Juventus), Salvatore Bocchetti (Genoa), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Marco Materazzi (Inter)
Outsiders: Marco Motta (Roma), Alessandro Gamberini (Fiorentina), Andrea Ranocchia (Bari), Alessandro Nesta (Milan), Andrea Barzagli (Wolfsburg), Andrea Dossena (Liverpool)
The current first-choice back four of Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini and Grosso are certainties. Lippi will then take four more defenders, at least two of which must be center backs and at least two of which must be able to play at full back, covering both sides. Providing he plays regularly at Inter, boy wonder Santon will travel. One of Bocchetti or Criscito will be chosen, most likely the former as he is stronger in the center and in the air. Lippi will not take three young defenders, meaning that one of Santon, Bocchetti and Criscito will miss out, probably the latter.
This leaves two remaining places. Legrottaglie is in a strong position due to the Juventus influence. Meanwhile, expect Materazzi to earn a recall providing he rediscovers his fitness. Should the Matrix continue to struggle with injuries this term, this could leave the door open to one of the outsiders. Nesta would be the popular choice, but he is unlikely to overturn his international retirement.
Midfielders (6-7)
On The Plane: Andrea Pirlo (Milan), Rino Gattuso (Milan), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus)
In The Airport Lounge: Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Gaetano D’Agostino (Udinese), Simone Pepe (Udinese), Alberto Aquilani (Liverpool)
Outsiders: Pasquale Foggia (Lazio), Marco Marchionni (Fiorentina), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Cristiano Zanetti (Fiorentina), Thiago Motta (Inter), Daniele Mannini (Sampdoria), Giandomenico Mesto (Genoa), Matteo Brighi (Roma), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Simone Perrotta (Roma), Daniele Galloppa (Parma), Luca Cigarini (Napoli)
Not too much to debate in the center of the park. Lippi will take six or seven midfielders, and five of them are already guarantees; Pirlo, De Rossi, Marchisio, Camoranesi and Gattuso, the latter who will be chosen not for his ability on the pitch but because he is regarded as a positive influence in the changing room.
This leaves one or two spots open. At least one of Palombo, D’Agostino and Pepe will be selected, possibly two. Lippi will also give injury-prone new Liverpool signing Aquilani every chance to prove his fitness. Should he do this, and excel at Anfield both domestically and in Europe, then there is every chance of the ex-Roma man returning in time for the World Cup. There are a whole host of outsiders, but few are likely to be taken into consideration regardless of how well they play.
Attackers (5-6)
On The Plane: Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Amauri (Juventus), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Francesco Totti (Roma)
In The Airport Lounge: Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Fabio Quagliarella (Napoli), Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal), Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus), Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria)
Outsiders: Luca Toni (Bayern Munich), Antonio Cassano (Sampdoria), Mario Balotelli (Inter), Sergio Floccari (Genoa), Fabrizio Miccoli (Palermo), Sebastian Giovinco (Juventus)
In attack, Lippi will take five or six forwards along with him. Four are already on the plane. These are Iaquinta – who Lippi has fallen in love with for his workrate and versatility, and Gilardino – who booked his spot by scoring four goals in the last two qualifiers. Amauri will be taken when he receives his passport, while Totti will return to the set-up providing he doesn’t sustain any major injury problems.
This leaves one or two spots up for grab. Another second striker is a guarantee, which would suggest at least one of Di Natale, Quagliarella or Rossi. Di Natale is the favorite, Quagliarella is the most likely to drop out, while Rossi really needs to up his game and may also be penalized if Lippi superstitiously opts to choose 23 domestic-based players like he did in 2006.
Pazzini is a longer shot as it is unlikely Lippi will take him along with three other first strikers. One player who is definitely still in with a shot is Del Piero. The Golden Boy has not played during Lippi’s second reign, but the fact he is from Juve, will have no trouble fitting into the group, and can act as a super-sub, means he has every chance should he regain his fitness and form.
While he remains Italy’s best outfield player, there is little to no chance of Cassano going to the World Cup. Especially, as Totti is returning. Miccoli needs a miracle too, due to his past scandal with Juventus. Toni is unlikely to return due to Amauri. Balotelli and Giovinco will probably have to wait another two to four years for their turn, while Floccari is a very long shot despite his undoubted class.
So there is Italy’s 2010 World Cup squad revealed. What are your views on this topic? Who do you think will go to the World Cup? Who do you think should go to the World Cup? Leave your squad choices below.
Carlo Garganese, Goal.com
http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/86/italy/2009/10/15/1562728/world-cup-special-italys-23-players-for-the-2010-world-cup
Enjoy
JC
World Cup Special: Italy’s 23 Players For The 2010 World Cup
With the World Cup qualification program completed following last night’s dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Cyprus in Parma, all the talk in Italy now is over who will make the Azzurri squad for South Africa.
Much of the debate has, of course, centered around the likely exclusion of Antonio Cassano, as well as coach Marcello Lippi’s other questionable decisions since returning to his post after Euro 2008.
With just seven months to go until world sport’s greatest competition kicks off, time is running out for Calcio’s stars to earn a place on the plane to The Rainbow Nation.
There are not too many spots up for grab, though. Some players already have their tickets, barring injury. Others are fighting it out for a squad place, while a select few such as Cassano are outsiders but cannot be completely ruled out if things go their way.
Below is a full run-down of how Italy’s 23 places will be taken…
Goalkeepers (3)
On The Plane: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)
In The Airport Lounge: Federico Marchetti (Cagliari), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Marco Amelia (Genoa)
Outsiders: Luca Castellazzi (Sampdoria)
Buffon is untouchable as the No.1 and is the first name on the teamsheet in this current Italy setup. Marchetti and De Sanctis are the current favorites to be Buffon’s deputies, but Amelia has a chance of working his way back into the squad if he continues his promising start to the season with Genoa. Castellazzi is the outside bet.
Defenders (8)
On The Plane: Gianluca Zambrotta (Milan), Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Fabio Grosso (Juventus)
In The Airport Lounge: Davide Santon (Inter), Nicola Legrottaglie (Juventus), Salvatore Bocchetti (Genoa), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Marco Materazzi (Inter)
Outsiders: Marco Motta (Roma), Alessandro Gamberini (Fiorentina), Andrea Ranocchia (Bari), Alessandro Nesta (Milan), Andrea Barzagli (Wolfsburg), Andrea Dossena (Liverpool)
The current first-choice back four of Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini and Grosso are certainties. Lippi will then take four more defenders, at least two of which must be center backs and at least two of which must be able to play at full back, covering both sides. Providing he plays regularly at Inter, boy wonder Santon will travel. One of Bocchetti or Criscito will be chosen, most likely the former as he is stronger in the center and in the air. Lippi will not take three young defenders, meaning that one of Santon, Bocchetti and Criscito will miss out, probably the latter.
This leaves two remaining places. Legrottaglie is in a strong position due to the Juventus influence. Meanwhile, expect Materazzi to earn a recall providing he rediscovers his fitness. Should the Matrix continue to struggle with injuries this term, this could leave the door open to one of the outsiders. Nesta would be the popular choice, but he is unlikely to overturn his international retirement.
Midfielders (6-7)
On The Plane: Andrea Pirlo (Milan), Rino Gattuso (Milan), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus)
In The Airport Lounge: Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Gaetano D’Agostino (Udinese), Simone Pepe (Udinese), Alberto Aquilani (Liverpool)
Outsiders: Pasquale Foggia (Lazio), Marco Marchionni (Fiorentina), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Cristiano Zanetti (Fiorentina), Thiago Motta (Inter), Daniele Mannini (Sampdoria), Giandomenico Mesto (Genoa), Matteo Brighi (Roma), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Simone Perrotta (Roma), Daniele Galloppa (Parma), Luca Cigarini (Napoli)
Not too much to debate in the center of the park. Lippi will take six or seven midfielders, and five of them are already guarantees; Pirlo, De Rossi, Marchisio, Camoranesi and Gattuso, the latter who will be chosen not for his ability on the pitch but because he is regarded as a positive influence in the changing room.
This leaves one or two spots open. At least one of Palombo, D’Agostino and Pepe will be selected, possibly two. Lippi will also give injury-prone new Liverpool signing Aquilani every chance to prove his fitness. Should he do this, and excel at Anfield both domestically and in Europe, then there is every chance of the ex-Roma man returning in time for the World Cup. There are a whole host of outsiders, but few are likely to be taken into consideration regardless of how well they play.
Attackers (5-6)
On The Plane: Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Amauri (Juventus), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Francesco Totti (Roma)
In The Airport Lounge: Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Fabio Quagliarella (Napoli), Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal), Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus), Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria)
Outsiders: Luca Toni (Bayern Munich), Antonio Cassano (Sampdoria), Mario Balotelli (Inter), Sergio Floccari (Genoa), Fabrizio Miccoli (Palermo), Sebastian Giovinco (Juventus)
In attack, Lippi will take five or six forwards along with him. Four are already on the plane. These are Iaquinta – who Lippi has fallen in love with for his workrate and versatility, and Gilardino – who booked his spot by scoring four goals in the last two qualifiers. Amauri will be taken when he receives his passport, while Totti will return to the set-up providing he doesn’t sustain any major injury problems.
This leaves one or two spots up for grab. Another second striker is a guarantee, which would suggest at least one of Di Natale, Quagliarella or Rossi. Di Natale is the favorite, Quagliarella is the most likely to drop out, while Rossi really needs to up his game and may also be penalized if Lippi superstitiously opts to choose 23 domestic-based players like he did in 2006.
Pazzini is a longer shot as it is unlikely Lippi will take him along with three other first strikers. One player who is definitely still in with a shot is Del Piero. The Golden Boy has not played during Lippi’s second reign, but the fact he is from Juve, will have no trouble fitting into the group, and can act as a super-sub, means he has every chance should he regain his fitness and form.
While he remains Italy’s best outfield player, there is little to no chance of Cassano going to the World Cup. Especially, as Totti is returning. Miccoli needs a miracle too, due to his past scandal with Juventus. Toni is unlikely to return due to Amauri. Balotelli and Giovinco will probably have to wait another two to four years for their turn, while Floccari is a very long shot despite his undoubted class.
So there is Italy’s 2010 World Cup squad revealed. What are your views on this topic? Who do you think will go to the World Cup? Who do you think should go to the World Cup? Leave your squad choices below.
Carlo Garganese, Goal.com
http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/86/italy/2009/10/15/1562728/world-cup-special-italys-23-players-for-the-2010-world-cup
Saturday, October 24, 2009
90th Minute Must See Match - Premier League
Premier LeagueLiverpool F.C. vs. Manchester United F.C.
Sunday 24 October, 10:00 EST
Anfield, Liverpool
Manchester United are coming off slim 1-0 win over Russian side CSKA Moscow in their Champions League group stage match this past Wednesday. Liverpool have not had much luck this week, losing Steven Gerrard in their Champions League group stage match against Olympique Lyonnais and also losing the match 2-1 Lyon in the 90th minute of play.
Liverpool have a bright spot in their squad with the return of Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson who have both been sidelined due to injury for sometime now, but as mentioned before Steven Gerrard will be out for this match due to an injury sustained in Liverpool's match against CSKA.
United will be without a few players for this match. Wayne Rooney, Park Ji-Sung and Darren Fletcher are all doubtful and are set to be sidelined, but midfielder Ryan Giggs and left back Patrice Evra are set of a return to the starting line-up.
With Liverpool starving for a win after dropping their last 4 games in league and Champions League play, they will hopefully be at the top of their game for this match. With the return of Torres and Johnson, they should be confident to start attacking. United, on the other hand will be without 3 important players in Rooney, Ji-Sung and Fletcher which takes out 3 attacking solutions for them. My prediction will go to Liverpool for this one, taking it 2-1, Torres and in-form Benayoun taking a goal each. Antonio Valencia will take Man U's goal but will also take the lose.
Enjoy
JC
Upcoming Weekend Fixtures - La Liga
La LigaSporting de Gijon vs, Real Madrid C.F.
Saturday, October 24, 2009, 2:00 EST
Estadio El Molinon, Gijon, Asturias, Spain.
Real Madrid are coming off a tough 3-2 loss against Champions League group rivals A.C. Milan during their mid-week group stage clash. They will be looking for redemption against Sporting Girjon this Saturday afternoon to get back to winning ways. But Sporting have made a strong start to the season, resurrecting from their 14th place finish last season in La Liga.
Reportedly, Sporting have only one injury for the weekend. Diego Camacho will be sidelined for the Madrid clash and will not take part.
Real are a different story having Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema pushed to the injured list, both picking up injuries during their Champions League group stage match while Ruud Van Nistelrooy is still out injured. Gago, Metzelder, and Guti have healed but are likely not to take part in Saturdays clash. Lassana Diarra is out for this match and should be replaced by Mahamadou Diarra. Finally, the 96 million euro man, Cristiano Ronaldo, is still out injured and will be sidelined for the rest of the month.
My prediction for this match will be an away victory for Madrid but it will not be an easy task. A slim 2-1 win with Raul picking up a brace and De las Cuevas bringing his goal total to 5 after scoring Sportings only goal of the match.
F.C. Barcelona vs. Real Zaragoza
Sunday, October 25, 2009. 3:00 EST.
Camp Nou, Barcelona
Barcelona are coming into this match after a disastrous and embarrassing 2-1 loss to Champions League group stage counterparts, Russian side F.C. Rubin Kazan. Barcelona will be eager to redeem themselves after their mid-week fall. Zargoza are searching for their first away win in the 09-10 campaign as they have only racked up 1 point in all away matches so far. Camp Nou is the last place Zaragoza will be looking to find these points.
Barcelona will be going into this match with a few injuries, most notably Dani Alves who has been sidelined for an estimated 3 weeks. Thierry Henry still has one more week left to reach his full fitness. Centre back Dmytro Chygrynskiy has returned to his sides bench after being sidelined due to injury for a month and should see starting action, replacing Rafael Marquez in the back.
Real Zaragoza have a full line to choose from with Ikechukwu Uche still injured long term and Leonardo Ponzio suspended for this away match. Marcelino should have no problem choosing his starting 11.
This being a home game for Barcelona and being still embarrassed from their mid-week loss, my prediction for this match will be a 2-0 victory for the home side, Ibrahimovic and Pedro scoring a goal each.
Enjoy
JC
Friday, October 23, 2009
Upcoming Weekend Fixtures - Serie A
Serie A
Inter Milan vs. Calcio Catania
Saturday 24 October, 2:45 EST.
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan
Inter are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2-2 draw against Ukrainian side FC Dynamo Kyiv in their Champions League group stage match this past week. Catania are looking for their 2nd win of the season as they picked up their 1st last week in a 2-1 win against Cagliari.
There are still a few injuries Inter must cope with going into this match, most notably Diego Milito and Thiago Motta who are both close to a return but are likely not to take part in this match.
For Catania, Giuseppe Bellusci and Francesco Sciacca are in doubt to take part in this match, while Pablo Alvarez and Pablo Barrientos are both out injured.
My prediction for this match should be an easy victory for Inter at home, beating Catania 2-0, Eto’o and Balotelli picking up a goal each.
A.C. Chievo Verona vs. A.C. Milan
Sunday, October 25, 3:45 EST
Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi, Verona
With probably Milan's biggest victory of the season in the books, beating Reald Madrid C.F. 3-2 in their mid-week Champions League group stage clash, they will be in high spirits when taking the pitch in Verona this Sunday afternoon.
Chievo will be without Mario Yepes who is suspended and Fabio Moro and Luca Rigoni will not take part due to injury. Chievo striker Erjon Bogdani will make his return Sunday as he has been sidelined with an injury for some time. Bogdani should make the starting line-up linking with Sergio Pellissier up front.
Milan are missing a few players for this match. Gennaro Gattuso and Marco Storari are out with injuries, but should be back soon. Daniele Bonera, Oguchi Onyewu and Davide Di Gennaro are feared to be out injured for the remainder of the 09-10 season. Captain Massimo Ambrosini will be suspended for this match after picking up a red card last weekend in a 2-1 win against rivals A.S. Roma.
My prediction for this match is a victory for Milan away from home 3-1 with Seedorf picking up a goal and Pato with a brace. Bogdani will also strike one in on his return to the field.
Enjoy.
JC
Soccer 90 Radio Podcast
Soccer90Radio will soon have a Podcast full of news, scores, transfer news, etc...
I am hoping that we will get this up and running as soon as possible so listeners can receive up-to-date news about the soccer world.
Thank you all.
JC
I am hoping that we will get this up and running as soon as possible so listeners can receive up-to-date news about the soccer world.
Thank you all.
JC
Thursday, October 22, 2009
90th Minute Game Of The Day
Fulham FC vs. A.S. Roma 1-1
Thanks to a last minute goal by Marco Andreolli, the A.S. Roma centre back was able to pick up an important point for his squad today in their Europa League group stage clash with Fulham FC.
In the first half, Fulham took the lead with a 24th minute header from centre back Brede Hangeland. Full points looked to be in the bag for the English side as they were the liveliest squad on the pitch for the majority of the game.
As the second half started, Claudio Ranieri's half time speech must have ignited his squad as the entire half belonged to them. As Roma ran circles around the entire Fulham squad, their hard work paid off as John Arne Riise was brought down in the box by Stephen Kelly which resulted in a red card to the home team and a penalty shot for the visitors. French youngster Jeremy Menez stepped up to take the spot kick but was denied by Fulham and Australian international goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who had a fantastic game through the 90 minutes.
As the 90th minute mark approached, Roma were given a corner and capitalized with the last kick of the match chested down and volleyed in past Schwarzer by Andreolli, saving a point for his side and slipping closer to the next stage of the Europa League.
JC
Thanks to a last minute goal by Marco Andreolli, the A.S. Roma centre back was able to pick up an important point for his squad today in their Europa League group stage clash with Fulham FC.
In the first half, Fulham took the lead with a 24th minute header from centre back Brede Hangeland. Full points looked to be in the bag for the English side as they were the liveliest squad on the pitch for the majority of the game.
As the second half started, Claudio Ranieri's half time speech must have ignited his squad as the entire half belonged to them. As Roma ran circles around the entire Fulham squad, their hard work paid off as John Arne Riise was brought down in the box by Stephen Kelly which resulted in a red card to the home team and a penalty shot for the visitors. French youngster Jeremy Menez stepped up to take the spot kick but was denied by Fulham and Australian international goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who had a fantastic game through the 90 minutes.
As the 90th minute mark approached, Roma were given a corner and capitalized with the last kick of the match chested down and volleyed in past Schwarzer by Andreolli, saving a point for his side and slipping closer to the next stage of the Europa League.
JC
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