Posts Tagged ‘League Titles’
Panucci calls it a day
Former Italy international defender Christian Panucci has retired from the game at the age of 37; he leaves with two Champions League medals in his pocket.
In a glittering career, Panucci has also won three league titles - two Serie A crowns with AC Milan and a La Liga medal with Real Madrid. In winning the Champions League with Real, Panucci became the first Italian to win the trophy with the Spanish giants. Along with his impressive club record, Panucci has also been capped 57 times by Italy before retiring two years ago.
After starting his career at Genoa, Panucci’s big break came when he moved to AC Milan where he won the Serie A title in 1993/94 and again in 1995/96, as well as having Champions League success.
He then found more success when he moved to Spain with Madrid. The right back played nearly 80 games in his three years in Spain before returning to his home country with Inter.
His time with Inter was a turbulent one and this affected the Italian Serie A odds. After he had a bust-up with Marcelo Lippi, he was loaned out first to Chelsea and then Monaco. His strained relationship with Lippi meant Panucci missed out on more international appearances when the coach was in charge of the Azzurri.
He finally found a stable home at Roma where he spent eight successful years, including winning two Coppa Italia trophies during his time in the capital. He contributed to Roma’s recent successful spell, which saw them consistently being tipped for success in the online betting.
Panucci finished his career with Parma last season, where he helped them reach an eighth place finish in Serie A. He leaves the game with a reputation for one of his country’s most consistent right backs in recent history.
Tags: Ac Milan, Bust, Champions League, Christian Panucci, Coppa Italia, Crowns, Eighth Place, Genoa, Giants, Inter Milan, International Appearances, Italian Serie, La Liga, League Titles, Marcelo Lippi, Medals, Parma, Real Madrid, Recent History, Roma, Serie A, Spain Madrid, Strained Relationship, Trophies
Arsenal v Barcelona preview
What better way for Arsenal to put the agony of Birmingham’s 90th minute blunder goal behind them than a look forward to a massive Champions League tie against Barcelona.
In truth most Gunners fans will have wanted to avoid the Catalan club until at least the semi-finals, but the prospect of the two best footballing sides in the competition going head-to-head is a mouth-watering one. Since the draw has been made there has been nothing but excitable expectation from Gunners fans. The Champions League odds suggest Arsenal will struggle, but they are sure to give it their all.
There are plenty of sub-plots wrapped round this fixture, not least the return of Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, who will play against his old club for the first time.
The man who won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups in eight years at Arsenal still calls the place home and will no doubt receive a rapturous welcome from the fans. He has already said he will not celebrate should he score on Wednesday and I’m sure the supporters would find it hard to be hostile to their former hero should he find the net.
The two sides also met in the 2006 final, when Sol Campbell’s early goal was cancelled out by two late Barca strikes, with a controversial Jens Lehmann red card somewhere in between. The Arsenal players won’t openly speak of revenge, but it is bound to be on their minds.
The two star players on either side are both Barca Academy graduates. Cesc Fabregas, of course, moved from Cataluna to London at the age of 16 and has flourished at the Emirates. And we all know about the recent exploits of Lionel Messi, who has sent sports writers into a frenzy as they try to come up with new superlatives to describe the Argentinean.
Arsene Wenger has pledged not to man mark Messi, claiming they have too many good players to single out just one, and instead has challenged his players to show what they can do to worry Barca.
No team has averaged more possession of the ball than Arsenal and Barcelona in this year’s Champions League, while The Gunners are the joint top scorers and Barca have the best defence.
One thing is for sure, the game will be easy on the eye.
Key player Arsenal - Alex Song
It may seem strange to pick song given the amount of attacking, creative players on show but with Arsenal seeking to play their way past Barca it is vital Song holds firm in front of his back four - especially if Messi has the ball.
Key man Barcelona – Lionel Messi
Who else? Eight spectacular goals in a week added to the growing belief that Messi is the best player in the world right now. Although the World Cup betting makes him a 16/1 shot to be top scorer at the competition, he will doubtless set the tournament alight with his skill and flair. He the ability to score and create in equal measure, the crowd will rise in expectation every time he picks up the ball. Arsenal will hope he has an off day this time round.
Tags: Agony, Arsenal Players, Arsene Wenger, Blunder, Cataluna, Fa Cups, Fabregas, Gunners, Jens Lehmann, League Tie, League Titles, Lionel Messi, Premier League, Rapturous Welcome, Semi Finals, Sol Campbell, Sports Writers, Star Players, Superlatives, Thierry Henry
Mancini: City can eclipse United
Manchester City could one day become England’s biggest club, according to manager Roberto Mancini.
The Blues are set to take on city rivals United in the Carling Cup semi-finals and Mancini believes that the balance of power between the two sides could be set to shift.
United have won 11 Premier League titles since 1992 while City haven’t lifted a trophy since 1981.
Despite the size of the gap between the two sides, Mancini believes it can be closed one day, although he is aware that it will take some time for City to eclipse the efforts of United.
He said: “If we work well, it is possible.
“United have a big history. They have been a good team for many years.
“City can become a big team in the next year. It is most important that we get into the top four.
“That would change the situation. Surely it would be better if City were also a big club in the future because then Manchester could have two clubs in the Champions League?”
While the Italian has already stated that he wants to bring City Champions League football next season, the timing of his latest comments could be seen as a foray into mind games.
The Carling Cup semi will be his first Manchester derby and given his comments about Carlos Tevez it does seem that Mancini is trying to play Sir Alex Ferguson at his own game.
Mancini said: “I hope that Carlos can score goals because he is an ex-United player.”
“But it is important that the squad plays well. And we must not forget this match is over two games.”
For his part Sir Alex says he no issue with Tevez doing well at City.
However, with United already out of the FA Cup the side will be keen to secure a Wembley final.
Anyone looking to make a Carling Cup bet will find that Manchester United are joint favourites for the tournament, but City will fancy themselves to cause an upset across the two legs of the semi-final.
Online betting experts also fancy City to do well in the FA Cup as United and Liverpool have already been eliminated from the competition.
Tags: Alex Ferguson, Balance Of Power, Carling Cup, Champions League Football, City Champions, City Rivals, Fa Cup, Foray, Gap, League Titles, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Mind Games, Premier League, Semi Finals, Sir Alex Ferguson, Two Games, Two Legs, Will Take Some Time
Adidas Liverpool 3rd football shirt 2009-10
We have just taken delivery of the new Liverpool 3rd football shirt in all adult sizes.
Liverpool finished second in the Premiership after having led for large parts of the season. Liverpool look like threatening for the league this year again as they try to again have won the most league titles in England after Man Utd equalled their record last season. You can now buy the Liverpool football kit online.
The shirt is priced at £39.99 and is available for immediate dispatch. Click here to buy the new Liverpool 3rd shirt.
Tags: Adidas Football, Adult Sizes, England, Football Kit, Football Shirt, League Titles, Liverpool Football, Premiership