DIEGO LINKED AWAY

Brazilian midfielder Diego has been linked with a move to Brazilian outfit Santos in the last few days. The former club of the likes of Pele and Neymar has now confirmed that they are interested in the player. However, the sporting director of the club, Andre Zanotta says that it will be difficult to persuade the player to return to Brazilian football at the peak of his career. The former Juventus and Wolfsburg star is currently playing for Atletico Madrid. He has played a key role in the club’s campaign so far.

They are currently top of the la Liga, while they also have a chance to go to the Champions League final as well. Even though he has been an influential member of the squad, and Diego will be free to leave the club at the end of the season since his contract comes to an end in a few months’ time. Zanotta says that the club has been involved in negotiations with the player for the last few weeks. Continue reading “DIEGO LINKED AWAY”

Tijuana and LA Galaxy Fight It Out

Club Tijuana and LA Galaxy seems to be in a mood to battle out to grab young players who seem promising enough and well as to make a mark in the heart and mind of prospective fans. This struggle for popularity seems to be a long one with absolutely no visible end right now.

The 1st competitive meet in between these two parties will offer them a platform to establish and showcase their rights to bragging and highlight their claims to declare themselves superior, and this is definitely one task which LA Galaxy takes most seriously. Landon Donovan, midfielder from LA Galaxy exclaimed stating that the entire team is most excited about this meet, and is very much looking forward to it. He assured that the show is going to be a lot of fun for the supporters and this match is one of the most crucial ones for them. The midfielder along with his teammates seem very positive and hopeful about the game ahead, where they are sure to overthrow Tijuana and bag the position in the semifinal against Sporting Kansas City or Crus Azul.

The side of the Xolos has Joe Corono, Edward Castillo along with Herculez Gomez, nevertheless this team isn’t exactly the same which triumphed 2012 Apertura under the leadership of Antonio Mohammed, who is the current boss of Club America. Club Tijuana went through a low period since the departure of Mohamed last year. Cesar Farias, the ex manager of Venezuela was in charge before Clausura, post the Xolos fell back in the fall and missed out the Liguilla. LA Galaxy got a ray of hope courtesy this adjustment period of Tijuana, however the latter still poses a substantial threat.

BIELSA STRUGGLES

Marcelo Bielsa’s last season in charge of Athletic Bilbao was a disappointing one as the club concluded the campaign at the 12th spot and much of this comes as a consequence after selling one of their key midfielders which was Javi Martinez and Fernando Llorente was experience problems with the club after experiencing contract disagreements and ultimately it left the Spanish forward out of action for most of the season.

The 58 years old Argentinean former coach was offered the chance of coaching Peru as Marcelo Bielsa already has experience being in charge of national teams as he has coached Argentina and Chile some years ago but Bielsa declined the chance of being at the head of the Peruvian team and they had to select Pablo Bengoechea.

The Peruvian national football squad for a few months had to cope with no one in charge of the team but now Bengoechea will be the designated man in charge of the team until December of 2014 but if he manages on getting good results during his time at the head of the team it is very likely that he will get a contract extension.

Bengoechea already has knowledge of the staff and players around him as he previously was the assistant coach of the team and now will take charge of it after Sergio Markarian resigned. During Bengoechea’s time as a player he managed to win the Copa America in 1987 and 1995 with Uruguay and Peru has failed to reach the World Cup since 1982, the staff of the Peruvian national team is hoping that Bengoechea can achieve success with the team just like he did with Uruguay.

Since the resignation of Sergio Markarian from his role of coaching Peru, the staff has been searching just about everywhere trying to find someone that can fill in the spot and at one time there even was rumors claiming that Diego Maradona would be taken into consideration as their new coach.

ROMA vs JUVE

The top 2 title contenders of Serie A, Juventus and As.Roma will lock horns in what will be the most anticipated match of this month in the Italian league.

As.Roma started off their campaign firing from all cylinders and maintaining an undefeated record that stood for quite some time but a number of consecutive draws allowed Juventus to snatch the top spot in the standings.

Juventus are now at the top of the Italian league Serie A having only suffered from 1 loss so far in this season and considering the fact that they were eliminated from the Champions League, this will give them more time to focus on the Scudetto more than anything else.

Daniele De Rossi and Kevin Strootman did not play during As.Roma’s match against Catania and are now expected to make their return in midfield hoping to give their side the much needed possession.

Possible starting lineups

Juventus

Buffon

Barzagli Bonucci Chiellini Lichtsteiner

Vidal Pogba Marchisio

Asamoah Tevez Llorente

Roma

De Sanctis

Maicon Benatia Castan Dodo

De Rossi Strootman Pjanic Gervinho

Totti Ljajic

Andrea Pirlo is doubtful on whether or not he will be available and make it in time as he is suffering from a knee injury while Marco Borriello will probably also be missing out from this match with an injury as well.

As.Roma started off the season in magnificent form as they secured 10 consecutive victories which was a new record for Serie A and despite having dropped a number of important points, they are still on fine form.

Match Prediction

The biggest absence for Juventus will be without any doubt Andrea Pirlo as he is the playmaker of the team with his highly regarded passing skills that make it one of the best midfielders in the world despite his age. Antonio Conte has managed to cope well with the absence of the Italian playmaker as he has had to play without him on a few occasions.

As.Roma are fortunate to have almost all of their players available to play and they know that a victory from Juventus will probably end their dreams on snatching the Scudetto so expect them to go in full force.

Juventus 2 As.Roma 2