International matches

[Genius.]

That time of the year again. Should be interesting.


Henrik Larsson Blasts 'Diver' Cristiano Ronaldo Ahead Of Portugal - Sweden Clash


Sweden striker Henrik Larsson has claimed that his former Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo is inclined to hit the ground a little too easily when tackled, and is warning his team-mates not to fall into the tricky winger's traps.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/03/25/1175086/henrik-larsson-blasts-diver-cristiano-ronaldo-ahead-of-portugal-s

[smokey]

How is this interesting? How is this new?

We all know that Ronaldo has an honorary Olympic Gold Medal for diving.

I predict this thread to become a fanboy fest by lunch tomorrow. Looking forward to it! :D

[Genius.]

So Spain is taking on Turkey.

They have won an amazing amount of matches. Wonder what the record is.

[smokey]

Depends if you are talking about wins only, or wins and draws. Probably held by those stingy Italians if it's the latter. The former, however, I have no clue...

[SuPaStA]

Javier Mascherano: Messi Can Handle The No. 10 Shirt
The captain of the Argentine national team reckons little Leo can handle the responsibility of sporting Diego Maradona's old number on his back...




The favourite to don the fabled strip on his back when Argentina face Venezuela in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday is, of course, Barcelona superstar Messi.


http://goal.com/en/news/585/argentina/2009/03/26/1175327/javier-mascherano-messi-can-handle-the-no-10-shirt

[Alan]

Capello is supposedly going to play Gerrard on the left. *facepalm*

[poolmania]

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/74109/Set-me-free-Fabio-begs-Gerrard/


SET ME FREE FABIO, BEGS GERRARD

25th March 2009
By Brian Woolnough

NOTHING was going to wipe the smile from Steven Gerrard’s face yesterday.

Not even the million-dollar question he knew was coming. “Here we go,” he said as it was fired at him.

“Would you like to play for England in your Liverpool role?”

The role that sees him up alongside centre-forward Fernando Torres, causing panic and havoc to every defence at home and in Europe.

The answer of course was yes. “I’d love nothing better,” he added. “But it isn’t down to me, is it?”

Gerrard is football’s man of the moment. His swashbuckling displays have lifted Liverpool on to Manchester United’s shoulder in the Premier League race and he crowned his peak form with a hat-trick against Aston Villa last Sunday.

England have never seen him deliver like that and he hands Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez all the credit for his form.

“Rafa has helped me such a lot and the way I’m playing is down to him,” insisted Gerrard.

“He gave me this position, improved me and, now I have got my head around it, I’m enjoying the freedom.

“The players behind me do a lot of running to free me up and that is when you see the best of me. To get me running at defenders and causing danger in the final third.

“I didn’t get a say in where I wanted to play, I was just told. It really happened by accident. I played on the right when the manager first came and I had a moan and little complain about that.

“He said when I got stronger he wanted me more central. He said that was my best position and now I’m happy.

“Where I play with England is, again, the manager’s decision, but if I was picked in the same role I’d be delighted. I’d love to play there because it’s where I have been all season for Liverpool and feel it’s my best position.

“The Liverpool manager has explained that he wants me to play free and go where I can to cause defenders problems. That is where I always want to be.

“My relationship with Rafa has got stronger and stronger. When I was younger, maybe I was too selfish about being played out of position. I should have taken a deep breath and realised it was for the good of the team.

“Now I am in my favourite position, am captain, we are winning and things at the club are good.

“For many years I have moaned about not being in the title race and here I am, in a team that can beat anyone.

“I’ve never played better and love this role and that’s why you are seeing the best of me. I’d love nothing better than to be given the chance to play in my club role with England.”

The great thing about Gerrard is his honesty. He doesn’t duck issues and knows the country is willing him to take his club form on to the international stage.

Others would have been diplomatic. He just agreed that it would be the best thing to do.

He was talking ahead of Satur-day’s friendly against Slovakia, which is a warm-up for next Wednesday’s big World Cup *qualifier against Ukraine at Wembley.

Now it is down to Fabio Capello who, like Benitez, is a man of little emotion.

There doesn’t appear an argument for Gerrard not to play in his club role although Capello will give nothing away until Saturday’s 5.15pm kick-off.

There are big similarities between Italian Capello and Spaniard Benitez.

When Liverpool were scoring five against Villa on Sunday, Benitez didn’t acknowledge any of the goals, hardly looking up as the players celebrated.

“He would have been already planning for the next game,” said Gerrard.

“He is a top manager and is not someone who pats people on the back and says well done. He does show emotion sometimes. As the goals went in, he was planning for Fulham. He is a winner.”

What Gerrard needs is the same kind of relationship with Capello.

“My relationship with him has been good and there is a lot of dialogue.

“I’m sure I can have a similar understanding with him and my form for England has improved since he came in.

“We need players performing for England as they do for their clubs. Everyone knows we have under-achieved.”

At Liverpool he has Torres – “he is right up there with anyone I have played alongside,” said Gerrard.

But who could do the Torres role with England? Wayne Rooney?

“Rooney can do anything he likes,” said Gerrard.

Gerrard modestly dismisses his hat-trick against Villa.

“A hat-trick doesn’t really count when two of the goals are penalties. It was the win to keep the momentum going and stay on United’s shoulders. It is a fantastic time to be a Liverpool player.

“I’m really happy with my own form and the way I’m playing. The idea is to take this form into the next two England games. It has been a fantastic two weeks and I have to put that aside and focus on England now.”

Gerrard has missed the last two England friendlies and feels fresh at this vital stage of the season. “Rafa’s rotation has made sure we are ready for the end of the season,” he added.

“He takes players off at the right time and it’s why we look so fresh and strong.

“When you are selfish and young, you want to play in every game, but you soon realise it is a long season and have to peak at the right time.

“We have two massive Champions League games against Chelsea coming up and every league game now will be like a cup final. We also have to make sure we qualify for the World Cup.

“I am desperate to win something with England – don’t underestimate the hurt and pain we feel at failure. I have many more ambitions left with club and country. Winning trophies as a player is what professional footballers are all about.”

Will Liverpool win the Premier League? “There is a good feeling around at the moment although Manchester United are still favourites and so we must not get carried away,” he said.

“They have a match in hand even if our confidence is high and the momentum with us. We have to keep winning and hope they slip up again.”

He was, of course, still smiling.

[dbecks]

That time of the year again. Should be interesting.


Henrik Larsson Blasts 'Diver' Cristiano Ronaldo Ahead Of Portugal - Sweden Clash



http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/03/25/1175086/henrik-larsson-blasts-diver-cristiano-ronaldo-ahead-of-portugal-sIts therapy time!:D

[Genius.]

Spain go into the match with a 29 game unbeaten streak.

[SuPaStA]

Spain go into the match with a 29 game unbeaten streak.

What is the current record?

[dbecks]

What is the current record?I think its Hungary with 33 games unbeaten (I stand to be corrected:))

[SuPaStA]

Funny enough spain hold the second longest string of unbeaten matches with 31.

[dbecks]

Funny enough spain hold the second longest string of unbeaten matches with 31.Five games to break the record...onward Spanish Amarda onward!;)

[Genius.]

Not sure.

[Genius.]

Spain for me didnt play as expected. Turkey really made a game out of it and gave Spain a tough time.

Spain never looked like European champions to me. The midfield had nothing special. Senna had an awful game.

Argentina played brilliantly. Never watched the Portugal vs Sweden game. Was hoping Sweden would win, they my other team.

What was the result? Anybody catch the game?

[guru_pitka]

Spain for me didnt play as expected. Turkey really made a game out of it and gave Spain a tough time.

Spain never looked like European champions to me. The midfield had nothing special. Senna had an awful game.

Argentina played brilliantly. Never watched the Portugal vs Sweden game. Was hoping Sweden would win, they my other team.

What was the result? Anybody catch the game?

it was 0-0 i think :D didnt watch the whole game though :o

[poolmania]

it was 0-0 i think :D didnt watch the whole game though :o

I watched only the second half. Portugal were awful. They are not the team they once were under Phil.

[poolmania]

I thought England played well albeit a friendly. The outstanding performances were from Rooney, Gerrard and Beckham.

[guru_pitka]

I thought England played well albeit a friendly. The outstanding performances were from Rooney, Gerrard and Beckham.

the first half of the england match was some of the best football england have played in a long time ,Gerrard and Looney were absolutly brilliant ,Finally a manager that plays gerrard in his prefered attacking position :D

[poolmania]

the first half of the england match was some of the best football england have played in a long time ,Gerrard and Looney were absolutly brilliant ,Finally a manager that plays gerrard in his prefered attacking position :D

It was almost his preferred position. He actually was playing on the left but in a free role. You could clearly see a difference he makes when he is given that type of role.

Looney?, that was a spelling mistake right? ;)

[guru_pitka]

It was almost his preferred position. He actually was playing on the left but in a free role. You could clearly see a difference he makes when he is given that type of role.

Looney?, that was a spelling mistake right? ;)

:eek: that is correct i made a spelling mistake ;):)