Soccer Latest Highlights

Barcelona have been crowned world champions for the first time ever after 120 truly scintillating minutes of epic football. After going a goal behind, Pedro equalised with just a minute to go, and Messi scored the title-winning goal in extra time.

If there is one team that deserved this, then that team was FC Barcelona. Once again they had to come from behind, once again they did that by playing consistent, patient and frankly outstanding football. They were vastly superior to the gritty Argentinian outfit and also had to deal with some bizarre refereeing decisions. For Estudiantes, it was a matter of taking the lead through Boselli and then hanging onto their lead at whatever cost.

And they almost got what they wanted. But then in the 89th minute Pedro did what the injured Iniesta did against Chelsea and equalised just when it looked like the dream could be over. The tension was unbearable as the game went into extra time, but Barça looked as solid as ever and stayed faithful to the football that has achieved so much this year. The Argentinians were tiring more and more, and finally it was their compatriot Leo Messi who grabbed the winner, with his chest! And that was it. Barça have finally won their first ever Clubs World Cup, and an unrepeatable 2009 is over in which the club has won all six of the titles in play. It is impossible to have asked for more!

Balanced opening

The game started with both sides testing each other. The first chance fell to Estudiantes, the second to Barça, and then Xavi squandered a chance when he was through on the keeper. From then on, it was an evenly matched affair, and that was all thanks to the permissiveness of the referee, who seemed far readier to penalise Barça’s free kicks, and following a series of tough challenges on Leo Messi, even had the audacity to book him for diving.

Referee and Boselli

This was the game Estudiantes wanted. It was a stop-start affair, and Barça couldn’t get things flowing the way they like. It was a hard-hitting encounter, and Estudiantes clearly weren’t in Abu Dhabi to play beautiful football. With the game-plan based almost entirely on counter attacks, their three centre backs certainly managed to thwart most of Barcelona’s plans. And to typify the way things were going, a delightful Barça move ended with Albil clearly bringing down Xavi. A red card and a penalty seemed the obvious solution, but the referee preferred to award a goal kick.

Five minutes later, Estudiantes went on a rare break, and a cross from the left from Díaz was met by Boselli, who beat both Puyol and Abidal to the ball. The leading goalscorer in the Copa Libertadores may have been a few inches offside, but there was nothing Valdés could do about his header.

Danger down the left

Like in the semi final against Atlante, there was plenty of time to react. Guardiola maintained the calm, but did send on Pedro in place of Keita to gain some movement down the wings and take some of the physicality out of midfield. There was already enough of that thanks to the Argentinians, while Barça needed to get the game flowing the way they like. The improvements came. Henry and Ibrahimovic constantly found themselves in dangerous positions, but the goal just didn’t want to come.

Pedro seals the miracle

It was a non-stop onslaught on the ‘Pincharrata’ goal. Guardiola even moved Piqué into an attacking position, thus providing an alternative to Ibrahimovic, who just wasn’t having his day. And it was the centre back who managed to get his head onto the ball to send it towards Perdo, who never fails from that position. Just when it had looked like Barcelona were going to suffer a cruel and undeserved defeat, Pedro was there to take the game into extra time.

Jeffren makes ground

Touré and Jeffren had already come on for Busquets and Henry when the goal was scored, and both contributed to the continuation of a game in which Barça dominated possession in extraordinary fashion. Meanwhile, Estudiantes were clearly demoralised, but more importantly, physically exhausted. The way Jeffren had Clemente beaten for pace was creating chance after chance, but after 105 minutes, it was still 1-1.

The best team wins

The Argentinians were clearly hoping to run down the clock and chance their luck in a penalty shoot-out. Barça don’t play football that way. They only like to win by showing that they are the better team. And they did, and all thanks to the best player in the world. Alves crossed from the right, and there was Messi to send the ball goalward with his chest, or perhaps better put, with his heart, the ball striking him just where the crest of his beloved club appears on the famous Barça shirt. It was one of the most beautiful moments in the entire history of this incredible club. The crowning moment for a team that has rewritten the history books.


Author: Barcelona Offical site, Roger Bogunya

“Prior to the current season beginning, with significant investment in players and infrastructure in place, the consensus between the Board and coaching staff was that appropriate agreed targets should be set for the 2009/2010 season", said Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.

“The targets were agreed as a result of the player acquisition strategy of the club being radically accelerated in the summer as a result of very favourable conditions for any buying club. It was also based on the fact that the infrastructure of the club had been overhauled completely at great cost in order to create the best possible environment for the team.

“A return of two wins in 11 Premier League games is clearly not in line with the targets that were agreed and set. Sheikh Mansour and the Board felt that there was no evidence that the situation would fundamentally change. This is a particularly difficult announcement given the personal investment over the past 15 months on all sides and we would like to put on record our respect for and thanks to Mark Hughes and we wish him the best in his future career.”

Manchester City Football Club can confirm the appointment, with immediate effect on a permanent contract, of Roberto Mancini and are also pleased to announce that Brian Kidd will join Roberto as assistant manager.

Commenting on the appointment, Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: “Roberto is a hugely experienced manager with a proven track record of winning trophies and championships. His experience and track record speak for themselves. What is absolutely clear is that Roberto believes in Manchester City’s potential to achieve at the highest level and importantly in his own ability to make this happen. My hope is that our incredible fans will join us in welcoming Roberto to the football club.”

Mark Bowen, Eddie Niedzwiecki, Kevin Hitchcock and Glyn Hodges have also left the Club and further appointments will be announced in due course.


Author: Man City Offical site, Chris Bailey

Barcelona vs Estudiantes 2-1
Dec 19, 2009 5:00 PM GMT
Stadium: Sheikh Zayed, Abu Dhabi
Referee: Armando Archundia (México)
Score: (Barcelona) 87' Pedro, 109' Messi L (Estudiantes) 37' Boselli M.
Man of the match: Messi L. (Barcelona)

King Of The World

The Blaugrana meet Estudiantes in a bid not only to complete the best year ever contested by a club side, but also to become Europe's third consecutive winners, following in the footsteps of AC Milan and Manchester United.

Barca last competed in this contest in 2006 when they fell against Internacional of Brazil. That was a bitter disappointment, and perhaps the beginning of the end of the Frank Rijkaard era. Fans will hope that things will change under Pep Guardiola.

For Estudiantes, this tournament is old hat, at least in its former incarnation. The Intercontinental Cup saw the La Plata side win against Manchester United in the notorious 1968 final, before losing the two subsequent finals.

All in all, it's a fitting end to what has been so far an intriguing tournament - the first to be hosted in the UAE. Here's hoping that the final is suitably exciting.


FORM GUIDE

Barcelona

WON 3-1 (n) Atlante (Club World Cup, Dec 16)
WON 1-0 (h) Espanyol (Liga, Dec 12)
WON 2-1 (a) Dynamo Kyiv (Champions League, Dec 9)
WON 3-1 (a) Deportivo (Liga, Dec 5)
WON 2-0 (a) Xerez (Liga, Dec 2)

Estudiantes

WON 2-1 (n) Pohang Steelers (Club World Cup, Dec 15)
DREW 0-0 (h) Chacarita Juniors (Apertura, Dec 3)
DREW 1-1 (a) River Plate (Apertura, Nov 28)
LOST 1-0 (h) Colon (Apertura, Nov 25)
WON 3-1 (h) Tigre (Apertura, Nov 20)


TEAM NEWS

Barcelona

Andres Iniesta is out of the final after sustaining an injury against Atlante in the semi-final. Yaya Toure may enter the lineup in his stead, alongside Sergio Busquets. Xavi will provide the invention to Messi, 'Ibra' and Pedro - or perhaps Henry - further forward.

Probable Starting XI: Valdes; Alves, Pique, Puyol, Abidal; Toure Yaya, Sergio Busquets, Xavi; Messi, Ibrahimovic, Pedro.

Estudiantes

Marcelo Carrusca is a long-term absentee up front, while Nunez may drop to the bench as Estudiantes look to shore up the wide areas.

Probable Starting XI: Albil; Rodriguez, Cellay, Desabato, Diaz, Re; Brana; Veron, Benitez, Perez; Boselli.


PLAYERS TO WATCH



Barcelona
Lionel Messi. A hero to Argentines as much as he is to Barca fans, there will still be no love lost between Estudiantes and the little forward. Fresh from winning the Ballon d'Or, he has a great chance to cement his place in history.

Estudiantes
Juan Sebastian Veron is the most recognisable player to non-Argentine spectators, and there's a good reason for that. The former Manchester United man still has it despite his advanced age, and will be key to unlocking the Barca defence.


PREDICTION

As in the semi-final, Barca may start slowly, but will eventually lift their sixth trophy of the year, despite spirited opposition from the 'rat stabbers'.

Barcelona 3-1 Estudiantes


Author: Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com

The Croatian playmaker lit up the Lane again with a two-goal display including a fine solo effort in injury time to clinch the 3-0 victory.

Jermain Defoe added the second goal as we improved our fifth position in the Barclays Premier League - we're now just two points behind Arsenal and Villa as we prepare for the trip to Blackburn on Saturday.

"It was a great feeling to score the goals but it's easier to score goals and play well when you are in a team of great footballers," said Niko.

"The team performance means individuals will play well and one day it will be me, another day it will be someone else.

"It's just important that, as a team, we continue to play well and to prove we really do have that quality to break into that top four."

Niko said it was vital to bounce back from Saturday's defeat against Wolves. "Yes, and just as important to win the games against the teams contending for the top four," he said.

"We've played some great football throughout the season and although the last two away results were disappointing, the performances were good and we believe we deserved to win those games.

"Against Wolves, it was one of those days. We needed a reaction and got that.

"It was a massive win, great to get back to winning ways and hopefully we can continue this form from here."

Author: Tottenham FC Offical site

Fiorentina and Bayern contrived to avoid each other in Europe for decades, but the clubs will now meet for the second time in two years. In the 2008-9 Champions League group double-header, Munich won 3-0 at home and drew 1-1 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. The clubs have were paired again on Friday, this time in the first knockout round of this season’s competition.

The key men for Luca Toni’s former club are strikers Adrian Mutu and Alberto Gilardino, although the pair have not played together all that often this term. Coach Cesare Prandelli favours a 4-5-1 formation with Gilardino as a lone striker, backed by an attacking line of three featuring Mutu, Italy international Marco Marchionni, and Peruvian Juan Vargas.

In characteristic Italian style, Fiorentina are happy to play on the break off a solid defensive platform. Of all the teams through to the last sixteen, the men from Florence had the lowest figure for possession of the ball (46 percent). However, Prandelli’s side scored 14 goals in their six matches, a total beaten only by Real Madrid (15). Fiorentina beat Liverpool twice (2-0 at home and 2-1 away) in winning Group E from Lyon, Liverpool and Debrecen.

“It’s a well-assembled young team with star strikers. We mustn’t underestimate them,“ warned Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. However, Fiorentina lie a disappointing ninth in Serie A after 16 games. A defensive record of just 15 goals conceded is one of the best in the section, but Gilardino, Mutu & Co have mustered a mere 18 goals between them so far, while leaders Inter have struck nearly twice as often (35).

Coach Prandelli’s job looks secure - he has guided his side to three fourth-place finishes and one fifth spot in the last four seasons – but President Andrea Della Valle, who took over when the club were compulsorily relegated to the third tier seven years ago, bore the brunt of fan and media anger early in the season. Caught in a hail of criticism for selling Felipe Melo to Juventus, Della Valle quit in September. Vice-president Mario Cognini currently heads the club in an acting capacity.

Despite their problems in domestic competition, Fiorentina have blazed a trail in the Champions League, qualifying for the last sixteen for the second time in their history. The club’s greatest successes are the European Cup Winners’ Cup (1961), two league titles (1956, 1969), and six cup triumphs (most recently in 2001).

The Italians will be utterly determined to progress to the last eight at Bayern’s expense. Bayern must be sure not to underestimate the Tuscan outfit, as Louis van Gaal warned: “Last season’s results against Fiorentina count for nothing any more.“

Author: Bayern Munich Offical site

It is easy for a Chelsea supporter to recognise how selling Gianfranco Zola at his peak might be a mistake, and today Carlo Ancelotti admitted his error as Parma manager.

The pair will be in opposing dugouts at Upton Park on Sunday, but back in 1996, Ancelotti was Zola's manager at Parma, the club he left to come to Stamford Bridge.

'I did a mistake with him because I wanted to play 4-4-2 and I put him on the right, and he would like to stay in the centre like a striker,' Ancelotti recalled. 'In that period there was this discussion, Chelsea arrived to offer him a good contract and he decided to come.

'I think it was a mistake because it was my first experience in Serie A and I was not able to change the system, I preferred to maintain the system I knew well, and for this Gianfranco had a different decision. But a lot of time has gone and now we have a good relationship. I think he had a fantastic experience at Chelsea and all the fans remember his performance.'

Zola is currently having a tough time at West Ham, with the club entrenched in the relegation zone, yet Ancelotti believes the Blues legend has what it takes to drag them clear.

'I think that Gianfranco is not living a good moment but he has a quality to improve, West Ham have a lot of problems with injuries but we have to pay attention on this game because it is a derby and they will put very good spirit in this game, we have to pay attention,' the manager warned.

'When you play teams at the bottom you have to because they will do their best to win. We saw against Portsmouth that they created a lot of difficulties for us, and we have to pay attention to West Ham.

'We have to respect every team - every team has character and quality and determination, not just the teams in the top but also the teams that don't want to go down to the second division.'

Author: Chelsea Offical site

Didier Drogba, Joe Cole and Ricardo Carvalho will all return to the starting line-up against West Ham on Sunday, says manager Carlo Ancelotti.

The Italian is able to welcome his top scorer back after Drogba sat out Wednesday's 2-1 win against Portsmouth, while Cole and Carvalho are back in after being rested in midweek.

'I don't want to change a lot of things about the next game, Carvalho returns to play and I have to take a decision on midfield,' Ancelotti said. 'Mikel or Ballack I want to do recovery and Joe Cole will return to play.

'Drogba is good, he trained yesterday and today is fit and he will be ready for Sunday. Alex didn't train today but will train tomorrow and the other players stay well. For Sunday we also have Sturridge, who is doing a very good job, two fantastic weeks in training, and will be ready to play.'

Missing however is Michael Essien, whose hamstring injury looks likely to rule him out of Chelsea action until as late as the end of January, owing to the African Cup of Nations which begins on January 10, with the Ghanaian likely to be called away by his country before the end of the year.

In other news, Ancelotti dismissed media speculation linking us with Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero.

'It is not true because we don't sign a contract with any players, at this moment we do not think to buy Aguero,' said the 50-year-old.

Author: Chelsea offical site

Manchester City vs Sunderland HIGHLIGHTS 4-3 Dec 19, 2009 3:00 PM GMT Stadium: City Stadium Scorer: (Manchester City) 4' Santa Cruz R., 12' Tevez C., 36' Bellamy C., 69' Santa Cruz R. (Sunderland) 16' Mensah J., 24' Henderson J., 62' Jones K. Top of the match: Bellamy C. (Man City)

Since that performance City have been held at Bolton and soundly beaten at Tottenham, allowing their close rivals for the vital fourth place to leapfrog and leave the Blues eighth going into tomorrow's game with Sunderland.

City's manager declared: "We’re back at home after two difficult fixtures away - and we’ve got to get back to the level we produced against Chelsea. We’re more than capable of doing that.

"We’ve just come through a period in which we’ve beaten Arsenal and Chelsea, and also shown great spirit and courage in difficult circumstances against Bolton to come back three times.

"Whether that had a negative impact on what we were able to produce at Tottenham, who knows? We’ve picked the bones out, but sometimes you have to hold your hands up and say: 'We weren’t good enough on the night.'

"The games where that’s been the case have been few and far between this season. We’ve been pleased with what we’ve produced in the vast majority of the games.

"We were missing a number of key personnel but we don’t want to sound as if we’re making excuses. We’ll get more people back at the weekend, and see if we can improve on what we produced."

Hughes, who lost Joleon Lescott before the Spurs game, added: "We had a setback with Joleon we hadn't anticipated. We’re going to have to look at what we’ve got at the back in terms of cover.

"But you’re going to get injuries and you’re going to get suspensions at certain times in the season. It’s how you deal with them. You don’t use them as an excuse for losing."

Author: Peter Ferguson