Pro Eleven Headline News
Wayne Rooney Ready For Manchester United’s Newcastle United Trip
The image of a sharp and suited Wayne Rooney watching on at Wembley on Sunday during Manchester United's League Cup triumph over Tottenham Hotspur would have been beamed out to over 100 countries. Despite his jovial demeanour, he was still recovering from a virus that forced Sir Alex Ferguson to keep the striker sidelined.
He is said to have fully recovered and was seen training today, indicating that he will feature in the club's midweek visit to Newcastle United.
Regarding his team selection for Wednesday evening's clash, Sir Alex Ferguson told the club's official website that he will rotate in order to keep the side fresh.
"It'll be tough," Ferguson said. "I'll need to freshen-up the team because it was a heavy pitch at Wembley. It took its toll; there were a lot of tired players at the end.
"We've got [Dimitar] Berbatov, Park [Ji-Sung], [Darren] Fletcher, [Michael] Carrick, [Wayne] Rooney and Anderson, who didn't play the whole game. They can come back in and I hope that freshness helps."
Rooney has a great strike record against the Toon Army, finding the net eight times in ten appearances since joining United in 2004. Goal
Coppa Italia Preview: Sampdoria - Inter
Delicate Stage Of The Season For Inter
Inter are fighting tooth and nail to stay afloat in this crucial stage of the season. After barely hanging on to a 0-0 draw at home in the first leg of the Champions League clash with Manchester United, they were completely outplayed for most of Sunday’s league match against Roma at San Siro.
The Giallorossi took a deserved two-goal lead into the half-time break, courtesy of Daniele De Rossi and John Arne Riise, but in the second half the Nerazzurri fought back bravely to secure an eventual 3-3 draw. Enfant terrible Mario Balotelli reduced the disadvantage just two minutes in, but soon Matteo Brighi silenced the home crowd again. A controversial penalty earned and converted by Balotelli then made it 3-2, before Hernan Crespo came on to score the equaliser.
Coach José Mourinho admitted afterwards that his team were still tired from the physical and psychological strain of the match against United, which is perhaps understandable. The match against the Red Devils represented a hugely important test for Inter, and the players faced a massive amount of pressure, which was clearly evident on the pitch. That kind of pressure was absent for the match against Roma, a side Inter know inside-out, so instead of looking frozen by the pressure like they did against Manchester United, the team simply looked tired and lacked desire.
It should be pointed out that Mourinho’s side have a never-say-die attitude that could serve them well also in the second leg at Old Trafford. Only a team with strong self-belief and resilience would be able to recover from a two-goal deficit against a top side like Roma (once they actually came back from 3-0 down to beat Roma 4-3 in an Italian Supercup match). This comeback will undoubtedly give them a big confidence boost ahead of the final part of the Serie A season, where they will defend a lead over Juventus that was cut from nine to seven points after last weekend’s matches.
With all these big games on the horizon for Inter, this Coppa Italia match comes almost as a nuisance. However, it is still a semi-final, so Mourinho will be determined to see his side eliminate Sampdoria over two legs. That being said, it’s likely he will not play his first choice starting XI in view of this weekend’s tough league game away to Samp’s high-flying cross-town rivals Genoa, not to mention the match of Inter’s season at Old Trafford in one week’s time.
Sampdoria Looking Good Lately
Last weekend’s home victory against Milan was the culmination of a good period for Sampdoria, as their last league defeat goes back to the away match against Inter in late January, which they lost 1-0. Since then, they have convincingly beaten Lazio 3-1 at home, while Juventus were held to a 1-1 draw in Turin and they also beat a solid Atalanta 1-0 at home.
The arrival of striker Giampaolo Pazzini from Fiorentina in the January transfer window has certainly paid off, as he has forged an immediate understanding with star striker Antonio Cassano, who until now had been lacking a real quality striker alongside him. ‘Il Pazzo’ has already scored five goals since his arrival in Genoa, including one last weekend against Milan.
All in all, though, it has been a disappointing season for the Blucerchiati, and their recent improvements seem to have only been enough to move away from the danger zone, but a UEFA Cup spot seems already out of reach. That certainly was an objective for Sampdoria at the start of the season, as last year they did manage to qualify for the UEFA Cup, from which they were eliminated last Thursday night at the hands of Ukrainian side Metalist Kharkiv by a 3-0 aggregate score.
Just days after hosting Milan in the league, Samp welcome the Rossoneri’s city rivals Inter in the Coppa Italia semi-finals, hoping to improve on the last time they played the Nerazzurri in the national cup. In the 2006/2007 season, the teams also met at the semi-final stage, and Inter sealed the deal in the first leg at the Stadio Marassi, winning 3-0 thanks to a brace by Nicolas Burdisso, believe it or not, and a goal by Hernan Crespo.
FORM GUIDE
Sampdoria
01/03 (Serie A): Sampdoria-Milan 2-1
26/02 (Uefa Cup): Metalist Kharkiv-Sampdoria 2-0
22/02 (Serie A): Sampdoria-Atalanta 1-0
15/02 (Serie A): Juventus-Sampdoria 1-1
08/02 (Serie A): Sampdoria-Siena 2-2
Coppa Italia:
12/11 (Last 16): Sampdoria-Empoli 2-1
21/01 (Quarter-Finals): Udinese-Sampdoria 1-1 aet (1-4 on pens)
Inter
01/03 (Serie A): Inter-Roma 3-3
24/02 (Champions League): Inter-Manchester United 0-0
21/02 (Serie A): Bologna-Inter 1-2
15/02 (Serie A): Inter-Milan 2-1
07/02 (Serie A): Lecce-Inter 0-3
Coppa Italia:
13/01 (Last 16): Inter-Genoa 3-1 aet
21/01 (Quarter-Finals): Inter-Roma 2-1
TEAM NEWS
Sampdoria
Krsticic, Gennaro Delvecchio, and Stefano Lucchini are out injured. It’s likely Mazzarri will play with his strongest team in this one.
Possible formation (3-5-2): Castellazzi; Raggi, Gastaldello, Accardi; Stankevicius, Sammarco, Dessena, Ziegler, Pieri; Pazzini, Cassano.
Inter
Walter Samuel is still out injured, while Nicolas Burdisso and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are also suffering from slight knocks. A few key players are likely to be rested for this one.
Possible formation (4-3-1-2): Toldo; Santon, Materazzi, Chivu, Maxwell; Vieira, Cambiasso, Zanetti; Figo; Adriano, Balotelli.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Antonio Cassano (Sampdoria)
The 26-year-old has been in brilliant shape lately, scoring and creating goals at will. If he keeps this up, a call up from Marcello Lippi’s Azzurri seems inevitable. His discipline also seems to have improved considerably, and Italy really need an unpredictable, skilful playmaker like him. A player of his talent really ought to be at a bigger club than Sampdoria, with all due respect, but it might not be too late for him as Juventus are allegedly keen on acquiring him next summer.
Mario Balotelli (Inter)
Last weekend against Roma, he stirred up controversy yet again by diving to earn a penalty and sticking his tongue out to provoke the visiting fans. However, he also scored Inter’s first goal with a clinical shot, and in footballing terms at least, he is showing he’s worthy of playing in the Nerazzurri’s shirt. But he needs to improve his attitude or he could end up wasting his career like Cassano, who never managed to make his mark at a big club.
PREDICTION
While they probably won’t play with their strongest team, Inter should still have enough quality to get a good result in the first leg. Goal
Copa Del Rey Preview: Real Mallorca - Barcelona
The Copa Del Rey reaches its final stages this week, with Barcelona travelling to the ONO Estadi to face Real Mallorca with a two-goal lead from the first leg proving a healthy cushion, and one which means Mallorca will require a special performance to make it to the final. Either Athletic Bilbao or Sevilla await the victor, with Sevilla currently holding a 2-1 advantage in that tie.
However it is questionable whether Mallorca have a genuine interest in giving their all for a win that may prove to be meaningless. They made their statement of intent for this semi-final by playing their weakest, defensive-minded side imaginable in the first leg, and coach Gergorio Manzano seemingly content to accept a 2-0 defeat at the Camp Nou in favour of saving his key players for the clubs relegation battle.
Manzano was criticised for devaluing the Copa Del Rey, and of being disrespectful by putting out a side that didn’t seem too unnerved in defeat. In fairness to Mallorca though, they have picked up some vital wins that has given them a fighting chance of avoiding the drop, but it will still be intriguing to see what level of importance they place on facing a Barcelona side, while already two goals down.
Barcelona themselves could just do with steadying the ship as their season threatens to unravel in front of them. The neutrals among us can view Sunday’s spectacular 4-3 defeat at the hands of Atletico Madrid as an absolutely classic encounter. For Blaugrana purists though, it was a defensive horror show that portrayed a worrying relinquishing of control by the once invincible Catalonians.
They should get past Lyon in the Champions League, barring disaster, but there is no denying that Real Madrid have them on edge in the Primera Division. Coach Pep Guardiola has a decision to make in his team selection; he needs, and his side desperately needs, a convincing victory to instil the faith in their ability again, but has crucial La Liga fixtures to bear in mind and cant risk losing another key player in the manner he has lost Andres Iniesta and Eric Abidal in the last few fixtures.
Mallorca most definitely have players that on a given day can produce a piece of magic to change the outcome of a match. Juan Arango’s fantastic free kick versus Sporting Gijon at the weekend simply underlines what he is capable of, while top scorer Aritz Aduriz too is capable of brilliance as his wonder goal at the Camp Nou in La Liga proved. Although they have not scored many, there is potential for goals in the Mallorca team, something which Pep Guardiola will be aware of.
Manzano will know it is all too clear that Barcelona can score at will, and they could well be hurting after the loss to Atletico. A wounded Blaugrana is a dangerous animal indeed.
BARCELONA
LAST 5 RESULTS
Mar 01 Atletico 4-3 Barcelona (LA LIGA)
Feb 24 Lyon 1-1 Barcelona (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE)
Feb 21 Barcelona 1-2 Espanyol (LA LIGA)
Feb 14 Real Betis 2-2 Barcelona (LA LIGA)
Feb 08 Barcelona 3-1 Sporting Gijon (LA LIGA)
TEAM NEWS:
Andres Iniesta may return to action for this match, after missing the majority of Barcelona's slump, and how Xavi in particular has missed his creative influence. Eric Abidal is expected to be out for two months following his ankle injury sustained versus Espanyol, and Gabreil Milito remains out after suffering ligament damage at the start of the campaign.
Probable XI: Jorquera, Puyol, Pique, Marquez, Sylvinho, Hleb, Busquets, Toure, Bojan, Gudjohnsen, Henry/Eto’o/Messi
MAN TO WATCH:
Bojan has been a regular in the Copa Del Rey this season, and scored a stunning header at the Camp Nou against Atletico in January. The Serbian-Spaniard doesn’t produce often enough however, and although he is still very young, if he is to have a future in Catalonia he needs to start to showcase his talent more regularly.
REAL MALLORCA
LAST 5 RESULTS:
Mar 01 Sporting Gijon 0-1 Real Mallorca (LA LIGA)
Feb 22 Real Mallorca 1-0 Racing Santander (LA LIGA)
Feb 15 Numancia 0-1 Real Mallorca (LA LIGA)
Feb 08 Real Mallorca 1-1 Deportivo La Coruna (LA LIGA)
Feb 01 Osasuna 1-0 Real Mallorca (LA LIGA)
TEAM NEWS:
Goalkeeper Miguel Moya is out for another month through injury, but other than that there are no fresh injury concerns for Gregorio Manzano.
Probable XI: Aouate ,Scaloni, Nunes, Navarro, Marti, Varela, Santana, Suarez, Jurado, Arango, Aduriz
MAN TO WATCH:
Flamboyant on-loan Atletico Madrid man Jose Jurado has on occasion turned on the style for Mallorca this season and offered glimpses of his potential. He tore Valencia apart earlier in the year, and grabbed a vital late winner two weeks ago to see off Racing Santander. If the islanders are to turn this tie around, they will need moments of magic from the diminutive winger.
PREDICTION:
Barcelona should have more than enough to see off the Islanders, with or without their two-goal lead in the tie. They will win comfortably to put an end to their recent horror run. Goal
