12 Jul 2014

'Insane' Brazil defeat won't be repeated for 1000 years - Scolari

The Selecao boss was recorded in conversation with Thiago Silva and chief press officer Rodrigo Paiva, privately revealing his incredulity over the semi-final humiliation

luiz Felipe Scolari said it will be 1000 years before Brazil's 7-1 defeat to Germany is repeated, in a private conversation captured by Fifa cameras.

The under-fire coach has faced calls to resign after the World Cup following his side's chastening exit at the hands of Joachim Low's side on Tuesday.
Further light was shed on the Brazil coach's mind-set concerning the historic rout when cameras recorded an informal chat between him, his captain Thiago Silva and chief press officer Rodrigo Paiva, where the 65-year-old seemed unable to comprehend what had happened.
"It was a fatality that cannot destroy an entire work," Scolari said on Friday whilst discussing the defeat on the pitch at the Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha in Brasilia.
"Never again, not in 1000 years. They went up seven times during the first half and they scored five. In the first 10 minutes of the second half, if I show you the tape, you'll see we had four chances.
"If we had scored those four it would've been 5-4 in 10 minutes. It's insane to think about it."
Scolari confided in his two colleagues ahead of Brazil's third-place play off with the Netherlands on Saturday.

James Rodriguez: I'd go to Madrid with my eyes closed

The Colombia forward admits he is flattered by rumoured interest from the La Liga club and would willingly make a move to the Spanish capital if the opportunity arises

James Rodriguez has encouraged Real Madrid to make an offer to Monaco for his services, revealing his desire for a move to La Liga.
The Colombia attacker impressed with his displays in the World Cup, scoring six times to lead the chase for the Golden Boot, before bowing out in the quarter-finals following a 2-1 defeat to Brazil.

There has been intense speculation over the future of the winger and James himself has added further fuel to the speculation by underlining his desire to play for Madrid.
"Now I'm enjoying a little holiday after the World Cup," the 22-year-old told Marca.
"I think it has been very positive for me and Colombia. Then there will be the opportunity and time to talk about the market.
"I'm very well in Monaco, but of course I would come to Real Madrid even with my eyes closed."
James only left Porto for Monaco in a €45-million deal in the summer of 2013, going on to score ten in 38 appearances for the principality outfit last term.

The hopes of a nation were left in tatters on Tuesday evening as Germany crushed Brazil to reach the World Cup final.

Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men were left stunned after Joachim Low’s side picked them apart in the first half, scoring five goals in the space of 18 minutes.

Andre Schurrle netted twice after the break to complete the demolition, and to add insult to injury, Miroslav Klose broke Ronaldo’s record to become the all-time record scorer in the World Cup.

One of the summer's biggest transfer sagas reached its conclusion on Friday as Liverpool and Barcelona confirmed they had reached agreement for the transfer of Luis Suarez.

The controversial Uruguay international is expected to finally complete his move next week, putting pen-to-paper on a five-year deal for a fee in the region of £70m.

Suarez will wear the No.9 shirt at Camp Nou and will add some bite to the Barcelona attack alongside Neymar and Lionel Messi.

Official: Arsenal sign Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona

Jul 10, 2014 19:48:00

The former Udinese playmaker will join up with his new team-mates in late July following a post-World Cup holiday, with his debut set for the Emirates Trophy in early August

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona in what Goal understands is a €40 million [£32m] deal.

The Chile international forward, who underwent a medical on Thursday afternoon, becomes the second-most expensive purchase in the Gunners' history.

After scoring two goals at the World Cup in Brazil and impressing in his three seasons at Camp Nou, where he scored 39 times in 88 appearances, the Gunners have beaten off competition from Liverpool and Juventus to land the forward.

The former Udinese star will join up with his new team-mates at the end of July after spending time on holiday following the World Cup and is expected to make his first appearance for the North London club during the Emirates Cup in early August.

"I'm so happy to be joining Arsenal, a club which has a great manager, a fantastic squad of players, huge support around the world and a great stadium in London," Alexis told the club's official website.

"I'm looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and to be playing for Arsenal in the Premier League and Champions League. I will give my best to Arsenal and want to make all the supporters happy."

Manager Arsene Wenger, meanwhile, is hopeful that his new signing can replicate his fine performances for his national team in Brazil when he begins his Premier League career.

"As many people have seen during the World Cup this summer, Alexis is a fantastic footballer and we are delighted that he is joining us at Arsenal," the veteran boss enthused.

"Alexis will add power, creativity and much quality to our squad and we are all looking forward to him joining up with us in a few weeks. He has consistently produced top-quality performances at the highest level for a number of seasons now and we are all excited to see him integrate into the Arsenal squad."

Official: Arsenal sign Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona

The former Udinese playmaker will join up with his new team-mates in late July following a post-World Cup holiday, with his debut set for the Emirates Trophy in early August

Suarez signing another blow to Barcelona's self-styled 'Mes que un Club' mantra

FC Barcelona

COMMENT: A club that still have the threat of a transfer ban hanging over them are shamelessly poised to acquire a player currently suspended until the end of October

By Ben Hayward | Spanish Football Writer

More than a club? For years, Barcelona prided themselves on being different to the rest: their playing philosophy changed the course of modern football and wowed the world; their values were admired far and wide.

The last year, however, has taken much of the shine off the Catalan club's squeaky-clean image. After two separate transfer-related scandals, their halo had been slipping anyway; with the club now having confirmed a deal to sign the suspended Luis Suarez, it has fallen to the floor and smashed into pieces.

Barca's style of play is still lauded, but Tiki-Taka is no longer the force it once was in European football and the Blaugrana have been in gradual decline on the pitch since the final year of Pep Guardiola's tenure, in 2011-12.

Off it, Guardiola was replaced by assistant and friend Tito Vilanova, whose battle against cancer captured the hearts of many football fans across the world. The Barca boss, along with defender Eric Abidal, represented a symbol of hope as he returned from illness to resume work for the Catalans before eventually stepping down due to a relapse last summer.

Abidal also returned after a liver transplant and was publically promised a new contract when he played again. That deal never materialised, however, and the France defender departed under a cloud, leaving many to question Barca's much-mentioned values.

Messi: I'd give up all my records to win the World Cup

By Andrew Wychrij

Jul 12, 2014 12:53:00

Ahead of Sunday's final with Germany, the Argentina star insists lifting the trophy would be a greater achievement than any individual prize he has won over the years

Lionel Messi has declared he would gladly hand back all his personal records if it meant Argentina could defeat Germany in the World Cup final.
The Albiceleste forward has scored four times on the path to Sunday's showpiece in the Maracana, which his side reached courtesy of a 4-2 win on penalties against the Netherlands on Wednesday.
Messi has won a glittering array of awards throughout his career, including four Ballons d'Or, but claims that he would exchange all those accolades for a taste of World Cup glory.
"I would give all my personal records to be world champion," the 27-year-old was quoted by Bild.
"I'd prefer to win the World Cup than the Ballon d'Or," he added in an interview with sponsors Adidas.

"As a player, winning the World Cup is the biggest thing there is. It's something you dream of as a youngster and that dream never fades away. "I've asked my team-mates at Barcelona, Xavi, [Andres] Iniesta and [Gerard] Pique, what it's like to lift the trophy and they said it's hard to explain. We'll be doing everything we can to turn this dream into a reality [for Argentina]."
The forward was echoed in his desperation to clinch a third World Cup for Argentina by Javier Mascherano, who promised his side would give everything for victory.
"We're there and we'll try it with the soul, heart and head," the 30-year-old said.
"Now we are on the last step and will try to live up to the circumstances, and then get to the destination.
"I wish I could enjoy it and can play with joy and excitement it deserves. This is what you aim for in life and what you imagined was far off, almost impossible. The dream is a great one.
"Right now all this is crossing my mind. I am a person who is easily excited and this is all in part for our squad, but also for those who struggle at our side - family and friends who have endured through thick and thin."