It's fair to say that when Raul left Real Madrid after clocking up a stunning 550 appearances for the club most in the world of football believed his stunning career was starting to wind down.
Scattered in those 550 games were an amazing 132 appearances in the Champions League during which he scored 66 goals. His move to German club Schalke 04 at the start of this season meant he would be able to continues his adventures in Europe's premier competition, but no one seriously expected him or his new team to make much of an impact on things.
How wrong they were. So far this season, Raul has managed to add another ten Champions League appearances to his name, bagging a further five goals along the way, including some crucial strikes that unexpectedly propelled his side to the semi-final stage of the competition, upsetting the Champions League promotions along the way.
As it stands, he holds the European Competitions scoring record, with an amazing 72 goals, only one of which was not scored in the Champions League and he could still add to that tally this season.
Unfortunately for Raul, it looks like his next appearance in the competition could well be his last. They lost the first leg of their semi-final to Manchester United by two goals and they are currently sat in tenth in the Bundesliga. Anyone looking to bet on Champions League games won't expect them to bounce back.
Fans of the legendary player will no doubt be hoping that he has one last fantastic performance in him, but given how United played Schalke off the park during their first match it may be a miracle too far for a player set to go down as one of the game's true legends.
Whatever the circumstances of his last game in Champions League football, you can be certain that all true supporters will be sad to see him go.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Soccer World: Wolves bullied off the pitch by superior Stoke
Wolves are a side that don't usually tend to hold back when it comes to the physical side of the game, with Mick McCarthy's men more than happy to fling themselves into a few challenges here and there over the course of a game. However, it would seem that last night they met their match in the form of a resolute Stoke team that managed to thrash their opponents 3-0 at home.
A goal from Kenwyne Jones shortly after the quarter of an hour mark set Stoke up for a deserved victory, and Ryan Shawcross made their lead slightly more comfortable just before the half-time break. With Jermaine Pennant grabbing Stoke's third with a goal that lit up LCD televisions everywhere after some shocking defending from Wolves, it was a pretty good night for a team starting to prove its attacking credentials despite still attracting criticism for being overly physical.
Unfortunately for Stoke manager Tony Pulis, McCarthy decided to focus on this physical side to the hosts, rather than the manner in which their at times attractive football carved open a pitiful Wolves defence. With the Wolves manager stating that his team were "bullied" by Stoke before turning on his defenders, it is a shame that he didn't offer some praise of a team that can't seem to stop scoring recently.
The three points for Stoke, meanwhile, lifted their points tally up to 42, so their Premier League safety is now almost guaranteed no matter what happens over the remaining games this season. With the FA Cup final also nearly upon them (and that's certainly one worth setting your DVD recorder for), it's looking like a bright couple of months in store for the loyal Stoke faithful.
A goal from Kenwyne Jones shortly after the quarter of an hour mark set Stoke up for a deserved victory, and Ryan Shawcross made their lead slightly more comfortable just before the half-time break. With Jermaine Pennant grabbing Stoke's third with a goal that lit up LCD televisions everywhere after some shocking defending from Wolves, it was a pretty good night for a team starting to prove its attacking credentials despite still attracting criticism for being overly physical.
Unfortunately for Stoke manager Tony Pulis, McCarthy decided to focus on this physical side to the hosts, rather than the manner in which their at times attractive football carved open a pitiful Wolves defence. With the Wolves manager stating that his team were "bullied" by Stoke before turning on his defenders, it is a shame that he didn't offer some praise of a team that can't seem to stop scoring recently.
The three points for Stoke, meanwhile, lifted their points tally up to 42, so their Premier League safety is now almost guaranteed no matter what happens over the remaining games this season. With the FA Cup final also nearly upon them (and that's certainly one worth setting your DVD recorder for), it's looking like a bright couple of months in store for the loyal Stoke faithful.
Soccer World: Will Houllier return for end of season run-in?
Aston Villa fans haven't had too much to cheer about this season, with their side slipping from pushing for Europe to battling against relegation in what must have seemed like the blink of an eye. When their manager Gerard Houllier was forced to miss their last league game against Stoke due to a medical problem, things must have seemed even worse for the club's loyal fans.
However, some good news has emerged this week, with the Villa manager revealing that he is making an "encouraging" recovery despite still being in hospital under the care of specialists. The 63-year-old was forced to undergo major heart surgery in 2001 whilst managing Liverpool but checked with specialists prior to taking another job in the Premier League last year. The specialists informed him that his heart would be able to hold up to the stresses and strains of life in English football but as any manager knows, the reality can be somewhat different to the expectations.
Whether or not Houllier will be able to return to his coaching duties at the club before the end of the current season hasn't yet been made public but the club at least have a worthy man to step in to his shoes in the form of Gary McAllister, who has worked closely with the rest of the coaching staff to lead the players in the absence of the manager.
With Villa set to take on West Brom this weekend and with tough assignments against both Arsenal and Liverpool on the horizon, Houllier himself will be hoping to make as speedy a return as possible, that's for sure. Make sure you follow all the remaining action at home on TV and if you're out, just set your DVD recorder or make good use of your slingbox!
However, some good news has emerged this week, with the Villa manager revealing that he is making an "encouraging" recovery despite still being in hospital under the care of specialists. The 63-year-old was forced to undergo major heart surgery in 2001 whilst managing Liverpool but checked with specialists prior to taking another job in the Premier League last year. The specialists informed him that his heart would be able to hold up to the stresses and strains of life in English football but as any manager knows, the reality can be somewhat different to the expectations.
Whether or not Houllier will be able to return to his coaching duties at the club before the end of the current season hasn't yet been made public but the club at least have a worthy man to step in to his shoes in the form of Gary McAllister, who has worked closely with the rest of the coaching staff to lead the players in the absence of the manager.
With Villa set to take on West Brom this weekend and with tough assignments against both Arsenal and Liverpool on the horizon, Houllier himself will be hoping to make as speedy a return as possible, that's for sure. Make sure you follow all the remaining action at home on TV and if you're out, just set your DVD recorder or make good use of your slingbox!
Soccer Games: Carlos Tevez still touch and go for FA Cup final
Manchester City are still some way from being able to predict whether their captain Carlos Tevez will be available for selection for their FA Cup final on May 14th. The Argentinean striker suffered a hamstring injury last month and will face a real race against time to recover in time to lead his team out at Wembley for the season's showpiece final. City managed to come through their semi-final against bitter rivals Manchester United without their influential front-man, but Roberto Mancini will be desperate to have the 22-goal man back for the match against potential banana-skin side Stoke. Anyone following the football odds will know what a boost his return would be.
Tevez's decision to travel to Italy to seek treatment from the Argentinean team doctor, rather than stay at Eastlands, has not only drawn criticism from City fans but also added fuel to the rumours of a summer move to Inter Milan. While Mancini has insisted he hasn't any problem with Tevez's decision, the Italian has made it clear to the striker and fellow absentee Jerome Boateng, that they will need to be back available for the league game against Spurs on May 10th if they are going to be considered for selection for the final. Anyone following the FA Cup final betting should bear this in mind.
"He is doing well and I hope we can have him available for the final but Carlos and Jerome will both have to play one game before the final," he said.
If Tevez is indeed destined for Milan when this current season ends, then he'll be desperate to be involved in their one chance of silverware from the season. Tevez has once again been his side's most fruitful player in front of goal, and Mancini will be well aware that the other strikers at the club have hardly been banging them in this season. Stoke will most likely look to neutralise the City attack and having Tevez's creativity in the side could be a deciding factor.
Tevez's decision to travel to Italy to seek treatment from the Argentinean team doctor, rather than stay at Eastlands, has not only drawn criticism from City fans but also added fuel to the rumours of a summer move to Inter Milan. While Mancini has insisted he hasn't any problem with Tevez's decision, the Italian has made it clear to the striker and fellow absentee Jerome Boateng, that they will need to be back available for the league game against Spurs on May 10th if they are going to be considered for selection for the final. Anyone following the FA Cup final betting should bear this in mind.
"He is doing well and I hope we can have him available for the final but Carlos and Jerome will both have to play one game before the final," he said.
If Tevez is indeed destined for Milan when this current season ends, then he'll be desperate to be involved in their one chance of silverware from the season. Tevez has once again been his side's most fruitful player in front of goal, and Mancini will be well aware that the other strikers at the club have hardly been banging them in this season. Stoke will most likely look to neutralise the City attack and having Tevez's creativity in the side could be a deciding factor.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Soccer World: Can Mourinho make history?
Barcelona have received a massive psychological boost ahead of their Champions League semi-final first leg against Real Madrid with the news that inspirational captain and defender Carles Puyol will be fit to make the starting line-up. After losing the final of the Copa del Rey last week to Jose Mourinho's men in white, any emotional boost will have come in handy for Pep Guardiola as he seeks to earn his side a first leg advantage ahead of next week's second leg at home in Barcelona.
With Barcelona's other injured defender Gabriel Milito also approaching full fitness, it would seem that in defence things look pretty positive for the Spanish champions, especially in light of the fact that Madrid have their own defensive concerns. Ex-Chelsea defender and in one of the men Mourinho has always been able to rely on since the start of his managerial career, Ricardo Carvalho, will be suspended for the game tomorrow, while the Portuguese legend also has a couple of other injury concerns to occupy his mind over the next 24 hours.
In many people's minds, the presence of Mourinho in the Spanish capital makes Real Madrid the favourites to progress to a final that will contain one of either Manchester United or Schalke, but the last thing the Madrid side need is an element of complacency to creep into their play.
With Mourinho, however, seeking to become the first man in history to lead three different clubs to Champions League glory, he will surely be doing all he can to ensure that his players keep their eye on a prize that would ensure he goes down in the history books for many, many years to come.
One thing is for certain: tomorrow night is one of those evenings to turn off your iPod shuffle and turn on your 32 inch LCD TV to watch the action!
With Barcelona's other injured defender Gabriel Milito also approaching full fitness, it would seem that in defence things look pretty positive for the Spanish champions, especially in light of the fact that Madrid have their own defensive concerns. Ex-Chelsea defender and in one of the men Mourinho has always been able to rely on since the start of his managerial career, Ricardo Carvalho, will be suspended for the game tomorrow, while the Portuguese legend also has a couple of other injury concerns to occupy his mind over the next 24 hours.
In many people's minds, the presence of Mourinho in the Spanish capital makes Real Madrid the favourites to progress to a final that will contain one of either Manchester United or Schalke, but the last thing the Madrid side need is an element of complacency to creep into their play.
With Mourinho, however, seeking to become the first man in history to lead three different clubs to Champions League glory, he will surely be doing all he can to ensure that his players keep their eye on a prize that would ensure he goes down in the history books for many, many years to come.
One thing is for certain: tomorrow night is one of those evenings to turn off your iPod shuffle and turn on your 32 inch LCD TV to watch the action!
Soccer Games: Can Fulham spring a surprise against Bolton?
It may well be the Champions League that is stealing all the headlines this week, with Manchester United heading over to Germany to take on Schalke tonight before Real Madrid and Barcelona lock horns tomorrow night in the first of two games that are sure to be European classics, but the Premier League is still all set to experience its fair share of corkers this week, and one of those could well end up coming in the form of a fixture between Fulham and Bolton at Craven Cottage.
Bolton will be keeping their fingers crossed that on-loan Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge can recover from an ankle knock that forced him to leave the action during his side's 2-1 victory over Arsenal at home at the weekend, with the attacker on a run of scintillating form for the Trotters.
Meanwhile, Fulham have their own injury worries to ponder over, with Bobby Zamora and Andrew Johnson still fighting for full fitness and top form after long spells on the sidelines with injury problems.
With Fulham managing only a draw against Wolves at the weekend, they will be all too aware that they need to secure at least a draw against their opponents tomorrow night if they wish to reach that magical 40 point mark that is usually enough to fight off relegation from the Premier League.
However, with Owen Coyle urging his side to push for a finish as high up the league as possible in order to compensate for their disappointing exit from the FA Cup at the semi-final stage against Stoke, they will be desperate to put on a good show away from home.
This one could, therefore, very easily turn out to be a Premier League corker of quite some magnitude, so stay up to date with the action using laptops or TV.
Bolton will be keeping their fingers crossed that on-loan Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge can recover from an ankle knock that forced him to leave the action during his side's 2-1 victory over Arsenal at home at the weekend, with the attacker on a run of scintillating form for the Trotters.
Meanwhile, Fulham have their own injury worries to ponder over, with Bobby Zamora and Andrew Johnson still fighting for full fitness and top form after long spells on the sidelines with injury problems.
With Fulham managing only a draw against Wolves at the weekend, they will be all too aware that they need to secure at least a draw against their opponents tomorrow night if they wish to reach that magical 40 point mark that is usually enough to fight off relegation from the Premier League.
However, with Owen Coyle urging his side to push for a finish as high up the league as possible in order to compensate for their disappointing exit from the FA Cup at the semi-final stage against Stoke, they will be desperate to put on a good show away from home.
This one could, therefore, very easily turn out to be a Premier League corker of quite some magnitude, so stay up to date with the action using laptops or TV.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Soccer World: City score one for the fans
The perception of Manchester City by rival fans has transformed just as much as their playing squad in recent years.
Their rich owner's rather crude approach to team building has irked many supporters, though jealously certainly comes into it as well as perhaps the British way of being ruffled and offended by brash displays of wealth.
So the result is City are one of the more unpopular sides in the division, perhaps a natural successor to Chelsea, the first club to benefit from the generosity of foreign wealth.
But I'm sure if you asked the 'City haters' whether they would welcome a super-rich owner to their club they would say yes instantly. And days like Saturday are exactly why.
Manchester City supporters have been put through the mill in the past 35 years by both their own team and the rivals Manchester United. The Red Devils have won a flurry of leagues and cups while simultaneously goading City by counting every that goes by without a major trophy at Eastlands. The FA Cup final odds now suggest they are set to bring that run to an end.
So to finally get one over United –albeit in a semi-final – is a sight and feeling a football fan cannot buy.
Yes there are question marks over the morality of such lavish spending and City fans would accept that. But they would also ask the question – what isn't decided by money in football these days?
And if they can finally lift a trophy to banish that painful banner at the Stretford End for good and finally emerge from United's shadow, that – to steal a marketing slogan – would be priceless.
Their rich owner's rather crude approach to team building has irked many supporters, though jealously certainly comes into it as well as perhaps the British way of being ruffled and offended by brash displays of wealth.
So the result is City are one of the more unpopular sides in the division, perhaps a natural successor to Chelsea, the first club to benefit from the generosity of foreign wealth.
But I'm sure if you asked the 'City haters' whether they would welcome a super-rich owner to their club they would say yes instantly. And days like Saturday are exactly why.
Manchester City supporters have been put through the mill in the past 35 years by both their own team and the rivals Manchester United. The Red Devils have won a flurry of leagues and cups while simultaneously goading City by counting every that goes by without a major trophy at Eastlands. The FA Cup final odds now suggest they are set to bring that run to an end.
So to finally get one over United –albeit in a semi-final – is a sight and feeling a football fan cannot buy.
Yes there are question marks over the morality of such lavish spending and City fans would accept that. But they would also ask the question – what isn't decided by money in football these days?
And if they can finally lift a trophy to banish that painful banner at the Stretford End for good and finally emerge from United's shadow, that – to steal a marketing slogan – would be priceless.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Soccer World: Wolves hit by more injury blows
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy admits his side's ambition to avoid Premier League relegation is being hampered by a consistent run of injuries to first-team players.
The veteran boss has seen his side concede seven goals in their last two games and drop to second-bottom of the Premier League as a result, one point from safety with six games remaining. The football odds suggest they could be in real trouble.
Wolves had collected eight points from four games before the Newcastle clash and have shown their quality in beating the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea at Molineux.
But one thing that has hurt McCarthy all season is injuries, and the injury room at Molineux shows no sign of emptying over the coming weeks as more and more stars are being hit.
Top scorer Kevin Doyle has been ruled out for the rest of the campaign with a knee injury sustained on international duty, while his Irish colleague Stephen Hunt needs a hernia operation and will be out for several weeks.
Wolves do not have a massive squad and are looking threadbare, especially up front, and they have suffered another blow as striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake has been hit with a hamstring problem that forced him off against Everton. The Premier League promotions show the side are set to struggle for goal.
"Injuries have made life difficult for us and are certainly not helping," said McCarthy.
"You lose your strikers and, when you are looking to get goals back like on Saturday, it's difficult without them on the pitch."
Steven Fletcher, another Wolves striker, also picked up a calf strain against Everton, but McCarthy is hoping he will not miss any games in Wolves' battle against Premier League relegation over the coming weeks.
The veteran boss has seen his side concede seven goals in their last two games and drop to second-bottom of the Premier League as a result, one point from safety with six games remaining. The football odds suggest they could be in real trouble.
Wolves had collected eight points from four games before the Newcastle clash and have shown their quality in beating the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea at Molineux.
But one thing that has hurt McCarthy all season is injuries, and the injury room at Molineux shows no sign of emptying over the coming weeks as more and more stars are being hit.
Top scorer Kevin Doyle has been ruled out for the rest of the campaign with a knee injury sustained on international duty, while his Irish colleague Stephen Hunt needs a hernia operation and will be out for several weeks.
Wolves do not have a massive squad and are looking threadbare, especially up front, and they have suffered another blow as striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake has been hit with a hamstring problem that forced him off against Everton. The Premier League promotions show the side are set to struggle for goal.
"Injuries have made life difficult for us and are certainly not helping," said McCarthy.
"You lose your strikers and, when you are looking to get goals back like on Saturday, it's difficult without them on the pitch."
Steven Fletcher, another Wolves striker, also picked up a calf strain against Everton, but McCarthy is hoping he will not miss any games in Wolves' battle against Premier League relegation over the coming weeks.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Soccer World: With the shackles removed, City show their true colours
Manchester City have spent pretty much the entire season relying upon victories that are only obtained by the smallest of margins and are often only made secure by their defence performing well over the course of a game, so it was a real pleasure to see City play at the weekend in a style that many have been suggesting they are more than capable of doing for some time now, rather than watching them bore their way to the Champions League as they have been doing for so long.
With the Sky Blues derided this season for being a boring and uninspiring side, despite the fact that they possess players like David Silva and Carlos Tevez, a man who certainly can play the beautiful game, Roberto Mancini has finally started to cast off the shackles as his side edge ever closer to ensuring that next season will be the one during which they join the European elite by finally earning themselves a place in the Champions League. The Manchester City betting now suggests they'll have no problems doing this.
However, although this is clearly all nice to see, especially for City fans, it does leave one wondering why Manchester City haven't been playing this way for the whole season and questioning just how much they could have achieved if they had been deploying a 4-4-2 formation from the start. Despite this, City fans know that they have a great chance to end the season as FA Cup winners and in the Champions League and the football betting tips reflect this.
If they can now keep their defence playing the same way they managed when the shackles were firmly on, and let their attack start to run wild and free in the manner of the weekend, then we may just have a side that can realistically end next season as Champions.
With the Sky Blues derided this season for being a boring and uninspiring side, despite the fact that they possess players like David Silva and Carlos Tevez, a man who certainly can play the beautiful game, Roberto Mancini has finally started to cast off the shackles as his side edge ever closer to ensuring that next season will be the one during which they join the European elite by finally earning themselves a place in the Champions League. The Manchester City betting now suggests they'll have no problems doing this.
However, although this is clearly all nice to see, especially for City fans, it does leave one wondering why Manchester City haven't been playing this way for the whole season and questioning just how much they could have achieved if they had been deploying a 4-4-2 formation from the start. Despite this, City fans know that they have a great chance to end the season as FA Cup winners and in the Champions League and the football betting tips reflect this.
If they can now keep their defence playing the same way they managed when the shackles were firmly on, and let their attack start to run wild and free in the manner of the weekend, then we may just have a side that can realistically end next season as Champions.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Soccer World: Should Wembley be used for the FA Cup semi-finals?
I know there are bills to pay, it is the home of English football and it is a rare chance for some teams to experience Wembley, but should the stadium be used for the FA Cup semi-finals?
There seem to be a multitude of reasons why it shouldn't be used, all ignored in the FA's quest to pay off the mountainous debt accrued in building the thing.
For starters there is the symbolic reason – Wembley should host the Cup final and that is all. Hosting the semis there takes away some of the magic of the final and for some supporters of teams who regularly progress far in the competition it takes the gloss of a trip to the ground. Supporters shouldn't be moaning about another trip to Wembley, but for some teams that will be the case. They'll still place plenty of focus on the FA Cup semi-final betting, but some of the gloss has come off.
The old argument used to be that Wembley gives more fans the chance to watch the game. This is also redundant as the greedy FA only give a small allocation to each club with the rest going to the 'football family' (often sold on by touts) or worse, the frequently empty Club Wembley section.
England now boasts enough stadiums to more than accommodate a semi-final, the Emirates, Old Trafford, and St James' Park to name just three – not excluding Cardiff after their excellent spell hosting major Cup finals. In fact they would probably offer more tickets for real supporters rather than roast beef munching, wine quaffing corporates.
You also have the practical concern, which we have this year, of fans travelling down to the game. Four northern teams will be expected to make their way to London over the weekend, not an easy task I can assure you! Throw in Liverpool's Sunday game with Arsenal as well as the London Marathon and you have a situation where the city's transport and Policing network are stretched to the limit - needlessly.
Some supporters may say that they would prefer an extra chance to play at Wembley and while I can understand that to a point, there can be no doubt some of the shine off the Final is taken off by playing at the same ground just a month previously.
All of these factors point to hosting the semi-finals a neutral venue. But, sadly, like everything in modern day football money rules all and the FA's desperation to raise as much cash as possible means Wembley it is, despite the difficulties it poses for the fans who once again are a secondary consideration to cash.
There seem to be a multitude of reasons why it shouldn't be used, all ignored in the FA's quest to pay off the mountainous debt accrued in building the thing.
For starters there is the symbolic reason – Wembley should host the Cup final and that is all. Hosting the semis there takes away some of the magic of the final and for some supporters of teams who regularly progress far in the competition it takes the gloss of a trip to the ground. Supporters shouldn't be moaning about another trip to Wembley, but for some teams that will be the case. They'll still place plenty of focus on the FA Cup semi-final betting, but some of the gloss has come off.
The old argument used to be that Wembley gives more fans the chance to watch the game. This is also redundant as the greedy FA only give a small allocation to each club with the rest going to the 'football family' (often sold on by touts) or worse, the frequently empty Club Wembley section.
England now boasts enough stadiums to more than accommodate a semi-final, the Emirates, Old Trafford, and St James' Park to name just three – not excluding Cardiff after their excellent spell hosting major Cup finals. In fact they would probably offer more tickets for real supporters rather than roast beef munching, wine quaffing corporates.
You also have the practical concern, which we have this year, of fans travelling down to the game. Four northern teams will be expected to make their way to London over the weekend, not an easy task I can assure you! Throw in Liverpool's Sunday game with Arsenal as well as the London Marathon and you have a situation where the city's transport and Policing network are stretched to the limit - needlessly.
Some supporters may say that they would prefer an extra chance to play at Wembley and while I can understand that to a point, there can be no doubt some of the shine off the Final is taken off by playing at the same ground just a month previously.
All of these factors point to hosting the semi-finals a neutral venue. But, sadly, like everything in modern day football money rules all and the FA's desperation to raise as much cash as possible means Wembley it is, despite the difficulties it poses for the fans who once again are a secondary consideration to cash.
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