Napoli manager Walter Mazzarri believes his side may have to sacrifice some of their attacking style to make the Europa League’s last 16.
Spurred on by the performances of strikers Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi and attacking midfielder Marek Hamsik, Napoli have risen to second on the Serie A table and within three points of league leaders AC Milan.
But Mazzarri believes different opposition – such as Europa League round of 32 opponent Villarreal – may require a different approach.
Napoli host the La Liga club in the first leg on Thursday before travelling to Spain on February 24.
“The more we go on in the competition the more we have to deal with new kind of pressures for us,” Mazzarri said.
“Obviously this will be a match over two legs so we need to be mature and understand that if, for example, we don’t manage playing our way at certain times in the game we need to be rational and limit the damage.”
“We shouldn’t risk something in order to play our way at any cost, only attacking. We need to do both, in the right way and being able to interpret the game itself.”
“They’re a typical Spanish team, they like ball possession and playing in a way that is somehow similar to my idea of football.”
With defender Paolo Cannavaro to miss through suspension, Edmilson Cribari will get another chance to push his claims in the first team.
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Giuseppe Mascara and Jose Sosa will vie for one spot in the starting XI, but Mazzarri left no doubt as to who would lead the line against the Spanish side.
“Lavezzi should be himself and have no worries at all,” he said.
“Tomorrow he will be playing as usual and must do what he did in Rome. The judgement on Lavezzi is really wrong so I hope justice will be served on Friday, according to the current rules. Cavani is a player who touches three balls and scores twice so – even only from a psychological point of view for the rest of the team – he needs to play. He is our most important scorer.”
Spain and Barcelona midfield ace Xavi is confident that he will soon be joined at the Camp Nou by international colleague Cesc Fabregas.
The 23-year-old is expected to leave Arsenal to head home to Barca at some point this summer and Xavi is hopeful that a deal can be agreed sooner rather than later.
He told reporters at the World Cup finals in South Africa:"He wants to come here and is talking to the club about that.
"I have always said that he has the Barca DNA and he should be confident there will be a solution soon. He should play for Barca and it has to be now.
"If it's not now, it will be a little later, but I hope Cesc can come to Barcelona as soon as possible.
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"He is hopeful and he wants to come to Barca, but he is calm and focused on the World Cup, hoping there will be a solution."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
David Gill believes that the Glazer family fully understand the importance of success on the pitch, following the club’s floatation in the US yesterday. 6.6 million shares that equates to 10% of the club, were floated on the New York Stock Exchange, with the American owners reportedly set to pocket around £75million. The Manchester United Chief Executive believes that the Glazers as owners are entitled to do what they wish, as long as the level of success on the pitch is maintained: “They own the club. They are entitled to sell to investors who want to be a part of Manchester United going forward; however what I would say is that the level of debt in the club since they have taken over hasn’t had an impact on what we have done in the team. We have won four Premier Leagues in that period, we have been to the Champions League final three times, and we have had ongoing success on the pitch.”
Elsewhere in the news Joe Allen feels ‘incredible’ after his Liverpool move; West Brom win the race for Lukaku, while Manchester City give up on Robin van Persie.
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Headlines
Roy Hodgson has said that only a lengthy FA ban for John Terry would rule him out of international football – [Guardian]
Manchester United’s first day on the New York Stock Exchange got off to a flat start as shares eked out a tiny gain in early trading before falling back to the slashed launch price – [Guardian]
Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo calls for improved performances in Premier League – [Daily Telegraph]
Joe Allen has revealed he feels ‘incredible’ about joining a football club with the history, traditions and size of Liverpool – [Sky Sports]
Villas-Boas has told Modric to get his head around the fact that he will not be sold unless a club meets Spurs’ asking price – [Independent]
Roberto Mancini has given up on signing Robin van Persie after expressing his frustration with Man City’s transfer policy – [Sky Sports]
Michael Carrick earns England recall after Hodgson’s ‘retirement’ confusion – [Independent]
Roberto Di Matteo has challenged his Chelsea players to make history as they start the season with the chance to win seven trophies – [Daily Mail]
Matt Jarvis hands in a transfer request to force through West Ham move – [Mirror]
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Liverpool is lining up Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin, as a potential replacement for Daniel Agger – [Metro]
Tottenham are eyeing a move for Inter keeper Julio Cesar and could pick up the 32-year-old on a free – [Sun]
PLEASE NOTE – click on the sources to view the original articles
You can prepare all you like, but you’ll never know if you’re ready until you’re flung into action. Kenny Dalglish made plenty of decent additions to his squad over the summer, but now that the season has began, there still appears to be a gap in Liverpool ’s squad that needs to be filled.
What struck me, watching Tottenham entertain Liverpool at White Hart Lane, is just how slow the Red’s defence is. Patience amongst fans seems to be running out when it comes to Skrtel who wont have won anymore favour with his performance yesterday. I understand that Skrtel is being asked to play out of position, but it’s not like he’s been all that impressive when he’s played as a centre-half.
At best he’s a solid player and at worst he’s somewhat error-prone.
Then there’s Daniel Agger , a player who I greatly admire, but who tends to spend to long on the sidelines as a result of injury. Let’s face facts: he’s not a player you can rely on to play week-in and week-out. Whilst he can’t help the fact that he’s picked up injuries, his bad luck has cost Liverpool.
Whilst there’s plenty to be said about Jamie Carragher ’s sense of positioning, his lack of pace is somewhat alarming. The Premier League’s more pacey strikers will turn Carragher inside out with the greatest of ease and I’m not too sure how much longer Liverpool can continue to support his presence. He may well be a club legend, but if he’s not got the legs for it anymore, it may well be time to move on, or to let another player take up greater prominence within the squad.
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Whilst Sebastian Coates is a player with a great deal of promise, with all the uncertainty surrounding other members of Liverpool’s defence, you can’t help but feel that it won’t be enough if the Reds want to make it back into the Champions League.
With that in mind, I wish Kenny had bought a centre-back like Gary Cahill , Christopher Samba or even Scott Dann during the summer transfer window. Still, better late than never and Liverpool will have a chance to fix the situation when the transfer window re-opens in January. My personal preference would be for Bolton ’s Gary Cahill .
Not only is he the best out and out defender of the bunch, but he’d also very likely be available at a bargain price, given that he’d be only have six months left on his contract at the Reebok Stadium.
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What’s your take? Would Cahill be a good addition to this Liverpool squad, or do the Reds need to focus on other areas?
Read more of Harry Cloke’s articles at This is Futbol
Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has hit out at Fernando Torres’ record-breaking move to Chelsea on the final day of the January transfer window.
Speaking on Friday in Perth, Fowler was part of a radio promotion to raise money for Queensland flood victims, where Perth Glory players had to wear a ‘Shirt that Hurt’.
Although many expected Fowler to wear a Manchester United or Everton jersey, he chose a number nine Liverpool top, worn backwards and emblazoned with Torres’ name.
The 35-year-old striker took the opportunity to express his displeasure at Torres’ 50-million-pound move to the London club.
“There is nothing wrong with the front of the shirt but it’s just the name on the back,” Fowler told the Perth Glory website.
“With what’s happened this week it’s a shirt that not only myself but many Liverpool fans would rather not wear just yet.”
“He (Torres) did not leave the club in great hands or great shape but thankfully they managed to go out and buy a couple of decent players.”
The stunt was Fowler’s second crack at Torres after the striker used his column in the West Australian newspaper to fire the first shot.
“There’s something not quite right about the Spaniard’s last-minute transfer to Chelsea,” Fowler wrote.
“As a Liverpool fan it was disappointing to see Torres leave because on his day he’s a world-class player and I want the best players at the club. But if I was a manager and a player said he didn’t want to be at the club I’d try to get the best deal I could.”
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“Only a couple of weeks ago Torres was talking about how much he loved the fans and the club. He won’t be getting a warm welcome next time he plays at Anfield.”
Travelling Liverpool fans will soon get an opportunity to voice their displeasure as the Reds play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
And, while the Blues feature Torres up front, Chelsea’s defence will have to be wary of the strike force Liverpool bought to replace the Spanish World Cup winner in Andy Carroll, a 35-million-pound capture from Newcastle, and former Ajax striker Luis Suarez, who scored for Liverpool in midweek.
“Unbelievable quality and talent” were the wisely selected words that Mikel Arteta used to describe compatriot and potential new teammate Santi Cazorla. Reports have been surfacing this week that Arsene Wenger is close to completing a deal for the Spanish International that would take the total of new Gunners acquisitions to a promising trio of talent. However, with a reported £20 million being requested by Cazorla’s current club Malaga, what makes the 27-year old so expensive and can he really assist in filling the void that may be left by Robin Van Persie’s imminent departure?
A popular face in his native country, Cazorla has already made 45 appearances for his national team; a feat that deserves unrelinquishing praise, especially given that the Spanish can arguably claim to have the most talented array of midfielders to have ever represented a national squad.
Having spent most of his career with Villarreal, the Llanera born playmaker was sold to Malaga last summer for around £16.5 million, after the ‘Yellow Submarines’ experienced major financial troubles. Cazorla impressed in his debut season with ‘Los Boquerones’, assisting the club to their first ever Champions League qualification and finishing second in the club’s goal scoring charts, with 9 from midfield.
The impressive superlatives used by Mikel Arteta to describe his compatriot may be valid. He is known as an exciting player, who has the rapidity and aptitude to alter the rhythm of a game. These attributes may allow him to slot in perfectly with Arsenal’s exciting brand of football.
If he were to make the move to the Emirates, Cazorla would be able to fill any position across the middle of the park. He is ambidextrous to the point of perfection with both feet, allowing him to flow with ease down either flank. His intelligence and speed could also allow him to play off a lone striker. However, when or daresay if Robin Van Persie departs the Emirates, it is likely that Cazorla would play on the wing, leaving new blood Lukas Podolski or Olivier Giroud to the impossible task of filling the void that will be left by their want away Dutchman.
A big money signing like Cazorla will be just what the Gunners supporters’ need. With their talisman searching for the exit, a new star needs to be crowned in North London and Cazorla and his eye-catching abilities could prove the remedy. Not only would the Spaniard inject energy and skill into the team, his international caps could prove vital to the younger members of Wenger’s squad. His small stature is more than made up for by his confidence and experience and with an unwavering eye for goal Cazorla could be the signing that many of the Emirates faithful hoped Andrey Arshavin would be.
About to enter the prime of his career, ‘Santi’ could have timed this move to perfection. Spanish flair is of small majority in the Premier League, with David Silva and Fernando Torres the only ‘Rojas’ to dip their talented toes into the English game. Not only could Cazorla become a favourite at Arsenal, he could also become a major player in the best league in the world.
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With the new season now under way, there are a number of new faces and old ones who will be looking to have a big season and impose themselves on the Premier League.
Some players have flattered to deceive in recent years and failed to live up to their talents, so will be looking to finally fulfil their potential and live up to their names over the course of this season. Other players may have gone through a dip in form, after initially making bright starts to their careers, and subsequently fallen off the radar, so will need a big season to re-impose themselves, otherwise they could be on the way out of their respective clubs. Plenty of players are recovering from long term or serious injury’s, and mentally and physically need to get back to a level they have shown in the past, by putting in the hard work over the season and with a bit of luck staying fit, and showing what they can produce. There are many players who have moved for big transfer fees and need to put in a huge season and impress, to show that their price tag was justified, and they are not overrated in this inflated market, these players really need to prove their worth. There are a number of youngsters at a pivotal point in their career, with this season really being make or break for them and whether they can make the leap to superstardom. Many others simply need to step up and impose themselves on this season as their club may have lost big names that have left gaps in their sides.
Whatever the season has ahead for the Premier League players it will a tough one, but for some players tougher than others, as they need to really impress this season. So here are the top 10 players that need a big season.
Click on Tom Huddlestone below to see the top 10
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West Bromwich Albion and Wigan settled for a point apiece in a lively 1-1 draw at the Hawthorns on Tuesday.
Despite Peter Odemwingie’s early opener the hosts trailed by half-time courtesy of free kicks from Wigan’s Charles N’Zogbia and Ben Watson, only for Marc-Antoine Fortune to climb off the bench and grab Albion an honourable draw eleven minutes from time.
The result might keep them in the thick of the relegation mire but both teams will be happy to have claimed something from the game.
Less than five minutes in, Jerome Thomas received the ball in the centre circle and threaded a perfect pass through to Odemwingie whose well-timed run allowed for a simple finish past the onrushing Ali Al Habsi.
Albion looked confident until the visitors struck against the run of play with a 20th minute equaliser.
Yousouff Mulumbu was culpable in fouling N’Zogbia just outside the area and then deflecting the Wigan winger’s resulting free kick past Boaz Myhill.
Myhill suffered contrasting fortunes just before the break as first he blocked N’Zogbia excellent close range effort before allowing Watson’s aimless in-swinging free kick to drift in to his far corner to gift Wigan the lead.
An opening half that had begun with Albion full of bright and inventive attacking play ended with their frailty to both indiscipline and set pieces around the box fully exposed.
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Despite trailing, Albion began the second half as positively as they had the first with Thomas trying his luck without success as Wigan opted for quick counter attacks.
Chris Brunt saw his late snap shot hit the frame of the goal before Fortune met Thomas’ centre at the near post to snatch a draw.
Tottenham’s continued pursuit of a prolific goal scorer was always likely to lead towards Signal Iduna Park and Borussia Dortmund’s Robert Lewandowski. The young Polish striker, who had his breakout year last season with the German Champions, has successfully taken over the responsibilities in attack since Lucas Barrios was relieved of his first-choice duties and subsequently sold. If there was ever a striker for any club, not just Tottenham, to pursue with long term ambitions in mind, it’s Lewandowski.
The striker was much more of an impact player in Dortmund’s 2010/11 title-winning season, coming off the bench for the most part but still contributing to a good degree. It showed the amount of faith manager Jurgen Klopp had in the Polish striker when he opted to give him a starting and starring role in Dortmund’s starting XI last season. The injury to Barrios paved the way, but the excellent work ethic of Lewandowski did more than enough for him to be considered an important figure.
His record last season of 33 goals is no great surprise; the Dortmund team is awash with outstanding attacking talents who are able to provide for their strikers from a number of areas of the pitch. Along with Lewandowski’s predatory instincts, the high return of goals was to be expected.
But is there reason for clubs, specifically in the Premier League, to be concerned over his ability to transfer his good form into another league? The real case in point is that Lewandowski has only produced like this in one season. His natural, comfortable environment now is the Bundesliga, and it’s likely he will have another season of similar numbers playing with Dortmund. However, transferring to the Premier League brings a number of problems for the striker, namely the issue of adapting to English football and, of course, the pressure and expectation to produce.
It’s been reported that a hypothetical number Dortmund would be willing to listen to approaches is 35 million euros. However, that’s Dortmund’s valuation of their striker; he’s an integral piece to their title defence and they are now light in that area considering Lucas Barrios has recently departed. But that’s not to say that Lewandowski’s market value necessarily points to north of 35 million euros. Again, it’s unlikely that he would transfer his 30 goals a season performance into another league immediately, and it remains to be seen whether Tottenham are willing to part with that kind of money for a player.
But as for the player and style he represents, he is certainly in the right mould of what Tottenham should be looking for. His ability to play as a lone striker with heavily attack minded players on either flank does greatly suit him. Lewandowski has performed with this formation for the entirety of his career at Dortmund, and the Polish national team has also lined up in a similar formation to suit his strengths.
The desire of many clubs on the continent to ditch the traditional 4-4-2 formation in favour of five players operating in the midfield—Spurs being included—has opened up the market considerably to players who are capable of playing in similar systems to great effect. His height and strength is a significant plus, as is his technical ability and movement. Again, he had a wonderful season scoring a variety of goals, but it was just one season. The Dortmund team are engineered to create many, many chance in games, some of which come from unlikely sources on the pitch. The need will be to see if he can reproduce in what would technically be his “sophomore” season.
The real elephant in the room with this story is Dortmund’s lack of willingness to part with another one of their key players this summer. The need to sell Nuri Sahin last summer was obvious—the player had one year left on his contract. But the team replaced him and carried on in similar fashion to retain their league title. This summer has been another case of allowing one of their stars to move on. Shinji Kagawa is likely to be replaced in the same manner Sahin was, and other than Barrios’ departure, it’s unlikely we’ll see much more significant movement out the door at Dortmund.
The club have a smart way of running their club without disrupting the balance in the squad too heavily, and at this stage there is really no financial need for the club to part ways with Lewandowski.
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The admiration from Spurs for one of the most lethal finishers in Europe last season is understandable, and he absolutely represents the type of player the club should be looking to pursue: A young, hungry talent with plenty to prove. Players like Emmanuel Adebayor just do not fit that description.
Manchester City this evening showed that they are serious contenders for the 2011/12 Premier League title as they swept away newly promoted Swansea with four second half goals. It will be £38 million signing Sergio Aguero who will steal all the headlines as the Argentinean international scored twice in a 30-minute second half cameo, and his second was a real stunner.
Swansea gave as good as they got in the first 20 minutes, as the Championship Playoff winners kept the ball for large periods without creating any real chances. Man City then started to exert their influence on the match and were unlucky not to go into the break with the lead, as first David Silva and then Gareth Barry hit the crossbar, and Swansea’s new goalkeeper Michel Vorm made a couple of decent saves.
In the second half Man City had more and more of the ball and it was only a matter of time before they broke the deadlock. They did that 10 minutes after the break, as Edin Dzeko netted the first, and after that it was the Sergio Aguero show.
Minutes after coming on he scored a tap-in thanks to a cross from Micah Richards and then turned provider as he set up Silva for City’s third. In between Vorm made a number of great saves, racking up 11 in total, but there was nothing he could do about Aguero’s second.
The little Argentinean most certainly saved the best till last, launching a rasping unstoppable shot from outside the area to make it 4-0. The scoreline didn’t flatter Man City, but was a bit harsh of Swansea considering the Welsh side’s first half efforts. They’ll be looking to bounce back against Wigan next week, while for City it’s onwards and upwards and a top of the table clash against Bolton.
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