Magnificent goals by Olivera and G.Rossi

Madrid Officially Deny Villa Interest


Real Madrid have taken the unusual step of issuing a statement denying that they have any interest in signing David Villa from Valencia following recent media speculation.


The Spanish giants posted a message on their official website after days of rumours saw them linked to a move for the Spanish international striker.

With rumours of a package worth €100m circulating and the Madrid players being asked for their reaction after training, the club has moved to quash the story.

"Due to certain information printed in the press, Real Madrid CF wishes to clarify that it never considered the possibility of signing David Villa, despite his extraordinary talents. The Club has never contacted the player or his entourage," the statement read.

"Real Madrid CF has a policy of maintaining good relations with other clubs and it would like to stress that it will never do anything that could hinder those relations."  

With Madrid continuously linked to a string of players, the club appears to have adopted this new approach under president Ramón Calderón.

Ovder the summer a paper ran a piece suggesting that Madrid were looking at making an offer for Andrés Iniesta, which moved Los Merengues' president to state that they were not.

It appears that Calderón is keen to maintain strong relations with all the major clubs in Spain and is tired of the press fabricating stories.

I'm following the Barca game on playbyplay online.

They're still down 3-1 in the 71st. And they've got the following guys on the pitch: Henry, dos Santos, Krkic, Gudjohnsen, Iniesta and Messi. So much for the lethal dream team?

Did Pires play for Villareal?

He was the main reason behind Villareal's win today

Still rate the guy.

Nice! Both Barca and Real lost!! What a day! Only ruined by Inter's win.

Did G. Rossi play for Villareal?

sad story for the kid... hope he can follow in his father's footsteps and see him on the field in the future

^^^

So you were saying Galliani has no class??

Nope don't answer that...it's meant to be rhetorical.

Milan made the gesture, not Galliani. Milan > Galliani

Bah, I'm making a mistake by replaying to this, but just out of curiosity:

So your logic is, when Milan does wrong it's Galliani, but when Milan does good it's not Galliani, right?

Milan is a symbol. A philosophy if you will. Deep inside, I like everyone that works for\ toward that philosophy. Galliani is a spokesperson. He says things and we either agree or disagree with them. But at the end of the day, Milan remains intact. It's no question that Berlusconi and co. have had obvious misjudgments in the summer transfer markets of the past couple of seasons and surely the effects are all here to see. I believe it's that fans right to voice their anger toward the directors of the club and every individual\ group shows that differently. The way a person conducts himself under pressure, or in this case, in a time of crisis, is merely representative of their personality and character, not necessarily the problem at hand.

I like both Galliani and Berlusconi. And if I have ever not shown that through my posts, then it's been only a matter of frustration at the current situation. I'm sure this board seems like a great place to vent those frustrations for a lot of people here and I think that's OK. That's why I don't have any personal grudges with anyone here. Well, except maybe for dst... That kid is a raging homosexual...

That kid is a raging homosexual...

Milan is a symbol. A philosophy if you will. Deep inside, I like everyone that works for\ toward that philosophy. Galliani is a spokesperson. He says things and we either agree or disagree with them. But at the end of the day, Milan remains intact. It's no question that Berlusconi and co. have had obvious misjudgments in the summer transfer markets of the past couple of seasons and surely the effects are all here to see. I believe it's that fans right to voice their anger toward the directors of the club and every individual\ group shows that differently. The way a person conducts himself under pressure, or in this case, in a time of crisis, is merely representative of their personality and character, not necessarily the problem at hand.

I like both Galliani and Berlusconi. And if I have ever not shown that through my posts, then it's been only a matter of frustration at the current situation. I'm sure this board seems like a great place to vent those frustrations for a lot of people here and I think that's OK. That's why I don't have any personal grudges with anyone here. Well, except maybe for dst... That kid is a raging homosexual...

Milan is a symbol. A philosophy if you will. Deep inside, I like everyone that works for\ toward that philosophy. Galliani is a spokesperson. He says things and we either agree or disagree with them. But at the end of the day, Milan remains intact. It's no question that Berlusconi and co. have had obvious misjudgments in the summer transfer markets of the past couple of seasons and surely the effects are all here to see. I believe it's that fans right to voice their anger toward the directors of the club and every individual\ group shows that differently. The way a person conducts himself under pressure, or in this case, in a time of crisis, is merely representative of their personality and character, not necessarily the problem at hand.

I like both Galliani and Berlusconi. And if I have ever not shown that through my posts, then it's been only a matter of frustration at the current situation. I'm sure this board seems like a great place to vent those frustrations for a lot of people here and I think that's OK. That's why I don't have any personal grudges with anyone here. Well, except maybe for dst... That kid is a raging homosexual...

Milan is a symbol. A philosophy if you will. Deep inside, I like everyone that works for\ toward that philosophy. Galliani is a spokesperson. He says things and we either agree or disagree with them. But at the end of the day, Milan remains intact. It's no question that Berlusconi and co. have had obvious misjudgments in the summer transfer markets of the past couple of seasons and surely the effects are all here to see. I believe it's that fans right to voice their anger toward the directors of the club and every individual\ group shows that differently. The way a person conducts himself under pressure, or in this case, in a time of crisis, is merely representative of their personality and character, not necessarily the problem at hand.

I like both Galliani and Berlusconi. And if I have ever not shown that through my posts, then it's been only a matter of frustration at the current situation. I'm sure this board seems like a great place to vent those frustrations for a lot of people here and I think that's OK. That's why I don't have any personal grudges with anyone here. Well, except maybe for dst... That kid is a raging homosexual...

you made some good points but in  the end milan is a business, berlusconi is a businessman so making money is his trade (obviously success is very important for him too, in terms of trophies). just as the population is a country the fans are milan, milan is dead without it's fans. the fans obviously dont have a final say on what goes on but if they seriously dont like the way things are being run it is to the detriment of the club. if milan wants to continue to make money they must listen to the requests of the fans, after all milan survives on the money spent by fans. just look at whats happening @ the san siro being partially empty

As I said, there has been misjudgments on the directors part, but we have a lot to look forward too. We have Ronaldo coming back from injury and Pato ready to make his debut in January. And if this year continues to be a disappointment, I'm sure next year will be a different story as new faces will definitely be introduced. The fans are already making their point by not showing up to games and voicing their frustration and rest assured that the management get that and this situation won't go on for long.

Ramos quits to pave way for Spurs 

Juande Ramos has resigned as Sevilla coach and seems set to become Tottenham manager following Martin Jol's sacking.

Spanish football journalist Graham Hunter told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Spurs are on the verge of getting their man."

According to reports in Spain, Ramos has agreed a four-year deal and is expected to join Spurs on Monday.

Without mentioning Tottenham by name, the 53-year-old Ramos told his personal website: "For my family and career it is impossible not to leave for London."

The Evening Standard newspaper reported Ramos would be paid £25m over the length of his contract.

"This has been the hardest decision of my life," added Ramos. "My time at Sevilla has been the most important period of my life personally and professionally. I will be eternally grateful."

Ramos, who has managed 10 clubs in 14 years, led Sevilla to the Uefa Cup title in each of the last two seasons and into the Champions League for the first time.

Sevilla's physical trainer Marcos Alvarez has also tendered his resignation.

Ramos' contract with Sevilla had been due to expire at the end of this season.

"The now ex-Sevilla coach declined the possibility of giving a press conference at the club's training facilities," said a Sevilla statement.

"He has chosen his website www.juanderamos.com as a means of saying goodbye to Sevilla."

It is thought that Ramos wants to install Leeds assistant boss Gus Poyet as his assistant boss at Tottenham but the Uruguayan insists he has not been approached.

The former Uruguay international, who played for Tottenham between 2001 and 2004 told BBC Sport earlier on Friday: "Everybody is calling me and sending me texts about it but I don't know anything. I haven't spoken to anyone.

"I don't know if something has gone on between the clubs. I don't have a clue."

Leeds said they had not received an approach from Spurs for Poyet - and would not welcome one.

However, the club later revealed Poyet has been asked to stay away from Elland Road for the League One game against Millwall on Saturday.

BBC Sport understands the Spurs board made the decision to sack Jol before the 2-1 defeat to Getafe on Thursday but decided not to inform the Dutchman until after the game.

However, rumours about Jol's imminent departure spread around the ground during the match.

Jol said goodbye to Tottenham's players at the club's training ground on Friday and assistant Chris Hughton and the club's goalkeeping coach Hans Segers have also been dismissed.

BBC

I personally think Spurs have made a big mistake, Jol wasn't the problem, the players were. At least they've got a top manager to replace him.

I agree. They bought in too many too quick. It was bound to happen.

Ruiz: We Want A Prestigious, Long-Term Manager

Valencia president Miguel Angel Ruiz has reassured the Che fanbase that Quique Sanchez Flores' replacement will be a long-term appointment and not a stop-gap...



The club president told Marca, "We're calm and won't be rushing this.

"We're looking for a high-profile coach with prestige, who is not an emergency solution or a passenger, but someone who is durable and with longevity.

"We want a coach with important prestige and many titles to his name."

Quique Sanchez Flores was sacked in the early hours of Monday morning after two defeats in less than a week, Los Che losing out away to Rosenborg and Sevilla.

The president admitted that time was a factor as the club is linked with the likes of Lippi, Mourinho and others, but not to an extent that he would be hasty.

"We don't want to task risks as this is a week of three matches, but the important thing is not to rush," he said.

Ruiz went on to confirm that back-room clashes were a key factor in the decision to sack Quique.

"It's true that the team's looking good, although it could be better," he began.

"We're still fighting for all the titles, and it's still early days, so it might appear that the condition were not right to make this decision.

"But in fact there is an open wound and a climate of anger that means that various levels of the institution are not communicating.

"That, coupled with recent results and the image that the team has given of itself, led to our decision.

"The time factor has also been important in making the decision. There's plenty more to go and a coach who comes in will have all that time to work with, although the response of the players is also key.

"The 4am announcement? It was best to address the situation as soon as possible."

Valencia welcome Real Madrid on Wednesday.