THE FINAL THIRD

The Special One is at it again

Well he is at it again and this time he is definitely not holding any punches. Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho says the Champions League is bigger than the World Cup. I know it sounds a bit crazy but he does have a decent point.

Inter plays Bayern Munich in the final in Madrid on Saturday.
“This game is the most important in the world,” Mourinho said on Tuesday. “It is even bigger than the World Cup because the teams in it are at a higher level than national teams, who can’t buy the best players.

“If you hold it to be important, you have to transmit that to the players.”

Mourinho has led Inter to their first European Cup final since 1972, when they lost to Ajax. It is even longer since Inter last held the cup, in 1965.

After being eliminated in the first knockout round in the last two seasons, Inter ousted eventual English champion Chelsea, CSKA Moscow and defending European champion Barcelona to reach this year’s finale.

Following the second leg at Camp Nou, where Barcelona won 1-0, Inter was accused of playing overly negative football that lacked the flair of 2009 champion Barcelona. Mourinho vigorously defended his side.

“I think that this season I haven’t seen a match like the one between Inter and Barcelona at the San Siro,” Mourinho said. “I haven’t seen a team play the way we did.

“We attacked aggressively against the champion of Europe. We scored three goals against the champion of Europe.

“We won the tie in Barcelona, but everyone talks about Barcelona winning and says we parked the bus in front of the goal. We didn’t park the bus, we parked the airplane and we did it for two reasons. One, because we only had 10 men and two, because we beat them 3-1 at San Siro, not by parking the bus, or the boat or the airplane, but by smashing them at the San Siro.

“I haven’t seen anyone play the way we did against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea isn’t a small team, it is the champion of England and no one plays like that at Stamford Bridge. Only we have played two games of the level we did against Chelsea and against Barcelona.”

Inter and Munich will be missing important players. Inter is without midfielder Thiago Motta and Munich will line up without winger Franck Ribery, both of whom were sent off in the semifinals. “Motta’s absence is more important than that of Ribery for Munich,” Mourinho said. “He is a player who has played a Champions League final and would bring that experience with him. He gives our midfield balance and doesn’t give the ball away easily. It is a great shame that he isn’t playing and it only happened because a fellow player did not behave in the correct way.”

Both teams have concerns over flight plans to Spain, with the possibility that further volcanic ash from Iceland will cause havoc with flight schedules in the next few days.

Inter was due to fly to Madrid on Friday, but it may yet leave on Wednesday to avoid any possible ash disruption.

“The team has to travel tomorrow, but I would rather work here and travel the day before the match,” Mourinho said.

Drama, drama, drama. This is always the case in the high profile world of football and even more so in the world of the galacticos. There has been a lot of talk about the fate of Manuel Pelligrini in the last few months considering a few high profile losses and the exit from Champions League football. Now they have been unable to claim the La Liga title and that just isn’t going to fly in Madrid. You always knew that he was going to be under pressure with all of the spending they did this summer, but even more than the spending was the unbearable sight of their arch rivals winning everything.

Now Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini is set to be handed a €4 million walkaway payment and replaced by Inter Milan’s Jose Mourinho for next season, press reports in Spain claimed.

“Bye bye Pellegrini, ‘Mou’ is on his way,” said the headline in Spanish daily El Mundo, one of several claiming that the exit of Chilean Pellegrini from the Santiago Bernabeu after just one season in charge is only days away.
“Pellegrini is counting down the hours,” added El Pais.

After a record spending spree in the close-season, notably with the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United and Kaka from AC Milan, Real Madrid are set to finish the season trophyless.

Barcelona beat Real to the Spanish league title last weekend, while Ronaldo and company failed to get past the Champions League’s round of 16, in which arch-rivals and defending champions Barca lasted until the semifinals stage.

According to the reports, Real president Florentino Perez is set to sack the 56-year-old Pellegrini, who has a year left on his contract and plenty of support from the dressing room.

Ironically, Mourinho will get a chance to see Real Madrid’s facilities up close when he leads his Inter Milan side to the Champions League final against Bayern Munich on Saturday.

Despite declaring he is “unhappy” with life in Italy, Mourinho — who has two years left on his Inter contract — has recently played down speculation linking him to the Spanish giants.

“After (the final in) Madrid there will be time to be selfish for one, two or three days and to think about what will make me happiest from a professional point of view,” said the 47-year-old Portuguese coach last weekend.

“Right now I can tell you 100 per cent that it’s not true that I have one-and-a-half feet at Real. Quite the contrary, I’m very far from becoming the Real coach.”

Inter president Massimo Moratti said on Monday that he was unsure of Mourinho’s intentions after the final, and for the Spanish press that is synonymous with his arrival at Real.

According to both AS and El Mundo, talks between Mourinho’s and Real’s representatives have already been held, resulting in a verbal agreement.

Reports also said Pellegrini would be handed a €4 million “walkaway” payment, while Real would have to pay Inter €8 million to end Mourinho’s contract at Inter.

Whatever goes down is going to end up being quite an expensive proposition.

Despite notching a record 96 points, Barcelona must defeat Valladolid at home on Sunday to retain their La Liga title and leave rivals Real Madrid empty-handed as an epic title race reaches its conclusion.

Going into the final day of the season, Real are just a point behind and praying Barca slip-up against troubled Valladolid.
Madrid are at Malaga, another team fighting for survival, knowing they need to win and hoping Valladolid take points from the champions.

“It is the most demanding league (campaign) I can remember,” said Barcelona captain Carles Puyol. “The table speaks for itself. Finishing with 99 points is an incredible amount.”

“There are two teams that have been above the rest in recent years and Barcelona have certainly played the better football in recent years.”

Barcelona have the comfort of knowing their destiny is in their own hands but anything but a win could see them lose the title on the final day of the season.

Real must win to stand any chance of becoming champions as Barcelona would win the title due to their superior head-to-head record if the sides finished level on points.

It is a nervy moment for coach Pep Guardiola, who comes up against Javier Clemente, once his national coach with Spain and now Valladolid manager.

Valladolid are one of four teams on 36 points that could go down and are only in with a shout of survival after one defeat from seven matches under Clemente.

Guardiola must do without suspended playmaker Xavi and full back Maxwell but can call on Lionel Messi who is set to land the Pichichi crown for the league’s top-scorer with his 32 goals, five better than Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain.

Malaga are third from bottom but level on points with Racing Santander and Valladolid above them.

“It is difficult to win the league but anything can happen in football,” said Real superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

“We have to win in Malaga and see what happens in Barcelona.”

Guti (33) is poised to play his final game at Malaga, ending his 15-year association with Real before an expected summer move to Galatasary.

Elsewhere there are Champions League and Europa League duels and slip-ups on the final day could cost teams millions of euros.

Sevilla hold fourth place and the final Champions League qualifying spot but can’t afford to drop points against Almeria on Saturday with Real Mallorca just a point behind.

Mallorca are at home to Espanyol, aiming for a 15th home win, knowing a draw would not do even if Sevilla lost.

Getafe are clinging to sixth and the final Europa League spot with Villarreal level on 55 points.

Getafe will travel to city rivals Atletico Madrid, who defeated Fulham on Wednesday to win the Europa League final for their first trophy since 1996.

Villarreal will hope Atletico, who have nothing to play for, put the effort in against Getafe and fulfill their end of the bargain by winning away at Real Zaragoza.

There is everything to play for at the bottom, with no team relegated as five sides battle to stay in the top flight.

Bottom side Xerez are three points from safety and need to win at Osasuna and hope the four other teams in trouble all lose to pull off the great escape.

Racing Santander, Malaga, Valladolid and Tenerife are all on 36 points.

Malaga and Valladolid have the toughest tasks against Real Madrid and Barcelona, giving Racing and Tenerife more hope of staying up as they play against teams with nothing to play for.

Racing are at home to Sporting Gijon, while promoted Tenerife will travel to Valencia, who have already sealed third place, on Sunday.

Fixtures

Saturday
Bilbao v Deportivo La Coruna (5pm GMT)
Atletico Madrid v Getafe (7pm GMT)
Real Zaragoza v Villarreal (17pm GMT)
Real Mallorca v Espanyol (9pm GMT)
Almeria v Sevilla (9pm GMT)

Sunday – all at 6pm GMT
Racing Santander v Sporting Gijon
Barcelona v Valladolid
Valencia v Tenerife
Osasuna v Xerez, Malaga v Real Madrid

Making even the 30-man provisional roster for the World Cup is a serious accomplishment. For some countries like Brazil, Argentina and Italy you could almost field two very competitive sides. La Marca has come up with a list of the best that did not make the squad for their respective countries. It is filled with top class players that compete at the highest level in the world on a weekly basis. Check it out.

Porteros: Alves (Almería), Palop (Sevilla), Munúa (Málaga), Renan (Xerez), Robinson (Blackburn).

Defensas: Marcelo (Real Madrid -está incluido en una lista de reservas ante posibles lesiones, pero si no hay novedades no estará en Sudáfrica), Zanetti (Inter de Milán), Wayne Bridge (Manchester City, por sus problemas con Terry), Gaby Milito (Barcelona), Emanuelson (Ajax, Holanda), Tremoulinas (Burdeos, Francia) y Filipe Luis (Deportivo).

Centrocampistas: Cambiasso (Inter de Milán), Gago (Real Madrid), Vieira (Francia), Diego (Juventus), Ronaldinho (Brasil), Reyes (Atlético de Madrid), Guti (Real Madrid), Cassano (Sampdoria), Totti (Roma) Nasri (Arsenal), Hargreaves (Man Utd), Banega (Valencia), Cebolla Rodríguez (Oporto), Joao Moutinho (Sporting Lisboa) y Quaresma (Inter).

Delanteros: Benzema (Real Madrid), Pato (Milán), Van Nistelrooy (Hamburgo), Bobby Zamora (Fulham), Luca Toni (Roma), Amauri (Juventus), Fabrizio Miccoli (Palermo), Adriano (Flamengo), Neymar (Santos).

There was no place for Ronaldinho or Adriano in Brazil coach Dunga’s 23-man squad for the World Cup, which was announced on Tuesday.

I know you all probably saw this coming considering the last couple of season that both of these players have had. Mentally we have seen both of them literally take a vacation from the game.

Both players have fallen out of favour during Dunga’s reign and were not expected to be selected for the June 11-July 11 tournament in South Africa.

The 30-year-old Ronaldinho, part of the 2002 World Cup-winning team, made his last appearance for Brazil in April 2009 while Dunga had expressed concern over Adriano’s fitness.

“We did all we could to get him (Adriano) to full fitness, but in the end we had to make a decision,” said Dunga.

Ronaldinho’s AC Milan team-mate Alexandre Pato was also overlooked, with Wolfsburg striker Grafite taking the fourth forward berth alongside Robinho, Luis Fabiano and Nilmar.

“The players who I have called up enjoy my complete confidence,” said Dunga, who is seeking to emulate Franz Beckenbauer and Mario Zagallo in winning the World Cup both as a player and a coach.

“Unfortunately I was only able to select 23 players.

“I judged them on their commitment, attitude, and the ability of the players to assume responsibility and at the same time inject passion into their performances.”

Brazil, five-time World Cup winners, have been drawn in Group G alongside Ivory Coast, Portugal and North Korea.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter/ITA), Doni (Roma/ITA), Heurelho Gomes (Tottenham/ENG).

Defenders: Luisao (Benfica/POR), Lucio (Inter/ITA), Juan (Roma/ITA), Thiago Silva (AC Milan/ITA), Daniel Alves (Barcelona/ESP), Maicon (Inter/ITA), Michel Bastos (Lyon/FRA), Gilberto (Cruzeiro).

Midfielders: Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos/GRE), Josue (Wolfsburg/GER), Elano (Galatasaray/TUR), Kaka (Real Madrid/ESP), Ramires (Benfica/POR), Felipe Melo (Juventus/ITA), Julio Baptista (Roma/ITA), Kleberson (Flamengo).

Forwards: Luis Fabiano (Sevilla/ESP), Nilmar (Villarreal/ESP), Grafite (Wolfsburg/GER), Robinho (Santos)

After using every possible combination of players in qualifying, Maradona has come up with his 30 man provisional squad. As expected they are extremely suspect in the back and just stacked with fire power in the midfield and up front. It is a sin that his group of players has been handed to a man that has no idea how to put all the pieces together.

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Mariano Andújar (Calcio Catania), Diego Pozo (Colón de Santa Fé)

Defenders: Nicolás Otamendi (Vélez Sarsfield), Martín Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Walter Samuel (Internazionale FC), Gabriel Heinze (Marseille), Nicolás Burdisso (Roma), Juan Insaurralde (CA Newell’s Old Boys), Clemente Rodríguez (Estudiantes de La Plata), Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle), Ariel Garcé (CA Colón de Santa Fé)

Midfielders: Jonás Gutiérrez (Newcastle),Javier Mascherano (Liverpool),Juan Sebastián Veron (Estudiantes de la Plata), Ángel Di María (Benfica), Javier Pastore (Palermo), José Sosa (Bayern Münich), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina), Juan Mercier (Argentinos Juniors), Maximiliano Rodríguez (Liverpool), Jesús Dátolo (Olympiacos CFP), Sebastián Blanco (CA Lanús)

Strikers: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuaín (Real Madrid), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Sergio Agüero (Atlético Madrid), Diego Milito (Internazionale), Martín Palermo (Boca Juniors), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli)

Tonight could be the last time that Real Madrid fans see several of their players at the Bernabau. Spanish Sports paper “AS” has correctly pointed out today in its edition that tonight many current REAL MADRID players will say good-bye, with another hand full possibly finding that their future is elsewhere next season, a number that tallys up to eight players. Here is a list of possible departures:

Guti: Has said publicly that he wishes to leave. Dubai looked like the best option, but latest news places him in Turkey with Club Galatasaray.

Lass Diarra: upset with the Club & Coach. Plus it is doubtful if his injuries are true. Directives are not happy with his attitude. High possibility Real Madrid will sell.

Raúl: The Club has left Raul to decide his future. Still has a year of contract. Speculation has placed him in English Football or US Soccer.

M .Diarra: If the Club receives a good offer, they will sell.

Higuaín: Future in the air. Still has not renewed contract with the Club & has plenty of offers, Chelsea FC the most sounded.

Drenthe: Club desires to find him another place.

Gago: Manchester City is very keen. Madrid will sell if offer is correct.

Metzelder: Has already signed with German Club Shalke 04

Obviously the big ones on this list are Guti and Raul, both of which are legends at Real Madrid. Things must carry on, clubs must move forward, and players get older. I just can’t imagine seeing Guti or Raul in any other jersey than the white of Madrid.

Talk about a thriller. After cruising to the league title last season, Barcelona must hold their nerve in the final two games of the season as they bid to fend off a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired Real Madrid team desperate for some silverware.

Barcelona have accumulated a record 93 points that still may not be enough. This weekend they head to Sevilla in what will be a challenging match. If they slip up it could cost them the title.

Real have refused to throw in the towel, with Ronaldo scoring his first Madrid hat-trick to help his side down Real Mallorca 4-1 on Wednesday. Next up is a home match against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

If Real fail to win, Barcelona can take the title with victory over Sevilla as Pep Guardiola’s side have a superior head-to-head record if the two finish level on points.

“Let’s hope Sevilla can take points off them (Barcelona), but our fate is not in our own hands,” said Real coach Manuel Pellegrini. “Our obligation is to get to 98 points and we’ll see if Barca can get to 99.”

Sevilla, who have already beaten Real at home in the league, will be no pushover and have everything to play for as they bid to hold onto fourth place and the final Champions League qualifying spot. Mallorca are breathing down Sevilla’s necks a point behind going into Saturday’s match at Deportivo La Coruna.

Brazilian defender Dani Alves, who celebrated his 27th birthday on Thursday, believes Barca must win both games, starting with the one at old club Sevilla where he made his name winning back-to-back Uefa Cups in 2006 and 2007.

“We have to take the remaining six points,” said Alves.

“It’s a tough season and in any other season we’d already be champions.

“It’ll be a complicated match against Sevilla, but with the players we have we should be calm and relaxed. It’ll be a key match.”

Sevilla, who beat Barca in the last 16 of this season’s Kings Cup, have doubts over Brazilian forward Luis Fabiano, who has been out with a twisted ankle, while Barca are sweating on the fitness of centre-back Gerard Pique.

Real have won 17 out of their last 18 games — with the 2-0 loss to Barcelona in ‘El Clasico’ the one black spot — to stay in the title race with the goals of Gonzalo Higuain and Ronaldo keeping them in the title race.

Ronaldo (25 goals) and Higuain (26 goals) have 51 goals between them, accounting for more than half of the team’s 96 total, and Ronaldo has been saving the day of late with a late winner against Osasuna and then a hat-trick against Mallorca.

There have been suggestions that Real rely too heavily on Portuguese star Ronaldo, the most expensive player on the planet, and that he is becoming a one-man team — something that irks goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

“There is no Cristiano dependency and we are a team rather than individuals,” insisted Casillas. “We will fight for the title until the end and can’t be looking at what Barca do.” Bilbao beat Real 1-0 at San Mames earlier in the campaign and are a tricky customer as they fight for a top-six spot to qualify for the Europa League. Bilbao are just a point behind joint sixth-placed teams Villarreal and Getafe, who both have difficult home fixtures.

Villarreal will host Valencia, who are already guaranteed third, while Getafe will entertain a Malaga side fighting for their lives at the bottom.

Basement boys Xerez, six points from safety, are poised to bow out of the league at home to Real Zaragoza on Saturday and there are a clutch of teams fighting not to join them.

Second from bottom Valladolid are three points from safety and have an all or nothing match at home to rivals Racing Santander, who are in the desired 17th spot but only a point above the drop zone.

Promoted Tenerife, third from bottom, will host Almeria, and Malaga, a point above the trapdoor, wll travel to Getafe.