The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

Posted: 15 Sep 2011 03:57 AM PDT

MADRID, Sept 15 – Barcelona have uncharacteristically surrendered the lead in their two most recent matches and club captain Xavi wants more intensity from the side at home to Osasuna on Saturday.

The Spanish and European champions gave up a two-goal advantage to draw 2-2 at Real Sociedad in La Liga last weekend, before conceding a stoppage-time equaliser at home to AC Milan in a 2-2 draw in Tuesday's Champions League Group D game.

Spain playmaker Xavi (picture) admitted the team had taken their foot off the gas in the second half at Sociedad, but insisted that Milan's last-gasp goal had been "totally unfair".

"It's pretty clear that we could have done without the first and last thirty seconds of the game," the 31-year-old told Barca's TV channel, after Alexandre Pato had given Milan the lead 24 seconds into the match and Thiago Silva netted a 92nd-minute equaliser.

"But sometimes football is unjust like that, and this time we were on the receiving end," he added. "The team is a bit down, we can't explain it but we have to carry on.

"We're playing good football, but we have to play with more intensity at certain times."

Barca's night was further soured on Tuesday when midfielder Andres Iniesta was forced off shortly before halftime with a hamstring tear that will sideline him for around a month.

The Spain international, who has been plagued with leg muscle injuries in recent years and almost missed last year's World Cup, joins Chilean forward, new signing Alexis Sanchez and central defender Gerard Pique on the injury list.

Barca's great rivals Real Madrid are bidding to end the Catalan club's three-year grip on the Spanish title and top the standings after two matches, a 6-0 demolition of Real Zaragoza and a 4-2 win over city neighbours Getafe.

Jose Mourinho's side play at Levante on Sunday with a question mark hanging over the availability of Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo needed several stitches in his right ankle after Wednesday's 1-0 Champions League win at Dinamo Zagreb and complained after the match he and other top players did not get enough protection from referees.

"It's worrying to see Cristiano Ronaldo receiving stitches in the dressing room," assitant coach Aitor Karanka, standing in for the banned Mourinho, said at a news conference. "All players should be equally protected."

Early surprise package Real Betis, who have won their first two games following promotion from the second division are third on goal difference behind Real and Valencia, play at Athletic Bilbao.

Bilbao's Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa is still without a win in his first campaign in charge at the Basque club following stints at the helm of his native country and South American neighbours Chile. – Reuters

People envy my cash and looks: Ronaldo

Posted: 15 Sep 2011 03:17 AM PDT

MADRID, Sept. 15 – Opposing fans give Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo a hostile reception because he is "rich, handsome and a great player," the Portuguese said after yesterday's 1-0 Champions League win at Dinamo Zagreb.

Ronaldo (picture), the world's most expensive signing, was roundly booed and whistled during the Group D opener in Croatia and was also the target of some robust challenges, one of which drew blood on his right ankle and required several stitches.

The 26-year-old was unhappy with referee Svein Oddvar Moen and said top players were not getting enough protection.

"We are very happy with three points we took, but I'm not so satisfied with the refereeing," he told reporters.

"I hope we never have this referee again. People talk of fair-play, of protecting good players, but I never get any of that. I don't understand a thing.

"I'm sad because I hear referees saying they will protect skilful players, but while some are untouchable it seems I can be mauled."

Ronaldo was asked about the behaviour of the Dinamo fans, who gave him the kind of unfriendly reception he endures week in week out in La Liga and chanted the name of his Barcelona rival and World Player of the Year Lionel Messi.

"I think that because I am rich, handsome and a great player people are envious of me," he said. "I don't have any other explanation."

Argentine winger Angel Di Maria scored for Jose Mourinho's side in the 53rd minute as Real began their quest for a 10th title in Europe's elite club competition. – Reuters

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

Khamis, 15 September 2011

The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

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