The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Bale has no chance of 90 minutes for Wales, says manager Posted: 03 Sep 2013 08:51 AM PDT Bale, who joined Real Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur for a record €100 million (US$131.88 million) on Sunday, has not played since July and Wales will not be taking any risks with him in Macedonia on Friday or at home to Serbia next Tuesday. "He is not carrying an injury as such, he is not fit in terms of we could consider him for 90 minutes," Coleman said on Sky Sports News. "He's going to train with us this afternoon. He's obviously had a lot going on physically and mentally but he's with us, that's the main thing. "Is he going to start on Friday? I think that's a big question, a big doubt." Wales are fourth in Group A and have admitted they have no chance of qualifying for next year's World Cup in Brazil. Belgium lead the group on 19 points with Croatia on 16, Serbia on seven and Wales on six. Coleman is all too aware that Real Madrid would not be pleased if Bale were to pick up an injury on international duty. "They are not our players, we borrow them, and we have to hand them back in at least the same state as what they arrived otherwise the relationship you try to build with clubs comes crashing down and that's no good," he said. "If there's any chance he's in the red zone in terms of he could get injured, then he is not going to participate." – Reuters, September 3, 2013. |
| Barca reject criticism after failed bid for centre back Posted: 03 Sep 2013 06:01 AM PDT Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta has rejected criticism of the club's transfer policy after a failed attempt to land a centre back before the window closed yesterday. The Spanish champions were chasing Thiago Silva but the Brazil captain opted to stay with Paris St Germain in France's Ligue 1 and Barca's only major signing was Silva's international team mate and forward Neymar from Santos. Defensive weakness was cited as one reason for last year's failure in the Champions League and the back four looked far from assured in Sunday's 3-2 La Liga win at Valencia. Zubizarreta told a news conference today the club was closely observing the market, raising the prospect they could move for another centre back in the January transfer window. The former Spain and Barca goalkeeper said the imminent return of captain Carles Puyol from injury was as good as a new signing and added the club was in talks with Marc Bartra on extending his contract beyond the end of the current season. "We have the squad we wanted and one that will be able to compete extraordinarily well," Zubizarreta said. "In the history of Barcelona, the signing of a centre back has always been complicated. "We are always focused on making the squad the best it can be and I am delighted to have the chance to do my job." Barca, who are bidding for a fifth title in six years, top the La Liga standings on nine points after winning their opening three La Liga matches and claimed the Spanish Super Cup against Atletico Madrid last week. They have been drawn in Champions League Group H with fellow former winners AC Milan, Ajax Amsterdam and Celtic. – Reuters, September 2, 2013. |
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