Schweinsteiger defends balance in Germany squad Germany's squad selection has come under scrutiny ahead of Friday's FIFA World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan.
Head coach Joachim Loew has been criticised for naming a squad dominated by two clubs, with 12 out of 23 players coming from the Bundesliga's top two sides, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
Since that squad was named, three players have pulled out through injury, while Real Madrid's Sami Khedira is in doubt after suffering an ankle problem in training on Tuesday.
Bastian Schweinsteiger missed last month's friendly against France with a similar issue, but looks set to be fit
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Category: News Views: 779 Added: SkyDate: 21.03.2013 - 00:35
Tantalising friendly appeals to Prandelli Italian coach Cesare Prandelli believes Thursday's friendly in Geneva against Brazil will be a great warm-up for next year's World Cup.
The two nations have conjured up some of the most memorable matches in World Cup history.
Italy and Brazil have won international football's highest honour nine times between them and will be keen to impress as they continue their preparations for the 2014 tournament in Brazil.
"Heading into the World Cup, we need to be ready to face the toughest opponents," Prandelli said.
Category: News Views: 699 Added: SkyDate: 21.03.2013 - 00:05
Essien: Mourinho is a players´ manager Michael Essien has defended coach Jose Mourinho as Real Madrid endure a difficult season with form struggles and rumoured player revolts.
After claiming the La Liga title in 2012, Mourinho's team now sit 13 points behind rivals Barcelona on the table.
There have also been reported fallouts with his players, including goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas.
"I think he (Jose Mourinho) is more close to his players, he's a manager but at the same time he is a teacher and a father," Essien said.
"He talks to everyone as a man and I thi
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Category: News Views: 905 Added: SkyDate: 20.03.2013 - 22:41
Real quartet star at table tennis Four Real Madrid stars have taken advantage of the international break to show off their ping-pong skills.
Luka Modric, Sami Khedira, Michael Essien and Ricardo Carvalho teamed up in a titanic table tennis clash, with the midfield pair just about edging out the former Chelsea duo by 21 points to 19.
While the match may have appeared to be little more than a friendly, the competitive nature of the four stars soon began to shine through, with a stunning forehand smash from Essien the highlight of a closely-fought encounter.
With the scores deadlocked at 19 apiece, it was Essien who ultimately force
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Category: News Views: 878 Added: SkyDate: 20.03.2013 - 22:37
Dutch to trial ´sin-bin´ plan The KNVB is introducing a scheme that will see a yellow card in the amateur game punished by a 10-minute spell on the sidelines.
The plans, which are to be brought in next season by the Dutch football body, will see a player removed from the action if they receive a booking and anyone who has been banned will have to show that they have improved their conduct before being allowed to return.
Anton Binnenmars, director of amateur football at the KNVB, said the manslaughter of linesman Richard Nieuwenhuizen at the hands of three players at a local match late last year was the catalyst for the measures.
Category: News Views: 820 Added: SkyDate: 20.03.2013 - 22:34
Allen out for season Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.
The Wales international suffered a recurrence of his troublesome shoulder injury in October, while the club have confirmed he will now undergo surgery on Thursday.
Liverpool's first-team doctor Zaf Iqbal told the club's website: "Joe Allen is due to have a left shoulder operation tomorrow morning in Liverpool and will be ready to return to football at the beginning of next season."
The 23-year-old was brought off by Brendan Rodgers at half time in the 3-1 defeat to Southampton on Saturday and subseq
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Category: News Views: 781 Added: SkyDate: 20.03.2013 - 22:32
Constant happy with second behind Juve AC Milan defender Kevin Constant has said that his side are aiming for a second placed finish in Serie A this season.
Milan are two points behind Napoli, who trail table-toppers Juventus by nine, and while the Guinean feels overhauling the champions will be tough, they could finish as runners-up.
"It will be difficult to catch Juventus unless there are missteps on their part," Constant told RMC.
"They are likely to finish champions but we have some important matches coming to up and we want to finish second. We have two matches coming against Fiorentina and against Napoli at San Siro.
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Category: News Views: 871 Added: SkyDate: 20.03.2013 - 22:28
