There Is Only One Sinnacle

Bayern Legend: We’ve Missed Ribery Big Time

Bayern Munich legend Paul Breitner is refusing to look too deep into results following their rollercoaster start to the season.

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Having Ribery return to full fitness will help erase the 5-2 trashing Bayern received. The article mentions and its something I agree with that Ribery is as important to Bayern Munuch as Ronaldo is to Manchester United.

AC Milan’s Maldini: Derby can be Shevchenko’s night

“It is an important game, but it comes early into the season and so there will be time for everyone to recover lost ground,” said the defender.

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Must admit I have this weird feeling that Shevchenko will stick it to his former coach this weekend.

Cassano Is Ours Already – Ranieri

Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri has sensationally revealed his penchant for Antonio Cassano joking that the Samp player already belongs to Juventus, and he has spoken of all things calcio including Sebastian Giovinco and Jose Mourinho’s on and off relationship with the Italian media.

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Juventus president Cobolli Gigli: We don’t need Sampdoria’s Cassano

Ahead of their clash with Sampdoria, Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli has ruled out moving for Antonio Cassano.

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More inclined to believe the coach then a president, football presidents have little trouble lying. Cassano would of sparked that Juventus offense back to live had Juventus made a move this summer.

Joe Kinnear claims he is keeping the Newcastle manager’s seat warm for the dream team of Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer, once a Nigerian consortium takes over at St James’ Park. (Various)

That is all it will be, a dream and nothing more. Sometimes I believe papers overlook recent history. When Ashley took over the club last year he wanted to bring Shearer into the fold with Kevin Keegan. Shearer wisely said no. Don’t think that is about to change anytime soon.

Paul Ince says offering the job to Terry Venables on a short-term contract was an “insult” to the former England manager. (Various)

Ince is right but it isn’t like Venables currently has a list of teams to chose from for his next job.

Several Newcastle players had to be told who Kinnear is on hearing of his appointment. (Sun)

Must admit that name came from out of the blue.

West Ham are tracking Blackburn’s out-of-favour Georgian defender Zurab Khizanishvili. (Daily Mirror)

They can have him. Even I can race by him on the wing to put a cross in.

Portsmouth will attempt to sign Jermaine Pennant from Liverpool for £3.5m when the transfer window re-opens. (Daily Express)

Don’t understand why Pennant doesn’t force a move. He’ll never been seen as a starter in Rafa Benitez’s eyes.

Manchester City skipper Richard Dunne believes “everyone will want to play for City in three or four years” following the club’s Abu Dhabi cash injection – and new Blues star Robinho has hired his own father to be his agent. (Times)

This coming from the guy who didn’t want to play for City three or four months ago.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez believes it is Steven Gerrard’s “destiny” to complete his century of goals for the Anfield club in the Merseyside derby. (Times)

One could say that Gerrard should of scored his 100th goal against Stoke last week. Stoke caught themselves a break with that earl disallowed goal.

The UEFA Executive Committee has approved the change of name for the UEFA Cup to the UEFA Europa League from 2009/10.

The new name heralds major changes to the competition, which will have a new 48-team group stage with centralised marketing of broadcast rights, a presenting sponsor and an official matchball in addition to centralised sponsorship from the knockout stage and a new logo and visual identity. UEFA President Michel Platini said:

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Generally I’m not big on change but I like the name change to UEFA Europa League and the changes being made. Hopefully it will add some luster to a competition that has lost some of its shine in recent years.

Another weekend of football action is just around the corner and below are the list of games that I’m most looking forward to watching.

Everton vs Liverpool – Great way to kick off the weekend with a Merseyside derby. Liverpool will try to put the Stoke result behind them and Everton will look to get their season on track.

Espanyol vs Barcelona – Speaking on intense derby Espnayol and Barcelona clash Saturday afternoon. Can Barcelona make it three straight wins in La Liga?

Benfica vs Sporting Clube de Portugal – New Benfica coach Quique Sanchez Flores can go along way in enduring himself to the Benfica faithful by getting the three points.

and finally

A.C Milan vs Inter Milan – I think Jose Mourinho lives for games like this. With A.C Milan starting to regain top form will see if Inter can create some distance the Serie A standings.

Giovinco Close To Juventus Renewal – Report

After many weeks of negotiations, it seems that finally the issue of Sebastian Giovinco’s contract renewal with Juventus is slowly coming to a positive end for both sides.

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Juventus are not dumb. Just by taking a quick look at Giovinco one can see he has world class talent. The player should be a fixture for many years to come at Juventus.

UEFA set to confirm Euro expansion

UEFA could announce plans to expand the European Championships by eight teams, from 16 to 24, according to Franz Beckenbauer.

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Not even Steve Mclaren can screw up England qualifying hopes now. I’m fine with the change as their are enough quality European countries outside the top 16 that any drop off in talent level won’t be too noticeable.

De Laurentiis: Hamsik Not For Sale

Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis has once again stated that midfield wonderkid Marek Hamsik is not for sale at any price.

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It will be interesting to see if Napoli can hold on to Hamsik when the big clubs come calling. Not a matter of if as Hamsik has the tools to succeed at the highest level.

Terry Venables turned down the Newcastle job as he said it needs too much dedication to be done on a short-term basis. (Daily Telegraph)

But David O’Leary remains keen. (Guardian)

Oh good news there for Newcastle, David O’Leary is still interested.

Obafemi Martins will be out for another six weeks after injuring his knee in his comeback game. (The Sun)

Martin and Dean Ashton, both talented players who can never seem to stay on the pitch for an extended period of time.

Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola says their Premier League survival cannot be put down just to Tevez’s efforts. (Daily Mirror)

Not that Gianfranco Zola is biased or anything in that opinion. What you can’t disprove is when Alan Pardew and Alan Curbishley kept Tevez on the bench West Ham were at the very bottom of the table. Once Curbishley threw Tevez on the field West Ham managed to survive. Nigel Reo Coker improving his midfield play not exactly the cause of West Ham’s survival.

The agent of Sao Paolo defender Aislan says he expects Liverpool to make an offer for him when the transfer window opens. (Guardian).

Agents would say that wouldn’t they.

Cesc Fabregas says he knows Arsenal’s youngsters are gunning for his place in the team but he is happy with the competition. (Daily Express)

That is because Fabregas knows there is no real competition for his spot. You can pencil Fabregas, Emmanuel Adebayor and William Gallas for every big Arsenal match.

Week Four is upon us. Contest also ran mid week with games in Italy and Spain but forgot to save that information so didn’t have a copy in hand to post. I’m sure all of you are on the edge of your seats waiting for this so here you go.

Sinnacle

EPL -$522
Spain -$86
Germany +$206
Italy +$646

D.G.F

EPL -$501
Spain +$95.50
Germany +$53
Italy +$348.50

EPL

Sinnacle

Chelsea -1 and -1.5 -101 vs Stoke

Everton +0.5 -121 vs Liverpool

Middlesbrough -0.5 -119 vs West Brom

D.G.F

Aston villa/Sunderland under 2.5 +100

West ham pk +128 vs Fulham

Tottenham pk +109 vs Portsmouth

Spain

Sinnacle

Barcelona -0.5 -108 vs Espanyol

Málaga pk -114 vs Valladolid

Real Betis-Real Madrid under under 2.5 and 3 -108

D.G.F

Sporting Gijon/Villarreal under 3 -124

Getafe pk +153 vs Athletic Club Bilbao

Atletico Madrid/Sevilla over 2.5 -116

Germany

Sinnacle

FC Köln vs FC Schalke 04 under 2.5 and 3 -128

Bayern München win -178 vs Hannover 96

Eintracht Frankfurt win +102 vs Arminia Bielefeld

D.G.F

vfb Stuttgart pk +104 vs Borussia Dortmund

Werder Bremen/Hoffenheim under 3/3.5 -105

Karlsruher/Wolfsburg under 2.5/3 -102

Hamburger sv team total under 2 -114

Bochum/Leverkusen over 3 +106

Italy

Sinnacle

Fiorentina -0.5 -125 vs Genoa

Juventus pk and -0.5 +102 vs Sampdoria

AC Milan-Inter Milan under 2.5 -123

D.G.F

Torino pk +100 vs Lazio

Palermo/Reggina over 2.5 -104

Roma/Atalanta over 2.5 -115

Udinese/Siena over 2.5 +102

Bologna team total over 1 -117

The Croatian Football Federation have been fined £14,920 for the racist behaviour of some of their supporters in the World Cup qualifier against England earlier this month.

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What type of message does that fine send? During Euro 2008 players made this glowing pre match speeches saying no to racism and when it does occur nothing more than a slap of the wrist is given? The fine should of been in the 6 figures. It happens again crowds are forbidden from attending qualifying games in stadium and on the third strike points deduction.

We Must Learn Our Lessons – Laporta

Barcelona president Joan Laporta praised his team for not giving up as they averted disaster against Real Betis overnight but also urged his side to learn from their mistakes.

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Three points is three points at the end of the day. Barcelona still can’t be happy giving up a two goal lead at home against Real Betis.

Cruz Credits Ibra For Winner

Inter striker Julio Cruz has given Ibrahimovic most of the credit for the winning goal ‘El Jardinero’ scored against Lecce…

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You can look at these things one of two ways. You can either think that it’s a typical ugly Mourinho/Inter style win. You can also think that despite the club not playing at its best maybe looking ahead towards the A.C Milan on Sunday Mourinho was able to make the changes needed to get the three points. The difference from top of the table to 2nd/3rd is getting points when the team isn’t at it’s best.

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We Controlled The Game, Says Del Piero

Juventus forward Alessandro Del Piero is disappointed with the 1-1 draw with Catania as he felt his team controlled the match…

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Still early but Juventus may regret not being able to put this game away later on this year season.

Venables is set for talks with the Magpies and will let them know on Thursday whether he wants to become their caretaker manager. (Daily Mirror)

The Magpies have also contacted another former England and Tottenham manager, Glenn Hoddle, about the post. (The Times)

Despite the state Newcastle is in both would be foolish to turn down this opportunity if offered. Teams haven’t been exactly lining up to hire each coach. Venables was passed over for the Ireland job within the last year and can’t even remember the last time Hoddle was seriously considered for a major coaching position. Pulling off a minor miracle in getting results for Newcastle would do a lot to repair their reputation.

Sheffield United will spend any windfall they get from the Tevez ruling to bid for Wigan midfielder Michael Brown and Hull star Peter Halmosi. (Daily Mirror)

This is like winning the lottery and buying a tricked out Honda Civic.

Manchester City are ready to bid £48m for Atletico Madrid’s Argentine start Kun Aguero to trigger a release clause in his contract. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea were ready to trigger Aguero release clause this summer and Aguero didn’t even think twice about leaving Atletico Madrid. Consider the way Atletico is playing Aguero is not going to uproot himself midseason to learn a new language and join a new team.

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina says his side need to beat Everton in Saturday’s Merseyside derby to prove they have enough character to win the Premier League title. (Daily Star)

Reina is right Liverpool do need to put the Stoke result behind them and pick up three points this weekend. Great game to be waking up to Saturday morning.