Pazzini winner keeps his side in touch with leaders AC Milan

ROME: Inter Milan kept up their title challenge with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Fiorentina on Wednesday.

An own goal from Michele Camporese gave the champions the lead before Manuel Pasquale’s cross trickled over the line to restore parity.

But Giampaolo Pazzini struck the winner from close range to keep Leonardo’s team in the scudetto hunt.

The victory moved them up to third in Serie A, five points behind leaders and city rivals AC Milan, and it was the perfect response after the criticism directed at the team in the Italian press after Sunday’s 1-0 loss at Juventus.

This was Inter’s eighth win in 10 league games under the Brazilian coach, who joined in late December.

Leonardo shouted himself hoarse during the game and consequently sent his assistant, Giuseppe Baresi, to speak to the media afterwards.

“After the defeat in Turin this game was more important than ever,” admitted Baresi.

“It’s never easy to win in Florence but we showed we’re in good form.

“It’s an important win, it was vital to get the three points tonight. The team really wanted it after the Juve defeat.”

Fiorentina coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, the former Inter assistant, said the visitors were simply too clinical.

“Fortunately we don’t play against Inter every Sunday. If we’d played someone else we’d have won,” he said.

“But we didn’t deserve to lose, we created a lot of chances whereas they had two chances and scored two goals.

“But when you play the big teams you only need to make one mistake and you pay dearly.”

Inter went ahead after six minutes when Maicon’s cross was diverted into his own net by Michele Camporese but mid-table Fiorentina levelled on 33 minutes when Manuel Pasqual’s ball into the box crept in at the far post without being touched.

Leonardo handed a first start to Japanese left back Yuto Nagatomo and had Dejan Stankovic fit again after injury but Inter still laboured until Pazzini turned in Samuel Eto’o’s low cross 17 minutes into the second half.

The Inter game was rearranged because of their involvement in December’s Club World Cup.

Genoa also beat city rivals and fellow mid-table side Sampdoria 1-0 on Wednesday in a game which had been postponed because of snow in December.

Brazilian Rafinha grabbed the goal 10 minutes into the second half in one of Serie A’s most colourful and heated derbies.

  

Ronaldo to help coordinate World Cup 2014

SAO PAULO: Ronaldo, Brazil’s legendary footballer who retired this week, was on Wednesday appointed to help coordinate Brazil’s hosting of the 2014 World Cup.

Sao Paulo governor Geraldo Alckmin named the ex-player to his state committee coordinating the football tournament in a ceremony in a Sao Paulo stadium.

He also awarded Ronaldo, 34, a medal in honour of his sporting achievements and legacy.

“It’s an honour to help the government of Sao Paulo to put on the best World Cup of all time,” Ronaldo said.

The three-time FIFA World Player of the Year, whose goal scoring genius led Brazil to the 2002 World Cup title, confirmed his retirement on Monday in a tearful media conference.

He said he was forced to halt his career because his body was no longer up to the demands he was putting on it.

The striker, who played for Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and AC Milan, but who appeared only sporadically for Sao Paulo side Corinthians since returning from Italy in 2009, was plagued with injuries for much of his career.

He has said he hoped to wear the national Brazil jersey one more time in a farewell match “to bring together players who were with me and appear in front of a public who loved and helped me.”

Ronaldo won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002 and became the leading scorer in World Cup finals tournaments when he scored his 15th goal at the 2006 tournament in Germany.

He was twice named European Footballer of the Year, in 1997 and 2002, and finished his international career with 62 goals in 97 appearances. 

 

We’re not immature brats, says Gallas

MILAN: Tottenham defender Willia Gallas sprang to the defence of his France team-mates following harsh criticism from former France coach Raymond Domenech.

French players went on strike during the World Cup in South Africa last June, refusing to train one day after Nicolas Anelka had been sent home for insulting Domenech.

France suffered a disastrous tournament, failing to win a game and losing to both South Africa and Mexico, finishing bottom of their group.

Domenech was replaced after the tournament but this week claimed the players were “irresponsible little brats“.

“I’m not answering his criticisms,” said Gallas after Tottenham’s 1-0 win over AC Milan in the Champions League.

“I’d just say that before speaking he should look at himself a bit, that’s all.”

And Gallas refused to accept responsibility on behalf of the players for their behaviour which was viewed across the country as a humiliation.

“It’s too easy to judge the players, given the staff he had, I can tell you that it was very difficult for us, that’s what I can tell you,” he added.

“We were judged too easily, the blame was put on all the players, it’s true that it was our decision to strike, but why? You should ask the right questions, why did we strike? I have nothing to reply, what I can say is that we’re not immature brats, a long way from that.”

However, he did admit that the players hadn’t expected such a fall-out from their actions.

“In the moment we didn’t think it would go that far.”

Gallas has not been a part of the France squad since the World Cup but insisted he has not retired from international duty.

Meanwhile, Franck Ribery said Domenech should have spoken to the players about their World Cup mutiny, not months later in the media.

“I don’t know why he says these things. I find it a shame. The World Cup has gone, I don’t want to talk about Domenech any more,” fit-again Bayern winger Ribery told L’Equipe.

“I am very motivated to get back in the France team with a new staff and new coach. In South Africa Domenech didn’t talk to us. He should have done it immediately, not only now. He should have said it to our face, it’s not good.” 

 

Wilshere shows there’s hope for England

LONDON: Arsenal and England say they are ready to build their teams around Jack Wilshere, and the gifted teenage midfielder showed just why with a stunning individual display against Barcelona.

Up against the formidable midfield trio of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets – the heartbeat of Spain’s 2010 World Cup-winning side – Wilshere demonstrated he has the character to match his undoubted talent by leading Arsenal’s fightback in their 2-1 victory in the first leg of the Champions League last 16.

“He was outstanding,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. “He wasn’t fazed by the occasion. In difficult periods when we were under pressure, he wanted the ball and kept the ball. He played really well.”

Wilshere is enjoying a sensational breakthrough season at the north London club, marking it with his first start for England in last Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Denmark in Copenhagen.

Playing firstly as a holding midfielder before moving further upfield in the second half at the Parken Stadium, he took to international football with consummate ease. He had no problem transferring that form to the Emirates Stadium a week on.

“It’s been a great couple of weeks – the best of my life,” Wilshere said after his coming-of-age display against the Spanish champions.

Wilshere is a rarity in English football in that he is a midfielder who looks comfortable on the ball, whenever it is given to him. The recent failure of England’s national team can be seen as stemming from their inability to keep possession against the major sides in big tournaments, but that could change with Wilshere as the commander in the engine room.

He is even outshining Cesc Fabregas, for so long Arsenal’s totem in midfield, at the moment.

Wilshere, who spent half of last season on loan at Premier League team Bolton in a bid to pick up some valuable topflight experience, was part of an Arsenal midfield that was blown away against Barcelona.

“There was a spell in the first half where for about 20 minutes we didn’t touch the ball. But we knew they were going to do that,” he said.

“I watched these (Barcelona) players in the World Cup and they were the best team there, so I knew a bit about them before the game. But once you get into a game, you get used to them,” Wilshere said.

“We had to go up a level in the second half and we passed it around better. We had to carry on playing the Arsenal way and we did that.” 

 

Wenger’s gamble pays off as Arsenal gun down Barcelona

LONDON: Arsene Wenger hailed Arsenal’s heroes as his massive gamble on Andrey Arshavin paid off in amazing style.

The Gunners came from behind to clinch an historic 2-1 win over Champions League favourites Barcelona.

Robin van Persie and sub Arshavin hit late goals after David Villa had opened accounts for the Spanish side in the 26th minute.

“I wanted to really go for it.,” said Wenger.

“I took a gamble and we finished with Wilshere (Jack), Fabregas (Cesc), Nasri (Samir), Bendtner (Nicklas), Arshavin and Van Persie.

“The tie is still open but we will go to the Nou Camp and play our game again because you cannot go there and defend. My gamble could have back-fired and we could lost 2-0 or 3-0 - but it worked.

“I am proud for Arsenal Football Club. Everyone urged us to play differently to our nature so it is a good result.

“This result gives us a chance to go to Barcelona with belief. We know it will be a very difficult game but we will prepare well. We will be highly focused and we go to win.

“It is a special lift for my team. Our players have shown exceptional strength and togetherness.

“We took advantage of one special piece of skill from Van Persie and the second came after some good build-up play. It was a special night.”

After Villa’s goal, Lionel Messi and Co had an off-night in front of goal as the Gunners grew in confidence.

Wenger added: “We believe we now have a chance. Barca are still favourites but we know we can beat them, which we did not know last year.”

“But after tonight we know that we can beat them. And we didn’t know that last year,” said Wenger, referring to last season’s quarter-final, which saw Barcelona crush the Gunners 4-1 in the second leg, 6-3 on aggregate.

“Tonight’s result gives us a chance to go to Barcelona with belief. We know that it will be a very difficult game but we will prepare well and be highly focused and try to play our natural game,” Wenger said.

“It gives a special lift to my team. Our players have shown their strength and togetherness and this result will reinforce that.”

Wenger’s counterpart Pep Guardiola said his side had paid the price for failing to convert more than one of the half-a-dozen openings their famously slick passing play presented.

“In general I’m happy with the performance – the result is the thing I don’t like,” Guardiola said.

“It was a fantastic match for anyone who likes football. When two teams want to play attacking football its always nice. We’re try to turn the tables on them at our place.”

Guardiola predicted another classic could be on the cards in three weeks time as his team try to overturn the first leg deficit.

“They are going to attack and we are going to attack,” Guardiola said.

“So if you have nothing better to do, I invite you to come to Barcelona because it’s going to be a great match.”

 

Ranieri defiant as Shakhtar Samba stars stun Roma

ROME: Roma coach Claudio Ranieri insisted his team were not in crisis despite losing for the third game in a row in the 3-2 Champions League defeat at home to Shakhtar Donetsk here.

The Italians were made to pay by Shakhtar’s speedy Brazilian forwards who combined for three goals and ensured the Ukrainians have a handy lead to take back home in three weeks time.

But following on from league defeats to their title rivals Inter Milan and Napoli that virtually ruled them out of the scudetto race, this defeat leaves Roma’s season hanging by a thread.

But Ranieri, who vowed not to resign, remained defiant.

“Do you see a team in crisis? I don’t see a team in crisis, I see a team that is playing, fighting, that created many chances,” he said.

“We played very well and I have nothing to reproach the players for despite losing.

“The lads pushed hard, in the first half after we scored we should have been more careful but we conceded after 45 seconds.

“That’s easy to say but it’s different on the pitch. There was a double deflection on their first goal.

“Maybe we needed to be more clinical but Shakhtar knew how fast they were, the three forwards: Jadson, William and Douglas Costa were very quick and have a lot of quality, we should have closed them down better.

“But there are games where things don’t go well. We could’ve equalised at the end with our captain (Francesco Totti).

“But patience, I can’t complain with how we played or how much we gave.

“You can’t just look at the result when you evaluate the game, you also have to look at the other team.

“They topped their group and they beat Arsenal, this is a great team with great players.”

However, Ranieri did admit that his team is having problems in defence having conceded 10 goals in their last three matches.

“When I came here last season I said we had to improve our defence and we finished the season with one of the best defences in the league,” he said.

“But this season we have lost some of that solidity so those criticisms (against the team’s defence) are justified.”

Roma were jeered heavily at the end of the game and even when the players went over to their fans to thank them they were still whistled.

Shahktar’s Romanian coach Mircea Lucescu said he couldn’t understand the fans’ behaviour.

“It’s an excellent result, we deserved it. We prepared very well and made the most of the anxiety that has been created around Roma’s players,” he said.

“The fans were angry at the end with all these jeers but the players gave their all on the pitch.

“They were influenced by who their team was playing but we’re a good team, we won two groups, we beat Arsenal who just beat Barcelona.

“The players and coach knew they were playing against a good team even if the fans didn’t.” 

 

Redknapp heaps praises on Sandro and Palacios

MILAN: Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp paid tribute to his defensive midfielders after his side’s historic 1-0 victory at AC Milan in the Champions League.

Spurs have built a reputation for being attacking entertainers in Europe this season, finishing the group stages as joint top goal-scorers, averaging three goals a game, while also conceding the highest number of goals amongst the teams qualifying for the knock-out phase.

Their arrival in Milan was eagerly anticipated with Italian memories still vivid of their thrilling 10-man comeback from 4-0 down against Inter Milan earlier in the competition before narrowly losing 4-3.

However, it was a controlled and disciplined display from central midfielders Sandro and Wilson Palacios that set the foundations for this victory.

“It was a great night, a fantastic performance, we set out how we wanted to play and the players responded, they couldn’t have given it any more. They did exactly what was asked of them and we got a great result that was deserved,” said Redknapp. “I thought (Sandro and Palacios) did a fantastic job. Sandro is a lad with no real experience.

“He’s played two or three games for us but he and Wilson responded to each other, they got after them, pressed, closed them down, didn’t give them space to play. That was very important for us, they did a great job.”

Redknapp also paid tribute to the desire and spirit of his players, in particular playmaker Luka Modric who defied doctors’ advice to make a substitute appearance.

“I’m delighted to be part of it all and I’m delighted with the players, I couldn’t have asked for more than they gave,” he added.