Offside Sarah

Reading Rec: Italy 0-0 England: Pirlo dictates the game

By Zonal Marking

We’re still waiting for Italy to produce completely convincing display – for all their dominance here, their finishing was dreadful. They’ve only scored one goal from open play in the competition, and have only beaten one side, Ireland, who had already been eliminated. Their possession play is impressive and Pirlo has been one of the competition’s star players, but they’ll surely need to be more ruthless in the final third to win the competition.

Read the full article here. 

calcio-nel-cuore:

Robbie Keane, captain of Ireland’s football team, who now plies his trade with the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer, holds up a jersey printed with the words “RIP James Nolan” after scoring against the Vancouver Whitecaps in honour of the Irish fan found drowned in a canal in the Polish city of Bydgoszcz. Nolan had travelled to Poland to support the Men In Green at Euro 2012. He was 21. RIP, James. 

lyonista:

Une de l’Equipe de ce dimanche 24 juin

Les Bleus ont donc quitté l’Euro sans gloire et beaucoup d’interrogations sont désormais en suspens autour de cette génération et de son coach.

‘Ghostbusters’

Reading Rec: TNC’s Deadline Day Exclusive Interview with Tom Williams

Interesting interview on pursing career in journalism, #Euro2012, titles races across Europe,fielding ‘B’ sides in Championship, and more… 

Read the full interview at Transfer News Central. 

Reading Rec: THE SAVIOUR OF CALCIO

Excerpt: 

“When Italian national team coach Cesare Prandelli reveals his next squad list there will be at least one name you haven’t heard of. He’s not a player tearing up the Champions League or catching the eye with an astonishing strike-rate in the lower leagues. His team Gubbio currently sit fourth from bottom in Serie B and he is part of a defence which has conceded thirty-two goals in their opening twenty-two games, of which they have won just four.

Yet Simone Farina will be part of the Italy set-up and join in the preparations for Euro 2012 when the Azzurri meet for the friendly against USA next month; Italy’s only match before they convene in May for the tournament.

So why will he be there? Because he said no.’

Read the full article at In Bed with Maradona. 

Reading Rec: Soccer predictions for 2012 - Ben Lyttleton

What to expect or what you should want from football in 2012, including Euro 2012 predictions, manager merry-go-rounds, tackling stigma of depression, Jose finally besting Pep, and more! See the full article at Sports Illustrated. 

Reading Rec: SPIRO BLOG: Rémy earning his spurs

Excerpt: 

“Didier Drogba once said that if you succeed as a striker at Marseille you can succeed anywhere. Rémy has unquestionably succeeded at Marseille already and his future – whether it lies in France or abroad – is now extremely exciting.

Rémy has, of course, been compared to Thierry Henry in the past and you can understand why. He has family roots in Martinique, a lengthy stride and blistering pace. Yet Rémy did not appear to possess Henry’s hunger, determination and ruthlessness as a kid. Like many, I had doubts about his ability to fulfill his obvious potential.”

Read the full article at Ligue1.com.

“The journalists writing that Gourcuff is on his way out are simply getting it wrong,” he declared. “He will be staying. I brought him here because I thought that with him in our ranks, we would have a side with added value, especially in the Champions League.”

…

“He will be staying here, because with the Euros just around the corner, he’ll have the stability to turn in an excellent season and get back on track,” said Aulas of the 28-times capped France international. “Economically, it would be a mistake to let him go at a time when he can play a part in France’s tilt at the Euros, get back into peak physical form and showing everyone what he is capable of.”