Here List of Free Channels For Copa America 2015 Live Streaming
Xbox Live, YouTube:
Worldwide live streaming all matches of Copa América. Blocked in certain territories including the UK. Xbox Live stream available via various third party apps (e.g. Sling TV app in the United States)
DirecTV Sports, ESPN
In Latin America DirecTV broadcast live all matches of Copa America. ESPN broadcast highlights.
TyC Sports, TV Pública:
In Argentina All matches live on TyC Sports. Some matches Live on TV Pública.
Bolivia TV , Cotas Cable TV, Tigo Star:
In Bolivia, Bolivia TV will only broadcast Bolivia matches. Cotas Cable TV, Tigo Star and others with license from Sport Tv Rights will broadcast all matches.
Rede Globo, SporTV:
In Brazil Rede Globo will only broadcast Brazil matches. SporTV will broadcast all matches.
Canal 13 and TVN:
In Chile Broadcast live on Canal 13 and TVN with all matches.
Caracol Televisión:
It will broadcast all matches live in Colombia.
Gama TV and TC Televisión:
In Ecuador All matches live on Gama TV and TC Televisión.
Here List Of Premium Broadcasters For Copa America 2015 Live Streaming
beIN Sports, Kompas TV, Media Prima, Televisa, TV Azteca, Tigo Sports, Telefuturo, América Televisión, Channel 10, Teledoce, Venevisión and Premier Sports.
Worldwide live streaming of Copa America on youtube
beinsports (US & South America Only)
BBC (Europe Only)
Tensports live streaming of Copa America (India Only)
Free live streaming of Copa America on Sony Six (Maldives, Singapore, Hong Kong & Sri Lanka)
Showing posts with label Soccer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Soccer. Show all posts
Monday, 15 June 2015
Saturday, 17 January 2015
10 Players to Watch in World Football This Weekend of January 16-19
Another weekend in world football is fast approaching, with several big games of interest set to take place around the globe—and plenty of players attracting attention within those matches.
As well as the Premier League, European winter breaks already ended in Spain, France and Italy, and now, we welcome back the Dutch Eredivisie, too. It's not all about the clubs, though, as with two international tournaments on the go at present, we've got a mixed look at the early stages of 2015.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2330717-10-players-to-watch-in-world-football-this-weekend-of-january-16-19a
As well as the Premier League, European winter breaks already ended in Spain, France and Italy, and now, we welcome back the Dutch Eredivisie, too. It's not all about the clubs, though, as with two international tournaments on the go at present, we've got a mixed look at the early stages of 2015.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2330717-10-players-to-watch-in-world-football-this-weekend-of-january-16-19a
Tactics Insider: Arsenal and Man City Set for Attacking Feast at the Etihad
Between international duty, injuries and suspensions, Sunday's matchup between the Gunners and the Citizens is set to be a goalfest.
Watch Bleacher Report tactics insider Sam Tighe and Ryan Bailey break down the tactical matchup between these two squads
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2331694-tactics-insider-arsenal-and-man-city-set-for-attacking-feast-at-the-etihad-luis-enrique-will-lose-the-battle-at-barcelona
Watch Bleacher Report tactics insider Sam Tighe and Ryan Bailey break down the tactical matchup between these two squads
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2331694-tactics-insider-arsenal-and-man-city-set-for-attacking-feast-at-the-etihad-luis-enrique-will-lose-the-battle-at-barcelona
Lionel Messi Not the Sole Reason Luis Enrique Will Lose the Battle at Barcelona
If there’s one thing we know more than anything about Leo Messi, it’s that this is a player who prefers to do his talking on the pitch, not off it.
So when he appeared on the official FC Barcelona television channel following the team’s performance of the season against Atletico Madrid on Sunday, you realised immediately this was a man with a lot to get off his chest.
And in a carefully orchestrated question-and-answer session (via Sky Sports), he came out all guns blazing to quash varying rumours, whispers and general tittle-tattle which have been seeping out from the Camp Nou.NO, he had not called for the resignation of the coach, Luis Enrique or any member of his staff.
NO, he had not made great demands on the club so he would stay and he’d never had any intentions of moving to Chelsea or Manchester City.
NO, he had not in the past orchestrated the departure of players like Samuel Eto’o, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Bojan Krkic.
NO, he had not had a bad relationship with Pep Guardiola nor should we look for a rivalry between himself and Luis Enrique where none existed.
And finally—and perhaps most tellingly—he added that, while he was accustomed to any number of spurious accusations emanating from a hostile press in Madrid, what really hurt him was that these accusations were coming from Barcelona, and worse, from people who claimed to love the club.
For a man out of his comfort zone, this was brilliant stuff and as clinical as any of his sweetly struck goals. What we saw is a man who can step up to the plate off the pitch as well as on it when called upon to do so.In management terms they don’t come much bigger than Pep Guardiola, and he realised immediately that for the club’s—and therefore his own—success, Messi had to be the leader, the very focus of what happened on the pitch.
“Build your team around him, give him the ball, and never, never substitute him,” was the short but sweet advice offered by Guardiola to the incoming Argentina manager Alejandro Sabella.
By not taking that on board, essentially what Luis Enrique seems to be doing is almost preparing for his new job when he can tell everyone that in a previous life he took on Messi and, lest we forget, also Francesco Totti when he was at Roma.
He would do better to listen to the wise words of a former, and far more successful incumbent in the Camp Nou hot seat, but being the man that he is, of course he won’t and it will cost him dear.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2330946-lionel-messi-not-the-sole-reason-luis-enrique-will-lose-the-battle-at-barcelona
So when he appeared on the official FC Barcelona television channel following the team’s performance of the season against Atletico Madrid on Sunday, you realised immediately this was a man with a lot to get off his chest.
And in a carefully orchestrated question-and-answer session (via Sky Sports), he came out all guns blazing to quash varying rumours, whispers and general tittle-tattle which have been seeping out from the Camp Nou.NO, he had not called for the resignation of the coach, Luis Enrique or any member of his staff.
NO, he had not made great demands on the club so he would stay and he’d never had any intentions of moving to Chelsea or Manchester City.
NO, he had not in the past orchestrated the departure of players like Samuel Eto’o, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Bojan Krkic.
NO, he had not had a bad relationship with Pep Guardiola nor should we look for a rivalry between himself and Luis Enrique where none existed.
And finally—and perhaps most tellingly—he added that, while he was accustomed to any number of spurious accusations emanating from a hostile press in Madrid, what really hurt him was that these accusations were coming from Barcelona, and worse, from people who claimed to love the club.
For a man out of his comfort zone, this was brilliant stuff and as clinical as any of his sweetly struck goals. What we saw is a man who can step up to the plate off the pitch as well as on it when called upon to do so.In management terms they don’t come much bigger than Pep Guardiola, and he realised immediately that for the club’s—and therefore his own—success, Messi had to be the leader, the very focus of what happened on the pitch.
“Build your team around him, give him the ball, and never, never substitute him,” was the short but sweet advice offered by Guardiola to the incoming Argentina manager Alejandro Sabella.
By not taking that on board, essentially what Luis Enrique seems to be doing is almost preparing for his new job when he can tell everyone that in a previous life he took on Messi and, lest we forget, also Francesco Totti when he was at Roma.
He would do better to listen to the wise words of a former, and far more successful incumbent in the Camp Nou hot seat, but being the man that he is, of course he won’t and it will cost him dear.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2330946-lionel-messi-not-the-sole-reason-luis-enrique-will-lose-the-battle-at-barcelona
Charting Where It All Went Wrong for 'New Pele' Freddy Adu
Adu was, shall we say, not retained by Serbian club FK Jagodina. It was certainly not the first time Adu was told his services were no longer required. If it is the last time, the precipitous fall from the sport's pantheon of hyped uber-prospects will make a fascinating, albeit sad, story.
It was Jan. 16, 2004, that Adu was drafted first overall in the Major League Soccer SuperDraft by D.C. United. At the time, it was believed that D.C. United had lucked into selecting a franchise cornerstone. Adu was 14 years old on the day he was drafted into MLS, and the future ahead of him was blindingly bright.
Darren Rovell's ESPN.com piece on Adu's inking of a $1 million apparel and shoe deal with Nike in 2003 contains several cringeworthy passages seen in the cold light of 2015:"Once labelled as 'the next Pele' during the early stages of his career, the Ghana-born forward has played just 59 minutes of competitive football since the end of the 2012 MLS season," was the cutting summary by Bretland in his Daily Mail piece.
News of Adu's recent washout in Serbia has been similarly unkind in the States.FK Jagodina was "the 10th stop of Adu’s nomadic professional career which features stints in the United States, Portugal, France, Greece, Turkey, Brazil and now Serbia," was how Andy Edwards put it for Pro Soccer Talk.
Edwards also asked the question that, really, any sentient soccer pundit would ask: "With all due respect to the Serbian league, if Adu can’t get into a team there, where can he find regular first-team games?"
As of this writing, the answer is still beyond unclear.What if I told you that, at age 25, soccer prodigy-turned-cautionary tale Freddy Adu's career might as well be over?
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2327783-charting-where-it-all-went-wrong-for-new-pele-freddy-adu
It was Jan. 16, 2004, that Adu was drafted first overall in the Major League Soccer SuperDraft by D.C. United. At the time, it was believed that D.C. United had lucked into selecting a franchise cornerstone. Adu was 14 years old on the day he was drafted into MLS, and the future ahead of him was blindingly bright.
Darren Rovell's ESPN.com piece on Adu's inking of a $1 million apparel and shoe deal with Nike in 2003 contains several cringeworthy passages seen in the cold light of 2015:"Once labelled as 'the next Pele' during the early stages of his career, the Ghana-born forward has played just 59 minutes of competitive football since the end of the 2012 MLS season," was the cutting summary by Bretland in his Daily Mail piece.
News of Adu's recent washout in Serbia has been similarly unkind in the States.FK Jagodina was "the 10th stop of Adu’s nomadic professional career which features stints in the United States, Portugal, France, Greece, Turkey, Brazil and now Serbia," was how Andy Edwards put it for Pro Soccer Talk.
Edwards also asked the question that, really, any sentient soccer pundit would ask: "With all due respect to the Serbian league, if Adu can’t get into a team there, where can he find regular first-team games?"
As of this writing, the answer is still beyond unclear.What if I told you that, at age 25, soccer prodigy-turned-cautionary tale Freddy Adu's career might as well be over?
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2327783-charting-where-it-all-went-wrong-for-new-pele-freddy-adu
Premier League Notebook Heading into Week 22
Wilfried Bony will not be available to Manchester City when they face Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, but his presence will loom large over the contest.
It is a mark of Manchester City's continued ambition, not to mention their renowned financial muscle, that they can suffer financial fair play sanctions at the start of the season and then, barely six months later, find both the justification and the ability to spend nearly £30 million on a new striker, in a bid to plug one of the few obvious weaknesses in their current squad.
It is that economic muscle that has been so significant—vital, even—in City's recent successes and perhaps underlines once again the differences between themselves and Arsenal.
Arsenal have also made moves in the transfer window this month, with the club on the verge of a £2.4 million deal for Legia Warsaw's Krystian Bielik, per the BBC. Bielik is a defensive midfielder, and Arsenal need a defensive midfielder.
But he is also 17 and will do nothing to strengthen the first team in the short term. It is a deal the exact opposite of Bony, who has been bought for the here and now, regardless of the cost.
Arsenal have not been afraid to splash the cash in recent times, spending huge sums on Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez over the last 18 months. Now they arguably need at least one new defender, after another long-term injury suffered by Mathieu Debuchy depleted an already thin back line.Arsenal's need for a defender is not a new one, however, even if Debuchy's injury perhaps hastened the demand. City long knew they needed a striker, identified one and signed him all in the opening few days of the transfer window—why are Arsenal seemingly so incapable of doing the same?
It is a familiar complaint with Arsenal. If Wenger's scouts really are out there every day, then perhaps it is a problem of execution. Wenger seems willing to sanction spending £2.4 million on potential—a projection of what Bielik could become—yet more reluctant to spend a fee five or 10 times bigger on a player who would immediately go into first-team consideration.
Yes, there will always be risk attached to such moves. Is Winston Reid really good enough to improve the team? Is Celtic's Virgil van Dijk? These are questions that can only really be answered after they sign, but if scouts are monitoring those players for weeks or months before the window opens, the gamble becomes a more educated one.
Even so, they cannot give an unequivocal assessment, and perhaps that is why Wenger—whose eye for talent has become far less sure in recent years—is reluctant to pull the trigger.
In the current climate, that reticence is akin to taking a step back. Manchester City remind teams at the top that they always need to be adding talent in order to remain competitive, but it seems to be yet another area where Arsenal are lagging behind.
Now Bony is at the Etihad Stadium, City will soon have an attack that is more physical and more clinical. They will be able to physically bully teams. It makes them better, more flexible and more dangerous.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2332014-premier-league-notebook-heading-into-week-22
It is a mark of Manchester City's continued ambition, not to mention their renowned financial muscle, that they can suffer financial fair play sanctions at the start of the season and then, barely six months later, find both the justification and the ability to spend nearly £30 million on a new striker, in a bid to plug one of the few obvious weaknesses in their current squad.
It is that economic muscle that has been so significant—vital, even—in City's recent successes and perhaps underlines once again the differences between themselves and Arsenal.
Arsenal have also made moves in the transfer window this month, with the club on the verge of a £2.4 million deal for Legia Warsaw's Krystian Bielik, per the BBC. Bielik is a defensive midfielder, and Arsenal need a defensive midfielder.
But he is also 17 and will do nothing to strengthen the first team in the short term. It is a deal the exact opposite of Bony, who has been bought for the here and now, regardless of the cost.
Arsenal have not been afraid to splash the cash in recent times, spending huge sums on Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez over the last 18 months. Now they arguably need at least one new defender, after another long-term injury suffered by Mathieu Debuchy depleted an already thin back line.Arsenal's need for a defender is not a new one, however, even if Debuchy's injury perhaps hastened the demand. City long knew they needed a striker, identified one and signed him all in the opening few days of the transfer window—why are Arsenal seemingly so incapable of doing the same?
It is a familiar complaint with Arsenal. If Wenger's scouts really are out there every day, then perhaps it is a problem of execution. Wenger seems willing to sanction spending £2.4 million on potential—a projection of what Bielik could become—yet more reluctant to spend a fee five or 10 times bigger on a player who would immediately go into first-team consideration.
Yes, there will always be risk attached to such moves. Is Winston Reid really good enough to improve the team? Is Celtic's Virgil van Dijk? These are questions that can only really be answered after they sign, but if scouts are monitoring those players for weeks or months before the window opens, the gamble becomes a more educated one.
Even so, they cannot give an unequivocal assessment, and perhaps that is why Wenger—whose eye for talent has become far less sure in recent years—is reluctant to pull the trigger.
In the current climate, that reticence is akin to taking a step back. Manchester City remind teams at the top that they always need to be adding talent in order to remain competitive, but it seems to be yet another area where Arsenal are lagging behind.
Now Bony is at the Etihad Stadium, City will soon have an attack that is more physical and more clinical. They will be able to physically bully teams. It makes them better, more flexible and more dangerous.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2332014-premier-league-notebook-heading-into-week-22
Thursday, 15 January 2015
MLS SuperDraft 2015: Complete Round-by-Round Results and Twitter Reaction
The first two rounds of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft took place on Thursday, January 15, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, as the first 42 picks were made.
Orlando City SC landed the consensus top prospect with the first overall pick, selecting Connecticut's Cyle Larin. The first round saw a handful of big surprises, including the slide of Washington's Cristian Roldan and Toronto FC's pick of little-known defender Clement Simonin.Oumar Ballo fell to Houston Dynamo with the No. 30 overall pick, and his tremendous upside could see him end up as one of the top steals of the draft.
The 2015 MLS SuperDraft will continue on Tuesday, January 20, via conference call.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2331074-mls-superdraft-2015-complete-round-by-round-results-and-twitter-reaction
Orlando City SC landed the consensus top prospect with the first overall pick, selecting Connecticut's Cyle Larin. The first round saw a handful of big surprises, including the slide of Washington's Cristian Roldan and Toronto FC's pick of little-known defender Clement Simonin.Oumar Ballo fell to Houston Dynamo with the No. 30 overall pick, and his tremendous upside could see him end up as one of the top steals of the draft.
The 2015 MLS SuperDraft will continue on Tuesday, January 20, via conference call.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2331074-mls-superdraft-2015-complete-round-by-round-results-and-twitter-reaction
Every Major European Team's 2014/15 Player of the Season so Far
We're just over halfway through the season across Europe, and the continent's major clubs are either living up to expectations, overachieving or enduring disappointments.
Still, each and every one has gifted individuals, and it is those players who continue to try and drive their teams forward in a bid to reach new highs.
Who are the standout performers, though? And who is headed for their club's Player of the Year trophy?
It's a little easier to work out some over others, but here's our attempt.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2326867-every-major-european-teams-201415-player-of-the-season-so-far
Still, each and every one has gifted individuals, and it is those players who continue to try and drive their teams forward in a bid to reach new highs.
Who are the standout performers, though? And who is headed for their club's Player of the Year trophy?
It's a little easier to work out some over others, but here's our attempt.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2326867-every-major-european-teams-201415-player-of-the-season-so-far
Inside Line: Manchester United Might Want Gareth Bale, but They Won't Get Him
Why do we keep reading about Manchester United's desire to sign Gareth Bale? Two words: Ed Woodward.
United's executive vice-chairman has a plan. It's not anything original, but it is certainly grandiose. Woodward's calculation is that spending big earns big in the modern football market. Specifically, spending big on the big-name players.
When Woodward watches Cristiano Ronaldo, he sees commercial revenue. And what propelled Woodward from his 2005 role helping the Glazer family with United's “financial planning” to his appointment as the club's chief executive in 2013 was an impressive ability to inflate commercial cash flow.
Under his stewardship, the club has landed record shirt sponsorship and kit deals and so many global, regional, media and financial “partners” they can't even be shown on a single page of the official website.There is no question that Manchester United sells and that Woodward has succeeded in selling it like no one before him. When it comes to buying, however, the 43-year-old chartered accountant is rather more derivative. Think Real Madrid. Think Galactico. Think of Woodward as a wannabe Florentino Perez.
Sir Alex Ferguson's net spend on transfer fees in his eight years working for the Glazers averaged out at under £20 million a season; Woodward has taken just three windows to negotiate several transfers worth more than that figure. When United's chief executive is asked about how far he is prepared to take the club's spending, he goes out of his way to emphasise its scale.
“The reality is that we're not afraid of spending significant amounts of money in the transfer market,” said Woodward in the summer. “Whether it's a record or not doesn't really resonate with us. There is no budget.
“I want us to win. I want to stop seeing the best players going to other clubs in Spain; I want us to stand out as the best club in the world. We’ll do absolutely everything we can to achieve that.”Ask those who know Perez well whether he'd take a quick profit on his gaudiest transfer, and the answer would be no way. Question him directly about selling to United and the reply is: “We have not received an offer from Manchester or any other club for Gareth Bale. We would never listen to any offer for Bale, no matter what the fee.”
As for Bale, he doesn't appear too enamoured with the idea of swapping the summit of European football for a club still struggling to keep Southampton below them and return to the Champions League.
“I am very happy in Madrid, a city, a climate and a club that I love,” Bale told Dubai TV a fortnight ago (via the Independent). “My contract ends in 2019, and I could sign a renewal. It has been a fantastic year for me. I wanted to come to Real Madrid to win titles and work alongside the best players and that is exactly what I have done in a single year.”
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2329389-inside-line-manchester-united-might-want-gareth-bale-but-they-wont-get-him
United's executive vice-chairman has a plan. It's not anything original, but it is certainly grandiose. Woodward's calculation is that spending big earns big in the modern football market. Specifically, spending big on the big-name players.
When Woodward watches Cristiano Ronaldo, he sees commercial revenue. And what propelled Woodward from his 2005 role helping the Glazer family with United's “financial planning” to his appointment as the club's chief executive in 2013 was an impressive ability to inflate commercial cash flow.
Under his stewardship, the club has landed record shirt sponsorship and kit deals and so many global, regional, media and financial “partners” they can't even be shown on a single page of the official website.There is no question that Manchester United sells and that Woodward has succeeded in selling it like no one before him. When it comes to buying, however, the 43-year-old chartered accountant is rather more derivative. Think Real Madrid. Think Galactico. Think of Woodward as a wannabe Florentino Perez.
Sir Alex Ferguson's net spend on transfer fees in his eight years working for the Glazers averaged out at under £20 million a season; Woodward has taken just three windows to negotiate several transfers worth more than that figure. When United's chief executive is asked about how far he is prepared to take the club's spending, he goes out of his way to emphasise its scale.
“The reality is that we're not afraid of spending significant amounts of money in the transfer market,” said Woodward in the summer. “Whether it's a record or not doesn't really resonate with us. There is no budget.
“I want us to win. I want to stop seeing the best players going to other clubs in Spain; I want us to stand out as the best club in the world. We’ll do absolutely everything we can to achieve that.”Ask those who know Perez well whether he'd take a quick profit on his gaudiest transfer, and the answer would be no way. Question him directly about selling to United and the reply is: “We have not received an offer from Manchester or any other club for Gareth Bale. We would never listen to any offer for Bale, no matter what the fee.”
As for Bale, he doesn't appear too enamoured with the idea of swapping the summit of European football for a club still struggling to keep Southampton below them and return to the Champions League.
“I am very happy in Madrid, a city, a climate and a club that I love,” Bale told Dubai TV a fortnight ago (via the Independent). “My contract ends in 2019, and I could sign a renewal. It has been a fantastic year for me. I wanted to come to Real Madrid to win titles and work alongside the best players and that is exactly what I have done in a single year.”
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2329389-inside-line-manchester-united-might-want-gareth-bale-but-they-wont-get-him
Elche vs. Barcelona: Score, Report and Reaction from Copa del Rey Game
Barcelona eased into the Copa del Rey quarter-finals with a routine 4-0 victory at Elche on Thursday night in the second leg of their round-of-16 tie at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero.
Fielding a weakened side consisting mainly of youngsters and fringe players, Barcelona went ahead in the 21st minute via Jeremy Mathieu's perfectly struck free-kick. Sergi Roberto doubled the lead 19 minutes later, and Pedro made it 3-0 from the penalty spot two minutes before the break.
The score remained the same until second-half stoppage time, when Adriano added Barca's fourth goal with a header.
With the 9-0 aggregate victory, Barcelona advanced to the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, where they will play Atletico Madrid. The same teams met last weekend in La Liga, Barcelona winning 3-1.
The Blaugrana return to league action on Sunday with a match at Deportivo de La Coruna. Luis Enrique's side currently sit second in the table, one point behind leaders Real Madrid, who have played one fewer game.
Elche, who are level on points with last-placed Granada, host Levante on Sunday.
Barcelona won the first leg 5-0 last week at the Camp Nou, making Thursday's second leg little more than a formality. Accordingly, Enrique changed all 11 starters from last week, handing rare first-team starts to youngsters Gerard Gumbau, Munir El Haddadi and Adama Traore.
Even without their biggest stars, Barca dominated proceedings from the opening whistle, as noted by football writer Kristan Heneage:Barca created a good chance in the eighth minute, as Roberto played an angled cross to the back post for Martin Montoya, who headed back into the middle. Montoya's header found Adriano, who scuffed a poor shot wide of the target.
The visitors remained in control and took the lead in the 21st minute. After Traore drew a foul well outside the box, Mathieu stepped up to take the resulting free-kick and curled in a sublime strike from distance to give Barca a 1-0 lead.
Barcelona added two more goals shortly before half-time. In the 40th minute, Roberto doubled the visitors' lead with a powerful effort from outside the box. Three minutes later, Pedro made it 3-0 from the penalty spot after Sergio Pelegrin fouled El Haddadi in the box.
Though the match was wrapped up by half-time, Barca continued to attack in the second half. In the 46th minute, Montoya and Roberto played a one-two along the edge of the box before Montoya blazed a shot wide of the target. Two minutes later, Roberto picked out Traore at the far post, who took a touch before shooting wide.
Multiple substitutions followed just past the hour mark. Barcelona introduced highly rated youngster Alen Halilovic for Traore in the 62nd minute, while Douglas replaced Montoya.
Halilovic came close to scoring in the 69th minute after teeing up his left foot along the edge of the box. But his curling effort bounced off the far post and away harmlessly.
Chances were scarce over the final 20 minutes. El Haddadi drew an easy save from Herrera with an angled shot from distance in the 76th minute. Four minutes from time, Barca defender Marc Bartra pushed forward before shooting high and wide.
Elche had a chance to score a later consolation goal, but Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen parried Alvaro's initial shot and then held Franco Fragapane's follow-up bid.
The match was all but finished, but Barca still had time to add a fourth goal in the second minute of stoppage time. Douglas set it up, crossing from the right to pick out Adriano's lateral run across the box. Adriano buried his header at the near post to complete a 4-0 victory.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2331500-elche-vs-barcelona-score-report-and-reaction-from-copa-del-rey-game
Fielding a weakened side consisting mainly of youngsters and fringe players, Barcelona went ahead in the 21st minute via Jeremy Mathieu's perfectly struck free-kick. Sergi Roberto doubled the lead 19 minutes later, and Pedro made it 3-0 from the penalty spot two minutes before the break.
The score remained the same until second-half stoppage time, when Adriano added Barca's fourth goal with a header.
With the 9-0 aggregate victory, Barcelona advanced to the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, where they will play Atletico Madrid. The same teams met last weekend in La Liga, Barcelona winning 3-1.
The Blaugrana return to league action on Sunday with a match at Deportivo de La Coruna. Luis Enrique's side currently sit second in the table, one point behind leaders Real Madrid, who have played one fewer game.
Elche, who are level on points with last-placed Granada, host Levante on Sunday.
Barcelona won the first leg 5-0 last week at the Camp Nou, making Thursday's second leg little more than a formality. Accordingly, Enrique changed all 11 starters from last week, handing rare first-team starts to youngsters Gerard Gumbau, Munir El Haddadi and Adama Traore.
Even without their biggest stars, Barca dominated proceedings from the opening whistle, as noted by football writer Kristan Heneage:Barca created a good chance in the eighth minute, as Roberto played an angled cross to the back post for Martin Montoya, who headed back into the middle. Montoya's header found Adriano, who scuffed a poor shot wide of the target.
The visitors remained in control and took the lead in the 21st minute. After Traore drew a foul well outside the box, Mathieu stepped up to take the resulting free-kick and curled in a sublime strike from distance to give Barca a 1-0 lead.
Barcelona added two more goals shortly before half-time. In the 40th minute, Roberto doubled the visitors' lead with a powerful effort from outside the box. Three minutes later, Pedro made it 3-0 from the penalty spot after Sergio Pelegrin fouled El Haddadi in the box.
Though the match was wrapped up by half-time, Barca continued to attack in the second half. In the 46th minute, Montoya and Roberto played a one-two along the edge of the box before Montoya blazed a shot wide of the target. Two minutes later, Roberto picked out Traore at the far post, who took a touch before shooting wide.
Multiple substitutions followed just past the hour mark. Barcelona introduced highly rated youngster Alen Halilovic for Traore in the 62nd minute, while Douglas replaced Montoya.
Halilovic came close to scoring in the 69th minute after teeing up his left foot along the edge of the box. But his curling effort bounced off the far post and away harmlessly.
Chances were scarce over the final 20 minutes. El Haddadi drew an easy save from Herrera with an angled shot from distance in the 76th minute. Four minutes from time, Barca defender Marc Bartra pushed forward before shooting high and wide.
Elche had a chance to score a later consolation goal, but Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen parried Alvaro's initial shot and then held Franco Fragapane's follow-up bid.
The match was all but finished, but Barca still had time to add a fourth goal in the second minute of stoppage time. Douglas set it up, crossing from the right to pick out Adriano's lateral run across the box. Adriano buried his header at the near post to complete a 4-0 victory.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2331500-elche-vs-barcelona-score-report-and-reaction-from-copa-del-rey-game
Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid: Derby Score, Grades, Reaction from Copa Del Rey
Fernando Torres scored in the first minute of each half as Atletico Madrid advanced to the Copa del Rey quarter-finals with a 2-2 draw against Real Madrid on Thursday night in the second leg of their round-of-16 tie at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
Atletico won the first leg 2-0 last week at the Estadio Vicente Calderon, setting up a potential thriller in the second leg. But Torres' first goal, with less than 50 seconds on the clock, reaffirmed Atletico's stranglehold on the tie.
Real equalised through Sergio Ramos in the 20th minute, but Torres struck again in the opening moments of the second half.
The hosts then drew level a second time via Cristiano Ronaldo in the 54th minute, but Atletico held firm for a 4-2 aggregate win over the final 35 minutes.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2331286-real-madrid-vs-atletico-madrid-derby-score-grades-reaction-from-copa-del-rey
Atletico won the first leg 2-0 last week at the Estadio Vicente Calderon, setting up a potential thriller in the second leg. But Torres' first goal, with less than 50 seconds on the clock, reaffirmed Atletico's stranglehold on the tie.
Real equalised through Sergio Ramos in the 20th minute, but Torres struck again in the opening moments of the second half.
The hosts then drew level a second time via Cristiano Ronaldo in the 54th minute, but Atletico held firm for a 4-2 aggregate win over the final 35 minutes.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2331286-real-madrid-vs-atletico-madrid-derby-score-grades-reaction-from-copa-del-rey
6 Storylines to Follow in La Liga for Weekend of Jan. 16-18
Another weekend of football action is Spain is quickly rolling around, with the matches taking place between Friday and Sunday marking the halfway stage of the 2014-15 season.
La Liga has already brought us many stories, memories and exciting angles this term and now we'll be keeping an eye on developing themes each week, seeing where the big news might come from and which games or teams bear particular watching.
Here are our six storylines to follow for the next few days in Spain's top flight.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2330185-pros-and-cons-of-liverpool-signing-psgs-ezequiel-lavezzi-in-the-january-window
La Liga has already brought us many stories, memories and exciting angles this term and now we'll be keeping an eye on developing themes each week, seeing where the big news might come from and which games or teams bear particular watching.
Here are our six storylines to follow for the next few days in Spain's top flight.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2330185-pros-and-cons-of-liverpool-signing-psgs-ezequiel-lavezzi-in-the-january-window
Pros and Cons of Liverpool Signing PSG's Ezequiel Lavezzi in the January Window
Ezequiel Lavezzi has well-documented recent problems at Paris Saint-Germain, and according to the Telegraph, Liverpool will get a bargain on the Argentinian forward.
Watch Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe discuss with Ryan Bailey how Liverpool should proceed with a Lavezzi deal.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2330185-pros-and-cons-of-liverpool-signing-psgs-ezequiel-lavezzi-in-the-january-window
Watch Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe discuss with Ryan Bailey how Liverpool should proceed with a Lavezzi deal.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2330185-pros-and-cons-of-liverpool-signing-psgs-ezequiel-lavezzi-in-the-january-window
The 5 Best January Transfers in Premier League History
Since the Premier League introduced the January transfer window at the start of 2003, its clubs have spent in excess of £1 billion during it.
An astute signing in the middle of the season can either fuel a title challenge or help a club survive in the top flight.
Who have been the best signings made in the mid-season transfer window over the last 12 years?Here I list the five players who have make the biggest impacts after being signed in January.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2330398-the-5-best-january-transfers-in-premier-league-history
An astute signing in the middle of the season can either fuel a title challenge or help a club survive in the top flight.
Who have been the best signings made in the mid-season transfer window over the last 12 years?Here I list the five players who have make the biggest impacts after being signed in January.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2330398-the-5-best-january-transfers-in-premier-league-history
Inside Line: Manchester United Might Want Gareth Bale, but They Won't Get Him
Why do we keep reading about Manchester United's desire to sign Gareth Bale? Two words: Ed Woodward.
United's executive vice-chairman has a plan. It is not a particularly original plan, but it is certainly grandiose. Woodward's calculation is that spending big earns big in the modern football market. Specifically, spending big on the big-name players.
When Woodward watches Cristiano Ronaldo, he sees commercial revenue. And what propelled Woodward from his 2005 role helping the Glazer family with United's “financial planning” to his appointment as the club's chief executive in 2013 was an impressive ability to inflate commercial cash flow.
Under his stewardship, the club has landed record shirt sponsorship and kit deals and so many global, regional, media and financial “partners” they can't even be shown on a single page of the official website.There is no question that Manchester United sells and that Woodward has succeeded in selling it like no one before him. When it comes to buying, however, the 43-year-old chartered accountant is rather more derivative. Think Real Madrid. Think Galactico. Think of Woodward as a wannabe Florentino Perez.
Sir Alex Ferguson's net spend on transfer fees in his eight years working for the Glazers averaged out at under £20 million a season; Woodward has taken just three windows to negotiate several transfers worth more than that figure. When United's chief executive is asked about how far he is prepared to take the club's spending, he goes out of his way to emphasise its scale.
“The reality is that we're not afraid of spending significant amounts of money in the transfer market,” said Woodward in the summer. “Whether it's a record or not doesn't really resonate with us. There is no budget.
“I want us to win. I want to stop seeing the best players going to other clubs in Spain, I want us to stand out as the best club in the world. We’ll do absolutely everything we can to achieve that.”Woodward refuses to have his view of United's global stature obscured by anything as categorical as European Cup count, relative income or current league position. “Talking to agents, talking from a player’s perspective about wanting to come to us, we are the biggest club in the world, there’s no question in my mind about that."
And, taking such giddiness to another level entirely, he told Manchester United's official website: “This is the biggest sports team in the world, not just the biggest football team.”
It is this kind of thinking that helps explain the groundhog day reporting on Bale. The Welshman is already a bona fide Galactico, acquired by Real Madrid for a world-record fee of €100 million. He is almost the most commercially exciting active footballer born in the UK. When journalists ask whether Woodward is interested in bringing Bale back to the Premier League as soon as possible, the answer is yes. Cue stories about United lining up Bale.
One problem with this is that United have been here before. As Madrid messed Daniel Levy around on the precise terms and schedule of their offer to meet the Tottenham Hotspur chairman's asking price for Bale in the summer of 2013, Woodward was waiting in the wings. His strategy was that of a man who believes money makes the day—to come in with a bigger, better last-minute offer for a commodity and gazump all rivals.Ask those who know Perez well whether he'd take a quick profit on his gaudiest transfer, and the answer would be no way. Ask Perez himself about selling to United and the reply is: “We have not received an offer from Manchester or any other club for Gareth Bale. We would never listen to any offer for Bale, no matter what the fee.”
As for Bale, he doesn't appear too enamoured with the idea of swapping the summit of European football for a club still struggling to keep Southampton below them and return to the Champions League.
“I am very happy in Madrid, a city, a climate and a club that I love,” said Bale told Dubai TV a fortnight ago (via the Independent). “My contract ends in 2019, and I could sign a renewal. It has been a fantastic year for me. I wanted to come to Real Madrid to win titles and work alongside the best players and that is exactly what I have done in a single year.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2329389-inside-line-manchester-united-might-want-gareth-bale-but-they-wont-get-him
United's executive vice-chairman has a plan. It is not a particularly original plan, but it is certainly grandiose. Woodward's calculation is that spending big earns big in the modern football market. Specifically, spending big on the big-name players.
When Woodward watches Cristiano Ronaldo, he sees commercial revenue. And what propelled Woodward from his 2005 role helping the Glazer family with United's “financial planning” to his appointment as the club's chief executive in 2013 was an impressive ability to inflate commercial cash flow.
Under his stewardship, the club has landed record shirt sponsorship and kit deals and so many global, regional, media and financial “partners” they can't even be shown on a single page of the official website.There is no question that Manchester United sells and that Woodward has succeeded in selling it like no one before him. When it comes to buying, however, the 43-year-old chartered accountant is rather more derivative. Think Real Madrid. Think Galactico. Think of Woodward as a wannabe Florentino Perez.
Sir Alex Ferguson's net spend on transfer fees in his eight years working for the Glazers averaged out at under £20 million a season; Woodward has taken just three windows to negotiate several transfers worth more than that figure. When United's chief executive is asked about how far he is prepared to take the club's spending, he goes out of his way to emphasise its scale.
“The reality is that we're not afraid of spending significant amounts of money in the transfer market,” said Woodward in the summer. “Whether it's a record or not doesn't really resonate with us. There is no budget.
“I want us to win. I want to stop seeing the best players going to other clubs in Spain, I want us to stand out as the best club in the world. We’ll do absolutely everything we can to achieve that.”Woodward refuses to have his view of United's global stature obscured by anything as categorical as European Cup count, relative income or current league position. “Talking to agents, talking from a player’s perspective about wanting to come to us, we are the biggest club in the world, there’s no question in my mind about that."
And, taking such giddiness to another level entirely, he told Manchester United's official website: “This is the biggest sports team in the world, not just the biggest football team.”
It is this kind of thinking that helps explain the groundhog day reporting on Bale. The Welshman is already a bona fide Galactico, acquired by Real Madrid for a world-record fee of €100 million. He is almost the most commercially exciting active footballer born in the UK. When journalists ask whether Woodward is interested in bringing Bale back to the Premier League as soon as possible, the answer is yes. Cue stories about United lining up Bale.
One problem with this is that United have been here before. As Madrid messed Daniel Levy around on the precise terms and schedule of their offer to meet the Tottenham Hotspur chairman's asking price for Bale in the summer of 2013, Woodward was waiting in the wings. His strategy was that of a man who believes money makes the day—to come in with a bigger, better last-minute offer for a commodity and gazump all rivals.Ask those who know Perez well whether he'd take a quick profit on his gaudiest transfer, and the answer would be no way. Ask Perez himself about selling to United and the reply is: “We have not received an offer from Manchester or any other club for Gareth Bale. We would never listen to any offer for Bale, no matter what the fee.”
As for Bale, he doesn't appear too enamoured with the idea of swapping the summit of European football for a club still struggling to keep Southampton below them and return to the Champions League.
“I am very happy in Madrid, a city, a climate and a club that I love,” said Bale told Dubai TV a fortnight ago (via the Independent). “My contract ends in 2019, and I could sign a renewal. It has been a fantastic year for me. I wanted to come to Real Madrid to win titles and work alongside the best players and that is exactly what I have done in a single year.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2329389-inside-line-manchester-united-might-want-gareth-bale-but-they-wont-get-him
Every Major European Team's 2014/15 Player of the Season so Far
We're just over halfway through the season across Europe, and the continent's major clubs are either living up to expectations, overachieving or enduring disappointments.
Still, each and every one has gifted individuals, and it is those players who continue to try and drive their teams forward in a bid to reach new highs.
Who are the standout performers, though? And who is headed for their club's Player of the Year trophy?
It's a little easier to work out some over others, but here's our attempt.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2326867-every-major-european-teams-201415-player-of-the-season-so-far
Still, each and every one has gifted individuals, and it is those players who continue to try and drive their teams forward in a bid to reach new highs.
Who are the standout performers, though? And who is headed for their club's Player of the Year trophy?
It's a little easier to work out some over others, but here's our attempt.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2326867-every-major-european-teams-201415-player-of-the-season-so-far
Wednesday, 14 January 2015
La Liga Team for Week 18: Barcelona Front Three Dominate Atletico Madrid
La Liga's latest round of fixtures in Spain produced plenty of noteworthy performances, both on a team and individual player level.
Barcelona's 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid at the top of the table was obviously one of the big highlights, but at the other end of the table, both Cordoba and Elche picked up vital, and unexpected, victories away from home.
Here's our team of the week, incorporating all 10 matches played between Friday and Monday night.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2327991-la-liga-team-for-week-18-barcelona-front-three-dominate-atletico-madrid
Barcelona's 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid at the top of the table was obviously one of the big highlights, but at the other end of the table, both Cordoba and Elche picked up vital, and unexpected, victories away from home.
Here's our team of the week, incorporating all 10 matches played between Friday and Monday night.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2327991-la-liga-team-for-week-18-barcelona-front-three-dominate-atletico-madrid
Asian Cup 2015: Group Stage Scores, Results, Updated Table and Schedule
Australia are setting out to win their first ever Asian Cup competition and looking to build on a disappointing showing at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
This year's hosts joined the confederation in 2007 and came close to winning the competition in 2011, when they lost after extra time in the final.
Japan were the victors that day, securing their record fourth tournament win. A total of 16 teams now have the chance to try to topple Asia's dominant side in a busy schedule which runs from Jan. 9-31.
Be sure to check back here regularly for the latest updates from the competition.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2324290-asian-cup-2015-group-stage-scores-results-updated-table-and-schedule
This year's hosts joined the confederation in 2007 and came close to winning the competition in 2011, when they lost after extra time in the final.
Japan were the victors that day, securing their record fourth tournament win. A total of 16 teams now have the chance to try to topple Asia's dominant side in a busy schedule which runs from Jan. 9-31.
Be sure to check back here regularly for the latest updates from the competition.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2324290-asian-cup-2015-group-stage-scores-results-updated-table-and-schedule
Lionel Messi's Treatment of Barcelona Slammed by Spanish Media
Two days after finishing second to Cristiano Ronaldo in the 2014 Ballon d'Or vote—prior to which he suggested he couldn't confirm where he will be playing in a year's time—the player's attitude toward Barcelona has been questioned by the Spanish press.
Namely, AS editor Alfredo Relano believes Messi needs to remember the commitment Barca have made to their superstar forward over the years.
Relano's column comes after Messi suggested "I'm not sure where I'll be next year," per Miguel Delaney of ESPN FC. He suggests the player—who believes "everything can change overnight" in footballBoth he and Barca have needed each other over the years. The club provided Messi with a platform in which to develop and express his talent, while the player's quality has made good on such an investment. His display alongside Neymar and Luis Suarez during the recent 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid, in which all three scored, suggests Messi could use criticism to fuel a purple patch of form.
Many are likely to agree with Relano's comments, while others will react angrily to his article. In any case, it's profitable to focus on the player's numbers—Messi has 25 goals and 10 assists in 24 appearances this season, per WhoScored.com—to determine his true value to Barcelona.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2329378-lionel-messis-treatment-of-barcelona-slammed-by-spanish-media
Namely, AS editor Alfredo Relano believes Messi needs to remember the commitment Barca have made to their superstar forward over the years.
Relano's column comes after Messi suggested "I'm not sure where I'll be next year," per Miguel Delaney of ESPN FC. He suggests the player—who believes "everything can change overnight" in footballBoth he and Barca have needed each other over the years. The club provided Messi with a platform in which to develop and express his talent, while the player's quality has made good on such an investment. His display alongside Neymar and Luis Suarez during the recent 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid, in which all three scored, suggests Messi could use criticism to fuel a purple patch of form.
Many are likely to agree with Relano's comments, while others will react angrily to his article. In any case, it's profitable to focus on the player's numbers—Messi has 25 goals and 10 assists in 24 appearances this season, per WhoScored.com—to determine his true value to Barcelona.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2329378-lionel-messis-treatment-of-barcelona-slammed-by-spanish-media
Manchester United Transfer News: Paul Pogba FourFourTwo Interview Fuels Rumours
Manchester United fans will be over the moon to hear Paul Pogba still holds an affection for the outfit that handed him his professional debut, this week admitting he still "loves the club."
The French international cut ties with the Red Devils in 2012 under heated circumstances, but in a recent interview with FourFourTwo (h/t 101GreatGoals), shared that there is no bad blood:It was Sir Alex Ferguson who assured Pogba of his fate, but now that Louis van Gaal is at the helm, perhaps Pogba would be ready to try his hand at Old Trafford once again.
Since moving to Turin, Pogba has evolved from a rough-around-the-edges prospect to one of Europe's most highly rated midfielders, one the Bianconeri will be eager to keep hold of as long as they can.The Red Devils would assuredly love to welcome their former starlet back, too, given that his elite box-to-box skill set makes him a superb fit as the engine-room presence Van Gaal's squad has been seeking.
Pogba's agent Mino Raiola has also poured fuel on speculation by opening the door to his client's Juve exit when speaking to Italian television station Mediaset (h/t Independent's Jack de Menezes):As aforementioned, a Pogba capture would go a long way in completing the United puzzle, adding to the 2014 acquisitions of Daley Blind and Ander Herrera to give Van Gaal's core a classier feel.
Based on his feelings toward the club, Pogba appears open to the idea of a Red Devils return, but there are many obstacles and battles to be overcome before that club can be considered serious contenders.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2329315-manchester-united-transfer-news-paul-pogba-fourfourtwo-interview-fuels-rumours
The French international cut ties with the Red Devils in 2012 under heated circumstances, but in a recent interview with FourFourTwo (h/t 101GreatGoals), shared that there is no bad blood:It was Sir Alex Ferguson who assured Pogba of his fate, but now that Louis van Gaal is at the helm, perhaps Pogba would be ready to try his hand at Old Trafford once again.
Since moving to Turin, Pogba has evolved from a rough-around-the-edges prospect to one of Europe's most highly rated midfielders, one the Bianconeri will be eager to keep hold of as long as they can.The Red Devils would assuredly love to welcome their former starlet back, too, given that his elite box-to-box skill set makes him a superb fit as the engine-room presence Van Gaal's squad has been seeking.
Pogba's agent Mino Raiola has also poured fuel on speculation by opening the door to his client's Juve exit when speaking to Italian television station Mediaset (h/t Independent's Jack de Menezes):As aforementioned, a Pogba capture would go a long way in completing the United puzzle, adding to the 2014 acquisitions of Daley Blind and Ander Herrera to give Van Gaal's core a classier feel.
Based on his feelings toward the club, Pogba appears open to the idea of a Red Devils return, but there are many obstacles and battles to be overcome before that club can be considered serious contenders.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2329315-manchester-united-transfer-news-paul-pogba-fourfourtwo-interview-fuels-rumours
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