ARQUEROSJulio César (Inter de Milán-ITA)Víctor (Gremio)Jefferson (Botafogo)
DEFENSORESLúcio (Inter de Milán-ITA)Thiago Silva (AC Milan-ITA)Luisao (Benfica-POR)David Luiz (Chelsea-ING)Daniel Alves (Barcelona-ESP)Maicon (Inter de Milán-ITA)André Santos (Fenerbahçe-TUR)Adriano (Barcelona-ESP)
VOLANTES Lucas Leiva (Liverpool-ING)Sandro (Tottenham- ING)Ramires (Chelsea-ING)Elías (Atlético de Madrid-ESP)Elano (Santos)Jadson (Shakthar Donetsk-UKR)Lucas Moura (Sao Paulo) Paulo Henrique Ganso (Santos)
DELANTEROS Robinho (AC Milan-ITA)Alexandre Pato (AC Milan- ITA)Fred (Fluminense) Neymar (Santos).

spain football A " visual surf" through the local Spanish Football Sports press this morning brings out this story that originally hit the headlines last Friday & today gets a more detailed analysis. According to Portugues Sports paper "Record" BENFICA defender COENTRAO had a heavy verbal debate with his Coach & stormed off the training session last Thursday.

SPANISH FOOTBALL & SPORTS daily newspaper "AS" publish that the arrival of BENFICA & Portuguese International FABIO COENTRAO is an almost done deal. The paper goes on to inform that REAL MADRID is waiting to transfer French midfielder LASS DIARRA & then with the money gained do the operation with Benfica for their player.

SPANISH FOOTBALL & SPORTS daily newspaper "AS" publish that the arrival of BENFICA & Portuguese International FABIO COENTRAO is an almost done deal. The paper goes on to inform that REAL MADRID is waiting to transfer French midfielder LASS DIARRA & then with the money gained do the operation with Benfica for their player.

The, Bart, The Poor old David Luiz looked like he was going to be Chelsea's star attraction in the January transfer window. Instead he ended up being sneaked in through the tradesman's entrance as Fernando Torres stole the show. Hopefully he is not planning a murderous revenge, despite his similarities to The Simpsons' resident psychopath [.

Really surprised to read La Gazzeta Dello Sport today and the particulars of a phone call between Leonardo and Jose Mourinho last week. It appears that the two speak often, but this call was different as it concerned a swap between the two clubs involving Maicon and Kaka.

Real Madrid wanted Maicon last season, while Inter are worried that Wesley Sneijder will move to the Premier League this summer, so on paper the deal makes sense.

Goal.com has that Real Madrid and Benfica have agreed on a fee for Coentrao. The only hurdle so to say is now the contract between Real Madrid and Fabio Coentrao. This has never been a problem at Real Madrid so if the reports are to be believed then we, the Real Madrid fans, have got [...]

It's April 3, 2004, 14 year-old US soccer sensation Freddy Adu is about to make his MLS and professional soccer debut with D.C. United. RFK stadium is sold out, and kids everywhere are wearing his jersey. There's a certain buzz in the air that wasn't present in any MLS game before. Soccer analysts were calling him, "the future of US soccer".

Really surprised to read La Gazzeta Dello Sport today and the particulars of a phone call between Leonardo and Jose Mourinho last week. It appears that the two speak often, but this call was different as it concerned a swap between the two clubs involving Maicon and Kaka.

Real Madrid wanted Maicon last season, while Inter are worried that Wesley Sneijder will move to the Premier League this summer, so on paper the deal makes sense.

Arsenal have reportedly rejected Barcelona's latest offer, believed to be in the region of £35 million, for captain Cesc Fabregas.

Barcelona have already failed with a £27m bid for their former academy graduate this summer and were believed to have upped that considerably, although with £5m of the fee coming in add-ons.

Arsenal have named the 19-man squad that have arrived in Portugal, ahead of tomorrow's match with Benfica.

Arsene Wenger and his team landed in Portugal tonight, and are all set to play their last game of this pre-season in Lisbon tomorrow night.

The squad is as follows, in alphabetical order:

Arshavin, Chamakh, Djourou, Fabianski, Frimpong, Gervinho, Jenkinson, Lansbury, Miquel, Miyaichi, Ramsey, Rosicky, Sagna, Song, Squillaci, Szczesny, Traore, Van Persie, Vermaelen.

On Friday, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger gave an injury update ahead of tonight's away game against Benfica in the Eusebio Cup. The Frenchman started by saying that striker Theo Walcott is back in training and could ...

It is not easy to summarise this summer's pre-season, a summer of expectations, a summer of very, very disappointing results. We played six games in less than a month: Malaysia All-Stars XI, Hangzhou Greentown, Cologne, Boca ...

Richard Motzkin, Freddy Adu's agent, said that the 22-year-old is available to play for the Philadelphia Union tomorrow night against FC Dallas.

Motzkin confirmed, via Twitter, that Adu's International Transfer Certificate had been received by the Union, making him eligible to play for the team.

That's the million dollar question, and proves the ultimate tactical chess match for Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Who he chooses to play, and in what alignment and system, prove to be they key questions in the preparations for this Clash of the Titans.

Phil McNulty of the BBC analyses the challenges posed to Ferguson as he preps for Barca.

Photo by ISIphotos.com

Freddy Adu has had his share of ups and downs throughout his seven years as a professional soccer player. There were the highs of signing with MLS and Benfica, and enjoying success with the Under-20 national team, but there have also been lows, like bouncing around on a string of unsuccessful loan spells.

Spanish Sports paper "AS" reports that Portuguese International & BENFICA player FABIO COENTRAO could solve his future this week with Spanish Football Club REAL MADRID. This transfer rumour gets stronger & stronger as the days go on which makes one think that there could be some real truth behind it all.

Spanish Sports paper "AS" reports that Portuguese International & BENFICA player FABIO COENTRAO could solve his future this week with Spanish Football Club REAL MADRID. This transfer rumour gets stronger & stronger as the days go on which makes one think that there could be some real truth behind it all.

The fans of P.S.N.L have spoken and have given Portuguese National Team captain and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo the Portuguese Player of the Year for the 2010/11 season after another remarkable campaign in which Ronaldo broke the La Liga record for goals in a season and finished the season with 53 goals in all competitions.

The Game So, the end, sort of. This is our last friendly game of pre-season and from next week, as they say, the going will get tough. Today I decided to watch Inter Milan vs AC Milan ...

Arsenal were defeated 2-1 by Portuguese giants Benfica in Saturday's Eusebio Cup and although the match was little more than a pre-season friendly, it proved it harbinger for what Gooners can expect this season. In short, Arsenal fans ought to be worried and for good reason. Within 90 short minutes in the legendary Stadium of [.

Arsenal were defeated 2-1 by Portuguese giants Benfica in Saturday's Eusebio Cup and although the match was little more than a pre-season friendly, it proved it harbinger for what Gooners can expect this season. In short, Arsenal fans ought to be worried and for good reason. Within 90 short minutes in the legendary Stadium of [.

Is his ankle alright?

From the 6 pre season games that Arsenal have played, the result stands at 2 wins, 3 draws and 1 defeat. Is there anything that can be drawn out of these matches? Pre season are meant for fitness/stamina building, creating understanding between players and improving the camaraderie within the squad.

Is his ankle alright?

From the 6 pre season games that Arsenal have played, the result stands at 2 wins, 3 draws and 1 defeat. Is there anything that can be drawn out of these matches? Pre season are meant for fitness/stamina building, creating understanding between players and improving the camaraderie within the squad.

Freddy Adu's roller-coaster ride through Europe could end with a return to Major League Soccer.

Chivas USA is lining up a move to sign Adu as a Designated Player, high-ranking MLS sources told SBI late Tuesday night.

Adu is currently in the final year of his contract with Benfica, but could be allowed to move to MLS on a free transfer as the Portuguese club is looking to unload his contract.

Kaká finding form with Real Madrid and now back with Brazil

Mano Menezes has announced his squad for the international friendlies versus Gabon on 10th November and Egypt four days later.
With the Campeonato Brasileiro in the run in to the end of the championship, Menezes has listened to the Brazilian clubs calls to leave their players out of the Brazil's games.

Photo by ISIphotos.com

Freddy Adu is closing in on another career stop, and it doesn't appear to be in Major League Soccer.

According to Yanks Abroad, Adu is on trial with FC Ingolstadt 04, the same 2. Bundesliga club that employs American Amaechi Igwe.

The club's Web site confirms that Adu is scheduled to be with the team, which is taking part in its winter training camp in Turkey, through Sunday.

Chelsea's Blues: Bizarre transfer window policy suggests deeper problems is a post from: Just Football

Lying in 4th is one thing. Being outbid for Steven Pienaar by Spurs? A different matter altogether. Joe Steppel returns to Just Football to look at the underlying problems at Chelsea.

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

American midfielder Freddy Adu's long and winding path through Europe has taken him to Turkey.

According to Richard Motzkin, his agent, Adu is set to move to Turkish second division club Rizespor on loan. Portuguese club Benfica, which bought Adu from Real Salt Lake in 2007, still owns Adu's contract.

Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger called Chelsea hypocrites after they spent over £75 million on new players while the club announced a £70 million loss. Chelsea signed Fernando Torres from Liverpool and David Luiz from Benfica during the transfer window after recently claiming to want to invest in youth and while supporting UEFA's financial fair-play policy.

(This entry is formulated with additional details provided by the media release issued by The Red Card, the co-organizers of the 23rd Canon Lion City Cup)
(Pictured above) I drawn "Juventus" to join Group A (picture credit: The Red Card)
... that the National U-15 team due to play in the upcoming 23rd Canon Lion City Cup had found themselves grouped together with Italian powerhouses Juventus U-15 and Newcastle United's U-15 squad in the Group A.

This stunning Oscar Cardozo goal vs Braga gave Benfica a 2-1 win over their Portuguese rivals in the first leg of their Europa League semifinal on 28th April 2011. The Cardozo goal against Braga came close to the hour mark, with the game tied at 1-1. From around 30 yards out, Cardozo fired an unstoppable [.

This stunning Oscar Cardozo goal vs Braga gave Benfica a 2-1 win over their Portuguese rivals in the first leg of their Europa League semifinal on 28th April 2011. The Cardozo goal against Braga came close to the hour mark, with the game tied at 1-1. From around 30 yards out, Cardozo fired an unstoppable [.

Manchester United vs Schalke 2011 Old Trafford, Manchester- 4/5/11- 4 May, 2011- Champions League Semifinal- Second Leg Final score:- Manchester United vs Schalke 4-1 ( Valencia, Gibson, Anderson*2/ Jose M.Jurado) Manchester United's second string side thrash Schalke 4-1 at Old Trafford to win 6-1 on aggregate and progress to a final meeting with FC Barcelona [.

There has been much speculation about who Arsenal could face in the Champions League Qualifying games in August, and there are very few real permutations of opponents. It is true that clubs like Bayern Munich, Lyon, Benfica and Villarreal will all be in the Qualifiers, but there is NO chance that Arsenal will be playing [.

Nuno Gomes' days as a member of Benfica are set to end as the 34 year old captain's contract ends June 30/11 and coach Jorge Jesus has no interest in keeping the striker with the club for next season. Benfica would like to offer Gomes a managerial position with the club but the soon to be 35 year old is looking to play one more season before deciding to hang up his cleats.

News circulating locally & awaiting an final official announcement from REAL MADRID indicates that 23 year old Portuguese International & BENFICA player FABIO COENTRAO will be signed at any moment. In fact, media announce total agreement from all parts as the player passed the obligatory medical exam this morning.

News circulating locally & awaiting an final official announcement from REAL MADRID indicates that 23 year old Portuguese International & BENFICA player FABIO COENTRAO will be signed at any moment. In fact, media announce total agreement from all parts as the player passed the obligatory medical exam this morning.

Real Madrid have finally signed Benfica full-back Fábio Coentrão for a fee of around to be €30m.

The 23-year-old Portuguese international has signed a six-year deal at the Bernabéu, is the fifth new signing for Jose Mourinho side, following the earlier signings this summer of Raphaël Varane, Hamit Altıntop, Nuri Şahin and José Callejón.

Whilst it's still early in pre-season and players are still finding their feet, some patterns are emerging after two games.

Wenger's early acquisition Carl Jenkinson looks a good buy. He never put a foot wrong in either game. As the pre=season friendlies move up a level it will be interesting how he copes against Cologne and Benfica.