Uefa Champions League

15th February 2012

The San Siro Stadium

AC Milan v Arsenal

It's down to the serious business of the knockout stages of the biggest prize in European club football.

"You are just on loan Dave..."A SALARY CAP FAR, FAR AWAY
In the most uneventful (in a good way) pre-season of Toronto FC's history, we can't help but gaze into the distance at our next meaningful opponent, LA Galaxy. In one of the shrewdest moves in MLS governance, Galaxy persuaded the league to allow them to use Mexican Pesos as their salary cap currency.

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes says that his side cannot afford to drop any more points if they are to successfully defend their La Liga title this season.

Barca were held to a 0-0 draw against Villarreal on Saturday, a result that now leaves them seven points behind league leaders Real Madrid, who recorded a 3-1 win over Real Zaragoza at the weekend.

Homare Sawa and Lionel Messi won the Women's and Men's Player of the Year awards last night

FIFA's annual awards ceremony took place in Zurich last night and there weren't too many surprises as to who would come top of the main awards of the evening.

It was obvious to all of the world and his dog that Lionel Messi would come to win the Player of the Year award in 2011 following yet another truly successful twelve months with his club FC Barcelona.

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has at last re-signed for the Gunners, it has just been announced. The deal was concluded in time for the Frenchman to be eligible to play in Monday's FA Cup clash with Leeds although doubts remain about his match fitness.

Henry has left speculators, pundits and critics undecided about the impact this might have on the Arsenal squad.

The imminent resigning of Arsenal Legend Thierry Daniel Henry has left speculators, pundits and critics undecided about the impact this might have on the Arsenal squad. It is easy to overlook the Wenger & Henry combination which has proved to be successful on and off for approximately twenty years.

Borussia Dortmund has one of the world's up-and-coming stars in its grasp, and the defending Bundesliga champions aren't planning on letting him go.

Dortmund plans to keep 19-year-old playmaker Mario Goetze for at least another season despite major transfer interest, the club's sporting director said to German media.

2011 has gone past us and we all are looking forward to the new year, 2012 with hope. The past year was something like a rollercoaster ride - the financial turbulence, a slew of nature's fury at various parts of world, the fight for democracy at other parts all made it a wonderful ride.

FC Barcelona resumed domestic action last night following their triumph in the FIFA Club World Cup and helped themselves to a 9-0 rout over third tier side L'Hospitalet in the Round of 32 of the Copa Del Rey (Spanish Cup).

Barcelona, who already led 1-0 from the first leg of this tie, played a relatively strong side against their Catalonian neighbours and had Pedro to thank for getting the ball rolling after just 11 minutes when converting a penalty to open the scoring.

Beckham's best option is to stay with the Los Angeles Galaxy and help establish it among the world's elite teams.
In LA, he has the chance to go to the FIFA Club World Cup and build the Galaxy's reputation.

There are only a handful of games across the soccer world on Thursday, but a pretty crucial one is taking place at White Hart Lane, where Chelsea and Tottenham do battle in a London derby (3 p.m., ESPN2/ESPN3.com/ESPN Deportes).

Tottenham sits in third place in the Premier League, two points ahead of the Blues with a game in hand.

FC Barcelona World Champions (Photo: Getty Images)

Another scintillating performance by Leo Messi saw Barcelona dismantle Brazil's Santos 4-0 to claim the FIFA Club World Cup Championship.

Barca enter the record books as the only club to ever win the tournament twice, giving Pep Guardiola his 13th trophy since taking over at the helm in 2008.

Things today that have some others worked into a tizzy, but that leave me saying, "Meh ..."

• FIFA Club World Cup
• El-Hadji Diouf (linked by France press to a potential L.A. Galaxy move), who would be on his eight club in 10 years, an cautionary sign
• Pretty much any MLS-related transfer reports that come out of France
• Mock MLS drafts
• American soccer players / coaches who don fake English accents
• Video clips of goals set to music (the truly great strikes don't need the extra umph)
• Series finales that leave more unresolved than resolved (that's for Homeland fans)

Barca duly wrapped up the 2011 Club World Cup in Yokohama on Sunday with a one-sided 4-0 win over South American champions Santos in front of a full house of 68,166 fans.
The team from Sao Paulo in Brazil had looked likely to provide stiffer opposition than they eventually offered after their impressive 3-1 win over J-League champions Kashiwa Reysol in the semi-final on Wednesday at Toyota Stadium.

Barcelona won the FIFA Club World Cup for the second time in three years on Sunday with a commanding victory over Brazilian side Santos.Lionel Messi scored twice to cap a brilliant performance and Cesc Fabregas and Xavi also got on the scoresheet in a one-sided contest in Yokohama.

Barcelona, who were without striker David Villa after he broke the shinbone in his left leg in their 4-0 semi-final victory over Al-Sadd.

Barcelona are officially the best team in the world after winning the FIFA Club World Cup thanks to a 4-0 win over Santos. Lionel Messi helped himself to two goals with midfielders Xavi and Cesc Fabregas gabbing a goal each to round off a fantastic performance and a well deserved 4-0 win. The win is [.

It may not have been the most difficult challenge that FC Barcelona would have to face in their quest to become FIFA Club World Cup winners. That, however, did not dampen the celebrations as the Spanish and European champions strolled their way past a poor Santos FC team courtesy of a 4-0 victory.

It may not have been the most difficult challenge that FC Barcelona would have to face in their quest to become FIFA Club World Cup winners. That, however, did not dampen the celebrations as the Spanish and European champions strolled their way past a poor Santos FC team courtesy of a 4-0 victory.

Real Madrid will go into the Spanish winter break with a three-point advantage over Barcelona after a 6-2 win at Sevilla.

With Barça away in Japan playing in the FIFA Club World Cup duty, José Mourinho's side took full advantage and went in front through Cristiano Ronaldo. José Callejón doubled the lead on 37 minutes, with Ronaldo's spectacular strike making it 3-0.

Real Madrid will go into the Spanish winter break with a three-point advantage over Barcelona after a 6-2 win at Sevilla.

With Barça away in Japan playing in the FIFA Club World Cup duty, José Mourinho's side took full advantage and went in front through Cristiano Ronaldo. José Callejón doubled the lead on 37 minutes, with Ronaldo's spectacular strike making it 3-0.

Set your alarms for early Sunday morning, because a rare matchup between two of the world's most entertaining teams -- and players -- is on the docket.

Barcelona and Santos each took care of business to set up a meeting between the defending European champions and the South American powerhouse in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup.

See some photographs of the Kashiwa Reysol v Santos game at the Club World Cup at Toyota Stadium.
Tags
santos football

Two nearly naked footballers in one day? Our beakers runneth over! Thanks Stefan Nikolic of Steaua Bucharest. Image: REUTERS/Bogdan Cristel.

We realise we made a huge deal about not covering the Europa League last season. But obviously, recent events from in the Champions League have forced our hand and we thought we should show willing before the big boys come.

Barcelona eased pass Qatari side Al Sadd and into the World Club Cup final but the 4-0 win was marred by a serious injury to striker David Villa. Pep Guardiola's men booked their place in Sunday's Club World Cup final against Brazilian outfit Santos thanks to an easy 4-0 win over Al Sadd. Goals by [.

David Villa fractured his left tibia shortly before half-time in the Fifa Club World Cup semi-final against Al Sadd in Yokohama, Japan today.

Villa, who had been linked with a move to away from the Nou Camp in January, was carried off on a stretcher after appearing to land awkwardly 39 minutes into a game Barcelona were winning 1-0.

Not the sight we would have wanted to greet you with on this fine footballing day. Sigh. Image: AP Photo/ Shizuo Kambayashi.

For those of you who haven't heard, David Villa fractured his tibia this morning in Barcelona's FIFA Club World Cup game vs. Al-Sadd. Early reports state the striker will probably be out of the game for six months.

FIFA Club World Cup on Fox Soccer: Barcelona - Al Saad at 5:30am. Europa League on GolTV: Hannover 96 - Vorskla Potlava at 1pm and Atletico Madrid - Rennes at 3pm. All Times Eastern

By FRANCO PANIZO

David Villa may not be living up to expectations this season with Barcelona, but that doesn't mean the club is in any rush to get rid of him.

Pep Guardiola spoke to reporters in Japan ahead of Barcelona's FIFA Club World Cup campaign and said he has no intentions of disposing of Villa, who has been linked to several Premiership clubs.

Kashiwa Reysol's FIFA Club World Cup dream ended today at the hands of South American champions Santos FC. Neymar was amongst the goals for the Brazilians as they claimed a 3-1 win against the J-League champions whilst earlier in the day North and Central American champions Monterrey CF won the 5th/6th place play-off, getting the better of African champions Espérance Tunis by the odd goal in five.

Kashiwa Reysol's FIFA Club World Cup dream ended today at the hands of South American champions Santos FC. Neymar was amongst the goals for the Brazilians as they claimed a 3-1 win against the J-League champions whilst earlier in the day North and Central American champions Monterrey CF won the 5th/6th place play-off, getting the better of African champions Espérance Tunis by the odd goal in five.

Santos overcame J-League champions Kashiwa Reysol at Toyota Stadium in the first semi-final of the 2011 Club World Cup.
19-year-old superstar-in-waiting Neymar opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a superb looping left foot shot. The genuinely two-footed player was sensational in the opening half, linking well with his team-mates and showing some amazing dribbling skills.

Like the Kickette HQ pets, Poldi loves a rub between the ears as a reward for good work. But is he prone to stealing food and peeing on the rug too? Image: AFP PHOTO / PATRIK STOLLARZ.

The games featured in this results posts are as randomly selected and disorganised as the contents of an average Kickette staffer's desk draw.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has dismissed Spanish media reports linking David Villa with a move away from the Nou Camp in the January transfer window.

Sports newspaper Marca claimed oin Wednesday that the striker is ready to move on from Barca just 19 months into the four-year deal agreed following his 40million euro transfer from Valencia.

Houston Dynamo fans have been waiting since the club's inaugural 2006 season for a soccer-specific stadium they could call their own, and, come May, that dream will be realized.

According to the Houston Chronicle, that stadium will be named BBVA Compass Stadium at an official ceremony slated for Wednesday afternoon.

David Villa will not be sold to Chelsea says Barcelona's Pep Guardiola

• Coach says report linking striker with transfer is 'a lie' • Liverpool and Aston Villa also linked with January bids The Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has dismissed Spanish media reports linking David Villa with a move away from the club in the January transfer window.

By Chris Wright

As we speak, Santos are over in Japan playing Kashiwa Reysol in the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup and Neymar has just done this...

I think I'm right in saying that Santos are 2-0 up at half-time as things currently stand, with Borges getting the other for the Brazilians.

FIFA Club World Cup on Fox Soccer: Monterrey - Esperance at 2:30am and Santos - Kashiwa at 5:30am. Europa League on GolTV: PSG - Atletico Bilbao at 1pm and Fulham - Odense BK at 3pm. All Times Eastern

The opening acts at the FIFA Club World Cup were pretty entertaining. Now Lionel Messi and Neymar are ready for center stage and perhaps a final duel that would pit South America's preeminent attacking talents against each other.

The first few games at the tournament have provided some great theater, with host Kashiwa Reysol stealing the show with two victories, including a penalty-kick triumph over CONCACAF champion Monterrey.

Both sides of the Clásico Regiomontano experienced different emotions during the weekend. CONCACAF club champions Monterrey were knocked out of the FIFA Club World Cup by Japanese champions Kashiwa Reysol, 4-3 on penalties after the match finished 1-1 at the end of 120 minutes. Reysol took the lead through their star midfielder Leander Domingues, but the Rayados equalized through Humberto Suazo five minutes later.

Both sides of the Clásico Regiomontano experienced different emotions during the weekend. CONCACAF club champions Monterrey were knocked out of the FIFA Club World Cup by Japanese champions Kashiwa Reysol, 4-3 on penalties after the match finished 1-1 at the end of 120 minutes. Reysol took the lead through their star midfielder Leander Domingues, but the Rayados equalized through Humberto Suazo five minutes later.