Bayern Munich were so keen to get home and start celebrating their Champions League semi-final win over Barcelona that they left star midfielder Javi Martinez behind at Camp Nou. The former Athletic Bilbao man's reward for another imperious performance against the Catalans was to be left hanging around in Barca's car park waiting to be [.
On Wednesday, Barcelona will host Bayern Munich in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals. The Catalan giants were thoroughly outplayed by the German side in the first leg, losing 4-0 at the Allianz Arena.
Considering they are at such a disadvantage on aggregate, the Blaugrana will need to score early like they did against AC Milan in this season's quarterfinals in order to even make the tie interesting.
Commanding. Pivotal. Tenacious. Javi Martinez has become the complete anchor midfielder.
By Dominic Vieira
He's worth every cent of the €40m paid for him last year by Bayern Munich, a Bundesliga record that not even Gotze managed to smash only a few hours ago.
I knew Bayern Munich was the best side of the four remaining in the CL. And I thought that Barcelona was the weakest side without a working Lionel Messi. But I never thought the difference would have been so large. 4-0! Bayern Munich disproved the Barcelona mantra that you need to have the ball to be the better team; the Germans just let the Catalonians pass the ball around, but without fantasy
Bayern Munich: The Story of a Record-Breaking Season is a post from: Just Football
by Cristian Nyari
Another weekend, another win for Bayern Munich. That seems to be the trend this year in the Bundesliga.
The recently-crowned German champions rolled over Hannover with an emphatic 6-1 on matchday 30, prior to that they got their their 100th win at the Allianz Arena with another imperious 4-0 win against Nürnberg, and with a squad of second choice players no less.
Nani's red card against Real Madrid prompted much debate as to whether or not it was merited. Most Manchester United fans protested that it was an incorrect decision. And Roy Keane gleefully took up the case for the referee. As if to rub salt into the wounds, United supporters watching last night's match between Bayern [.
Jupp Heynckes is aware that his Bayern Munich side has benefited tremendously from the high-profile summer signing of Spanish midfielder Javi Martinez, despite the fact that the Bavarian outfit's front-line has consistently stolen the headlines this season.
Bayern have been in terrific form at the Bundesliga summit and have been able to carry that to the UEFA Champions League as well, where they last dismantled Lille 6-1.
Bayern Munich celebrated the 2012 Edition of Oktoberfest in typical Bavarian style yesterday, except this time, they had new recruit Javi Martinez within their ranks. Granted, the Spaniard looked a little confused by the dress code (the Spanish don't do Bavarian Fancy dress bring on the 'beret', which is the traditional Basque costume!
Unbelieveable comments today from Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge about big-spending Paris Saint-Germain.
Rummenigge, who is also the President of the European Club Association, believes that PSG should face sanctions under UEFA's Financial Fair Play for their summer spending spree, and that the idea of paying Zlatan Ibrahimovic €14 million a yea gives him "stomach ache".
Spain international Javi Martinez has decided he's probably not welcome at former club Athletic Bilbao since forcing through a summer move to Bayern Munich. The German giants triggered Martinez's €4o million buyout clause and the midfielder was off. Without even stopping to collect his belongings, as it turns out.
Bayern Munich have completed the £31.6million signing of Athletic Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez.
The Spain international, comfortable in defence or a defensive midfield role, had been tipped with
a move to Manchester City. But Bayern have been favourites for his signature for some time, despite
wranglings over the whopping transfer fee.
The arrival of Athletic Bilbao's Javi Martinez at Bayern
Munich has understandably drummed up a great deal of excitement among the German press,
especially since the Bundesliga is a considered an unusual destination for many Spanish players. Of
course, given the fact that he still has many years ahead of him (the Premiership next,
perhaps?
BAYERN MUNICH paid the 40M€ contract release clause of ATHLETIC CLUB BILBAO & Spanish
International player JAVI MARTINEZ to secure his services for the next 5 years. Spanish Football
loses a great young player with enormous projection & future which is a Bayern gain. Martinez
signs his release clause Javi Martinez overtakes Mario Gomez as the highest transfer fee player in
Bundesliga History
Bayern Munich have announced the signing of highly rated Spain midfielder Javi Martinez in
controversial circumstances, with the player's former club Athletic Bilbao claiming that they never
allowed the player to enter transfer discussions.
Martinez, once a top target for English champions Manchester City, arrived in Munich on Tuesday
to begin talks with the Bundesliga giants amid reports that his La Liga club were still unwilling
to offload him.
Manchester City told to stump up for Martinez and Garcia - originally posted on
Soccerlens.com
Roberto Mancini was vocal in the need for Manchester City to strengthen their squad in the
aftermath of his side's 2-2 draw with Liverpool on Sunday, but the Premier League champions will
not get any of their targets for cheap.
Javi Martinez has been rumored with a move from Athletic Bilbao to Bayern Munich for weeks. But
suddenly, the deal seems much less likely to be completed.
On Wednesday, Bayern president Uli Hoeness downplayed the potential move for the centerback,
calling the Athletic Bilbao front office "very, very stubborn" and claiming that Bilbao is doing
everything they can to stop the move.
Bombshell out of Germany this afternoon when German media "Bild" announced that BAYERN MUNICH would
pay the 40M€ contract release clause of JAVI MARTINEZ midfielder for ATHLETIC CLUB BILBAO &
Spanish International. Javi Martinez The Spanish Football Club is silent & the German Club Bayern
Munich dismiss the news as being incorrect.
According to reports in Spain's most read newspaper, Marca, Liverpool have approached Fernando
Amorebieta's representatives to express "a serious interest" in signing the Athletic Bilbao centre
back.
The Venezuelan international is currently under contract with the Basque club until June 2013, so
they will now have to decide whether to renew his contract this summer or risk him leaving for free
in a year's time.
Spain may have defeated Panama 5-1 in Wednesday's international friendly, but part of the squad's main agenda was also to promote solidarity and friendship between the two nations. Panama was part of the Spanish empire for 300 years and still remains the smallest Spanish-speaking Latin American country in terms of population.
SPANISH FOOTBALL NATIONAL Coach & Selector Vicente del Bosque has handed in today his list of
players to represent SPAIN in an upcoming Friendly International against Saudi Arabia on the 7th of
September, then later an official World Cup 2014 Group match against Georgia on the 11th of
September away.
Olympics: What lessons for Spain after first round failure? is a post from: Just Football
by Ashley Escobar
Hear that? That's the quiet disturbing cooing of smug laughter leaking out of English faces.
"The Spanish are OUT of the Olympics!" As some struggle to restrain themselves from jumping for
joy, others stand smugly smiling, their eyes saying "we told you so".
Spain's Olympic campaign got off to a relative nightmare against Japan in their 0-1
loss tonight- considering the fact that they had three Euro 2012 winners
on their squad in Javi Martinez, Jordi Alba and Juan Mata
(the 3 J's!
Bolzplatzheld versucht den Fußball aus Sicht von Facebook und Twitter zu beleuchten, deckt investigativ Missstände im Fußball auf und versucht sie zu ändern, wird nach Bundesligaspieltagen im Schlafzimmer des Moderators aufgezeichnet, soll ausschließlich Spaß machen und ist so interaktiv, wie es andere sein wollen.
Images via facebook. If this was a consequence of all big money moves, we reckon players would be a lot more cautious with their signatures. Look at the fear in his eyes, Kickettes. He's obviously seen the footage from last year's festivities.
Bolzplatzheld versucht den Fußball aus Sicht von Facebook und Twitter zu beleuchten, deckt investigativ Missstände im Fußball auf und versucht sie zu ändern, wird nach Bundesligaspieltagen im Schlafzimmer des Moderators aufgezeichnet, soll ausschließlich Spaß machen und ist so interaktiv, wie es andere sein wollen.
Manchester City's transfer window: Mancini strenghtens late in the day - originally posted on
Soccerlens.com
Manchester City had a strange transfer window in that their usual financial splurging was not
evident until the final hours of Friday's deadline day. Roberto Mancini's men are certainly the
team to beat after winning the Premier League last season, and the Italian coach has been vocal in
his desire to add new players to his squad in a bid for silverware in 2012-13.
Roberto Mancini confirms Manchester City's intentions to buy - originally posted on
Soccerlens.com
After Manchester City came back from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Liverpool on Sunday, Roberto
Mancini has confirmed that the club must buy new players before the end of the transfer window to
retain their Premier League title.
Javi Martinez is officially a Bayern Munich player.
After an on-again, off-again transfer saga, the Spanish international has completed his move
from Athletic Bilbao to the German giants for a €40 million fee that was necessary to trigger a
buy-out clause in his contract.
Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao scored a hat trick Monday as his team thrashed Athletic
Bilbao 4-0 in the teams' first meeting since the Europa League final last season.
Falcao scored twice in the 3-0 victory in Romania in May and could have scored more at the
Vicente Calderon as Bilbao continued to struggle without Spain internationals Fernando Llorente and
Javi Martinez, who were omitted from the squad again with their futures at the Basque club
uncertain.
La Liga: Falcao batters Bilbao as Real Madrid stumble again is a post from: Just Football
by Ashley Escobar
Bilbao battered
The rumours of a loose lion stalking the streets of Essex proved to be false but over in Madrid,
a group of lions were being savagely mauled by a falcon; or Radamel Falcao GarcÃa
to give him his full name.
After watching his side salvage a 2-2 draw at Anfield on Sunday, Manchester City manager Roberto
Mancini admitted that he's looking to his board to complete a few more signings. The club is set to
wrap up a deal for Swansea City winger Scott Sinclair today, but Mancini is looking for more big
names as the Citizens look to defend their title.
As he drops Javi Martinez and Fernando Llorente from the Athletic Bilbao squad again, Marcelo
Bielsa denies that he has any bad relationships at the club.
The Coach had a falling out with the hierarchy earlier this summer over his decision to publicly
criticise refurbishment work taking place at Athletic's training complex.
The next 18 days will be some of the most important ones in the history of Athletic Bilbao.
In the midst of transfer requests and contract extension rejections from striker, Fernando
Llorente and centre-back, Fernando Amorebieta, it is being reported that Athletic are also willing
to listen to transfer offers for Spanish international, Javi Martinez, as well.
I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but there is a good chance that Barcelona will try to
sign another of Arsenal's best midfielders this summer. Alex Song is on the radar of the Catalan
club after they have all but abandoned their pursuit of Javi Martinez from Athletic Bilbao. Arsene
Wenger [.
Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has become a target for Premier League champions Manchester City,
after the Danish international told manager Brendan Rodgers that he sees his future away from
Anfield.
The Daily Mirror report that Manchester City have already tabled a bid of £13 million for the
27-year-old, with Real Madrid and Barcelona also monitoring the availability of Agger, who has
voiced his desire to move on.
Four games of SPANISH FOOTBALL - LA LIGA scheduled as part of Round 1 this Sunday with the top
teams in action & plenty of goals. Here is a brief summary of the final results & all the scorers.
Beñat Top match at Bilbao with the visiting team REAL BETIS winning ATHLETIC CLUB 3 - 5. The
visitors met a Bilbao team with big internal problems due to the Javi Martinez & Fran Llorente
transfer
Japan pulled off the first shock of the Olympic football competition by beating 10-man Spain 1-0
at Hampden Park. Spain were second favourites for gold having won the last three major
tournaments, as well as last year's European Under-21 Championship.
But Yuki Otsu's 34th-minute strike was enough for Japan's first win over Spain at any level
after Inigo Martinez was sent off in the 41st minute.
A late challenge from Jerome Boateng during a Bayern Munich training session left the club's €40-million man Javi Martinez limping off the pitch. Boateng caught Martinez on the ankle with a challenge from behind, resulting in the Spaniard needing help to limp off the snow-slicked pitch.
Luckily, the injury turned out to be a minor sprain and he should still be ready to play against Gladbach on Friday.
When Roberto di Matteo went to watch Juventus two days after Chelsea's Super Cup loss to Atletico Madrid last month, he wasn't shopping for new players as we'd assumed. It was all part of his ground research, and found there was no need for him to send over mysterious assistants to 'spy' on his future Champions League opponents.
