It's been a good while since the last lot of Argentines Abroad, partly because of the Claudio Yacob exclusive on Tuesday night, partly because of an enormous storm in Buenos Aires over the last 24 hours which left me stranded ... Continue reading →

Rumours suggest that Javier Mascherano is in Liverpool holding talks with...

By Chris Wright

This lo-res candid photo is doing the rounds today after being released into the wild by Barcelona's official club photographer, one Miguel Ruiz.

It shows a distraught Lionel Messi, alongside the void Andres Iniesta and the thoroughly knackered Javier Mascherano, struggling to stave off the waterworks after Barca's last-minute 1-0 defeat at the hands of Real Madrid in last year's Copa Del Rey final (e.

Everyone is doing it, so I thought we would too. Here is the OTWT starting 11 for 2011

• Goalkeeper: Joe Hart, Manchester City
• Left Back: Ashley Cole, Chelsea
• Center back: Vincent Kompany, Manchester City
• Center back: Nemanja Vidic, Manchester United
• Right Back: Gregory van der Wiel, Ajax
• Left side: Eden Hazard, Lille
• Central Midfielder: Javier Mascherano, Barcelona
• Central Midfielder: Xavi, Barcelona
• Right side:Mario Goetze, Borussia Dortmund
• Striker: Ronaldo, Real Madrid
• Striker: Lionel Messi, Barcelona

I know everyone does not agree with my starting 11, so let the trashing begin.

... and all through the land, rumours, scandal and transfer talk were at hand! What better way to end the year here at Futbolita, at least where calcio is concerned, with a look at what lies ahead in the upcoming year?

Barbara Berlusconi – daughter of disgraced former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, member of Milan's board of directors, and Alexandre Pato's girlfriend – has been the subject of much speculation as of late, with many gossip magazines claiming the beautiful blonde is carrying Pato's child.

Santos - FC Barcelona0:4 (0:3)
FechaSede / EstadioHoraAsistencia
18 diciembre 2011 Yokohama / International Stadium Yokohama19:3068166Goles marcadosLionel MESSI (BAR) 17', XAVI (BAR) 24', Cesc FABREGAS (BAR) 45', Lionel MESSI (BAR) 82'Santos
[1] RAFAEL CABRAL (GK) [2] EDU DRACENA (C) [3] LEO [4] DANILO (-31') [5] AROUCA [6] DURVAL [7] HENRIQUE [9] BORGES (-79') [10] GANSO (-83') [11] NEYMAR [14] BRUNO RODRIGO En el banquillo [12] ARANHA (GK) [23] VLADIMIR (GK) [8] ELANO (+31') [13] BRUNO AGUIAR [15] ANDERSON CARVALHO [16] VINICIUS [17] FELIPE ANDERSON [18] IBSON (+83') [19] ALAN KARDEC (+79') [20] Wason RENTERIA [21] PARA [22] DIOGO Entrenador Muricy RAMALHO (BRA)
FC Barcelona[1] Victor VALDES (GK) [2] DANI ALVES [3] Gerard PIQUE (-56') [4] Cesc FABREGAS [5] Carles PUYOL (C) (-85') [6] XAVI [8] Andres INIESTA [10] Lionel MESSI [11] THIAGO (-79') [16] Sergio BUSQUETS [22] Eric ABIDAL
En el banquillo [13] PINTO (GK) [25] Oier OLAZABAL (GK) [7] David VILLA [A] [9] Alexis SANCHEZ [14] Javier MASCHERANO (+56') [15] Seydou KEITA [17] PEDRO (+79') [18] Jonathan DOS SANTOS [19] MAXWELL [21] ADRIANO [24] Andreu FONTAS (+85') [27] Isaac CUENCA Entrenador Pep GUARDIOLA (ESP)
Amonestaciones
Gerard PIQUE (BAR) 39'
, Javier MASCHERANO (BAR) 71'
, GANSO (SAN) 73'
, EDU DRACENA (SAN) 74'
Expulsiones
Cuerpo arbitral del partido
ÁrbitroRavshan IRMATOV (UZB) Assistant Referee 1Abdukhamidullo RASULOV (UZB) Cuarto ÁrbitroYuichi NISHIMURA (JPN) Assistant Referee 2Bakhadyr KOCHKAROV (KGZ) Quinto ÁrbitroToru SAGARA (JPN)
Santos (BRA )EstadísticasFC Barcelona (ESP)8Disparos163Remates a puerta90Goles413Faltas cometidas1311Faltas recibidas132Saques de esquina41Tiros libres ejecutados (al arco)10 / 0Lanzamientos penales (Goles/Remates)0 / 00Fueras de juego60Goles en propia meta02Tarjetas amarillas20Segunda tarjeta amarilla y tarjeta roja00Tarjetas rojas018Tiempo real de juego4529%Posesión del balón71% Gracias por tu visita Estadísticas de Fútbol

By THOMAS FLOYD

Perhaps the fiercest rivalry the beautiful game has to offer will be renewed at the Bernabeu on this weekend, and -- what's new? -- the stakes are high.

With Real Madrid three points clear of FC Barcelona with a game in hand, Saturday's Clasico (4 p.

Deadlines for previewing the final rounds of the 2011 Torneo Apertura have severely hampered my style this week, so without further ado here's a quick catch-up in the main leagues covered by Argentines Abroad. In England's Premier League, Sergio Agüero ... Continue reading →

The weekend just gone saw as many crucial contributions from Argentines as ever in the world's biggest leagues, and a welcome return to form for the usual suspects in the Mexican league after last week's no-show. With the usual contributions ... Continue reading →

As ever, there were a number of Argentine goals during the weekend just gone in leagues across Europe. Oddly, there were none in Mexico this weekend (for the first time since I began accepting contributions for this post!), so Tom ... Continue reading →

By Chris Wright

Excuse me mate, mind taking a picture of me and Javier Mascherano?

Via Reddit (One thousand apologies for nicking the joke!)

Argentina's qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup hit another bump in the road on Friday afternoon where, in the glorious Monumental sunshine, Bolivia took the lead and eventually held the hosts to a 1-1 draw in the third round ... Continue reading →

In under two hours, Argentina and Bolivia will be contesting their third 2014 World Cup qualifying match in the Estadio Monumental, and these are the teams that will be doing it. A late injury in training yesterday to Sergio Agüero ... Continue reading →

The Line-up for the Game against Bolivia is:
Pastore -- Higuain -- Messi
Alvarez -- Mascherano -- Gago
Rodriguez -- Burdisso -- Demichelis -- Zabaleta
Sabella, the coach of Argentina's National team has selected his 21+ players for the second round of games against Bolivia & Colombia this November 2011 for the 2014 World Cup qualifications.

With the World Cup qualifiers approaching, it's time to take a look at how Alejandro Sabella's boys and those he's not called up did in the weekend just gone for their clubs. Alejandro Faurlín impressed in defeat in ... Continue reading →

Argentines Abroad has been, to put it mildly, a bit out of sync so far this season. It's become truly, monumentally bad this week and last, though, for a few reasons. For that, I apologise, but I present here the updates ... Continue reading →

03.11.2011 - 35 argentinos, entre jugadores y entrenadores, animan la Liga BBVA de España en esta incipiente temporada 2011 - 2012. Aquí su actualidad:
Marcelo Bielsa (56):1º temporada en el Athletic de Bilbao. Su equipo sumó 13 puntos en 10 jornadas. No perdió en los 6 últimos partidos.

Sabella, the coach of Argentina's National team has selected his 21 players for the second round of games against Bolivia & Colombia this November 2011 for the 2014 World Cup qualifications.
Players left out from the previous games are: Ricky Alvarez, Rodrigo Palacio, Nicolás Otamendi, Eduardo Salvio, Jonás Gutiérrez, Nico Pareja, Emiliano Insúa y Fabián Rinaudo.

FC Barcelona vs FC Viktoria Plzen

Busquets and Mascherano are likely to come back into the starting eleven against Viktoria in today's Champions League match versus Vitkoria. Another European test for Pep's boys, who will see the upcoming match against the Czech Gambrinus Liga champions as a chance to take a huge step to the round of 16.

When Rafael Benitez signed Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva back in 2007, much was expected of the youngster, who made his international debut the year before whilst with Gremio.
A £5 million price-tag added further to the pressure, and whilst much higher figures are now spent on young players (think £16 million for Jordan Henderson), the fee suggested big things were to come.

Former Liverpool FC midfielder Javier Mascherano has jumped to the defence of fellow Argentinean Carlos Tevez over what he perceives to be unfair treatment over his alleged refusal to play for Manchester City.Mascherano, who left Anfield under a cloud, with similar accusations of refusing to play hanging over his head (ironically, against Man City), was clearly upset:"Carlitos has done so much

06.10.2011 - Comienzan las eliminatorias sudamericanas (07.10.2011) para 4 cupos (sobre 9) en el próximo Mundial Brasil 2014. Según el cronograma establecido, en la 1º fecha Argentina recibe a Chile, Uruguay a Bolivia, Ecuador a Venezuela y Perú a Paraguay (libre Colombia).
A continuación, los planteles convocados por los seleccionadores de cada país para los primeros dos enfrentamientos (7 y 11 de octubre de 2011).

We've got a neat finish from Javier Pastore, Gonzalo Higuaín's hat trick for Madrid, some lovely goals form Mexico and, um, a description of Jonás Gutiérrez's brilliant solo effort for Newcastle United (thanks to the Premier League not allowing videos ... Continue reading →

Sabella, the new coach of Argentina's National team has selected his 27 players for the start of the 2014 World Cup qualification. The first two games will be against Chile & Venezuela
Argentina Vs Chile: October 7th 2011 (Friday)
Argentina Vs Venezuela: Oct 11th 2011 (Tuesday)
Strikers/Forwards:
Nicolás Gaitán (Benfica)
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Gonzalo Higuaín (Real Madrid)
Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
Rodrigo Palacio (Genoa)
Eduardo Salvio (Atlético de Madrid)
Germán Denis (Atalanta)
Midfielders:
Ever Banega (Valencia)
Javier Mascherano (Barcelona)
Fabián Rinaudo (Sporting)
Rodrigo Braña (Estudiantes)
Jonás Gutiérrez (Newcastle)
Ricardo Alvarez (Inter)
José Sosa (Metallist)
Javier Pastore (Paris Saint Germain)
Angel Di María (Real Madrid)
Defenders:
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
Nicolás Burdisso (Roma)
Federico Fernández (Napoli)
Martín Demichelis (Málaga)
Nicolás Otamendi (Porto)
Nicolas Pareja (Spartak Moscú)
Marcos Rojo (Spartak Moscú)
Emiliano Insúa (Sporting)
Goalies:
Sergio Romero (Sampdoria)
Mariano Andújar (Catania)
Agustín Orion (Boca Juniors)

I've been unable to get Argentines Abroad online so far this week, but my normal contributors have submitted their pieces as diligently as ever, and it would be unfair not to use them. So, if you'd like to find out what ... Continue reading →

Ah, would you just look at THAT! If it isn't Chelsea's resident Spaniards in Valencia wearing Los Che's traditional colours, Orange! You can't get any cheesier than that in a strangely endearing way, of course. Anyway, Juan Mata is all set to face his former side tonight when Valencia host Chelsea at the Mestalla.

22.09.2011 - Alejandro Sabella dio a conocer (hoy) la nómina de convocados para los primeros encuentros de las eliminatorias sudamericanas, ante Chile y Venezuela, con miras al Mundial de 2014.
Arqueros
Sergio Romero (Sampdoria, Italia)
Mariano Andújar (Catania, Italia)
DefensoresPablo Zabaleta (Manchester City, Inglaterra)
Nicolás Burdisso (Roma, Italia)
Federico Fernández (Nápoli, Italia)
Martín Demichelis (Málaga, España)
Nicolás Otamendi (Porto, Portugal)
Nicolás Pareja (Spartak Moscú, Rusia)
Marcos Rojo (Spartak Moscú, Rusia)Emiliano Insúa (Sporting, Portugal)
Volantes
Javier Mascherano (Barcelona, España)
Ever Banega (Valencia, España)
Ricardo Alvarez (Inter, Italia)
Jonás Gutiérrez (Newcastle, Inglaterra)
Fabián Rinaudo (Sporting, Portugal)
José Sosa (Mettalist, Ucrania)
Javier Pastore (PSG, Francia)
Angel Di María (Real Madrid, España)
Nicolás Gaitán (Benfica, Portugal)
Delanteros Lionel Messi (Barcelona, España)
Gonzalo Higuaín (Real Madrid, España)
Sergio Agüero (Manchester City, Inglaterra)
Rodrigo Palacio (Genoa, Italia)
Eduardo Salvio (Atl.

This week's Argentines Abroad is late, thanks to the midweek round of matches here in Argentina keeping me busy. Better late than never, though. As well as Lionel Messi's hat-trick in Barcelona's 8-0 demolition of Osasuna, we've got videos of ... Continue reading →

It was another packed weekend in which Argentines around the world had a big say in footballing matters, so here's another dose of Argentines Abroad. Sergio Agüero hit a hat-trick for Manchester City, Fernando Belluschi for Porto and Javier Pastore ... Continue reading →

AC Milan secured a gutsy 2-2 draw against Barcelona thanks to goals in the first and final seconds of an absorbing match at the Nou Camp.

Pato gave the visitors a dream start when he notched the quickest matchday one goal in Champions League history, only for Pedro Rodríguez and David Villa to reply either side of half-time.

A little earlier today, Argentina took on Nigeria in the second match of their South Asian 'tour', in Dhaka, Bangladesh. They won 3-1, with two goals from Gonzalo Higuaín and one from Ángel Di María. You can watch those goals ... Continue reading →

06.09.2011 - Con goles de Gonzalo Higuaín (´24), Angel Di María (´26) (ambos asistidos por Messi) y Elderson en contra (´65), Argentina venció (3-1) a Nigeria (Chinedu Obasi ´46) en el Bangabandhu National Stadium (Bangladesh) en la segunda presentación de Alejandro Sabella como nuevo DT.

That's not the best headline I'll ever put up on HEGS, I realise, but it is a fairly accurate one, at least. There were a fair few impressive performances by Argentina's foreign legion during the weekend just gone, as action ... Continue reading →

Liverpool are still a mid-table side - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

It's usually wise not to judge a team after just two league games, but in Liverpool's case it might be possible to make an exception. The problems that Kenny Dalglish failed to address last year still persist, and you can expect to see them outside the Champions League places again this year.

The twenty-ninth episode of Hand Of Pod is, as the milkmaid said to the parson, quite a whopper. That's largely because Sam, Australian Dan and Seba have not one but two rounds of Torneo Apertura matches to look back on, ... Continue reading →

18.08.2011 - Apenas vuelto de su gira europea, el flamante técnico de la Selección Argentina, Alejandro Sabella, hizo pública la lista de (50) convocados para los próximos compromisos.
Dividiendo el asunto en "Selección Absoluta" y "Selección local" (por llamarlas de algún modo), convocó a la primera para los amistosos programados contra Venezuela y Nigeria (2 y 6 de septiembre 2011 respectivamente) y la "Selección local" para enfrentar a Brasil (no fecha FIFA) el 14 y el 28 de septiembre (2011).

Hours after announcing his first Argentina domestic squad for the double-header of friendlies against Brazil next month, Alejandro Sabella has announced his first Argentina senior squad. These players will form the teams to take on Venezuela in Calcutta and Nigeria ... Continue reading →

Liverpool are reportedly weighing up a move for Anderlecht midfielder Lucas Biglia as a cut-price replacement for his namesake Lucas Leiva.
Leiva, the Reds' player of the year last season, is rumoured to be on his way out of the club on loan to balance the books after manager Kenny Dalglish spent big on the likes of Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing.

Fernando Torres is back at it again,six months after leaving Liverpool in a wave of acrimony, the beleagured Chelsea striker persists in sticking the knife in on his old team;
"Liverpool's future isn't looking bright," he said.
"I always gave them a 100%, but it was a difficult situation.

After losing 2 -1 to Manchester United last week Barcelona lost 4 - 1 to the Mexican Club Chivas in a World Football Challenge game.Marco Fabian scored a brilliant scissor kick that will easily rival Rooney's famous goal.Barcelona were without Lionel Messi,Daniel Alves, Javier Mascherano and Alexis Sanchez but even so 4 -1 is a bit of an upset.