04.02.2012 - El Athletic de Marcelo Bielsa y el Espanyol de Mauricio Pochettino dieron un desigual espectáculo en San Mamés, empatando en 3 un partido cambiante (box to box) y con todos los condimentos.
Bielsa "es mucho más que un entrenador... Me unen lazos emocionales muy fuertes.

Federico Macheda's loan move to QPR was confirmed today ahead of his début against Norwich.

"There is a lot of competition at Manchester United, there are some very good strikers there," Kiko said. "But I am still young and I need to get more experience in the Premier League. I am here to train hard firstly and then I hope to play a big part in the games.

Federico Macheda's agent Giovanni Bia has today claimed that the striker will be off on loan in January when the transfer window opens.

After a disappointing time on loan with Sampdoria, Bia claims that the Italian striker won't be returning to his homeland on loan again, but will probably accept one of the offers that has come in for him.

It barely makes up for the chaotic week gone by where Manchester United were knocked out of the Champions League, where Nemanja Vidic was ruled out for the season and where the author of this post dropped the last piece of his birthday cake (Belgian chocolate, thanks for asking) on the kitchen floor but the 4-1 win over Wolves goes some way in reassuring fans even those who have had to experience an endless line of shoddy birthdays (naming no names) that things aren't totally bad.

It barely makes up for the chaotic week gone by where Manchester United were knocked out of the Champions League, where Nemanja Vidic was ruled out for the season and where the author of this post dropped the last piece of his birthday cake (Belgian chocolate, thanks for asking) on the kitchen floor but the 4-1 win over Wolves goes some way in reassuring fans even those who have had to experience an endless line of shoddy birthdays (naming no names) that things aren't totally bad.

By Chris Wright

Crystal Palace made it into the semi-finals of the Carling Cup for the first time in a decade after beating Manchester United 2-1 in extra-time at Old Trafford last night.

After a dull first-half, Darren Ambrose put Palace one up in the 65th minute with a 30-yard 'Darren Ambrose Goalâ„¢' shortly before Kiko Macheda hauled United back level a few minutes later by both winning and sticking away a penalty.

Nereida Gallardo, ex de Cristiano Ronaldo, acudió al plató de 'La Noria' para desvelar los secretos más inconfesables del futbolista del Real Madrid, del que esta semana se conocía su próximo enlace matrimonial con la rusa Irina Shayk. Adjetivos como que "es un egocéntrico, un prepotente y un poco flipado" son algunas de las perlas que Nereida dedicó al que fuera su novio.

Before kick off, there was panic. The team selection was baffling; for such an intense rivalry, this wasn't the way to go. Fans wanted to see a side strong enough to avenge Leeds United on their 1-0 FA Cup victory the last time these two sides met – rather than a makeshift one. As it happened, it barely mattered that United had players out of position or lined up in a lopsided formation.

Nolito has got off to a quick start with Portuguese side Benfica (Photo: Francisco Seco/AP)

Back again to take a look at some of our players playing abroad. I will be adding Henrique and Keirrison to the list of players to watch and will update about their Brazilian adventures as best as I can.

FC Barcelona won the 46th edition of the annual pre-season friendly Joan Gamper tournament at Camp Nou with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Napoli. With this victory Barca has won the trophy which is named after the founder of the club for the 35th time. For Guardiola it's not a bad trophy to win, as the last two times he won the same, he went on to win the Champion League as a coach.

Disclaimer: I'd like to say that I'm not a Harry Potter fan, and I do not know why the title ended up sounding like one of them books. Or movies. But this could become a series... just a thought.

There's a lot to be said for US sports programs and their focus on athletics from a very young age.

Manchester United young Italian striker, Federico Macheda, had what he consider as a nightmare loan season at Sampdoria, but "Kiko" admitted that it actually gives him another step to maturity that hopefully can make him stay at Old Trafford in the upcoming season.

The Italian under 21 striker revealed that the different mentality in Serie A is what in the end cost him the failure in getting much playing time but he is ready to fight for a place now at United.

By Chris Wright

Manchester United soundly thrashed New England Revolution 4-1 in a friendly last night, with Ash Young making his debut, Michael Owen scoring for the first time since god knows when, Kiko Macheda notching two in the space of six second-half minutes and Park Ji-Sung chipping home to cap a delightful passing move though the star of the show was definitely this tubby little chap.

Image credit: Sport.es/MundoDeportivo.com.

We know that there is an entire world of undiscovered talent and hotness in lower divisions and lesser known leagues. While international competitions like the Euro U21 brought us new pretties like Yann Sommer, we can't help but wonder about all of the other 'ballers who are missing out on our lusty affection.

"Kiko Let's Sneijder Story Slip?" was originally published at The Republik of Mancunia.

The Spanish League's calendar has been out and we will be travelling to Malaga in the opening fixture of our title defense on the 21st of August. We will be aiming to win our fourth successive La Liga title and equal the record of the Cryuff's Dream Team. The first Clasico match which is going to be held at Camp Nou is scheduled on the 11th of December.

SPANISH FOOTBALL has a new name to its long list of future young up & coming Football stars, KIKO FEMENIA, 20 year old Spain International just signed by FC BARCELONA from Club HERCULES. Many will not know the name or the player but the "kid" has already played 33 matches for Hercules that has been recently relegated to the 2º Division after playing in all last season in La Liga.

Spending an unsuccessful short spell in Serie A seems to left a huge disappointment for Manchester United's Federico "Kiko" Macheda, who isn't that keen in playing in Italy again next summer as he wants a premier league return.

Macheda doesn't rule out a return to his native country in the future, but for the time being he believes it's best for him to get experiences in England instead, because he believes the Premier League is a better place to play for young players like him.

Federico Macheda had a dismal time on loan at Sampdoria, our young striker has told Sky Italia he hopes to return to the Premier League next season.

"Psychologically it was not easy because to go from United to Sampdoria and to fight to avoid the drop was a difficult situation," he said.

Federico Macheda had a dismal time on loan at Sampdoria, our young striker has told Sky Italia he hopes to return to the Premier League next season.

"Psychologically it was not easy because to go from United to Sampdoria and to fight to avoid the drop was a difficult situation," he said.

El jugador del Málaga Club de Fútbol, José García del Pozo más conocido como "Recio", fue nombrado por Fútbol Draft como el "mejor mediocentro izquierdo" de la cantera española. Los Premios Fútbol Draft reconocen con las categorías Oro, Plata y Bronce a los 33 mejores jugadores de entre 16 y 20 años cada temporada.

Federico Macheda's agent, Giovanni Bia, has conceded that the player's loan spell has been an unsuccessful one due to the pressure he was under.

When he joined the club on loan at the beginning of the year they were 8th, however, they have felt the departure of Antonio Cassano, who left for AC Milan a month before Kiko's arrival.

"I don't know why it hasn't worked for me at Sampdoria, perhaps people expected that I would replace Cassano," said Macheda. "But I'm not Cassano, I am Macheda. And the Italian football, the tactics, is different to the English. I prefer the English, more physical and faster. The chief scout from United does come to Italy to watch me play.

Federico Macheda scored the winning goal for Italy U21 against England U21 this week and whilst he's enjoying the weather in Italy whilst on loan with Sampdoria, he admits he's missing Manchester United.

"I'm looking forward very much to getting back to Manchester United but not the English weather," said Macheda.

Federico Macheda scored a penalty in the 89th minute to ensure a 1-0 win for Italy U-21 vs England U-21.

More United related footage at RoM videos

"VIDEO: Last Minute Kiko Pen vs England U-21" was originally published at The Republik of Mancunia.

Nadie pone en duda ya que en nuestro país se practica el mejor fútbol del mundo. No sólo tenemos los mejores equipos, también tenemos los mejores jugadores. Y es que hace unos días la FIFA anunciaba que en su once ideal habría nada más y nada menos que seis jugadores españoles: Casillas, Piqué, Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta y Villa, todos ellos campeones con la selección en el Mundial.

Federico Macheda scored his first goal for Sampdoria in their 2-2 draw against Udinese. The Coppa Italia game went to penalties which Sampdoria won 5-4.

RoM videos

"VIDEO: Kiko's Goal For Sampdoria Against Udinese" was originally published at The Republik of Mancunia.

Federico Macheda came off the bench for Sampdoria in the 78th minute of their home game against Roma. He nearly scored straight away but his header was narrowly wide. Five minutes later he played the ball forward whilst being fouled in the box, with the defender making a hash of his clearance and Stefano Guberti putting away the winner.

Federico Macheda has revealed that the reason why he chose to join Sampdoria on loan for the rest of the season, ahead of other Italian teams, like Lazio, who showed an interest, is because they were the keenest to sign him. With the recent departure of Antonio Cassano, Kiko knows he should get a lot of time in the team which will help him improve as a player.

Federico "Kiko" Macheda è ufficialmente un calciatore della Sampdoria. Il "ragazzino" romano, classe 1991, che ha saputo ritagliarsi spazi importanti nel Manchester United (16 presenze e 4 goals) e nella nazionale Under 21 (cinque presenze e due reti), si prepara ad esordire in Serie A, nella squadra blucerchiata.

Sampdoria club president, Riccardo Garrone, has confirmed that Federico Macheda will join the Serie A outfit until the end of the season.

"I am very happy that Macheda has chosen Sampdoria and I think it's the same for the fans," said Garrone. "Macheda has easily filled the void left by Cassano, he will definitely do well.