Brazil's much-criticized Confederations Cup squad has gathered in Rio de Janeiro, ahead of Sunday's crucial friendly against England.
The squad's European-based players like David Luiz, Hulk, Julio Cesar and Lucas Moura arrived in the city on Wednesday, and for the first time, the zany Chelsea defender (above) actually appeared depressed.
It has always been the pinnacle of all dreams for the Brazilian player to wear the green and yellow shirt and represent the selecao at the landmark tournament The World Cup.
Recently, however, positivity for the national team has been at an all time low. And one year before the curtain raiser that is Brazil 2014, Felipe Scolari appears to be a hamster running on borrowed time.
The stadiums aren't ready, and neither is the home team, but at least Brazil's resident chef is on a roll... based on this photo of the buffet spread enjoyed by the selecao at their hotel earlier this week! Can you spot the Feijoada (black beans?) and the lovely carbs?
It was their second draw in a row, but a late Fred goal saved Brazil from certain embarrassment.
The Brazilian's tied Russia 1-1 on Monday evening at Stamford Bridge, in London, giving Luiz Felipe Scolari another chance to find his best eleven ahead of next summer's World Cup, and even this summer's Confederation Cup.
Luiz Felipe Scolari has named his squad to face Italy in Geneva on March 21st and Russia four days later at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge. Scolari promised changes after losing his first game back in charge of Brazil versus England in February. Kaká returns but there is no place for Ronaldinho or Luis Fabiano.
England v Brazil: Gerrard to partner up with Wilshere to face Ronaldinho - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
England v Brazil International Friendly Wembley Stadium, London, England Wednesday 6th Ferbruary, 2013 19:30 GMT
England will play their first international fixture of 2013 when the Three Lions will face footballing giants Brazil at the Wembley Stadium on Wednesday.
Lucas Leiva hopes to hold down a regular role at Liverpool and earn an international recall ahead of the 2014 World Cup. With international football's showpiece event heading back to Brazil for the first time in over 60 years, securing a spot within the hosts' squad has become a top target for Samba stars around the world.
Everybody loves a comeback, especially if it comes in the form of the legendary Ronaldinho, who has been called up to play in Luiz Felipe Scolari's Brazil squad for a friendly against England on February 6. Forget his alcohol, discipline and drug problems "it's Rona-frickin-dinho!" (in the words of a friend) and that alone should be the reason for you to watch the match.
Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas and Gerard Pique are both in the middle of moving to their fancy new homes away from the city and for Fabregas, he received some special news of his own yesterday. The midfielder will be welcoming a baby daughter with his 37-year-old girlfriend, Daniella Semaan next year.
The draw for next summer's Confederations Cup was made in Sao Paulo today and it set up some interesting matches.
The Confederations Cup takes place in Brazil on 15-30 June 2013 when hosts Brazil line up in Group A with Japan, Mexico and Italy. While Spain, Uruguay and Tahiti will be joined in Group B by the champions of Africa, whose identity will be revealed after next February's CAF Africa Cup of Nations final.
Brazil's chances of winning the 2014 World Cup on home soil have received a huge boost this week after the Brazil Football Confederation (CBF) revealed their new manager who will lead the team into the tournament: Luiz Felipe Scolari.
The former Chelsea and Portugal boss is regarded as one of Brazil's greatest ever managers after guiding the national side to World Cup glory in 2002.
In what is possibly the best news for Brazilian football in the last decade (yes, it has literally been 10 years since the selecao last won the World Cup), Luiz Felipe Scolari is returning as coach of the national team! Forgive our blatant and disgustingly biased remarks here, but "Que Legal!
Well it seems that Luiz Felipe Scolari's biggest regret of his managerial career has been his time
at Chelsea. He has given yet another interview on his take at his time at the Bridge and this time
he has revealed that he wanted to sign Robinho and then swap Didier Drogba for Adriano!!.
He said:
"It was my fault that I could not control the locker room in different situations, I
tried to do something about that and I tried to sign Robinho, because I wanted someone who could
improvise.
According to Martin Lipton at the Mirror, Rafa Benitez has been an ultimatum. Beat Wigan this weekend or be sacked!
Roman Abramovich is said to be furious as Chelsea's post-Christmas tailspin. Saturday's loss at Newcastle came on the back of poor draws at Swansea, Brentford and Reading.
Abramovich, who is not known for his patience, is said to be worried that there is a serious and growing prospect of Chelsea falling to finish in the top four for the second consecutive season.
The under-fire manager was dumped after Chelsea's loss to West Brom on Saturday, a defeat that
dropped Chelsea to fifth place in the Premier League, in real danger of missing out on qualifying
for the UEFA Champions League next season.
Andre Villas-Boas, new to London, new to Chelsea, new to the English Premiership and, to some
degree, new to football management. Having been a professional football manager for only a handful
of years and, considering his relatively youthful age (in comparison to others in the same
profession), yet to experience any serious issues the Chelsea manager is on course for one now.
I think we all can agree that, though it is still very early in his tenure, Andre Villas-Boas
has brought a certain level of sophistication to Stamford Bridge since his appointment over the
summer. Though, in terms of age and experience at this level, the Portugese is still a pup, he
exudes the culture and class of a seasoned, well-versed professional.
Summer; where the heat does something to the minds of everyone and stories spawn from nothing.
Well, here's something that isn't the Daily Mail speculating the best way to make Spurs' players
looking like they all want to jump ship. And guess what? Not only is it highly speculative, it's
not players or even likely to happen this season.
After being knocked out in the last eight of the Champions League, Chelsea have finished in
second place, Carlo Ancelotti has been fired and along with an ageing side; the cracks now visible
at Stamford Bridge may be a bigger than they appear.
On Sunday 22nd Chelsea Football Club made an announcement that stated "Chelsea Football Club
can confirm that Carlo Ancelotti parted company with the club today".
This story was covered in our Chelsea blog, and it raises some interesting comments made by
Frank Lampard in the Evening Standard after Chelsea's 7-0 thrashing of Ipswich yesterday:
"The important thing is not to think we're back but make sure that we carry this performance
over and get a few wins together.
This story was covered in our Chelsea blog, and it raises some interesting comments made by
Frank Lampard in the Evening Standard after Chelsea's 7-0 thrashing of Ipswich yesterday:
"The important thing is not to think we're back but make sure that we carry this performance
over and get a few wins together.
Just five weeks into the new season, Andre Villas-Boas' sexy is set to invade the Terrordome.Â
Football's equivalent of Cary Grant brings with him 450 minutes of competitive managerial
experience with the Chels. Surely that's more than enough to match wits and tailors with one of the
greatest to ever grace a sideline.
Michael Ballack was highly admired around these parts during his time at Chelsea. We, like Carlo
Ancelotti, felt he deserved a short-term extension with the club. I, for instance, offered the
following after learning of the announcement of his departure in early June 2010.
Source: Getty Images
Again, the Luiz Felipe Scolari interview is making headlines and to be honest I am getting bored of
listening to him. It was bad enough yesterday when he revealed that he wanted to swap Didier Drogba
for Adriano!!. However, there is one point in a much more in depth interview as quoted in The
Mirror that I wanted to pick up on.
Portugal/Itália - 2008
Foi notÃcia de relevo na nossa comunicação social a realização de um eventual jogo de
preparação com a Argentina, a 9 de Fevereiro, em Londres. Acerca dessa notÃcia e do facto de
depois da Espanha, Portugal ir jogar com outra potência do futebol, surgiram imensas discussões,
geradas sobretudo em foruns bloguistas, quanto à qualidade dos jogos de preparação efectuados
por Portugal nos últimos anos, e a referência em vários blogs de várias opiniões sobre esse
assunto.
After this week's semi-final, second legs the identities of the 2010 Copa Sudamericana
finalists are now known. Little known Goiás Esporte Clube are through to their first ever
continental final following an away goals win over compatriots Palmeiras whilst Argentina's
Independiente also progressed to the two-legged final via the same method.
In advance of the Confederations Cup this June, Brazil National Team manager Luiz Felipe Scolari released the list of 23 players that would make up Brazil's squad at the tournament.
Headlining the squad is Neymar, Hulk, Oscar, and Lucas, but what may be more interesting are the players who didn't get a call up for the international competition that begins on June 15.
Daniele De Rossi sparked Italy's fightback and Mario Balotelli scored a superb second-half equaliser as the Azzurri battled to a 2-2 draw in a match tonight between two of the best five teams in the world in Geneva today.
Luiz Felipe Scolari's side looked poor in their 1-0 defeat by England in February, but they jumped out to a commanding 2-0 half-time lead through goals by Fred and Oscar.
Ian Walton/Getty Images(Bleacher Report)Players often bear the brunt of fan criticism, but managers
take their fair share of vitriol as well. There's no discounting the effect a managerial change can
have on a club: it can galvanize a sputtering side, instilling a quiet confidence that bodes well
for the future.
Speaking after his two goals helped Chelsea get some form of confidence back in our 7-0 thrashing
of Ipswich, Frank Lampard has spoken out and fair play to him. For me anyway, when Frank or JT
speak you sit up and take notice because more often than not they will tell it exactly how it is
and won't hide behind excuses.
