Manuel Neuer wary of Didier Drogba threat

Posted on: May 17th, 2012 by Sam No Comments

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has admitted that his side will have to stop the threat of Didier Drogba if they are to have a chance of winning the Champions League.

The German giants meet Chelsea in the final at their Allianz Arena stadium on Saturday.

The Blues claimed a place in the final following a magnificent defensive display with ten men against Barcelona at Camp Nou, however Neuer fully expects Chelsea to adopt a more attack-minded approach in Munich.

“Chelsea are tactically very well schooled and they showed that in both games against Barcelona,” the Germany number one said.

“I don’t think they are going to be as defensive against us as they were against Barcelona.

“That is not to say they will go all out attack, but they will probably play a controlled attacking style.”

Bayern will be missing centre-back Holger Badstuber, holding midfelder Luiz Gustavo and left-back David Alaba through, which means keeping Didier Drogba quiet will be a difficult task, something that Neuer feels is key to his side’s success.

“He is a very good striker and has a strong physical presence and he knows how to put himself about,” the Germany international said.

“We have seen this season in the Champion League how dangerous he is.”

Bayern Munich have announced the signing of Hoffenheim goalkeeper Tom Starke as back-up to Neuer – the 31-year old has signed a contract until 2015.

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Joe Hart, Robert Green and John Ruddy called up for Euro 2012

Posted on: May 17th, 2012 by Sam No Comments

Roy Hodgson announced his England squad for Euro 2012 yesterday, with Joe Hart, Robert Green and John Ruddy travelling to Poland and Ukraine as the three goalkeepers.

Birmingham’s talented youngster Jack Butland has also been put on the stand-by list, highlighting just how highly regarded he is for the future.

There was much speculation surrounding the England’s goalkeepers, with experienced professionals such as Paul Robinson and Ben Foster refusing to come out of retirement for the tournament.

Hart is the undisputed number one, with Green believed to be his back-up despite his poor World Cup 2010 performances. Ruddy is the surprise call-up after an impressive debut season in the Premier League with Norwich.

Ruddy claimed that it was “a real honour” to be named in the squad – the shot-stopper will not have to miss his summer wedding after Hodgson revealed that he’d allow him to miss the Belgium game to get married.

“I’m absolutely delighted and so grateful to the Football Association for agreeing to let me go ahead and get married,” said the 25-year-old.

“It would have been a nightmare after one and a half years of planning to have to postpone the wedding so it’s a major relief that we can still go ahead.

“It’s a real honour for me and hopefully it’s an indication as to how far I have developed as a player with Norwich City and how far we’ve developed as a squad at Norwich.

“Playing for my country has been a dream of mine, of course it has.

“I think as a professional you always want to progress as high as you can within the game and it’s fantastic to get the chance to work with the England staff and players.

“I’m under no illusions as to the quality of Joe Hart and Rob Green and that I will be number three ‘keeper. But I’m really looking forward to training with them and getting down to some hard work.”

Full England squad:

Goalkeepers – Hart, Green, Ruddy.

Defenders – Baines, Cahill, Cole, Johnson, Jones, Lescott, Terry.

Midfielders – Barry, Downing, Gerrard, Lampard, Milner, Parker, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Young.

Forwards – Carroll, Rooney, Welbeck, Defoe.

Standby list:

Jack Butland, Phil Jagielka, Jordan Henderson, Adam Johnson, Daniel Sturridge.

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Japan women’s team turn to “supergirl” goalkeeper

Posted on: May 16th, 2012 by Sam No Comments

Women’s world champions Japan have called up a towering goalkeeper in a bid to help them win the title at this year’s London Olympics.

Erina Yamane, who stands at 6 foot 2 inches, and even looks down on Japan’s senior men’s goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima, has made the cut for London.

Yamane is a product of the Japan Football Association’s ‘Supergirl Project’ which was designed to unearth a future goalkeeper for Japan’s national side.

“I thought it was a joke,” said the 21-year-old.

“I didn’t think I was ready to play at an Olympics,

“The Olympics wasn’t even on my radar to be honest. I’ll just do whatever I can for the team.”

Following a medical check for the Olympics, Yamane, who has recovered from a hernia injury and three foot fractures, said she was fighting fit to compete.

“I’m managing to trick myself into thinking I’m not injured,” said the highly regarded shot-stopper, who is set to be the tallest women in this year’s Olympic tournament.

“It’s been a very stressful year but it’s made me much stronger as a person.”

Yamane currently plays for Chiba Ladies after her former club, Tepco Mareeze – which is run by Tokyo Electric Power Co. – was shut down after last year’s nuclear crisis.

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Petr Cech: ‘The pressure is on Bayern Munich’

Posted on: May 16th, 2012 by Sam 1 Comment

Petr Cech has said that Chelsea are happy to be classed as underdogs in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich, claiming that all the pressure is on the German side.

Roberto Di Matteo’s side will have to see off the Bavarian giants on their own patch if they are to win the trophy for the first time in the club’s history.

The fact that the game is at Bayern’s Allianz Arena has led some to claim that the Bundesliga runners-up have a clear advantage over the Blues.

“It’s a final and you would think that the chances are 50-50, but to play at your own stadium and have your own dressing room is a huge advantage,’ said Cech.

“This coincidence of events has made Bayern the favourites. We will try to outsmart them in some way.

“The final is about how the two teams cope with the pressure, they are the favourites as they play at home but the pressure is bigger on them than it is on us.

“That might be to our advantage, it might be a disadvantage. We will have to wait and see how the match goes.

“Either way, we will try to make their role as favourites as unpleasant as possible. Certainly we are not going there just on a trip. We want to win.”

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