Spain defender Alvaro Arbeloa has heaped praise on France forward
Karim Benzema ahead of their Euro 2012 quarter-final meeting in Donetsk.
Benzema
is yet to get off the mark in the tournament but Arbeloa feels that for
all of France’s attacking options, the former Lyon forward is the
principal threat to Spain’s chances of progressing to the last four on
Saturday.
“They are a really balanced team with a lot of talent up front,” Arbeloa told EFE.
“Logically,
a lot of the attention is on Benzema, (Franck) Ribery and, with the
form he’s in, (Samir) Nasri. They’re game-changers.
“But at the moment Benzema’s the king of the jungle.
“Karim
is one of the best players in the world today and the people who are
lucky enough to see him every day are even more aware that nobody has
his intelligence for the game.”
Wednesday, 20 June 2012
Muntari out for six months
AC Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari will spend six months on the sidelines after undergoing knee surgery, the club has confirmed.
The Ghana international has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and was forced to have surgery to correct the problem at the La Madonnina clinic in Milan on Tuesday.
A statement on the Serie A club’s website read: “Milan would like to announce that Sulley Muntari has undergone surgery for the reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
“The recovery time is around five to six months, excluding complications.”
Muntari put in several consistent displays after joining Milan on loan at the start of the year, and was reported to be set to sign a permanent deal.
The Ghana international has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and was forced to have surgery to correct the problem at the La Madonnina clinic in Milan on Tuesday.
A statement on the Serie A club’s website read: “Milan would like to announce that Sulley Muntari has undergone surgery for the reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
“The recovery time is around five to six months, excluding complications.”
Muntari put in several consistent displays after joining Milan on loan at the start of the year, and was reported to be set to sign a permanent deal.
Hummels eager for early opener
Germany centre-back Mats Hummels is hoping his side can grab an early goal in their Euro 2012 quarter-final against Greece.
Joachim Loew’s side were the only team to finish the Euro 2012 group stage with a perfect record, finishing top of Group B with three wins from three games, and now face Greece in the quarter-finals on Friday.
Hummels said his team were fully focused heading into the match.
“We don’t want to go out at the quarter-finals, especially not after such a strong showing in the group stages, so we are going into the game extremely motivated and ready,” he told dfb.de.
“We don’t want to make it an exciting and close game. We want to take the lead early.”
Hummels believes Fernando Santos’ side will defend deep and invite pressure, and that Germany cannot afford to be profligate in front of goal.
“That is at least how I expect them to play but we will see,” he said. “I would be surprised if they are the more active of the two sides.
“It depends on how you approach teams like this. We’re naturally going to have more of the possession and it is important to be clinical with the few chances we will create against a team that sits so deep.
“The difficult thing will be not to be caught on the counter-attack and we have to be careful on set-pieces as well.”
Though Loew’s side successfully navigated the ‘Group of Death’, Hummels believes there is still room for improvement.
“Results wise we are doing well but there are still things we can improve on from an individual perspective which we are hoping to see in our game against Greece,” the Borussia Dortmund defender said.
Joachim Loew’s side were the only team to finish the Euro 2012 group stage with a perfect record, finishing top of Group B with three wins from three games, and now face Greece in the quarter-finals on Friday.
Hummels said his team were fully focused heading into the match.
“We don’t want to go out at the quarter-finals, especially not after such a strong showing in the group stages, so we are going into the game extremely motivated and ready,” he told dfb.de.
“We don’t want to make it an exciting and close game. We want to take the lead early.”
Hummels believes Fernando Santos’ side will defend deep and invite pressure, and that Germany cannot afford to be profligate in front of goal.
“That is at least how I expect them to play but we will see,” he said. “I would be surprised if they are the more active of the two sides.
“It depends on how you approach teams like this. We’re naturally going to have more of the possession and it is important to be clinical with the few chances we will create against a team that sits so deep.
“The difficult thing will be not to be caught on the counter-attack and we have to be careful on set-pieces as well.”
Though Loew’s side successfully navigated the ‘Group of Death’, Hummels believes there is still room for improvement.
“Results wise we are doing well but there are still things we can improve on from an individual perspective which we are hoping to see in our game against Greece,” the Borussia Dortmund defender said.
Gomes eyeing Spurs starting spot
Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes has vowed to fight for a starting berth at White Hart Lane.
The Brazilian was constantly left on the bench as Harry Redknapp favoured American Brad Friedel, but with the former Portsmouth manager no longer in charge of Tottenham, Gomes is prepared to battle for his place.
Former PSV Eindhoven shot-stopper Gomes had previously made it clear he wanted to move away from north London in search of first-team football.
“It was a very hard season, I was desperate to leave,” Gomes told Arena SporTV. “Now things have changed, as the manager left last week.”
He also spoke of his ambition to get back into the Brazil national squad, and intends to show selectors what he can offer on the pitch.
“I want to return to the national team but I have to play first,” Gomes said.
“Once I’m playing again, my focus will be on returning to the national team. I know how good it is to be there.
“Of course, they are rejuvenating the national team, but I’m only 31, which is a good age. I’ll do very well this season.”
The goalkeeper only managed four appearances last season, with none of those coming in the English Premier League.
The Brazilian was constantly left on the bench as Harry Redknapp favoured American Brad Friedel, but with the former Portsmouth manager no longer in charge of Tottenham, Gomes is prepared to battle for his place.
Former PSV Eindhoven shot-stopper Gomes had previously made it clear he wanted to move away from north London in search of first-team football.
“It was a very hard season, I was desperate to leave,” Gomes told Arena SporTV. “Now things have changed, as the manager left last week.”
He also spoke of his ambition to get back into the Brazil national squad, and intends to show selectors what he can offer on the pitch.
“I want to return to the national team but I have to play first,” Gomes said.
“Once I’m playing again, my focus will be on returning to the national team. I know how good it is to be there.
“Of course, they are rejuvenating the national team, but I’m only 31, which is a good age. I’ll do very well this season.”
The goalkeeper only managed four appearances last season, with none of those coming in the English Premier League.
Lille complete Martin signing
Lille have announced the signing of highly-rated attacker Marvin Martin from Sochaux.
The 24-year-old midfielder has signed a five-year contract with the 2011 Ligue 1 champions after the two clubs agreed on a reported deal worth 10 million euros.
Sochaux president Alexandre Lacombe had revealed earlier in the month that an agreement had been reached between the clubs, but only now have Lille officially unveiled the player.
“I am very happy,” Martin told Lille’s official website. “I wanted to sign for Lille because they are an ambitious club I have been interested in for a long time.
“You can talk about a real choice here, and I hope from all my heart that everything will go well.”
Martin, who has 14 France caps to his name, has made two appearances at Euro 2012, both as a substitute
The 24-year-old midfielder has signed a five-year contract with the 2011 Ligue 1 champions after the two clubs agreed on a reported deal worth 10 million euros.
Sochaux president Alexandre Lacombe had revealed earlier in the month that an agreement had been reached between the clubs, but only now have Lille officially unveiled the player.
“I am very happy,” Martin told Lille’s official website. “I wanted to sign for Lille because they are an ambitious club I have been interested in for a long time.
“You can talk about a real choice here, and I hope from all my heart that everything will go well.”
Martin, who has 14 France caps to his name, has made two appearances at Euro 2012, both as a substitute
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