If you enjoy my blog, please consider clicking on some of the ads. I could use the income =D

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

EPL

Arsenal Cologne have confirmed that striker Lukas Podolski will join Arsenal for the start of next season for a fee in the region of GBP10.9 million. Aston Villa Shay Given is looking for the Aston Villa squad to stick together through a tough time and ensure the club steers clear of relegation trouble. Blackburn Director Vineeth Rao insist Blackburn owners Venky's are not planning to sell the club, even if they are relegated from the Premier League. Bolton Bolton manager Owen Coyle believes the compensation demanded by Spurs for Harry Redknapp has seen the FA turn their attention to Roy Hodgson. Chelsea Petr Cech wants Roberto Di Matteo to unleash both Fernando Torres and Didier Drogba on Chelsea's opponents in their triple pursuit of glory. Everton David Moyes hopes to be able to capitalise on any fatigue Stoke may display as Everton look to end their disappointing run against the Potters. Fulham Fulham coach Billy McKinlay believes it is 'vital' that the club hang on to Clint Dempsey and agree a new contract with the USA international. Liverpool Liverpool are hoping to complete the EUR7 million signing of AZ Alkmaar's star midfielder Rasmus Elm before he heads to Euro 2012 with Sweden. Manchester City Vincent Kompany scored his 3rd Premier League goal as Manchester City registered their 17th home victory following the match against Man Utd. Manchester United Vincent Kompany scored his third Premier League goal to condemned Man Utd to their third away defeat following the match against Man City. Newcastle United Newcastle boss Alan Pardew knows their clash against Chelsea could go a long way towards deciding the fate of their Champions League hopes. Norwich City Norwich coach Paul Lambert's transfer budget is unlikely to be much bigger than last summer, as reports claimed he will be focusing on defense. Queens Park Rangers Queens Park Rangers midfielder Adel Taarabt admits his side have no choice but to beat Stoke this weekend, following the defeat to Chelsea. Stoke City Stoke have taken to the field 53 times this season, but Tony Pulis has urged his players to stay alert to the challenge for another 3 games. Sunderland Hitman Asamoah Gyan appears set to sever ties with Sunderland this summer, with Al Ain confident of securing his services on a permanent basis. Swansea City On-loan Swansea midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson has confirmed he wants to stay in the Premier League next season rather than return to Hoffenheim. Tottenham Boss Harry Redknapp said Giovani dos Santos is almost certain to leave in the summer as Tottenham need to sell him before his contract expires. West Brom West Bromwich Albion defender Steven Reid has signed a new two-year contract which will keep him at The Hawthorns until the summer of 2014. Wigan Athletic Winger Shaun Maloney admits his Wigan side have exceeded expectations over recent weeks to give themselves a right good chance of staying up. Wolverhampton Terry Connor believes Wolves' performance against Swansea proves there is no problem with team spirit or a split camp in the dressing room.

La Liga

Athletic Bilbao Athletic Bilbao boss Marcelo Bielsa said he had to make the six changes against Zaragoza in order to avoid injury, due to their tight schedule. Atletico Madrid Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone believes his team played very well and created clear chances against Betis, but just could not seal the win. Barcelona Barcelona keeper Jose Pinto would have preferred Pep Guardiola to stay on at the helm, but says Tito Vilanova has the team's full backing. Espanyol Espanyol coach Mauricio Pochettino has faith in his players and is convinced that their defeat to Sporting has nothing to do with match-fixing. Getafe Getafe sports chief Toni Munoz first concern for the summer is to lighten their squad to make room for news arrivals when the market reopens. Granada Granada coach Abel Resino has confirmed that Nigerian striker Ikechukwu Uche has recovered from injury and is available to take on Espanyol. Levante Levante defender Gustavo Cabral is still dreaming of a Champions League football, but would be happy to play in the Europa League next season. Malaga Coach Pellegrini believes Malaga will be playing in Europe next season if his players can maintain the attitude they showed against Valencia. Osasuna Osasuna boss Jose Luis Mendilibar will give defender Miguel Flano until the very last minute to prove his fitness, ahead of the Valencia clash. Racing Santander Racing Santander coach Alvaro Cervera is confident that his team can win a game before the end of the season, after failing to do so this year. Rayo Vallecano Rayo coach Jose Ramon Sandoval has urged the fans to trust his players to avoid relegation as they have done well to collect 40 points so far. Real Betis Real Betis coach Pepe Mel admitted that it took Atletico's opening goal to wake his team up and warned them not to repeat it against Sevilla. Real Madrid Alvaro Arbeloa is keen to see Real Madrid keep up their form as they need 9 points from their remaining games to break the 100-point barrier. Real Mallorca Real Mallorca winger Alejandro Alfaro has urged his team to keep their feet on the ground and not rush, as they aim for a a place in Europe. Real Sociedad Real Sociedad defender Dani Estrada believes his team have done well to secure their La Liga safety and that they are gradually getting better. Real Zaragoza Real Zaragoza coach Manolo Jimenez said his team are tired after a long season, but the best remedy for the bumps and bruises are victories. Sevilla Sevilla coach Michel rued the missed chances in the first half at Real Madrid and conceded that it is normal that they were made to pay for it. Sporting Gijon Sporting Gijon striker Mate Bilic is hoping the El Molinon factor will be decisive when they face Villarreal, who are favourites for the match. Valencia Valencia coach Unai Emery has no complaints about their defeat to Malaga as the equilibrium was broken with Sofiane Feghouli's sending off. Villarreal Villarreal coach Miguel Angel Lotina has underlined that the match against direct rivals Sporting Gijon is their most important of the season.

Serie A

AC Milan AC Milan coach Max Allegri expects to still be bossing the Diavolo next season after the president told him not to pay attention to rumours. AS Roma AS Roma coach Luis Enrique admitted that it has been a tough season with a few regrets, but is adamant that it has not been a disastrous one. Atalanta Stefano Colantuono declared that it has been a extraodinary season for Atalanta after his side secured their safety despite a 6-point penalty. Bologna Bologna head coach Stefano Pioli was very pleased with the win over Genoa and believes his players deserved to finish the campaign on a high. Cagliari Brescia has been named as the venue for Week 36 tie between Genoa and Cagliari after Stadio Ferraris was closed as punishment for fans trouble. Catania Catania coach Vincenzo Montella will have to face Bologna without the services of Barrientos after the midfielder was handed a one-match ban. Cesena Cesena coach Mario Beretta will have to face Udinese without the services of Mario Santana after the midfielder was handed a one-match ban. Chievo Chievo coach Domenico Di Carlo insists he is not worried about the missing goals, as his team have created plenty of scoring opportunities. Fiorentina Delio Rossi admitted that Fiorentina are not same as in recent weeks, but believes their 6-point cushion should be enough to avoid relegation. Genoa Brescia has been named as the venue for Week 36 tie between Genoa and Cagliari after Stadio Ferraris was closed as punishment for fans trouble. Inter Milan Agostinho Ca's agent revealed has warned Inter to make an improved offer for the Sporting CP player before he sign a new deal in the summer. Juventus Aalborg sports director Lynge Jakobsen admitted that Juventus are keen on teenager Jacob Barret Laursen, but has denied claims of an agreement. Lazio Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti was handed a 4-match ban for pushing a referee, while Andre Dias is banned for 3 games due to his red card. Lecce Lecce coach Serse Cosmi and defender Andrea Esposito have been handed a one-match ban and will be on the stands for the match against Juventus. Napoli Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri will have to face Palermo without the services of Blerim Dzemaili after the midfielder was handed a one-match ban. Novara Coach Attilio Tesser believes Novara have done to the best of their capabilities against Juventus, even if they were not in the best shape. Palermo Palermo will be without Fabrizio Miccoli for the Napoli game due to concerns about his fitness, according to Vice-President Guglielmo Micciche. Parma Parma coach Roberto Donadoni has confirmed he will use the remaining games to give space to those who have not played as much this season. Siena Siena sporting chief Giorgio Perinetti admitted that at least two or three clubs will be chasing after Mattia Destro's signature in the summer. Udinese Udinese coach Francesco Guidolin will have to face Cesena without the services of Mehdi Benatia after the defender was handed a one-match ban.