Soccer update-- more on recent cancellations

We recently reported that Real Madrid's match at Rayo Vallecano had to be cancelled due to acts of sabotage to the electrical system. (See photos of the damaged electrical equipment above and below) 

The match was finally played today, resulting in a 2-0 Real Madrid victory.

Below: Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring for Real Madrid

In other news, due to the recent cancellation of AS Roma's match at Cagliari, Serie A officials have decided to award a 3-0 victory to Roma. Cagliari have announced that they will appeal this decision.

Soccer update-- cancellations and more

Today's La Liga match between Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano was cancelled due to sabotage. (Apparently an electrical cable was cut.)

Above and below: Workers attempt to fix the lights 

Below: Fans outside the Estadio de Vellecas

In Italy, today's match between AS Roma and Cagliari was cancelled due to a dispute between Cagliari and Serie A authorities about whether home fans would be allowed to attend the match.

And finally, Milan's disastrous season continued with a 2-1 loss to Udinese. Highlights included two Milan players sent off with red cards (Cristian Zapata and Kevin Prince-Boateng) and continued speculation about whether Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri will be fired.

Below: Milan players after the match

Friday fashion report

Friday at my school is Free Dress Day, and nothing says "Free Dress Day" like a Mesut Ozil Real Madrid jersey...

...unless it's a counterfeit Mesut Ozil Real Madrid jersey. 

For Mesut Ozil's official website, click here.

For an unofficial Mesut Ozil website that has actual photos and information, click here.

For highlights of Mesut Ozil's 2011-12 season, watch the video below.

World Soccer update

Real Madrid defeated Barcelona to win the Copa del Rey. However, during the parade celebrating the victory, there was a small disaster involving the winner's trophy.

Meanwhile, in Scotland, the Celtic-Rangers match did not quite live up to the excitement generated by a recent spate of letter bombs sent to prominent figures associated with Celtic.

The year of ridiculous rumors continues

A few months ago, I never would have thought things like this were even worth mentioning. But now, you never know.

Serie A - Ronaldinho wants Kaka return

More official announcements from Milan

Regarding the UEFA Champions League draw, in which Milan grouped with Real Madrid, Ajax, and AJ Auxerre:

ALLEGRI: ‘Group of death’

8/26/2010

MILAN – Milan coach Massimo Allegri’s comments about the Champions League draw: ‘Our group and that of Inter is certainly the most difficult one. Both of us will face tough and well-prepared teams. Obviously, playing against Real Madrid is exciting, it’s a fascinating match-up. The San Siro and the Santiago Bernabeu will be sold-out as a spectacle is guaranteed. Ajax and Auxerre advanced through the preliminaries making a great impression, they are opponents to be feared. We have to play all these games always maintaining high concentration and full fitness. It’s a group of death, but we’ll play like Milan.’

Regarding the possible transfer of Zlatan Ibrahimovic:

GALLIANI: ‘We postpone everything until tomorrow’

8/26/2010

MILAN – Milan CEO Adriano Galliani’scomments after the meeting held in Barcelona with blaugrana president Sandro Rosell: “We have been chatted and discussed the terms. We know Barcelona’s position and now we’ll consider it. We postpone things until tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, after all the transfer window is open until Tuesday. I’ll stay here, I won’t go to Monte Carlo and I think I won’t come to the San Siro for the match on Sunday evening, either. Our position and that of Barcelona is very clear. We’ll go to the bitter ends for Ibrahimovic. I’d say now we have a 50% chance of getting him. In the meantime the eventual alternative would be Robinho I’d like to point out that Borriello will stay at Milan, while as for Huntelaar, we are in negotiations with another team. We’ll see. Now I’ll talk to Ibrahimovic, as I was authorised by president Rosell’.

Still my favorite goal of the year

Andrea Pirlo scores to make it 1-1 against Real Madrid in the Champions League

To see my second favorite goal of the year (Inzaghi's game winner in Milan's 2-1 victory over Olympique de Marseille), click here.

Match report: Cagliari 2 - Milan 3

Above: Davide Astori right after scoring an own goal to put Milan ahead 3-2

• Goals scored: Borriello 7', Ragatzu 17', Huntelaar 19', Matri 32', Astori (own goal) 38'
• What happened: Five goals were scored in the first half. The last time these two teams met, seven goals were scored.
• What else happened: Both Inter and Roma won, so Milan are still in third place.
• Questions about this game: Was Huntelaar's goal from an even longer distance than the one Pirlo scored against Real Madrid in the Champions League?
• What this match teaches us: Neither team seems to be able to play defense.

World football update: random news

• Real Madrid news: Real Madrid's friendly this week against an Albanian team called Gramozi was delayed for over an hour due to a power failure in the Albanian capital of Tirana. The Albanian Socialist Party announced that "Albania has been made a laughing stock." Real Madrid won the match 2-1.
• Ridiculous rumor of the week: Reports have speculated that Real Madrid's Kaka may be leaving the team due to his poor performance so far this year. According to rumors, one likely destination is his former club, AC Milan.
• Derby della Madonnina update: This Sunday, Inter will host Milan in the Derby della Madonnina. This game is especially important this year because Milan have fought their way back into the race for the Scudetto after a terrible start to the season. Milan, however, are worried about injuries to many of their most important players, including Nesta, Seedorf, Pato, and Flamini.

Karim Benzema's Lamborghini

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema was out celebrating his birthday earlier this month on the island of La Reunion. At some point during the night, his car wound up crashed. Benzema may have been driving, or it may have been that his friend was driving while Benzema drove another car. There are suggestions that the two men may have been racing. For more information, click here. For a map to help you find La Reunion, see below.

For yet another video of people speaking French, watch the one below. Benzema is the guy in the tank top.

Match report: Zurich 1 - Milan 1

• Goals scored: Gajic 30', Ronaldinho 64' (penalty)
• What happened: Milan looked mediocre and were lucky to get a draw. Real Madrid beat Marseille 3-1, however, so Milan advance to the knockout round of the Champions League.
• Potentially bad news: Thiago Silva had to leave the game early with a calf injury.
• Startling news: Bayern Munich defeated Juventus. (See photo below) Bayern Munich advance and Juventus are out.
• What this match teaches us: Cristiano Ronaldo is not all bad-- his two goals for Real Madrid helped ensure that Milan advance to the next round.

Match report: Milan 1 - Madrid 1

• Goals scored: Benzema 29', Ronaldinho 35' (penalty)
• Why Milan received a penalty kick: Zambrotta tried to cross a ball in the box. Pepe slid across and blocked the ball with his hands raised. The ball struck either his arm or his armpit, and the referee awarded a penalty.
• Ronaldinho's penalty: High, hard, and to the corner. No goalie in the world could have stopped it.
• Number of Milan goals incorrectly disallowed: One. In the 36th minute, Pirlo was fouled at midfield. He quickly took the free kick and passed it up to Pato. Pato brought the ball down in the box, took a quick shot and scored. The referee waived off the goal. Why? Offside? Handball? Pushing a defender? None of these seemed to have applied.
• Overall tenor of the game: Exciting first half; tired, lethargic, and lackluster second half
• Milan players who played well: Ronaldinho hustled at both ends of the field, made some nice passes, and scored an excellent penalty. Ambrosini played excellent defense, taking the ball off Kaka at least three times. (His offensive play was not as good, however.)
• Milan players with the power to both frighten and amaze: Dida. On the goal, he gave up a rebound off a shot by Kaka. The rebound went straight to Benzema who scored. Sometimes he seemed incapable of catching the ball. On the other hand, his injury time save against Raul at the end of the game was outstanding.
• Milan player who got knocked around a lot by Madrid: Pato
• Madrid player who got knocked around a lot by Milan: Pepe
• Other rumors about Milan: Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi appears willing to sell AC Milan if the right bidder can be found.
• What this match teaches us: Soccer players play many games each season and get tired after awhile.

Below: Ambrosini takes the ball away from Kaka.

Another Real Madrid - AC Milan match commentary

From Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Game notes written while I watched

I don't know if the players feel intimidated, but I do...

5' With the ball, they look hesitant-- on defense, they look disorganized and frantic

8' Madrid pressuring

12' More pressure

14' Big shout for penalty - Zambrotta hacks down Benzema in box - never got the ball - lucky us- goal kick instead

18' Great cross by Seedorf just broken up by defender

19' Easy shot stopped by Dida, fumbles rebound - Raul scores 1-0

25' Another great cross by Seedorf. Inzaghi almost gets there - offside anyway

Lots of nice long passes by Seedorf tonight

Milan has settled down and even pressuring a bit

33' Pato butted in back of head by Xabi Alonso (?) - no foul

35' Long lob almost scores over Dida - a bit high...

40' Lethargic

44' Dida holds on to Benzema's cross

Many Madrid corners

45' +1 Dida nice save on Marcelo

47' Raul walks in untouched, shoots wide

50' Kaka shoots wide

51' Kaka's bad angle shot is nicely saved by Dida

Inzaghi frequently offside

53' Albiol booked

Also, Milan's first corner of game

55' Raul gets behind defense, Dida is not fooled by chip

Ronaldinho has had several leaden touches tonight

60' Borriello comes on/ Inzaghi off

62' OUT OF NOWHERE - PIRLO SCORES FROM WAY OUT - SO SHOCKING THE ANNOUNCER DIDN'T REALIZE AT FIRST! Leonardo raises fist

64' Zambrotta shoots just wide from outside

66' PATO SCORES! LONG BALL OVER TOP - CASILLAS COMES WAY OUT - MISSES - PATO KNOCKS INTO NET - pass by Ambrosini

Who will win?!?

It's Raining

71' Zambrotta fouls at top of box - yellow

75' Milan's burst of confidence has cooled - Madrid are attacking now

76' Short corner - Drenthe shoots low from outside - goes in

78' Ronaldinho nice rush - Seedorf shoots way high

79' Wide open now

80' Alonzo misses well over top

82' Pirlo hurt a bit

84' Almost Madrid goal - Nesta cleared off line - offside however

85' Casillas stops Pato point blank with foot - great save

86' Milan scores - Thiago Silva - on subsequent corner - disallowed - not sure why - cards to Raul and Nesta for afters

88' PATO SCORES ON LOB FROM SEEDORF ON VOLLEY

90' Dida stops Alonzo curling low to post - Wow!

90'+1 Flamini on - Ronaldinho off

That's all!

My AC Milan v. Real Madrid match commentary (first half)

Things to keep in mind while reading: 1. I take back every negative thing I said about Milan 2. Most of you will not find this post interesting at all

These are my actual comments (I wrote them down as I watched):
3:12- they say "Ronaldinho" differently here
3:15- Milan is already barely keeping the ball out
4:24- I actually like some of the other players on Real
4:50- Iker!! I forgot about him!
5:06- I haven't seen Pato's wife on TV here
5:20- this isn't the San Siro, is it? That's a shame...
5:33- They're new uniforms aren't that bad
6:00- Ronaldinho looked like he was trying so hard, but they took the ball so easily.... :(
6:27- I feel pessimistic
6:38- sometimes they call Ronaldinho "Ronaldo Gaucho" here, and "Gaucho" doesn't sound like you think it does
7:12- I'm not as nervous as I think I should be... :?
7:37- Nesta's back??!?!?!!?!
8:04- watching alone sucks...
8:17- remember how excited we were when Zambrotta came?
8:34- "Olha Kaká" - the announcer
8:52- Pirlo's hair is still really floppy
9:10- the other day, somebody quizzed me on my knowledge of Milan players (because of my shirt) and I passed.
10:05- Pirlo, was that a shot?
10:35- I can actually understand what the announcer is saying...!
11:11- Xabi Alonso plays for Madrid?
11:25- this Milan team is kinda old... but remember Maldini? Me too.
11:42- Saveeeee! Dida! :)
12:09- Why does Real always have the ball?
13:15- Zambrotta!!!?!?! How could you do that? You can't do that! That's a PK... cruddd.... :(
14:05- What a weird collar on Milán's uni... :?
14:10- magic spray!
14:40- Pato is the brown haired version of someone I know!
14:58- "Olha Kaka... Kaka... Kaka... Kaka... Kaka..."- announcer. Her must have said "Kaka" about 15 times in one minute :P
15:51- Xabi looks pink
16:04- they said "Galliani!"
16:45- I'm trying to see how Kaká relates to the "other" team...
17:00- nice cross by Seedorf!
17:57- How did you give that away Pato?
18:12- WHAT!?!?! NOOOOOOOOO!!! How did he let that bounce off!! DIDA!!?!?!?!?!?!?! WHAT!?!?!!??
19:08- who'se fault is this?
19:29- I knew that was going to happen...
20:34- Pippo...
21:03- Where is Cristiano Ronaldo?
21:10- I don't think Leonardo's going to be around much longer..
21:38- Kaká was MUCH cooler when he played fo Milan... I miss him :(
22:36- I just saw a replay of the goal. Dida screwed up. You don't let those rebound...
23:18- Thiago Silva doens't inspire my confidence...
23:37- Do you think that Kaka our Ancellotti's leaving made a bigger difference?
24:24- That could have been something... They need more people up front
25:26- Nice back pass by Zambrotta!
25:40- ughh... counterattacks....
26:05- Bah!
27:53- hehehe, I am watching the game live!
29:11- "Zambrotta e Kaka!"
29:42- Milan isn't chance-less
31:19- Who's that guy that looks like Robinho on Real? It isn't him, right? He plays for Man City, right?
31:58- hehe, this is the same broadcast as ESPN, I think! Because the "shot's on target" was in english
33:16- Nesta
33:37- I love how the Real fans whistle at Ronaldinho. Is this because of Barça, do you think?
34:26- Quero ir pra Holanda! These Dutch people are just too cool :)
35:26- Nice marking, boys *sarcasm*
36:02- look, Kaká looks sad
36:03- :)
36:30- Milan have nobody up front!
37:41- Ha! When you get fancy, you mess up! Haha!
38:10- What is that guys name?
38:41- Wait? Where the heck is Gattuso!?!?!?!?!!??!?!?!!?
39:06- Run! Don't just stand there!!!
39:42- Omg! I just remembered I have to go to Jump! Crap, I'm not gonna get to see the rest of the game...Maybe I'll skip Jump..
40:44- was that a shot or a pass? It was terrible as either :/
41:18- Kaka has his sleeves rolled up
41:45- is this still the group stage? good.
42:42- too close... yikes..... argh
43:42- too close de novo! at least Dida didn't mess up this time...
44:31- Aghhhhhhhhhhh! Don't give up another goal before the half. do not!!!
45:00+0:07- One more minute...
45:00+0:27- Aghh! This is pathetic. Too close again!
45:00+0:59- Oh my Goddddd....

Half Time:
-I love the CL anthem! :)
-I have to go to Jump. I can't believe I'm missing my chance to see Milan.
-Nadal! Nadal is here! :)
-The Milan players in the tunnel look depressed...

45:56- Pato's so fast, but with the ball he looks lost.
46:28- they just can't keep the ball...
46:44- ...and it starts again...
46:56- isn't Raúl old or something...?
47:57- they yellow dudes (security) on the side are all turned around to watch the game, haha
48:25- Juve is winning against some nothing team... They got lucky with their group! :P
49:22- Pato...
49:30- "Olha Kaká!" - announcer
50:20- Dida! :) But who was the Milan player who totally missed...
50:43- a shot! :)
51:05- Can we try something? A full minute with a Real Madrid shot.
52:08- Who's hurt? I missed it...

50 minutes later-
I saw the game through a window of a bar on the way to Jump and Milan was still losing. I'm worried.... :(

Match report: Real Madrid 2 - AC Milan 3

• Goals scored: Raul 19', Pirlo 62', Pato 66', Drenthe 76', Pato 88'
• Goals disallowed: Thiago Silva 86'
• Raul's goal: Milan keeper Dida had just caught a soft shot. Then he brought it down and bounced it off his knee straight to Raul. Raul did not miss.
• Why Dida was even playing: Dida started for the injured Storari. Storari had replaced the injured Abbiati. Abbiati had replaced the injured Dida.
• Pirlo's goal: Pirlo shot from 35+ yards out. The ball grazed Iker Casillas' fingers but went in. The shot was so surprising that the television announcer did not realize that the ball had gone in the net. The Madrid home crowd did go instantly silent, however.
• Pato's first goal: Ambrosini put a long pass in to Pato. Casillas rushed all the way out of the penalty area but could not get to the ball. Pato went around Casillas and did not miss. This was Pato's first ever Champions League goal.
• Drenthe's goal: Madrid had many, many more corner kicks than Milan. This was one of them. Madrid took a short corner and Drenthe drilled it along the ground and into the net.
• Thiago Silva's goal: Milan had a corner. Ronaldinho took it. Thiago Silva or a defender headed it in. The referee disallowed the goal for no apparent reason. Much yelling, pushing, and shoving followed.
• Pato's second goal: Seedorf (who had an absolutely fantastic game) lobbed a short pass into Pato who was wide open on the right side of the box. Pato calmly volleyed it in.
• What this match teaches us: I have absolutely no idea what this match teaches us. However, this may have been the most exciting, satisfying match I have ever seen.

Above: Thiago Silva celebrates the victory.

Below: Another post-match scene.

Highlights are below:

Champions League draw

The groups were chosen for the Champions League today. Milan will be in Group C along with Olympique de Marseille, FC Zurich, and Real Madrid. If you have forgotten why this might be interesting, see the photo below.

AC Milan sign a new striker

All summer long AC Milan fans have been waiting to find out who the club would sign to replace the world famous player who just left. Rumors about Edin Dzeko and Luis Fabiano turned out not to be true, and, given Milan's disastrous pre-season form, many fans were quite worried. But, finally, today the club announced the signing of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar from Real Madrid.

For highlights, watch the video below. Huntelaar, it seems, is fond of bicycle kicks.

Kaka is gone - can anyone replace Kaka?

With Kaka leaving for Real Madrid, the question now is who will replace him. Among the names being mentioned is 23 year-old Bosnian Edin Dzeko who currently plays for Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg. See him in action in the video below:

Now they say Kaka will be going to Real Madrid (or Chelsea)

Below: A young Kaka

Below: Back in January 2009, Milan fans had to live with rumors of Kaka going to Manchester City.

Above: Spanish dictator and long-time Real Madrid fan Francisco Franco

Happy Birthday Wishes!

Happy birthday wishes to Vujadin Boskov - born on May 16, 1931. Boskov played professionally in Yugoslavia, Italy, and Switzerland, as well as for the Yugoslav national team. He is more famous as a coach - he has coached in many European countries, including Italy, the Netherlands, Spain (at Real Madrid), and as the manager of the Yugoslav national team. His greatest success came during the 1990-1991 season when he led Sampdoria to their only Scudetto.

Boskov is famous for his many quotations, including:

• "The game ends when the referee blows his whistle."
• "The team that wins the championship is the one with the most points."
• "It is better to lose 3-0 once than 1-0 three times."

Once again, from all of us here at Ape Canyon News Service, happy birthday, Vujadin!