Real Madrid’s Kaka: It Would Be Nice If Atletico Would Lend Us A Hand

With a broad smile after a commendable performance this past weekend against Espanyol which was capped with a goal, Real Madrid’s Kaka gave a press conference today after training.

Commenting on the goal that served as a catharsis after suffering a sports hernia that has kept him out of peak form for over 40 days, the Brazilian spoke of the weight being removed from his shoulders, as reported by AS.

“The goal was very special because it had been a few months since I had scored and a lot of time without playing. Against Espanyol, it was a good match and I felt more free. Every day my condition improves and one will see better things out of me.” @Goal

Robinho: In Europe, the coach sends you out to run. Here in Brazil, I play…

Sponsorship across the front of his shirt, the front and back of his shorts and down both arms. The walking advertising board in the Santos No 7 shirt has to pay for his salary somehow.

Until Robinho signed, Santos did not have a shirt sponsor. Now they have three for his first match; this is what Robinho has let himself in for. Not only has the 26-year-old seen his £160,000-a-week wages halved by agreeing a six-month loan from Manchester City’s bench to Santos, he will also have his image pawned out to companies bankrolling the extravagant signing of a club with £8.5million debts. @Dailymail

‘Italy is tougher than Spain’-Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic left Internazionale this summer to join Barcelona. Although the Spanish league is rated higher than the Italian league, the Swedish striker believes it’s harder to score in Italy than in Spain.

Ibrahimovic spent five years in the Serie A. He finished Capocannoniere in his final season with Inter, scoring 25 goals in 35 games in Serie A. In total, Ibra managed to score 80 goals in 142 Serie A matches.

“In Italy they give you three or four chances in one game and you have to be ready not to make a mistake,” Ibrahimovic told El Periodico. @Soccerway

Rooney: I’m Playing The Best Football Of My Career

Following another match-day that saw Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney’s name etched on the scoresheet, the goal-scorer has declared that he is enjoying the form of his life.

The departure of Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer was alleged to signal a period of strife for the reigning Premier League champions, a side thought likely to struggle to fill the goal-scoring void created by the former FIFA World Player of the Year’s exit.

Rooney, though, has shouldered the responsibility with apparent ease. @Goal

Shut it Wenger! Chelsea star Michael Ballack tells Arsene to stop moaning and claims Arsenal are not good enough to win the title

Michael Ballack has told Arsene Wenger to stop moaning after claiming Arsenal are not good enough to win the Premier League.

Chelsea wrecked the Gunners’ faltering title bid with a comprehensive 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Incredibly, Wenger reckoned his side deserved to win after watching them fall nine points behind leaders Chelsea. He also claimed they were ‘dominant’ and hit out at what he perceived as Chelsea’s bully-boy tactics. @Dailymail

Ancelotti & Wenger: Arsenal Are Not Out Of Premier League Title Race

Arsenal cannot be discounted from the Premier League title race, according to both Arsene Wenger and Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti.

The Gunners minimised an 11-point November deficit in two months to rise to the top of the table a fortnight ago, but during a crucial four-game ‘make-or-break’ period that reaches a climax against Liverpool this week, the north Londoners have so far returned just a solitary point from a possible nine.

Two successive losses, sustained against rivals Manchester United and Chelsea, followed a draw at Aston Villa. The Emirates Stadium clash against Liverpool on Wednesday evening is now “vital”, according to Wenger. @Goal

Dropped David Beckham’s hopes of starting emotional clash against Manchester United in doubt

David Beckham’s dream of lining up against Manchester United were thrown into doubt last night after he was dropped by AC Milan.

The former Old Trafford star could only make the bench for Milan’s goalless draw against Bologna yesterday which casts serious doubts over his chances of starting the Champions League second round first-leg clash against United at the San Siro next Tuesday.

Beckham was replaced by recent loan signing Mancini before replacing Ronaldinho with just 11 minutes left to play. @Dailymail

Liverpool must build on Everton win says Gerrard

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is hoping the Merseyside derby win over Everton will get his side back on track for a top-four finish in the Barclays Premier League.

Rafael Benitez’s men have endured a difficult season so far with many experts questioning the team’s credentials to finish in a Champions League qualifying spot.

But Saturday’s victory over their city rivals has reignited their hopes – especially as the win came despite the first-half dismissal of Greece defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos. @Independent

Nan of the moment

After a fourth eye-catching appearance in a row, Nani has pinned down the consistency that was previously undoing his promise, according to his United team-mates.

The Portuguese winger, who has at times frustrated fans with unpredictable form, has increasingly looked a more settled, confident player after his recent return from injury. Another impressive outing against Portsmouth, this time on the left flank, prompted club captain Gary Neville to acknowledge Nani’s recent development.

“Nani’s doing the right things and making the right decisions now,” Neville told MUTV. “It’s difficult to stay with him because he is quick and can go either way. He looks in the last couple of weeks like he is coming on in leaps and bounds and looks really confident and strong. It’s happening at the right time for us.” @Man U

Kaka promises more after ending barren run

Real Madrid’s Brazilian superstar Kaka believes he is yet to show his best form since his 68.5-million-euro move from AC Milan after scoring for the first time in three months in his side’s 3-0 home win over Espanyol on Saturday.

Kaka, 27, was a prolific scorer with AC Milan but has found goals hard to come by since joining Real in the summer with the goal against Espanyol only his fourth league strike of the season and his first since he netted in the 3-2 derby win over Atletico Madrid back on November 7.

Kaka had his season interrupted by five weeks out with a groin injury picked up before Christmas, but the Brazilian international believes he is starting to get match sharpness back. @Soccerway

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