The previous record number of goals by one team in a match, 11 goals from Juventus in the Italian Cup final season 7 against Fiorentina, has been beaten this weekend raising suggestions the first sacking of the season could be pending. Watch the action unfold live now, on Final Score.
Espanyol manager Ashley Harris has defended his decision to rest players against Barcelona that resulted in a 12-2 defeat for his side.
Press: A tough defeat for you in a derby match, can you explain your team selection?
AH: Yes i can, we have an old squad here that means that we need to be creative when picking sides for matches that realistically were going to struggle to get anything in. Barcelona are a fanatastic side so getting a result against them would always have been difficult and it is better to ensure that we have fully fit players for matches that we can win quite comfortably as this league is very tough and if you get injuries you will find lower placed sides taking points off you. I expect us to finish 6th this year at the worst and we are making steps to reduce the age of the squad quite drastically over the coming weeks and then perhaps we will be able to have more of a go against the top 3. This result in my book is unimportant as we lost and thats all that matters and losing 12-2 is just the same as losing 1-0 to me.
Press: The fans though are surely going to be unhappy with the result against their bitter rival, what do you say to them?
AH: I have a fantastic relationship with the fans here as shown by my introduction into the FA hall of fame as a fans favourite at the end of last season. The fans know exactly what i am trying to achieve here at the club and that is to reduce the age and make us very strong for a tilte at the league title in a couple of years time. We are going in the right direction and i know they are very happy with the progress the club is making. They were delighted with the Uefa cup run we experienced last season in making the Semi-finals and we hope to do even better in this competition this season.
Press: However, media rumours have surfaced of you possibly being the first sacking of the season?
AH: These rumours prove how ridiculous the Spanish media are. I have a 4 year contract and the chairmen and me have discussed our plans for the coming seasons so one defeat does not change this. We are moving forward together and these rumours are completely without foundation and i will be at this football club for many years to come at least to the end of my contract as a minumum.
Press: Finally any transfer news for you to confirm?
AH: Yes, quite a bit actually, i can confirm we have agreed to sign an exciting young striker who will be a star here in the years to come, we will lose one of our better older players here but this deal is right for both clubs and i really feel he will be an absolutely fantastic forward for this football club in the years to come. Also our very talented young GK Moldovan will join a lower division club this week so he can get some first team football which i'm sure will benefit him in the years to come.
Sky sports news caught up with Atalanta manager after his side drew 1-1 with Ascoli.
SSN Well Mr Price not a win but not a loss happy?
DP Yes the team and me knew it was going to be a very hard game as they beat us in the play offs last season but I am very happy to get a draw. But I am a little sad that the Ref ruled out a goal that I couldnt see anything wrong with but thats just the way it goes.
SSN Next week you come up against Catania how are you feeling about this game?
DP Again Catania are another very good side that have a lot of attacking flair in their side so we will have to try and stop them being able to play the way they want one thing is for sure they will make life hard for us but hopefully we can get the win.
SSN What are your feelings on Seria B this season?
DP I dont think the league is a strong as it was last season. I think Lazio are the big favourites for the title and so they should be their manager Ray will have a load of pressure on his shoulders all season only time will tell if he can handle it but I am looking forward to our game in week 8
SSN Thank you for taking time out to speak to us this week good luck in your preparations this week
DP Thank you
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Norwich City 1-2 Real Betis 3 Real Murcia 4 Sunderland 4-6 Recreativo 7-8 Atalanta 8-
Catania boss Amilcar Vasquez expressed his happiness at starting the season with a win. he explained that he is satisified with his current team of players and he knows they can accomplish a lot.
"We know that serie A is dreaming, but with this team nothing is impossible. we will see how we can progress as time goes by. Our Defence needs some attention. It will be a difficult season with the likes of lazio and atalanta looking to dominate the scene, but we will definitely give them a a run for their money"
Vasquez's first game away is against atalanta and will prove a tough one for him.
Wolves boss TJ Barro took time out of his hectic schedule to speak to Stan Collymore of TalkSport Magazine after the opening round of League One fixtures this weekend, and here's what the maverick had to say for himself:
SC: So TJ, how did you think the team performed in the 1-1 draw with Sunderland?
TB: The game seemed to smack of two teams with slight hangovers from last season. Obviously Sunderland were relegated and we missed out in the playoff final. Both squads have taken some hits and it'll take time for us to improve.
The ludicrous 1 week summer break must have had an effect as well - especially as we jetted off to La Paz for most of that - the lads are exhausted.
SC: There's been rumours that could have been Sam Vokes' last game for the club?
TB: And those rumours are true, Stan. We received an offer from Espanyol involving Daniele de Rossi that we simply couldn't turn down. I expect Sam to go onto great things in his career but with the pressure of the modern Black Country supporter weighing me down I have no option to build for the future. But with El Capitan Futuro we have a truly world class player in our squad, and he'll be instrumental in everything we do this year. Despite the fact that Sam has gone, it really is a massive coup for this club, this league and this part of the World to get Daniele in and I for one am excited to work with him.
SC: What are your targets this season?
TB: Promotion. Nothing less will do if I'm honest. We've started with a draw and too many of those are what cost us last season but we're working to improve this squad every week and I'm confident that with a bit of luck, and if we work as hard as you should have in your career Stan, we'll be there or thereabouts.
SC: And do the fans expect the same?
TB: The fans deserve it! Wolverhampton is a beautiful part of this World - we've got one of the biggest Walkabouts in England and more Toby Carveries per square mile than anywhere in Europe. The next step in putting this City on the World map is a successful football team.
SC: Well I wish you the best of luck for the rest of the season:
(Q) How confident were you feeling going into the game on Friday? (A) We knew it was going to be a very tough games and thats how it turned out to be. We will never go into a game thinking we will lose but we knew we had to be at our best and hope Chelsea had an off day.
(Q) Were you pleased with the performance of your team? (A) I was disappointed we didnt come out of the game with a draw to be honest but I cant fault the players for the work they put in and we created a fair amount of chances. Given it was our first game back in the premiership I think we have plenty of positives to look at.
(Q) How do you feel pre-season has gone for your team? (A) We went away, worked hard and the squad is looking fresh. Some players are fitter than others but we will rotate in the first few weeks to get everyone on the same level.
(Q) Do you agree with the chairmans targets for the season? (A) The priority was always going to be to stay in this league. It will be a battle but we will do all we can. If we can achieve that with games to go then we will look to push up the league as much as possible.
(Q) What area of your team have you highlighted for improvement? (A) Im always looking at ways to improve the squad in all positions. I think a little bit more quality and competition in the defence is more of a priority but it isnt a buying market at the moment. Player are going more massively inflated prices and I dont think the value is out there at the moment. If we can strengthen and bring someone in at a reasonable price then we will.
(Q) Can you improve on this teams performances last season? (A) Well I cant see us winning the league and after one game we already cant go unbeaten all season. The priority is to stay up and also keep a squad together that can stay up and improve season on season.
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Cardiff City manager - PM or Email at ccfc999@hotmail.com
(Q) How confident were you feeling going into the game on Friday?
(A) 50/50 really, did not know what to expect from the team!
(Q) Were you pleased with the performance of your team?
(A) Most deffinately ! Its pretty hard to come back from 3-0 down and we almost snatched a point.
(Q) How do you feel pre-season has gone for your team?
(A) It has been pretty hectic, transfer offers flying around the office!
(Q) Do you agree with the chairman's targets for the season?
(A) Yes, they are relatively low and after the performance against Villa, I think we have a decent chance to exceed them expectations.
(Q) What area of your team have you highlighted for improvement?
(A) I did mainly look at the attack side of my team, based on statistics from last season. Despite not scoring many goals, the strike force were in a much better league and after our first game in the championship, it could be a good season for them.
(Q) Can you improve on this teams performances last season?
(A) Hopefully yes! My main aim is to contend for the play offs and get them back into the premiership, as soon as possible!
(Q) How confident were you feeling going into the game on Friday?
Well we had some key players out so it was always going to hard, Its just a shame we had to play one of our biggest rivals in the first game.
(Q) Were you pleased with the performance of your team?
I was pleased with the performance and I am sure things will look up real soon although we have a tough run of games coming up.
(Q) How do you feel pre-season has gone for your team?
Pre-season went very well and although i came in late i feel plans are looking good.
(Q) Do you agree with the chairmans targets for the season?
I think we are capable of a top 6 finish but this league does not get any easier, we will be trying our best to achieve that target.
(Q) What area of your team have you highlighted for improvement?
Well we brought Augusto in this week so that gives us a bit more going forward in the middle, my main concern now is finding another Centre Back but that is proving quite hard at the moment.
(Q) Can you improve on this teams performances last season?
Well it won't be easy to improve on because i think they probably over achieved over the last few years but i will be working my hardest to keep things moving in the right direction.
It was a perfect start to the season for Mark Rollings' Leicester City team they produced an efficient performance to humble an injury stricken Middlesbrough outfit. The game was a cagey affair, and with both expected to be battling it out at the upper levels of The Championship this season this could yet prove to be a crucial three points for the midlands club. Speaking to Foxes news Rollings was clearly happy with the opening win.
"The most important thing is we took the three points. It wasn't a classic, and I think both teams will be a different proposition in a few weeks but every win is worth the same and we are pleased with our effots. Our front two seemed a lot more lively that Middlesbrough's, which is extremely positive and Maniero in particular seemed very sharp. I don't think there is much of a debate who deserved to win the match so we are happy with the result."
Rollings welcomed three new-recruits to his burgeoning squad this week with the arrival of Miralem Pjanic on loan from Manchester United, and Leonardo Pischulini and Yoo Ki-Wook on permanent deals from Juventus. He gave his thoughts on his latest acquisitions.
"Crucially we now have options tactically and I don't think it will be easy for our opponents to pick what we are likely to do. Yoo Ki is a young talented defender who we will nurture but Pischulini and Pjanic are top wingers! We have more quality yet to come in yet also so I think things are very positive indeed."
Finally Rollings turned his attention to his upcoming fixture against Bolton Wanderers.
"I think it is the first time I have come up against Ashley at Bolton but he is a good manager who is getting a chance he deserves. I am sure he will do a great job but this weekend its all about following up the win against Middlesbrough with another three points. I have spoken at length with Steve Jenkins (Leicester City chairman) and we have a tactical approach to this game which we feel will get the job done so we go in confident as always. I think where I have failed in the past is not having a flexible approach to tactics but I feel I have got a far greater tactical awareness now so hopefully that will help this weekend as we will probably change things up."
-- Edited by Spartikus47 on Tuesday 12th of April 2011 04:41:29 PM
Strong rumours have developed suggesting Jack Rodwell is leaving to join Athletico Madrid. Can you confirm or deny this? Yes he is leaving this week and we wish the lad well. I think in the end the sale was inevitable as we have a lot of quality in midfield and while he will be a star we have other positions we need to strengthen and even though he is still young we have taken a even longer term view?
What do you mean by that? Well bringing in a left back was a priority and we have now done that so that is a big boost. We also have funds to use at our discretion. We will see how we start the season but I would think we will bring in at least another two players and it also leaves us funds to look at increasing the club shop, getting an academy or maybe even adding more seats to the stadium. The money will give us options.
Some fans are massively disappointed with this sale, can you understand there anger? In an ideal world he would stay, be loaned out and in a few seasons be put in the first team but we are building the foundations of the club at the moment so that in the future we can keep the likes of Rodwell. We need to improve on our income streams, we started last season by massively improving the stadium and we will continue.
What players are likely to come in? Battaglia will be signing from Manchester United, we wanted someone with experience and when we found out he was available we moved quickily as he know the club and the way we play so we were very pleased with getting him. We also hope to bring in a central defender but that is no easy task as we are looking for quality. We would consider another striker but we want to get the right players but especially at the right price as well.
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Cardiff City manager - PM or Email at ccfc999@hotmail.com
