Whew! Football time again (sort of), a.k.a. Confederations Cup is on!
By: Kevin | June 13th, 2009
Yes, it’s big. Damn right it’s big. This picture of Xavi is big because he isn’t just our biggest player, but Spain’s.
It’s Confederations Cup time, the 8-team tourney that some are calling the Spanish Invitational. Brazil might have something to say about that, however.
The 8 sides are: Gp A: Spain, New Zealand, South Africa, Iraq; Gp B: Brazil, USA, Italy, Egypt.
I’d love to say that I care about this tournament, but I don’t. Actually, I do, for two reasons: It’s footballs being kicked in anger, and I’m jonesing pretty badly; I don’t want to see any of our lads get hurt in this kickabout.
Matches kick off tomorrow on ESPN (check your local listings), and the one most of us are going to be interested in is Spain/New Zealand. After rolling over Turkey 6-0 in a match that wasn’t as close as the score indicated, the World Cup favorites will be looking to send a message in what should be a pretty good tournament, once the chaff (USA, New Zealand, South Africa) is weeded out.
They’re playing for a trophy that looks as if somebody tried to make a really ugly version of the World Cup trophy, and sort of succeeded.
Expect Spain to come out of their group with ease, while Italy, the USA and Brazil fight it out to see who gets to lose to Spain.
We won’t see Iniesta, who is recovering from an 8-week injury. But we’ll definitely see Xavi, Puyol, Busquets and Pique, who have all been capped for this outing. Let’s wish them well, but most importantly that they stay healthy for all of the really important footy that lies ahead. Dani Alves is on the Brazil side, of course, and let’s hope he’s recovered from the head knock that had him recommending Robinho to us. 
Interesting note: Valencia have the most players on the Spain squad, with 6. Boy, you’d think they’d won the triplete or something.
For those wondering, no cap for Victor Valdes, as the Spain keepers are Casillas, Reina and Diego Lopez.
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Comments
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mascherano would have a place in this team for sure. I guess Yaya will go to the African Cup of Nations, and they both can rotate in the 4 position… best 4’s I can think of nowadays. plus, yaya can play as an offensive midfielder, with xavi or iniesta. keita is kind of lame, even though he should get better this year.
kaka dissers: I guess kaka didn’t need much space to score, at least in last game. And what a penalty he shot, pure class
Posted from
United States
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We dont need masch. he wont be cheap either. id rather devote that money to villa or ribery
Posted from
United States -
news about aly cissokho although its bad for him, but its a bit funny..he should have further medical after what should have been his final examination revealed new concerns over the player’s teeth..
Posted from
Indonesia -
http://goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/06/17/1330571/barcelona-set-to-take-robinho-on-loan
Oh my God… not even on loan, not even for free I would want this guy in our team!!!
He matches to ManCity as he matched to Real Madrid, bad and evil player for a bad and evil club. Consequently, that makes him the worst possible player for a club as great as Barca.
Posted from
Germany -
about robinho.. well i’d rather have MATA.. but whatever happens i would support pep all the way. maybe pep could keep robinhos ego in check. and if its just a loan, than we could always dump him if he messes things up..
Posted from
Indonesia -
I dont want Robinho here
We might as well just sign Zhirkov the self confessed Barca fan, and then we can play him at LB and Left winger. Instant depth.Posted from
United States -
Not sure why all of you are so against Robinho. Yes he was at the EE and his lifestyle outside football is questionable but he is an exceptional player. The EE treated him like crap from day one which is why he never really shone there and I am not too worried about his party lifestyle because Pep will deal with that. If Rijkaard was still in charge i would be worried, but Pep will make it clear to anybody we sign that they have to accept the rules and work their ass off. He doesnt let anything slide good ol Pep and whether it is Ibra or Robinho he will get the best out of them. Robinho has spent a year in the EPL which gives him good exp, albeit at a crap team. He still gave some outstanding performances.
Also how sweet would it be for him to go back to the Bernebau and score in our colours. I would love that. With the right coach guiding him and the right players surrounding him Robinho could become quite incredible. He is still young and the potential is there. Dont think there is too much seperating him and Ribery, actually in terms of exp Robhinho has played in better leagues so maybe less of a risk. A loan would be perfect..
Posted from
United Kingdom -
No to any OCD step over players!
Posted from
United States -
hey bout football… its going to be U-21 spain vs england.. hope spain wins.. and bojan scores.
Posted from
Indonesia -
Iker Casillas
Sergio Ramos
Marchena
Gerard Piqué
Capdevila
Cazorla
Xabi Alonso
Xavi
Mata
David Villa
Fernando TorresLine up
Posted from
Switzerland -
Should we really risk Robinho though??
If Pep thinks he can handle that kid, then so be it. Give it a try but know that you’re playing with fire!
The Mascherano links sound interesting. I like the idea of putting Yaya in an offensive position (which I think he would enjoy) and the really neat thing about Masche is that his long shots are spectacular. He can really help with buses. He’s a hard-working disciplined individual and I’d love to have him at Barca. I just never thought he’d be available and still don’t think he is, haha.
Posted from
United States -
This is hell. Those #$*%&$% HORNS are killing me.
Posted from
United States -
Nice pass from Xavi but torres didnt score
Spain > Barca at headingPosted from
Switzerland -
LOL Ohyes, im used to the horns now
Posted from
United States -
OMG what a pass from Xavi to Torres.
Posted from
United States -
when are the under 21’s playing?
Posted from
United States -
I don’t know why they’re bothering me today, haha. One of the announcers had said that the horns are meant to “blow away the opposition” and I’m pretty sure they’re slowly blowing away our sanity, too.
Posted from
United States -
I thought villa had scored
Posted from
United States -
Torres’ passing is terrible. Villa’s shot was nice, just a bit off target.
I thought Xabi Alonso was injured? I really wanted to see me some Busi.
Nice defending by Pique.
Posted from
United States -
jordi, i dont really know. just know about it from the reports in goal.com
Posted from
Indonesia -
Match comments post above this one, folks.
Posted from
United States -
Robinho is good but it’s more than him being EE tainted. Even before his move to Spain, he’s been a problemm.
He talk crap about Barca even after he leftMadrid cause he is a madridista and then we got the treble, and he changed his tune cause he is desperat to leave city, just like before at EE, he was so desperate to leave for EPL, just like Santos he threw tanturms cause he wanted a europe move. it all just rub me the wrong way. But if Pep wants him I trus Pep.
Posted from
United States -
iran is playing parking the bus pretty well.
Posted from
Indonesia -
espania es el mejor y va a ganar este torneo y el mudial210:)
Posted from
United States -
2010
Posted from
United States
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