The post-match or pre-match interview is usually full of cliques, platitudes and quotes that just go through the motions because there are so many to do over such a limited scope of a subject. But as with all rules there are the exceptions that wake us up from our boredom induced slumber and give our attention something to behold. In this countdown are 10 of the best interviews to have been given, they usual involve cathartic release rather than inspirational tirades. Any way enough by way of introduction, here are the chosen few.
Click on image below to see the VIDEOS of TEN classic football interviews
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Manchester City look the favourites to land Benfica defender David Luiz. David Luiz is considered one the brightest talents in European football at the moment and Roberto Mancini is said to be very keen to tie up the deal this January.
Benfica rejected a £32m bid by Manchester City in the summer but after their failure to reach the second round of the Champions League, it seems that the Portuguese club are now ready to part with their prized asset.
The Sun reported last week that a Benfica insider said: “Going out of the Champions League affected our financial plans. We want to re-evaluate the situation.”
The defender would be an invaluable asset for Manchester City due to his versatility. He can double up a left back if needed – something Roberto Mancini looks for in his defenders.
Portuguese newspaper Record reports that Luiz was unhappy when Benfica rejected a bid from Manchester City in the summer, but sold Ramires to Chelsea and Angel di Maria to Real Madrid.
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Manchester City will face stiff opposition from Chelsea and Inter Milan for his signature but Manchester City are in pole position for the defenders signature – RATE THE RUMOUR
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Jordan booked a place in the Asian Cup quarter-finals with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Syria in Doha on Monday.With Syria needing a victory to progress to the knockout stage, they made the perfect start when Mohamed Al Zeno put them ahead but an own goal to Ali Diab levelled proceedings at half-time before Odai Al Saifi’s second-half strike sent Jordan into the last eight.
Jordan boss Adnan Hamad was happy with the side that beat Saudi Arabia 1-0 last time out, making no changes while Syria manager Valeriu Tia called upon Sanharib Malki to replace the suspended Nadim Sabagh.
The match began at a frenetic pace with Syria on top in the early stages and regularly testing Jordan goalkeeper Amer Sabah, and their early dominance paid off when Al Zeno gave them the lead after 15 minutes.
Malki made a promising run down the right side of the pitch and after getting close to the by-line, shot at Sabah, who could only parry the strike.
The rebound fell invitingly for Al Zeno who was on hand to tap the ball in and give Syria the early edge.
Syria had opportunities to go further in front but Al Zeno and Jehad Al Hussain missed free headers from inside the penalty box while Feras Esmaeel fired wide.
Almost completely against the run of play, Jordan found an equaliser.
Syria goalkeeper Mosab Balhous decided to come for a cross from the left but could not get through a crowd of bodies, with the ball finding the head of Diab who could only manage to put the ball in the back of the net.
The goal highlighted the lack of communication between the Syrian defence and goalkeeper and it was something Jordan would make the most of later in the match.
Referee Abdulrahman Mohammed dished out several yellow cards in the early stages of the second half including one to Balhous, who charged out of his box to clatter Hassan Abdel Fattah.
But Syria continued to attack and could have taken the lead if it were not for a smart save by Sabah who tipped Belal Abduldaim’s free-kick and from the resultant corner Sabah had to react well to save a left-foot rocket from Samer Awad.
Syria piled on the pressure in search of a goal, but Malki and Esmaeel wasted headers before once again a long ball split the Syrian defence open.
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Al Saifi slipped in behind the defensive line and despite the best efforts of Diab, who tried to shield the ball from the Jordan man, he tapped home the all-important second goal.
It was a clever finish from Al Saifi who hooked the ball over the oncoming keeper but the defending was comical and the goal allowed Jordan, who only needed a point to progress, to sit back and defend their lead.
Jordan’s victory sets up an exciting quarter-final clash with Group A winners Uzbekistan.
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a good dose of Premier League football for us footy fans to tuck into and hopefully if the weather holds up we’ll be in for a Boxing Day treat. There is a whole load of football on TV over the xmas period and fantasy football managers will be manically trying to organise their team into a winning one! On Boxing Day Tottenham travel to Aston Villa, Newcastle host Manchester City and Sunderland face Manchester United. However the big one is on the 27th, as Chelsea play Arsenal at The Emirates and Didier Drogba will be looking to terrorise the Gunners’ defence yet again.
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Football Writers’ Association Predictions – Week 19 (26/12-27/12)
Patrick Barclay (The Times)
Home Team
Away Team
Arsenal
V
Chelsea
H
Aston Villa
V
Tottenham
D
Blackburn
V
Stoke
D
Blackpool
V
Liverpool
A
Bolton
V
West Brom
H
Everton
V
Birmingham
D
Man United
V
Sunderland
H
Newcastle
V
Man City
D
Wolves
V
Wigan
H
Sheff United
V
Hull City
A
Arsenal v Chelsea: A must-win if Arsenal are to maintain title challenge
Des Kelly (Daily Mail)
Home Team
Away Team
Arsenal
V
Chelsea
D
Aston Villa
V
Tottenham
A
Blackburn
V
Stoke
A
Blackpool
V
Liverpool
D
Bolton
V
West Brom
H
Everton
V
Birmingham
H
Man United
V
Sunderland
H
Newcastle
V
Man City
D
Wolves
V
Wigan
D
Sheff United
V
Hull City
H
Blackburn V Stoke: Not an attractive fixture on paper, and unlikely to be much better in reality. But Stoke have stability, method and purpose and should be too organised for managerless Blackburn.
Shaun Custis (The Sun)
Home Team
Away Team
Arsenal
V
Chelsea
D
Aston Villa
V
Tottenham
A
Blackburn
V
Stoke
A
Blackpool
V
Liverpool
D
Bolton
V
West Brom
H
Everton
V
Birmingham
H
Man United
V
Sunderland
H
Newcastle
V
Man City
D
Wolves
V
Wigan
H
Sheff United
V
Hull City
D
Aston Villa v Spurs: Aston Villa are not in great form and there are tales of dressing room unrest which should allow Spurs to capitalise.
Continue to PAGE TWO for more predictions…
Andy Dunn (News of the World)
Home Team
Away Team
Arsenal
V
Chelsea
A
Aston Villa
V
Tottenham
A
Blackburn
V
Stoke
A
Blackpool
V
Liverpool
A
Bolton
V
West Brom
H
Everton
V
Birmingham
D
Man United
V
Sunderland
H
Newcastle
V
Man City
D
Wolves
V
Wigan
H
Sheff United
V
Hull City
H
Man United v Sunderland: Steve Bruce’s team might have the most clean sheets in the Premier League but they won’t be adding to that tally at Old Trafford. Fergie does his old boys few favours – expect a resounding home win.
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Martin Lipton (The Mirror)
Home Team
Away Team
Arsenal
V
Chelsea
A
Aston Villa
V
Tottenham
D
Blackburn
V
Stoke
D
Blackpool
V
Liverpool
A
Bolton
V
West Brom
H
Everton
V
Birmingham
H
Man United
V
Sunderland
H
Newcastle
V
Man City
A
Wolves
V
Wigan
H
Sheff United
V
Hull City
H
Blackpool v Liverpool: Losing at home to the Seasiders left Roy Hodgson on the ropes; losing at Bloomfield Road might cut them. But he won’t. Liverpool to win
Steve Bates (The People)
Home Team
Away Team
Arsenal
V
Chelsea
H
Aston Villa
V
Tottenham
D
Blackburn
V
Stoke
A
Blackpool
V
Liverpool
A
Bolton
V
West Brom
H
Everton
V
Birmingham
H
Man United
V
Sunderland
H
Newcastle
V
Man City
A
Wolves
V
Wigan
A
Sheff United
V
Hull City
H
Bolton v West Brom: Bolton are proving themselves a formidable team at The Reebok with four wins in their last six games while West Brom have one away win in their last six on their travels so I’m tipping Owen Coyle’s stars to nick it.
Glenn Moore (The Independent)
Home Team
Away Team
Arsenal
V
Chelsea
D
Aston Villa
V
Tottenham
D
Blackburn
V
Stoke
D
Blackpool
V
Liverpool
D
Bolton
V
West Brom
H
Everton
V
Birmingham
H
Man United
V
Sunderland
H
Newcastle
V
Man City
A
Wolves
V
Wigan
H
Sheff United
V
Hull City
H
Everton v Birmingham: Everton are finally running into form and, as long as they are not complacent, should win
I was somewhat surprised by the transfer news that former Newcastle United striker Obafemi Martins had secured a return to the Premier League with Birmingham City on a loan deal until the end of the season. The 26-year-old Nigerian striker arrives from Rubin Kazan in Russia, where he was signed from Wolfsburg after three years in the north east. He has returned to England for personal reasons, wanting to move closer to his family, but should Alan Pardew have made an effort to get Martins in a black and white shirt once again?
Personally, Obafemi Martins is one of my favourite Newcastle players of recent years. This was possibly for the unpredictable nature of his play, his ability to score unbelievable goals and of course his memorable back flip celebrations. His bullet of a strike against Tottenham will stay with me for a long time (according to Sky Sports it flew into the back of the net at a speed of 84mph), but were these moments of brilliance simply too few and far between?
In the three years Oba spent at Newcastle he scored 28 Premier League goals in 88 appearances, which is not the worst but conversely not the best record in the world, at just shy of 1 in 3. For a player who cost Newcastle a fee in the region of £10 million, more was probably expected of him. When Newcastle were then relegated to the Championship he initially stated his desire to help the Magpies return to the Premier League, but it didn’t take long for the Nigerian international to jump ship. Loyalty doesn’t seem to be one of his attributes.
After an unremarkable time in the German Bundesliga and then in the Russian Premier League it is a surprise to see Martins return to England, as much for the fact that he was reported to fritter away his huge wages last time. With his return, though, I would have liked to see Newcastle make a move for him, especially given the current striking options at St James’ Park. Andy Carroll’s injury is frustrating to say the least, and the likes of Shola Ameobi, Peter Lovenkrands, Leon Best and Nile Ranger aren’t exactly top class. Carroll and Martins up top; I’d have loved to have seen that!
My desire to see Obafemi Martins in a black and white shirt once more might purely be for nostalgic reasons, and for remembering his performances for the club being better than they actually were. It will be with a heavy heart that I watch Martins play in a Birmingham shirt, and if he scores against Newcastle in one of the two Premier League meetings this season then my feelings towards him will probably change. However, despite being inconsistent, Martins was an exciting talent and could well prove to be a real coup for the Blues.
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A late equaliser from Giuseppe Rossi denied Germany their first win over Italy in 16 years on Wednesday, with the sides drawing 1-1 in Dortmund.
At Signal Iduna Park, where the Italians inflicted a heartbreaking 2-0 defeat on the Germans in the semi-final of the 2006 World Cup, the Azzurri once again broke German hearts after Miroslav Klose’s 16th minute goal was cancelled out by Rossi’s intervention nine minutes from time.
The hosts were the first to find their feet, with Klose capitalising on some nice build up play from Mesut Oezil and Thomas Mueller to open the scoring with a shot past Gianluigi Buffon in the Italian goal.
Klose could have scored a second moments later when another Oezil pass put him through on goal, but this time Buffon made a crucial save.
Italy were sparked into life when Daniele de Rossi forced a good save from German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer with a well-hit volley.
The visitors could have been awarded a penalty after Per Mertesacker appeared to foul AC Milan striker Antonio Cassano, but the referee allowed play to go on.
The Italians almost found themselves level when substitute Marco Borriello had his effort saved by Neuer, and another new addition, Alberto Aquilani, went close with a long-range effort that flashed wide of the post.
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Just as it appeared as though the German’s would finally break their Italian hoodoo, substitute Rossi bobbed up to turn beyond Mertesacker and slot a shot past Neuer.
Germany surged forward in search of a winner, but their efforts were denied as Buffon saved a late Sami Khedira strike to ensure a share of the spoils.
Shane Smeltz’s double spurred Gold Coast United on to a dramatic 3-2 elimination final win over Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium.Sunday’s win ensures the Gold Coast have now set up a meeting with Central Coast Mariners for a chance to play Brisbane Roar in the A-League grand final.The visitors took the lead at in the first half before coming from behind in the second after the Reds had gone in front with goals from Sergio van Dijk and Matthew Leckie. Smeltz almost opened the scoring midway through the first half when Reds defender Dario Bodrusic failed to clear a long ball out of defence.The Croatian was unable to get his foot to the clearance and Smeltz ran onto the pass before strolling past Bodrusic and firing low from inside the box in search of the bottom corner.While Reds goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic was equal to the task then, he could do little about the New Zealand international’s next effort.On 38 minutes, the Gold Coast striker received the ball with his back to goal, turned, took a touch and lost his defender before blasting a 30m shot past the out-stretched Galekovic.Slory was replaced five minutes before the break after picking up an injury in a challenge and Matthew Leckie came on and made an immediate impact with his explosive pace.The Young Socceroo – destined for Germany having signed a deal at Borussia Moenchengladbach – helped set up van Dijk in the dying stages of the half but his shot flashed past the post.GCU could have doubled their advantage just after half time when Dino Djulbic got his head to the ball from a set piece, but the defender’s header bounced off the post and Galekovic was forced to slap the ball away from danger. The Reds grabbed an equaliser from the penalty spot in the 54th minute when van Dijk was fouled in the box by Bas van den Brink after a Cassio corner.Van Dijk stepped up and converted the spot kick, with Adelaide taking the lead 10 minutes later when Leckie pounced on the rebound after Moss had saved Cassio’s shot.A minute later, the visitors scored a dramatic equaliser when former Adelaide striker Bruce Djite headed into an empty net.Smeltz got on the end of the cross and his close-range header was saved by Galekovic but only into the path of Djite, who did not miss with the goal at his mercy.And with 10 minutes remaining, GCU stole a dramatic third goal when substitute Joel Porter was brought down in the area by Nigel Boogaard.Smeltz had to take his spot kick twice after an infringement on the edge of the area, but it mattered little as he secured the victory for Gold Coast.
Stoke City host West Ham, and Manchester City welcome Reading in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.Stoke, unbeaten at their Britannia Stadium home in 2011, fell 3-0 to their Sunday opponents at Upton Park in the English Premier League on Saturday, giving Avram Grant’s side the upper hand heading into the Cup clash.Midfielder Glenn Whelan said the Potters will look to maximise on their home advantage.”We’re on our home patch, that’s where we’re solid and hopefully that’s what we’ll be on Sunday,” the 27-year-old told the BBC. “If we can get right at them in the first five or 10 minutes, I’m sure the crowd will be right behind us.” Stoke are aiming for their first appearance in the Cup semi-finals since 1972, and their maiden final spot, while three-time winners West Ham are still in the running to emulate their most recent final appearance in 2006.Reading may be without Cup hero and captain Matt Mills, who scored to help the Championship club past Everton and book them a date with City at Eastlands, after the 24-year-old picked up a groin injury in their 3-1 league win over Ipswich Town on Saturday.City’s all-star squad have hardly cruised through their Cup campaign thus far, requiring replays to surpass the lowly Notts County and Leicester City.Edin Dzeko has scored for the Blues in both of his two Cup appearances under Roberto Mancini, while fellow striker Carlos Tevez can continue an impressive season, with the Argentine on 18 league goals, and has scored four in as many Cup clashes.The Cup shapes as Mancini’s best chance to end the club’s 35-year trophy drought.
The Premier League is home to some of the best football stadia in the world. Manchester United’s ground Old Trafford has the biggest capacity, while the likes of Anfield (the home of Liverpool) and White Hart Lane (the home of Tottenham) can claim to have the best atmosphere, but the Emirates Stadium has been voted the best away ground to visit in Britain.
Arsenal’s move away from Highbury was a tough one for the Gunners to make, but the Emirates Stadium is now firmly their home. The 60,000 plus capacity stadium has already experienced some great nights, with the 2-1 victory over Barcelona in the Champions League earlier this year one that springs to mind, while Arsenal fans will be hoping Arsene Wenger has some silverware to parade there very soon.
The Emirates Stadium has been built to a very high standard and gives a great viewing experience for fans, while also bringing in plenty of revenue for Arsenal Football Club. Does it boast the atmosphere of one of Britain’s traditional stadiums though and is the Emirates Stadium the best away ground to visit? Let us know what you think…
To see the rest of the results from the Football Fans Survey 2011, brought to you by ZOO Magazine and FootballFanCast.com, click here
Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has welcomed his side’s Champions League quarter-final draw against Spanish giants Real Madrid.After beating AC Milan 1-0 on aggregate to reach the last eight, English Premier League club Spurs will now make the daunting trip to face nine-time winners Real in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.And Redknapp is already relishing the prospect of tackling the most successful team in the competition’s history.”Yeah, a fantastic draw,” Redknapp said.”What a game to look forward to. One of the greatest clubs in world football and to go and be playing there at this stage of the Champions League is fantastic for us and I’m really looking forward to it.””It’s going to be a difficult game obviously, they are a great side, but you’ve got to look forward to these. These are the great days in your life and the great days in Tottenham Football Club history. So we will go there and look forward to it and give it a real go. “It’s an exciting game, you couldn’t have too many more tougher games. I’ve said all along, I felt the two Spanish clubs would be favourites so we’ve drawn Real Madrid who are right up there … pushing Barcelona all the way for the championship.” Redknapp paid tribute not just to Real’s star-studded squad, but also their decorated Portuguese coach, Jose Mourinho. “They’ve got great players and a fantastic manager in my opinion, one of the all time great managers so I’m looking forward to going there and playing them,” he said.