# Newspam - Clubs and National Team
Spain National Football Team News
MADRID, Spain -- Liverpool's Luis Garcia and Barcelona's Andres Iniesta have withdrawn from the Spain squad to play Romania in a friendly in Cadiz on Wednesday.
"Iniesta has an inflamed tendon in his left knee. It is a minor injury but will require a couple of days rest and so it has been decided that he should leave," said Spain doctor Genaro Borras.
"We knew about Luis Garcia's injury on Friday. I spoke to him then and he told me it was an aggravation of an old muscle injury and that he wasn't going to play with his club. We decided it was best he didn't join up."
Coach Luis Aragones will not be calling up anyone to replace the two midfielders and will continue with an 18-man squad.
This man has got some serious issues going on, man. Seriously.
Aragones presents new-look team
By STEPHEN MACKEY
MADRID, Spain (AP) - Spain coach Luis Aragones hopes to silence his critics when his new-look team meets Romania in a friendly on Wednesday.
The Spanish media is largely unhappy that Aragones' contract has been extended to June 2008 after the country's lacklustre display at the World Cup. Although Spain beat Argentina 2-1 in a friendly last month, Aragones has revamped his team for the match at Cadiz's Ramon de Carranza stadium.
He dropped Fernando Torres for the first time in 32 matches, and again snubbed Raul Gonzalez, Spain's all-time leading scorer with 44 goals from 102 games, and Joaquin Sanchez.
"He's got to learn," Aragones told sports daily Marca, referring to Torres. "I put my faith in him once and I'm not sure whether I can be 100 per cent behind him."
Fernando Morientes, who has 26 goals in 43 matches, comes in and is in line for his first international since appearing as a substitute in Spain's 3-2 win over Ivory Coast on March 1.
Carles Puyol has been rested after his father's recent death, while fellow central defender Pablo Ibanez is injured. That means rookie Javi Navarro, 32, is called up. He could become the second-oldest player to debut for Spain after former Real Madrid star Ferenc Puskas did so at 34.
Aragones has issued first call-ups to defenders Angel Lopez and Lopo Albert, midfielder David Silva and striker Javier Arizmendi. He has also recalled midfielders Marcos Senna and Borja Oubina.
Midfielders Luis Garcia and Andres Iniesta have withdrawn through injury.
"It's a friendly in which we want to see a few things," Aragones said.
However, Marca reacted on Saturday to the reshuffle with scorn, referring to it as "The Luis Aragones show."
"Spaniards have no choice, but to treat the national team as a joke," said the daily, which holds Aragones to blame for the national team's poor year.
Spain was eliminated from the World Cup by France and lost to Northern Ireland and Sweden in consecutive 2008 European championship qualifiers.
Aragones said his team's slump was understandable.
"After a World Cup, teams are always a little affected for their initial games as has happened to Italy and ourselves," Aragones said.
Romania has made an encouraging start to European qualifying. It is third in Group G, behind Netherlands and Bulgaria, but has played one less game.
Romania coach Victor Piturca has dropped striker Adrian Mutu after he asked to go to Spain on his own because of his child's baptism party on Sunday.
Piturca said Monday he talked to Mutu and decided to leave him out because he wanted to use only players "who could focus 100 per cent on the match."
Piturca has also dropped defender George Ogararu and midfielder Paul Codrea, both of whom have struggled to win a first-team place at their clubs.
Hmmm. Luis said, "It's a friendly in which we want to see a few things,". I do hope to see a few GOOD things, Luis. Really. Bottomline is, people in Spain wants him to quit and I'm sure people here too? Sigh!
Spanish Clubs News
Valencia coach Flores in blow-up with Villa
November 10, 2006
Valencia coach Quique Flores had a blow-up with star striker David Villa at training yesterday.
AS says Flores sent Villa packing over his poor attitude towards the club's young players. Villa made several rattling challenges in a bounce game against the youth team.
Flores had been unhappy with Villa's attitude throughout the day and sent him to the dressing room. With his head down, Villa marched off for an early shower, but not before kicking a ball angrily away.
Asked about the incident, Flores would only limit himself to saying: "These are things that happen in training."
English Clubs News
Jamie Carragher and Jose Reina have conceded that the Reds have little chance of challenging for the Prenmiership title this year.
The Red duo said that the team must now focus on achieving the vital fourth spotin the Premiership.
Reina said,"Fourth place is our target now and we have to fight for that. The championship is probably too far away for us because, mathematically, United and Chelsea are very superior. We have a lot of confidence in Europe and that is a target as well. We are probably a better team in the Champions League than in the Premiership."
Meanwhile JC said that he was disappointed at the lack of charcter showed by the team on Sunday.
J.C said, "We've got to start to show more character away, particularly when we go a goal down. Showing the right character is one of the qualities I've always been proud to be associated with most, so it hurts me to think people don't think we're showing enough now."
He added, "Before we conceded, it was as comfortable as I can remember us at Arsenal, but then to lose one just before half-time was a killer. Psychologically, it hurt us, and then losing another at the start of the second half made it even more difficult against a team of Arsenal's quality.
"We're ninth and we know that's not good enough. We had big ambitions at the start of the season. We also know it's important to make sure we're in the top four as soon as possible, and then we can start thinking about what's above us," the Red legend concluded.
Reina leaves Liverpool pal Riise fuming
November 14, 2006
John Arne Riise has attacked Liverpool teammate Jose Reina after the Spaniard admitted the title was out of reach for the Reds this season.
Riise, 26, has come out fighting and insisted Rafa Benitez's misfiring side CAN get back into the Premiership race.
And while not pinpointing Reina by name, the implications from the Norwegian defender were patently obvious.
He said: "We never give up. Cowards give up. Against Arsenal on Sunday, Rafa was calm in the dressing room after the match but he knew, and we knew, this was not good enough.
"I cannot understand why we play so bad away from Anfield, I really can't. Of course it will be hard to catch up with Manchester United.
"But at one stage last season we were many points behind Chelsea and in May we were only nine points off them."
The 3-0 defeat left Liverpool way back in ninth place - 14 points off leaders Manchester United.
Reina had earlier claimed: "Fourth place is our target now, we have to fight for that.
"The title's probably too far away for us, because mathematically United and Chelsea are very superior."
Garcia: Liverpool must take heat off Gerrard
November 14, 2006
Luis Garcia is urging Liverpool teammates to take the pressure off captain Steven Gerrard's shoulders.
Garcia, 28, admits qualification for next season's Champions League is their main aim now their title chances have gone.
He said: "We have to be realistic and the title is almost impossible to win.
"A difference of 14 points with Manchester United and 11 with Chelsea is too much, plus we have lost games against both of them.
"Right now, first place is a dream and now we are concentrating on our target to stay in the top four.
"People are focusing too much on Gerrard. You have to remember he is human and everyone needs to get behind him."
Nicely said, Garcia. Gerrard is still human, leave him alone!
Probable Buy-Over/Transfer News
Valencia chief Carboni targets Liverpool No1 Reina
November 14, 2006
Valencia sports chief Amadeo Carboni is interested in Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina.
Carboni has put Reina at the top of his shortlist of goalkeeper options as he considers shaking up their current shot-stopper stocks.
Santiago Canizares won't open new contract talks with Los Che until December, while the future of French youngster Ludovic Butelle remains in doubt.
AS says Reina is homesick and has struggled to adapt to life on Merseyside. This season's inconsistent campaign has also forced him to consider a return home.
Valencia and Liverpool enjoy an excellent relationship, with Momo Sissoko and Fernando Morientes having exchanged clubs in the last year.
The one stumbling block will be Reina's price-tag, though Carboni may seek to lower the fee by including a player in their offer.
MADRID, Spain -- Liverpool's Luis Garcia and Barcelona's Andres Iniesta have withdrawn from the Spain squad to play Romania in a friendly in Cadiz on Wednesday.
"Iniesta has an inflamed tendon in his left knee. It is a minor injury but will require a couple of days rest and so it has been decided that he should leave," said Spain doctor Genaro Borras.
"We knew about Luis Garcia's injury on Friday. I spoke to him then and he told me it was an aggravation of an old muscle injury and that he wasn't going to play with his club. We decided it was best he didn't join up."
Coach Luis Aragones will not be calling up anyone to replace the two midfielders and will continue with an 18-man squad.
This man has got some serious issues going on, man. Seriously.
Aragones presents new-look team
By STEPHEN MACKEY
MADRID, Spain (AP) - Spain coach Luis Aragones hopes to silence his critics when his new-look team meets Romania in a friendly on Wednesday.
The Spanish media is largely unhappy that Aragones' contract has been extended to June 2008 after the country's lacklustre display at the World Cup. Although Spain beat Argentina 2-1 in a friendly last month, Aragones has revamped his team for the match at Cadiz's Ramon de Carranza stadium.
He dropped Fernando Torres for the first time in 32 matches, and again snubbed Raul Gonzalez, Spain's all-time leading scorer with 44 goals from 102 games, and Joaquin Sanchez.
"He's got to learn," Aragones told sports daily Marca, referring to Torres. "I put my faith in him once and I'm not sure whether I can be 100 per cent behind him."
Fernando Morientes, who has 26 goals in 43 matches, comes in and is in line for his first international since appearing as a substitute in Spain's 3-2 win over Ivory Coast on March 1.
Carles Puyol has been rested after his father's recent death, while fellow central defender Pablo Ibanez is injured. That means rookie Javi Navarro, 32, is called up. He could become the second-oldest player to debut for Spain after former Real Madrid star Ferenc Puskas did so at 34.
Aragones has issued first call-ups to defenders Angel Lopez and Lopo Albert, midfielder David Silva and striker Javier Arizmendi. He has also recalled midfielders Marcos Senna and Borja Oubina.
Midfielders Luis Garcia and Andres Iniesta have withdrawn through injury.
"It's a friendly in which we want to see a few things," Aragones said.
However, Marca reacted on Saturday to the reshuffle with scorn, referring to it as "The Luis Aragones show."
"Spaniards have no choice, but to treat the national team as a joke," said the daily, which holds Aragones to blame for the national team's poor year.
Spain was eliminated from the World Cup by France and lost to Northern Ireland and Sweden in consecutive 2008 European championship qualifiers.
Aragones said his team's slump was understandable.
"After a World Cup, teams are always a little affected for their initial games as has happened to Italy and ourselves," Aragones said.
Romania has made an encouraging start to European qualifying. It is third in Group G, behind Netherlands and Bulgaria, but has played one less game.
Romania coach Victor Piturca has dropped striker Adrian Mutu after he asked to go to Spain on his own because of his child's baptism party on Sunday.
Piturca said Monday he talked to Mutu and decided to leave him out because he wanted to use only players "who could focus 100 per cent on the match."
Piturca has also dropped defender George Ogararu and midfielder Paul Codrea, both of whom have struggled to win a first-team place at their clubs.
Hmmm. Luis said, "It's a friendly in which we want to see a few things,". I do hope to see a few GOOD things, Luis. Really. Bottomline is, people in Spain wants him to quit and I'm sure people here too? Sigh!
Spanish Clubs News
Valencia coach Flores in blow-up with Villa
November 10, 2006
Valencia coach Quique Flores had a blow-up with star striker David Villa at training yesterday.
AS says Flores sent Villa packing over his poor attitude towards the club's young players. Villa made several rattling challenges in a bounce game against the youth team.
Flores had been unhappy with Villa's attitude throughout the day and sent him to the dressing room. With his head down, Villa marched off for an early shower, but not before kicking a ball angrily away.
Asked about the incident, Flores would only limit himself to saying: "These are things that happen in training."
English Clubs News
Jamie Carragher and Jose Reina have conceded that the Reds have little chance of challenging for the Prenmiership title this year.
The Red duo said that the team must now focus on achieving the vital fourth spotin the Premiership.
Reina said,"Fourth place is our target now and we have to fight for that. The championship is probably too far away for us because, mathematically, United and Chelsea are very superior. We have a lot of confidence in Europe and that is a target as well. We are probably a better team in the Champions League than in the Premiership."
Meanwhile JC said that he was disappointed at the lack of charcter showed by the team on Sunday.
J.C said, "We've got to start to show more character away, particularly when we go a goal down. Showing the right character is one of the qualities I've always been proud to be associated with most, so it hurts me to think people don't think we're showing enough now."
He added, "Before we conceded, it was as comfortable as I can remember us at Arsenal, but then to lose one just before half-time was a killer. Psychologically, it hurt us, and then losing another at the start of the second half made it even more difficult against a team of Arsenal's quality.
"We're ninth and we know that's not good enough. We had big ambitions at the start of the season. We also know it's important to make sure we're in the top four as soon as possible, and then we can start thinking about what's above us," the Red legend concluded.
Reina leaves Liverpool pal Riise fuming
November 14, 2006
John Arne Riise has attacked Liverpool teammate Jose Reina after the Spaniard admitted the title was out of reach for the Reds this season.
Riise, 26, has come out fighting and insisted Rafa Benitez's misfiring side CAN get back into the Premiership race.
And while not pinpointing Reina by name, the implications from the Norwegian defender were patently obvious.
He said: "We never give up. Cowards give up. Against Arsenal on Sunday, Rafa was calm in the dressing room after the match but he knew, and we knew, this was not good enough.
"I cannot understand why we play so bad away from Anfield, I really can't. Of course it will be hard to catch up with Manchester United.
"But at one stage last season we were many points behind Chelsea and in May we were only nine points off them."
The 3-0 defeat left Liverpool way back in ninth place - 14 points off leaders Manchester United.
Reina had earlier claimed: "Fourth place is our target now, we have to fight for that.
"The title's probably too far away for us, because mathematically United and Chelsea are very superior."
Garcia: Liverpool must take heat off Gerrard
November 14, 2006
Luis Garcia is urging Liverpool teammates to take the pressure off captain Steven Gerrard's shoulders.
Garcia, 28, admits qualification for next season's Champions League is their main aim now their title chances have gone.
He said: "We have to be realistic and the title is almost impossible to win.
"A difference of 14 points with Manchester United and 11 with Chelsea is too much, plus we have lost games against both of them.
"Right now, first place is a dream and now we are concentrating on our target to stay in the top four.
"People are focusing too much on Gerrard. You have to remember he is human and everyone needs to get behind him."
Nicely said, Garcia. Gerrard is still human, leave him alone!
Probable Buy-Over/Transfer News
Valencia chief Carboni targets Liverpool No1 Reina
November 14, 2006
Valencia sports chief Amadeo Carboni is interested in Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina.
Carboni has put Reina at the top of his shortlist of goalkeeper options as he considers shaking up their current shot-stopper stocks.
Santiago Canizares won't open new contract talks with Los Che until December, while the future of French youngster Ludovic Butelle remains in doubt.
AS says Reina is homesick and has struggled to adapt to life on Merseyside. This season's inconsistent campaign has also forced him to consider a return home.
Valencia and Liverpool enjoy an excellent relationship, with Momo Sissoko and Fernando Morientes having exchanged clubs in the last year.
The one stumbling block will be Reina's price-tag, though Carboni may seek to lower the fee by including a player in their offer.