Many have tipped the tricky forward to join Barcelona this winter, however, fellow international Diego Forlan has advised his younger compatriot to stay at Ajax until the end of the current campaign.

“I know how Luis feels about me. We are quite close at the national team and meet each other in Europe as well. He has visited me in Madrid more than once,” said the Atletico Madrid star to the Telegraaf.

“I am convinced that he has the qualities to succeed in a big league such as the Primera Division. He scores very easily and he could even succeed me as winner of the Golden Shoe.

“It is quite logical that big clubs are monitoring his situation. I even read that Barcelona are considering making a move for him. Nevertheless, I can only advise him to stay at Ajax until the end of this term. That would be better for his personal development.

“Luis is still young and he is very eager to learn. He should be patient and stay at Ajax a bit longer. It would be really beneficial for him if he joins a new club after having just won the Golden Shoe. He knows that as well and I don’t expect him to leave Ajax this winter.”

Alfonso Pino Zamorano said in his post-match report that Cartagena’s Panamanian substitute, Alberto Quintero Medina, was subjected to monkey taunts from the crowd during Sunday’s goalless draw at Betis’ Manuel Ruiz de Lopera Stadium.

Pino Zamorano briefly halted the match in the 78th minute and a loudspeaker announcement was made requesting the taunting to stop.

This latest episode of racist behaviour by spectators at a Spanish sporting event came five days before Madrid learns whether it will host 2016 Olympic Games.

Spanish authorities have recently tried to improve the country’s image by dealing with such incidents with greater severity.

Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal has revealed the injury Arjen Robben picked up in Wednesday night’s goalless Champions League draw with Juventus is serious.

The Holland winger, signed from Real Madrid in August, limped off just before half time in the Group A clash and Van Gaal fears he may be out for several months.

“I think that he has a serious injury,” said Van Gaal.

“A diagnosis will be given today, but if a player tells me that it is serious, then I always believe that it is serious.”

Robben will undergo tests in Munich on Thursday, with the biggest fears being torn cruciate ligaments or meniscus damage. Both diagnoses would see him sidelined until Christmas at the earliest.

Van Gaal was, though, impressed with his side’s performance against the Bianconeri.

“I think that we have not played a single game this season as well as the first half,” said the Dutchman.

“We had plenty of gilt-edged chances, but did not score. That is a shame, but if we keep playing like this, then it is only going to be a matter of time.”

The draw means Bayern still lead the group, along with Bordeaux, their next opponents, on four points from two games.

Juventus are two points adrift with Maccabi Haifa bottom with no points. ]]> http://www.joelsaucedo.com/german-bundesliga-1/robben-injury-blow-for-bayern/feed/ 0 http://www.joelsaucedo.com/russian-premier-league/cska-on-song-against-besiktas-in-moscow/ http://www.joelsaucedo.com/russian-premier-league/cska-on-song-against-besiktas-in-moscow/#comments Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:35:26 +0000 JJ Saucedo http://www.joelsaucedo.com/?p=14

CSKA Moscow bounced back from defeat to Wolfsburg to record a 2-1 win over Turkish champions Besiktas in their second Champions League Group B game here on Wednesday.

Midfielders Alan Dzagoev and Milos Krasic scored for the hosts to secure all three points and take them level with group leaders Manchester United and Wolfsburg prior to the leaders’ meeting in Manchester later on Wednesday.

Ismail Koybasi was on target for the guests, who lost their opening game 1-0 at home to United while CSKA were being beaten 3-0 in Wolfsburg.

CSKA stunned the visitors by taking the lead inside six minutes when the highly-rated Dzagoev fired a 25-yard screamer into the top left-handed corner past the outstretched hands of Besiktas goalkeeper Rustu Recber.

The visitors, who came into the match with a positive record against Russian teams (two wins and one draw), replied with a shot by Slovak winger Filip Holosko but the Red Army side’s ‘keeper Igor Akinfeyev repelled his attempt.

After the interval Besiktas picked up steam and seized the initiative, pinning the hosts back in an attempt to level and they created a clear opportunity in the 57th minute for Nihat Kahveci but the striker spurned the chance by failing to hit the ball.

CSKA replied with a series of threats and made it 2-0 through Krasic, who fired the ball home under Rustu Recber with a 15-yard angled shot after a piece of good individual work in the 61st minute.

Defender Koybasi netted a consolation in injury time but it was not enough to save the day for Besiktas.

In the end though Arsenal’s attacking panache and threat paid off with two goals in the last 12 minutes.

The Artisans

Arsenal’s style of play is very attractive and is almost Barcelona-esque in the style. They may not have players as good as the European champions but they play the game in a similar way. Their short passing and attractive attacking play has always been a trademark of Arsene Wenger’s reign with the Gunners and this season is no different.

They always try to play the game the right way and rarely resort to kick and rush football. On their day they are one of the most attractive teams to watch in Europe. I have to admit as a neutral I love to watch the Gunners play and take every opportunity to do so.

The soft centre

However there is a problem for the Gunners as they seem to have something very important missing. Some say its their soft centre with the Gunners struggling against sides who have a more physical style. They particularly have this problem in the Premier League. The likes of Bolton, Hull and Stoke bullying the Gunners in recent seasons and claiming points that they simply shouldn’t have.

The back four of Gael Clichy, William Gallas, Thomas Vermaelen and Bacary Sagna sounds like a very good back line to me. New centre back Thomas Vermaelen has looked like a very shrewd signing from Arsene Wenger and has also chipped in with some vital goals already.

French full back Gael Clichy has the potential to be one of the best in the world. His compatriot Bacary Sagna is a real unsung hero in the other full back position. Gallas has had some well documented problems with his attitude but on his day is a superb defender.

I don’t think the problem is the defence. The Gunners have a big problem with their holding midfield role. The likes of Denilson and Alexandre Song have both occupied the position but neither have looked like they could make that role their own. However Alexandre Song has produced some decent performances this season in the anchor role. This position is vital in the formation they play and they need somebody to come in and command the role.

In Europe however they can play their own attacking brand of football without worrying about being out muscled. There are not many teams in the Champions League that will fight as hard as the relegation battlers in the Premier League. The likes of Olympiakos, Standard Liege and AZ Alkmaar all prefer to play football than battle for victories.

Arsene Wenger’s side face Blackburn Rovers this weekend at the Emirates Stadium. Blackburn are just the sort of battling team that Arsenal have struggled against in the past. However at home Arsenal usually overcome these sides. Its the away games that usual prove a problem for the Gunners.

This season though the Gunners have only suffered defeats to Manchester City and an unlucky defeat at Manchester United. They could have won both of those matches and are looking in good shape this season. Wenger celebrates 13 years in charge of the Gunners this week and the clubs transition in those years has been amazing. The whole clubs philosophy has completely transformed and I think the clubs wait for a trophy could be over this season.