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Weekly News 28 2 11
Weekly Soccer News, February 28, 2011
No-one to blame: Wenger
Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, has refused to blame up-and-coming goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny for his part in Birmingham City's winner following the Gunners' 2-1 defeat in the Carling Cup final on Sunday.
With injury time approaching, a mix-up between Szczesny and defender Laurent Koscielny enabled Birmingham striker Obafemi Martins to stroke home into an empty net and seal the Blues' first trophy in 48 years.
"We have regrets with the way we conceded the [Martins] goal," Wenger said afterwards. "You have to be positive because he [Szczesny] is a young boy. He has to pick himself up from that goal and hopefully he can do that."
Players such as captain Cesc Fabregas, who missed the final because of a hamstring injury, Jack Wilshire and Robin Van Persie used the social networking site Twitter to offer their apologies to the Arsenal fans.
Dortmund move closer to title
Borussia Dortmund all but ended Bayern Munich's chances of retaining the German Bundesliga with their first victory in 19 years at the Allianz Arena.
The 3-1 win courtesy of goals by Lucas Barrios, Nuri Sahin and Mats Hummels and a fine debut by Australian goalkeeper Mitch Langerak left Bayern languishing in fourth as Dortmund chase their first Bundesliga title in nine years.
"It was a huge day for us, this game was screened in 198 countries, so it's a very special win," said Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp. "Our last victory here was 19 years ago, so we are delighted. The boys have given so much to win today, but it wouldn't have worked with anything less."
Dortmund lead the German table by 12 points from second-placed Bayer Leverkusen, who drew 2-2 with Werder Bremen on Sunday.
Nene sad at Selecao snub
PSG winger Nene, the French domestic player of the month last December and the second-highest scorer in the league this season, has admitted his sadness at being overlooked for the recent Brazil France international friendly.
The free-kick specialist, who joined PSG in the summer from Monaco, said that he became carried away with a possible first Selecao appearance in the build-up to the game.
"There was huge expectation here in France," Nene told FIFA.com. "The press were talking a lot about it and I got caught up in it all. The problem is that none of that excitement found its way back to Brazil."
The Parisians are into the last eight of the French Cup and face BATE Borisov this week in the Europa League.
Sporting sack Sérgio
Sporting Lisbon have sacked Paulo Sérgio after Thursday's 2-2 draw with Glasgow Rangers saw them eliminated from the Europa League.
A poor season domestically was compounded by Sérgio's side conceding a last minute goal to Rangers that ensured the Scottish champions went through on away goals, and that proved to be the final act for the outgoing manager.
"It has been a difficult period," said Sérgio. "I leave with no bitterness but I am sad that I was unable to reach the goals that I had set myself; becoming a champion with Sporting. That was my dream."
Sérgio has been replaced by former FC Porto, Portugal under-21 and Lithuanian national team coach José Couceiro until the end of the season.
No new contract for Kenny
Kenny Dalglish has admitted that no further contract talks have been held about him taking charge at Liverpool beyond the end of the season.
Dalglish, whose Liverpool renaissance was brought crashing down to earth with Sunday's 3-1 defeat to struggling West Ham, rubbished newspaper suggestions that the club's new owners, Fenway Sports Group, were preparing to extend his current caretaker role.
He said: "If there is any news to be told we'll tell you. I'm happy to be here, I'll do what I've got to do for the club that means an awful lot to me."
Compiled by Marc Fox
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