Weekly Soccer News, March 19, 2012
Muamba remains in intensive care
The football family has united behind stricken Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba, who remains in a critical condition in a London hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest during an FA Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
Medics spent six minutes trying to resuscitate the former England under-21 international on the pitch after he fell to the ground with later reports suggesting that that it took medical staff two hours to get Muamba breathing again.
In Spain, Real Madrid players wore shirts saying 'get well soon Muamba' before their La Liga match against Malaga on Sunday, while Chelsea defender Gary Cahill sported a t-shirt dedicated to his former Bolton team-mate after scoring in his side's FA Cup win over Leicester City.
Juventus star Andrea Pirlo also dedicated their Juve's 5-0 win over Fiorentina to Muamba.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy said in a statement: "We are immensely proud and grateful to the medical teams at both clubs, their response was immediate and professional. Our thanks also to both sets of fans for their support and behaviour.
“Too often we read the negatives about football and yet last night, at a time of intense emergency and uncertainty, we saw the true humanity and empathy of the footballing family."
Torres back on goal trail
Fernando Torres has hailed caretaker coach Roberto di Matteo's faith and tactical alterations after finally ending a 1541-minute goal drought stretching back to October last year against Leicester City on Sunday.
Torres scored twice in the second half of Chelsea's 5-2 FA Cup quarter final win over the Championship side after no goals in 150 days.
In the midst of his barren run, the striker was dropped from the Spanish squad for the first time in five years and rated a doubt for Vicente del Bosque's squad for Euro 2012.
Torres said afterwards: "The team is much better than before; we are more committed and we have shown this in the last few games. We are creating more chances than before." Of himself he added: "I feel the confidence of the manager now. It is a good time for me and Chelsea."
Chelsea have won four straight matches since assistant coach di Matteo replaced Andre Villas-Boas last month. They face second-placed Manchester City on Wednesday.
Gala have the upper hand in Turkey
In Turkey, a two-goal comeback in the 369th Istanbul derby has virtually assured Galatasaray of finishing top of the table ahead of the play-off stage, newly introduced for this season.
Fenerbahce looked on course for victory when Moussa Sow and Alex both scored in the opening 15 minutes, but Johan Elmander and Hakan Balta pulled goals back before Gala striker Milan Baros struck the crossbar in the closing moments of the game.
However, a feisty battle on the pitch was not without incident off it.
Local media reported that Galatasaray coach Fatih Terim and assistant Hasan Sas were left with head wounds after being hit by projectiles, while left-back Hakan Balta was almost hit in the eye by a long stick when celebrating Gala's equaliser.
Bulgarian minnows on course for double
Minnows Ludogorets are on course for an unexpected league and cup double in Bulgaria.
In their first-ever season in the Bulgarian A PFG, the promoted side easily saw off relegation-threatened Svetkavitsa 5-0, consolidating their historic table-topping position in the process. They also reached the semi-finals of the Bulgarian Cup in midweek.
Two years ago, Ludogorets were playing in the third tier of Bulgarian football before ambitious businessman Kiril Domuschiev acquired the club and invested heavily into their playing staff and facilities.
With 18 matches of the Bulgarian championship gone, the Razgrad-based club sit top on 45 points, three points ahead of second-placed Levski Sofia and six in front of CSKA, who have a game in hand.
Compiled by Marc Fox
Buy tickets for soccer matches around the world