Chelsea face Blackburn at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night desperate for a win and Ancelotti revealed he would consider leaving out some of his experienced players to give impressive youngsters Josh McEachran and Daniel Sturridge the chance to turn the champions' flagging season around.
It is hard to remember a time when a fit Drogba would not have been one of the first players on the Chelsea teamsheet but he has failed to hit top form after recovering from a bout of malaria earlier in the campaign. Midfielder Michael Essien is also in the firing line, with Ancelotti refusing to defend the pair when asked whether they could lose their places in the team.
He said: "Yes, why not? My job is to choose the best team to play the game. Maybe sometimes there are some players who are not in the best condition to play. This does not mean they are not important. I had fantastic players in the past at Milan and they did not play every game."
Ancelotti said it was the form of 17-year-old McEachran and 21-year-old Sturridge in recent matches - particularly in Chelsea's 7-0 thrashing of Ipswich in the FA Cup a week ago - that had given him a selection headache, rather than a desire to drop certain players.
"I have doubts about the selection, up front and also in midfield. The performances of Sturridge and McEachran are the reason I have doubts. I want to take the right decision. There were very important performances against Ipswich, so I have to take them into consideration."
Ancelotti said he had not given up hope of retaining the Premier League, suggesting it could take as few as 80 points to win the title this season. While retaining the title could be beyond them, it is unthinkable Chelsea will fail to qualify for the Champions League next season. Yet, the same could be said for Liverpool last term when they finished seventh. Then-manager Rafael Benitez promised a top-four finish just over a year ago and ended up with egg on his face and ultimately lost his job. Ancelotti was not about to fall into the same trap.
"I don't like to promise because I have to stick with that promise,'' he said. "I don't want to bet because I don't like to bet, but we have the possibility to stay in the top four.''
With Luiz Felipe Scolari sacked just under two years ago when owner Roman Abramovich began to fear Chelsea would not qualify for the Champions League, Ancelotti knows his double win last season will count for little if he fails to finish in the top four.
"It would not be good to be out of the Champions League,'' he said. "For us, one of the most important things is to stay in the first four places in the table. I don't want to speak about financial reasons, but about the motivation of the players, the club, the manager. We have to play the Champions League.''
Ancelotti spoke over the telephone this week to Abramovich, who is obsessed with winning Europe's premier club competition.
"We didn't speak about that,'' he added. "We're not considering being out of the top four. I don't think it's impossible - we have to pay attention - but we didn't speak about it.''
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Josh Hamilton- Crack Cocaine, Baseball, Tattoos or Jesus Christ: What'll be the Legacy of Texas Rangers Josh Hamilton?
Many, if not most of us, have either struggled with some form of addiction ourselves or we know someone who has. Whether it be drugs, alcohol, gambling or any other vice, we have seen how these destructive behaviors can not only tragically affect the life of the user, but can wreak havoc on the lives of those around them.
Josh Hamilton's story would be typical of today's top athletes had everything went according to plan. He would probably receive the same adoration and criticism of athletes of similar abilities like Alex Rodriguez, Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant, etc. if he had taken the easy road to the big leagues.
People would just talk about why he is overpaid, or why it is all his fault his team is losing or how great he is.... you know, all of the typical water cooler banter.
Instead, Josh Hamilton took a long, life altering road to the big leagues that is nothing short of amazing. He was the number one overall pick in the 1999 MLB draft, by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the first position player taken in that spot since A-Rod. Yes he was that damned good. He was considered a 5-tool player as an outfielder, but he could also pitch. His fastball came at batters at 98 mph- IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Josh was injured in a car accident in 2001 and life as he knew it would change forever. Shortly after the accident, Josh Hamilton was unable to play baseball and was all alone in the world for the first time in his life- with close to $4 million at his disposal. He started "actively" hanging out at a nearby FL tattoo parlor (he now has 26 tattoos) and soon had his first drink of alcohol and tried cocaine for the first time.
He was also recently profiled in the May 2008 issue of Maxim Magazine.
In short, he was suspended from baseball for about three years for substance abuse- he was an alcoholic and a crack-cocaine addict. Here is a guy, your All-American high school kid whose road to the future was paved with gold and whose potential was absolutely limitless, who became a self admitted drunken crackhead for three years.
Josh Hamilton's body is now a rigidly sculpted 6'4" 235 lb machine with size 19 feet acting as a base. During his years astray, he had withered to 180 lbs because of his cocaine addiction. Baseball never entered his mind, a mind which was then only concerned with where the next high would come from.
His story goes to show that no matter how great life is, it can turn sour in a heartbeat, though in his case, he rightfully accepts all blame. But more importantly, it shows that no matter how hellish you allow your life to become, you do possess the power to turn things around.
Josh Hamilton attributes his recovery to finding salvation through Jesus Christ, and many drug rehabilitation studies show that faith and religion often plays a major part in successful recovery.
I am a long time Texas Rangers Baseball fan and I hope they realize what a steal they got for Josh Hamilton. The Rangers are not known for making the most intelligent front office moves in baseball and many critics actually questioned this move. But the bigger mistake will be to let Josh realize his potential and then trade him away like they have so many other talented players before him
Josh Hamilton's story would be typical of today's top athletes had everything went according to plan. He would probably receive the same adoration and criticism of athletes of similar abilities like Alex Rodriguez, Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant, etc. if he had taken the easy road to the big leagues.
People would just talk about why he is overpaid, or why it is all his fault his team is losing or how great he is.... you know, all of the typical water cooler banter.
Instead, Josh Hamilton took a long, life altering road to the big leagues that is nothing short of amazing. He was the number one overall pick in the 1999 MLB draft, by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the first position player taken in that spot since A-Rod. Yes he was that damned good. He was considered a 5-tool player as an outfielder, but he could also pitch. His fastball came at batters at 98 mph- IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Josh was injured in a car accident in 2001 and life as he knew it would change forever. Shortly after the accident, Josh Hamilton was unable to play baseball and was all alone in the world for the first time in his life- with close to $4 million at his disposal. He started "actively" hanging out at a nearby FL tattoo parlor (he now has 26 tattoos) and soon had his first drink of alcohol and tried cocaine for the first time.
He was also recently profiled in the May 2008 issue of Maxim Magazine.
In short, he was suspended from baseball for about three years for substance abuse- he was an alcoholic and a crack-cocaine addict. Here is a guy, your All-American high school kid whose road to the future was paved with gold and whose potential was absolutely limitless, who became a self admitted drunken crackhead for three years.
Josh Hamilton's body is now a rigidly sculpted 6'4" 235 lb machine with size 19 feet acting as a base. During his years astray, he had withered to 180 lbs because of his cocaine addiction. Baseball never entered his mind, a mind which was then only concerned with where the next high would come from.
His story goes to show that no matter how great life is, it can turn sour in a heartbeat, though in his case, he rightfully accepts all blame. But more importantly, it shows that no matter how hellish you allow your life to become, you do possess the power to turn things around.
Josh Hamilton attributes his recovery to finding salvation through Jesus Christ, and many drug rehabilitation studies show that faith and religion often plays a major part in successful recovery.
I am a long time Texas Rangers Baseball fan and I hope they realize what a steal they got for Josh Hamilton. The Rangers are not known for making the most intelligent front office moves in baseball and many critics actually questioned this move. But the bigger mistake will be to let Josh realize his potential and then trade him away like they have so many other talented players before him
Team Nobody Wants to Face gets another shot at top seed
The Packers were so upset after their 20-17 loss at Atlanta in November that they wanted a do-over. Little did they know, seven weeks later they would get one.
"We felt we left a lot of football on the field (against the Falcons)," Packers cornerback Charles Woodson said after his team's 21-16 victory over Philadelphia on Sunday in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs. "This time around, it won't happen."
This time around is next Saturday, in Atlanta, in the NFC Divisional Playoffs. It's where the best team in the conference, Atlanta, plays host to The Team Nobody Wants to Face.
The Packers say that is who and what they are, and it's really hard to not buy in.
Their victory on Sunday was the second time they had beaten the Eagles in Philadelphia this season. That's not what makes them so scary. The way that they beat Philadelphia does. They pounded the Eagles with long drives on offense, executed brilliant schemes on defense, and made plays when they needed.
The frightening part is that the Packers are still an evolving team that's difficult to figure out. With so many new players replacing injured ones, and coaches devising schemes to fit the influx of different talents, Green Bay isn't easy to decipher.
The Falcons, who have one of the most thorough coaching staffs in the NFL, have broken down every Packers tendency to the millionth degree, but it's still hard for them to take into account what exactly they'll be facing on Saturday.
Rookie running back James Starks, unearthed on Sunday after his ambitious offseason was sidetracked by a hamstring injury, answered a huge question about an offense that lacked a ground attack. Starks pounded out 123 yards on 23 carries against the Eagles and showed burst and power that remains hard to evaluate for a team like Atlanta that doesn't have much tape on what the sixth-round pick from Buffalo does well.
They have more than enough tape on Aaron Rodgers, who was fearless against the Eagles, hanging onto the ball until the last second and leading the Packers to their third straight do-or-die victory. This last one got him his first playoff victory, a hurdle that his coach, Mike McCarthy, acknowledged his quarterback needed to leap to be considered among the Mannings and Bradys of the NFL.
Rodgers and his Falcons counterpart, Matt Ryan, are a lot alike in terms of how teammates feed off of them. They are leaders, kind-hearted guys on the surface who thrive on beheading their opponents. To that point, don't think Rodgers won't be packing his Pro Bowl snub with him on his trip to Atlanta to face Ryan, who made the NFC squad.
The Packers aren't two wins away from the Super Bowl because of their offense, though. What defensive coordinator Dom Capers and his likely to-be-poached staff have done this season has been nothing short of brilliant, and it shows why good coaching and excellent personnel decisions matter.
Green Bay has 10 defensive players on injured reserve. It has lost multiple safeties, linebackers and defensive linemen, yet it ranks in the top five in nearly every major defensive category in the NFL. Relative unknowns such as linebacker Desmond Bishop and cornerback Tramon Williams developed into standouts.
It was Williams' interception of Michael Vick in the waning moments that sealed Sunday's victory. Packers coaches will tell you Williams, not Charles Woodson, is the best defensive back on the team, but they don't mind Woodson getting the credit so Williams can remain humble and be overlooked -- as was the case when Vick went at him when it mattered most.
Againats the Eagles, Capers used rotating "spies" on Vick to prevent the quarterback from gashing them on breakaway runs. In the first half, they relied on Woodson to track Vick -- and fill the "A" gap in run support, technically making him play the role of an inside linebacker. In other situations, Matthews was the "spy." They used other players in the role, too, but they made sure Woodson and Matthews drew Vick's attention so when somebody else stepped in, there was some guesswork.
Vick, who rushed for more than 100 yards when these teams met in the opener, finished with 33 yards on the ground on eight carries.
Things might not go as smoothly against the Falcons. Packer coaches know that Atlanta offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey is one of the most difficult play-callers to scheme against because he is cunning, aggressive and creative, and tends to meet their best plans with something better. So the gamesmanship should be intriguing.
The Packers are one of those teams that are peaking at the right time. They're hot. But they know it will be difficult to beat the Falcons in the Georgia Dome because Atlanta is as good as its record.
They aren't afraid, though. They want more. Besides their evolving personnel and unpredictable manner, the main reason why Green Bay is to be feared is because it feels it should be.
"We felt we left a lot of football on the field (against the Falcons)," Packers cornerback Charles Woodson said after his team's 21-16 victory over Philadelphia on Sunday in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs. "This time around, it won't happen."
This time around is next Saturday, in Atlanta, in the NFC Divisional Playoffs. It's where the best team in the conference, Atlanta, plays host to The Team Nobody Wants to Face.
The Packers say that is who and what they are, and it's really hard to not buy in.
Their victory on Sunday was the second time they had beaten the Eagles in Philadelphia this season. That's not what makes them so scary. The way that they beat Philadelphia does. They pounded the Eagles with long drives on offense, executed brilliant schemes on defense, and made plays when they needed.
The frightening part is that the Packers are still an evolving team that's difficult to figure out. With so many new players replacing injured ones, and coaches devising schemes to fit the influx of different talents, Green Bay isn't easy to decipher.
The Falcons, who have one of the most thorough coaching staffs in the NFL, have broken down every Packers tendency to the millionth degree, but it's still hard for them to take into account what exactly they'll be facing on Saturday.
Rookie running back James Starks, unearthed on Sunday after his ambitious offseason was sidetracked by a hamstring injury, answered a huge question about an offense that lacked a ground attack. Starks pounded out 123 yards on 23 carries against the Eagles and showed burst and power that remains hard to evaluate for a team like Atlanta that doesn't have much tape on what the sixth-round pick from Buffalo does well.
They have more than enough tape on Aaron Rodgers, who was fearless against the Eagles, hanging onto the ball until the last second and leading the Packers to their third straight do-or-die victory. This last one got him his first playoff victory, a hurdle that his coach, Mike McCarthy, acknowledged his quarterback needed to leap to be considered among the Mannings and Bradys of the NFL.
Rodgers and his Falcons counterpart, Matt Ryan, are a lot alike in terms of how teammates feed off of them. They are leaders, kind-hearted guys on the surface who thrive on beheading their opponents. To that point, don't think Rodgers won't be packing his Pro Bowl snub with him on his trip to Atlanta to face Ryan, who made the NFC squad.
The Packers aren't two wins away from the Super Bowl because of their offense, though. What defensive coordinator Dom Capers and his likely to-be-poached staff have done this season has been nothing short of brilliant, and it shows why good coaching and excellent personnel decisions matter.
Green Bay has 10 defensive players on injured reserve. It has lost multiple safeties, linebackers and defensive linemen, yet it ranks in the top five in nearly every major defensive category in the NFL. Relative unknowns such as linebacker Desmond Bishop and cornerback Tramon Williams developed into standouts.
It was Williams' interception of Michael Vick in the waning moments that sealed Sunday's victory. Packers coaches will tell you Williams, not Charles Woodson, is the best defensive back on the team, but they don't mind Woodson getting the credit so Williams can remain humble and be overlooked -- as was the case when Vick went at him when it mattered most.
Againats the Eagles, Capers used rotating "spies" on Vick to prevent the quarterback from gashing them on breakaway runs. In the first half, they relied on Woodson to track Vick -- and fill the "A" gap in run support, technically making him play the role of an inside linebacker. In other situations, Matthews was the "spy." They used other players in the role, too, but they made sure Woodson and Matthews drew Vick's attention so when somebody else stepped in, there was some guesswork.
Vick, who rushed for more than 100 yards when these teams met in the opener, finished with 33 yards on the ground on eight carries.
Things might not go as smoothly against the Falcons. Packer coaches know that Atlanta offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey is one of the most difficult play-callers to scheme against because he is cunning, aggressive and creative, and tends to meet their best plans with something better. So the gamesmanship should be intriguing.
The Packers are one of those teams that are peaking at the right time. They're hot. But they know it will be difficult to beat the Falcons in the Georgia Dome because Atlanta is as good as its record.
They aren't afraid, though. They want more. Besides their evolving personnel and unpredictable manner, the main reason why Green Bay is to be feared is because it feels it should be.
Lionel Messi wins Golden Ball Award
Lionel Messi won his second straight FIFA player of the year award Monday, with his mesmerizing play for Barcelona outweighing a disappointing World Cup.
The Argentine forward beat out Barcelona teammates Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta for the renamed FIFA Golden Ball Award, which merged the FIFA player of the year with France Football's Golden Ball. Messi became the first repeat winner since Ronaldinho in 2004 and 2005.
Messi received 22.65 percent of the votes cast by national team coaches and captains plus selected reporters. Iniesta followed with 17.36 percent and Xavi received 16.48 per cent to finish third for the second straight year. All three finalists are products of Barcelona's La Masia youth academy.
Eight of the 20 winners of the FIFA award have come from Barcelona, which also won with Brazilians Romario (1994), Ronaldo (1996 and 1997), Rivaldo (1999) and Ronaldinho.
Jose Mourinho was voted men's coach of the year after leading Inter Milan to the European Champions League title, Brazilian forward Marta was selected women's player of the year for the fifth straight time and Germany's Silvia Neid earned women's coach of the year honors.
Barcelona also placed six players on the 11-man All-Star team announced by FIFA and the union FIFPro, with Messi, Xavi and Iniesta joined by defenders Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique, and forward David Villa, who transferred from Valencia just before the World Cup.
Also on the team were Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Castillas and forward Cristiano Ronaldo, and three Inter players: defenders Lucio and Maicon, and midfielder Wesley Sneijder.
The 23-year-old Messi helped Barcelona retain its Spanish league title. The Blaugrana lead the Spanish standings again this season.
"It's a very special day for me," Messi said through a translator.
The 23-year-old forward scored 58 goals for the Catalan club in 2010 but failed to score for Argentina at the World Cup. Iniesta and Xavi helped Spain win its first World Cup title, with Iniesta scoring the overtime goal in the 1-0 win over the Netherlands in the final.
"I didn't expect to win it today," Messi said. "Already it's a source of happiness to be here with my friends and even more to win it."
Messi won on the strength of the votes of national team coaches and captains, finishing first among both those groups. Sneijder received the highest percentage from the media, with Iniesta second, Xavi third and Messi fourth.
U.S. coach Bob Bradley and captain Carlos Bocanegra both voted Xavi first, with Bradley picking Sneijder second and Messi third. Bocanegra selected Iniesta second and Sneijder third. Soccer America's Paul Kennedy, the only U.S. media voter, had Xavi first, followed by Messi and Sneijder.
Mourinho was voted FIFA men's coach of the year after leading Inter Milan to the Champions League, Serie A and Italian Cup titles.
Mourinho, the self-dubbed "Special One," received 35.92 percent and beat Spain coach Vicente del Bosque (33.08) and Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola (8.45) in the inaugural prize. The Portuguese coach left Inter after the 2009-10 season to become coach of Real Madrid.
"The most important things for me are the collective titles, not the individual ones," Mourinho said.
Bradley selected Mourinho first, followed by Del Bosque and Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, while Bocanegra had Guardiola first, followed by Mourinho and Del Bosque. Kennedy voted Del Bosque first, followed by Mourinho and Germany coach Joachim Loew.
Marta received 38.2 percent, beating out Germany's Birgit Prinz (15.18) and Kosovo-born Lira Bajramaj (9.96). Marta was rewarded for her MVP season with the Gold Pride of the Women's Professional Soccer league in the United States, which folded, The team, based in Santa Clara, Calif., folded in November.
"I'm looking at contracts for the league. For the time being I have nothing confirmed," she said through a translator.
Neid, the coach of Germany's national team, received 24.06 percent, finishing ahead of Maren Meinert of Germany's world champion under-20 team (18.26) and U.S. women's team coach Pia Sundhage (11.68).
Hamit Altintop won the Puskas Award for most beautiful goal in 2010 for his volleyed shot for Turkey against Kazakhstan in a 2012 European Championship qualifier. The Bayern Munich midfielder connected with a right-footed shot from yards after a left-flank corner had looped directly into his path.
The award is named after the late Hungarian and Real Madrid great Ferenc Puskas.
Haitian soccer received the FIFA fair play award for its recovery from an earthquake which devastated the Caribbean island last January.
The FIFA presidential award was made to Archbishop Desmond Tutu in recognition of South Africa's organization of the World Cup.
The Argentine forward beat out Barcelona teammates Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta for the renamed FIFA Golden Ball Award, which merged the FIFA player of the year with France Football's Golden Ball. Messi became the first repeat winner since Ronaldinho in 2004 and 2005.
Messi received 22.65 percent of the votes cast by national team coaches and captains plus selected reporters. Iniesta followed with 17.36 percent and Xavi received 16.48 per cent to finish third for the second straight year. All three finalists are products of Barcelona's La Masia youth academy.
Eight of the 20 winners of the FIFA award have come from Barcelona, which also won with Brazilians Romario (1994), Ronaldo (1996 and 1997), Rivaldo (1999) and Ronaldinho.
Jose Mourinho was voted men's coach of the year after leading Inter Milan to the European Champions League title, Brazilian forward Marta was selected women's player of the year for the fifth straight time and Germany's Silvia Neid earned women's coach of the year honors.
Barcelona also placed six players on the 11-man All-Star team announced by FIFA and the union FIFPro, with Messi, Xavi and Iniesta joined by defenders Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique, and forward David Villa, who transferred from Valencia just before the World Cup.
Also on the team were Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Castillas and forward Cristiano Ronaldo, and three Inter players: defenders Lucio and Maicon, and midfielder Wesley Sneijder.
The 23-year-old Messi helped Barcelona retain its Spanish league title. The Blaugrana lead the Spanish standings again this season.
"It's a very special day for me," Messi said through a translator.
The 23-year-old forward scored 58 goals for the Catalan club in 2010 but failed to score for Argentina at the World Cup. Iniesta and Xavi helped Spain win its first World Cup title, with Iniesta scoring the overtime goal in the 1-0 win over the Netherlands in the final.
"I didn't expect to win it today," Messi said. "Already it's a source of happiness to be here with my friends and even more to win it."
Messi won on the strength of the votes of national team coaches and captains, finishing first among both those groups. Sneijder received the highest percentage from the media, with Iniesta second, Xavi third and Messi fourth.
U.S. coach Bob Bradley and captain Carlos Bocanegra both voted Xavi first, with Bradley picking Sneijder second and Messi third. Bocanegra selected Iniesta second and Sneijder third. Soccer America's Paul Kennedy, the only U.S. media voter, had Xavi first, followed by Messi and Sneijder.
Mourinho was voted FIFA men's coach of the year after leading Inter Milan to the Champions League, Serie A and Italian Cup titles.
Mourinho, the self-dubbed "Special One," received 35.92 percent and beat Spain coach Vicente del Bosque (33.08) and Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola (8.45) in the inaugural prize. The Portuguese coach left Inter after the 2009-10 season to become coach of Real Madrid.
"The most important things for me are the collective titles, not the individual ones," Mourinho said.
Bradley selected Mourinho first, followed by Del Bosque and Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, while Bocanegra had Guardiola first, followed by Mourinho and Del Bosque. Kennedy voted Del Bosque first, followed by Mourinho and Germany coach Joachim Loew.
Marta received 38.2 percent, beating out Germany's Birgit Prinz (15.18) and Kosovo-born Lira Bajramaj (9.96). Marta was rewarded for her MVP season with the Gold Pride of the Women's Professional Soccer league in the United States, which folded, The team, based in Santa Clara, Calif., folded in November.
"I'm looking at contracts for the league. For the time being I have nothing confirmed," she said through a translator.
Neid, the coach of Germany's national team, received 24.06 percent, finishing ahead of Maren Meinert of Germany's world champion under-20 team (18.26) and U.S. women's team coach Pia Sundhage (11.68).
Hamit Altintop won the Puskas Award for most beautiful goal in 2010 for his volleyed shot for Turkey against Kazakhstan in a 2012 European Championship qualifier. The Bayern Munich midfielder connected with a right-footed shot from yards after a left-flank corner had looped directly into his path.
The award is named after the late Hungarian and Real Madrid great Ferenc Puskas.
Haitian soccer received the FIFA fair play award for its recovery from an earthquake which devastated the Caribbean island last January.
The FIFA presidential award was made to Archbishop Desmond Tutu in recognition of South Africa's organization of the World Cup.
Anthony doesn't think trade to Nets imminent
The Denver Nuggets All-Star forward also said after practice Monday he regrets that teammate and Denver native Chauncey Billups' name has come up in reports of a three-team deal involving Detroit.
Despite the rumors that his departure from Denver is fast approaching, Anthony was in a jovial mood at practice following one of the worst performances of his career in a loss to New Orleans on Sunday night. He took just 11 shots and scored only eight points, the crowd booing him on several occasions.
Anthony's future has been the subject of intense speculation ever since he spurned the Nuggets' three-year, $65 million contract extension last summer.
Despite the rumors that his departure from Denver is fast approaching, Anthony was in a jovial mood at practice following one of the worst performances of his career in a loss to New Orleans on Sunday night. He took just 11 shots and scored only eight points, the crowd booing him on several occasions.
Anthony's future has been the subject of intense speculation ever since he spurned the Nuggets' three-year, $65 million contract extension last summer.
Madrid Striker Higuaín Set for Surgery
Real Madrid CF striker Gonzalo Higuaín is to undergo surgery on his slipped disc and could be out for four more months as they prepare for the UEFA Champions League knockout phase.
Real Madrid CF could be without forward Gonzalo Higuaín for the next four months after it was announced the 23-year-old will undergo surgery on a slipped disc in the coming days.
The Argentina striker, who has scored ten goals this season including two in the UEFA Champions League, last played for José Mourinho's side during the 5-1 Liga victory at home to Bilbao's Athletic Club on 20 November. Subsequent tests have revealed the extent of Higuaín's back problem, and he undergo an operation in the United States on Tuesday.
Although no official prognosis has been revealed, reports suggest the former CA River Plate player could be out of action for around four months. That would certainly rule him out for the UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie with Olympique Lyonnais on 22 February and 16 March, as Madrid aim to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in six seasons.
The Argentina striker, who has scored ten goals this season including two in the UEFA Champions League, last played for José Mourinho's side during the 5-1 Liga victory at home to Bilbao's Athletic Club on 20 November. Subsequent tests have revealed the extent of Higuaín's back problem, and he undergo an operation in the United States on Tuesday.
Although no official prognosis has been revealed, reports suggest the former CA River Plate player could be out of action for around four months. That would certainly rule him out for the UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie with Olympique Lyonnais on 22 February and 16 March, as Madrid aim to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in six seasons.
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