http://www.footballingworld.com Football writing on the Premier League, Euro 2008 and world game Tue, 13 May 2008 15:02:09 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en On May 17 2006, Ronaldinho stood on the brink of greatness. On the cusp of a level that very few sportsman have ever graced. He stood on the turf in the middle of the Stade de France with the Champions League trophy raised high above his head after the 2-1 ... http://www.footballingworld.com/2008/05/13/rijkaard-pays-price-for-the-listlessness-of-his-number-10/ It has been a terrific year of Premier League football. A thrilling title race and a ferocious battle to avoid the drop kept onlookers fascinated until the final minutes of the campaign. And in the midst of all the excitement came a host of high-scoring, memorable matches. Footballing World pick out ... http://www.footballingworld.com/2008/05/12/five-finest-premier-league-matches-of-the-season/ "It will only happen once" Arsenal star Cesc Fàbregas will host his very own TV show on Sky Sports 1 - as previously revealed on this site - and Footballing World has a pair of tickets to give away for what promises to be an exceptional evening and a one-time only ... http://www.footballingworld.com/2008/05/10/win-tickets-to-the-cesc-fabregas-show/ Despite some scintillating football, two English teams in the Champions League Final and the closest run-in to a league title in 40 years, many English football puritans have been left with a bad taste in their mouths this season. On the surface, the Premier League has never been more bullish, never ... http://www.footballingworld.com/2008/05/10/where-will-it-all-end/ 1. Rigid wage structure Arsenal might run a tight financial ship, but their wage structure is costing them current and prospective players. Mathieu Flamini's move to AC Milan was in part motivated by a superior contract offer from the Italians after Arsenal's bid fell well short of what Flamini expected. Alexander ... http://www.footballingworld.com/2008/05/07/five-reasons-why-arsenal-will-struggle-for-silverware/ Nani has been forced to apologise for his crazy headbutt on West Ham's Lucas Neill in the first half of Manchester United's critical game against West Ham. With the visitors having pulled the score back to 3-1, Nani's dismissal might have proved significant and both manager Sir Alex Ferguson and assistant ... http://www.footballingworld.com/2008/05/06/whats-wrong-with-nani/ Cesc Fàbregas has enjoyed his best ever season in the Arsenal shirt, almost guiding the club to the league title while impressive progress was made in Europe. The diminutive Spaniard however, has not just been firing on all cylinders on the football field. A Nike promo video, building up his live show ... http://www.footballingworld.com/2008/05/03/fabregas-is-literally-on-fire-in-new-nike-video/ Excitement still in Scudetto race as Milan derby looms large. Serie A's top tier establishment will effectively be decided this weekend as the most anticipated Milan derby in recent history takes centre-stage at the San Siro. Both teams go into the battle of the Giuseppe Meazza on Sunday afternoon needing a ... http://www.footballingworld.com/2008/05/03/made-in-milan-serie-as-scudetto-story-draws-to-an-ending/ It's a unique scenario, but as two sets of English fans attempt to fly, drive, or maybe even walk to Moscow the fans of Russian club Zenit Saint Petersburg will be planning their trip to the north of England in a Uefa Cup final comprising two surprise finalists. Zenit have enjoyed ... http://www.footballingworld.com/2008/05/02/as-the-english-prepare-for-moscow-russians-will-be-heading-to-manchester/ Whilst we are distracted by the ease at which English teams have dominated the Champions League, it only serves to cement the exile of our young players Despite not making the final, Lionel Messi has been the success story of the Champions League. With effortless skill and astute vision, he has ... http://www.footballingworld.com/2008/05/01/why-england-should-trust-young-guns/