Rodgers: Fight for Liverpool or leave

By ESPN staff
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has hailed the "fantastic" attitude of Luis Suarez, but warned the rest of his squad that they can leave if they do not want to fight for Champions League football next season.

GettyImagesBrendan Rodgers poses with managing director Ian Ayre (left) and chairman Tom Werner (right)

Rodgers recently revealed a chat he had held with Suarez, who has been linked with a move away from Anfield in search of top-tier European football. The Liverpool boss claimed his Uruguayan forward had agreed to stay, much to the relief of Reds fans.
Having held his first official team meeting on Wednesday, Rodgers must now set about stamping his personality on the Liverpool squad. Known as a manager who encourages passing football, Rodgers will no doubt relish working with a player of Suarez's talent, and he reiterated the exemplary attitude of the South American forward.
"The focus was on the future, and what I believe he can bring to the team in the way that we play," Rodgers told Sky Sports News, regarding his recent chat with Suarez. "He was fantastic, he was very open, and I think he was impressed by how we played last year."
Previously linked to big-spending Paris St Germain, the fear remains that Suarez could be tempted should a big-money offer arrive at Anfield. Rodgers is not losing sleep over the issue though, insisting the entire Liverpool squad can either believe in his vision or seek football elsewhere.
"You can only sell the dream going forward," Rodgers said. "There's a lot of nostalgia surrounding this club, but it's important that we recognise this is 2012 and we're not in the Champions League.
"The top players want to play at that level. Steven Gerrard wants to play at that level, Jamie Carragher, they're players who have won it.
"In the coming years we'll strive towards that. If that's not enough for a player, then they will go, simple as that."

Alba seals Barca move

By ESPN staff
Jordi Alba has completed his €14 million move from Valencia to Barcelona, signing a five-year contract at the Camp Nou.

GettyImagesJordi Alba is unveiled at Barcelona

Spanish full-back Alba had agreed the move in principle a week prior to La Roja's victory in the final of Euro 2012 but passed a medical, completed the necessary paperwork and was presented to the media on Thursday.
The 23-year-old is Barca's first signing of the summer as they build towards next season under new coach Tito Vilanova, who has replaced Pep Guardiola.
Alba, whose contract with Valencia was due to expire in June 2013 and had a €90 million buy-out clause, is no stranger to Barcelona, having spent seven years at their La Masia youth academy from 1998 to 2005.
At the Mestalla, Alba was part of the Valencia reserve side that was promoted to Segunda B before spending the 2008-09 season on loan at Gimnastic Tarragona.
On returning to Valencia he soon became a regular in coach Unai Emery's first team, making 74 league appearances in three seasons, scoring five goals.
That earned him international recognition, with his debut coming against Scotland last October. He has won 11 caps to date and was an ever-present in Spain's Euro 2012 winning side, scoring his side's second goal in the final against Italy.

Goal-line system go ahead

By ESPN staff
International football's FA board (IFAB) has unanimously approved the use of goal-line technology after months of exhaustive tests were carried out on two systems - Hawk-Eye and GoalRef.

PA PhotosHawk-eye technology uses cameras embedded into the goal frame

The Premier League reacted to the historic decision in Zurich by vowing to implement the technology "as soon as practically possible''. However, the introduction will not be immediate because each system will have to be licensed, installed and tested in each venue to ensure it is functioning properly.
"The Premier League has been a long term advocate of goal-line technology,'' read a statement from the organisation. "We welcome today's decision by IFAB and will engage in discussions with both Hawkeye and GoalRef in the near future with a view to introducing goal-line technology as soon as is practically possible .'"
The technology could be ready to go in the English top-flight as soon as the new year and FA general secretary Alex Horne said it could also be used for the latter stages of the FA Cup, as one of the goal-line technology systems is already installed at Wembley Stadium.
"It is perfectly possible to introduce it halfway through the season," Horne said. "We have already got Hawk-Eye at Wembley, it needs to be calibrated and make sure it's working properly and licensed so we are nearly there and we could turn Hawk-Eye on quite quickly.
"The FA Cup would be our decision and we could say for the semi-finals and finals of the FA Cup we could turn it on, I don't think that is a very controversial decision."
Meanwhile, FIFA intends to put Hawk-Eye and GoalRef to the test at the Club World Cup in Tokyo in 2013, with a view to using it at next year's Confederations Cup and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke said world football's governing body would pay for the systems - around £160,000 per Stadium - and leave them in place in the stadiums used during all three tournaments.
Momentum towards goal-line technology has increased since Frank Lampard was denied an equaliser for England against Germany in the 2010 World Cup when the ball hit the bar and bounced over the line but no goal was given.
That incident caused the FIFA president Sepp Blatter to publicly back technology for the first time, and the issue hit the headlines again when Ukraine were denied a goal when the ball crossed the line against England in Euro 2012.
Blatter said: "For me as FIFA president it became evident the moment what happened in South Africa in 2010. I have to say 'thank you Lampard'. I was completely down in South Africa when I saw that it really shocked me, it took me a day to react. It happened again in Ukraine, and Ukraine can still not believe it now.''
There will be no move towards bringing in other technology, such as video replays to judge offsides for example, said IFAB in a statement.
"This approval is subject to a final installation test at each stadium before the systems can be used in 'real' football matches,'' said the statement. "The IFAB was keen to stress that technology will only be utilised for the goal-line and for no other areas of the game.''
Tests on the Hawk-Eye and GoalRef systems were carried out by the Swiss Federal Laboratory for Materials Science and Technology, with the results evaluated by IFAB members at a meeting earlier this month.
Hawk-Eye, developed by a British company, is based on cameras, while GoalRef, a Danish-German development, uses magnetic fields.

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Spain worried about Italy

KIEV, Ukraine -- Stingy as it may be, Spain's defenders are still a little worried about their rematch with Italy and Mario Balotelli in the European Championship final.
Spain's bid to win a third straight major title comes Sunday at Kiev's Olympic Stadium, where the Mediterranean rivals meet for a second time after starting Euro 2012 with a 1-1 draw.
After Balotelli scored twice in the 2-1 victory over Germany in the semifinals, defender Sergio Ramos said Friday "it would be a lie to say I'm not worried about them, but we are not obsessing over" Italy.
"They are where they are today because of the way they've played," Ramos said. "They really took the game to us, led by two strikers as they looked to hit us on the counter. We can't start worrying about them, we have to stay calm and stick to our philosophy of play."
Balotelli spoke with plenty of confidence about the upcoming final against Spain following Italy's 2-1 semifinal win Thursday over Germany.
"(
Against Spain) I hope to make four goals, not just two. This has been the loveliest day of my life, but I hope that Sunday is even better. I hope to beat Spain, no matter whether they play poorly. If I score, win the pichichi (MVP) trophy and we win, that is spectacular. But if we win and I don't score, that is just as spectacular."
Spain is on the verge of becoming the first team to retain its European title after winning the 2010 World Cup. West Germany had that chance in 1976 but lost to Czechoslovakia on penalties.
Balotelli's goals against Germany on Thursday helped the Manchester City striker overcome a poor start to the tournament, which included wasting a glorious opportunity alone in front of goal against Spain. He's also been the subject of racist chants during the tournament.
"He's a great player and he showed that again yesterday," midfielder Cesc Fabregas said. "To score like that in the semifinal against Germany says it all. We have to try and throw him off his game because he is a player who can cause problems."
One advantage for Spain is Ramos and Gerard Pique have gelled as centerbacks after struggling in their first competitive pairing, which came against Italy.
"That's a positive aspect, it can facilitate things for us," said Ramos, who added that Spain would pay particular attention to Balotelli, Antonio Cassano and Andrea Pirlo.
The current world champions needed penalties to beat Portugal in the semifinals after the game finished 0-0, despite extra-time. Though Ramos and Fabregas both scored in the shootout, Spain is hoping that its potential place in history is not decided on penalties on Sunday.
With the possibility of winning three straight major championships, it's no surprise the players are well aware of the stakes.
"The truth is, yes, it is something we think about," Ramos said. "That's what we're playing for on Sunday, it's something that will never be surpassed as no other national team has managed it before and we have the chance now to do it.
"Whatever happens Sunday, Spain has already made history, but we obviously want to win this European championship again after all the work this team has done. It's cost us a lot to get where we are, now we have to show our best level against a great team."
Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Is Italy and Spain a new rivarly?

At first glance, Spain vs. Italy isn’t a classic soccer rivalry. It lacks the obvious geographic tension you get from a Spain vs. Portugal clash; it doesn’t conjure memories of previous meetings like Italy vs. Germany; and there isn’t always continental pride up for stake, as in a meeting of Argentina and Brazil.
Instead, there’s a more subtle conflict -- a simmering, slightly sneering distrust between the two nations.
Italy is stereotypically based around organization, a strong defense and the ability to play a variety of systems effectively. It wins games in a strategic manner rather than with the best individual talents. This is a somewhat outdated cliché, but there’s still a focused, driven and ruthless approach to soccer within the peninsula.
In Spain, things are very different. The relentless success of the national side in the past four years, plus Barcelona’s ascent to becoming the greatest club side of modern times, has seen Spain finally combine style and success. Previously, there was a much greater emphasis upon the former. Spain always has produced fine soccer players, but while its stars were generally great entertainers, La Roja was seen as the great underachievers of international soccer until 2008. A reason for that -- and a result of it -- was that Spain took greater pride than Italy in the elegance of their game. Spanish soccer was something more joyous.
Fabio Capello, who had success as a coach in both countries, sums up the differences. “When Italian footballers are on the pitch, they would rather be somewhere else,” he says. “To them it’s a job. It’s not fun, not a game. When I was at Real Madrid, training would end and everyone would stay and eat, get a massage, go to the gym together…In Italy, they’ll stay as long as they have to, and then they’ll go. We don’t have that joy inside us.”

Italy has been historically known for a defense-first style, but under Cesare Prandelli, the Azzurri play with flair and attacking intent.© AP Photo/Matthias Schrader

The differences are noted within the two countries, and each side criticizes the other. Italy traditionally sees Spanish soccer as a little flimsy but more obviously, Spain sees Italian soccer as dull and cynical. In Spain, a side being described as “Italian” is a criticism. For example, when Spain was defeated by England at Wembley last year in a remarkably defensive performance from Capello’s side, Madrid-based newspaper Marca described England as "turning Italian." It wasn’t a compliment -- although of course, England wouldn’t have been described that way had it lost. That Italian ruthless streak is implicitly acknowledged and respected, if not admired.
Tracking the reactions of the two countries’ respective sports media throughout this tournament has been enlightening and suggests that while the rivalry is still present, the tables are turning in terms of style. Following the 1-1 draw with Spain in the group stage, Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport led with “Yes, Italy, you are beautiful!” The focus wasn’t just upon the result -- an unexpected point -- but the style. “Bell’Italia!” was La Gazzetta dello Sport’s headline, and underneath, “That’s the way we want you.” Cesare Prandelli’s mini style revolution has been very welcome.
After that group-stage match, Spanish newspaper AS opined that Spain “shouldn’t rule out meeting Italy again in the final.” Wise words, but more interesting has been the appreciation of Italy’s style -- and Andrea Pirlo, in particular -- that has yielded received rave reviews in Spain. “He is an independent artist, the last great creator of the Italian school,” Marca put forward. “It’s not for years that Italian football has had a player with the class and talent of Andrea Pirlo, the architect of Prandelli’s attacking Italy.” The stated timeframe is questionable -- Pirlo’s been playing for his country for a decade -- but the point is obvious. This Italian side, unlike so many before it, is appreciated in countries that favor beautiful play.
Meanwhile, Italian newspapers have criticized Spain’s lack of entertainment. “Good, superb even, and unbeatable, but the champions are a bore,” La Repubblica said after Spain’s 2-0 win over France.  “Tremendously boring,” Corriere dello Sport agreed.
Granted, this is just newspaper talk and won’t affect Sunday’s scoreline, but it sums up attitudes and reflects the changing identities of the two countries’ national teams. Prandelli is not a typical Italian coach; he has introduced an overall, cohesive philosophy revolving around ball retention and passing. Pirlo has been a fine player, but outside Italy, he’s never received such acclaim.

Cesc Fabregas and Spain have underwhelmed at the Euros but still possess the grit and confidence to win.© Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Spain, on the other hand, has become more cautious. Its ball retention is highly impressive and is the most proactive way of being a defensive side – but that is what La Roja is. Its record of nine consecutive clean sheets in the knockout stages of international tournaments is astonishing, but in seven of those nine games, Spain has scored only once or not at all.
This is by far the most successful national side Spain has ever produced and it’s no coincidence that it is also the most driven; once you have success, you can’t settle for being stylish. Anything less than being champions is regarded as a disappointment for Spain, and consequently it's played with restraint and caution -- maybe at times even with fear. It’s difficult to imagine a loose cannon like Mario Balotelli getting a start for Spain even if he was considered good enough technically. It's worth noting that Spain won’t score a goal like his supremely confident second goal against Germany. Spain has lost that freedom and unpredictability in exchange for its remarkable success.

Opportunistic Azzurri challenges Spain's ball control

By John Parolin, ESPN Stats & Information

Spain and Italy will meet Sunday in Kiev in the EURO 2012 Final, the fourth EURO final between former group opponents. Italy and Spain drew 1-1 on Jun. 10, and Italy is unbeaten (3-0-4) at major tournaments against the Spanish.

Historically, Italy is the only side Spain has never beaten in at least five major tournament matches. However, Spain is playing for history of its own.

Winners of EURO 2008 and World Cup 2010, Spain looks to be the first team to win three straight major tournaments as well as the first to repeat as EURO champions. A Spain win would make La Furia Roja the second team to win the EUROs three times (Germany).

Italy’s last appearance in a EURO final was 2000, falling to France 2-1 in extra time. The Italians have not won the European Championship since 1968, a 2-0 replay win against Yugoslavia.

The Italians were opportunistic in the group stage draw against Spain, with Antonio Di Natale’s first touch of the game a 61st-minute goal after entering as a sub five minutes before.

Di Natale converted the only pass he received from midfielder Andrea Pirlo in the match to open the scoring. The matchup between Pirlo and Spain’s Xavi in the midfield was a microcosm of the match.

Xavi had over twice as many touches (121) as Pirlo (49) in the match and had a 10-3 advantage in passes completed into the penalty area. Pirlo created a single chance in the match, assisting on Di Natale’s goal with a perfectly-weighted pass.

Spain equalized three minutes later when Cesc Fabregas finished a David Silva pass. Spain pushed for a winner after Fernando Torres entered in the 74th minute, but could not crack the defense.

Overall, Spain had a 239-85 advantage on touches in the attacking third in their group match. There was a similar dynamic in Italy’s semifinal win against Germany, as the Germans posted a 249-92 touches advantage in the attacking third.

Germany had a 38-25 edge in the first 20 minutes. Once Mario Balotelli put the Italians up, the Azzurri were content to defend, and the disparity grew to 211-67 over the last 70 minutes of the match.

Balotelli recorded only 10 touches in the attacking third, his tournament-low in a start. However, his brace (on his only two shots on target) exemplified the attacking efficiency the Italians need when conceding such a drastic possession advantage.

Continued opportunistic finishing would be critical for an Italian win, especially when Spain has controlled the ball better than any other team in the tournament.

Spain has completed 909 passes into the attacking third in its five games, or 86 more than the bottom four teams - Ireland, Greece, Sweden and Poland - combined in their 13 games. Italy’s ability to defend against Spain’s possession-heavy style will decide the outcome.

ESPN’s Soccer Power Index rates Spain a 72.4 percent favorite to win the title. Spain is ranked first in SPI, based on offensive and defensive ratings that are each about 50 percent better than Italy, which SPI ranks 15th.