Village Idiot

According to "As" Del Bosque will call Thiago up for Spain's next EC qualification game against Liechtestein in fears Brazil might try to cap him instead. Apparently Menezes has been trying to convince the player to change his registration. He's been playing for Spain at all youth levels so I don't think there's a danger, his brother Rafa seems intent on switching countries and playing for Brazil though.

I used to rate Wayne Bridge, but he has been calamitous these past two years. Injuries haven't helped, which is another worry. I'd stay clear.

According to "Marca", Real Madrid have agreed to loan Canales to Valencia. The player has yet to be convinced, though.

Talking of African football corruption, read this good piece the other day... http://inbedwithmaradona.com/journal/2011/7/25/that-joke-isnt-funny-anymore-zaire-at-the-1974-world-cup.html Aye, read it too. It's a great blog.

"One of the best 100 living footballers" Although, going for what Baba tells in here, he seems right regarding the corruption thing.

Mou wants an Adebayor/Drogba type, a big strong ram to lead the line. Florentino wants Neymar.

They'll make one more signing at least. Either Neymar for €45m or a cheaper alternative until he becomes available.

Espanyol have turned down a €12m bid from Atlético for Osvaldo.

2-1, some Norwegian.

Well, at least the Atlético fans have stopped killing Agüero and started cheering their own team for a change.

Professional foul? No way. There was another Atlético defender right by him.

Watching the repeat, that was a sublime finish by Reyes.

2-0 Reyes again. Adrián has looked pretty good so far, Atlético got themselves a great prospect.

How good are this lot in the Norwegian scheme of things?

Any Norwegian TV channel showing this one? Nope. Watching some Spanish stream. It's so, so, very annoying when you actually know a little bit of what they're saying yet the remaining 85% is just gibberish. According to one of the commentators, Atlético should get a good goal haul because "in Norway the ball bounces differently and they are used to it". It's Norway, not the fucking Moon

At last. 1-0 Reyes. I love how the Spanish commentator pronounces "Stromsgodet" differently each time. "Stromsgodsen" "Strosgomdet" "Stormgodsen" EDIT: "Stronsgondsen" now.

They have a great following, to be said. Watch the players fuck it up completely now, in pure Aleti fashion.

Aye, that's my angle on this really. US can't really aspire to much more right now. Their problems lie elsewhere, not NT coaching.

It's the way he's done it, saying he didn't care about Atlético, that it was just his job, that he didn't want to play for them again... He's pissed all over the fans that loved him just 3 months ago. Everyone was aware that he would go to a more successful club sooner or later, but he could have got his transfer without the antics.

The whole Calderón singing "Die Agüero"

Yeah, I was wondering this about Málaga too. How can they possibly meet the FFP criteria?

True, but I don't think they can't go much farther. There really isn't that much talent available yet (and the MLS has too many teams), plus the fact the only competitive game they'll ever play outside a tournament is against Mexico doesn't help either.

Think Bradley has done a good job.

Forlán starting after forfeiting his post Copa América holidays, what a legend

Our dugout has advertising on it too, it's not so strange.