Showing posts with label Paolo Di Canio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paolo Di Canio. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

'Killer' weather rains on Asia Trophy parade

Paolo Di Canio described the pitch at the Hong Kong Stadium as a "killer" before the final day of the Barclays Asia Tropy - stereotypical Italian hyperbole right?

Wrong. After another session of furious rainfall, Manchester City's 1-0 win over Sunderland resembled a fixture from the 1970s as both sides skidded around a drenched, sandy surface.

It had bigger repurcussions for City as Matija Nastasic was stretchered off with an ankle injury, though Manuel Pellegrini refused to blame the pitch, stressing that it could have happened on any surface.

Andre Villas-Boas was less amused with the ankle problem Jan Vertonghen picked up in Tottenham's 3-1 semi-final loss to Sunderland though, adding: "We've lost one player through injury - and if I can be sincere I would prefer not to go ahead, but that's the reality."

Tottenham did go ahead though and escaped further problems as they trounced South China 6-0 in the game preceding the final.

As frustrating as it was for the managers and players involved, the nostalgic pitch provided plenty of entertainment for the observer.  

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

QPR & Reading on the brink in relegation battle

Reading and QPR are on the brink of relegation after defeat for both sides on Saturday left them 10 points adrift of safety with just four matches remaining.

The final relegation spot is still undecided with Wigan currently in 18th place, while Aston Villa, who face Manchester United on Monday, are three points clear of Roberto Martinez's side.

Further ahead are Newcastle United, Stoke City and Sunderland, who are all on 37 points and starting to edge clear of the drop zone. 

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Mancini risks rivals’ wrath

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini looks set to risk the wrath of rival Premier League bosses by fielding a weakened side against struggling Wigan on Tuesday.

The Italian is set to rest several key names after testing fixtures against Manchester United and Chelsea with Micah Richards, Edin Dzeko and Aleksandar Kolarov all expected to start.

The news might be welcomed by his opposite number Roberto Martinez, with his side currently in the relegation zone, three points from safety but with two games in hand.

However, it is unlikely to go down as well with rivals as the scrap to avoid the drop starts to hot up.

Mad to measure: Tailor fury at Di Canio derby delight

Sunderland took their first step towards safety under Paolo Di Canio as the Black Cats secured a 3-0 victory over local rivals Newcastle United on Sunday.

Three fine strikes from Stephane Sessegnon, Adam Johnson and David Vaughan fired Sunderland to 34 points in the Premier League, edging them three clear of the relegation zone, while Di Canio's exuberant celebrations may have cost him a new pair of trousers. 

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Benitez denies 'hand grenade' Di Canio an explosive start

Paolo Di Canio's "management by hand grenade" threatened to pay immediate dividends when Sunderland took the lead against Chelsea on Sunday but Rafa Benitez's team came from behind to deny the Italian a perfect start.

A Cesar Azpilicueta own goal gave the Black Cats the lead at Stamford Bridge but another own goal, this time by Matthew Kilgallon, was followed by Branislav Ivanovic's similarly fortunate winner.

The victory, coupled with Tottenham's draw at Everton, strengthened Chelsea's hopes of a top-four finish but left Di Canio looking ahead to a mouthwatering Tyne-Wear derby as Sunderland edge closer to the drop zone.