We may not have eggs, chickens and rabbits here on Football Circus this Easter but we do feature a dog, a defender who thinks he's a koala bear, a national anthem mix up and Hristo Stoichkov. So put the chocolate on hold and tuck into the 101st edition of Football Circus...
Football Circus Clown Quote of the Week
"Adriano is the top scorer in the Champions League this season with the most goals scored".
- Sam Matterface has egg on his face after this comment on ITV.
Confusion in Washington as Isle of Man National Anthem Played for El Salvador
International week saw it's fair share of bloopers, but none quite as big as the blooper witnessed at FedEx Field in Maryland, Washington, where El Salvador faced off against Argentina in a friendly. El Salvador must have already been nervous enough taking on one of football's super powers (indeed they lost the game 2-0) and their nerves won't have been helped when the PA system blasted out the Isle of Man national anthem.
The El Salvador players lined up ahead of kick off, looking ready to belt out 'Himno Nacional de El Salvador' with gusto. Their pride however, soon turned to confusion when the Isle of Man's 'O Land of Our Birth' was heard around the stadium instead.
Oragnisers of the match, CMN Sports, later apologised for the mix up in a statement:
"As an organization, CMN SPORTS takes pride in providing some of the most exhilarating soccer matches for sports fans around the world. The company will take this as a learning experience and will continue to work on providing fans with positive experiences that are unforgettable. In addition, the company will extend immediately a direct apology to the Salvadorian national team".
Van Gaal Criticised by Stoichkov
Louis Van Gaal's reign as Manchester United manager has been a bumpy ride so far, though lately things look to be picking up for the Dutchman. However, his team's recent good form does not mean Van Gaal is without his critics. Van Gaal was in charge of Barcelona during Bulgarian great Hristo Stoichkov's time there and the former striker didn't have too many kind words to say about his ex-boss in an interview with L'Epuipe:
"I have no respect for him, he’s garbage. One day, when I was injured and I was with my wife at the Nou Camp. He went up to her and asked ‘how was possible that she married someone like me?’.
"She told him that I had won a Ballon d’Or.
"It was the fault of Van Gaal that I moved on to CSKA Sofia".
One man who Stoichkov does admire however, is Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho. Mourinho acted as the late Sir Bobby Robson's assistant when Robson was in charge at Barca:
"I do not think that Mourinho was a simple interpreter or assistant. He was already a coach, but he never thought he was worth more than Robson.
"Mourinho understood everything… He knew everything about our team, and our opponents".
Goalkeeper's Dogged Performance
We may have happened across the best canine goalkeeper in the world. OK, so we don't know of any others, however we're confident enough that Purin the female beagle would beat any competition hands down...or paws down as the case may be.
Purin has become an internet sensation this week after a Youtube video went viral. The video shows dog stopping a huge amount of shots with her two front paws.
But Purin's talents are limit to net-minding. She has also proven she can score a few as well...and em, walk on her two front paws...
Spanish Defender Turns Koala for Corner
CD Cuarte defender and captain Daniel Nadales has been christened 'El Koala' after introducing a bizarre new method of defending. Nadales played in his side's Spanish fourth division clash with CD Teruel. After Teruel won a corner, Nadales, desperate to gain a height advantage over his opponents, decided that jumping to win the ball was not a viable option. Instead, he climbed the goal post and held onto it.
His actions obiviously escaped the view of the referee as Nadales was not cautioned for the climb. Though his team lost the game 3-1, Nadales told TN why he climbed the goal post and it would seem his team mates saw the funny side at least:
"It was a corner. We were defending and the attacking team were very tall.
"The only way I could think to jump higher was to grab the post.
"It was spontaneous. I did not repeat it in the match. Afterwards I read the rules and now I know they can punish you for doing that.
"My teammates have taken it very well but they say I was crazy".
Milan Strike Partnership with...Hello Kitty
In what must be one of the most bizarre sponsorship deals in the history of football, AC Milan this week announced they have struck a deal with Hello Kitty, the Japanese cartoon cat...franchise...thing.
Speaking to Milan's official website, acmilan.com, the club's commercial director Jaap Kaalma (who should probably be sacked if this is the best he can come up with) said of the deal:
"Milan has always associated itself with Italian and international companies that represent excellence in their sectors.
"For this reason we decided to join forces with a brand like Hello Kitty, a prestigious and important character, and what is more highly adored by young people all over the world. The collaboration with the Sanrio Team has been challenging and has brought excellent results.
"In addition, we’re thinking about organising other initiatives with Hello Kitty and our club mascot Milanello and we will see them together soon at San Siro with our fans. We’re certain that this character will be liked by the Milan fans and from this we will see several other interesting initiatives".
The following unnerving image was released with the statement on the website:
What's Mad Mario Upto this Week?
Balo has finally added another goal to his name, albeit in a relatively meaningless match. Yes, the Italian was on the scoresheet for Team Carragher in Stephen Gerrard's testimonial at Anfield on Sunday in a game which ended 2-2. Also partaking in the match were Didier Drogba and Thierry Henry, whom Balotelli posed with for an Instragram picture.
Super Mario also posted a rather odd photo of himself to Instagram this week, of himself wearing a mask. Quite what he was at, we'll probably never know...
Meanwhile, Balo has been taunted by Manchester United and England defender Chris Smalling. Smalling became tangled up with the the striker in United's fixture away to Liverpool two weekends ago and Balotelli visibly lost his cool.
Ahead of England's midweek friendly with Italy (for whom Balo was left out of the squad), Smalling said:
"If you’re doing your job and not giving the striker much of a chance he’ll probably get angry and Balotelli is someone who can lose his temper very quickly.
"I’m happy to see them get frustrated. I thought that it could be round two on Tuesday but I’ve seen that he’s not in the squad. We’ll have to wait for that".
The match ended a bland 1-1 draw, with Smalling starting the match for England.
Italian Football Story of the Week
- Trap Believes Inter to Challenge for 2015/16 Serie A Title
Inter Milan may be experiencing a nightmare season, with Champions League football looking extremely unlikely. However legendary former manager Giovanni Trapattoni believes the Neazzuri will challenge next season, in spite of their current woes.
Speaking to fcinternews.it, Trap stated:
"I really do think that Inter will be able to challenge.
"In my career I’ve finished sixth one season only to win the League the next. I am convinced that with this squad, hopefully reinforced with some new signings, Mancini can do it.
"I think Mancini, the players and the club are fully aware this was a difficult year with many defeats despite some decent football.
"The Coach has a lot of international experience and is only now truly getting to know his squad. He’ll focus on their pride, as they have all it takes to climb back up. They might not get there, but they can climb.
"I think the current players all came from big clubs and have the right stuff to make it at Inter. The fans must forget about the past with Helenio Herrera and Jose Mourinho, putting their total faith in Mancini. We must remain anchored in reality.
"Mancini shook up the side and brought in the kind of enthusiasm that had been lacking.
"Mancio has a lot of experience and achieved success in his career, but it’s only normal he’d run into difficulty. Coaches need time to work, but fans and Presidents want immediate results. In that sense, tacticians are not looked after".
Artist's Impression of the Week
- 'Dogged Goalkeeper'; Purin the dog impresses between the sticks.
Artist's Impression of the Week
- 'Dogged Goalkeeper'; Purin the dog impresses between the sticks.
Football Recommendation of the Week
- Lewis Kenny, poet; Dublin club Bohemians took the rather unprecedented step this year of appointing their very first resident poet-laureat, Lewis Kenny. Kenny is the first of his kind in Ireland and his work thus far has been very impressive.
Non Football Recommendation of the Week
- 'Rasher' Mark Kavanagh; "R.M. Kavanagh is a self-taught artist living and working in Wicklow, Ireland". Rasher's latest exhibition, 'Life's a Glitch' is showing in the Dean Hotel, Dublin on April 5th. You can check out some of his work on his Facebook page.
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