The Footy Mumble: Balotelli's love-hate affair, Guardiola's spying obsession
In just 4 matches back in Italy, Mario Balotelli has become both a villain and a fan favorite at Milan. He continues to be racially abused by his old Inter fans, while his new AC Milan fans continue to adore him.
No wonder thus, the statistics from his second spell in Italy read, 4 matches, 4 goals and 3 racism controversies.
Arsenal have announced a pre-tax profit of £17.8 million (yet again) for the six months till end of November 2012. And as usual, player sales contributed to the profits, with over £42.5 million raised by player sales in the August transfer window.
“Our ability to compete at the top of the game here and in Europe is underpinned by our financial performance which gives the club strength and independence,” blared chairman Peter Hill-Wood.
The fact that it’s the players who compete in Europe, and not the boardroom suits churning out the financial reports, continues to be ignored.
Not really surprising, then, that the trophy drought is set to continue for an 8th successive season, is it?
If a report by the Spanish paper El Confidencial is to be believed, former Barca coach Guardiola used to spy on his players during his time at the club.
He hired a detective agency to spy on the private lives of players, including Ronaldinho, Deco and Samuel Eto’o. Even Gerard Pique was reportedly spied on as the defender’s relationship with Shakira blossomed.
“The Metodo 3 detective agency spied on FC Barcelona players under orders from the then director of Security and now director general of Penitentiary Services for the Generalitat (autonomous government of Catalonia), Xavier Martorell,” the report adds.
Going further, the report reveals,
“During the time that Pep managed the ‘Azulgranas’ first team he developed a good understanding and friendship with Martorell, who willingly helped Guardiola to be informed at all times.”
And unbelievably, all of it was done for the purpose of ‘club harmony’ apparently.
Dani Alves, it seems, has taken the role of the Barcelona’s unofficial spokesperson. In addition to his on-field duties, his new job requires him to dedicate himself to the sole task of getting Neymar to join the club.
“He knows what is happening and the deal that he has which is to come to the club in the near future. If I were him I would come as soon as possible because it would allow him to improve the tactical side of his game before the (2014) World Cup. Apart from that he would be coming to a club that would suit the qualities he has as a player,” he blared in his first announcement as spokesperson.
In today’s Video of the Day, watch Zhivko Milanov of Romanian club Vaslui get kicked in the face by FCR Cluj’s Ricardo Cadu. Milanov reportedly lost 5 teeth after receiving the kick.