HAGI BACKS REAL

Romanian football legend Gheorghe Hagi has said that Real Madrid are the favourites to win the quarter-final Champions league match against Galatasaray. Real Madrid were drawn against Galatasaray and they are widely considered as the favourites to progress into the semifinals. The Spanish club have won this competition nine times in their history, while Galatasaray have rarely featured in the quarter-final stage of the competition. The first leg will take place at the Santiago Bernabeu with the return leg at Galatasaray in a week’s time.

Gheorghe Hagi is regarded as one of the greatest Romanian players of all time. He represented both Real Madrid and Galatasaray during his illustrious playing days. Even though he has an affiliation with both clubs, he thinks that it will be Real Madrid who will make it into the semifinals of the competition simply because of their superior quality. Galatasaray raised recently signed the likes of Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder, but they will struggle against the opposition to boast of the likes of Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

Real Madrid are currently second in the league table several points behind leaders Barcelona. As result, they are putting their entire focus on the Champions league. The club are chasing the elusive 10th European trophy.

“Madrid are the favourites, no doubt. They are in a good run of form, are very strong and will fight to win the Champions League. They are hard and a fast team, very strong, but also creative. They are disciplined, organised and have a winning mentality in every minute,” said Gheorghe Hagi ahead of the match. Since the prospect of winning the league title is all but over, Mourinho is expected to rest a number of key players during the weekend. Galatasaray, though, are fighting with Fenerbahce for the Turkish league title.

GALA PROGRESS

Galatasaray progressed to the quarter-finals of the Champions League at the expense of the German club Schalke. The 4-3 aggregate victory has helped Galatasaray play in this stage of the competition after a long time.

The decision taken by the club to bring in high profile players like Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder during the January transfer window has definitely paid off. The manager Fatih Terim has said that he is extremely delighted with his players after the stunning victory. (more…)

ONLY A DRAW

Galatasaray could not manage to take advantage of the presence of a striker like Didier Drogba after they could only manage a draw against Schalke in the last 16 stage of the Champions League. However, the manager Fatih Terim has said that draw was probably a fair result for both teams. Galatasaray recently secured two big names in the form of Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder during the January transfer window with the hopes of making it into the latter stages of the European competition. Galatasaray have failed to progress past the last 16 stage in recent seasons.

Due to the fact that they had not drawn against a big team like Barcelona and Real Madrid, Terim would have been hoping to progress to the quarter-final stage quite easily. However, the German team provided a strong resistance in the first leg match between the two teams. Schalke now have the upper hand in the tie after they have scored a crucial away goal. Galatasaray opened the scoring through Burak Yilmaz in the first half, but Jermaine Jones goal just before half-time has given the German team an advantage ahead of the second leg match. Terim admitted after the match that his team were unable to capitalise on the good start provided by Yilmaz’s goal.

“We went in front with an early goal because of our good play, but we unfortunately made a mistake just before half time that led to Schalke’s equaliser. We had previously had chances to score a second goal, although Schalke also had openings in the second half to go in front themselves. It was an even game,” said the Galatasaray manager after the match. The Turkish club also have the league title in their sights. They currently have a four point advantage over Besiktas having played a game less.

GALA SNAP UP SNEIJDER

The Turkish club Galatasaray recently managed to secure the star signing of the Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder. The Dutchman is regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world, and he has agreed a move to Turkey. This has shocked many people in the world, but the Galatasaray chairman Ugur Hamedi has hailed the signing by saying that it will herald a new era for the club. The 28-year-old Dutch midfielder was responsible for helping Inter Milan to the treble in 2010, while also being a hugely influential figure for the Dutch national team in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Galatasaray have been lacking an idol since the days of the Romanian international Gheorghe Hagi. Hamedi has compared Wesley Sneijder with the Romanian by saying that he can be the next Hagi. Sneijder said after completing a move that he is extremely looking forward to making his debut for the club. He has also praised the atmosphere created by the fans inside the home ground, which is one of the famous in the world. Galatasaray will be playing in the last 16 stage of the Champions League, and Sneijder will be hoping to make his impact sooner rather than later in this competition that he won in 2010.

“Hagi was the last real number 10. After him, many players tried to follow him, but no one succeeded. Sneijder will be the new Hagi. Hagi was 31 years old when he moved to Galatasaray came Sneijder is 3 years younger. We have the best footballer in the Netherlands attracted our new maestro. For years we have been looking for a new number 10, a successor to George Hagi. Finally we found our new maestro. Galatasaray The family is very proud of the arrival of Sneijder,” said the Galatasaray chairman.

HAGI CHOSE CRUYFF

Gheorghe Hagi has said that he had decided to join Barcelona in 1994 just because of Johan Cruyff who was the manager of Barcelona at that time.

Hagi played for Barcelona between 1994 and 1996. His tenure at Barcelona wasn’t that successful and he was sold by the club only after two years. He featured for Barcelona in only 36 games. But, according to the former Romanian midfielder, he enjoyed his tenure at Barca quite a lot.

While talking to the correspondent of a Romanian sports channel, Hagi said, “Johan Cruyff was the main reason why I joined Barcelona. He was just fantastic. He was in charge at Barca in 1994 and when I got the offer from him, I was more than happy to accept it.”

“I didn’t get too many playing opportunities during my two-year tenure at Barca, but, getting the opportunity to work with Johan Cruyff was like dream come true.”

“During my childhood days, I didn’t get to watch too many international matches, but, I knew that Cruyff was the no. 1 player in the world. I have been his fan since then.”

Hagi left Barcelona in 1996 and joined Galatasaray. He played for Galatasaray for 5 years and then, retired from professional football. His performance for Galatasaray was fantastic. The Romanian midfielder played 132 matches for Galatasaray and scored 59 goals. He was very popular among Galatasaray fans.

When asked about his tenure at Galatasaray, Hagi said, “Playing for Galatasaray was fantastic. It was the club for which I played the most number of matches and scored the most number of goals as well. I also won a lot of trophies with Galatasaray. Winning UEFA cup after defeating Arsenal in the final was one of the best moments of my career.”

HAGI USED TO PLAY LIKE MESSI

The Romanian legend Gheorghe Hagi has said that he used to play like Lionel Messi, while his son plays like the French legend Zinedine Zidane. Gheorghe Hagi is regarded as one of the best players in the world and he had a stellar career. Now, he is currently the owner of the Romanian club FC Viitorul Constanta, who are doing extremely well in their first season in top-flight. The club are currently 13th in the Romanian Premier league table. Even though it may be a while before the start winning the league titles, FC Viitorul Constanța owner Gheorghe Hagi reckons that the club can certainly survive in the division.

He was recently interviewed by the AFP, who asked questions about his son. Gheorghe Hagi has said that while he was a player similar to Lionel Messi, his son is extremely similar to Zinedine Zidane in terms of the way he plays his game. Zidane Zidane is regarded as one of the best players in the world, and he held the world record for the most expensive transfer for many years before it was eventually broken by Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009. He has also spoken about the recent World Cup qualifying group stages.

“He is more combination than me, than it was at his age. Is creative, team game. I was more selfish. It brings into play with Zidane, I’d compare with Messi. Ianis has both foot and stand off and on mentally chapter. Is leading fabric has evil in the game. Yes has to work in terms of strength, the physical. At 15, 16 years I can tell exactly where it’s better to move, or at home or abroad. You will have a surprise … Alibec will be selected. He realized he lost his career during tough. He saw where he Ballotelli of his generation and he knows where he can reach,” said Hagi.

BUCHAREST SUFFER LOSS

The Steaua Bucharest manager Lawrence Reghecampf has said that he is extremely disappointed to have not won the match against FC Vaslui. Steaua Bucharest were defeated 3-1 in the match, but was not deserving of the defeat according to the manager. He has said that his team created enough chances and opportunities in the match to be able to come out on the winning side. It has meant that Steaua Bucharest have suffered their first defeat in four matches, which has put the chances of catching the leaders Pandurii Târgu Jiu in doubt. As a result of this defeat, Pandurii Târgu Jiu now lead the table by three points.

Steaua Bucharest took the lead in the match through a goal from Chipciu in the 51st minute. The first half between the two clubs was goalless. However, the second half was one of the most entertaining matches in recent times. Both teams went for the goals and it was Chipciu who scored the first goal of the match the 51st minute. However, Steaua Bucharest were unable to hold on to the lead for much longer after they conceded a goal from Celeban a few minutes later. FC Vaslui then scored two quick goals in the closing stages to win the match.

“The last 20 minutes we were distraught, I started to lose a lot of easy balls. Adi Popa out because I could not. Still had to introduce a top to put pressure had 1-0., But we I got naked in fixed phase. November we beat ourselves if concrete analysis. need to close ranks, to be men and to win the next matches . should not blame anyone we wrong we must fix. E frustration, especially since we had the game in hand. When you beat one’s hard to swallow defeat, “said Reghecampf.

THE COMPLETE TEAM

The former Romanian international and legend Gheorghe Hagi has said that the Spanish national team is the complete football team in the world. The Spaniards managed to win the Euro 2012, thus making it a hat-trick of international titles. They have now won the Euro 2008 and 2010 FIFA World Cup in addition to the current tournament. They also become the first nation in the world to defend the European championships. This has led to many believe that the Spanish national team is the best in the world. Gheorghe Hagi has said that it is not a surprise to know that it is the case because the Spanish national team is so exciting to watch, but they are also capable of winning football matches the ugly way as well.

Spain managed to complete the major trophies in a row after managing the 4-0 win over Italy in the final of the Euro 2012. It is not surprising for Gheorghe Hagi because he has seen the Spanish national team transform itself into the style of Barcelona in recent seasons. As a result, they are now more fearful than before according to the Romanian international, who has recently entered back into football after becoming the owner of a club in Romania.

“This national maturity reached extraordinary. Team is complete, the Casillas, line of defense, midfielders and forwards. Has players from Real Madrid and Barcelona, ​​the best bands. There’s no way to resist. coordination, technique, everything found at the national, “said the Romanian international Gheorghe Hagi regarding the Spanish national team. The club of Gheorghe Hagi started its first match with a draw. Speaking after the match, Gheorghe Hagi has said that it was a fair result because both teams came out with an attacking intent. He is hoping to take his club to great levels.

HAGI BACKS SPAIN

Romanian football legend Gheorghe Hagi is of the opinion that Spain have the ability to win the tournament, which would be their third major success in succession. It is a feat that has been achieved before, but Spain have come into the tournament after having lost the services of both David Villa and Carles Puyol – two crucial players for the national team.

Despite this, Gheorghe Hagi believes that it will take an extraordinary effort from the other teams to prevent pain from winning the tournament. He has also said that Germany are a contender for the title alongside Spain due to the fact that they have very strong squad, according to the Liverpool news website.

Netherlands have also been spoken of as one of the favourites for the competition, but there have also been suggestions that the team is slightly old for winning the tournament. Gheorghe Hagi, though, thinks that it is necessarily not the case, but agrees with the opinion that it will be tough for Netherlands to win the competition. Romania will be facing Netherlands in the qualifiers of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Gheorghe Hagi expects the Romanian national team to put up a strong show against Netherlands in the World Cup qualifiers.

“My favorite team is Spain. With Fernando Torres they will be strong. After me, the countries that have the best chance to reach the finals are Spain, Netherlands and Germany. I think Spain and Germany will play the final competition taking place in Poland and Ukraine. Let’s preliminary matches will be held in September. Netherlands, Holland still remain. It is a powerful band, hopefully, will play Romanian national good. Netherlands is not the team we used to good long evolution. The team was strong German team. In addition, the Germans play and Mario Gomez, who is in shape football and mark goals,” said Gheorghe Hagi about the Euro 2012.

TAMAS HEADING HOME?

Romanian club Dinamo Bucharest are looking at the possibility of taking their former player Gabriel Tamas from West Brom in the summer. The player has not enjoyed a great season at West Brom, which has been the case since the arrival of former Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson. He recently revealed that he will consider moving to another club in order to get regular first-team football. However, there is thought that if Roy Hodgson gets the England managerial job, then Gabriel Tamas is likely to stay at West Brom.

Roy Hodgson and Harry Redknapp are being spoken of as the two main contenders for the England job. Under Roy Hodgson’s tenure at West Brom, Gabriel Tamas has largely been used in the first-team. In fact, he has started just seven Premier league matches all season. In addition to this, Gabriel Tamas has also been largely used as a left back and right back by the manager. Hence, it is quite clear that the player is out of favour as long as Roy Hodgson is the manager of West Brom. As a result, this former club Dinamo Bucharest are looking to take advantage of the situation by making a bid for the player in the summer.

They are pretty sure that Gabriel Tamas will not reject the opportunity to move away from the Premier league to play in the Romanian league. Gabriel Tamas already has the experience of playing in the Romanian league having played for Dinamo Bucharest in three spells in the past. Recently, Dinamo Bucharest manager Dario Bonetti also came out with a statement saying that Gabriel Tamas is a player who is on their radar and someone who they would like to sign in the summer. “If we win the league, Tamas is back,” said the Bucharest manager.