Germany will earn $35 million thanks to its World Cup championship

Germany's Mario Goetze, center, celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the World Cup final soccer match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, July 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Francois Xavier Marit, Pool)

Germany will earn $35 million thanks to its World Cup championship - To the victors go the spoils and 1 percent of FIFA's 2014 World Cup revenue.

After Germany defeated Argentina in extra time of the final of the World Cup, not only did it get to hoist an 18-carat trophy, but it also hauled off a cool $35 million.

It’s fitting that the largest prize in World Cup history was distributed in the most expensive World Cup in history. Spain, winner of the 2010 World Cup, received $30 million.

That money is the only thing Germany gets to keep (except for bragging rights) since the expensive trophy stays with FIFA and teams are given a cheaper replica.

Argentina received $25 million as the runner-up, which is up from $24 million in 2010. The Netherlands earned $20 million for finishing third and Brazil earned $18 million for fourth place.

The United States earned $9 million for making it to the Round of 16. That money will go to each country’s soccer federation and it is at the discretion of each nation how to dole out the winnings.

That prize money is in addition to the $1.5 million each nation was given prior to the tournament for training, travel and other expenses. FIFA also has a pool $70 million to pay to the various clubs that employ the 736 club players in the tournament, which works out to $2,800 per player per day that the player was in the World Cup.

Here’s a look at the prize money distribution for the 2014 FIFA World Cup:

• Group Stage (16 eliminated teams): $8 million each 

• Round of 16 (eight losers): $9 million each 

• Quarterfinals (four losers): $14 million each 

• Fourth place: $18 million 

• Third place:: $20 million 

• Runner-up: $24 million 

• Winner: $35 million

If it sounds like a lot of money is being dished out for the five-week tournament, it pales in comparison to what FIFA stands to make, which could be upwards of $4.5 billion thanks to broadcasting revenue, licensing, sponsorships and hospitality.

It’s also just a drop in the bucket for players such as Lionel Messi, who just inked a deal with Barcelona for more than $50 million per year.

It’s unclear how much Brazil, the host country, will take away in addition to its prize money, but it won’t be nearly as much as FIFA’s windfall and won’t come close to covering the estimated $14 billion in costs to build and renovate 12 stadiums, upgrade the country's infrastructure and pay for security.

And there’s probably not enough money in the world to make the country feel better about its last two games, which the Brazilians lost by a combined 10-1. ( sports.yahoo.com )

READ MORE - Germany will earn $35 million thanks to its World Cup championship

Italy a threat despite ageing players, mavericks

Italy a threat despite ageing players, mavericks - Italy's two most influential players have a combined age of over 70, their most prolific striker is battling injury, and other key players are prone to wild swings in temperament.

Meanwhile, an unproductive youth system is struggling to replenish the talent pool and, despite his best efforts to promote younger players, coach Cesare Prandelli, 56, could end up fielding a starting XI with an average age of around 30.

Italy's national soccer players line-up for a team photo before their World Cup Group B qualifying match against Denmark in Copenhagen October 11, 2013. REUTERS/Scanpix/Liselotte Sabroe

Domestic soccer is in seemingly perpetual decline, many stadiums are in a dilapidated state, match-fixing continues to raise its ugly head, and the world's top players have gone elsewhere.

Yet for all of Italian soccer's problems, the four-times world champions remain a World Cup threat, and there is a sneaking suspicion that Prandelli, one of the game's most likeable and eloquent coaches, will somehow come up with the right formula when it matters.

His first task is to steer them through a tough-looking first-round group against Uruguay, England and Costa Rica and make sure they do not suffer a repeat of their elimination at the first hurdle in South Africa in 2010, when they went home early following draws with Paraguay and New Zealand and a defeat to Slovakia.

In nearly four years since then, he has restored Italy's credibility and largely succeeded in removing the histrionics and negativity from their game.

Against the odds he led them to the final of Euro 2012 and they nearly upset Spain in the Confederations Cup semi-final last year before losing on penalties.

Helped by a code of ethics which he has applied implacably and led to Daniele De Rossi, Mario Balotelli and Dani Osvaldo being dropped at various stages, he has shown an uncanny knack for dealing with problem players.

Italy certainly have plenty of those. 

Balotelli, who seems almost certain to lead the attack, has managed to curb the worst excesses he showed at Manchester City since joining AC Milan just over one year ago, but is still prone to mood swings and often acts as if he is carrying the world on his shoulders.

Argentina-born Osvaldo, who scored four goals in the qualifiers, has left a trail of training ground rows and other controversies behind him in his turbulent career.

De Rossi, a superb all-round midfielder, also has a wild side which has earned him a hatful of red cards during his career for AS Roma and Italy.

OLD FAITHFULS 

Italy fielded 40 players in the World Cup qualifiers as Prandelli searched for some younger blood, yet his side in Brazil is likely to feature plenty of old faithfuls.

Gianluigi Buffon, 36, remains the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper and is set to play at his fourth World Cup while Andrea Pirlo, who will be 35, is still pulling the strings in midfield.

Pirlo, who like Buffon was in the 2006 World Cup-winning team, has helped Juventus dominate Serie A over the last three seasons and remains one of the world's great free-kick specialists.

Despite their age, both players would be welcome in almost any other national team.

Other regulars in the qualifying campaign, such as Andrea Barzagli, Giorgio Chiellini, Riccardo Montolivo and De Rossi, are all approaching or past their 30th birthdays.

Balotelli should lead the attack, although the second striker, if there is one, is one of many cards that Prandelli is keeping close to his chest.

Fiorentina's Giuseppe Rossi would be the obvious choice but the U.S.-born striker, who missed Euro 2012, is recovering from a new knee injury and may miss his second major tournament in a row.

He was Serie A's leading scorer with 14 goals and had been enjoying a superb comeback season until he was struck down again in January.

On the plus side, forwards Mattia Destro, Luca Toni, Ciro Immobile, Alberto Gilardino, Domenico Berardi and Alessio Cerci have all been scoring goals regularly this season, giving Prandelli plenty of alternatives should Balotelli and Osvaldo stray out of line.

Italy do not have a set formation but tend to tailor according to whom they are facing. They play a modern, dynamic game, with pressing and quick attacks. 

The youth system has shown some signs of life recently with the emergence of players such as midfielder Marco Verratti and Destro.

It could also be argued that the decline of Serie A is a blessing as it has given more chances for Italian players to play regular first-team soccer.

Italy emerged unbeaten from a tricky qualifying group which included Bulgaria, Denmark and Czech Republic.

They were also unbeaten in Euro 2012 qualifying and since Prandelli took over they have lost only two out of 31 competitive matches - the Euro 2012 final to Spain and a Confederations Cup group match against Brazil.

Prandelli has removed the chip from Italy's shoulder and has insisted there is no going back to the old ways of sitting back in defense and provoking the opposition.

For once, they may even have the neutrals on their side. ( Reuters )

READ MORE - Italy a threat despite ageing players, mavericks

Carles Puyol to leave Barcelona at end of season

Carles Puyol to leave Barcelona at end of season - Barcelona captain Carles Puyol announced on Tuesday that he will leave the club at the end of the season after a hugely successful 15-year career at the Camp Nou.

The 35-year-old, who did not reveal whether he will continue playing elsewhere, has been plagued by injuries over the last couple of seasons and has undergone three knee operations.

"At the end of the season I will leave FC Barcelona. The club are aware of this and we are in agreement," he said.

"We will rescind the final two years of my contract that were still to run."

Puyol signed a new deal with the club in January last year, but admitted in June that he would not stay if injuries continued to prevent him from playing a significant part on the field.

And having featured just 10 times this season in all competitions, he said it was time for a new challenge in a less physically demanding environment.

Barcelona's midfielder Carles Puyol poses prior to an announcement at the Sports Center FC Barcelona Joan Gamper in Sant Joan Despi, near Barcelona on March 4, 2014 (AFP Photo/Lluis Gene) 

"After the last two operations it has been difficult for me to recover the level I need to be able to continue here, more than I expected and more than surgeons said. That is why I have taken this decision."

- Next destination still unknown -

Puyol didn't reveal where he would go at the end of the current campaign and insisted he will give everything in what remains of the season to help Barca succeed on three fronts.

"I am not leaving today, there are still three months of the season remaining and those that know me know that I will not give up until the end. I will continue fighting to help the team improve and achieve our objectives this season.

"I don't know what I will do on June 30. What I do know is that I will need time to rest. I have had four years without a break due to the injuries. That is what I will do and then we will see."

Barcelona's midfielder Carles Puyol (R) leaves after an announcement at the Sports Center FC Barcelona Joan Gamper in Sant Joan Despi, near Barcelona on March 4, 2014 (AFP Photo/Lluis Gene) 

The announcement brings to an end an extraordinary career in the Barcelona first team that began in 1999. Puyol is the club's second most decorated player of all-time, behind only teammate Xavi Hernandez, having made 593 appearances.

After beginning his career as a right-back, Puyol was converted into one of the most successful centre-backs in world football over the past decade as he won three Champions Leagues and six La Liga titles with his boyhood club.

A number of Puyol's teammates past and present paid tribute to an historic figure in Spanish football.

"I will continue to enjoy being at your side until the end of this season. It has been an honour. I wish you the best for what is to come. There is no one like you captain," Andres Iniesta wrote on his official Facebook page.

"Thanks captain for all you have taught me. Good luck," Cesc Fabregas said in a tweet alongside a photo of the two of them just after Fabregas re-signed for the club in 2011.

Puyol was also a key part of the Spanish sides that won the European Championship in 2008 and the country's first World Cup in 2010, memorably heading home the goal that took his side to the final in South Africa with a 1-0 win over Germany.

"Carles is an example for everyone on and off the field," Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said on Tuesday.

In total he has represented Spain 100 times with his last appearance coming in a 3-1 friendly win over Uruguay in February 2013, making him one of only eight players to have won a century of caps with La Roja.

"He is a natural leader, a person that when you hear his name you think of Barcelona," added former Barca midfielder Thiago Alcantara, now of Bayern Munich.

"In the time I was there he was a reference on and off the pitch. Everyone knows him and whilst Puyol is in the world of football, he will be an example for everyone." (AFP)

READ MORE - Carles Puyol to leave Barcelona at end of season

Is Drogba or Eto'o the greatest African player of all time?

When Galatasaray and Chelsea take to the field at the Turk Telekom Arena on Wednesday night, there will be a lot more at stake than just a place in the Champions League quarterfinals.

Two unequivocal legends of the sport - Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto'o - will battle it out for individual bragging rights.

Two of the best forwards of their generation go head to head on Wednesday as Galatasaray host Chelsea. But who deserves to be remembered as their continent's finest? 

Africa has produced some magnificent players over the years, the likes of Rabah Madjer, Kalusha Bwalya, Roger Milla, Abedi Pele, George Weah, Jay-Jay Okocha, Yaya Toure and Michael Essien. But perhaps none of these icons have consistently reached the levels of brilliance that Drogba and Eto'o have while inspiring their sides to numerous major honors.

But who out of Drogba and Eto'o is the greatest African player of all time?

Goal's Paul Macdonald and Carlo Garganese go head-to-head over the issue …

"DROGBA HAD DEFENSES PSYCHOLOGICALLY BEATEN" 

By Paul Macdonald

To judge a player like Didier Drogba merely on statistics is to utterly miss the point of why Chelsea was so successful with him as the fulcrum of the club's attack. Discounting that, at his peak, he was one of the most fearsome strikers of the modern era (with a wholly impressive strike rate of just under 1 in 2 over eight seasons at Stamford Bridge), it's more the psychological impact of facing down a sheer brute that made many defenses fold before battle had commenced. 

Arsenal was such a routine scalp by the end of his spell in London that the Gunners' inability to shackle him had almost become accepted by all, including Arsene Wenger. He was a force of nature. He intimidated and exasperated opponents in equal measure, but with the physicality came exemplary poise and a devastating finishing power that few defenders ever truly overcame.

Also Samuel Eto'o doesn't monopolize the big mentality. Drogba featured in nine major cup finals for Chelsea. He scored in eight of them. And that's before we delve deeper into semifinal performances where he again starred (Barcelona and Tottenham in 2012 are particular examples). Calling him 'unplayable', as Jose Mourinho, Frank Lampard and others regularly have, still seems to be the only appropriate adjective.

At international level, Eto'o has been so clearly indifferent to his Cameroon captaincy that infighting and dissidence have defined his tenure. Drogba, however, values playing for his country, scoring goals, and continues to do so with distinction. His career with Ivory Coast, though fraught with disappointment, has propelled a nation to prominence. Eto'o's Cameroon meanwhile has regressed in relevance to pre-1990 levels. 

Figures and trophy hauls cannot completely contextualize this comparison. Years from now goal stats may be used to sway the argument in Eto'o's favor, but there's no numerical value for personality, no percentage ratio to define influence. He was, is, an ambassador for African football, and his legacy in his homeland and beyond will resonate for years to come.

Follow Paul Macdonald on  : https://twitter.com/PaulMacdGoal

By Carlo Garganese

In almost every category that you compare Samuel Eto’o and Didier Drogba, the Cameroonian comes out on top. 

Eto’o has won more trophies and has captured three Champions League crowns with two different clubs. Drogba has lifted the one European Cup. Eto’o is also on course to become the first person in history to win all of Europe’s three most prestigious championships; the Premier League, Serie A and La Liga.

Internationally, Eto’o has bagged two Africa Cup of Nations and an Olympic title. Despite being a key member of the Ivory Coast ‘Golden Generation’, together with the Toure brothers, Drogba is trophyless with The Elephants.

Eto’o has played a decisive role in all of his team's triumphs and has proven throughout his career to be a player for the big occasion. He has found the back of the net in so many showpiece games that it is impossible to list all of them. The highlights include scoring in two Champions League finals, the Gold medal match at the 2000 Summer Olympics, an AFCON decider, as well as for Mallorca and Inter respectively in the finals of the Copa del Rey and Coppa Italia. 

Technically, physically and tactically, Eto’o has shown himself to be far more adaptable and complete than Drogba. In addition to proving himself in Spain, Italy and England, the 32-year-old has shone in many different systems – in a trident, a two-man attack, as a lone front man, a support striker and even as a left winger for Jose Mourinho’s Inter treble winner. Drogba lacks this tactical flexibility and has always needed to be the physical target man, usually as the only striker.

Drogba’s longevity in the sport also pales in comparison. The Ivorian was a late bloomer and didn’t emerge at Marseille until he was nearly 26. Eto’o has been a star for the best part of 15 years and debuted for Cameroon way back in 1997 as a 15-year-old.

It is no coincidence that he has been named African Player of the Year on a record four occasions, double the number of Drogba triumphs. This is the final proof that Samuel Eto’o is the greatest African of all time. ( goal.com )

Follow Carlo Garganese on : https://twitter.com/PaulMacdGoal

"DROGBA V ETO'O - STATS FROM 2004-05 UNTIL 2012-13" 

READ MORE - Is Drogba or Eto'o the greatest African player of all time?

Vince McMahon, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Vice

Vince McMahon, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Vice - There are always a lot of dumb rumors going around that media outlets are all too eager to spread and that people are all too willing to believe. So as a public service, we here at DT bring you the reality check that will keep you from looking like a gullible Guti. 

WWE chairman Vince McMahon interested in buying Newcastle! (A website no one's ever heard of) — What's not to believe about a report on a random website citing an anonymous source? For starters, it makes no mention of this rumor being around since 2011 and the fact that the Guardian debunked it last month. 

Cristiano Ronaldo with Detective Sonny Crockett. (Getty)

David Beckham might name his MLS team "Miami Vice"! Like the TV show! And the less popular Colin Farrell movie! (Palm Beach Post) — This is one even I want to believe because it would be wonderful, but NBC Universal, which owns the rights to the show and film, would probably sue the David Beckham brand underpants off of MLS if they tried this. Plus Beckham's publicist, Simon Oliveira, already denied it and basically said you're stupid if you ever believed it. 

David Beckham wants to sign Cristiano Ronaldo for the Miami Vice in 2017! (The Sun) — I'm sure he also wants to sign Lionel Messi, all of Bayern Munich and 1958 Pele. You know, like every other football club owner on the planet. But the man doesn't even know the name of his club, when they will start playing or where they will do it, so signing Ronaldo or a reanimated George Best in three years is pretty far down the list of priorities. 

Mario Balotelli to Arsenal! With the help of Puma! (Daily Express/Metro) — Rumors of sportswear companies engineering megadeals to bring their sponsored athletes and their sponsored clubs together pop up from time to time. This one was inevitable since Arsenal and Balotelli both signed with Puma very recently, but if these things happened, Nike's biggest footballer (Cristiano Ronaldo) wouldn't be playing for Adidas' Real Madrid and Adidas' biggest footballer (Lionel Messi) wouldn't be playing for Nike's Barcelona. 

So that's the Puma angle out. But what about Mario to Arsenal anyway? Well, he can't stop saying how happy he is to play for Milan "especially in difficult moments" and he also says the only thing he misses about England is Man City fans. He's probably not going to Arsenal (or any other English club) then. 

David Moyes resigns himself to just winning the Champions League this season! (Dirty Tackle) — False. Moyes actually still believes Man United can win the FA Cup even though they were knocked out way back in the third round. Being optimistic helps limit the Sir Alex Ferguson night terrors to just the hours he's asleep. ( yahoo.com )

READ MORE - Vince McMahon, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Vice

Pellegrini turns on ref as City lose to Barca in Champions League

Pellegrini turns on ref as City lose to Barca in Champions League - Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini risks a UEFA sanction after launching a scathing attack on the match referee after his side's 2-0 loss to Barcelona in the Champions League.

Barcelona took charge of the last 16 tie thanks to a second-half penalty from Lionel Messi and a late Dani Alves strike at the Etihad Stadium in Tuesday's first leg, and Pellegrini blamed match official Jonas Eriksson for his side's defeat.

In a wide-ranging attack, Pellegrini accused Eriksson of making two mistakes over the penalty decision and even questioned why a Swedish official had been given control of the game.

He also said that Eriksson should not have been in charge because he had been criticised by Barcelona following his performance in their 0-0 draw at AC Milan in the quarter-finals of the 2011-12 competition.

Eriksson sent off City defender Martin Demichelis for bringing down Messi in the incident that yielded the 54th-minute penalty and Pellegrini said: "I think that the referee decided the game.

"Before the penalty there was the foul on (Jesus) Navas, when he (Eriksson) was three metres from the player, so he saw it without any problem.

Manchester City's Belgian defender Vincent Kompany (2nd R) reacts after Barcelona's goalkeeper Victor Valdes makes a save near his line at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on February 18, 2014 (AFP Photo/Paul Ellis)

"From the beginning I felt that the referee was not impartial to both teams. The penalty on Martin Demichelis was not a penalty -- it was outside the box."

Asked why he had spoken to Eriksson at the final whistle, Pellegrini replied: "Just to tell him that he had decided the game. He must be very happy, because he decided the game."

The Chilean added: "He didn't have any control of the game. He decided for Barcelona from the beginning until the end.

"I think it was not a good idea to put a referee from Sweden in such an important match and a referee that made such important mistakes against Barcelona (in an earlier match)."

When he was asked to explain his reservations about Eriksson's nationality, Pellegrini said: "I think there are more important football (nations) than Sweden in Europe.

Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring from a penalty kick at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, on February 18, 2014 (AFP Photo/Paul Ellis)

"It was a big game with two important teams. I think maybe in that kind of game, you need a referee with more experience.

"I think the best (biggest) mistake was to put a referee that damaged Barcelona in the stage of group (sic).

"This referee whistled the Barcelona-Milan game and he made an important error against Barcelona. Today he arranged (atoned for it)."

With Pellegrini preoccupied by his gripes about Eriksson's performance, it was left to captain Vincent Kompany to vow that City had not given up on the tie.

"If the tempo was in this game, it would have been to our advantage," he told ITV.

Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi's successfully takes a penalty kick at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on February 18, 2014 (AFP Photo/Paul Ellis)

"If the game is the same as today, and we manage to stay away from some fouls, we have got a chance."

Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino felt that the outcome of the game was "fair", but he warned against complacency ahead of the second leg at Camp Nou on March 12.

"I'm not necessarily confident (about going through), but it's true that we've done a good game in the away leg," he said.

"We just have to repeat the same performance."

Media focus prior to the game had centred on the extent to which Barcelona have lost their mantle in the light of their 7-0 demolition by eventual champions Bayern Munich in last season's semi-finals.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho described Martino's side "as the worst Barcelona of many, many years" and Barca midfielder Cesc Fabregas said that he and his team-mates were pleased to have silenced their critics.

"We had a point to prove, and we did it very well," he told ITV.

"Some people were talking a bit too much before the game and now they have to shut up for a few days." (AFP)

READ MORE - Pellegrini turns on ref as City lose to Barca in Champions League

Balotelli caught smoking on train to Fiorentina match

Balotelli caught smoking on train to Fiorentina match - AC Milan is set to fine Mario Balotelli after the striker was caught smoking in a train toilet on Saturday en route to Florence for the club's clash with Fiorentina on Sunday morning.

The striker has been hitting the headlines for all the right reasons since moving from Manchester City at the end of January and has scored seven goals in as many Serie A games; however, several reports in Italy said the club was ready to crack down on the 22-year-old after a conductor caught him red-handed smoking on the train this weekend, which is prohibited by Italian law.

Balotelli caught smoking on train to Fiorentina match

Milan vice president Adriano Galliani was also on the train and had initially been having fun during the journey, trying on a hat belonging to one of the guards and joking with members of the squad. That was until he was told of Balotelli's indiscretion by the train's most senior guard, who, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, said, "Maybe you have to pull Balotelli's ears, because he was smoking in the toilet."

As a result, Galliani informed the teenage winger M'Baye Niang, who was in the group of players he was with, to tell to his teammate that he would be fined. He then rang the player's agent Mino Raiola to report his client.

The Rossoneri squad was taking the Frecciarossa service ahead of its clash with the fourth-placed Viola with the chance to extend the gap between the top three to nine points with a win or see it crumble to three points with a loss.

Despite the incident, Balotelli was selected to lead the line from the start for Massimiliano Allegri's men.

Balotelli was regularly snapped by photographers with a cigarette in hand during his two-and-a-half year spell with Roberto Mancini's men - a pastime that is frowned upon by many coaches for obvious health reasons.

Balotelli was in the headlines more often for his mischief and disobedience than his goalscoring during his time in England, which played a part in the Premier League champions selling the striker on deadline day in January.
 

Goal.com

READ MORE - Balotelli caught smoking on train to Fiorentina match

Barcelona says injured Messi to miss league game

Barcelona says injured Messi to miss league game -- Lionel Messi will miss Barcelona's Spanish league match this weekend because of a hamstring injury, but may play in the Champions League return leg against Paris Saint-Germain.

Messi was substituted at halftime of Tuesday's 2-2 draw against PSG in Paris, having scored the first goal of the game before injuring his right leg.

Barcelona said Messi will definitely miss Saturday's game against Mallorca and ''his availability after that will depend on how the injury progresses.''

Fellow Argentina player Javier Mascherano ruptured a right knee ligament Tuesday after teammate Jordi Alba fell on top of his leg late in the second half. Barcelona said he was expected to be sidelined for an ''estimated six weeks.''

 

View PhotoBarcelona's Lionel Messi, center, escales Paris Saint Germain's Ezequiel Lavezzi, left, and Alex, during their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first …

 

View PhotoBarcelona's Lionel Messi scores the opening goal while Paris Saint Germain's goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu of Italy looks on during their Champions League … 

''I will return soon, thankfully it was not so serious,'' Messi said on his Facebook page. ''We are so sorry for Masche (Mascherano), we will give our support.''

Messi suffered a similar injury to his current one in March 2008 against Celtic in the Champions League quarterfinals, and was then sidelined for five weeks. // The Associated Press

READ MORE - Barcelona says injured Messi to miss league game

Conte lets rip as Juve crash out to Bayern

Conte lets rip as Juve crash out to Bayern - Juventus coach Antonio Conte has called on Italian football to get its house in order or risk becoming a lost giant of European football, following their quarter-final exit from the Champions League to Bayern Munich on Wednesday. 

Juve were outclassed during a 2-0 first leg defeat to the newly-crowned German champions last week in Munich and despite a far better performance in Turin on Wednesday the hosts fell to another 2-0 reverse. 

Conte, a former midfielder with the two-time European champions before leading the club to their 28th Scudetto in his first season in charge last year, said Tuesday there was a huge gap between his side and big-spending Bayern. 

Bayern Munich's Mario Mandzukic (L) and Giorgio Chiellini of Juventus fight during their Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match at the Juventus stadium in Turin April 10, 2013. 

After second-half goals from Mario Mandzukic and Claudio Pizarro sealed the Bundesliga side's place in the semis for the third time in four years, the 43-year-old Conte took aim at Italian football in general. 

He said it is time for Italy's clubs to start generating the finance needed to compete on a level playing field with the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern and Manchester United. 

If not, Juve could go the way of one of European football's strongest sides in the 1970s, Dutch giants Ajax, who have struggled to get back to Europe's top table in the past two decades. 

"Given that two years ago we weren't even in the Europa League I have to congratulate my players for getting this far," said Conte. 

"They've worked really hard to make a mark in this competition over the past two years. 

"They (Bayern) were simply stronger than us and we can only congratulate them. When you're playing against one of the strongest teams in Europe it becomes difficult for everyone. 

"But playing Bayern was a good opportunity to see where exactly we are compared to the big boys in Europe. Where are we, what's missing and how do we remedy it? 

"We have to look elsewhere, to Spain, to England and to Germany to see what lessons we can learn. 

"But if you have the money, you can buy (players) and win. Otherwise, it takes a lot of patience. 

"The way things are right now, I don't see any Italian teams winning the Champions League for the next several years." 

Inter Milan in 2010 were the last Italian team to win the Champions League but since then no Serie A side has made the final four of Europe's premier club competition. 

Although Juventus are considered one of the continent's bigger clubs, their comparative lack of spending power does little to draw the world's top players. 

Juve have repeatedly declared they cannot splash out 30 million euros on one player, but for the club's director general Beppe Marotta, Bayern's massive spending power has proved key. 

"We were dominated last week at Bayern and this week we lost again, but not just on the pitch -- in terms of finance as well," said Marotta, underlining the fact Bayern, champions four times, were beaten finalists in 2010 and 2012. 

"They have played two finals in the space of three years. Don't forget that Bayern have a turnover that is not only twice that of Juve, but also Milan and Inter Milan." 

Conte said he will now concentrate on "defending our league crown", but he called on Italian football -- which has been rocked by match-fixing, drugs and sports betting scandal over the years -- to take a look in the mirror, or fall further behind. 

"Look at Ajax. They were huge before, now they're nowhere in Europe," he added. 

Conte, who earlier this season served a four-month touchline ban for his alleged role in a match-fixing affair while at his former club, Siena, added: "In Italy, people are more interested in following futile stories than looking at how we can go about improving the state of our football. 

"They ask useless questions about the referee or this or that. The answer is, we have to work hard and try to take our football to a new level and to do that we have to increase the budget that's available to us." // AFP News

READ MORE - Conte lets rip as Juve crash out to Bayern

Cat Zingano's wild 'vacation' in Thailand shows her eagerness to face, conquer fears

Cat Zingano's wild 'vacation' in Thailand shows her eagerness to face, conquer fears – Some people go on vacation and visit historic sights or play a few rounds of golf. For her vacation, though, Cat Zingano traveled halfway around the world to learn a bit of Muay Thai boxing in the country where it originated and, despite zero experience, wound up taking a pro fight. 

On Saturday, she'll face Miesha Tate on the main card of "The Ultimate Fighter Finale," with an opportunity to coach opposite UFC women's champion Ronda Rousey in the next season of TUF going to the winner. 

Cat Zingano clinches during a professional Muay Thai fight in Thailand. (Credit: ZinganoBJJ.com)

The Mandalay Bay Events Center, where Zingano will meet Tate in the most important bout of her fighting career, is thousands of miles away and light years removed from the tiny, filthy gym in Thailand where Zingano unexpectedly took a professional Muay Thai fight last year. 

Zingano, her husband, Maurice, and their son, Brayden, went to Thailand for vacation last summer. An All-American wrestler at Cumberland College and MacMurray College, Cat Zingano was going to teach a seminar on takedowns in jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts. 

Cat Zingano plays with her son, Brayden, during a seminar. (Courtesy: ZinganoBJJ.com)

She and her husband, a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, were given coupons for Muay Thai classes, which she eagerly snapped up. 

"It was such a great opportunity, to learn Muay Thai in Thailand," she said. "I thought it would be so neat to see the whole ambiance of it. My husband, he was more into the vacation part of it. He was there to relax and have fun. But I had to take advantage of being in Muay Thai and learning about it there." 

It wasn't like she went down to the local 24 Hour Fitness and took a class, though. She immersed herself into the training so deeply that her coach urged her to take a pro fight before she returned home. The surroundings should have told her this would not be the kind of fight she was used to taking, but Zingano is nothing if not adventurous. 

She took the bout and now has a story for years to come. 

Her coach was smoking and drinking a beer as he wrapped her hands and prepared her for the fight. The dressing room was filled with bloodstains on the wall and looked like it had never been cleaned. The odor was nauseating. 

"I'll bet if someone got murdered in there, you'd never find out who did it," she said, chuckling. "It was pretty gnarly. I didn't take off my sandals for the warm-up because of the floor. There was cigarettes all over and spit and blood and who knows what else. It smelled awful." 

It would have been one thing for a professional Muay Thai fighter to be in those surroundings, preparing to fight. Zingano, though, was on vacation with her family and had as much experience fighting Muay Thai as the barista at the local Starbucks. 

The ring and the ropes were similarly filthy. She wound up with a Staph infection in her armpit after putting her arm over the rope during the fight. 

Cat Zingano wrestles with a training partner. (Courtesy: ZinganoBJJ.com) 

"At some point, I went for an elbow on her and the rope ended up under my arm pit," Zingano said. "We continued to fight, but it turns out a couple of days later, I wound up with this gnarly Staph infection in my armpit and I had to go to all these different pharmacies to try to figure out how to get rid of it. 

"It took two weeks to get rid of it. I can't imagine how much DNA was on that rope. They didn't wipe it down between fights and I'm sure they didn't at the end of the night. It was pretty disgusting." 

Given that she got through that experience – with a knockout win via a knee to the head – she's unlikely to be fazed by the lofty stakes in her UFC debut. In Tate, she's meeting the UFC's second-most famous fighter with the TUF coaching gig and a title shot against Rousey on the line. 

UFC president Dana White frequently speaks of the jitters fighters face before their UFC debuts, but if Zingano didn't get rattled fighting Muay Thai in Thailand with no experience, it's a pretty good bet that she'll be relaxed as she climbs into the Octagon to fight Tate. 

"My background is in jiu-jitsu and wrestling, so to go to a situation [in Thailand] where I wasn't comfortable and I hadn't had years of training, it helped me to conquer my fears," she said. "I was in a situation where I had to stand up the entire fight, and that's not what I had done at that point. I had to throw heavy leather. I needed to learn to improvise, because I knew if I got tired, I couldn't go to the ground, which had been my comfort zone. 

"I forced myself to do that and, as a result, I increased my faith in my capabilities as a fighter," she said. "Now I know, if someone takes all these things I'm comfortable with [as a fighter] and that I like about my style away from me, I know I can still succeed. I proved that to myself under the most difficult circumstances imaginable." 

Zingano has great respect for Tate and what she's accomplished as a fighter, but the one thing she is certain of is that she won't be awed by Tate's skills. 

Though it's her UFC debut, nothing will be shocking for Zingano after what she went through in Thailand. 

"I'm going to go out and be myself and be aggressive and have fun and do what I do," she said. "If I had any doubts, I know from [Thailand] that I have the heart. I'm really looking forward to the experience."

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Manchester United's achievement has been devalued by their own relentless brilliance

Manchester United's achievement has been devalued by their own relentless brilliance - The ease with which Manchester United are romping to the Premier League title has devalued the achievement in the eyes of many observers.

As the theory goes, how can the champions elect be regarded as outstanding when the competition has been so sub-standard? Especially when they can lose at home to their principal title rivals in Spring and still peer down from a great height to the runners-up spot 12 points below.

From the outside, the path to United’s 13th Premier League coronation, and 20th in total, has been a stress-free stroll.

CITY WIN THE BATTLE...

52' Milner opens the scoring 59' Kompany nets unfortunate OG 78' Aguero scores fantastic winner

...UNITED WINNING THE WAR
		PD	W	D	L	GD	PTS
	Man.Utd	31	25	2	4	38	77
	Man.City	31	19	8	4	30	65

There have been no crises, no wobbles to provide encouragement for others, no need, even, for mind games. Just, the odd isolated defeat and an absence of any doubt about the final outcome.

The equation is thus: United can only be denied the title if Manchester City win their seven remaining league games and Sir Alex Ferguson’s team accrue their worst seven-game points haul for eight years. No bookmaker in the land would give you remotely generous odds on that dual possibility.

Yet, like Barcelona in the Spanish top tier and Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, United appear to be suffering from their own relentless brilliance.

The two clubs widely believed to be their closest challengers before a ball was kicked this season have provided inadequate competition. Given their resources, City have mounted a feeble title defence, while it soon became apparent that Chelsea’s campaign of poisonous upheaval would be garlanded by a cup triumph at best.

Of the other heavy and super-middle weights, Tottenham and Everton have punched above their division, Arsenal and Liverpool marginally below theirs, but, then, few had predicted beforehand that this aristocratic quartet would be vying for anything other than the final Champions League place.

United have simply been too good, too often, for everyone. A haul of 77 points from 31 matches has blown away all-comers with the kind of force not seen since the first of Jose Mourinho’s two title-winning Chelsea sides in 2004-05.

Even after conceding three derby-day points, the table shows that Sir Alex’s 2012-13 collective are as much of a juggernaut as Chelsea were back in the day when Mourinho was wearing a grey overcoat. United lack the steel of a statistically outstanding defence but their strength in depth, most notably in the forward areas, is deserving of the manager’s observation that this is the best-equipped squad he has managed.

It is hard to imagine a forward of Javier Hernandez’s match-winning calibre starting fewer than his six league matches this season at any other club in Europe. And that includes Barcelona.

One of Sir Alex’s greatest skills is his squad management over the course of a 38-match campaign. He is the king of the rotators, adapting his team for each opponent and occasion.

This ‘horses for courses’ policy has been a regular feature of United’s league triumphs from the mid-noughties onwards but it has been even more marked this season.

Only six members of the squad have started more than 20 of United’s 31 league fixtures - Robin van Persie (26), Michael Carrick (26), Patrice Evra (28), David de Gea (21), Rafael (23) and Rio Ferdinand (22).

By comparison, nine Chelsea (Gary Cahill, Petr Cech, Ashley Cole, Eden Hazard, Branislav Ivanovic, David Luiz, Juan Mata, Ramires and Fernando Torres) and seven City players (Gareth Barry, Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany, David Silva, Carlos Tevez, Yaya Toure and Pablo Zabaleta) have started 20-plus top-tier fixtures.

By this yardstick, Liverpool (nine), Tottenham (eight) and Everton (eight) have all been more consistent in team selection. Only Arsenal match United’s total of six regulars, although the Gunners have five other players who have started 18 or 19 league games, a statistic United do not come close to.

Perhaps United’s greatest strength is their all-round fortitude. They are not overly burdened by an injury, or loss of form, to a single player.

Nemanja Vidic remains the club captain but he has started less than half of the league matches and will be far down the list in most observers’ assessments of the key components of the impending title triumph.

Robin van Persie was sensational before Christmas but he has flickered only intermittently since and his impact over the course of the season does not match, say, Cristiano Ronaldo in 2007-08.

Furthermore, Wayne Rooney’s latest mediocre display in a marquee match demonstrates that individual brilliance has been a secondary factor in assembling what is surely an impenetrable lead.

This season’s goals record is not too shabby. A Premier League-record haul of 96 or above remains within reach.

Yet it is unlikely that history will judge United’s 2012-13 team as favourably as the Ronaldo-inspired 2007-09 teams, the treble winners of 1999 and their immediate successors, or the early Sir Alex collectives which can still make the Govan godfather go all misty-eyed.

The 13th of his title winners remain on course to overhaul the 90-point finish of Arsenal’s 2003-04 ‘Invincibles’ but they do not possess the artistry of the high water-mark of the Arsene Wenger era.

Most United followers fondly recall the main personnel in of each of the title-winning seasons. The best XI almost always picked itself. The back five was usually rooted in cement. Edwin van der Sar behind Gary Neville, Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra. Or, Peter Schmeichel barking out orders to Paul Parker, Steve Bruce, Gary Pallister and Denis Irwin.

Not this season. David De Gea featured in his34th match of the season against City. He has played behind 22 different back-four combinations. That is a revealing statistic.

It is difficult to argue that this is a great United team, especially after twin failures in the latter stages of the Champions League and FA Cup.

But this is a cutting-edge squad perfectly equipped for 21st century version of a league campaign. That is where their greatness lies.

All that’s left to nail down the legacy is to hoover up a league title. ( Goal.com )

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