december fixtures begin! (EPL heavy, sorry)

[jazzypom.livejournal.com]

OP note: in the PL calendar, December fixtures are seen as the make or break time for the title. Unlike Germany (where you get December off) or Spain (Christmas week off) the PL matches go through December, and that's when even the most sure title challengers start to look shaky and the calendar congested. This is where the real competition begins. Right, on with the post.

Mario Balotelli: Liverpool striker sorry for Instagram post

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli has apologised for a post on social media which appeared to contain anti-Semitic and racist references.
Balotelli, 24, quickly deleted the post from his Instagram page of Nintendo computer game character Super Mario.
The Italian had tweeted to deny the text of the post was offensive before his apology.
The Football Association is to investigate the post, while Liverpool say they will speak to Balotelli.
The picture posted by the Italian striker had an image of 'Super Mario' with the heading 'Dont be a racist!'.
The text read: 'Be like Mario, he's an Italian plumber, created by Japanese people, who speaks English and looks like a Mexican'.
It finished with the lines: 'He jumps like a black man and grabs coins like a Jew'.
Responding to criticism on Twitter, Balotelli then tweeted: "My [adopted]Mom is Jewish so all of you shut up please." read more here
I just... Balo, why?

Podolski wants to end his career at Köln

A cry for help?
1. FC Köln: World Champion Lukas Podolski is planning to end his career again a return to FC. "I can imagine in the next few years a change to 1. FC Köln quite well. I hang still at the club and will again hear the FC anthem and feel the feeling when I go up the stairs with the number 10 "the 29-year-old told the sports news channel Sky Sport News HD at the edge of Benfiztermins in the cathedral city. ".. I did not say come hell that I want to leave Arsenal I feel in the city and the club very well, but of course I want to play," Podolski said again and added once more: "If anything comes and you talk to the club and the coach, then we'll see. " The 29-year-old offensive player was active for the Billy Goats From 2003 until 2006 and from 2009 to 2012 and has witnessed three descents (2004, 2006 and 2012).article
in German. Ja

Xmas fixtures upset Van Gaal

LvG face is upsetting at this time of day, so putting in alleged match fixer participant Herrera instead
The Dutchman is sad that he will not get to see his loved ones much during the festive season because of the English game's traditional heavy schedule, but also feels the programme - which could include four games in nine days - places an unfair burden on players.

But the veteran former Ajax, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Netherlands coach is willing to adapt to pursue his ambitions with United.

The 63-year-old said: "I am not happy - but I cannot change it - because I don't think it is good for the players that they play within two days of a (previous) match - two matches in two days.

"In December it shall be like that. We also have family. I have a wife and kids, and grandchildren, and I cannot see them this Christmas.

"But I want to work in the Premier League, so I have to adapt, and I shall adapt. But I don't think it is good. It is not good for the players, nor for the family." more
I don't get this. LvG's been hankering after a job in the PL for close to a decade, and he didn't realise that we played through until Christmas?


chatter from the side lines

• Bayer Munich wants to extend Pep Guardiola's contract it's golden handcuffs time


• Liverpool wants Gerrard to stay - offering him a new contract with coaching responsibilitiesmore here


• Come on Lampard let me know - will you stay or will you go? here


• Thierry Henry has left the MLS say goodbye


• "Not so fast, Jose!" Pelligrini tells Mourinho not to start planning for new silverware as yet it's on now


• FIFA's shortlist for coaches this year: Simeone, Löw and Ancelotti I hope Simeone gets it, tbh but it might be Löw


• Manchester United news: Louis van Gaal weighing up January move for Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin Atlético Madrid getting plundered again


• Malky Mackay and Iain Moody hit by new race claims after former Cardiff employee Alisher Apsalyamov submits complaint to FA over alleged 'Chemical Ali' nickname the FA has its work cut out today


• Stan Collymore criticised for 'diving fairies' jibe after Sergio Aguero's yellow card against Southampton I missed this one

Social Media

Balotelli's apology. Too late, the FA is getting involved. For those asking why the FA's 'making a mountain of a molehill', the incident has been reported to the FA by an aggrieved party, so they have to investigate (as per their protocols)

Balotelli's tweet

The tweet in question

FIFA's finalists for the Balon D'Or. I hope Neuer wins it just to shut the Messi vs Ronaldo fan boys up- and this is coming from someone who dislikes both BM and die Mannschaft

Pepe Reina back in training for Bayern Munich


pic spam

Thanks for the memories Arsene, now it's time to say goodbye, the banner says. Dang, harsh


Hey, doesn't Dave de Gea look like the actor who plays Charlie from 'Brothers and Sisters'?


de Gea got Manchester United's player of the month. Again.


2014 has been James' year


Angel is out injured, Falcao might start today


West Brom has been on a tear lately


I can never find good pics of Leicester City players, so have a fox instead


D. Agger, we miss you. I need a moment.


Audi sponsors Real Madrid AND Barcelona? That's one way of doing it


Real Madrid players at some Audi event.


Sergio Aguero named Player of the Year by The Football Supporters' Federation

Comments

[the4thjuliek.livejournal.com]

You know who de Gea has reminded me of lately? W.B. Yeats.

I mean, do you see it?



And old W.B. Yeats looks like Tom Wilkinson, wut?

I miss Dagger so much :(

Falcao has recovered fully?

[eva]

Ah, looks like I'll take more of an interest in English football the next while. Nice that something is still being played.

And I think the next weeks are going to be hilarious for other reasons:

Magisches Jahr: @Manuel_Neuer in Bildern. #BallondOr #SUPERMANU http://t.co/TiJTMXhKtj pic.twitter.com/gz2aYfZv3T

— BUNDESLIGA (@bundesliga_de) 2. Dezember 2014

FTR, I'm really not invested in this much. I think Neuer would deserve a win, I'd be surprised if he did win, and I suspect he can just look at his World Cup medal instead (not sure why I can feel sorry for Messi but not Ronaldo about that one). In any case, I'm looking forward to all the drama and videos and photos we are going to see until they award the thing. I don't frequent ONTD, but I gather it's a lot more dramatic there than here?

[marsyke.livejournal.com]

I think that the christmas period is too fixture heavy. Not ideal for the players.  It definitely benefits the bigger teams with largers squads.

Oh balotelli, you simply do not help yourself. He should have known that people would be offended. Even if he apparentely found it okay.

[mrscrapbag.livejournal.com]

Oh, Mario. smh

'So all of u shut up please'

[jesscp.livejournal.com]

Oh Balo you never fail to make me laugh.. Next person to piss me off today is gonna get the 'shut up please' treatment. Just when we thought the Balo drama was dying down, he goes and fucks it all up again. I really like him but Jesus christ that boy needs a filter, especially with everyone being so precious and PC about everything right now.


LvG can fuck right off as well, I'm sure he has enough money to pay for his entire family to spend Xmas in Manchester! He really rubs me up the wrong way, ugh.

Ramos for the first time ever doesn't look like a fashion reject, is that Casillas on the other bike with yellow shoes, blue jeans and red jacket?!

[ananasonastick.livejournal.com]

God, I'm on my phone and there are 3 posts here? Smh.

Anyway, I'm happy for David and I won't comment about Arsenal :)

always relevant when it comes to Balo ...

[mundodeamor.livejournal.com]

*sigh*

He needs to stop being so impulsive when it comes to talking/posting - when you're famous (and on top of that a popular media target), you need to think twice before saying or (re)posting something.

[lady-teazle.livejournal.com]

I miss Agger too, bless his rugged self and amazing tattoos. He really loves Liverpool, which I admire.

Glad to see Madrid is cheaping out this year and giving their players exercise bicycles instead of Audis or Benzes. :D

Thank you dear OP, for topping the page with Lukas' torso. Hubba hubba. Arsene, he was doing great last year, so why not, you know, actually let the man play? I don't want to see him back at Koeln or off in Russia just yet. :(

[meliadoul.livejournal.com]

I knew it was going to be that picture Balo posted.

Why did the think posting that was a good idea?

[connorblond.livejournal.com]

Ah - Sky is showing the Liverpool match here!

[blackjedii.livejournal.com]

jfc that damn meme again I hate that Super Mario thing. it routinely makes the rounds on Tumblr and is just begging for someone to use it to destroy what little reputation they have.