Football news

After tapping Polish-origin players from Germany and France to freshen up their squad, Euro 2012 hosts Poland could turn to Brazilian Thiago Cionek.

“Right now, he’s one of the best defenders in the league,” said Michal Probierz, manager of Jagiellonia Bialystok, who signed Cionek in 2008 from Brazil’s third division.

“Would he be useful for the national team? From where I’m standing, it’s a yes,” Probierz told the daily Fakt, acknowledging that the final decision lay with Poland manager Franciszek Smuda.

Cionek, 24, has already applied for citizenship, which his Polish ancestry makes easier to obtain.

Werder ‘freeze’ flops’ salaries

Underperforming players at Werder Bremen received only half of their salary for September.

Fifty per cent of their pay has been “frozen”, according to Bild, after the club slipped to 13th place in Germany’s top flight, with only two wins from seven, 13 points behind surprise pace-setters Mainz.

The club, based in northern Germany, has struggled to recover from the sale of playmaker Mesut Ozil to Real Madrid and has been beset by injury difficulties, especially to defenders.

They have suffered heavy losses in the league, losing 4-1 to Hoffenheim and Hanover.

Huntelaar savours ‘best game’

Holland’s Klaas Jan Huntelaar described his performance against Sweden as his best in international football after scoring twice in the 4-1 victory on Tuesday. The Schalke striker found the target in each half as the Oranje dominated their opponents in Amsterdam.

Ibrahim Afellay also added a brace, with the win maintaining Holland’s 100% record in Euro 2012 qualifying Group E.

And Huntelaar, who has already notched eight goals in qualifying, believes the team could not have played much better against the Scandinavians.

“This was a very good match. We put on a great show,” he said.

“We were perfect. I think this was the best game I’ve ever played for Holland.”

Xavi set to miss Valencia clash

Barcelona midfielder Xavi has been advised to miss this weekend’s clash with league leaders Valencia as he continues his recovery from Achilles tendon troubles.

The 30-year-old, who was left out of Spain squad for the qualifiers against Lithuania and Scotland due to the problem, had been hoping to be fit for the visit of Los Che to the Nou Camp on Saturday.

However, Ramon Cugat, the specialist who has been treating Xavi, said: “Xavi is getting better so that one side does not have any pain and the other still has a little bit.

“He wants to play on Saturday, but I have told him he has to wait a bit because he still has trouble on the other side. It is too early for him to play.”

Stuttgart sack Gross after dire start

Stuttgart said yesterday they had released former Spurs coach Christian Gross with immediate effect after a poor start to the season that sees them bottom of the table with three points.

“After a detailed analysis of the playing situation, Christian Gross has been released from his duty as head coach of Stuttgart with immediate effect,” the club said.

“Jens Keller will take over the running of the team immediately,” it added.

The 56-year-old Swiss was named last June as a replacement for sacked coach Markus Babbel, signing a two-year contract.

Stuttgart have suffered a horror start to the new season, taking only one win from seven games.

No regrets for ‘Scottish’ Bardsley

Phil Bardsley insists he has no regrets about switching allegiance to Scotland after making what was almost a dream debut against world champions Spain at Hampden on Tuesday.

The England-born full-back qualifies through his Glaswegian father and had previously rejected Scotland’s advances before winning his first call-up last week.

That means there is no way back for the Sunderland defender but he said: “I don’t have one regret whatsoever. I’m fully Scottish now and I’m here for as long as the manager of the national team picks me.

“I’m enjoying it and I hope it continues. It was a great experience for me and for my family to be here and watch me, it’s an experience I will never forget.”

Nedved for Juventus board

Former Juventus winger Pavel Nedved has been nominated for a post in the club’s board of directors.

A final decision is expected later this month when a vote will be taken to pave the way for the Czech to join the Juve board.

The new group of directors will be increased from seven to 11. The four candidates are Michele Briamonte, director general Giuseppe Marotta, Aldo Mazzia and Nedved.

Majority shareholders Exor put forth the nominations, which will be voted on October 27 in a shareholders’ meeting.

Andrea Agnelli, the Juve board president, said: “We are in a complex process that has seen a deep renewal in terms of management and infrastructure.”