Wolfsburg too much for Berlin

Wolfsburg midfielder Diego ecstatic after completing the penalty shot

Wolfsburg beat Hertha Berlin BSC in the latest Bundesliga match ups.  The early minutes shows to be promising as both teams display solid plays.  Berlin was poised to make the opening goal as less than two minutes into the game, Fabian Lustenberger stole possession and passed it to Adrian Ramos at the center. Ramos then flicks the ball to Ben Hatira on the right who made a cross.  Fellow Tunisian Sam Allagui latch on to the ball but his shot just went too high from the cross bar. 

Berlin had another chance to get ahead in the 29' as Ben Hatira made a long ball to Adrian Ramos who made a bouncing header but which unfortunately cleared the crossbar for the second time.  That seems to be the last of Berlin's brilliant opportunities as it becomes Wolfsburg show from there. 

Wolfsburg first opportunity came in 34' as Ricardo Rodriguez issues a cross to Diego whose shot missed a few inches from the bottom right corner.  Wolfsburg frustration did not last long.  In the 42nd minute, Naldo made what it seemed to be a pass which found its way into the waiting Ivica Olic who dutifully slide to send the ball home.  

Wolfsburg added another goal in injury time of the first half. Verinha found Christian Trasch to the right who then fired a cross which was deflected by John Anthony Brooks. The deflection however landed on Diego who fell from Brooks tackle inside the penalty box. Diego coolly made the penalty as Wolfsburg lead seems good enough to earn three points for the night. 

The second half is more of Wolfsburg show with some occasional brilliant opportunities for Berlin. In the 50th minute, Wolfsburg's Koo Jae Chool hesitated after breaking away from goalkeeper Kraft. Instead shooting for the net, Chool decided to make cross which found Diego but whose header went just outside the net.  Six minutes later Verinha's cross from the right found Olic but a timely sliding tackle from Fabian Lustenberger prevented what could have been Wolfsburg's third goal.  Verinha again almost added another goal as his close shot was parried by Kraft in the 85th minute. 

The game ended by high drama as Berlin lost two opportunities to salvage a goal.  Adrian Ramos found Roony with enough space whose close range shot was saved by Benaglio.  The deflection went to Ramos who again fired the shot but blocked by Naldo.  Naldo's block landed on teammate Tim Klose who almost made an own goal if not for Naldo's game winning block at the end of regulation.  

Match to watch: Arsenal vs. Tottenham

Olivier Giroud celebrating after scoring a goal against Fulham

The English Premiere League will feature this week a mouth watering match up between exciting teams Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur on September 1, 2013.  Both teams still sport a clean slate. Arsenal is coming off a win against Fulham 3-1 while the Spurs scored back to back wins over Crystal Palace and Swansea with identical 1-0 scorecard. 

Both teams are in the middle of some trade talks. Arsenal is still chasing some big signings while the football world is still waiting with a bated breath on the fate of Tottenham star midfielder Gareth Bale who is linked to an enormous million dollar transfer deal with the Spanish giant, Real Madrid. Tottenham is now at the 4th spot while Arsenal is still down at the bottom half of the standings at 12th place. But that distinction will not matter much when the two teams collide.  

It is interesting how the match ups would fare.  Tottenham has signed up former Valencia striker Roberto Soldado to add a threat to the frontline.  Soldado is not the only notable signings for Tottenham this year. The Spurs also cornered Steaua Bucharest Vlad Chirches and former Roma forward Erik Lamela, who scored 19 goals out of 62 appearances in the 2012-2013 season. 

Arsenal for its part, acquired Mathieu Flamini, a midfielder from AC Milan.  Flamini however is a returnee as he started his professional career at the Emirates back in 2004 before he signed up for Milan in 2008. Arsenal's other signing is Yaya Sanogo, a striker from French club Auxerre. 

Expect fans will be treated with a rewarding football game with this match up. 

Villareal claims top spot in La Liga 2013-2014

It's developing into a Cinderella story.

Villareal, the team relegated a year ago, found itself on top of La Liga by dominating Osasuna 3-0 in El Sadar.  The win is its third as in many starts, previously beating UD Almeria and Villadolid.   The goals came in 22nd minute as Jeremy Perbet scored from a cross.   It did not take long for the Yellow Submarine to score the second goal as it came in the 30th minute as Bruno Soriano got tangled in the middle of the penalty box only for Javier Aquino to pick up and send home the ball to an empty net. 

Villareal ended the night with a brilliant finish.  Javier Aquino broke away at midfield then pass it on to Giovanni di Santos who delivered a cross to a surging Ichechukwu Uche for a smooth tap in. 

Villareal is now on top of the La Liga standing with 9 points, 3 points ahead of defending champion Barcelona.  That could change however if Barcelona can score a victory against Valencia on September 1.  Villareal will find its real test as it will tangle against heavyweight Real Madrid on September 14 on its home ground at El Madrigal.