FC Anzhi Makhachkala - News and Rumors

[Andi Istiabudi]

Mungkin gak yach FC Anzhi Makhachkala mendatangkan Berbatov ?

[zudomiriku]

Anzhi Makhachkala: From War-Torn Russia Rises a New Breed of Super Club

Forbes magazine lists Russian billionaire Suleyman Kerimov as an "investor in distressed companies," so it's hardly surprising the world's 146th-richest man ended up owning a football club in a war-torn corner of his homeland.

That club is Anzhi Makhachkala, and when Kerimov took over in January 2011, he pledged to draw on his vast wealth—estimated at $6.5 billion—to transform them into a major European force.

Kerimov was born and educated in the southern city of Makhachkala, which serves as capital of the republic of Dagestan and lies close to the Russian borders with Georgia and Azerbaijan. The now-46-year-old Kerimov would have known only too well the volatile political climate he would be working against by the shores of the Caspian Sea.

Last September, the New York Times reported Dagestan had overtaken Chechnya as the most dangerous area in the region.

The violence involves a combination of a growing Islamist insurgency along with criminal gangs and clan wars that have plagued Dagestan, home to 2.5 million people, for many years.

A poverty-ridden mountainous republic composed of more than 30 ethnic groups, Dagestan is supported by large financial subsidies from Moscow, while soldiers and the police try to quell almost daily episodes of violence.

Such security fears are the reason Anzhi's players are not based in Makhachkala at all, but on the outskirts of Moscow, from where they fly 1,250 miles to home matches to maintain their safety.

It's a curious and undesirable arrangement to set upon professional athletes, but the large sums of money to be earned clearly promote a tolerance to it. With an oligarch calling the shots, normal rules don't apply.

Kerimov arrived at Anzhi with a reputation for grand gestures. Profiled by the Financial Times as the "Russian Gatsby of his time," he was known for his opulent, celebrity-filled parties, on which it was rumored he would spend as much as $10 million entertaining his guests.

Such indulgence quickly translated to the task at hand with Anzhi. Kerimov signaled his intent with a deal for legendary Brazilian full-back Roberto Carlos, who, despite being 37 and in the dimming twilight of a glittering career, was offered a reported $9 million a year to leave Corinthians and come to Russia.

Unsurprisingly, he accepted.

As a sign of his gratitude (as if $22.5 million over two-and-a-half years wasn't enough), Kerimov treated the 2002 World Cup winner to a Bugatti Veyron sports car worth $3 million on his 38th birthday just two months later—pricking the ears of every footballer and his agent on the planet in the process.

With a single extravagance, Anzhi had put themselves on the map. A previously unremarkable footballing outpost plagued by political unrest and uncertainty was now being talked about as European football's next superpower.

And Kerimov was just getting started.

The 2011-12 Russian Premier League season began last March—and by the time it kicked off, Anzhi had spent around $42 million on new players.

They included Carlos' fellow Brazilians Jucilei, who Kerimov signed for $11.5 million from Corinthians, and Diego Tardelli, who arrived for $5.8 million from Atletico Mineiro.

In the summer of 2011, Kerimov upped the ante still further. Samuel Eto'o arrived from Inter Milan for $30 million and became the highest-paid footballer in history on a gluttonous salary of $555,000/week.

The Cameroon international and three-time Champions League winner strongly disputed the suggestion his move was purely financially motivated. He talked about empire building in an interview with the Guardian:

We are striving to be like Barcelona, they are the inspiration. Barcelona are the reference point in football today, not Manchester City.

It is a matter of opinion whether City provide the closest parallel to Anzhi. ... Money should not be the reason to compare these clubs.

The goal at Anzhi is to achieve something from a region that has not been explored and to bring this team, through a nice football philosophy, to a better standing in the world of football. And that is it.

By the time Eto'o arrived in late August, Yuri Zhirkov had also completed a $17 million move from Chelsea to Anzhi. And with the winter break came a $16 million deal to lure Christopher Samba from Blackburn.

If Anzhi weren't already being taken seriously, the arrival of Guus Hiddink as their manager in February 2012 confirmed beyond any doubt the side's credibility. Hiddink's resume includes spells at PSV, Real Madrid and Chelsea, along with international duties at the Netherlands, South Korea, Australia and Russia.

Here's what the respected Dutchman had to say upon his appointment:

The most significant thing for me is that the club is building plans on football development in the republic. It's as much important as the sports result of the first team, and I'm going to pay special attention to this direction.

We spoke much with Suleyman Kerimov about this after which I realized what a huge project I was invited to.

The developments Hiddink spoke of were a reference to Kerimov's plans to build football academies across Dagestan and his desire to use football as a catalyst for change and as a force for good in the area.

"The football club stands out against all the negative news," Kerimov told the Financial Times.

"People are starting to hope for the better. Such stars don’t play everywhere, and, look, they’re in Makhachkala."

"People have something to be proud of," Kerimov continued. "It means they can see something positive there and they gain the motivation to work. On first impressions, Kerimov's involvement at Anzhi might appear a vulgar exercise in buying success, but his motivations clearly run deeper than that."

Could it be that this oligarch has a heart? Are we witnessing a monumental act of football philanthropy?

According to the Financial Times, Kerimov has so far invested over $260 million on players and $130 million on building Anzhi a new stadium. If he truly is motivated by the greater good and not just by the status that comes with owning a football club, the game is a better place with him in it.

Whatever Kerimov's modus operandi might be, it's abundantly clear, Makhachkala and its surrounding areas could use a boost in these most trying of times. Football can help provide it, and the more success and fame they achieve, the more hope and ambition will reach the people.

A good start would be qualifying for the 2012-13 Champions League, which, owing to a restructuring of the Russian Premier League, remains a possibility as the season enters its third and final leg.

Anzhi finished a disappointing eighth at the end of the regular season, but it was enough to see them scrape through to the championship phase and keep their Champions League hopes alive. As things stand, they're three points adrift of the qualification places.

I, for one, am hoping they make it. Even if they don't, you can expect the Russians to be linked to every big-name player in the transfer market this summer. It's worth noting Kerimov wanted Lionel Messi last year, so he could be after the entire Barcelona team this time around.

Hopefully, one day, the city will be safe enough that the members of the team's star-studded roster can actually live there.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1102139-anzhi-makhachkala-from-war-torn-russia-rises-a-new-breed-of-super-club?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=world-football

[Andi Istiabudi]

Ternyata di Liga Russia juga muncul kasus rasisme ...

Anzhi Kian Dekat Temukan Pelaku Rasisme Terhadap Samba



Bola.net - Kasus pelemparan pisang terhadap pemain Anzhi Makhachkala, Christopher Samba kini mulai menemui titik terang. Sebuah rekaman video pengawas menunjukkan tindakan pelaku pelemparan tersebut.

Samba mendapatkan pengalaman tidak menyenangkan ketika timnya bertanding melawan Lokomotiv Moscow pada hari Minggu lalu. Sebuah pisang dilemparkan oleh seseorang kepada dirinya pada pertandingan itu. Tindakan ini bisa dianggap sebagai sebuah tindakan rasisme.

"Berkat rekaman video tersebut, kami tahu siapa provokator itu dan semua pergerakannya sebelum, saat, dan seusai pertandingan," isi pernyataan resmi dari klub Anzhi dan Lokomotiv.

"Komite pusat persatuan sepak bola Rusia tengah menyelidikinya dan ketika mereka menangkapnya, saya berharap kami bisa tahu motifnya," ujar juru bicara Anzhi, Aleksandr Udaltsov.

"Kami melihatnya di kamera tapi kami tidak tahu siapa dia sebenarnya. Kita tunggu saja apa yang akan diumumkan oleh komite." (sw/Rev)

[Andi Istiabudi]

Wuiih makin mantap saja nih jika Anzhi jika berhasil membeli Torres ..

Anzhi Siap Membeli Fernando Torres

Bola.net - Fernando Torres tak perlu takut sepi peminat meski tak kunjung tampil hebat bersama Chelsea, sebab kabarnya klub kaya baru Rusia, Anzhi Makhachkala siap menampungnya.

El Nino memang terus berusaha keras menunjukan kepantasannya dibeli mahal Chelsea senilai 50 Juta Poundsterling dari Liverpool sejak Januari tahun 2011 silam.

Di bawah kepelatihan pelatih baru Roberto di Matteo, pemain Spanyol itu bermain sebagai starter sebanyak 4 kali dan 3 kali sebagai pemain pengganti, mencetak 2 gol dan keduanya ke gawang Leicester di ajang Piala FA.

Namun meski begitu, kelangsungan masa depannya di Stamford Bridge masih menjadi tanda tanya. Hal inilah yang coba dimanfaatkan oleh Anzhi yang punya uang banyak.

Pelatih mereka Guus Hiddink kabarnya ingin menambah striker, nama-nama yang diincar termasuk Didier Drogba, Emmanuel Adebayor dan Fernando Torres sendiri.

Anzhi siap membeli Torres seharga 35 Juta Poundsterling musim panas nanti, "Kami akan memutuskan masa depannya dalam beberapa bulan ke depan," ucap agen Torres, Antonio Sanz ketika diminati keterangan kabar tersebut. (dym/lex)

[Andi Istiabudi]

Mungkin selama ini Anzhi terlalu fokus membeli pemain top dunia sehingg alupa memperhatikan kualitas rumput stadionnya

Miskin Gol, Eto'o Salahkan Kualitas Lapangan



Bola.net - Samuel Eto'o bergabung dengan Anzhi Makhachkala dari Internazionale dengan harga yang ditaksir mencapai 28 juta Dollar. Harga sebesar itu sebenarnya pantas dengan catatan Eto'o mampu melanjutkan performa gemilangnya ke klub Rusia itu.

Tapi kini Eto'o mulai tampil kurang trengginas di depan gawang lawan. Dia tidak pernah mencetak gol dalam 5 pertandingan terakhir.

Gol terakhir Eto'o dicetak pada 27 November 2011, itu pun melalui titik putih. Gol dari open play terakhir kali didapat Eto'o pada 5 November 2011.

"Bagi saya yang terpenting adalah bermain di lapangan yang memadai. Gol akan datang dengan sendirinya," kata Eto'o kepada Sport Express Daily. Liga Rusia sangat bagus tetapi lapangan disini menyusahkan."

"Jika bermain di lapangan yang bagus, kami bisa meladeni siapapun. Susah untuk menjadi seniman sepakbola jika kualitas lapangannya buruk," pungkas mantan penyerang Barcelona ini. (f365/hsw)

[Andi Istiabudi]

Anzhi Bantah Ingin Rekrut Maicon & Sneijder
Okdwitya Karina Sari - detikSport

Moskow - Duo Inter Milan, Douglas Maicon dan Wesley Sneijder santer diisukan tengah diburu klub kaya Rusia, Anzhi Makachkala. Akan tetapi, pada kenyataannya kabar tersebut tidak ada benarnya.

Sebelumnya Anzhi sudah lebih dahulu mendatangkan Samuel Eto'o dari Inter pada musim panas tahun lalu yang membuatnya menjadi salah satu pesepakbola berbayaran tertinggi.

Anzhi, yang cuma finis kelima di liga musim 2011-12 ingin menambah kekuatan dengan mendatangkan top. Rumor yang berkembang belakangan menyebut mereka telah melakukan pembicaraan untuk mendatangkan Maicon dan Sneijder.

Namun, melalui situs resmi klub, Anzhi membantah rumor tersebut. "Berkaitan dengan sejumlah rumor yang muncul di media bahwa FC Anzhi telah membicaraan untuk Douglas Maicon dan Wesley Sneijder, kami menyatakan informasi itu tidak berdasar."

"Klub tidak melakukan negosiasi transfer untuk kedua pesepakbola itu ke tim kami. FC Anzhi segera mengkonfirmasi rekrutan dengan media dan fans," demikian dikutip ESPN Star.

[Andi Istiabudi]

Pasca pensiunnya Roberto Carlos beberapa waktu lalu, tampaknya Anzhi kini lebih banyak bergantung pada sosok Samuel Eto'o. Mereka belum melakukan pembelian pemain bintang lagi yach ?

[Andi Istiabudi]

Sebaiknya sih Kaka gabung di Anzhi jelang pensiun saja, jangan sekarang

Anzhi Serius Ingin Boyong Kaka ke Rusia



Bola.net - Klub Liga Premier Rusia, Anzhi Makhachkala dikabarkan serius untuk memboyong midfielder Kaka dari Real Madrid.

Situasi gelandang asal Brasil tersebut di Santiago Bernabeu hingga saat ini belum juga aman, setelah kerap tidak dipilih oleh pelatih Jose Mourinho di skuad utama Los Blancos.

Kondisi itu ternyata tidak lepas dari pantauan Anzhi yang mengaku berniat menyelamatkan karier eks bintang AC Milan tersebut, dengan segera mengadakan diskusi dengan pihak Madrid terkait ketersediaan Kaka di bursa transfer Januari.

Hal itu seperti diungkapkan agen asal Rusia, Shumi Babaev, yang mengakui Anzhi harus berupaya keras untuk bisa mendapatkan pemain sekelas Kaka.

"Anzhi sudah mempertimbangkan Kaka sejak lama, tetapi ia bukanlah tipe pemain yang bisa didatangkan dengan mudah. Kami baru bisa memastikan pada saat pembukaan bursa transfer mendatang," ungkap Babaev.

Sebelumnya, kondisi Kaka di Madrid membuatnya sempat dikabarkan akan kembali ke Italia untuk memperkuat Rossoneri. Tetapi harga selangit yang diajukan Madrid membuat mereka mundur perlahan dan akhirnya urung merealisasikan keinginannya. (tbf/atg)

[Andi Istiabudi]

Anzhi Geser Liverpool dari Puncak Klasemen

Anzhi mencatat lima kemenangan beruntun di kompetisi Eropa tanpa kemasukan satu gol.

Pasukan muda Liverpool menyerah 0-1 di tangan klub kaya Anzhi Makhachkala pada laga Liga Europa di Stadion Lokomotiv Moskow, Jumat (9/11). Anzhi pun menggeser posisi Liverpool dari puncak klasemen Grup A Liga Europa.

Anzhi juga memperpanjang rekor sempurna di kandang mereka. Kini, mereka mencatat lima kemenangan tandang beruntun di ajang Eropa tanpa kebobolan satu gol pun.

Manajer Liverpool, Brendan Rodgers, memutuskan untuk tidak membawa pemain pilar seperti Steven Gerrard dan Luis Suarez kek Moskow. Menghadapi Anzhi, Rodgers menurunkan mayoritas pemain muda, seperti Conor Coady yang melakukan debutnya bersama Liverpool.

Tanpa sembilan pemain yang turun pekan lalu di Premier League, Liverpool tidak mampu mengembangkan permainan. Sebaliknya Anzhi mampu mendominasi permainan sejak awal pertandingan.

Meski begitu, Anzhi baru bisa mencetak gol di ujung babak pertama. Aksi cerdik Lacina Traore mampu mengecoh Sebastian Coates sebelum akhirnya menaklukkan kiper Liverpool, Brad Jones.

Hingga akhir pertandingan, skor 1-0 tetap bertahan untuk Anzhi. Tambahan tiga angka ini membawa Anzhi menggeser Liverpool di puncak Grup A Liga Europa.

Bagi Liverpool, ini merupakan kali pertama mereka gagal meraih kemenangan di laga tandang. Sebelumnya, Liverpool selalu pulang membawa kemenangan saat melakoni laga tandang di Liga Europa musim ini.

Penulis: Yusuf Abdillah

Source : http://www.beritasatu.com

[Andi Istiabudi]

Anzhi Coba Dekati Xavi
Penulis: Vitalis Yogi Trisna

BARCELONA, KOMPAS.com - Xavier Hernandez Creus atau yang akrab disapa Xavi Hernandez dikabarkan mendapat tawaran dari klub kaya asal Rusia Anzhi. Diberitakan kapten Barcelona itu ditawar dengan harga yang fantastis yaitu 21 juta poundsterling.

Namun seperti dikutip Onda Cero, Barcelona, Selasa (20/11/2012), Xavi dikabarkan menolak tawaran itu dan memilih untuk memperpanjang kontraknya di Barca hingga 2014 mendatang. Kini gelandang timnas Spanyol itu memilih untuk fokus negosiasi kontrak barunya yang berdurasi dua tahun ke depan.

Pemain 32 tahun ini sama sekali tidak terpikir untuk dapat merumput di Liga Rusia. Sekarang ini pemain kelahiran Terrassa, Spanyol ini mengaku hanya memikirkan masa depannya untuk klub asal Katalunya.

Xavi yang sudah memperkuat Barcelona sejak tahun 1998 ini sudah mencatat penampilan sebanyak 398 kali dengan torehan 43 gol. Memasuki usia senja dirinya tetap menjadi andalan bagi Blaugrana ataupun skuad Matador.