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Wolverine GTR

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    Del Bosque: It's getting harder for Spain all the time

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    Vicente del Bosque has admitted that it is becoming increasingly difficult for Spain to keep up its impressive performances as its opponents are all well aware of la Roja's style of play.

    The Spaniards have dominated international football in recent years with consecutive European Championship victories, while also winning the World Cup in between, and Del Bosque has stressed they must keep believing in themselves in order to prolong their successful streak.

    "Of course, it’s getting harder all the time. All our opponents know us very well and already know exactly how we play," Del Bosque told FIFA.com.

    "The most important thing is that we believe in what we’re doing, and that the players are patient enough to break down any defensive system. We can’t go thinking we need to win every game in the first 10 minutes."

    The veteran coach then went on to discuss his future, and once more stated that he's likely to say farewell to the game once his Spain contract runs out.

    "I’m 61 now and I’ve got little more than a year here before my work with the national team comes to an end," he revealed. "It’d be very difficult [to take on a club role] after this, as I honestly don’t see myself still coaching at 70 (laughs). That’s why I’ll most likely call it a day after this."

    Del Bosque enjoyed spells in charge of Real Madrid and Besiktas before taking over as Spain coach in 2008.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Sir Alex Ferguson: Van Persie has raised Manchester United's attacking level

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    Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed that the summer arrival of Robin van Persie has improved the performances of the squad’s entire attack.



    Having netted 15 goals already this campaign, the Netherlands international has wasted no time in making his mark at Old Trafford, and his manager has not only hailed Van Persie’s own performances but also lauded how his presence has forced the rest of the club's strikers to raise their own games.

    “The attacking aspect of our game has definitely improved [since Van Persie joined] and of course he has weighed in with 14 goals [before the 3-1 win over Sunderland] so far," the veteran manager told Yahoo! Sport."Chicharito has got nine goals, Rooney has seven I think and we have scored around 43 goals as team, which is quite a high amount for this time of year."

    Sir Alex went on to comment on the similarities between Van Persie's arrival at the club and that of Eric Cantona in 1992, noting how neither player required any time to adapt to their new surroundings.

    "He has got a similar profile to Eric in terms of age and maturity," the 70-year-old added. "He had a great spell at Arsenal so there is no issue with him needing to settle into the Premier League.

    "He came from one big club to another big club and he is an established international. All these things in his profile suited us perfectly."The United manager dismissed speculation that the club would be adding to their squad in the upcoming January transfer window, citing a shortage of value for money in comparison to the targets available during the summer.

    "No, [there are no areas of the team we will be looking to strengthen]," the Scot maintained. "The January transfer market has never been the best transfer market.
    "That has been proven over the years with very few big transfers happening. All the big transfers happen in the summer."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Chivu: Inter will continue to make progress

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    Cristian Chivu has voiced his satisfaction with Inter's performances so far in the 2012-13 campaign, and is confident that the club can improve in the remainder of the season.

    The Nerazzurri currently sit second in the Serie A table, trailing leader Juventus by seven points, and Chivu feels the club has already proven that it has what it takes to go far this term.

    "We're a side that still needs to improve, but we've shown we can get big results, that's why we're second," Chivu told RaiSport. "We've made progress and will continue to do so. I'd have taken second in December, had you asked me back in August. Now we'll keep working."

    The defender then went on to discuss the race for the Scudetto, and stressed that Juventus is not out of the Nerazzurri's reach yet.

    "They're the team to beat. We know how good they are but there's still half the season to go," he added. "Technically speaking there's not a lot between Juve and Inter. Perhaps they have a slight psychological edge, being reigning champions. We need more consistency now, and need to beat the smaller teams."

    Chivu has made only one official appearance for Inter in 2012-13 due to injury, but is expected to make his comeback shortly.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Benzema: We all want Cristiano Ronaldo to win Ballon d'Or

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    Karim Benzema has stressed that everybody at Real Madrid wants Cristiano Ronaldo to win the 2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or.

    The Portugal international faces competition from Barcelona duo Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi in the race for the prestigious individual award, but he can count on his teammates' support.

    "Who do I want to win the Ballon d'Or? Cristiano Ronaldo. We're all behind him at Madrid," Benzema was quoted as saying by France Football.

    The Frenchman then went on to voice his delight with the number of representatives Madrid had on the list of 23 players, before it was cut down to the three finalists.

    "With six players among the final 23 players, Madrid are already the team with the most players on that list, so we won that game."

    The 2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or winner will be announced on January 7.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Messi, Xavi and Puyol to sign new Barcelona deals

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    Barcelona has announced on their official website that it has reached an agreement with Xavi and Carles Puyol over a contract extension until the summer of 2016, while Lionel Messi will stay with the club until 2018, with the deals to be penned in the coming weeks.

    Puyol's previous contract was due to expire at the end of the 2012-13 campaign, but the 34-year-old defender will remain at Barca for three additional seasons.

    The center back recently returned to full match fitness after a spell on the sidelines due to an elbow injury and revealed that depending on whether he can avoid injury, he would love to play until he was 40.

    Xavi, 32, midfielder had a deal with Barcelona until the summer of 2014, and has now reached an agreement for two more seasons after he already revealed last week that negotiations had reached the final stages.

    The Spain international has been a key figure at the Catalans this season with three goals in 16 La Liga appearances.

    Messi was initially under contract with the Camp Nou side until 2016, but Barcelona was desperate to offer the 25-year-old a new deal following his impressive performances this calendar year.

    The Argentina international has already netted 90 goals for club and country in 2012, and currently leads the Liga scoring charts with 25 strikes in 16 games.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    PSG confirms interest in Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo

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    Sheikh Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani has revealed that Paris Saint-Germain is interested in luring Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho away from Real Madrid.

    PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi had previously denied reports that the Ligue 1 giants are interested in signing the Madrid coach and the Portugal international, but his right-hand man has now admitted that the Parisians would like to sign the duo after all, as they aim to win the Champions League.

    "Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho are objectives for Paris Saint-Germain, of course," Al-Thani told Canal Football.

    "PSG are one of the best clubs in the world. Ever since day one, our goal has been to win the Champions League.

    "We are already one of the best teams in France, and it's our goal to become one of the best in Europe and the world, too."

    PSG climbed to joint first in the table at the weekend following a 1-0 win over Olympique Lyonnais.
     

    rcccc

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    Barcelona 4-1 Atletico Madrid: Breathtaking Blaugrana move nine points clear

    Barcelona extended its lead at the top of La Liga to nine points on Sunday, as goals from Adriano, Sergio Busquets and two from Lionel Messi ensured tbe club reversed Radamel Falcao's opener to seal a 4-1 victory over Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou.

    It was first place versus second. Messi versus Falcao. But Barcelona glided to victory through depressing air of predictability. On Saturday, Tito Vilanova said that in any other league, Atletico would be top. But this isn’t any other league. And as the gap at te top grows, that between Atleti and their Madrid rivals continues to diminish.

    As ever, Diego Simeone’s side was rigid and compact, intent on absorbing pressure and hitting their hosts on the counter. And Falcao very nearly gave them a shock lead inside the first 10 minutes, but saw his wonderfully flicked header bounce back off the inside of Victo Valdes’ post. Hearts were in Barca mouths again when Colombian raced clear of Carles Puyol after 23 minutes overstretching to drag his shot wide.

    Falcao rarely misses – his 16 league goals prior to this evening had arrived via just 52 shots this season. He was never going to miss another, and he opened the scoring with a wonderful solo effort after half an hour. When Messi lost possession in midfield, he pulled square to receive a short pass before his first touch took him away from Busquets on the halfway line before racing clear to delicately lift his left-footed finish over Victor Valdes.
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    rcccc

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    Van Persie is Manchester United's Messi, says O'Neill

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    Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has compared the impact Robin van Persie has had at Manchester United to that of Lionel Messi at Barcelona.

    The 24 million pound summer signing has netted 12 goals in 17 Premier League appearances for his new side, including opening the scoring in a 3-1 win over the Black Cats on Saturday.

    Messi scored his 89th and 90th goals of the calendar year on Sunday night against Atletico Madrid to extend his own record, and O’Neill believes Van Persie gives United a similar lift to that of the Argentine at Camp Nou.

    "[Van Persie] can get goals out of very little. It looks like nothing is happening, you have players in the area, but all of a sudden he has opened up a gap," O'Neill told reporters."Would Barcelona have the same effect if Lionel Messi didn't play? They are a very talented team, but without him you don't know, because Messi is their talisman.

    "United have paid close on 30 million pounds for a player who had just one year left on his contract, so that might tell you how valuable they perceive him. But it's not just the perception, the reality is that he has been fantastic."
    :yes::yes::yes::(:(:(
     

    rcccc

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    Demba Ba: Arsenal are the kind of club who make you dream

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    Newcastle United striker Demba Ba has claimed that a potential move to Arsenal would be the kind of switch that "makes you dream".


    The Senegal international is the Magpies' top scorer this season with 11 Premier League goals, only one behind Swansea City's Michu and Manchester United's Robin van Persie.

    Manager Alan Pardew admitted to concern earlier in December that Ba’s current release clause could see him leave the club – with a fee of around 7 million euros thought to force Newcastle’s hand – but Ba spoke fondly of Arsenal amid reported interest from the north London outfit.

    "Arsenal are one of these teams who make you dream," Ba told Canal+.

    "I have nothing to say about the speculation. Nothing is about to happen.

    "The press know Arsenal need another striker and also know about my release clause, and make their own mind up about it."

    Arsenal has struggled in front of goal so far this season following the departure of last season's top scorer Van Persie to rival Manchester United, and could be set for a busy transfer market.
    :):):):)
     

    rcccc

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    Reading 2-5 Arsenal: Cazorla treble pulls Gunners within two points of fourth

    Arsenal did not manage to score seven on this occasion but thumped Reading 5-2 in another goal-fest between these two sides at the Madejski Stadium.

    A Santi Cazorla hat trick and a Lukas Podolski strike put Arsene Wenger’s team four goals clear at the hour mark with some football that was irresistible at times.But there is a fragility to this Arsenal side and Reading pulled it back to 4-2 after 71 minutes through Adam Le Fondre and Jimmy Kebe strikes, which was enough to generate nerves in the visitors’ camp.

    But Theo Walcott, who was given a rare opportunity in the center forward role, finished off Reading’s brief comeback with the seventh goal of the game and his 11th of a stop-start season.

    It helped Arsenal claim all three points and leapfrog Norwich City, West Brom and Everton to climb into fifth position in the Premier League and quieten the talk of crisis following the dismal Capital One Cup exit at League Two Bradford City.
    Reading remains bottom of the Premier League on nine points, six adrift of 17th-placed Southampton, and already looks down and out.

    Following the 12-goal Capital One Cup thriller at this stadium last month, few expected another scoring bonanza but, once again, there was plenty to warm a chilly Berkshire evening.Arsenal cut Reading’s defense open at will during a first-half display that began nervously for the visitors but soon developed into a cakewalk.

    The best early opportunities fell to Reading’s Noel Hunt and Pavel Pogrebnyak, starting his first game for the club since Oct. 27, but Wenger’s team then took control with Podolski’s goal after 14 minutes and never looked like relinquishing it.

    The German has symptomized Arsenal’s indifferent recent form but he took his goal with great assurance, firstly killing Kieran Gibbs’ cross with a velvet touch and then thumping past Adam Federici with his left foot.

    The generosity of the home side’s defending was apparent in the space afforded to Podolski and it was to become the theme of the evening, as the visitors set about eagerly dispelling the negativity surrounding the club.Walcott’s finish failed to match the timing of his run in the 25thminute when through on goal but fan-favorite Cazorla doubled his team’s advantage shortly after the half-hour mark.

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    rcccc

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    Messi deserves the Ballon d'Or, says Ibrahimovic

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    Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic says that Lionel Messi deserves to win the Ballon d'Or, the World Player of the Year award that will be doled out next month.

    Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are thought to be the front-runners for the coveted award, for which Andres Iniesta is also a finalist, but Ibrahimovic believes that the Argentina international is the clear favorite. Should Messi win, it would be his fourth award in a row.

    "Messi is the best player in the world, he deserves the Ballon d'Or," Ibrahimovic told BeIn Sport. "I know he's won it several times, but it is deserved. He plays like he's on PlayStation, it's unbelievable. People who say otherwise either don't know anything about football or are just talking nonsense."

    Ibrahimovic also heaped praise upon former Real Madrid midfielder Zinedine Zidane, and says that he aims to have the same positive impact on his team as the legendary French playmaker used to.

    "When Zidane stepped onto the pitch, the 10 other guys just got suddenly better. It is that simple," Ibrahimovic said. "It was magic. He was a unique player. He was more than good, he came from another planet. His teammates became like him when he was on the pitch. A player that makes the difference is a player that makes the others better.

    "I don't know if we will see others like him. That's my mentality. Make the others better. Because if they are better, I too will be better."
    :D:D:D
     

    rcccc

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    PSG confirms interest in Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo

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    Sheikh Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani has revealed that Paris Saint-Germain is interested in luring Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho away from Real Madrid.

    PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi had previously denied reports that the Ligue 1 giants are interested in signing the Madrid coach and the Portugal international, but his right-hand man has now admitted that the Parisians would like to sign the duo after all, as they aim to win the Champions League.

    "Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho are objectives for Paris Saint-Germain, of course," Al-Thani told Canal Football.

    "PSG are one of the best clubs in the world. Ever since day one, our goal has been to win the Champions League.

    "We are already one of the best teams in France, and it's our goal to become one of the best in Europe and the world, too."

    PSG climbed to joint first in the table at the weekend following a 1-0 win over Olympique Lyonnais.
    :shocked::shocked::shocked::shocked::shocked:
     

    rcccc

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    Illai hena ganak gannawanam:eek:habai mamanam hithenne naha Real Madrid la kamathi wei kiyala sell karanna:yes:
    හ්ම්:yes:මාත් හිතන්නේ විකුනන එකක් නෑ,අනික Ibra
    ඉන්න එකේ CR මොකටද බන්:eek:
     

    Banks PLK

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    Tito Vilanova suffers tumor relapse: Barcelona boss steps down as club searches for temporary replacement



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    Barcelona coach had a tumour removed last year, but has suffered a relapse and has stepped down, according to reports in Spain

    According to reports from Spain, Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova has stepped down from his post after suffering a tumor relapse.
    The coach had a tumor removed from his parotid gland in November last year while working as the Catalan club's assistant coach.
    The operation was a success, and Vilanova returned to work with Barca, eventually taking over from Pep Guardiola when he stepped down in April.
    Spanish television station Cuatro reported that Vilanova had suffered a relapse and had decided to step down with immediate effect.
    Barcelona have already contacted their first-choice candidate to replace him on a temporary basis for the remainder of the season and are awaiting a decision.
    "Very sorry to hear the news," Barca midfielder Xavi said on his official Twitter account.
    Barca released a press statement this morning announcing they had suspended all activities for today but did not go into details and did not mention Vilanova.
    The club confirmed a further announcement would be made later today.
    The statement read: "Barcelona announce that it is has suspended the press conference from president Sandro Rosell planned for midday. As well as that, the media Christmas lunch has been cancelled.
    "Later today the club will issue a further release. Until that time we will not make any announcement about this matter.
    "We regret any inconvenience this decision may cause."​
     
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