..::Football II::..

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Drogba issue needed clarifying, says Schalke chief Heldt

The German club's general manager defended the decision to question the Ivorian's eligibility, and revealed that Edu's contract has been terminated by mutual consent
Schalke general manager Horst Heldt insists that the club was well within its rights to enquire about Didier Drogba’s Champions League eligibility after its 1-1 draw at Galatasaray.

The Bundesliga club revealed its intention to find out whether or not the Ivorian was permitted to feature in European competition after the last-16 first leg had been played, as the striker had recently arrived at his new Turkish team in controversial circumstances from Shanghai Shenhua.

UEFA, however, confirmed on Wednesday that it has rejected the Gelsenkirchen side’s protests, though Heldt defended Schalke’s Drogba complaint.
"It was important to get legal certainty," he told reporters at a press conference on Thursday afternoon.

"We want to beat Galatasaray sportingly, now that UEFA has responded. We will accept that."

Schalke also confirmed on Thursday that Edu has left the club after the two parties scrapped his contract by mutual consent, and Heldt wished the former Mainz attacker - who has been on loan at Greuther Furth this season - all the best for the future."Edu approached us with the desire to leave," Heldt said. "We’ve thanked him for his commitment to Schalke and we wish Edu well, personally and privately, for the future."

Edu joined in January 2010 but has made just one appearance in the past two seasons, and, though his contract at the Bundesliga side was due to expire in the summer, he has joined Chinese Super League club Liaoning Whowin.

 

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Podolski: Arsenal against Tottenham is something special

The Gunners star is relishing featuring in his second north London derby at White Hart Lane on Sunday, and says his side has the quality to win what will be "a tough match" Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski has described the north London derby versus Tottenham as "something special" ahead of the clubs' eagerly anticipated clash at White Hart Lane.The 27-year-old has been in impressive form since his summer move to Arsenal from FC Koln and netted during the 5-2 win against its rival in November.

Polish-born German international Podolski rates rival Tottenham very highly, and it goes into the game just four points ahead of Arsenal."They are a very good team, very strong and they are third in the Premier League," Podolski told the club's official website. "I like derbies, it will be a tough match but we want the three points and we have the quality to win there.

"It is something special when it is a derby, for the fans and for the club. When you play away at your rivals you must fight for the three points."Arsene Wenger's side has finished above Tottenham in every season since the Frenchman took charge, but things could be about to change, especially if Spurs take all three points at the Lane on Sunday.

"It is a big game but it will not decide who will play in next season's Champions League. We have 11 matches to go and every match is like a final and we must fight to get into the Champions League next season. This is important to us."

 

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Everton manager Moyes concentrating equally on both Premier League and FA Cup

The Toffees' boss won’t prioritise one competition over the other as he believes his side can do well in both – and says not playing midweek European competitions is a bonus.Everton manager David Moyes has stated he wants to do as well as he can in both the Premier League and the FA Cup.

The Toffees are in the race for fourth place in the Premier League, currently sitting in sixth place, seven points off Chelsea who are occupying the last Champions League spot. Moyes' side is also in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup and will be looking to progress to the semifinals with a home tie against Wigan to come next weekend.

The Scot suggests that he will play his strongest team for every game, regardless of which competition Everton is in, and claims his side is still in with a chance of gaining a Champions League place for next season.

"I hope we can do well in both," Moyes told reporters. "I don't think you can ever prioritize one over the other. If we did, we'd be resting players in the Premier League for the cup.

"I see other managers do that, and I've done it myself, and you get criticized for it.

"I think all you can ever do is take one game at a time and move on. I still think we've an outside chance of finishing in a European spot, whether that be the Europa League or Champions League. While we've got that, we’ll have to keep driving on in the league games."

Moyes believes that although he has concerns over the size of his squad, one of the things Everton has going for is is that it is not playing in Europe and therefore does not have to worry about the strain of playing midweek games.

"We don't have European games. We've not got a barrel-load of midweek fixtures so I see no reason why we shouldn't treat every game on its merits," he continued. "Of course, we have to worry about the size of our squad, but I can’t really change that."

 

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Chelsea midfielder De Bruyne not thinking about future until end of season

The Belgium international has been impressing on loan in the Bundesliga with Werder Bremen this term, but he is unsure about what will happen when he returns to west London Chelsea midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has revealed that he will only think about the next step in his career once his loan spell with Werder Bremen nears an end.The Belgium international signed for Roberto Di Matteo's Chelsea side during the 2012 January transfer window, but remained with Racing Genk, his club at the time, until the end of the season.

With Oscar arriving from Internacional, a regular spot in the team looked unlikely and he was thus sent on loan to Bundesliga side Werder Bremen where he has impressed, but he insists he will not be thinking about next season until this term draws to a close.

Speaking to Bild, the 21-year-old said: "It is not the right time to talk about my future. I think it will only happen around three match days before the end of the season, maybe even after the season."

However, the German club's sporting director Thomas Eichin had a different view on the matter and expects to have discussions with the player and his agent in the coming weeks.

Eichin said: "We want to talk in the near future and check the situation. We must get a feeling about how Kevin and his agent see the situation."

 

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Kaka: Ronaldo is the most complete player there is

The Brazilian has heaped the praise on his club teammate and does not think there is another player like him in the world today.Real Madrid attacker Kaka believes Cristiano Ronaldo is the most complete player in football today.

The Portuguese was once again at his best in midweek in his side's 3-1 win over Barcelona in the Copa del Rey, scoring two goals on the night to make it 38 goals in 38 games all season.

And in light of his impressive displays, Kaka has lavished his teammate with praise and does not believe there is any one like him playing in the world today.

"Cristiano is the most complete player we have in football today," Kaka told the press. "The strength he has, he has the ability to decide a game is unlike any other.

"I will not compare with other players, but I see it everday and I know he has the ability and the strength."

Kaka also revealed the close relationahip he enjoys with the former Manchester United star.

He added: "It is nice have him as a teammate and as a friend and I wish him the best in everything what he does.

"We have a very good relationship, not only on the field and off, and I've always said this."

 

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Napoli 1-1 Juventus: Scudetto showdown ends all square

Juventus remains just six points clear at the summit of Serie A after being held to a 1-1 draw by sole Scudetto rival Napoli at the San Paolo on Friday night.

Antonio Conte's men looked poised to take a giant step towards retaining their title after taking an early lead through Giorgio Chiellini, but Gokhan Inler's deflected drive drew the home side level just before the break.

Napoli looked the slightly more likely victor during the second period but Juventus held on quite comfortably to keep its nearest challenger at arm's length.

The only doubt Conte had had before the game was over whether to start Chiellini, who took a knock to his ankle against Siena last weekend. The Bianconeri boss decided to take a gamble on the Italy international - and it paid off spectacularly just 10 minutes in, Chiellini rising above Miguel Britos to powerfully head a terrific cross from Andrea Pirlo past Morgan De Sanctis.

The goal was harsh on Napoli, which had actually begun the brighter of the two, with Marek Hamsik particularly prominent early on. However, as soon as Juventus scored, everything changed, and Mirko Vucinic had already squandered one decent headed opening when he butchered a gilt-edged opportunity to double the visitors’ advantage.

Leonardo Bonucci - of all people - then dissected the Partenopei defense with a perfectly-weighted pass from deep that Arturo Vidal, in a sensational demonstration of awareness, controlled, before immediately flicking inside to Vucinic. The Montenegrin, as he so often does, took an age to decide how best to finish, thus allowing De Sanctis to narrow the angle sufficiently to block the Bianconeri forward’s belated strike on goal away for a corner.

Such profligacy rarely goes unpunished at the top level and so it was that Napoli managed to haul itself level during a dramatic conclusion to a compelling opening 45 minutes. There appeared to be little danger to the Juventus goal when Inler picked up possession some 30 yards out, but the Swiss international’s well-struck drive from distance took a small but significant deflection off the head of Bonucci, sending it flying over the despairing dive of Gianluigi Buffon.

That was the first stroke of luck Napoli benefited from on the night; the second arrived in the dying seconds of the first half when star striker Edinson Cavani inexplicably avoided a straight red card for a blatant forearm into Chiellini’s face. In his defense, Daniele Orsato, did not see what was an off-the-ball incident, but quite why he decided to brandish only a yellow after being informed of what had happened by one of his assistants was utterly mystifying, though subsequent television replays suggested that there had perhaps been some sort of provocation.

Napoli did its utmost to make the most of its undoubted good fortune, with Hamsik drawing a fine stop out of Gianluigi Buffon shortly after halftime. However, Vucinic responded in kind, bringing the best out of De Sanctis, as Juve redoubled its efforts to all but end the title race.

Napoli, though, was left cursing its own inability to draw to within three points of its opponent after wasting a terrific chance to snatch a vital win. Just moments after Cavani had headed straight at Buffon, Hamsik again found some space in between the Juve midfield and defense. The Slovak unleashed a powerful drive that Buffon found too hot to handle, but Lorenzo Insigne, who had replaced the grossly ineffective Goran Pandev, snatched at the rebound and dragged the ball wide. And with it, went Napoli's best chance to breathe new life into the Scudetto race.

 

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Arsenal lacks a player like Villa, says Lauren

The Barcelona striker has struggled to force his way back into the team since recovering from injury, but the Cameroonian believes he would be perfect for Arsene Wenger's side Arsenal is lacking a player like Barcelona striker David Villa, according to the side's former defender Lauren.The majority of Arsenal's goals this season have been split between Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla, Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud, but none of them have surpassed 11 goals so far in the Premier League.

Podolski has managed eight goals in 24 appearances, while Giroud has nine in 26, and Lauren clearly feels they need more in attack as he highlights Villa as an ideal summer signing.

"Arsenal need a striker like Villa. They need that sort of player," he told La Xarxa. "Villa can get you 15, 20, 25 goals in a season, and that's what Arsenal need at the moment. Villa has a lot of talent, scores a lot of goals."He would do brilliantly at Arsenal. He'd combine well with Monreal, Cazorla and Arteta. He'd fit in with the Spaniards in the dressing room, and the adaptation period would be very quick."

Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has attracted criticism this season, but Lauren is unsure of whether Arsene Wenger will move for Victor Valdes, who has recently confirmed he will leave Barcelona at the end of his current contract in 2014.
He continued: "[Valdes] would fit in well in any league in the world. Wenger has a lot of confidence in Szczesny, I don't know if he'll go for Valdes."

 

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Xavi has hamstring tear, could miss crucial Milan match

The 33-year-old playmaker suffered a hamstring tear during Barcelona's Copa del Rey defeat to Real Madrid on Tuesday evening and is set to be out of action for 10-to-15 days.

Barcelona has confirmed that midfielder Xavi will be out of action for 10-to-15 days with his second torn hamstring in recent weeks, meaning he is a major doubt for the club's UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg against AC Milan on March 12.

The Spain international suffered the muscle tear in his left hamstring during the 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid at Camp Nou on Tuesday in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals. The 33-year-old played through the pain barrier but will consequently will miss Barca's La Liga Clasico match with Madrid on Saturday.

"The club's medical services have announced that Xavi has sustained muscle tear in his left hamstring and will be out of action for 10 to 15 days," the Catalan side said in a statement on its official website on Friday. "The midfielder finished this Tuesday’s match against Real Madrid with physical discomfort. Therefore, he will miss tomorrow’s Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"It’s worth noting that Xavi was given the medial all-clear on February 18 after he successfully recovered from a similar injury. The midfielder went on to play against Milan."

If Xavi does miss the game Milan it will be a huge blow to the side, given the Spaniard's usual influence on the team and its need to overcome a two-goal deficit without an away goal on which to rely.

 

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Barcelona still has unbeateable attitude, says Roura

The stand-in coach at Camp Nou believes his side must have a positive attitude and says Saturday's Clasico remains "an important match" despite the gap in La Liga.

Barcelona stand-in coach Jordi Roura insists that his side still has the attitude that it is "unbeatable," with big games against Real Madrid and AC Milan looming.

Despite Tuesday's 3-1 humbling at the hands of Los Blancos at Camp Nou in the Copa del Rey, Roura says everything is well with his squad.

"Our morale has to be good, because our attitude is unbeatable and we will win again," Roura told reporters.

Looking ahead to Saturday's latest Clasico, which is a league match instead of a cup battle, Roura believes it is a big clash that could have a bearing on the title race despite Barcelona's 12-point edge over Atletico Madrid and 16-point lead over Real Madrid through 25 games.

"It's an important game and we have played them [Madrid] a lot," Roura said. "The league title is the ultimate and to get a positive result would be a big step forward."

When looking back at the defeats to Real Madrid and AC Milan, Roura was honest about his side's shortcomings.

"We have analyzed the problems and we are quite clear," Roura said. "[But] many of these issues are because we were playing against a very strong team.

"When we play Madrid [on Saturday], we will try to improve what we did wrong against them before."

Following the final Clasico of the Liga season, Barcelona will start turning its attention to facing Milan in the Champions League last-16 second leg at Camp Nou on March 12, looking to overturn a 2-0 deficit.

 

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Giggs agrees to new one-year Manchester United deal

The midfielder, who is approaching his 1,000th game for the club, is set to carry on playing into his 40s and says he still feels able to contribute at the highest level.
Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs has signed a new one-year contract that will see him enter his 23rd season with the club.

The 39-year-old penned his first professional deal with the Red Devils in 1990 and has since made a club-record 931 appearances while winning 12 Premier League titles, four FA Cups and two UEFA Champions League titles. His next game will be his 1,000th for both club and country.

The winger is not ready to call it quits yet, and he insists he is excited by the prospect of adding to his already impressive honours list this season.
“I am feeling good, enjoying my football more than ever and, most importantly, I feel I am making a contribution to the team," Giggs told the club's official website. "This is an exciting team to be part of, with great team spirit, and we are again pushing for trophies as we head towards the business end of the season."

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson also expressed delight at the news, and suggested Giggs' ability and hunger are "as strong as ever."

“What can I say about Ryan that hasn’t already been said? He is a marvellous player and an exceptional human being," Ferguson said. "Ryan is an example to us all, the way in which he has, and continues to, look after himself.

"He has fantastic energy for the game and it is wonderful to see. Ryan seems to reach a new milestone every week and to think that he now has 23 unbroken years of league goals behind him is truly amazing in the modern-day game."

 

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Giggs to carry on at Manchester United when he retires

The Welshman, who has signed a one-year deal that will keep him on beyond his 40th birthday, is set to continue with a role at the club when he calls time on his career Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs is to be offered a role at Old Trafford when his playing career comes to a close.

The Welshman signed a one-year contract extension on Friday, which will keep him at the club beyond his 40th birthday.

Giggs became the only player to score in each of the 21 seasons of the Premier League when he notched his first goal of the season at home to Everton last month.
"We will see, but he will have a great role to play at Manchester United after he finishes his playing career," outgoing chief executive David Gill told Sky Sports. "He is an embodiment of what United is all about, we gave him a chance in the 80s and early 90s, and he is embodiment of professionalism."He is about caring, always wanting to improve, and he has changed in that period and that is why he still playing at the very top of club football. His desire is still there, his motivation is still there and as Alex says the ability is still there, so let's hope that continues for a few years to come.

"We have not had a major discussion, Ryan is doing his pro license and is preparing for that so we will have to see what he wants to do, coaching or managing, but he has been one if not they most successful players at United and we will have to wait and see.

"It is just a testament to Ryan Giggs as a footballer and a person, so staying on top of your game for 23 years, scoring every season, is brilliant for the club and himself, so it was a very easy decision, Alex spoke to him and gave him another year and it was done very quickly.

"We always speak to doctors before we offer a player a new contract and they said he is as fit as ever and in great shape as an athlete. You saw that last weekend running the show against QPR with Michael Carrick and that is testament to him, the medical team at Old Trafford and what he has achieved on the training pitch and on the pitch itself."

 

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Congratulations Giggs!

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Ban reduction allows Lewandowski to play this weekend

The striker has seen his three-game suspension reduced to two matches by the DFB, which means the Poland international is likely to feature against Hannover on Saturday.

Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski will be able to play this weekend after having his ban reduced from three games to two by the German Football Association (DFB).

The 24-year-old Lewandowski was sent off in last month's shock 4-1 home defeat to Hamburg, but he will now be available for Saturday's home game with Hannover. He missed the recent games against Borussia Monchengladbach and Eintracht Frankfurt.

Poland's current Footballer of the Year was shown a straight red card for a rash challenge on Hamburg midfielder Per Skjelbred on Feb. 9. After a three-hour long hearing, Goetz Elles, chairman of the Federal Court, revealed the reasoning behind Lewandowski's ban being cut.

"It was not a kick [out]. A suspension for two games seems reasonable to me," Elles told gathered media.

Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke was relieved about the decision to reduce his star striker's ban.

"This was a fair trial, we are very grateful. We are pleased that Robert can play on Saturday," Watzke said.

Lewandowski is currently second in the Bundesliga scoring charts with 14 goals, and he has been strongly linked with a move to Bayern Munich this summer, though Manchester United is also reportedly interested. The club has said that it will not sign Lewandowski to a new contract, meaning he will either leave for a fee this summer or next winter, or leave for free after the 2013-14 season.

 

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Gareth Bale and Andre Villas-Boas named Premier League Player and Manager of the month

The winger starred in each of Spurs' three league wins, netting a total of five goals and two winners throughout, tweeting to congratulate his boss in a "great month" for the club Tottenham winger Gareth Bale has been named the Premier League Player of the Month for February, with manager Andre Villas-Boas also earning the Manager of the Month award.

The north Londoners' successful February saw them triumph 1-0 at the Hawthorns against West Brom, beat Newcastle 2-1 at White Hart Lane and then came out on top of an entertaining 3-2 scoreline away at West Ham.

The Welshman has starred throughout, netting the winner against the Baggies, striking twice against the Magpies and then doing another double in the victory over the Hammers, which included a last-gasp winner from all of 30 yards out.

The 23-year-old, whose fine form has seen him linked heavily with clubs such as Real Madrid and Barcelona, expressed his delight at the award but also praised his team-mates and the boss.

Bale tweeted: "Very honored to be the Player of the Month. With the manager getting an award too it's been a great month for Spurs."

The Portuguese boss earns the accolade for the second time in as many months, after he also scooped up January's award, with his side winning three from three league matches.

The victories have seen Spurs extend their unbeaten run to 11 league fixtures, losing just once in 15 games since November.

The Lilywhites, who currently sit in third spot, are now in a great position to go on and secure Champions League qualification for next season with 11 matches remaining.

Villas-Boas' men are two points ahead of fourth-placed Chelsea and four points ahead of rival Arsenal, which occupies fifth and travels the short distance to White Hart Lane on Sunday in what is a crucial clash.

Spurs are also just five points behind second-placed Manchester City and will be hopeful of holding onto a top-four position - something that might also keep star man Bale at the club in the summer.

 

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Congratzzzzzz For Bale & AVB!

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Villas-Boas calls for Bale to remain in Premier League

The Portuguese coach is keen to keep hold of his star player, and has urged him to remain in "the best league in the world" in order to aid his development at the top level.

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has called on Gareth Bale to continue his playing career in England despite rampant transfer speculation from other leagues, most notably La Liga.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger stated earlier on Friday that the Welsh winger should stay in the Premier League, and Villas-Boas is in full agreement.

"It's extremely respectful. We have the best league in the world, in my opinion. For a player to develop to his full potential, it can be done perfectly in this league. Gareth has that in mind regarding Spurs and this league," Villas-Boas said at a press conference. "We don’t want Gareth to go away under any circumstances. I've told you in the past that our chairman is very difficult to deal with. We have to hold on to our best players to achieve our objectives.

"He has proved his quality in different fixtures against different opposition. He's going to be a major threat. You can't allow him any kind of space. He upsets opponents with his pace, power and technique. On this form he can continue to be decisive.

"I think he’s very down to earth. He’s a very human person."

Recent showings have sparked comparisons of Bale to players like Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, with Bale displaying supreme athleticism and a knack for the highlight-real goal en route to lifting Tottenham to third place in the Premier League.

"Comparisons are going all over the place," Villas-Boas said. "The level of form of the player means people are recognizing he’s world class. Merit is due where it’s due and I think Gareth is showing that level of form. Players like [Lionel] Messi have won titles, you have to win trophies and our aim is to do that.

"All of us have weaknesses one way or the other but the player is enjoying his football like he never was before. When you are at this level your weaknesses tend not to expose so much."

 

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Robben: Bayern has not won anything yet

The Netherlands international has urged his teammates to keep their feet on the ground as the Bavarians have set their sights on winning the treble.Arjen Robben has stressed that Bayern Munich cannot afford to get carried away following its good performances so far this campaign as the season is long from being decided.

The Allianz Arena side has been in sublime form this term and is still in the running to win the Bundesliga, Champions League and DFB Pokal treble. Robben has warned Die Roten still have a long way to go, though, and has insisted that they must remain focused.

"It is not enough what we have done so far. The most important thing is that we keep this up. We have to stay calm and keep our feet on the ground," Robben told TZ. "The DFB Pokal win over Dortmund was good, but we have not won any trophies yet. We have yet to achieve winning silverware this season."

Bayern locks horns with relegation-threatened Hoffenheim this weekend as it aims to extend its 17-point lead over Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga table.

 

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Barclays Premier League 2013.03.02 Fixtures

Barclays Premier League 2013.03.02 Fixtures

Chelsea Vs WBA

Sunderland Vs Fulham

Swansea Vs Newcastle United

Everton Vs Reading

Manchester United Vs Norwich City

Southampton Vs QPR

Stroke City Vs West Ham United

Wigan Vs Liverpool

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La Liga 2013.03.02 Fixtures

La Liga 2013.03.02 Fixtures


Real Madrid Vs Barcelona

Deportivo Vs Rayo Vallecano

Osasuna Vs Athletic Bilbao

Valencia Vs Levante​

 

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Serie A 2013.03.02 Fixture

Serie A 2013.03.02 Fixture

AC Milan Vs Lazio​