..::Football III::..

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Diego Costa can win Ballon d'Or, says Simeone

Diego Simeone believes Diego Costa would have made a worthy Ballon d'Or winner for 2013, after the striker netted a double against Levante to send Atletico Madrid top of La Liga on Saturday.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Franck Ribery and Lionel Messi have been shortlisted for the prestigious prize but the Argentine coach believes that the Rojiblancos' talismanic forward, who is now the Primera Division's outright top scorer on 19 goals, would have made for a very deserving victor.

"I have to say Diego Costa had a great game," the coach told reporters after Atletico's 3-2 victory at the Vicente Calderon. "If the deadline for the Ballon d'Or had been extended, he would be there fighting for it.

"He showed great responsibility [against Levante] and I hope he gets a bit closer to winning the Ballon d'Or next year."

Atletico's victory saw them move three points clear of Barcelona at the top of the table but Simeone is refusing to talk up his side's title hopes, saying that they will simply continue treating every game like it is a fight to the death.

"The fans of Atleti should be proud of the passion the players are showing; they are doing things that are unforgettable," he continued. "Being coach has been enormously exciting.

"We have got this club moving towards one single goal and we're not going to compromise on our philosophy of treating every game like it's the last of our lives.

"We are aware of our limitations and the difficulties we face so we have to keep rowing and rowing every day in the same direction to reach our destination."

Atletico will definitely go into the winter break at the summit of the standings should Barca fail to beat Getafe away on Sunday.

 

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Barclays Premier League 2013.12.22 Fixtures

Barclays Premier League 2013.12.22 Fixtures

Southampton Vs Tottenham

Swansea Vs Everton

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La Liga 2013.12.22 Fixtures

La Liga 2013.12.22 Fixtures

Espanyol Vs Real Valladoid

Getafe Vs Barcelona

Athletic Bilbao Vs Rayo Vallecano

Celta Vigo Vs Osasuna

Valencia Vs Real Madrid​

 

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Serie A 2013.12.22 Fixtures

Serie A 2013.12.22 Fixtures

Bologna Vs Genoa

Roma Vs Catania

Atalanta Vs Juventus

Hellas Verona Vs Lazio

Sampdoria Vs Parma

Sassuolo Vs Fiorentina

Torino Vs Chievo

Inter Vs AC Milan​

 

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patta comeback eka

 

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Paris Saint-Germain 2-2 Lille: Basa own goal gifts champions draw

Paris Saint-Germain needed an own goal from Marko Basa to salvage a 2-2 draw at home to Lille on Sunday night.

Laurent Blanc's men dominated for large periods in what was an enthralling contest but were left to settle for a share of the spoils against a Lille side that has now gone 15 games without a win at the Parc des Princes.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic put PSG in front with a free kick from distance after 36 minutes - the Sweden striker's 23rd goal of the season.

Lille's reply was superb, however, as Rio Mavuba levelled things up a minute before half-time, before Salomon Kalou gave them the lead with a penalty early in the second half.

Still, the visitors could not hold on as a grandstand finish was set up midway through the second half courtesy of Basa's own goal.

The hosts pressed for a winner in the closing stages but the capital club missed the chance to go five points clear of second-placed Monaco, who were beaten 2-1 by Valenciennes on Friday.

PSG made one enforced change from the side that beat Rennes 3-1 in their last league game, as Lucas Moura replaced Edinson Cavani, who was left out of the team for personal reasons.

Meanwhile, David Rozenhal came in to the Lille defence in place of Simon Kjaer.

The hosts struggled to break down a determined Lille defence in the early stages, but only the fantastic reflexes of goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama prevented them from going in front as he produced a superb reaction save to keep out Ezequiel Lavezzi's effort from Lucas Digne's left-wing delivery.

PSG began to dominate proceedings as the half progressed, and Blanc's side should have taken the lead just after the half-hour mark, Thiago Silva somehow shooting over the bar from point-blank range after Ibrahimovic had inadvertently turned the ball into his path.

However, the captain's profligacy looked to be immaterial four minutes later when Ibrahimovic's long-range free-kick deflected off the wall and into the top corner.

Lille midfielder Mavuba was then perhaps fortunate to stay on the field as he received only a yellow card after pushing Ibrahimovic in the face during an altercation between the pair.

And referee Fredy Fautrel's decision not to dismiss Mavuba proved pivotal shortly after when the 29-year-old produced a smart finish from Marvin Martin's pull-back.

Lille emerged from half-time the brighter of the two sides and were rewarded eight minutes into the second half when Kalou converted from the spot following former Lille defender Digne's rash challenge on Franck Beria.

Fortune continued to go against PSG, who were denied a penalty shortly after the hour despite an apparent handball from Martin.

PSG were eventually rewarded for an excellent response after 72 minutes, albeit in slightly fortuitous circumstances, as Basa diverted a corner into his own net.

Both sides pushed for the decisive goal, but it was Ibrahimovic who went closest as he hit a free kick narrowly over the bar.

 

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Valencia 2-3 Real Madrid: Jese earns Blancos vital victory

Jese Rodriguez came off the bench to earn Real Madrid a crucial 3-2 victory over Valencia at Mestalla on Sunday night.

In what was Nico Estevez's first league game in temporary charge of Valencia, following the exit of Miroslav Djukic on Monday, the hosts showed plenty of character to equalise twice at the Mestalla on Sunday.

However, substitute Jese denied the home side as Los Blancos made it seven league games unbeaten on a weekend when title rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid both won going into the mid-season break.

A superb solo effort from Angel Di Maria put Madrid ahead after 28 minutes, with the forward darting between Jeremy Mathieu and Juan Bernat before firing home.

The visitors' lead was cancelled out six minutes later when Pablo Piatti headed the home side level after good work down the left by Bernat.

Cristiano Ronaldo then headed his 18th La Liga goal of the season to restore his side's advantage, but again Valencia hit back, with Mathieu equalising with a header from Dani Parejo's corner just after the hour.

Just when it looked as though Valencia would frustrate Madrid, Jese popped up with the winner eight minutes from time - his driven effort squirming through Vicente Guaita's hands.

Ancelotti was unable to name Gareth Bale in his Blancos squad after he suffered a calf injury in training in midweek. The Italian was also without the injured Raphael Varane and the suspended Pepe, with Nacho retaining his place from Real's 2-0 Copa del Rey win over Xativa.

Estevez made four changes from Valencia's 3-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid with goalkeeper Guaita among those brought in. Sergio Canales had to settle for a place on the bench against his former club.

Xabi Alonso came close to connecting with a Marcelo corner at the far post after 16 minutes before Ronaldo flashed a shot wide, as Madrid enjoyed much of the early pressure.

The visitors' positive start was rewarded two minutes before the half-hour mark when Di Maria cut inside from the right before beating two Valencia defenders and finding the far corner of Guaita's net.

However, their joy was short-lived as Piatti stole in ahead of Sergio Ramos to head home Bernat's delivery six minutes later.

The goals continued to flow as Di Maria turned provider for Madrid's second, supplying a teasing set-piece delivery for Ronaldo to head home unmarked after 40 minutes.

In what was a low-key start to the second half, neither side were able to fashion any clear-cut chances until Mathieu drew Valencia level a minute after the hour mark.

The defender shook off the attentions of Ramos to angle a header past Diego Lopez and register his first goal of the season.

It mattered little, however, as Guaita failed to stop Jese's low strike after 82 minutes, ensuring Ancelotti's men remain five points off La Liga's two frontrunners.

 

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Inter 1-0 AC Milan: Palacio pinches three precious points for Nerazzurri

Rodrigo Palacio's late goal piled more pressure on AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri as Inter triumphed 1-0 in the Derby della Madonnina on Sunday night.

Allegri's position has been called into question due to a disappointing Serie A campaign so far, but vice-president Adriano Galliani this week denied that club legend Clarence Seedorf will take over next season.

Mario Balotelli wasted several chances to give them only their fifth win in Serie A this season and he was made to pay when Argentina international Palacio won it with a cheeky flicked finish four minutes from time to take his tally to 10 league goals for the season.Sulley Muntari was then sent off after being deemed to have barged over Zdravko Kuzmanovic to round off a miserable night for Milan.

Allegri's side are now 27 points behind leaders Juventus in 13th place heading into the mid-season break and their suffering fans have now been subjected to four defeats in their last five games against their arch-rivals.Inter were not at their best at a sold-out San Siro, but they ground out the victory and are now a point behind fourth-placed Fiorentina.

Allegri sprung a surprise by handing young midfielder Riccardo Saponara his first start for the club and left-back Kevin Constant returned in place of Urby Emanuelson, while Riccardo Montolivo served a suspension.

The evergreen Javier Zanetti and defender Juan Jesus were recalled to the Inter starting line-up, with Ricky Alvarez banned and Andrea Ranocchia dropping to the bench.After a frantic start, Milan started to get the upper hand and Balotelli swivelled in the area, but failed to keep his shot down nine minutes in.Esteban Cambiasso then produced some desperate defending to scramble the ball away after Samir Handanovic had parried Kaka's left-foot strike.

Milan continued to probe, but they were almost caught napping when Yuto Nagatomo ghosted in at the back post and stooped to head over the crossbar.
Andrea Poli wasted a golden opportunity to put Allegri's side in front when he blasted over from close range after Handanovic flapped at a corner.

Inter wanted a penalty when Zapata upended Palacio six minutes before the break, but referee Paolo Mazzoleni saw nothing untoward and Cambiasso headed wide of the far post on the stroke of half-time.Milan lost Constant to injury during the break, so Netherlands international Emanuelson came on to replace him.

Balotelli came close to an opening goal six minutes after the break when he cut in from the left and then forced Handanovic to make a fine reflex save, while the enigmatic Italy striker was thwarted again moments later with a shot that was deflected just wide of the near post.

The former Manchester City man's frustrations continued when he was unable to get a decent contact on Kaka's inviting free-kick after 66 minutes, as the breakthrough proved to be elusive.Balotelli was certainly not short of confidence, though, as he fired in an audacious long-range free-kick that drifted wide of the far post.

Christian Abbiati got down well to deny Palacio 10 minutes from time and the Argentina man failed to tap home from close range as the ball was sent back across goal.But he made amends four minutes from time with a delicate finish after Fredy Guarin picked him out with a centre.

Muntari was then dismissed two minutes into time added on for shoving Kuzmanovic to add insult to injury for Milan.

 

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Getafe 2-5 Barcelona: Pedro scores hat-trick in stunning comeback

Pedro scored a hat-trick as Barcelona produced a stunning comeback to beat Getafe 5-2 in La Liga.

The winger shrugged off the absence of Lionel Messi and Neymar to take centre stage, scoring the club's fastest league hat-trick since Dani's in September 1999 to move to 10 league goals for the season.

Getafe had taken a surprise lead after 10 minutes when Sergio Escudero beat Jose Pinto at close quarters following good work by Angel Lafita to create the chance.
And things went from bad to worse for the defending champions when Lisandro Lopez headed home unmarked from a corner four minutes later.

However, Barca showed their fighting qualities as Pedro struck three times in quick succession to hand his side what had at one stage appeared an unlikely lead at the break.

Cesc Fabregas added a fourth eight minutes after the hour and converted a penalty 19 minutes from time to complete his brace and round off the scoring.
Neymar was ruled out with suspension, while Gerardo Martino was also without Messi and Xavi due to injury.

However, the visitors were boosted by the return of Dani Alves following a calf injury, with Pedro and Alexis Sanchez called on to supply Barca's firepower.
Borja Fernandez came in for Getafe, replacing Mehdi Lacen, who dropped to the bench.

Barca threatened from the off as Gerard Pique forced Miguel Moya into a smart save from close range after just two minutes.But, against the run of play, the hosts took the lead with a well-worked move as Escudero applied the finish to Lafita's neat backheel.Getafe, who were beaten 4-1 in the corresponding fixture last season, doubled their lead after 14 minutes thanks to Lopez's header, leaving Martino's men stunned.

Pedro looked to have pulled a goal back before the half-hour mark but was denied by the offside flag.It mattered little, though, as the Spain international produced a stunning quick-fire treble to turn the match on its head.

The first arrived after 34 minutes when, having been played in by Fabregas, the forward hoisted the ball over Moya.

Pedro completed his hat-trick before the interval, cutting in from the left and firing into the far corner for his second and finishing emphatically inside the area for the third.

Getafe started the second half strongly and almost levelled 14 minutes in, with Diego Castro outsmarting Pique in the box and curling an effort wide of Pinto's right-hand post.

However, despite the home side's endeavour, Barca's cutting edge proved too much for Getafe to cope with as Fabregas volleyed home Pedro's cross at the far post to move two goals clear.

The midfielder added a second from the spot three minutes later after Pedro was felled in the box by Borja, with Barcelona able to comfortably see out the game and ensure they go into the winter break top on goal difference.

 

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Swansea 1-2 Everton: Barkley stunner sinks hosts

Ross Barkley's stunning late free-kick earned Everton a 2-1 victory over Swansea City on Sunday afternoon at the Liberty Stadium, as Roberto Martinez's side moved into the top four.

After a laboured first half, the Toffees raced out of the traps in the second period. First Barkley rattled the bar via the fingertips of Gerhard Tremmel, though the German keeper was powerless to stop an even more ferocious effort from Seamus Coleman moments later.

The visitor's lead was quickly wiped out, though, as Dwight Tiendalli profited from some suspect Everton defending to toe-poke a lose ball towards goal. His effort appeared to be going wide but ricocheted off Bryan Oviedo and deceived Tim Howard.

With the clock running out, Everton were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box. Barkley stepped up and curled a powerful effort in at the near post to claim all three points and secure a first win for Martinez over his old club.

Michael Laudrup made five changes to the Swansea side that drew 1-1 at Norwich City last Sunday, with injured trio Michel Vorm, Nathan Dyer and Michu among those to drop out, while Chico Flores and Wilfried Bony came back into the starting XI.

Martinez made two alterations from Everton's 4-1 win over Fulham last time out - James McCarthy and Kevin Mirallas replacing Leon Osman and the injured Gerard Deulofeu.

It was the hosts who applied the early pressure, but Wayne Routledge sent the first opportunity out for a throw-in after being teed up by Jonjo Shelvey.

Mirallas worked his way into the Swansea penalty area in the 14th minute, but, after sending Ben Davies one way and then the other, the Belgian drilled an effort straight at Tremmel.

Swansea were almost left red-faced after 20 minutes, as Tremmel spilled the ball at the feet of Romelu Lukaku from a free-kick, but the German stopper recovered just in time to gather.

Routledge played in Bony as the game reached the 30-minute mark, but the Ivorian scooped his effort well over the crossbar in a half that saw Swansea fail to register a single shot on target.

Everton, playing at a faster pace in the second period, unlocked the Swansea defence in the 56th minute, with Lukaku playing Barkley into space, but the young English prospect slipped in the penalty area and failed to get any purchase on his eventual effort.

Barkley had Everton's best chance of the match moments later, unleashing a thunderous strike from 18 yards that was touched onto the crossbar superbly by Tremmel.

But the visitors broke the deadlock with their next attack. Coleman - a constant threat down the right – received the ball some 25 yards out, took a couple of steps goalwards and smashed an unstoppable effort into the back of the Swansea net for his fourth goal of the season.

Swansea were level against the run of play four minutes later, as Tiendalli prodded home a Davies cross from close range via a Oviedo deflection – the hosts' first goal against Everton since February 1983.

The game looked to be heading for a draw until Barkley fired in a wonderful free-kick off the underside of the crossbar from 20 yards to snatch maximum points for Everton. Howard was called into action late on to make a reaction save from a Pablo Hernandez effort, but the Toffees held on to move into fourth place.

 

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Roma 4-0 Catania: Two-goal Benatia shines in Giallorossi romp

Mehdi Benatia scored twice as Roma ran out 4-0 winners over Catania on Sunday.

The centre-back opened the scoring as early as the 18th minute, as the Giallorossi dominated from start to finish at the Stadio Olimpico.

A Francesco Totti corner found the head of Mattia Destro and his flick-on was headed home by Benatia, who gave goalkeeper Alberto Frizon no chance.

The goal was the cue for a spell of dominance from the home side as they laid siege to the visitors' goal, with Frizon keeping out Destro, Gervinho and Maicon to leave the scoreline at 1-0 at half-time.

But it was only a matter of time before the home side extended their lead and Destro doubled Roma's advantage on 55 minutes with the simplest of goals, after the Catania keeper fumbled a Maicon cross into his path.

With the visitors on the ropes, two goals soon became three, with Benatia heading home his second of the afternoon and his fourth for his new club.

The game was all but over as a contest, but there was still time for Rudi Garcia's charges to round off the scoring with 10 minutes remaining, as Gervinho fired home to extend Roma's unbeaten run in Serie A to 19 games.

 

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Atalanta 1-4 Juventus: Bianconeri win ninth straight Serie A match

Juventus romped to their ninth straight win as they brushed Atalanta aside with a 4-1 win on Sunday afternoon.

It was another professional performance from the Serie A leaders, who maintained their 12-year league unbeaten run against the Bergamo club to stay five points clear of Roma.

Juve opened the scoring inside the first five minutes when Carlos Tevez scored his fourth goal in his last two league games.But Atlanta levelled shortly after when Maximiliano Moralez became the first Serie A player to score against Gianluigi Buffon in 745 minutes of football.

But any hopes an Atalanta victory were quashed in the second half, with Paul Pogba restoring their advantage just a minute after the break.And the champions made sure of all three points in the last 15 minutes with goals from Fernando Llorente and Arturo Vidal as their ominous form continued.

Experienced defender Guglielmo Stendardo came into the Atalanta defence as one of three changes from their 1-1 draw with Genoa, while Claudio Marchisio and Stephan Lichtsteiner started for Juve in place of Mauricio Isla and Federico Peluso.

Juve made a bright start and took the lead after just five minutes as Tevez's low strike from the edge of the area snuck past Atalanta goalkeeper Andrea Consigli.
The visitors' lead was short-lived though, as Moralez levelled nine minutes later when he slotted home from close range following good work down the right from Giacomo Bonaventura.

Despite that setback, the Turin outfit continued to dictate the play, but they were prevented from retaking the lead on the half-hour mark when Consigli produced a superb stop to keep out a near-post effort from Tevez.

However, just a minute into the second half the champions were back in front thanks to Pogba's neat finish after Llorente had smartly turned Kwadwo Asamoah's left-wing cross into his path.Atalanta struggled to gain a foothold in the contest and were fortunate not to fall further behind midway through the second period as Tevez's free-kick was deflected narrowly wide of the post.

The pressure from Antonio Conte's men told 15 minutes from time, when Spain striker Llorente turned smartly in the area before firing past Consigli and into the bottom corner.

The Turin giants refused to take their foot of the gas and the fourth goal came only four minutes later as Vidal tapped in Lichtsteiner's low delivery to put the gloss on a comfortable win.

 

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Southampton 2-3 Tottenham: Adebayor double hands Sherwood first win

Emmanuel Adebayor returned from his Tottenham exile to net twice in a 3-2 victory over Southampton at St Mary's Stadium on Sunday afternoon, as Tim Sherwood picked up his first win in charge of the north Londoners.

Adam Lallana opened the scoring for the hosts, swivelling on the edge of the box and rifling the ball into the bottom corner. But Spurs launched a counter-attack of their own soon after, with Adebayor volleying in Roberto Soldado's sumptuous cross.

he visitors then took the lead early in the second half as Jos Hooiveld turned in Danny Rose's low cross. The advantage did not last long, though, as Lallana darted in behind the Spurs defence and set-up Rickie Lambert to roll the ball into an open net.

But Tottenham's continued attacking intent under Sherwood was rewarded as Adebayor took control of a loose ball inside the box and curled a left-footed shot into the far corner which would eventually prove decisive.

Adebayor, who had fallen out of favour under former head coach Andre Villas-Boas, was selected alongside fellow striker Soldado in a Spurs side showing six changes from the Portuguese's final game in charge, while Southampton brought in Lallana, Morgan Schneiderlin and Danny Fox.

The hosts initially struggled to retain possession but opened the scoring as Lallana received a pass from full-back Fox before cleverly spinning Vlad Chiriches and placing an effort into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

Buoyed by the goal, Southampton looked comfortable and could have added a second when a flowing move resulted in Jay Rodriguez finding space in the box, only for the former Burnley man to curl his effort wide of the far post.

Tottenham capitalised on the let-off, though, drawing level from a counter-attack in the 25th minute when Adebayor stuck out his right boot to convert Soldado’s pinpoint cross from the left.

The visitors then operated at a higher tempo when the second period got underway, and moved ahead on 54 minutes. Neat interplay between Rose and Christian Eriksen resulted in the former delivering a low cross that was diverted home by the unfortunate Hooiveld.

Southampton were level inside five minutes. Lallana timed a run to perfection behind the Tottenham defence and, as Hugo Lloris attempted to narrow the angle, laid the ball into the path of fellow England international Lambert, who passed into the empty net.

Adebayor once again stepped up for Tottenham, however, pouncing on a loose ball from Kyle Walker's long throw to grab his second goal in the 64th minute.

Soldado missed two clear-cut chances to make the game safe as Tottenham piled on the pressure, but the spurned chances had no impact on the outcome with Southampton unable to force an equaliser. Spurs now sit six points behind leaders Liverpool in seventh, while Southampton remain ninth.

 

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Palacio: Milan derby decider my most important goal ever

Rodrigo Palacio has declared his winning goal in the Derby della Madonnina as the most important of his career.

The Argentine popped up with a brilliant backheeled finish to give Inter a 1-0 victory over bitter rivals AC Milan at San Siro on Sunday night, and the striker was quick to underline just how much his 86th-minute strike had meant to him.

“It’s an important goal for Inter and the most important goal of my entire career,” the former Boca Juniors forward told Sky Sport Italia.

“We deserved this victory and it will give us more confidence, as derbies are always important. Now we can go on the Christmas break happy and then return to do even better.”

Palacio, who has been leading the Inter line in the absence of the injury-plagued Diego Milito, claimed he doesn’t know whether Inter need to strengthen up front during the January transfer window.

“We’re all a little tired, as is normal halfway through the season," he reasoned. "The club and the coach (Walter Mazzarri) will decide whether or not to sign another forward.

“Is our objective the Champions League spot? No, we have to just take it one game at a time.”

Inter produced a lethargic display in the opening period and boss Mazzarri admitted he needed to take action at the break to get his side up for the contest.

“Milan kept us under ferocious pressure, so we were afraid and psychologically blocked,” the former Napoli coach explained after the game.

“We needed something to shake us up. We did that in the locker room at half-time and then played the way I wanted us to.

“The goal seemed cursed again today, as we kept going close and missing the finish or the final pass, but we got there in the end.”

Massimiliano Allegri, meanwhile, was left bemoaning Milan’s second-half slump, admitting that his side faded badly as the match reached its conclusion, but he also suggested that he was unhappy with Sulley Muntari's late dismissal.

“The team was a little tired at the end, but unfortunately I had few options,” the Rossoneri boss told Sky Sport Italia.

“I think it was a strong performance for an hour, then we should’ve defended better and Rodrigo Palacio scores a great goal.

“The derby is separate from the rest of the season. What disappoints me is that we concede many more fouls and get many more cards than our opponents. Something has to be wrong, because we get so many bookings.

“It’s a shame to lose the derby, but we have many more games to make up for it.”

 

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Marchisio wants new Juventus contract

Claudio Marchisio has revealed that he wants to commit his long-term future to Juventus by signing a new contract with the club.

The midfielder has been a Bianconeri player for his entire career, with a loan stint at Empoli representing his only spell away from Turin.

The 27-year-old played the whole 90 minutes as Juve cemented their spot at the top of Serie A with a 4-1 win over Atalanta on Sunday and he made his desire to extend his current deal - which runs out in 2016 - clear after the full-time whistle.

“We are winning so much so it is normal to want to stay,” Marchisio told Sky Sport Italia.

“I hope to extend these [remaining] two years of the contract, because I want to wear this shirt as much as possible.”

Antonio Conte’s men have recently had to cope without the influential Andrea Pirlo, who is not due back from injury until the New Year, but Marchisio has adapted well to filling the void left by the former Serie A Player of the Year.

“It took a bit of practice [to get use to the playmaking role], but I am comfortable in any role in midfield," the Italy international explained. "But everyone has made a great sacrifice and that’s why we won today [Sunday].

“The important thing is that the team is now in front of everyone else [in the league], has a five-point lead over [second-placed] Roma and in January we will try to increase this advantage.

“For two and a half years we’ve done nothing but grow under our current coach, and it can be seen especially in these games. Last year we had a little bit of hard work to do, but we are now very relaxed.”

 

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Martino hails prolific Pedro after hat-trick heroics against Getafe

Tata Martino spoke in glowing terms about hat-trick hero Pedro after Barcelona came from behind to defeat Getafe 5-2 at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez on Sunday evening.

After the Blaugrana had conceded twice inside the opening quarter, the Spain international scored three times in the space of nine remarkable minutes shortly before the break to send the visitors in a goal to the good at half-time.

While Pedro's performance certainly had his coach purring after a game that was eventually sealed by Cesc Fabregas' second-half double, Martino freely admitted that the Liga leaders had been given plenty of food for thought during the winter break.

“[Pedro] played a fantastic game,” the Argentine told reporters afterwards. "But then, he always scores. Pedro’s secret is that he never gives up. That’s why every coach ends up loving him.

“[But Gerard] Pique should have scored to put us in front, and then we had 10, 20 extremely poor minutes that could have cost us.

"Still, we kept our style and had 70 more good minutes. Football-wise, the team gets better each game.

"But in terms of things we should improve, for sure, keeping clean sheets and defending set-pieces better."

As for Pedro, he was delighted at having made the most of another opportunity to prove his worth to the Catalan club in the continued absence of injured talisman Lionel Messi and the suspended Neymar.

“I try to add things [when starting for Barcelona], and then it’s up to the coach to decide,” he told reporters after collecting the match ball.

“I’m getting many chances now and I have to take them. I’m happy with the reaction of the team after 2-0. We were able to react; the attitude was good."

 

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Liverpool's Lucas buoyed by Suarez deal

Lucas Leiva believes Liverpool have shown they mean business by persuading much-coveted striker Luis Suarez to commit his future to the club until 2018.

The Uruguay international, who has hit 19 goals in just 12 Premier League outings this season, had looked destined to leave Anfield in the summer, after stating his desire to play Champions League football.

However, Liverpool stood firm and the former Ajax man performed a dramatic u-turn on Friday by putting pen to paper on a lucrative long-term deal.

Lucas told LFC TV: "What he is doing this season and what he has done in the past few seasons he deserved that (his new contract). We can see he is really comfortable playing here.

"It (the new deal) is a positive message because the owners (Fenway Sports Group) and manager (Brendan Rodgers) said they want to keep their best players and at the moment he is not only our best player but the best player in the league.

"Hopefully he will maintain this form for a long time for the club."

Liverpool will stay top of the table if Arsenal fail to beat Chelsea on Monday night.