..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Messi: Barcelona will miss Puyol

Lionel Messi has highlighted the effect Carles Puyol has had on Barcelona as the long-time skipper's career with the Spanish club comes closer to an end.

The Blaugrana captain announced on Tuesday that he will depart Camp Nou in the summer after spending 15 years in the first team of the Catalan giants.

Messi pledged his support to the 35-year-old centre-back as he believes he will have thought long and hard about the decision to leave and insisted he will be missed by everyone connected to the club.

"It’s a decision that he’s probably thought a lot about, because it’s not easy to make," Messi told television show Mundo Leo.

"If he’s said it, it’s because he’s totally convinced and sure about it. He'll be sorely missed, both inside and outside the dressing room.

Messi went on to wish the Spain international luck on his future endeavours as he plays out the remainder of his final season with Barca.

He continued: "We wish him the very best in whatever he wants to do. Whether he goes to play somewhere else or wants to do something different, I hope it goes really well. He deserves it, he’s a fabulous person."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mourinho: There's more to come from Balotelli

Jose Mourinho believes there is much more to come from AC Milan front man Mario Balotelli, whom he coached during his time at Inter.

The Chelsea boss had several clashes with the Italian striker when they worked together at the Nerazzurri.

But despite their arguments during their spells with the Serie A side, the 51-year-old says he enjoyed working with the former Manchester City forward and insists the player's attitude problem was natural for someone of his age,

“It was great fun," he told Yahoo. "I always thought that was great fun and I have good memories of that.“Obviously with a kid like him, maybe now he is a bit different but at that time you have your ups and downs and we had our ups and downs but at the end of the day I enjoyed it; I think he enjoyed too.

“He learned a few things – or not – but he enjoyed too and he won: he was a Champions League winner at 18-years-old."

The former Real Madrid boss admits he doesn't think he will work with Balotelli again in the future but praised the 23-year-old and added he still has a lot of potential and room to grow as a player.

“In football you never know the future but I think at this moment he is with a big club, Milan. I suppose that they want to keep the best players and they want to keep the best Italian players.“He was already in English football. For sure I am not going to be his manager at Milan or at the Italian national team so I don’t think there is any situation in the future but he’s a good guy, he’s a good kid.

“He is a very young player, he’s very young. He started so young that maybe people now maybe think Balotelli is 27 or 28 but he’s not 27 or 28.“He was playing in the Champions League when he was 17, 18 and he come to City when he was 19, 20. He’s a kid, he’s still a very young kid.

“I think the best years of a playing career are between 27 and 31 - so he’s not there, but hopefully he goes in the right direction.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Brendan Rodgers determined to leave legacy at Liverpool

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has outlined his desire to leave a legacy of development at Anfield.

Rodgers has led the club to second in the Premier League table this season, with a brand of exciting attacking football that has seen them score 73 goals in just 28 matches - the highest total in the division.

The Reds are on course for a return to the Champions League after a four-campaign absence and, sitting just four points adrift of leaders Chelsea, are in contention to end their 24-year wait for a 19th title.

Rodgers has shown willingness to blood youngsters, with Raheem Sterling and Jon Flanagan now established members of the side and the manager says this policy is just as key as winning silverware.

"There's no point in having a youth system and an academy system in place if you're not going to look from within," Rodgers told the club' s official website.

"For me, it's how I work, it's also part of my definition of success.

"When I eventually retire from football, I want to be able to look back and see that, not only have I won trophies, but I've developed a football club that has brought through their own youth players and individuals and made them better. That is very important in my work.

"Other managers may be different and might just be about purely winning trophies, but for me success isn't just about picking up the trophy at the end of the season.

"It's also about the football club, giving value to young players and seeing them develop."

Rodgers went on to insist Liverpool remain a work in progress, despite the huge strides forward the club has taken this season.

"I've been satisfied in terms of the progress we have made but there is still a long way to go in terms of where I want to go with the whole project," he added.

"We're recognised now as one of the most exciting teams in the country to watch, over the next 18 months we want to eventually be really challenging on the trophy front."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Sergio Ramos & I are like brothers!' - Diego Costa

Diego Costa has jovially said Real Madrid rival Sergio Ramos is "like a brother" after making his debut for Spain in their 1-0 win over Italy.

The forward, who made his first appearance for la Roja in Wednesday's friendly against the Azzurri, after changing his international allegiance from Brazil, tussled with the defender on numerous occasions when Atletico Madrid clashed with their derby rivals last weekend in a physical 2-2 draw.

However, the 25-year-old insisted there is no animosity between the two and instead says they are now extremely close.

"Sergio Ramos and I are almost like brothers now," Marca quotes the striker as saying.
The Atletico talisman added that he was delighted to have received his first cap with the Spanish national team, although he was disappointed not to have scored.

"I got the monkey off my back by making my debut. It would have been a dream to mark it with a goal, but it wasn't to be - I'm really happy anyway."

The striker is now eyeing a spot in the Spain team for the World Cup in his native country this summer, but to do so he feels he must remain focused on club duties and keep his performances at a high level.

"Now I have to focus on Atletico, where I have to keep doing well to keep my place in the Spain squad. Everyone knows I was born in Brazil but I wanted to play for Spain. I won't forget the affection they've shown me."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Hodgson 'very sad and disappointed' by Wilshere injury

England manager Roy Hodgson says he is "sad" and "disappointed" to hear that Jack Wilshere will be sidelined for six weeks with a fractured foot.

The Arsenal midfielder picked up the injury during Wednesday’s friendly with Denmark at Wembley in a challenge with Liverpool defender Daniel Agger.

Wilshere received lengthy treatment on the pitch following the tackle but continued to play for almost an hour before being substituted.

The midfielder underwent initial scans after the game by the FA before further investigations by Arsenal’s medical team confirmed the injury.

Hodgson has revealed his disappointment at the news and says he is hoping to see the midfielder back in action as soon as possible.

"It's always sad when you have a player come from his club, you use him in international duty and then he gets an injury,” he told Sky Sports.

"It's very sad. I'm disappointed for Jack in particular and I'm disappointed for Arsenal.

"Unfortunately these things happen in a game of football. It was an honest challenge but he took a nasty kick and I can only hope he recovers as quickly as possible."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Henderson hopes Liverpool form will earn World Cup place

Jordan Henderson hopes he can get a spot in the England World Cup squad this summer if he continues to play well for Liverpool.

The midfielder started in England's 1-0 friendly win over Denmark on Wednesday and he says he is enjoying his football now more than ever before.

However, the 23-year-old is concentrating on keeping up his level of performance for his club before he looks towards representing his country in Brazil this year.

"I'm playing with a lot of confidence and I'm loving playing football at the minute," Henderson told the Liverpool Echo.

"Things have been going well for Liverpool and to get another call up for England gave me a boost as well. Hopefully I can keep going for the rest of the season.

"It would mean everything to me to go to the World Cup and represent my country.

"First and foremost, I need to do a job for Liverpool. I'll give my all between now and the end of the season. If I do that then I will have a good chance."

Five Liverpool players started Wednesday’s game at Wembley, with Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge, who scored the winner, Glen Johnson and captain Steven Gerrard joining Henderson in Roy Hodgson's side.

And the former Sunderland man believes such recognition is testament to Liverpool's progress under Rodgers.

"It shows you how well we have done this season," Henderson added. "We are all working really well together and linking up brilliantly. We have to try to bring that into the England set-up as much as we can."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'I won't talk about Tevez' - Sabella

Argentina boss Alejandro Sabella has refused to entertain the notion of calling up Carlos Tevez despite a lacklustre attacking display on Wednesday.

The Albiceleste, who are among the favourites for the upcoming World Cup, failed to overcome Romania as they drew 0-0 with a team who will not be at the finals in Brazil this summer.

Lionel Messi threw up on the field of play while Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Rodrigo Palacio and Ezequiel Lavezzi also failed to fire on all cylinders in Bucharest.

Tevez has scored 15 times for the Bianconeri in Serie A this season, but his goals have not had any impact on his chances of a return to the Argentina set-up and Sabella was in no mood to discuss the former Manchester City striker's chances of being part of his 23-man squad this summer.

"I have confidence in my players and I have confidence in my strikers," the coach responded tersely when asked if it was ridiculous that Tevez's performances have not merited a call-up.

"They're all stars of Argentina football. And I do not want to talk about players who are not here [like Tevez]."

Argentina have been drawn alongside Bosnia & Herzegovina, Iran and Nigeria in Group F of the World Cup finals.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Barca losing a leader in Puyol' - Marc Bartra

Marc Bartra claims that Barcelona have not come to terms with "losing a leader" following Carles Puyol's departure announcement on Tuesday.

The 35-year-old confirmed he would be leaving Camp Nou during the summer after 15 years in the first team, sparking suggestions of who would fill the boots of the Blaugrana captain.

Bartra would not yet be drawn about who could replace Puyol, though he hopes he can prove his ability to replace the veteran in the Barca backline. The young defender hailed the impact his Spanish compatriot has had on him during his still-fledgling career.

"It’s sad news for us all," the 23-year-old told reporters on Thursday. "For the team because we’ve lost our leader, he’s a captain from head to toes. And personally because he gave me so much advice and helped me progress in the game.

"We haven’t gotten used to the idea that he won’t be with us next season, yet. But there are still three months left and we have to be optimistic and learn as much as we can from him in that time.

"He helps me a lot on the field. After every move he gives me advice and after every game and every training session too. He had a massive impact, not just for me but for the whole team.

"I’d rather think about who will replace him at the end of the season. We still have four centre-backs at the moment. If somebody new comes, I’ll learn from him, while I have to keep proving that I can play at centre-back here."

Bartra could start alongside Puyol in Saturday's visit to Valladolid, which could see them at least temporarily return to the top of La Liga before Real Madrid host Levante on Sunday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sirigu: We must focus on PSG

Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu has urged the Ligue 1 leaders to refocus ahead of Saturday's trip to Bastia.

Laurent Blanc's men completed a league double over rivals Marseille last Sunday, but their preparations for the trip to Corsica have been disrupted with many of the club's players away on international duty in midweek.

Sirigu was part of the Italy squad for the 1-0 loss to Spain in Madrid on Wednesday and is now relishing switching his attentions back to club football for the Bastia clash.

"It's always difficult to prepare for a game while many players are returning from international duty," Sirigu told PSG TV.

"A lot of us have travelled, and therefore have not yet trained together. The trip to Bastia will be even more difficult.

"I think you have to give 100 per cent to prepare for this match. We must no longer think of the national teams, but go back to where we left off after the match against Marseille and act is if we had not gone. The focus should be on Paris Saint-Germain."

PSG are eight points clear at the top of Ligue 1 and will be heavy favourites against Bastia, a team they have not lost to since 2003.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pardew accepts FA charge over Meyler clash

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has accepted a Football Association charge relating to his clash with Hull City midfielder David Meyler.

Pardew was sent to the stands for the final stages of Saturday's Premier League match after pushing his head into Meyler during a touchline row.

The Magpies boss has already been fined £90,000 and given a formal warning by his club, and it has been widely reported that he could face a stadium ban of at least 10 matches.

A statement on the FA website read: "Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has admitted an FA misconduct charge in relation to his side’s game against Hull City on 1 March 2014.

"Pardew was involved in an incident with a Hull City player in the 72nd minute of this fixture.

"He has requested a personal hearing, the date of which will be set in due course."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Soldado determined to stick it out at Tottenham

Tottenham's Roberto Soldado says he would have returned to Spain by now if he was younger due to his difficult start to life in London.The 28-year-old arrived from Valencia with a reputation as a prolific goalscorer, but has struggled to settle at White Hart Lane having scored just six Premier League goals this season, four of which were penalties.

And in an interview with Radio Onda Cero, Soldado admitted that had he been less experienced, he may have been tempted to quit after such a testing start.

"If all this had happened to me when I was 22, I would have probably returned home after a month," he admitted."But I believe it is a positive experience for me, my family and for the education of my children.

"I am the only one responsible for my poor form, but I will get better. We have a great team and I am convinced we can have a good season."Soldado's winning goal against Cardiff City on Sunday was his first in the league in 2014, and he went on to say the strike had been a timely boost for both him and the club.

""It was a much-needed goal for me and especially for my team-mates and the fans," he added."Despite all the time I have gone without scoring a goal, the support they have given me has been incredible.

"Every time I touch the ball I feel there is great expectation and people are hoping for the best for me - I feel wanted here even though I haven't given them anything at the moment."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Soldado ge performance meh season 1ke echchara hari nahameeta wada hodata play karanna one

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chicharito to undergo tests on knee injury

Manchester United striker Chicharito is set to undergo tests on a knee injury picked up in Mexico's clash with Nigeria on Wednesday.The 25-year-old was involved in a collision with goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama during the goalless draw, and was replaced by Alan Pulido at half-time.

And, after the match, Chicharito confirmed he was suffering pain in his right knee.
"It really hurts," he is quoted as saying by Univision. "The goalkeeper fell on top of me, I'll wait for the tests."However, Mexico team doctor Jose Guadalupe Vazquez moved to cool concerns of a serious problem, telling ESPN: "It is a bruise, but we have to rule out any ligament strain.

"He only has pain and he doesn’t have a history of knee instability. The bruise is in the middle part of the knee. We will have to wait to see whether it is a strain."Chicharito could now miss Manchester United's trip to West Brom in the Premier League on Saturday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Puyol would be welcome in the USA, says Henry

New York Red Bulls striker Thierry Henry says that former Barcelona team-mate Carles Puyol would be more than welcome in Major League Soccer.

The veteran defender announced earlier this week that he will leave Camp Nou at the end of the season after spending his entire career with the Blaugrana.

The Frenchman, who left Catalunya after three years alongside the Spain international, would be delighted to see his old colleague join him in the USA.

"If he wants to come and play in America, he would be welcome," the former Arsenal captain told ARA.

"If Puyol comes, it would be great. It would be good for the league and it's always good to have players like him."

However, Henry said that he has not been in contact with the 35-year-old in an effort to lure him across the Atlantic Ocean.

"He is a very intelligent and reliable man who already knows what he wants," he added.

"We must respect his decision and we have to enjoy the last few months he has in a Barca shirt. He's an example for the team and club."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Matath hithenawa Puyol MLS play karai kiyala.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Iniesta: We can beat Madrid at Bernabeu

Andres Iniesta believes Barcelona can "obviously" beat Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu in the upcoming Clasico on March 23.

The Catalans sit one point shy of the Blancos with two more La Liga games before they clash, meaning Carlo Ancelotti's men could move four points clear if results beforehand are matched, or Gerardo Martino's charges could leapfrog their rivals.

Iniesta has no doubt that a victory in the capital can be achieved and, ahead of a clash with Valladolid on Saturday, thinks that La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League are well within their reach this season.

"Obviously we can win," Iniesta said at a promotional event. "We have already done so in the past.

"But we have two La Liga games beforehand and we cannot forget them. If we want to compete until the end of the season, we have to beat Madrid.

"Expectations are high in all three competitions. We have plenty of options in the squad, and the desire and enthusiasm to get titles is high."

Iniesta, who scored the winning goal in the World Cup four years ago, played a part in Spain's 1-0 friendly victory over Italy on Wednesday and hopes la Roja can be victorious once again in Brazil.

"It leaves a good feeling for the World Cup," he added. "We are confident that we can do something important.

"Winning the World Cup is amazing and scoring a goal in the World Cup is a unique feeling."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bayern brand overpowering claims 'absurd'

Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer has branded accusations that the club are ruining the Bundesliga "absurd" and taunted their rivals by suggesting they instead should look at why they are much weaker.

The Bavarians lead the German top division by 20 points, with Borussia Dortmund sitting second without a realistic hope of catching the runaway leaders.

BVB have been vocal in their complaints that the reigning European champions are too overpowered and are turning the Bundesliga into a league with no competition, but Sammer does not think that the argument holds weight.

"Maybe we are superior to the quality, but also we're superior with our mentality at the moment," he told Sport1. "And maybe that's the message we are sending out.

"The daily training, the daily response - it is a product of our development and no other club in Germany have our methods.

"Overpowering calls are a bit absurd, though. Instead, we should be having a discussion as why other clubs may not be as good at the moment."

The Roten chief also dismissed claims that the German giants are trying to weaken their opposition in the face of signing up Dortmund stars Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski last year and this coming summer respectively, but says they will not ever restrain their transfer plans.

"There was no decision made to weaken opposition," Sammer added. "But there are no taboos.

"If Bayern Munich want to do well, we will do what we must in the future. This is a clear message."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pogba is untouchable, declares Juventus chief Agnelli

Juventus president Andrea Agnelli has suggested that midfielder Paul Pogba is untouchable and that his future lies in Turin.

The Frenchman, who joined the Bianconeri on a free transfer from Manchester United in 2012, has been linked with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain with a new contract in Turin yet to materialise.

With his current deal set to run out in June 2016 and talks with the player reported to be rumbling on, however, Agnelli is confident that the reigning Scudetto holders can fend off interest in the highly-rated 20-year-old.

"Pogba is one of Juve's World Heritage Sites," he told gathered media at a UNESCO event. "He enjoys the attention of other big clubs but Juventus are already looking towards his future."

The Juve chief almost hailed the relationship he has with coach Antonio Conte and says that the pair have a clear idea of wha lies ahead in the Serie A leaders' future.

"My relationship with Conte is extremely healthy," Agnelli added. "Antonio shares the same dreams of where we want to take the club."

Juve currently boast a comfortable 11 point lead in the Italian top tier, although second place Roma have a game in hand, and sit in the last 16 of the Europa League having been drawn against Fiorentina.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Varane best defender in the world, says Mourinho

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho believes that Real Madrid youngster Raphael Varane is arguably the best defender in the world.

The Portuguese, who left the Santiago Bernabeu for Stamford Bridge last summer, made the French youngster a regular in his starting XI last term.

Varane earned widespread praise for his composed defensive performances and Mourinho has nothing but good memories of the centre-back.

Indeed, after being asked who were the young players to watch at the World Cup after being unveiled as Yahoo's global ambassador for football 2014, the Blues boss stated: "I would say [Eden] Hazard for sure, Neymar and Varane.

"I think Varane is the best central defender in the world. He is still young, but I think he's the best. Already, yes. I think he's the best defender."

Varane has made just six La Liga appearances so far this term as a knee injury kept him sidelined for the majority of the first half of the season but is expected to be named in France's squad for Brazil 2014.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Inter will make more signings, promises Thohir


Inter president Erick Thohir has insisted that the Nerazzurri will make a number of signings this summer as they continue to rejuvenate their team.

The Giuseppe Meazza side secured the services of Hernanes from Lazio during the January transfer window, while they announced the capture of Nemanja Vidic on a Bosman move earlier this week.

Nevertheless, Thohir has promised Inter's fans that there will be more high-profile arrivals before the start of the 2014-15 campaign.

"We might add a few players for next season. We're building a team for the next few years," Thohir was quoted as saying on the club's official website.

"With Hernanes I think we have leadership in the middle. With Vidic we have a leader in the defence.

"I think we need to create stability in the team but I think by next season the average age of the team will be 26.5 years old.

"The most important thing, as I keep saying, is to balance the ages and also balance the positions."

Inter currently sit fifth in the Serie A table with 41 points from 26 games.