..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Ramsey: Wenger has made me a better player

Goalscorer Aaron Ramsey paid tribute to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger after the FA Cup winners secured Community Shield glory.

Ramsey netted an extra-time winner to sink Hull City and end his club's nine-year trophy drought in May and they returned to the national stadium with an emphatic 3-0 win over Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday.

As in the Cup final, fellow midfielder Santi Cazorla scored Arsenal's first and Ramsey once again showed a keen eye for goal at Wembley as he beat Willy Caballero at his far post to grab his side's second.

The Wales international told BT Sport: "It has not been a bad place for me or Santi Cazorla, we want to play here every week!

"I have just become a lot more composed in front of goal, realising I have more time than I did in the past. I am making good contact and being composed.

"Arsene Wenger has been massive for me. He has always believed in me, even through the bad periods, he has always played me and I am grateful to pay him back.

"The boss has given me a role where he knows I will get forward into the box. I am feeling good in my position, I feel I am picking the right chances to get forward."

Jack Wilshere impressed as Arsenal secured a deserved 2-0 lead at half-time, over-running City's midfield and running their makeshift defence ragged.

The England midfielder, like Ramsey, will hope to leave injury concerns behind him this term after prolonged spells on the sideline last season and was pleased Arsenal made such a convincing statement - but was keen to keep the result in perspective.

"I think the message we wanted to send out was we are ready, it is the biggest game of pre-season and we passed the test," he told BBC Radio 5Live. "Just because we beat the champions doesn't mean we will be champions because it doesn't work like that but we are ready.

"We have got a great team ethic here and I hope we can take that into the season.

"It's a big season for me. Last season was a bit stop start but I have had my first proper pre-season and I am feeling good."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Markovic facing race against time to be fit

Lazar Markovic could hand Liverpool a timely boost ahead of Sunday's Premier League opener with Southampton by returning to full fitness.

The close-season signing from Benfica has missed the final four games of Liverpool's pre-season schedule with a tendon problem sustained on his debut against Olympiakos in Chicago.

However, Brendan Rodgers is optimistic that the winger could be available for selection against Southampton. And, if Markovic does miss out, the Reds boss expects to have him at his disposal when last season's runners-up travel to champions Manchester City the following week.

Speaking after Liverpool thrashed Borussia Dortmund 4-0 on Sunday, Rodgers said: "He'll hopefully be around then [for the Southampton match], but if not then he certainly will for the next game.

"He had a slight problem with his tendon, but he's up to speed.

"He's working with our sports science team.

"He's looking very strong and if he just misses out, he certainly should be available for the next game."

Markovic made 49 appearances in all competitions for Benfica last season and scored seven goals, before he was snapped up by the Merseyside outfit for £20 million this summer.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ferencvaros 1-2 Chelsea: Sublime Fabregas solo effort seals win

Chelsea came from behind to win 2-1 at Ferencvaros on Sunday, but suffered an injury scare to Didier Drogba in Budapest.

Ramires and Cesc Fabregas got on the scoresheet in the second half after Zoltan Gera broke the deadlock, but Jose Mourinho was left with plenty to ponder just over a week away from their first Premier League fixture of the new campaign.
In a game being played to celebrate the opening of the impressive Groupama Arena, Mourinho named a strong starting line-up for his side's penultimate pre-season friendly, with Drogba partnered with Fernando Torres up front.

There was room for two youngsters, as teenage defenders Andreas Christensen and Kurt Zouma featured alongside close-season signing Filipe Luis and Cesar Azpilicueta in the rearguard ahead of Petr Cech, but the midfield was packed with proven performers, including World Cup winner Andre Schurrle.

The vociferous home crowd were on their feet when Attila Busai snuck in at the far post early on, but he was ruled offside before firing over the bar, while at the other end, Drogba and Schurrle forced saves from Denes Dibusz.

It was the locals making all the noise again after 17 minutes, though, when former West Brom and Fulham midfielder Gera finished off a fine cross from the right with a clinical close-range volley that gave Cech no chance.

Drogba then had to receive treatment after falling awkwardly when challenging for a high ball into the box and the striker's night was over when he worryingly hobbled off after 27 minutes, to be replaced by Oscar.

Zouma did well to head clear another dangerous cross in from the right wing, while Schurrle was narrowly wide with a free-kick for Chelsea after Willian had been clumsily felled on the edge of the area, but Ferencvaros remained 1-0 in front at the break.

Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill, Mohamed Salah, Fabregas and Diego Costa came on for the visitors at half-time, but Ferencvaros started the second period brightly and should have doubled their advantage when a cut-back from the right went through two totally unmarked attackers six yards out.

Chelsea made the hosts pay for that error after 51 minutes when Ramires fired in a thundering shot from the edge of the area that flew over the outstretched arm of Dibusz and into the top corner of the net.

Cahill then had a header saved from a Fabregas corner and Oscar was only denied by a last-ditch tackle after dribbling through the Ferencvaros defence as Chelsea upped the tempo.There was another near-miss when Cahill headed against the inside of the post and Ivanovic just failed to get to the rebound, while substitute Eden Hazard almost set up Oscar.

The winner finally came with nine minutes remaining when Fabregas dribbled past two defenders and coolly slotted home. Fabregas had a chance to add another, but glanced his close-range header wide after great work from Victor Moses down the right and Costa missed another gilt-edged opening when shooting wide with just the keeper to beat.

Chelsea will complete their preparations for next Monday's Premier League trip to Burnley by hosting Real Sociedad on Tuesday night.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Hummels sell karana ekak nae machanBenatia try karanwa neda

Mummels miss unoth nam loku paduwak

Ow machan Benatia wa ganna try karanawaAth 1kath wei kiyala sure karanna amarui machanmokada mata mathakai City la Benatia wa ganna try karanakota Roma la kiyala thibba keeyatawath Benatia wa sell karanne naha kiyala

Ithin anisa Benatia ganna puluwan wei kiyala sure karanna baha machan!​

 

[unicornx]

Ramsey: Wenger has made me a better player

Goalscorer Aaron Ramsey paid tribute to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger after the FA Cup winners secured Community Shield glory.

Ramsey netted an extra-time winner to sink Hull City and end his club's nine-year trophy drought in May and they returned to the national stadium with an emphatic 3-0 win over Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday.

As in the Cup final, fellow midfielder Santi Cazorla scored Arsenal's first and Ramsey once again showed a keen eye for goal at Wembley as he beat Willy Caballero at his far post to grab his side's second.

The Wales international told BT Sport: "It has not been a bad place for me or Santi Cazorla, we want to play here every week!

"I have just become a lot more composed in front of goal, realising I have more time than I did in the past. I am making good contact and being composed.

"Arsene Wenger has been massive for me. He has always believed in me, even through the bad periods, he has always played me and I am grateful to pay him back.

"The boss has given me a role where he knows I will get forward into the box. I am feeling good in my position, I feel I am picking the right chances to get forward."

Jack Wilshere impressed as Arsenal secured a deserved 2-0 lead at half-time, over-running City's midfield and running their makeshift defence ragged.

The England midfielder, like Ramsey, will hope to leave injury concerns behind him this term after prolonged spells on the sideline last season and was pleased Arsenal made such a convincing statement - but was keen to keep the result in perspective.

"I think the message we wanted to send out was we are ready, it is the biggest game of pre-season and we passed the test," he told BBC Radio 5Live. "Just because we beat the champions doesn't mean we will be champions because it doesn't work like that but we are ready.

"We have got a great team ethic here and I hope we can take that into the season.

"It's a big season for me. Last season was a bit stop start but I have had my first proper pre-season and I am feeling good."

Congratz Arsenal

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sevilla in better shape than Real Madrid, says Vitolo

Victor 'Vitolo' Machin believes that Sevilla are in better physical condition than Real Madrid ahead of their Uefa Super Cup clash in Cardiff.

The two Liga sides will locks horns on Tuesday evening and the winger believes that the Rojiblancos can spring a surprise against the Champions League winners.

"I think many people have already said that we might hold the edge from a physical point of view and that we might be better prepared," Vitolo told Goal.

"A lot of Madrid's players were at the World Cup and only just returned from their holidays. They have had little time to train and get back in shape. That could be an advantage for us.

"It's clear that this is a great opportunity to win another title and will give our all to win it. I am calm and focused on the game. We are preparing with tranquillity and humility. We will see what happens."

The 24-year-old also had his say on reports that Cristiano Ronaldo could miss the Super Cup showdown, revealing that he expects the Portugal international, who is still recovering from the effects of an injury-interrupted end to the 2013-14 season, to make an appearance in Cardiff.

"Cristiano Ronaldo will definitely play because he is very committed to Real Madrid," Vitolo stated.

"He is the best player in the world together with Lionel Messi. It will be difficult to stop him, but the coach [Unai Emery] will know how to do it."

There is also some uncertainty over who will start in goal for Madrid, with Los Blancos having signed Keylor Navas during the close-season to compete with club captain Iker Casillas for the No.1 jersey.

However, Vitolo says that Carlo Ancelotti's selection headache is of little concern to him.

"I don't care who will be the goalkeeper for Madrid," he confessed. "The only thing that matters is that we have to score and I hope we can win."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ibrahimovic: I never said I want to return to Juventus

Paris Saint-Germain star Zlatan Ibrahimovic has dismissed the suggestion that he wants to return to Juventus.

Italian publication Tuttosport recently published an interview with Swedish coach Stefan Hansson, who claimed to have befriended the striker at Malmo and suggested that the 32-year-old wants to rejoin the Serie A champions, whom he played for between 2004 and 2006.

However, Ibrahimovic has now claimed that not only is he uninterested in going back to Juve, he does not even know Hansson.

"A person named Stefan Hansson has been making comments about me," the Sweden international said via his personal app Zlatan Unplugged.

"I would like to clarify that I do not know this person. I have never met him, he has never been my coach and we have never talked on Skype.

"Normally, I would not even comment on matter like this, but his comments have reached unreasonable proportions, so I felt compelled to react."

Ibrahimovic, who netted twice in PSG's 2-2 Ligue 1 draw against Reims at the weekend, has a contract with the Ligue 1 champions until June 2016.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Dante: I would accept Pep picking Badstuber over me

Bayern Munich defender Dante has claimed he is not concerned about possibly losing his starting berth to Holger Badstuber, insisting that he will accept it if Pep Guardiola decides to drop him in favour of the fit-again centre-back.


Badstuber recently returned to action after a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to two serious knee injuries and Dante is happy that his team-mate has at last shaken off his injury problems at last rather than worried about his own starting berth.


"It's not about what Dante wants, believe me. I am happy so long as Bayern win, regardless of whether I'm playing. The team's success is all that matters," Dante told Kicker."I am really happy that Badstuber is back again, not just as a rival for the centre-back position, but also as a person. It's fantastic to make a comeback after such a long time out.


"I am here to help him and if the coach were to decide that he's the one who will start, then I will wish him all the best in the world."The Brazil international then went on to discuss the upcoming German Supercup game against Borussia Dortmund and stressed that Bayern will do their utmost to win.


"Matches against Dortmund are always important. We should take a final like this seriously. The fans expect nothing else from us. Dortmund have a great team, so we will definitely not take this game lightly."Bayern meet Dortmund at the Signal Iduna Park on Wednesday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Inter rejected €25m bid for Icardi, says Ausilio

Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio has claimed that the Giuseppe Meazza side have turned down an offer worth €25 million for Mauro Icardi - before adding that the striker is not for sale at any price.


The 21-year-old former Barcelona attacker has been linked with clubs such as Atletico Madrid and Liverpool in the past few months, but the Nerazzurri have stressed that the Argentine is just an important a player for the future as fellow youngster Mateo Kovacic."They have already offered €25m for Icardi and we have rejected those offers," Ausilio told Corriere della Sera.


"Both Mauro and Kovacic are not for sale at any price. They are fundamental for the project we have at Inter."Mauro can play alongside Pablo Osvaldo without any problems."


Icardi has a contract with Inter until the summer of 2018, while the 20-year-old Kovacic's deal is due to expire in 2017.The former joined Inter from Sampdoria last year and immediately became an important first-team member at the Giuseppe Meazza, netting nine goals in 22 Serie A appearances in his debut season.


Kovacic, meanwhile, has made 45 Serie A appearances for Inter since joining the club from Dinamo in 2013.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Shaqiri is Bayern's future, says Hitzfeld

Former Bayern Munich boss Ottmar Hitzfeld has advised Xherdan Shaqiri to be patient and fight for a first-team place at the Allianz Arena.


The 22-year-old arrived in Bavaria from Basel in the summer of 2012, but he has so far been struggled to secure regular game time due to the stiff competition for places, with Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben his main rivals for the positions on the wing.


"Xherdan is the future of Bayern Munich," ex-Switzerland coach Hitzfeld told Bild."The clock is ticking in his favour. His young age is his biggest advantage."His chances of becoming a starter at Bayern are getting bigger each season."


Meanwhile, Shaqiri himself has admitted that he's likely to stay at the Bavarians, but refused to rule out a summer transfer amid alleged interest from Juventus and Liverpool."I think that I will stay here at Bayern. But everything's possible so long as the transfer window remains open."


Shaqiri has a contract with Bayern until June 2016.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger: I still want to sign a centre-back

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits that is on the lookout for a centre-back to fill the void left by Barcelona new-boy Thomas Vermaelen.

The Belgium international completed his move to Camp Nou on Saturday after rejecting the advances of Manchester United and the versatile defender's departure has left the Gunners short on options at the back.

With Laurent Koscielny picking up a knock in the Community Shield victory over Manchester City and Per Mertesacker having only just returned to training, Wenger is ready to bring in further cover at the heart of his defence.

“Vermaelen behaved outstandingly last year - I am grateful for him and I wish him very well,” said the Arsenal boss after his side romped to a 3-0 win at Wembley.

“If I can find another centre-back, I will do it."

Calum Chambers, a summer signing from Southampton, once again featured at centre-back, helping keep a deadly City attack at bay, and Wenger was hugely impressed by the teenager, as well as Mathieu Debuchy, who was also making his competitive debut following his arrival from Newcastle.

“For a 19-year-old, [Chambers] had an outstanding performance today,” added the veteran boss. “He was very impressive. Debuchy was also excellent.”

Both players are in line to start the Gunners’ opening Premier League match, against Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium next week.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Hummels wa ganna Manchester United & Arsenal athare battle 1kak yai kiyala thamai kiyanne
​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Madrid want to repeat Champions League success, says Arbeloa

Alvaro Arbeloa says that winning the Champions League with Real Madrid was the highlight of his career and he is hopeful of repeating last season's success in the not-too-distant future.


Los Blancos beat city rivals Atletico 4-1 after extra time in last year's showpiece in Lisbon to land the club's 10th European title and Arbeloa has admitted that finally bagging La Decima was vital for the club.


"When you win the Champions League with Madrid it is the pinnacle for a player and hopefully we can repeat it in the future," the defender was quoted as saying on the official Uefa website.


"They always say that playing at Real Madrid is the pinnacle but above all that the most important thing is to win with Madrid. Before now we had won Ligas, Copas, etc. but until you win a Champions League you feel like something is missing.


"It is true that we were in search of that title for a long time. We knew what it meant, not just for the club, but for all of our fans, and sharing that joy with them is something we will never forget."Real Madrid’s prestige has always been a result of its victories in Europe. For this club and for these players it is very important for us to have chances to fight for a European title and to win it."


Madrid will be looking to add more silverware to their trophy cabinet on Tuesday when they meet Sevilla in the Uefa Super Cup in Cardiff.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chelsea outcast Marin set for Fiorentina move

Chelsea winger Marko Marin is undergoing a medical ahead of a proposed move to Fiorentina.

Reports suggest the Germany international will pen an initial loan deal at Stadio Artemio Franchi, having failed to gain regular first-team action at Stamford Bridge.

"Pending official confirmation [of the transfer], Marin is undergoing a medical," read a post on Fiorentina's official Twitter profile.

Marin signed a five-year contract at Chelsea in 2012 but has made under 20 appearances for the Blues since making his initial move from Werder Bremen.

He spent the 2013-14 campaign on loan at Sevilla, winning the Europa League, and it now appears that the 20-year-old will link up with Vincenzo Montella's side.

Marin made 18 appearances in Spain's top flight last season, but missed part of the campaign with a thigh complaint.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Messi ge shape 1ka tikak thiyanawa neda Marco Marin ta

​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Juan Cuadrado ge replacement 1ka godak durata Marco Marin wenna puluwan
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[Wolverine GTR]

Official: Manchester City sign Mangala from Porto

Manchester City have announced the signing of defender Eliaquim Mangala from Porto.

The France centre-back was in Manchester in July to complete a medical after the two clubs agreed a €40 million deal.

City had tried to sign Mangala during the January transfer window but the Portuguese club held firm, despite the investment trust that owns part of his economic rights willing to do a deal.

The Premier League champions also unsuccessfully attempted to sign Mangala's team-mate, Brazilian midfielder Fernando, in the winter window, but announced his signing during the World Cup.

“City is a top club in Europe," Mangala told the club's official website. "For me, it was an important step to leave Porto and join Manchester City in order to continue my progress.

"I want to win titles and I believe I can do this. I am ambitious and this is why I am here.

“I’m very happy to come to England because for me, the Premier League is the best league in the world. It is a very intense and very aggressive competition. There are plenty of goals, so it is also really nice to watch and I can’t wait to get started!

“The fact that Fernando is here is better because I played with him at Porto but there is also other players that I know like [Bacaray] Sagna, [Gael] Clichy and [Samir] Nasri."

City had prioritised the capture of an elite central defender to partner Vincent Kompany, and the 23-year-old Frenchman becomes the club's sixth summer signing after Sagna, Fernando, Willy Caballero, Frank Lampard and Bruno Zuculini.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Mangala!

Pattama defender & Hoda sign 1kak
​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Schmeichel: Van Gaal can make Manchester United champions again

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel believes Louis van Gaal is the man to turn around the club's Premier League fortunes and make them title contenders once again.

It was a season to forget for United in 2013-14, as they finished seventh in David Moyes' only campaign at Old Trafford.

Moyes was swiftly sacked in favour of the experienced Van Gaal, who has already overseen a change in formation, the Dutchman opting for a three-man defence, a system he adopted during the Netherlands' World Cup campaign in Brazil.

He also guided the club to an unbeaten tour of the United States, with wins against the Los Angeles Galaxy, Roma, Inter, Real Madrid and Liverpool in pre-season.

And Schmeichel claims Van Gaal's bold tactics - highlighted by his decision to swap goalkeepers in the Netherlands' penalty shoot-out win against Costa Rica - bode well for United.

"He did one or two things in the World Cup which were quite noticeable and have put his name right up there," Schmeichel told the Daily Mirror. "They were things no-one else ever dared to do.

"So he looks to be his own man, who knows exactly what he wants to do. I think we should be contending for the title again this season under him.

"He has always been someone who is at a big club like Bayern Munich and Barcelona and done good things. Hopefully he can do the same at Manchester United."

If United are to return to the top of the Premier League table, they must improve their home form.

United uncharacteristically lost 12 league games last season, with seven of those coming at Old Trafford, slipping up against West Brom, Everton, Newcastle United, Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester City and Sunderland.

"It wasn't great losing that many games – especially at Old Trafford," the Dane added.

"If you turn those seven defeats into wins - which we would normally do - then you see we would have been right up there in the table.

"There was a problem at Old Trafford last season. It would be nice for that to go away and to see the team winning again - and hopefully in style."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Germany striker Klose retires from international football

Miroslav Klose has called time on his international career with Germany at the age of 36.

The Lazio attacker played a key role in the country's successful World Cup campaign - scoring twice in five appearances as he became the tournament's all-time record goalscorer - and he has now decided to bid farewell to the national team.

"Winning the World Cup was a dream come true," Klose stated. "I've had a great time with the national team and enjoyed some amazing moments.

"There's no better way for me to end my time with the German team than by winning the World Cup.

"The team's success always came first for me. We have reached the objective that we set [by winning the World Cup]."

Klose ends his time with Germany not only as the World Cup's top scorer, with 16 goals, but also as Germany's all-time leading marksman, with 71 strikes to his name.

"I have also achieved some personal goals," he mused. "I am a striker and my job is to score goals.

"It was never about records for me, but always about helping the team. I have to rely on my team-mates in order to be successful, so I would like to thank all my team-mates."

Klose made his Germany debut in March 2001 in the 2-1 victory over Albania, netting a late winning goal after coming off the bench with just 19 minutes to go.

The prolific attacker would eventually go on to make 137 appearances for the national team, with only Lothar Matthaus representing Germany more often (150 caps).

The Poland-born attacker featured at four consecutive World Cups, scoring at all four of them, while also participating at three European championships.