..::Football III::..

Status
Not open for further replies.

Wolverine GTR

Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    UEFA Champions League Play-Off 2nd Leg Fixtures 2014.08.27

    UEFA Champions League Play-Off 2nd Leg Fixtures 2014.08.27

    52280.png
    Arsenal Vs Besiktas
    50157.png


    50152.png
    Malmo Vs Salzburg
    50030.png


    50109.png
    Leverkusen Vs Kobenhavn
    52709.png


    50125.png
    Athletic Bilbao Vs Napoli
    50136.png


    2603104.png
    Ludogrets Vs Steaua
    50065.png
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Neymar: I'd have been a bad musician if I'd not been a good footballer

    447551_heroa.jpg


    Neymar has admitted that he would have been a bad musician if he had not been such a good footballer - and released a video of himself rapping to prove it.

    The Barcelona forward is widely regarded as one of the most talented players in world football, which is just as well, according to the 22-year-old Brazilian, because he feels he never would have earned fortune and fame if he had pursued a career in the other great love of his life.

    "If I wasn't a footballer I would have been a musician," he told Barca Fans. "Although, I don't think I would have been any good because I can't sing or play an instrument!"

    That has not stopped him from trying, though, as this video posted on Instagram by Neymar's friend MC Nego Borel demonstrates.
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Official: Tottenham sign Fazio

    448605_heroa.jpg


    Tottenham have completed the signing of Federico Fazio from Sevilla after meeting the towering Argentine defender's buy-out clause.

    The 6'5" centre-back moves to White Hart Lane in an €10 million deal, signing a four-year contract, and becomes Spurs' fifth signing of the summer after Michel Vorm, Ben Davies, Eric Dier and DeAndre Yedlin.

    Mauricio Pochettino highlighted the defence as an area that needed reinforcement upon his arrival at the club and opted to sign Fazio after a deal for Villarreal's Mateo Musacchio stalled.

    BwDtQA2CAAAnarr.jpg


    "I'm really happy to be here at this club, this great club with very good players. I’m really happy to be here," he told the club's official website.

    "I come to Tottenham because I think it’s a very good team, a very good club, very good fans. I know Spurs is a historic club in this country and league. This is a great club and I’m very happy to be here."

    Fazio's arrival follows the departure of Michael Dawson, with Hull City having completed the 30-year-old's signature on a three-year contract on Tuesday.

    The 27-year-old moved to Sevilla in 2007 and has gone on to make over 200 appearances for the club, notably excelling last season as Los Rojiblancos won the Europa League.

    448604.jpg
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Arsenal offered contract to Zigic, says agent

    449324_heroa.jpg


    Arsenal have offered a contract to Nikola Zigic, according to the Serbian forward's agent.

    The Gunners could be in the market for a new frontman after Olivier Giroud picked up an injury that is expected to keep the France international out of action for up to four months.

    Zigic's representative, Milan Calasan, has now claimed that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger wants his client as a replacement - but added that Zigic could yet shun Arsenal and move to Turkey or Switzerland instead.

    When asked about Arsenal's reported interest in the towering striker, the agent told SPORT: “It is true. Wenger called me on Tuesday afternoon and told me that he wants to bring Zigic to Arsenal.

    “It is clear that you cannot reject an offer like that. But Zigic is the one who must decide. He must say what he wants.

    “But Wenger was clear, he is offering a contract until the end of the season with the option for another 12 months.

    “I know that Arsenal are in a hurry, but Nikola also has offers from Turkey and Switzerland.”
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Pogba: Juventus can win without Conte

    443475_heroa.jpg


    Paul Pogba insists that Juventus can continue winning under Massimiliano Allegri, arguing that the new coach is not so different to predecessor Antonio Conte.

    Bianconeri fans were left stunned when Conte sensationally parted company with the Turin club by mutual consent in July, after winning three successive Serie A titles with the Old Lady.

    Their shock turned to anger when Massimiliano Allegri, who was sacked by rivals AC Milan midway through last season, was promptly hired as a replacement but Pogba sees no reason for concern ahead of the start of Juve's Scudetto defence this weekend.

    "We know him a little more now and everyone is good with him," the France international told reporters on Thursday. "That he's different to another coach is normal.

    "For me, it's the first change of coach, but we feel good with him, also on the field, and there are not so many differences to Conte.

    "It's true that Conte had a different style, but does not mean that we cannot win [with Allegri].

    "We know that we can win if we are concentrated, as Juve have been in these last three years."

    However, Pogba admitted that his primary aim now is to help the Bianconeri end their 18-year wait for a third European Cup triumph.

    "The Champions League is not an obsession, but an objective and a dream, as it is for all players," the midfielder told reporters. "It's a goal and I really want to win it."

    Pogba also confessed that he feels perfectly placed to emerge as a leader on and off the field this season, revealing he has learned much from Juve veteran duo Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Pirlo.

    "I feel older," he mused. "I'm more mature and grown-up because I'm 21 now.

    "But playing and training with Buffon and Pirlo makes you grow."
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Hull closing in on Palermo striker Hernandez

    449383_heroa.jpg


    Hull City are in advanced talks with Palermo striker Abel Hernandez.

    The Tigers are willing to pay €12 million for the Uruguay international as Steve Bruce seeks to fill the attacking void left by Shane Long, who joined Southampton in a €15.9m deal earlier this month.

    Hernandez has previously been linked with Sunderland and recently snubbed the chance to join Portuguese giants Benfica, but is now set for a move to the KC Stadium.

    Hull were keen on signing Blackburn striker Jordan Rhodes, but talks broke down over Rovers' €15.9m valuation of their star man.

    "Jordan Rhodes is not going to happen," Bruce told reporters earlier this week. "It is disappointing for everyone concerned, but even more disappointing for someone like Jordan.

    "We are close to one or two things and are very close to one in particular, which would be a fantastic addition for us if we can pull it off.

    "Until it is rubber stamped I don't want to say any more. The deal for Jordan is dead and buried, though.

    "We got an indication from Blackburn they were willing to do a deal. That obviously changed within 24 hours and that is their prerogative.

    "If they had said at the start that is what they wanted to do we would have walked away, but it got protracted. We thought we were close, then it changed and he wasn't for sale."

    Hernandez, who scored 14 goals last season as Palermo won promotion back to Serie A, is now due on Humberside where he is expected to sign a four-year contract.
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Suarez: I turned down other offers to join Barcelona

    446474_heroa.jpg


    Luis Suarez has revealed that he did not even consider the other offers on the table before agreeing to join Barcelona because it has long been his "dream" to play with Lionel Messi and Co. at Camp Nou.

    The Uruguay international completed an €81 million move to Catalunya from Liverpool earlier this summer, even though it appeared for a long time that the forward was more likely to end up at Real Madrid.

    However, Suarez has explained that he has been watching Barca and their recent title successes from afar for some time now.

    "When we had contact [with Barcelona] and knew of their interest, I did not hesitate for a moment because it was my dream, my desire," he stated in an interview with Barca Fans. "I rejected other options because my dream was to play here.

    "After many years in Europe, first at Ajax and then Liverpool, my career had been growing and now it has reached its pinnacle by being at the best team in the world.

    "I want to win the titles that [I watched Barca win] from a distance for years. I always enjoyed watching the players here, who are now my team-mates."

    Suarez will not be able to make his Barcelona debut until the end of October as he received a four-month ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini during Uruguay's World Cup clash with Italy on June 24.
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Manolas: I rejected Juventus to join Roma

    449409_heroa.jpg


    Kostas Manolas has revealed that Juventus were one of several top sides he rejected in favour of Roma.

    It was known that Premier League outfit Arsenal tried to sign the Greece international but the Gunners' €10 million bid was rejected by Olympiakos.

    Manolas has now claimed, though, that the Serie A champions were also interested in his services but that the Bianconeri never had any chance of persuading him to move to Turin instead of Rome.

    "I had numerous offers from big clubs, including Juventus," the defender told reporters after being unveiled as a Giallorossi player on Wednesday. "But it was my choice to come here. I wanted to come to Roma.

    "Many people have spoken highly of this club to me and their advice, as well as my own thinking, carried me here."

    Manolas' arrival in the Italian capital came just hours after Mehdi Benatia had departed to complete his move to Bayern Munich.

    The Moroccan was one of the key factors in Roma's remarkable second-placed finish in Serie A last season but Manolas is undeterred by the prospect of having to replace such a highly-rated centre-half.

    "He is a very good player, but he represents the past, I'm the present," the 23-year-old declared.

    "I don't know if I will be a starter. I will give my best to merit a place. Will I play right away? The coach will decide that. But I'm ready. I'm not at 100 per cent, but 120%!"
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Eto'o: I have no issue with Mourinho

    449367_heroa.jpg


    Samuel Eto'o insisted that he has no issue with Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho after being unveiled as an Everton player on Wednesday.

    The Cameroonian labelled the Blues boss as a "fool" and a "puppet" after the Portuguese made a comment regarding the striker's age during his spell at Stamford Bridge last season.

    The 33-year-old joined Everton on a two-year deal after much speculation over his future and could make his debut against Chelsea on Saturday, but insisted at his first press conference as a Toffees player that he does not hold any ill-will towards Mourinho.

    "The only thing I have to say about Jose is to thank him," Eto'o told reporters.

    "It's down to him that I had the opportunity to be accepted and integrated into the Premier League and I want to thank him for that.

    "I'm not particularly concerned that it's against my [old] team [on Saturday]. The important thing is to integrate into my new team-mates' way of playing and get ready for that match.

    "If I don't feature it's just important to get ready."

    Eto'o revealed that he had many options after leaving Stamford Bridge, but that Everton boss Roberto Martinez made the biggest impression on him.

    "In the last 10 days I've travelled quite a lot and spoken with quite a few managers. I'm nearer the end of my career and I wanted to fit in where my contribution will be valued." said Eto'o.

    "Over the course of those travels the most inspiring and the person that said my contribution will be valued was Roberto."
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    'Cerci distracted by AC Milan transfer talk' - Torino boss Ventura

    433291_heroa.jpg


    Torino boss Giampiero Ventura has left Alessio Cerci out of the squad for Thursday's Europa League clash with RNK Split because the forward's head has been turned by constant talk of him joining AC Milan.

    The Rossoneri have made no secret of their desire to sign a winger before the close of the transfer window on August 31 and it has been widely and consistently reported in the Italian press that the San Siro side are mulling over a bid for the Granata attacker.

    Ventura has now revealed that Cerci has been distracted by the media attention and opted against calling upon the 27-year-old Italy international for Thursday's second-leg shodown with Spalato at the Stadio Olimpico.

    "The boy is always in the papers and his head would not be on the game," the Torino boss told reporters on Wednesday. "His omission is a no-brainer.

    "We're waiting for the close of the window and then we'll see."

    Cerci, who has also been linked with Atletico Madrid in recent weeks, last week denied writing a farewell message to Torino fans that appeared on his Twitter profile.
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    :(Xabi Alonso retires from Spain duty

    441957_heroa.jpg


    Xabi Alonso has announced his retirement from international football after earning 114 caps for Spain.

    The Real Madrid midfielder was a key component in the side that made history by winning three successive major tournaments: Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012.

    Alonso's Roja career appeared to end on a low, with the country having suffered a shock first-round exit at Brazil 2014 this summer, but the 32-year-old insists that he has nothing but found memories of his time with the national team.

    "I want to report that I have finshed my time with Spain national," the Basque wrote in an open letter published on Sefutbol.com.

    "The hardest part is knowing when to say goodbye and, after much thought, I think that time has come.

    "I end with a glorious national team career that began over 11 years ago, having been part of a historical generation that has fulfilled the dream of millions of fans, doing something as unique as winning a World Cup and two European Championships in four years.

    "Since April 30, 2003, when I made my debut at just 21, I have experienced only good times, so I have only words of thanks to all those with whom I have shared more than a decade.

    "I want to thank all my coaches, team-mates and the millions of fans who have always shown me kindness and respect.

    "Inaki Saez, the unforgettable Luis Aragones and Vicente del Bosque are figures that I will always carry with me for having helped me grow professionally and personally.

    "I could not list all the colleagues with whom I have shared this shirt, but I want to thank each and every one of them for all you have shown me and taught me during this memorable period of my life.

    "Thanks to Real Sociedad, Liverpool and Real Madrid for opening the doors to be part of a single dream. All my clubs have always helped and supported me to make it happen.

    "Finally, I want to convey my sincere thanks to the fans. We dream together and share the glory together. We had many unforgettable moments.

    "Good luck to all who continue to work and fight for this shirt, with the absolute conviction that they will achieve new successes.

    "Thank you all and goodbye."

    Alonso's retirement means that Spain have now lost two of the principal protoganists in their unprecedent period of dominance, with Barcelona playmaker Xavi having announced his retirement from international football shortly earlier this summer.
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Arsenal 1-0 Besiktas (agg 1-0): Alexis sends 10-man Gunners through

    449508_heroa.jpg


    Alexis Sanchez's first goal for Arsenal gave the Gunners a 1-0 win over Besiktas on Wednesday, despite Mathieu Debuchy's late red card.

    The Chilean forward, who has largely flattered to deceive since making a high-profile move from Barcelona, struck just before half-time in the second leg of Wednesday's play-off, following last week's first leg 0-0 draw.

    His effort, backed up by a stellar showing from Jack Wilshere and some dogged defending following Debuchy's 76th-minute red card, was enough to see the Premier League side progress to the competition proper for the 17th successive year.

    All of the pressure was on Arsene Wenger ahead of an encounter estimated to be worth upwards of £20 million for the victors.

    But, despite being without Aaron Ramsey following his sending off in a goalless first leg, the Arsenal manager could breathe a sigh of relief.

    Besiktas, meanwhile, will have taken great heart from another impressive showing, even if a Europa League campaign now awaits.

    Clearly determined to impose themselves, Arsenal began quickly and pressed forward with regularity.

    Their approach almost reaped immediate reward, but Wilshere could only drag an effort wide after bursting through from midfield.

    Santi Cazorla was the next to threaten, intercepting a dreadful clearance from Tolga Zengin before sending a first-time effort wide with the goalkeeper a long way off his line.

    The Premier League side continued to enjoy the lion's share of possession, although Besiktas and, in particular, Demba Ba looked threatening on the counter-attack.

    As the half wore on, though, it was the visitors who began to dominate, with Ramon Motta seeing a strong penalty appeal turned down following a wild Wilshere challenge.

    The home nerves were finally eased just before half-time, as Nacho Monreal's through ball went through the legs of Wilshere to leave Alexis with the simplest of finishes.

    Far from thinking it was a case of 'job done', Arsenal picked up where they had left off after the interval, Cazorla flashing an effort just wide having been picked out by the impressive Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

    Alexis almost grabbed his second soon afterwards, his poked effort deflecting just wide following a superb Wilshere pass.

    The hosts were clearly determined to avoid any late drama but they could not find a cutting edge in front of goal, as Debuchy headed Cazorla's superb set-piece into the side-netting with time running out.

    And the tension was taken up another notch when Ba found space in the area and narrowly missed the target at the other end.

    With 14 minutes left, Arsenal were hanging on as Cazorla and Oxlade-Chamberlain both missed glorious chances from close range before Debuchy saw red for a second yellow card.

    Calum Chambers replaced Mesut Ozil as a result to shore them up at the back, but it needed a late miss from Ba, who failed to meet Gokhan Tore's cross with the goal gaping, before Arsenal could be sure of their spot in Thursday's draw.
     
    Status
    Not open for further replies.