..::Football III::..

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Injured Benteke nearing Aston Villa return

Christian Benteke is close to making his return to action for Aston Villa after tearing his Achilles tendon back in April.

The strike scored 19 goals in 34 appearances for the club during his debut season but missed the end of his second campaign and the World Cup after injuring himself in training.

But manager Paul Lambert is looking to introduce Benteke back to the fold in the near future after the striker returned to training last week.

When quizzed on a potential return for the striker at Chelsea on Saturday, the Scot said: "I'm not sure if that one might be a bit early.

"But you're looking not too far after that I think. He has trained this past week with no ill effects. He will train again this week. We will see how he is. But he's not too far now."

Villa have coped well in Benteke's absence this season, taking 10 points from five games, though they were beaten 3-0 at home by Arsenal on Saturday.

 

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Roma want the Scudetto - Gervinho

Gervinho has flourished at Roma since signing from Arsenal last year and now believes his side have the quality to go all the way in the title race.

The Ivory Coast forward has scored three times already this season to help the capital club win all four of their games in all competitions and he outlined his aims for the forthcoming season in an interview with FIFA.com.

"First, winning the [African] Cup of Nations. And second, winning the Serie A title. That’s in chronological order, not in order of personal preference!" Gervinho said.
The 27-year old went on to profess that he is in no doubt as to who is responsible for the Giallorossi's recent resurgence, heaping praise on current coach Rudi Garcia.

"He's [Garcia] loved by the Roma supporters, as well as by everyone in and around the club," Gervinho added."He's been able to get his ideas across well and apply his style of play, which is based on holding onto the ball as much as possible. All the players immediately bought into his plans, and the results followed.

"Now there's competition for places practically all over the park, which is good news, as we're involved in numerous competitions this year. "And, looking back, it was perhaps a lack of depth that cost us the title last season. Now, anything is possible."

On his hopes of achieveing glory with Ivory Coast, Gervinho declared that although his nation suffered an early elimination at the World Cup they are still the best on the continent.

"Despite the failure in Brazil, the quality of our players is not in doubt. For me, the best team in Africa is still Ivory Coast."

 

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Wenger confirms Debuchy out for three months after surgery

Mathieu Debuchy is set for three months on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on his left ankle, Arsenal have confirmed.

Goal exclusively revealed last week that the summer signing is set for an extended period on the sidelines after damaging ligaments in his ankle during the recent 2-2 draw with Manchester City.

"He has had surgery and will be out for three months," Wenger told the club's official website. "A reasonable delay is three months.

"It all went well, but it can be a week or two earlier or a week or two later, but it will be around three months.

"It is a blow of course, how big it will be we will only know afterwards because it will be down to how well we replace him. We bought [Calum] Chambers for that."

Hector Bellerin deputised in the 2-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund three days later before Chambers overcame a doubt of tonsillitis to play the full 90 minutes in Saturday's 3-0 win over Aston Villa.

 

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Get well soon Debuchy!​

 

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Exits have affected Atletico - Miranda

Miranda has conceded Atletico Madrid have been affected by the summer exits of Thibaut Courtois, Filipe Luis and Diego Costa.

Los Colchoneros conceded three goals in the 3-2 Champions League defeat at Olympiakos in midweek and followed it up with a 2-2 draw at home to Celta Vigo in La Liga, and the centre-back pointed to the summer upheaval as a key factor.
“It’s not normal for us to concede five goals,” Miranda told reporters. “But we’re working hard on that and we’re going to correct what we’ve done badly in these last two games and it probably won’t happen again.

“It affects us because this team defends from the strikers through to the defenders and when things change you lose the fine-tuning of the team a little.“I think we’re a group that’s still being formed during this start to the season. Important players have left, so it’s only natural that the team is a little slow responding.

“We’ve had great games against [Real] Madrid and not as good games, like the one against Eibar. It will happen at the start of the season, but in two or three games we’ll be better and we’ll be winning again.“When we defend, we defend as a team and when we attack, we attack as a team. We are working hard to make a stronger team, but you have to give it time.”

Atleti currently occupy third position in La Liga, four points adrift of Barcelona at the summit, and travel to face Almeria on Wednesday evening.

 

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Mata ‘very sorry’ for Manchester United’s defeat at Leicester

Juan Mata says he is “very sorry” for Manchester United’s 5-3 defeat to Leicester.

Louis van Gaal’s side had looked set for victory after leading 2-0 and 3-1 in the game but dramatically collapsed after conceding four goals in the second half.

Mata began the game on the bench for the visitors, before coming on as a second-half substitute and was unable to hide his disappointment at the result.

“After a whole week waiting for the match I could not imagine a Sunday like this,” he wrote on his blog.

“The way back from Leicester to Manchester on the bus seemed really long.

"I keep thinking about how we lost a game that was under control, but the thing is we were ahead, they equalised and when we tried to get advantage again we lost.

“It’s really tough to score three goals away and come back home with no points. On our way back to Manchester I was thinking about what had happened and felt so disappointed as all those that came with us to the stadium.

“Honestly, I feel very sorry that the weekend ended up for our fans in such a sad way.”

Next up for United is a visit from West Ham, 3-1 victors over Liverpool on Saturday, but Mata is hopeful his side can bounce back.

“There is time during the week to analyse what happened and learn from our mistakes so as not to make them again,” he added.

“Now we will play two consecutive games at Old Trafford that we want to win for our fans. We will put in our best efforts, you can be sure of that.”

 

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Diego Costa: I didn't say anything bad about Atletico Madrid

Diego Costa has denied claims he apologised to Chelsea fans for his part in their Champions League defeat to his Atletico Madrid side last season.

The Brazil-born striker reportedly expressed his regret at converting a penalty during los Colchoneros’ 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge last season which eliminated the Blues from the competition. However, the 25-year-old has now insisted that these were not his words and he would not have made disparaging remarks about the team with which he won La Liga

“It is impossible that something against Atleti comes out of my mouth,” Costa told Tiempo de Juego.“How am I going to speak ill of a team that have given me everything? I’ll be careful and just say things when they have to be given.”

Costa, who scored a record seven goals in his first four Premier League appearances but could not find the net in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City, added he is aiming for more silverware this term.“I knew I could not always score, but I work to score. I am getting better physically,” he said.

“We hope to get a title and individually I try to continue well.”

 

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Agger: Rodgers clash led to Liverpool departure

Daniel Agger has revealed that a personality clash with Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers led to his departure from Anfield.

Agger ended an eight-year spell with Liverpool in August by returning to former club Brondby in a reported €4 million move.

The Denmark captain was second choice to Mamadou Sakho and Martin Skrtel in central defence last season as Liverpool finished second in the Premier League under Northern Irishman Rodgers.

And Dejan Lovren's summer arrival from Southampton pushed Agger further down the Anfield pecking order.

However, Agger revealed that a failure of Rodgers - who he went on to describe as "an extremely competent coach" - to appreciate his contributions, rather than a lack of first-team opportunities, was the key factor in his decision to move back to his homeland.

"Let me put it this way - me and the manager were perhaps not on the same page for all of last season. For most of last season at least," Agger told Danish TV programme Onside.

"There was some distance between us and for me that was enough. I didn't feel that he appreciated the things I contributed. And when I feel that, then it is time to move on.

"Maybe where it went wrong between me and him is that I am very direct. I say things as they are, and also expect that people are [that way towards] to me. Maybe it's wrong to expect that."

 

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Suarez will be a success at Barcelona - Sandro

Sandro Ramirez is sure that Luis Suarez will prove to be a success at Barcelona upon his return to action from suspension.

The Uruguayan, who joined the Catalan giants for €88m in the summer, is banned until October 25 and Luis Enrique has used the opportunity to introduce the likes of the 19-year-old and Munir into the first team.However, the Gran Canaria-born forward is certain Suarez will have a beneficial impact once he is available for selection.

“He’s a great player,” Sandro told AS. “He is sure to have a very good season when he comes into the side. “Now, we must seize the opportunities that the coach gives us."

The 19-year-old was on target for the second time this season as he came off the bench to net the Blaugrana’s third goal in the 5-0 mauling of Levante, but insisted he was more pleased by his team’s display.“We dominated the whole game and in addition we took advantage of the chances we had," he added.

“The goal is important but, above all, I’m happy about the three points.”

 

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Guardiola: Bundesliga standing not important yet

Pep Guardiola has played down the importance of the Bundesliga standings at this stage of the season ahead of Bayern Munich's clash with surprise table-toppers Paderborn on Tuesday.

Two wins and two draws have seen the newly-promoted club surge to the top of the German league, while Guardiola's reigning champions are down in fourth despite accumulating the same number of points.

"The table isn't important yet," the former Barcelona coach told reporters on Monday. "We have to focus on our own results and performances, not others.
"Paderborn are very impressive, though, and we know why they're top of the table. They'll press us aggressively. They have nothing to lose."Guardiola did have a bone to pick with the schedule of modern day football, however, slamming the fixture congestion that is set to see Bayern play their third game in eight days.

"We're killing the players," he added. "We're asking too much of them. The players need time to rest."This is true not only for Bayern, but for Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen. It is impossible to play every three days and keep the same players."

Guardiola also added that his Bayern team could attend famous Munich beer festival Oktoberfest - on the condition they defeat Paderborn this week.
Franck Ribery will definitely miss the game at the Allianz Arena, while Arjen Robben was confirmed as a doubt to feature.

 

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Van Gaal & Woodward to thrash out Manchester United's January transfer plans

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is set to meet Ed Woodward this week as the club step up their January transfer plans, Goal has learned.

Van Gaal, who is hoping to spend up to €64 million this winter, has long considered Kevin Strootman his No.1 target and is also keen to bolster his defence following a shaky start to the season.

Following the second biggest summer transfer spend in history, such an outlay would take the club past the €254m barrier for the 2014-15 season.

The Dutchman has become well aware of the task on his hands at Old Trafford following a poor start to the season which has garnered just one win from five Premier League matches, including the humbling 5-3 defeat at Leicester City on Sunday.

And as he displayed in the summer, the former Bayern Munich coach is willing to let players go to fund new arrivals.

The position of Rafael, who signed for the club alongside twin brother Fabio in 2007 and made his debut a year later, is under threat and he could be shown the door as Van Gaal continues to build a squad in his image.

The Brazilian enjoyed his best season at Old Trafford in the 2012-13 campaign, Sir Alex Ferguson's last as manager, but struggled for form and fitness under David Moyes and he could face the same fate as Danny Welbeck, Tom Cleverley, Javier Hernandez, Nani and Shinji Kagawa.

Chris Smalling, who is behind Phil Jones and Jonny Evans in the pecking order at centre-back, finds himself in the same boat and could also be moved on.

However, Woodward, the club's executive vice-chairman, has already told investors that big spending is not on the cards in January and is aware of the impact that another big outlay could have on next year's accounts.

United recently announced a record annual revenue of €550m to June 30, 2014, an increase of 19 per cent, and also revealed profits of €30m.

Those figures, though, do not include five of the club's six summer acquisitions, with the signings of Angel Di Maria, Luke Shaw, Daley Blind, Marcos Rojo and Radamel Falcao's loan deal to be declared in next year's results.

But Woodward is also aware of the impact of a second year without Champions League football on the club's existing sponsorship deals, as well as its forecasted financial results for next year, and will discuss the viability of further deals with Van Gaal.

Although Van Gaal fully appreciates the need for new central defenders, he remains keen on Strootman, the Netherlands and Roma midfielder, and United are confident they could reach a deal either in January or the summer.

The club have made his representatives aware that he would earn €127,000 per week at Old Trafford, should he recover sufficiently from a serious knee injury, although Roma have repeatedly stated their desire to keep him in the Italian capital.

Strootman was pivotal to Van Gaal's Dutch squad and his injury signalled a change in formation for the country's World Cup campaign. The manager believes the 24-year-old can play an equally important role in his United team as he looks to strike the right balance in his ranks following the signings of some of the world's top attacking talents.

The Red Devils, having bought only Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw before the start of the Premier League season, kicked off the campaign with defeat to Swansea City at Old Trafford before drawing at Sunderland and Burnley.

Van Gaal picked up his first win as United boss in impressive style against QPR on September 14, with Di Maria, Marcos Rojo and Blind impressing on their Old Trafford debuts, but saw his side capitulate following the award of a soft penalty at the King Power Stadium on Sunday.

 

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January wala defendersla 2nnek wath gatthanam thamai hoda.Penne nadda defending nam gannama deyak nahaneLeicester City match 1ke anthimai​

 

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Lewandowski not to blame for Bayern struggles - Boateng

Jerome Boateng has leapt to the defence of Bayern Munich team-mate Robert Lewandowski as his scoring struggles at club level continue.

The Pole, who joined the Bavarians on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund this summer, has scored just once in seven games as the reigning Bundesliga champions have netted only six times in their last five matches.Lewandowski is suffering no such issues in finding the net at national team level, though, having bagged four goals as Poland opened their European Championship qualification campaign win over Gibraltar.

Boateng defended his new Allianz Arena team-mate, but accepts that performances must improve if Pep Guardiola's men are to defend their domestic crown.

"Lewandowski is a world-class striker," the Germany defender, who scored the side's winner against Manchester City last week, told TZ. "He will still score loads of goals.

"However, there are no excuses for our current form. More effort just has to come from us."What's missing is the completion of tactics, the last pass, accuracy and concentration."

Lewandowski scored 103 goals in 187 games for Dortmund as he helped to fire them to the Champions League final, Bundesliga glory and DFB-Pokal success in his four years at Signal Iduna Park.

He was dropped for Bayern's clash with Hamburg at the weekend and was unable to score when he came off the bench in the second half, with the game finishing 0-0.
Guardiola's team are back in action on Tuesday against current Bundesliga table-toppers Paderborn, who were promoted from the second division in the summer.

 

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Ancelotti hints Benzema will be dropped for Hernandez

Carlo Ancelotti has hinted that Karim Benzema will be dropped for Real Madrid's midweek clash with Elche, with Javier Hernandez expected to take his place up front.

The French striker has scored just twice in 637 competitive minutes this season, while Manchester United loanee Hernandez has now scored the same amount in 50 minutes since arriving at the Santiago Bernabeu following his double off the bench in Saturday's 8-2 win over Deportivo La Coruna.

And Ancelotti has hinted the Mexico international could be rewarded for his excellent display with a start on Tuesday."If tomorrow Karim does not play, he will understand," Ancelotti told reporters on Monday. "Against Deportivo he played very well.

"[But] We will change something tomorrow."For me it was important that Chicharito scored. He struck twice and has confidence now. We felt comfortable with him in our team. I do not look at who scores and who doesn't score, I look how effective my overall attack is.

"Our attack is much better right now, we just need to improve our defensive play. I think we are better than last year."Ancelotti also confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo would start in Tuesday's Liga game as he "is on a hot streak" and has no fitness issues right now.

Pepe, however, will not play a part at the Santiago Bernabeu, while Sergio Ramos is 50/50 after missing out on Monday morning's training session.

 

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Alonso replaceable, but Di Maria is not - Sanchez

Real Madrid legend Hugo Sanchez has suggested that, unlike Xabi Alonso, Angel Di Maria is an irreplaceable loss for the European champions.

Both midfielders were offloaded in the last couple of weeks of the transfer window - Alonso wanted to leave and was sold for around €10 million to Bayern Munich, while Manchester United's club record bid of €75m was enough to convince the Blancos to cash in on Di Maria.

Sanchez, who played as a striker at the Santiago Bernabeu from 1985 until 1992, hinted that Real Madrid's spiralling debt of over €600m could be to blame for selling two of their best players.

"It's very hard to tell from the outside how Di Maria and Alonso's departures went down within the club," he told AS. The approach can be very contrasting for a coach than for others in more managerial roles.

"If the accounts are not balanced though, it is very difficult to spend, spend and spend without selling. If you spend you will have to sell. It is a maths game and it all depends on the management.

"I guess as a coach Ancelotti would have liked Di Maria and Xabi Alonso to stay. But above all Di Maria, because there are several players who can replace Xabi. Di Maria was one of the best players in the world and was helping Madrid a lot, but the accounts have to be done.

"I don't know if it is true that Di Maria left because he didn't feel valued, but I like good football and he was one of the best footballers in the world."

Despite being critical of selling the Argentine to the English side, Sanchez lauded Madrid's loan signing of Javier Hernandez from United and, following his debut goals for the Blancos on Saturday as a substitute against Deportivo La Coruna, predicts big things for his fellow Mexican this season."He's a phenomenon," Sanchez added. "He is very fast, intuitive, he has good movement and shoots well with his left foot, right foot and head.

"He is a striker who intercepts the opponent very well. With goals, trust will come from Ancelotti. When given more time and given chances, hopefully his effectiveness is what is required in Madrid. In this team enough chances are created and that will help Chicharito."

 

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Bielsa hints at Marseille exit

Marcelo Bielsa has revealed he could leave Olympique Marseille at the end of the season because of a termination clause in his contract.

The Argentine has guided l’OM to the top of Ligue 1 with 16 points from 6 games, but has been outspoken in his disappointment in club president Vincent Labrune during the transfer window.

The former Athletic Bilbao boss agreed a two-year deal with the French side in May but says his contract could be terminated after just one season.

“I do not like to make long-term plans. Besides, I have a contract for one year and not two with l’OM, at my request,” Bielsa told reporters at a press conference.
“It’s a decision made so that the management can see my project.“I signed a contract for two years with a termination clause after one year, valid for both parties.

“But, as I have already made my decision and I will make it public, I cannot be clearer.”When pressed by reporters as to whether he would leave his post after just one season, the 59-year-old said nothing was certain.

“No, I confirmed nothing and insinuated nothing. Football is random and the prestige of coaches and clubs determines the relationship.“I think the prestige of l’OM is greater than mine.”

 

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Manchester United collapse hard to take, admits Rooney

Wayne Rooney lamented Manchester United's lack of composure after a second-half collapse led to a humiliating 5-3 defeat to Leicester City.

United started well and twice led by two goals at the King Power Stadium, but defensive errors resulted in a second Premier League defeat of the season for Louis van Gaal's men.

And Rooney - who was seen berating his team-mates on several occasions in the match - admitted United's performance was unacceptable.

"It’s really disappointing," he told reporters. "Going 3-1 up especially and then losing the game, it’s hard to take.

"We should have done better as a team, seen the game out and won it from the position we were in. [There were] some mistakes and we didn’t do well enough as a team to stop their goals.

"It’s a game where we played some great stuff, scored some great goals and conceded some sloppy goals.

"We have to do better; we know that - as a team we have to do better. It’s not nice when you concede goals when you know we can prevent them. Everyone individually as a player knows that.

"They had the momentum with them in the last twenty minutes and we had to somehow try and find our composure and see the game out, but we failed to do that."

 

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Rooney meh season 1kewath deyak kaloth hodai.

Mokada high wages deela thiyagena team 1kata onede wenne nathnam wadak nahaneHodata perform kale nathnam meh season 1ke godak durata Rooney ta yanna wei.​

 

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Getafe 0-3 Valencia: Rodrigo sees Red but Los Che cruise into second spot

Paco Alcacer patta

 

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Wenger confirms Debuchy out for three months after surgery

Monreal th injured ne squad ekema enne defenders la 4 denayi