..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Liverpool confirm Sturridge injury setback

Liverpool have confirmed that Daniel Sturridge has suffered another thigh strain in training and is now unavailable for Sunday's Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.

As reported by Goal, Sturridge pulled up during a session at Melwood on Tuesday and it is believed the injury is similar in nature to the thigh problem that originally sidelined him while on England duty in early September.

The precise extent of the new problem has not been elaborated on and the 25-year-old will be assessed by Liverpool's medical staff in the coming days, but the striker has been ruled out of contention to face Palace.

"Liverpool Football Club today confirmed scans have revealed Daniel Sturridge has sustained a new thigh injury," a club statement read.

"The player will remain unavailable for selection but will be monitored and assessed during his recovery."

Sturridge has not featured for Liverpool since starring in a 3-0 evisceration of Tottenham at White Hart Lane on August 31 and Brendan Rodgers' men have won just four of 14 matches in all competitions in his absence, with summer signing Mario Balotelli scoring just twice.

The Reds lie 11th in the Premier League after 11 matches, four points off West Ham in fourth, and it now appears that Rodgers will again have to do without the man who scored 21 Premier League goals last season despite missing a significant chunk of the campaign with an ankle injury.

Sturridge had been progressing well in training while recovering from an unrelated calf problem, and as recently as November 12 took to Twitter to reassure fans that he would soon return to the field.

The 25-year-old has been beset by injuries since arriving at Anfield in a £12 million deal from Chelsea in January 2013, and last month suggested his genes and body type might be to blame for his persistent muscular problems.
“I’ve been unfortunate this season to pick up injuries. Maybe it’s my body type and hereditary,” he told TalkSPORT.

“My uncle Dean had a lot of muscle problems when he played, uncle Simon the same, and my dad. Maybe it's the Caribbean vibes. [I have] fast-twitch muscles, I am more vulnerable to muscle injuries."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ghana 3-1 Togo: Black Stars qualify for Afcon 2015

Ghana have qualified for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations after beating Togo 3-1 in qualifying on Wednesday.

Two goals in the space of three first-half minutes plus a deflected second half effort from stand-in captain Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu were enough to give the Black Stars the win, despite an early second-half goal from Togo.

Abdul Majeed Waris opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a precise header after the Ghanaians had controlled the early exchanges before Mubarak Wakaso snuffed out the early inklings of a Togo fight back with a wonder strike just four minutes later.

A blazing start to the second half saw the Hawks pull one back through Jonathan Ayitte before an effort from Agyemang-Badu was deflected into the net to restore the two goal lead and seal the result for the four-time African champions.

The game started with the Ghanaians trying to match the intensity of an expectant Tamale crowd, showing signs of the quality in the squad with Solomon Asante, Jordan Ayew and Baba Rahman dominating the early exchanges for the Ghanaians after the Togolese were left with a lot of defending to do, despite a lot showing of promise in the first minute.The best chance of the early minutes fell to the much-maligned John Boye, but the centre-back failed to answer his critics with a goal, heading wide after a Wakaso corner found him unmarked at the near post.

There was then a heart-in-mouth moment for the Ghanaians around the 10th minute mark as a Togolese attacker went down inside the box, seemingly as a result of a Boye challenge.

The Togolese seemed to calm the game down around the quarter-hour mark and used a pressing game to win the ball back constantly from the Ghanaians, but they were hit with a sucker punch in the 22nd minute when a delightful cross from the right found Waris unmarked, with the striker making no mistake to open the scoring.

They nearly equalised a couple of minutes later but Adebayor could not get a foot onto a dangerous cross from the right. Togo’s new-found energy was to be short-lived, however, as Wakaso scored a contender for goal of the qualifiers with a long-distance effort that arrowed into the top right corner of the net to a rapturous reception from his hometown crowd.

A few minutes later the Ghanaians were at it again, almost grabbing a third after some more persistent play from Waris saw him put Agyemang-Badu behind the Togolese defence, but with Jordan Ayew free in the centre the stand-in captain went for goal from a tight angle, but only found the side netting.

Adebayor, who had looked the brightest Togolese player, saw his header from a corner go wide as his side looked for a lifeline. It failed to come their way before half-time though, as the Ghanaians managed to keep them at bay without really threatening their goal and see out the half with their two-goal cushion.

The Togolese started the second half looking far more calm than in the first and this time they got their reward, as Ayitte managed to squeeze a header past Razak Brimah to leave the Stars still searching for their first competitive clean sheet of 2014. The goal seemed to spur on the Hawks as they gained even more control of the game, stringing their passes together in a controlled fashion and giving their Ghanaian counterparts the run around.

The Black Stars calmed the storm and started exerting themselves on the game a bit more but were almost caught out from a free kick, having to rely on a last-ditch tackle to cut out a ball across the box which would have resulted in a clear-cut chance for Adebayor on the counterattack. The chance gave the Hawks the momentum back as they started forcing the Black Stars into defensive positions again.

As had been the case all game, however, the Stars struck when the Hawks were looking at their best, as a well-worked move saw Agyemang-Badu's effort from the right side of the penalty box deflected into the net to restore Ghana's two goal cushion. The Togolese were nearly handed a second lifeline in the 83rd minute through some poor passing in defence but after being gifted the ball Adebayor could not find the space to shoot, choosing to play in a team-mate who could only test Razak with a feeble effort that looked like sneaking through the goalkeeper's legs.

Despite their best efforts the Hawks could not muster any heroics as the Stars saw out the game with some solid defending and organisation to book a place in next year's African Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Nigeria 2-2 South Africa: Super Eagles out of Africa Cup of Nations despite comeback

Nigeria are out of the Africa Cup of Nations 2015 despite coming from behind to hold South Africa to a 2-2 draw at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium in Uyo on Wednesday.

South Africa went into the clash against their Group A rivals having already booked their place at the 2015 finals, now due to be held in Equatorial Guinea.

However, though Sone Aluko denied Bafana Bafana a first competitive win over the Super Eagles, it was not enough to send Stephen Keshi's men into the finals next year, with Congo's win over Sudan enough to see them take second spot.

Bafana Bafana striker Tokelo Rantie nearly handed the visitors an early lead in the fourth minute after the Super Eagles defence made a mistake, but the Bournemouth forward ballooned his effort over the crossbar.

The hosts' first chance of the match came four minutes later, when CSKA Moscow winger Ahmed Musa beat Bafana defender Erick Mathoho for pace before unleashing a powerful strike which hit the crossbar, with goalkeeper Dareen Keet rooted to the ground.

In the 16th minute, Musa had two great back-to-back opportunities, finding himself in a one-on-one situation against Keet twice. However, the Kortrijk shot-stopper denied the 22-year-old attacker on both occasions.

Keet was again called into action in the 24th minute, and this time it was Nigerian forward Ikechukwu Uche, whose strike from 30 yards out was well gathered by the South African goalkeeper.

In the 41st minute, Nigeria were made to pay for their profligacy. Rantie broke down the left into the box, before beating Super Eagles keeper and captain Vincent Enyeama at his near post to hand the South Africans the lead.

Just three minutes into the second half, former Orlando Pirates striker Rantie grabbed his second, out-muscling Nigeria centre-half Azubuike Egwuekwe on the edge of the box then hitting the back of the net.

Nigeria had a chance to pull one back in the 59th minute, when Fenerbahce striker Emmanuel Emenike won a free header inside the Bafana box, but the 27-year-old forward's effort went straight at Keet.

The Super Eagles kept on pushing and pressing in search of a goal, and they were rewarded 10 minutes later, after substitute Aluko pounced onto a loose ball inside the box to make it 2-1.

In the 70th South Africa midfielder Letsholonyane was red-carded after collecting his second yellow of the night and Keshi promptly urged his side forward in search of the goals they needed.

The reigning Afcon champions grabbed a lifeline right at the death, with Aluko's low drive into the bottom corner offering a glimmer of hope.

However, time ran out on the game and Nigeria's hopes of a place in the finals, with speculation over the future of Keshi sure to follow.

 

[unicornx]

Messi mehema kiyala thiyenne aiUnhappy mode 1kakin nam wenna baha Barcelona inne.​

Messi and CR should retire at EPL and Bale Reus Cesc Ozil should retire at Spain..They deserve that kinda a change

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Rakitic: No issue with Luis Enrique Clasico snub

Ivan Rakitic insists he had no issue with Luis Enrique's decision to bench him for last month's Clasico, admitting that is well aware that he is still "getting used to" Barcelona's style.

The Croatia international joined the Catalans from Sevilla for a reported €20 million during the summer and made a bright start to life at Camp Nou.However, a relative dip in form saw him replaced by veteran midfielder Xavi in the starting line for the October 25 meeting with Real Madrid.

Rakitic, though, says he was not angered by his demotion to the bench and remains intent on adapting to Barca's famed possession-orientated brand of attacking football.

“I respected the boss’s decision to leave me out, and to me it doesn’t hurt more not to play at the Santiago Bernabeu than it does not to play against Rayo [Vallencao] or leave me in the stands at Eibar,” the 26-year-old confessed.“I’m happy with what I’m doing but I know I’m not 100 per cent and there are still things I need to improve upon.

“Therefore, I want to take every opportunity to convince the boss he can trust me. If he picks me then I want to show it against Sevilla [on Saturday].“The style here is different to Sevilla. If I played in the same position it would still be different because Barca’s style is unique.

“I’ve quickly picked up the Coach’s and Barca’s ideas but I want to get better. I’m very self-critical."Barca's form in recent weeks has been heavily criticised, with the club having followed up their 3-1 loss in Madrid with a shock 1-0 defeat at home to Celta.

However, with the Blaugrana having since responded with back-to-back away wins, over Ajax in the Champions League and Almeria in La Liga, Rakitic is at pains to point out that the situation is not as bad as some pundits are making out.

“There are fine margins," he argued "If Leo [Messi] had scored to make it 2-0 in the Bernabeu we don’t know how it would have ended up, or even if [Gerard] Pique hadn’t slipped and given away a penalty, it would all have been different.

“Also, if we hadn’t hit the woodwork three or four times against Celta we’d have won two or three nil, but that’s football.“Not everything is bad and we know we must improve, but generally we are positive and the important thing is that we all believe in the same idea.

“It’s like a car that needs fine-tuning and when everything is running smoothly it will be a lot easier."

Barca sit second in La Liga, two points behind Madrid, ahead of this weekend's meeting with Rakitic's former club, Sevilla, at Camp Nou.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pepe: It would be a scandal if Ronaldo does not win Ballon d'Or

Pepe has claimed that it would be a "scandal" if his Real Madrid and Portugal team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo does not win this year's Ballon d'Or.

Ronaldo fired the Santiago Bernabeu side to Champions League glory last season, breaking the tournament's goals record for a single campaign in the process.
The 29-year-old has arguably been in even better for this term, racking up 23 goals in just 17 games in all competitions.Consequently, while Ronaldo is expected to face competition from Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and Argentina captain Lionel Messi for the Ballon d'Or, Pepe is adamant that his compatriot is the only credible candidate for the prestigious prize.

"If any other players wins, they should be ashamed given what Cristiano has been doing, beating lots of records, scoring 17 goals in the Champions League last season," the veteran defender told A Bola. "These things are almost impossible”.
“In three months he has scored 23 goals. What else does he need to do?"He is the best player in history and I repeat: it would be a scandal and a shame if they do not give him the Ballon d’Or."

Ronaldo, who won last year's Ballon d'Or, has racked up a remarkable 275 goals in just 263 games since joining Madrid from Manchester United in 2009.

 

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Bartomeu: Messi is happy at Barcelona

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has revealed that Lionel Messi's father has assured him that the forward wants to stay at Camp Nou.

As reported by Goal, Messi is considering his future with the Liga outfit and publicly hinted at a possible move away from Camp Nou while on Argentina duty earlier this week.The forward and his father are currently at the centre of a tax investigation in Spain but Jorge Messi has insisted that his son is still happy at Barcelona.

Bartomeu has now supported that view, with the Blaugrana supremo dismissing reports that the four-time Ballon d'Or winner is demanding an improved contract to remain at Camp Nou.

“Leo is really happy at our club," the 51-year-old Catalan told 8TV."His father has told me so, although [Leo] has been under great deal of pressure off the pitch ..."[But] he hasn’t asked us for a new contract renewal. He’s happy.

"We always help the players at this club and [former coach Pep] Guardiola also said the same a few years ago."Leo is happy at Barca.”

Messi's fitness and form have been the subject of much debate over the past year, with some pundits suggesting that he is suffering the effects of a succession of injury problems, and others claiming he has fallen out of love with the game.However, Bartomeu says that no matter what the critics say, Messi remains the finest player on the planet.

"They’re more concerned with him vomiting than his records," he argued."They want to beat him off the pitch; on the pitch he’s the No. 1."

Messi, who led Argentina to the final of this year's World Cup, has netted 11 goals in 15 games in all competitions for Barca so far this season.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ronaldo backs CR7 for Ballon d'Or over Messi

Brazil icon Ronaldo believes that Cristiano Ronaldo will retain his Ballon d'Or award, arguing that the Portuguese has had a more "memorable" year than Lionel Messi.

The Portugal international is the reigning titleholder and heavily fancied to hold onto his crown after leading Real Madrid to Champions League glory in May, not to mention the his remarkable goalscoring form this season, with the 29-year-old having netted 23 times in just 17 games in all competitions.

Messi failed to win a major title with Barcelona last term, while he fell just short in his bid to inspire Argentina to World Cup glory, with the Albiceleste losing to Germany in the final.

Consequently, former Selecao star Ronaldo, who represented both Barca and Madrid during his illustrious playing career, feels that his namesake is destined for more Ballon d'Or success.“I think we’ll see a repeat and Ronaldo will win it again this year," the retired 38-year-old told Sky Sport Italia.

"He’s scoring lots of goals and is a big part of the way Real Madrid are playing.
"Messi is also in good form but Cristiano’s year has been memorable."Messi’s year hasn't been that memorable for him."

World Cup winner Ronaldo, who was last week inducted into Goal's Hall of Fame, claimed two Ballon d'Or awards and three Fifa World Player of the Year titles during his playing days.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bojan: Barcelona brilliant but I prefer Stoke

Bojan Krkic says that while he loved playing for Barcelona, he prefers life at Stoke City.The diminutive forward left the Catalan club in the summer - after a loan spell with Ajax - and signed a four-year deal with Mark Hughes' side.

Bojan has made seven appearances for the Potters this season, scoring once, and says he is enjoying his football in the Premier League more than he ever did in La Liga.

“I love the passion at Barcelona, I have grown up in a Latin country after all, but I like it better here. In Spain, people do not respect the players, the same as in Italy,” he told reporters.“In England it looks like a different world, the people admire the players but also respect them. Here is better, more tranquil.

“I knew Stoke was a historic club and when I learned Mark wanted me in this team, it was a great motivation.

“The first few months have been important to improve my physical condition and get used to a new league. But anyone will tell you, the more you play, the better rhythm you find.“I think I have played well in some games but people will say Spurs was my best match because I scored and we won!”

Bojan also revealed how former team-mate and Arsenal icon Thierry Henry helped convince him to make the move to the Premier League.“Thierry said in England it was easy, the people never came to the training ground and the journalists only visited once a week,” he added.

“At Barcelona, there are 5,000 people at training every day, television crews filming you every day. It's totally different.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Blind not out for six months - Van Gaal

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has revealed Daley Blind will "not be out for six months" with a knee injury sustained during Netherlands' clash with Latvia.

The midfielder was stretchered from the field as the Oranje ran out 6-0 winners on Saturday, and there were fears he could miss the rest of the campaign.

However, further tests carried out by United's medical staff have reassured Van Gaal his summer signing will return sooner than expected.

"[Blind] is not ready, he has a brace on his knee," he added. "It’ll be 10 days' rest, then we'll have another scan and say more about his injury.

"It's not as bad as the doctors thought after the match, but it shall be a long story, I believe, but not six months or something like that."

The news is a relief for the United boss, who has already lost a host of first team players to injury, though Angel Di Maria and David de Gea will both be fit to face Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.

The Argentina star limped off in his nation's friendly against Portugal, while the goalkeeper dislocated a finger while on international duty with Spain.

"We have to wait for tomorrow's training session to decide if [some players] are back," he told reporters.

"My philosophy is that you have to train at least one week with the squad, better two. But if you see our circumstances, we maybe have to bring players back to the squad.

He added: "De Gea is good, no problem."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Reus fit for Paderborn clash

​Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Marco Reus has recovered from an ankle injury and can face Paderborn.

Reus injured ankle ligaments for the third time in five months in Dortmund's 1-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach before the international break, a blow that forced him to miss Germany's Euro 2016 qualifier with Gibraltar and the friendly against Spain.

However, the 25-year-old is now back to full fitness and will be available for selection as Dortmund look to build on the Monchengladbach victory following a dreadful start to the season.

Striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has returned to training following muscular problems, while full-back Lukasz Piszczek is expected to play despite a back issue.

Nuri Sahin, Jakub Blaszczykowski and Oliver Kirch, all of whom have suffered from injury troubles, are in contention to feature at some point but defenders Mats Hummels (foot) and Sokratis Papastathopoulos (leg) are out.

"Marco Reus is fit to play against SC Paderborn," Klopp said on Thursday."Sahin, Blaszczykowski and Kirch are not as far as Reus, ideally we still are able to give them some time."Aubameyang had muscular problems and then gastric flu, but he'll return to training today. Piszczek should be fit to play against Paderborn.

"Hummels is not as far as we have planned, hopefully he'll be an option for Wednesday [in the Champions League game with Arsenal]. Sokratis is still limping a bit, so I hope Hummels is available on Wednesday."Paderborn have enjoyed a decent start to their first season in the German top flight and sit in ninth position, five points ahead of struggling Dortmund.

And Klopp is wary of the quality of Andre Breitenreiter's men."I have the maximum respect for all that is happening at SC Paderborn right now," he added.

"Paderborn is an example that you can achieve something in football with not a lot of money, a good idea and many right decisions."There is hardly anything Paderborn can't do."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arsenal striker Giroud fit to face Manchester United

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that striker Olivier Giroud is fit to face Manchester United on Saturday.Giroud has been out of action since breaking his foot in a 2-2 draw with Everton in August but has returned to fitness ahead of schedule.

The Gunners take on Louis van Gaal’s side at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday but Wenger has refused to confirm if he will feature against the Red Devils.
“[Olivier] Giroud and [Mikel] Arteta are both available. It's just a question of how ready they are. But they are available,” he told reporters.

“He is three or four weeks ahead of schedule. Originally we planned to have him back for competition at the beginning of next year. So he's one month ahead.”However, Arsenal still have injury concerns going into the game, particularly in defence as they aim to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat to Swansea City last time out.

“[Laurent] Koscielny and [Mathieu] Debuchy are doing well, they are out on the field [working] again,” added Wenger.“We have to see now. Usually field work is three weeks away from full group training. Then there is fitness.

“It looks straightforward for Debuchy. It's not inflammation, it's just repairing surgery. For Koscielny, it depends how well he responds to training.

"At the moment he looks good. Ozil is doing well but he will not be ready before the start of 2015.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Alcacer suffers hamstring injury

Valencia striker Paco Alcacer has returned from international duty with Spain nursing a hamstring injury, the Liga club have confirmed.

Alcacer played the full 90 minutes for Spain in their 3-0 Euro 2016 qualifying win over Belarus last Saturday, but did not feature in Tuesday's 1-0 friendly defeat to Germany.

The 21-year-old has scored four goals for Valencia this season but is now likely to miss out on Sunday's derby with rivals Levante after his club confirmed he had sustained a grade one injury to his right hamstring.Alcacer's absence could see Alvaro Negredo - who has made only three substitute appearances in the league since joining Valencia on loan from Manchester City - lead the attack this weekend.

Third-placed Valencia are seeking to keep in touch with leaders Real Madrid following an encouraging start to the season.They will also be aiming to atone for a 2-0 loss at Levante in last season's corresponding fixture.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Get well soon Alcacer!​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Shaw: Manchester United backup players must be at their best against Arsenal

Manchester United defender Luke Shaw believes the club's fringe players must step up and take their chance to impress against Arsenal on Saturday.

The Red Devils are set to be without a number of first team players for their trip to the Emirates Stadium, with Daley Blind the latest to join their injury list after tearing his medial ligament while on international duty for Netherlands.

Angel Di Maria could also miss the trip to north London, with long-term absentees Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones and Jonny Evans definitely out.

And though Radamel Falcao has been pencilled in for a return following his own fitness issues, Shaw feels those players who come into the starting XI will have a point to prove.

"I think it’s time for people to step up," he told reporters. "The players who are not getting game time, who are frustrated on the bench, can come in for a massive game like Arsenal that everyone will want to play in.

"We know we’ve picked up a lot of injuries, especially in defence, where it’s always changing each time. We’ve obviously picked up another injury with Daley Blind, but we’ve got to deal with that and try to get around this week and go firing into the Arsenal game.

"Everyone will be working hard and focusing on this weekend and come Saturday we’ll be ready to go."

Shaw has enjoyed a run in the first team at Old Trafford after a hamstring injury delayed his debut for the club following his summer transfer from Southampton.

And after criticism of his post-World Cup fitness by manager Louis van Gaal, the teenager believes he is nearing his best and beginning to show why the 20-time English champions spent €38 million on him.

"Obviously, the fitness side was something me and Louis van Gaal talked about, but I feel really good at the moment, really fit," he added.

"It was all about getting a run of games and that’s something that I’ve had. So, hopefully, I can keep getting a run of games and keep improving.

"It was a frustrating time picking up that injury, but the toughest thing was getting back into the team. Now I’ve had a run of games and I’m feeling really good.

"Hopefully, I can keep getting games now and show people why United have bought me."

 

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Ribery: I won't make way for Reus

Bayern Munich attacker Franck Ribery has insisted that he does not intend to make way for Marco Reus at the Bundesliga champions.

The Borussia Dortmund winger has been heavily linked with Bayern in recent months, with the Bavarians allegedly seeing Reus as the perfect replacement for Ribery.

Nevertheless, the Frenchman is determined to fight for his place and does not have any intention of leaving Bayern for now.

"Reus is a great player," Ribery admitted to Kicker."But I will be around at Bayern for a while, even if I'm turning 32 in a bit."I am feeling very well and I am raring to go again.

"I am still an important player at Bayern. People should not write me off just yet."
Reus has a contract with Dortmund until June 2017, but has a buyout clause that would allow him to leave for €25 million at the end of this season.The 25-year-old has also been linked with clubs such as Manchester City and Real Madrid in recent months.

 

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Mertesacker: I told Khedira to join Arsenal

Per Mertesacker has revealed that he and Mesut Ozil have spoken to Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira about joining Arsenal.

Khedira has made just five substitute appearances for Madrid this term, with Carlo Ancelotti preferring Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in central midfield, though the Croatian has been ruled out for three months with a thigh injury.

Khedira insists he has not considered leaving Madrid, despite his contract expiring at the end of the season, while Mertesacker is keen for his fellow Germany international to move to the Premier League.

“I’m up for more quality Germans to [join] the club,” Merteacker said in a Q&A session on Wednesday evening.

“Ozil and I spoke with Khedira a few times to join Arsenal. His contract is up next summer.”

In October, it was revealed that Manchester United are lining up a €13 million bid for Khedira in the January transfer window after being told by Roma that Kevin Strootman will not be sold.

The 27-year-old was targeted by Arsenal in the summer but the midfielder’s wage demands derailed the deal.

 

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Falcao out for two weeks with 'new injury', says Van Gaal

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says striker Radamel Falcao will be out another for another two weeks after picking up a "new injury".

The loanee striker has not featured since the 2-2 draw with West Brom on October 20 after suffering a calf injury and the Colombia team doctor recently revealed a return to fitness was not forthcoming.

Falcao is yet to complete a full 90 minutes for United since joining from Monaco and has just one goal to his name, but the striker is confident of improving once he has shaken off the new setback.

"I am getting better, I feel well and I hope to come back to the pitch soon," Falcao told the club's official website.

"It is disappointing that I can’t play but I have to be calm and recover because that is important to help the team when I return to the games."

Falcao's fitness concerns have been linked to his recent knee injury which sidelined him for much of last season and the World Cup, but the striker has insisted such reports are completely false.

"It is a bit frustrating. Well, it is more than frustrating actually and it detracts from the credibility of the media that there is so much speculation and that so many falsehoods have been written about it," he added.

"I think with an audience of so many millions of people, it is not right. I did take a small injury to my calf, which is something that I need to be careful with, but there are a lot of stories circulating that are pure speculation."

 

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Falcao ayeth injured wela neh

Get well soon Falcao!​

 

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Guardiola has taken Bayern to another level, says Dante

Dante believes Pep Guardiola has taken Bayern Munich to another level after replacing Jupp Heynckes as the Bavarians' head coach in the summer of 2013.

The Spaniard took charge of the Allianz Arena side after Heynckes had guided them to a historic treble in 2012-13 and Dante feels they have become an ever better team since, although he thinks they need another Champions League trophy in order to be called the best Bayern ever.

"Is this the best Bayern ever? That's hard to say," the Brazilian defender told Munchner Merkur."We won everything we could win in 2013 and did some great work then. We have developed even further under Pep Guardiola and have taken another step forward. This could be the start of an era. We are much more flexible now.

"But football can be brutal. We have so many injured important players: Philipp Lahm, Thiago, Javi Martinez and so on."In the end, titles show that you're the best. And we are still missing the Champions League under Guardiola for now..."

Bayern were eliminated in the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2013-14.
They have already qualified for the knockout stages this term after securing top spot in Group E with two games to spare.