..::Football III::..

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Full Time

Manchester United 4 Vs 2 Manchester City

Manchester United Goal(s)

Ashley Young 14'
Marouane Fellaini 27'
Juan Mata 67'
Chris Smalling 73'

&

Manchester City Goal(s)

Sergio Agüero 8',89'
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Congratulations Manchester United!

Adanam mata godakma sathutu dawasak!.Manchester United's best match of the season so far

kiyala wadak naha

Kattiya Elatama play kala

GGMU!!!


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[EnIgma001]

Congratulations Manchester United!

Adanam mata godakma sathutu dawasak!.Manchester United's best match of the season so far

kiyala wadak naha

Kattiya Elatama play kala

GGMU!!!


​

peeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep

 

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Manchester United 4-2 Manchester City: Derby delight for Van Gaal and rampant Red Devils

Manchester United beat rivals Manchester City for the first time in five Premier League attempts with a stirring 4-2 comeback victory at Old Trafford.

City's title defence had crumbled heading into the match amid a run of five defeats in seven matches across all competitions, but the champions briefly displayed their fluent best in the early stages - Sergio Aguero's seventh goal in derbies after seven minutes the reward.

The direct, high-tempo approach United have found success with in recent weeks provided their route back into the match, with Ashley Young levelling before supplying the ammunition for Marouane Fellaini to give the hosts a 27th-minute lead.

Although Louis van Gaal's men were fortunate to be ahead at that stage, they proceeded to dominate their neighbours, who slipped into the kind of lethargic performance now synonymous with their 2015 efforts - heaping pressure on Manuel Pellegrini.

Juan Mata, the hero of United's recent triumph at Anfield, added a third midway through the second half amid strong suspicions of offside and Chris Smalling put the game beyond doubt, with Aguero's late strike - his 100th for City - providing scant consolation for the visitors.

United sit four points clear of fourth-placed City, who face a battle for Champions League qualification with their season on the brink of total collapse.

Smalling - sent off in United's 1-0 loss at the Etihad Stadium in November - returned from illness to line up in the home defence, with Marcos Rojo dropping to the bench.

City's backline was boosted by captain Vincent Kompany passing a late fitness test.

Despite their wretched recent form, City settled quickly and Jesus Navas raced clear of the United defence on the end of Martin Demichelis's lofted pass, but fellow David De Gea stood firm to deny him.

Pellegrini's team pegged their opponents back thereafter and, in a move that echoed the duo's combination play in City's famous 6-1 win at Old Trafford in October 2011, James Milner's reverse pass picked out David Silva to set up Aguero for a simple finish.

The visitors pressed forward to increase the damage, but United were back on terms after 14 minutes, Young scrambling home Ander Herrera's low cross at the second attempt.

Young turned then turned provider, combining cleverly with Daley Blind on the left flank and hanging up a cross for Fellaini to power past Joe Hart at the back post.

Fellaini's muscular presence caused City a persistent problem and Pablo Zabaleta made a vital headed clearance to deny the Belgium international a second in first-half stoppage time.

Kompany - who was booked for a rash lunge on Blind late in the first half - made way at the break due to further injury problems, meaning a first derby appearance for Eliaquim Mangala.

United came close to a third in the 52nd minute as Hart pushed a Wayne Rooney free-kick out of the top corner and the England goalkeeper saved from Michael Carrick's follow-up amid a frantic penalty box scramble.

City's early poise had faded to a distant memory by the time United made the points safe in the 67th minute - Demichelis out of position as he ceded possession to Blind, who found Rooney to send Mata scampering through for his eighth league goal of the season.

Questions over Pellegrini's position in the Etihad Stadium dugout are now sure to increase, and the scrambled mindset of his players was thoroughly exposed when Smalling was granted ample room to head home Rooney's free-kick amid further Old Trafford delirium.

Aguero then tucked home Zabaleta's 89th-minute cutback to reach his milestone on arguably the bleakest day of his City career.

 

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QPR 0-1 Chelsea: Fabregas nicks vital late winner

Cesc Fabregas scored with Chelsea's first shot on target two minutes from time to snatch a 1-0 victory at local rivals QPR on Sunday.

With Diego Costa and Loic Remy both out injured, Premier League leaders Chelsea were short of out-and-out attacking options at Loftus Road and looked set to end the match without troubling home goalkeeper Rob Green.

However, Fabregas - wearing a protective face mask after breaking his nose against Stoke City last weekend - drilled home a late winner to cruelly deny Chris Ramsey's side a valuable point in the fight against relegation.

QPR had looked well-drilled and appeared most likely to snatch a winner in the second half - Matt Phillips coming closest for the home side when he turned to shoot in the centre of the penalty area shortly after the hour mark, only for Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to push it wide.

But Fabregas, whose former club Arsenal are now Chelsea's main title rivals, had the final say, re-establishing a seven-point advantage at the top with his side's 100th goal in all competitions this season. QPR, meanwhile, remain two points adrift of safety.

A Remy muscle injury sustained in training on Saturday left 37-year-old Didier Drogba as Chelsea's only recognised striker, with Costa having already been ruled out for four matches with a hamstring problem.

And the veteran had justifiable claims for a back pass against Steven Caulker waved away early on.

The incident came after Willian had inadvertently found the right-hand post with a cross into the penalty area, but intentional goalscoring opportunities were at a premium for much of the opening period.

In fact, it took until the last two minutes of the half for either side to register a shot on target.

The ball fell to Charlie Austin just outside the penalty area, but Courtois got down well to his right to save the QPR forward's powerful strike.

Fabregas headed over from close range before the half was up to leave the game goalless at the break.

QPR almost snuck in front at the beginning of the second half when a Phillips cross, from a similar position to the delivery that saw Willian hit the woodwork in the first half, came close to beating Courtois at the far post, eventually bouncing wide.

And the Belgian stopper had to be on his guard again soon after, when Karl Henry – in for Niko Kranjcar as QPR's only change – teed up Clint Hill for a curling effort that was held by Courtois.

Phillips' shot from 12 yards out after 64 minutes perhaps represented QPR's best chance to snatch all three points and Fabregas pounced to punish that wasted opportunity.

A poor Green clearance invited pressure onto the home defence and, teed up by Eden Hazard on his 100th Premier League appearance, Fabregas sent a low strike into the bottom left-hand corner to seal the win.

 

[rcccc]

Fellaini dan patta ne

 

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Mourinho's Chelsea, the imperfect champions-elect

Jose Mourinho's recent press conferences have become something of a glorified countdown as he continually revisits the most important number in his mind. The Chelsea manager has known for weeks exactly how many points will secure a first Premier League title since 2010 and, as he reflected with considerable candour on a gruelling afternoon at Loftus Road, the overriding message was that the number just got smaller.

The pre-match tally of 14 points has become 11, courtesy of a first Premier League victory in this unfriendly corner of west London since 1996 and Cesc Fabregas' first goal since December. The combination could not have been better timed. Chelsea knew they could afford to drop points here and still be champions, but it would have been far from ideal to dip into the margin of error with matches against Manchester United and Arsenal on the horizon.

Fabregas' goal came from his team's only shot on target and three months on from routing Swansea City 5-0 at the Liberty Stadium, we are still waiting for Chelsea's second convincing attacking performance of 2015. At Loftus Road there were no signs of the autumn swashbuckle returning, only more evidence that Mourinho's men will not need it to.

No one will speak wistfully about this team 10 years from now, yet the fact remains that Chelsea are on course to break the record set by Arsenal's 'Invincibles' for consecutive days at the top of the table. They may not be regarded as the greatest Premier League champions, but they look increasingly likely to be the most dominant.

"It’s not normal for a team to be top of the league since day one, and the team that is top since August and arrives in the middle of April top of the league, every game top of the league, I think that’s the team that deserves all the credit," Mourinho insisted at Loftus Road, before pouring scorn on Arsenal's belated revival. "Teams with good runs? We have had a good run since day one, so I think no one should be disappointed."

There is, of course, the issue of who they have dominated. Aside from a seven-game winning streak over the festive period Manchester City have rarely looked like champions, and their domestic collapse since exiting the Champions League has turned what might have been an ordeal for this Chelsea side into a simple question of dates and mathematics. Arsenal are once again rampant when the pressure is off, Liverpool have been relegated to the top-four discussion since losing Luis Suarez and Manchester United are only now discovering the beginnings of a post-Sir Alex Ferguson identity.

It is impossible to know whether a more concerted challenge might have inspired Chelsea to find a higher gear or simply thrown their shortcomings into sharper relief. Regardless of events elsewhere, Mourinho's radical lack of rotation has taken its toll on his talented core. His starting XI in peak condition can rival any team in Europe but since the turn of the year Thibaut Courtois, John Terry and Eden Hazard have been his only consistent match-winners.

Fabregas, the Premier League's outstanding player until Christmas, looked to have disappeared off the face of the Earth prior to his winner on Sunday. Diego Costa's hamstring problems have returned and while Loic Remy has impressed in his absence, Didier Drogba looks every day of his 37 years.

Such issues will dominate Mourinho's thinking as he plans Chelsea's Premier League title defence this summer. All their rivals will spend and expect to be considerably better when the first balls are kicked in August.

But what concerns Mourinho should also concern those chasing him. Chelsea look set to win this title in dominant fashion despite rarely dominating their opponents on the pitch in 2015. Their core is considerably younger than those of City and United and money is available for the Blues to add the greater depth they will need to maintain their supremacy.

They may not inspire but Chelsea are at the top and have room to grow. United, City, Arsenal and the rest have much to do if they want to avoid listening to another Mourinho countdown next April.

 

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'If it's chocolate, eat it!' - Mourinho plays down coin toss

Jose Mourinho has played down reports of coin-throwing during Chelsea's 1-0 win over QPR at Loftus Road, saying players should keep the money thrown at them.

A section of the home support reportedly threw objects at Cesc Fabregas as the midfielder netted an 88th-minute winner to re-establish their seven-point lead at the top of the table.

Chelsea players have been the target of coin-throwing already this season, with Diego Costa pictured pocketing one aimed at him during the Capital One Cup final win over Tottenham.

Mourinho urged his players to follow Costa's lead, telling reporters: "If someone throws a pound, put it in your pocket. If it is chocolate, eat it."

Fabregas' goal came from Chelsea's only shot on target during the 90 minutes as QPR defended resolutely against the league leaders, leaving Chris Ramsey "absolutely sick" to leave empty-handed.

"I'm obviously very, very disappointed," he said. "I thought we could have got something from the game. We showed we can compete, despite the late goal. To not even get a point is disappointing.

"We’ve got ourselves to blame for where we are. Our concentration levels have not been good and we’ve let in a lot of late goals."

"We might be disappointed now, the players might be very disappointed in the dressing room. But we’ll fight on. We’ve got to turn Loftus Road back into a fortress."

 

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Wenger: The title is Chelsea’s but we can nail down second place

Arsene Wenger maintains that Chelsea are virtually assured of winning the Premier League title this season, but has urged his Arsenal side to keep up their strong form as they bid to retain the FA Cup and finish second in the league.

The Gunners have won eight straight league matches – the longest winning streak of any side this season – and occupy second spot, seven points behind Chelsea who beat QPR 1-0 on Sunday.

Although Wenger has conceded that the west Londoners are “too comfortable” to catch, he is determined to ensure his side’s fine form does not falter.

“Nothing has changed,” the Frenchman told reporters. “They are still too comfortable, Chelsea.

“We need a perfect run and we need a non-perfect run from them. So we cannot master that. We can only master our own attitude. I feel they are still in a comfortable position.”

He continued: “We don't want to stop the run. There's a good attitude in the team and a great quality. We've won 16 of the last 18 so we are consistent.

“Let's see. It's a challenge for a team not to forget how much it hurts to lose a game and focus on winning the next one.

“We want to keep winning of course, because we have to look behind us as well. Man City, Man United, and after that you have three with Southampton, Liverpool and Tottenham as well.

“We are in the FA Cup semi-final, we have six games to go with 66 points and we want to continue our run now.”

Arsenal overcame Burnley 1-0 en route to their eighth successive Premier League win, and Wenger admits his side were given a tough test at Turf Moor, with the Frenchman even hoping the Clarets stay up after such a plucky display.

“I'm pleased with the performance because it was more a fighting performance than a fluent performance and many people question us on that side,” Wenger added.

“I must say that I'm surprised by the quality of Burnley. It would be a shame if they go down because they are fantastically well organised, they press very well, they have a great solidarity and they are very fit.

“I understand now why they took points from the big teams here. We had to fight; we had to be combative until the end - we couldn't score the second goal.

“Our defenders played well today and that got us the three points. Our defenders, keeper included, deserve credit.”

 

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AC Milan 1-1 Sampdoria: De Jong rescues point for Rossoneri

Nigel de Jong was the unlikely hero for AC Milan as he rescued a 1-1 draw against Sampdoria on Sunday.

Home supporters unveiled banners before Sunday's Serie A fixture urging owner Silvio Berlusconi to sell the club amid reported interest from Chinese and Thai investors.

And Milan's players failed to lift the mood on the pitch, requiring De Jong's late deflected equaliser to claim a point after Roberto Soriano had opened the scoring for Sampdoria just before the hour.

The result means Filippo Inzaghi's team sit seven points adrift of fifth-placed Fiorentina with eight games remaining and, to make matters worse, Mattia Destro was stretchered off with 13 minutes to play.

Sampdoria, meanwhile, are now level with Vincenzo Montella's Fiorentina.

Inzaghi named an unchanged side from the win at Palermo last time out and Milan appeared to benefit from that continuity during the early exchanges, confidently taking control in midfield.

Despite struggling to break through Sampdoria's solid backline, Milan posed a threat from range through Marco van Ginkel, the Dutchman first testing Emiliano Viviano with a 30-yard drive in the 14th minute, before striking just wide from a similar distance shortly after.

Milan eventually crafted a presentable opportunity inside the area just after the half-hour mark, but Destro could only head Ignazio Abate's right-wing cross straight at Viviano.

That pair combined again seven minutes later as Destro directed a tame half-volley at the goalkeeper under pressure from Matias Silvestre.

Milan's best chance arrived a minute before the break, but Alessio Cerci blasted over the crossbar after pouncing on a loose ball in plenty of space 20 yards out.

Sampdoria produced a marked improvement at the start of the second half and went close through Stefano Okaka within a minute of the restart, but he could only divert Djamel Mesbah's cross wide.

Eder saw a fine chance of his own go to waste seven minutes later, unleashing a powerful drive towards the bottom-left corner, which Diego Lopez tipped around the post.

The deadlock was eventually broken 58 minutes in, though, as Soriano coolly stroked past Lopez following an incisive Samuel Eto'o pass.

Milan responded well to that blow and drew level 16 minutes later, when De Jong produced a fine bicycle kick from 12 yards and his effort beat Viviano thanks to a helpful deflection off Alfred Duncan.

Destro was then carried from the field after an innocuous-looking challenge, but Suso almost completed a Milan turnaround seven minutes from time, only for the Spaniard's delightful curled effort to come back off the post.

 

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Mignolet: Origi ready to shine at Liverpool

Divock Origi will be ready to challenge for a first-team place at Liverpool when he joins ahead of next season, according to Simon Mignolet.

Liverpool signed the forward from Lille in July and immediately loaned him back for 2014-15 to the Ligue 1 club, with the 19-year-old scoring seven goals in 26 Ligue 1 games this term.

Mignolet has trained with Origi while on international duty with Belgium and is backing him to settle in quickly at Anfield.

"I have spoken with him a fair few times about next season, pre-season and how he is going to settle in - not only at the club, but also in the city," Mignolet told Liverpool's official website.

"He's looking forward to next season and I think he'll be ready for the team when he comes in.

"He's only a young player but I'm sure, from what I've seen in training with him, that he's a very good player and will do really well for us.

"He's very quick, he's got skill, he can hold the ball up and score a goal as well - what else do you want from a striker?

"He's got a good attitude to work hard in training, which is always important; he's willing to learn and accepts advice. I can only speak in good terms about him."

 

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Garcia stays positive despite seeing Roma slip below Lazio

Rudi Garcia believes Roma were unlucky not to get three points from Sunday's clash with Torino.

Alessandro Florenzi gave Roma the lead in the second half, only to see Maxi Lopez level the match seven minutes later to rescue a 1-1 draw for the hosts.Garcia, though, was not worried about his side's performance and believes they will win most of their last eight fixtures in Serie A.

"It was a good game, we were only missing the result to make it completely positive,” he told Sky Italia .

"In the first half we didn't threaten enough but we were much better in the second. We had time to win it and tried our best, but the goalkeeper did well for Torino."
Garcia opted to start Juan Iturbe up front - with Victor Ibarbo and Adem Ljajic supporting from the wings - despite the Argentine having scored just one league goal this season, but the coach is happy with his attacking options.

"Ibarbo can play as a striker as he is good with both feet and his head," he said.
"Seydou Doumbia can play there too and he has helped us become more of a threat in this area, but it is difficult to judge a player in such a short time. Florenzi can play everywhere in the front three and he does it all well."It is not a problem that the strikers aren't scoring a lot. We are creating chances, so they will score eventually."

Roma have now surrendered second place to rivals Lazio, who beat Empoli 4-0 to make it nine wins and one draw in their last 10 games in all competitions, but Garcia is not concerned.

“The race continues - it is not important to be second now, but at the end of the season," he said."We have our next game at home, we must win and will then wait and see what the other results are.”

 

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Bony: I'll be at my best next season

Wilfried Bony admits Manchester City may not see the best of him until next season as he looks to settle into life at the Etihad Stadium.

The Ivory Coast international joined the Premier League champions from Swansea City in a €35 million deal in January but he has scored just once in five Premier League appearances thus far.

Bony, who has suffered injuries and was absent at the Africa Cup of Nations, concedes that he is yet to hit top form for his new club, but has vowed to return to his best in the 2015-16 season.

“Yes it’s been very frustrating, first because of injury and second because we are not winning games,” he is quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror.

“No one expects you to be 100 per cent in the first few weeks. I’m working very hard to get it back.

"It’s not coming as I would have expected and I'm not 100% yet but I hope to get quicker and score more.

“I still want to do something this season but next season I will be very good.”

 

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Fiorentina form 'worrying' for Montella

Vincenzo Montella has admitted he is "worried" about Fiorentina 's form after an "ugly" defeat to Napoli on Sunday.

Rafael Benitez's men ran out 3-0 winners thanks to goals from Dries Mertens, Marek Hamsik and Jose Callejon, adding further misery to the Viola's week after they were eliminated from the Coppa Italia at the hands of Juventus on Tuesday.

Montella's men have won only three of their last eight in all competitions and the coach has has some concerns over the state of his team's mental strength."It was ugly. We had no character, no heart - that is worrying," he told reporters.

"We didn't have any incisiveness or pace to us and we could have conceded more. We had no security in defence and no conviction.

“We wanted to control the game early on, but we didn’t have the right approach. I have not seen a team as superior as Napoli were."For the first time I must say that I expected much more from my team. I could not recognise them out there.

“Physically, we are fine, so maybe it is psychological, because the defeat to Juventus has affected us badly."Gonzalo Higuain looked to have given Napoli a fourth goal as a shot struck the bar and bounced over the line, but the goal was not given and Montella downplayed the incident.

"Nobody saw it clearly because the shot was so fast," he said."These things happen and fortunately it didn't decide the result."Aurelio De Laurentiis and Napoli continued their media blackout despite their victory, with all players and Rafael Benitez refusing to speak to reporters.

 

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Van Gaal: Manchester United are better than City - it's a fact

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal believes his side have proven themselves to be better than Manchester City following their emphatic derby win.

Goals from Ashley Young, Marouane Fellaini, Juan Mata and Chris Smalling secured a 4-2 victory for the Red Devils to move them four points clear of City in third and maintain their push for a Champions League place.

"You are playing for the fans. In the beginning of the season, it was not so fantastic to be a United fan," Van Gaal told reporters.

"This week, they can go on the street and lift their hats, and say we are this year the better team.

"At this moment we are four points ahead [of City] so that's a fact. We still have six matches to go and that can be changes again."

Marouane Fellaini delivered another strong performance and received a standing ovation from the Old Trafford faithful when he was replaced in the second half.

"He is very important for the team, he has scored goals under big pressure when we needed him. He always plays the ball to the same colour which is very important. I'm very happy for him.

"Fellaini from day one is the player who always did what I asked. You can say not always very good but never badly. That's always important for a manager that a player gives a certain level of performance."

Van Gaal's philosophy has been questioned by many since his arrival at Old Trafford, though Phil Jones claimed on Saturday that the team were starting to understand the way in which the Dutch coach wants them to play.

And the former Barcelona boss feels his players should be praised for handling the pressure and managing a switch in formation to 4-3-3 in recent weeks.

"We have made already big steps in the last six games, because after the defeat against Arsenal [in the FA Cup] it was very difficult of course for my team to stand up and to maintain our confidence in the philosophy," he added to Sky Sports.

"I have to say all the credit to the players because they have to do it under pressure, under the expectations of the fans because the fans were expecting today that we would win, and of course after the match you can say we have won but it is not so easy, you can see also the stress of the players in the first 10 minutes."

As well as netting United's first goal, Young also claimed two assists in his role as a left-winger as the England international put in another encouraging performance.

And Van Gaal was full of praise for the ex-Aston Villa man despite Sergio Aguero's late consolation being created down his flank.

"Yeah I think Ashley Young was man of the match… I've seen it [on television]! So I think that is right because I found that also, he was very good.

"He was involved with the first three goals, very important goals, and he did his job as a left winger. When he was left midfielder he let in one goal but OK, I can…how do you say… I can accept it."

Van Gaal also revealed Michael Carrick is set for further tests after he was withdrawn from the action late on with a tight calf muscle.

 

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Pellegrini snubs questions over Manchester City future

Manuel Pellegrini refused to be drawn into speculation regarding his future at Manchester City following Sunday's 4-2 loss to Manchester United.

The result, City's fifth league defeat in 2015, leaves the reigning Premier League champions four points adrift of third-placed United with all hopes of retaining their title all but extinguished.

Pellegrini recently bemoaned the sacking culture in England's top flight, insisting he was not concerned over his position but was less forthcoming following their second defeat in six days.

"I'm not talking about my position," Pellegrini bluntly replied to questions after the game.

Sergio Aguero gave City the lead after just eight minutes, only for United to roar back through Ashley Young, Marouane Fellaini, Juan Mata and Chris Smalling before the Argentine added a late consolation.

Pellegrini added: "I think it was a clear result for Manchester United. We started very well in the first 20 minutes. After that I think they started playing better than us.

"They started playing with a lot of class and were clear winners. We didn’t defend well, particularly for the goals. We lost many points, not only in this game. We must play not for 20 minutes but the whole game."

He continued: "Maybe [squad spirit] is something we can be concerned about. I think we made important mistakes for the second goal and maybe the third goal was offside.

"They played better than us but it’s more easy to play when you are two goals ahead. We must try to continue playing the same way we did in the first 20 minutes."

Next up City is West Ham as they look to hold off the likes of Liverpool, Southampton and Tottenham to secure a place in next year's Champions League in the final six games of the season.

"We are concerned to try to win the next game," he said. "We have six more games to play. We have lost twice in the last week but we have 18 points to play.

"We must not make dramatics in this moment. We must try to recover as soon as possible from this defeat. It was a bad 2015 and a very bad week but we must all try together.

"We will work on the minds of the players this week. We must improve. If we win a game, we will recover."

 

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I've not signed a deal with anyone, insists Dani Alves

Dani Alves has insisted he has not signed a pre-contract agreement with any other club and is solely focused on Barcelona this season.

The Brazilian's agent revealed last week that the club's latest contract offer was "unsatisfactory" and Barca have already identified their main candidate to replace him.

However, the former Sevilla man is adamant he has not agreed to join any other club and is determined to enjoy a successful season at Camp Nou."I am very happy at Barcelona and I have not signed with anyone," he told BeIn Sports.

"In life, you have to be thankful. Barca are a club that changed my life, made me realise all my dreams. I'll get to the end of my contract with the same ambition as when I came here.

"If the club asks me to look for another alternative, then I'll look at the other options. But for now, this is not the case. I stay focused on the end of the season because I'm still a competitor. A decision will be made at the end of the season."

French champions Paris Saint-Germain have emerged as one of the favourites to sign Dani Alves this summer and will take on Barca in the Champions League quarter-final this week.

The defender is relishing the prospect of taking on Laurent Blanc's side and feels they have the advantage given the suspension of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marco Verratti, as well as a handful of injury problems.

"Football has brought us together again. Now, we have to do our best possible and play two perfect matches," he said. "It'll be great, because they have players of an international level.

"It is true that they have important absences and that these are players who they will miss, especially in midfield. And there's also Ibra. These are heavy losses."

 

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Hazard: Chelsea almost ready to start celebrating the title

Eden Hazard says Chelsea are almost ready to start celebrating the Premier League title after a 1-0 victory over QPR saw them move seven points clear at the top of the table.Jose Mourinho's side, without top scorer Diego Costa, needed an 88th-minute goal from Cesc Fabregas to seal victory against Chris Ramsey's relegation-threatened men.

The result sees the Blues maintain their seven-point leader over second-placed Arsenal, having played a game less, with Manchester United and the Gunners up next in the Premier League.Hazard says that, while Chelsea do still have some difficult games still to come, they are closing in on a first title since 2010.

"We're almost ready to start celebrating the title. But it is not finished," he told Canal Plus."In the Premier League, we know well that it is always difficult, with a lot of points ahead.

"We have two important games coming up against Arsenal and Manchester United. If we win one of those two that would be OK."We are close to reclaiming the title, but it is not finished yet - there is more work to do."

 

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Mata: Manchester United still in top-four fight

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata does not believe the Red Devils have yet assured their place in the Champions League despite securing a sixth straight league win.

The Spain international scored United's third goal as they beat Manuel Pellegrini's side 4-2 and moved nine points clear of fifth-placed Southampton.

The Red Devils still have to play both Chelsea and Arsenal in their final six fixtures, however, and Mata concedes the race for a top-four place is not yet over.

"It's one more step towards the Champions League, it's a big win and a boost to the confidence," he told Sky Sports.

"But Arsenal are a great team and City and Liverpool will stay fighting until the end."

The former Chelsea man also revelled in the atmosphere inside the stadium, particularly after the hosts made a slow start and fell behind to a Sergio Aguero strike.

"In the first 10 or 15 minutes City were brilliant, but after that we showed character and came back.

"It was a massive result and everyone from United is happy.

"The atmosphere was crazy, it's something we will never forget. We have six games to go and have to keep going."

 

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Iniesta: I will always be grateful to Van Gaal

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta has admitted he will always be grateful to Louis van Gaal for handing him his debut at Camp Nou.

The Spain international made his senior bow for the Catalan outfit in October 2002 before making his first home appearance three months later against Recreativo.

And the World Cup winner admits that he is extremely thankful to the Manchester United boss for making his dreams come true.

"My debut with the team, it was the most important day of my life," he told BeIn Sports. "A dream come true. These are very good memories.

"I was nervous but also very grateful to Van Gaal and all the coaches I've had before."

Despite having won numerous pieces of silverware at both international and club level, the 30-year-old holds the 2005 Liga title and the 2009 Champions League as his most memorable triumphs.

And the midfielder, who scored Spain's winner in the 2010 World Cup final, singled out his last-minute strike against Chelsea on the way to Champions League glory as "one of the most incredible" goals of his career.

"The first title in La Liga it is always a special memory, because this was a first," he said.

"It seemed that time had stopped. I was very young and it was the beginning of many beautiful things.

"The final in Rome, I consider it one of the best of all time - because of this match but also in relation to our route to the final.

"The goal I scored at Chelsea at the last minute is still one of the most incredible of my career."