..::Football III::..

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Argentina 5-0 Bolivia: Aguero bags hat-trick

Sergio Aguero netted his first international hat-trick to inspire Argentina to a 5-0 rout of Bolivia in an international friendly on Saturday.

Aguero had not scored three goals in an international senior match prior to the fixture in San Juan, having bagged braces in games against Costa Rica and Bosnia-Herzegovina previously.

But Aguero was on song in Argentina's first and only warm-up match before next week's Copa America opener against Group B opponents Paraguay on June 13 in Chile.

The Manchester City star netted twice in the first half and added another after the interval at Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario as he moved fifth on Argentina's all-time scorers list with 26 - surpassing Gonzalo Higuain (23) and Luis Artime (24).
Angel di Maria - captain in the absence of Lionel Messi - scored two goals of his own in either half to lead the South American giants to their third victory in as many matches in 2015.

Argentina were simply a class above Bolivia - pooled in Group A alongside hosts Chile, Ecuador and Mexico, though countless chances went begging in the first half, before Di Maria gave Argentina a 25th-minute lead.

After Aguero was denied by the post in the opening seconds, Di Maria received the ball outside the penalty area and unleashed a low shot across Bolivia goalkeeper Romel Quinonez.

And Argentina virtually put the result beyond doubt thanks to Aguero's quick-fire brace as the Bolivians were ripped apart.Ezequiel Lavezzi was bundled over by Sebastian Gamarra in the penalty area after 28 minutes and Aguero made no mistake from the spot.

Aguero was at it again barely 60 seconds later, poking the ball past Quinonez from Di Maria's cross.Argentina keeper Sergio Romero was a notable absentee in the second half, replaced by Nahuel Guzman after hurting his knee before the break.

A wonderful outing for Aguero got better in the 51st minute.Aguero weaved his way past two defenders and fired low beyond Quinonez for his hat-trick.

It went from bad to worse for Bolivia two minutes later, when Miguel Hurtado handled the ball inside the area and Di Maria coolly converted the penalty.

 

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Messi and Iniesta make everything easier - Suarez

Luis Suarez says everything at Barcelona is easier thanks to the presence of players like Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta.

The Uruguay striker struck the second goal for the Catalan club in their 3-1 win over Juventus in the Champions League final in Berlin on Saturday, but heaped praise on his team-mates afterwards.

"I am thankful to Barcelona for signing me after everything I went through," the former Liverpool striker said in the mixed zone after the game. "Also my team-mates for their hard work and their sacrifice. They have treated me so well since I arrived and for that I will be grateful for my whole life."

And he added: "With Messi, with Iniesta and all of the other players who make the difference, it's much easier."

Suarez left Liverpool last summer claiming he wanted to win the Champions League and he has achieved that goal in his first season at Camp Nou.

"It's a dream," he said. "It's something you think about and now it has become a reality. I came to Barca to win titles and I have, so it has been a great season.

"I said I would be happy with 20 goals and I have scored 25, so it is all positive."

Having won the treble of Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League titles this term, the 28-year-old now believes Barca can go on to improve next season.

"We have beaten Manchester City, PSG, Real Madrid, lots of great teams," he said. "But in this team you always want to keep growing and we have the players to be able to do that. We want to keep getting better."

 

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Juventus played just like Barcelona - Trapattoni

Giovanni Trapattoni believes nobody would have noticed the difference between Juventus and Barcelona had the two sides swapped shirts during the game.

A thrilling encounter saw Barca run out 3-1 winners, but the game was a close affair throughout as Massimiliano Allegri's side looked to play the Catalans at their own game.Ivan Rakitic put Luis Enrique's men in front early on, but Alvaro Morata equalised in the second half as the Italians roared back into the game.

However, Luis Suarez then made it 2-1 before Neymar added a third deep into injury-time, but former Juve boss Trapattoni says his old club can hold their heads high."Had their shirts been exchanged, at no point would you have noticed Barcelona were Juventus," he said after the game.

"It was a great game but credit to Barcelona, they are worthy champions. It was a shame Juve went behind so soon to Rakitic's goal but they responded with personality."

Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was partly at fault for Barca's second after parrying Messi's initial shot into the path of Suarez but Trapattoni said any criticism would be unfair.

"Gigi has held up Juve in the most delicate moments so it would be unfair to single him out. I'm really sorry for Juventus and Italian football but we gave a good demonstration."There is no denying that some of Barcelona's technical performers made the difference, but Allegri prepared for the challenge really well."

Juve midfielder Andrea Pirlo broke down in tears after the game and Trapattoni offered his sympathy to a player he knows well from his World Cup-winning Italy side of 2006."I give applause to all, especially my old comrades Buffon and Pirlo, who deserved victory more than anyone.

"I'm sorry to see Andrea in tears, but we know that this is the law of sport. His tears are very loving, like mine in South Africa. You know at a certain age success might not now be repeated."

 

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Juventus will spend big this summer - Marotta

Beppe Marotta says Juventus will spend "whatever it takes" to launch another assault on the Champions League next season following Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Barcelona.

The club struggled in Europe under Antonio Conte but have re-emerged as a force in the competition under Massimiliano Allegri this term, while winning Serie A and the Coppa Italia.

Juve have already completed the €32 million signing of Palermo forward Paulo Dybala and Marotta revealed more signings could well be on the way.

"It's a great satisfaction to have come this far, but the defeat won't stop us," said Juve's CEO. "We are ready to do whatever it takes to improve a team that's already important."Ivan Rakitic put Barcelona 1-0 up early on in Berlin before Alvaro Morata's second half equaliser, but goals from Luis Suarez and Neymar saw the Catalans win the treble and extinguish Juve's hopes of achieving the same feat.

However, the Bianconeri had a strong case for a second half penalty after Paul Pogba went to ground following a tussle with Dani Alves, only for the referee to wave play on, and Marotta admits he felt his side were hard done to.

"Everyone saw where we started from. This season is extraordinary regardless of the result. And it was a shame because Pogba should have had a penalty - but we won't make excuses."

Defeat also means it is now 19 years since the Bianconeri last won the competition in 1996, having also tasted defeat in the 2003 final at the hands of AC Milan.

 

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Neymar: Why I cried after Champions League victory

Neymar hailed Barcelona's 3-1 Champions League final victory over Juventus "his biggest party" and says he has proven wrong any remaining critics.

The 23-year-old scored his side's third goal deep into injury-time after Ivan Rakitic and Luis Suarez had found the back of the net either side of Alvaro Morata's leveller.Victory sealed the treble for Barcelona and saw them become the first side ever to achieve that feat twice, having also done so in 2009 under Pep Guardiola.

"I'm very happy to be part of this story. Now I think there is nothing left to claim, there is nothing more you can say about me," he told ESPN Brazil."It's a unique emotion, a unique experience in becoming a champion with such a great team, but I won't stop here.

"I started crying because I considered all I went through, everything I dreamed of, my son, the effort, the effort of my family."I've had so many wonderful moments, today, surely, is the best moment of my career. It's my biggest party."

 

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Dani Alves: It would be a pleasure to play for Milan

Barcelona defender Dani Alves says it would be a "pleasure" to join AC Milan after revealing he has a "proposal" from Italy.

The Brazilian won the Champions League on Saturday night as Barca beat Juventus 3-1 and completed a clean-sweep of La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League titles.

Dani Alves' is out of contract later this month, though, and his seven-year stay at Camp Nou appears to be nearing an end with the full-back having been linked to Paris-Saint Germain and Manchester United.However, Milan have also been mooted as possible suitors and the former Sevilla man hinted that a deal was on the table from the San Siro club.

"It would be a pleasure to join Milan," he told Sky Sport Italia."There is a proposal from Italy and I will evaluate all the alternatives before deciding."

The 32-year-old has won five La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey medals and the Champions League three times during his time at Camp Nou.

 

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'Manchester United already have a goalkeeper' - Lloris cools transfer rumours

Hugo Lloris insists that speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United is premature, as David De Gea remains the club’s No.1.

United have been heavily linked with a move for Lloris in recent months, with speculation mounting that Real Madrid will bid for De Gea this summer.

The Frenchman, though, has now moved to cool the persistent speculation, though Goal understands that PSG are also taking a keen interest in acquiring the Spurs stopper.

“You're getting ahead of yourselves,” he told Telefoot.

“For the moment, there is a keeper in place at Manchester United. Keep a cool head over it."

Lloris has previously denied that he has a release clause in his contract, and he remains a key player for Spurs, having made 44 appearances in all competitions in 2014-15.

 

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Bartomeu: Barcelona want Pogba

Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu has revealed the club want to sign Juventus star Paul Pogba.

The Catalans are currently banned from signing players until 2016 after breaking rules regarding the acquisition of youth players.However, that hasn't stopped them from pressing forward with recruitment plans ahead of next year, with Pogba top of their list.

Bartomeu told Telefoot: "It is true that Pogba is a leading target of ours and obviously we are interested, but I can't say anything more. We are forbidden to recruit players until January, so I can't talk about it."

Pogba was on the losing side in Saturday night's Champions League final as Barcelona triumphed 3-1 over Juve in Berlin.But in light of reports claiming that could well have been his last game for the Bianconeri, Juve CEO Giuseppe Marotta insisted he would remain at the club.

"Juventus wants to win the Champions League next season and Pogba is an important player. He will be here next season for sure, 100 per cent.

Pogba, meanwhile, offered little response to the rumours in the aftermath of the game, adding: "I don't even think about anything else while I'm at Juve. It's nice to be asked but I'm not going to stop working for my club."

 

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Messi enjoys breakfast with Champions League trophy

Lionel Messi celebrated winning the Champions League by having a special breakfast with the trophy by his side.

The 27-year-old didn't get on the scoresheet, but still played a starring role as Barcelona beat Juventus 3-1 in Berlin to clinch the second treble in the club's history.

Despite the celebrations, Messi was up bright an early for croissants and coffee with a special companion...

 

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Messi and Iniesta make everything easier - Suarez

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Luis Enrique: My Barcelona future still uncertain

 

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Kane wa ganna try karala wadak naha​

Kane wa sell karana ekak nae ne

 

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Benzema wants to retire at Madrid - agent

Karim Benzema's agent has moved to play down speculation that his client could move to either Arsenal or Manchester United, insisting he would only leave if Real Madrid told him to.

The Gunners believe that Benzema would be interested in a move to north London, should Madrid decide to sell, though any potential deal would likely cost around €50 million.

Reports have suggested that Benzema's representative, Karim Djaziri, met with Ed Woodward earlier this week to discuss a move to United, but he has now rejected those rumours and maintains that the Frenchman wants to finish his career at the Bernabeu.

"I haven't met with any club in London. Not with United and not with anyone else. We haven't held talks with anyone other than Real Madrid," he is quoted as saying by Marca.

"What is Karim going to do in Manchester? He's happy in Madrid. He doesn't want to leave. Benzema would only leave if Real Madrid told him he was surplus to requirements, because he isn't going to leave of his own accord.

"Karim wants to see out his contract. He wants to retire at Real Madrid."

Benzema scored 22 goals in 46 appearances for Madrid in all competitions this season.

 

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Immobile still has a chance at Dortmund - Tuchel

New Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel has said Ciro Immobile could still have a future at the club, despite an underwhelming debut season.

The striker joined the German side last summer for around €20 million as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski, having top scored in Serie A in 2013-14 with Torino.

However, he notched only three Bundesliga goals in his debut season at Dortmund, adding another four in six Champions League appearances in what was a poor campaign for his side.

That form has seen the 25-year-old linked with a move away from Signal Iduna Park, but Tuchel, who replaces Jurgen Klopp at the helm of the club, says he will get his chance to prove that he can succeed there.

"He still has a chance with me. He has, just like any other player, a great desire again and is ready to embrace it," Tuchel said."I like good players like Andre Schurrle. I like those who are curious, open to new ideas and can leave their egos behind. Those who train unconditionally."

The former Mainz coach's description of his favoured players raised questions as to whether or not Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang would have a future under him, but he insisted players with extra flair will always have a place in his team.

"If someone brings that little extra to the team, then I am willing to look the other way sometimes. But no player is allowed to use the team as a stage for his self-promotion."

 

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Hazard: I want to beat extra-terrestrials Messi & Ronaldo to Ballon d'Or

Eden Hazard continues to dream about winning the Ballon d’Or, but joked that the talents of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are from another planet.

The 24-year-old inspired Chelsea to a Premier League title victory in 2014-15, scoring 19 goals and providing 13 assists as the Blues spent a record 274 days in first place.

Hazard was voted PFA Player of the Year for his performances, but has not yet realised his goal of being crowned the best player in the world, something he hopes to put right soon despite the two La Liga superstars.

“This has always been my dream, when I first arrived at the training centre of Lille, I said to my coach, Jean-Michel Vandamme, that one day I would become the Ballon d'Or winner,” he is quoted as saying by The Sun.

Barcelona star Messi and Real Madrid talisman Ronaldo have won each of the last seven awards between them and Hazard knows it will be tough to disrupt that run.

“Unfortunately, there are two extraterrestrials in football, Messi and Ronaldo, and it will be hard to dislodge them. I'm working hard for that.”

 

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Dunga: Neymar's Champions League success important for Brazil

Brazil coach Dunga has hailed Neymar’s Champions League heroics for Barcelona as a timely boost for the nation's football as they prepare for this month’s Copa America.

The 23-year-old took his season tally to 39 goals in all competitions when he found the net deep into stoppage time as Barca clinched a famous treble with 3-1 victory over Juventus in Berlin on Saturday.

Next up for Neymar is the Copa America in Chile – Brazil's campaign starts against Peru next Sunday - and Dunga is relishing his arrival with the squad.

"I don't think that this is only important for the national team," he said. "In my opinion this is good for Brazilian football as a whole, having a player scoring in the final and winning the Champions League.

"For Brazil this is very good. As I said before, I was happy to see Barcelona playing that match because it will keep Neymar very motivated, so it was good for us."

Dunga knows his players - who play Mexico in a friendly on Sunday - will be closely scrutinised over the coming weeks some 12 months on from their 7-1 World Cup semi-final humiliation at the hands of Germany on home soil.He added: "Obviously we wanted to win that World Cup at home.

"The coach and the players wanted it more than anyone else. Unfortunately it didn't happen. But we will not freak out because of that. Some were saying that we were relegated to the second or even third level of the world's football.

"So I leave you with this question: Brazil didn't lift a trophy for 24 years and even then we produced so many talented players in that period. Were we 'relegated' to inferior level back then? No, we were still Brazil.

"It will not be different now. Obviously we must fight back now showing determination to give an answer even stronger than the normal."

 

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Mourinho: Teams who don’t counter-attack are stupid

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says that managers who are dedicated to possession football instead of counter-attacking are “stupid”.

The Premier League champions faced plenty of criticism en route to their latest title, dubbed boring after a series of defensive performances, notably against Arsenal.

But Mourinho believes counter-attacking is a fundamental part of any successful team and has hit out at the obsession with possession football.

“There is no new generation of managers,” Mourinho told the Sunday Times.

“What it is, is people who got some idea, some philosophy, and want to create something like, ‘we build very well from the back, we have a very good ball possession, we don't play counter-attack’.

“But if you don't play counter-attack then it's because you are stupid. Counter-attack is a fantastic item of football, an ammunition that you have, and when you find your opponent unbalanced you have a fantastic moment to score a goal.

“So I think people are creating illusions and it has influenced public opinion. But football will never change. Football is to win.”

Mourinho is pushing for Chelsea to sign Radamel Falcao as a replacement for Didier Drogba, and the coach reiterated his desire to add to his strikeforce.

“We will be better. I don't see our team losing players,” he said of Chelsea’s summer transfer plans.

“We lost a striker who scored four goals in the Premier League, but three of these goals meant important points for us. So we have to buy a striker because we want to have three strikers of a good level.”

 

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Van Persie won't settle for bench warmer role at Man Utd

Robin van Persie claims he does not want to spend next season on the bench at Manchester United and was full of praise for reported suitors Juventus.

The Netherlands international fell down the pecking order at Old Trafford last season as Louis van Gaal opted to use Wayne Rooney as a lone striker during the second half of the campaign.

And the former Arsenal attacker is keen to make sure he avoids sitting on the bench next term as he looks to find form ahead of the European Championships in France.

"It is my ambition to play as many games as possible. I feel fitter than ever," he told the Sunday Mirror.

"I know that the more games I play, the more it will help me prepare for the European Championships next summer. As a player you want to arrive at tournaments with good match time and not as a bench-sitter.

"I know that when you are at a club like Man United, you have to accept that you cannot always play or be guaranteed a starting place.

"It is like a beast. It is so big and strong and it can do wonderful things for you, but it also has a negative side and that is what I have got to decide on this summer.

"United spent £200 million on players last year and they are going to spend another £200m this summer, so we will have a team that can compete for the title.

"I will take everything into consideration when I decide on my future and I know I have to be realistic about the situation."

The 31-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Juventus amid reports he is set to leave the 20-time English champions.

And Van Persie admits he has been impressed by the Champions League runners-up after speaking to former United team-mate and current Juve defender Patrice Evra.

"I still speak to my old mate Patrice. He has told me stories about how Juventus train, how hard they work, and how they manage to be successful," he added.

"They have a fantastic spirit in their team. They have a totally different approach from English or Dutch players before games.

"They grab each other by the head, they shout at each other to pump each other up. And they also have big running sessions after games.

"Patrice has told me that there are so many ways to be successful and that you can’t say one way or another is perfect."

 

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Republic of Ireland 0-0 England: Rooney & Co. fluff their lines in dour friendly draw

Republic of Ireland's first home game against England for 20 years proved to be an anti-climax as the two sides served up a drab goalless draw in Sunday's friendly at the Aviva Stadium.

Ireland had to contend with questions over a €5 million loan the FAI was paid by Fifa as compensation for controversially missing out on the 2010 World Cup in the build-up and did little to change the focus.

Martin O'Neill's men were unable to secure a morale-boosting win ahead of their crunch Euro 2016 Group D qualifier against Scotland in Dublin next Saturday, though, as neither side did enough to secure victory.

Crowd trouble forced the last meeting between these two nations on Irish soil to be abandoned back in 1995, but there were no unsavoury scenes on this occasion.

The main concern for Ireland manager O'Neill will be whether his players can raise their game next weekend after they showed promise, but lacked quality in the final third.

England failed to match the standards of their nine-match unbeaten run since the World Cup last year and will need improvement to maintain their 100 per cent record in Group E against Slovenia next weekend.

Ryan Bertrand made his first England start at senior level, while Ipswich Town duo Daryl Murphy and David McGoldrick paired up front for Ireland with Robbie Keane not involved due to LA Galaxy commitments.

Both sides knocked the ball around with confidence, but it took 26 minutes for the first goalscoring opportunity to be created and it came the way of Ireland.

Murphy is still waiting for his first international goal, but the striker came close with a left-footed effort from inside the penalty area that Joe Hart got a fingertip to a full stretch, but a goal-kick was awarded.

Adam Lallana cut in from the left and let fly with a rasping right-foot drive that was off target two minutes before the end of the first half.

Wayne Rooney spurned a golden chance to move just a goal short of Bobby Charlton's record tally of 49 England goals three minutes into the second half but a heavy touch on the edge of the area let him down.

Half-time substitute James McClean caused panic in the England penalty area when he delivered a dangerous free-kick that was bundled behind by Hart.

Rooney had a another chance to open the scoring before the hour-mark when he lined up a free-kick from just outside the penalty area, but Keiren Westwood got across to make a comfortable save.

Hart was again called into action to palm away a well struck shot from Jonathan Walters as the opening goal remained elusive and Ross Barkley blazed high and wide after the ball fell kindly for him at the other end.

Jamie Vardy replaced Rooney to make his England debut with 16 minutes remaining and fellow substitute Andros Townsend forced a save from Shay Given with a shot from 20 yards in a forgettable encounter.

 

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R.Ireland Vs England match 1ka chaterma match 1kak kiyala kiyanne​