..::Football III::..

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Di Maria: I'm uncomfortable on the bench - but I won't leave Manchester United

Angel Di Maria admits he is uncomfortable at being left on the bench at Manchester United but insists he is not looking to leave Old Trafford.

The Argentina international made his final start of the Premier League season on March 4 as manager Louis van Gaal opted to play Juan Mata and Ashley Young ahead of him in wide areas.

Despite that, the £59.7 million (€84m) signing from Real Madrid still managed to contribute three goals and 11 assists in the English top flight during his debut season with the Red Devils.

The 27-year-old feels it is difficult to explain why he found himself out of the team towards the end of the season.

When asked by Ole if he felt uncomfortable in Manchester, he said: "Yes. For me, and my family. Because not everything goes as I want, because I don’t play.

"Because I came with an intention and end up on the bench. It’s hard to tell how I feel there.

"I started well, with goals and assists. I was having a good time, until I was out. It’s a little hard to explain why I do not play."

Di Maria's omission from the starting XI has led to speculation he could leave the 20-time English champions amid reported interest from Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

But the player himself does not want to walk away from the club after just one season and is hopeful he can answer his critics when the new campaign starts on August 8.

"No [I will not leave], because I’m not thinking like that," he insisted. "In Madrid there were times when I was whistled around the stadium but faced it and then it turned around. I like to deal with things."

 

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Sergio Ramos holds transfer talks with Real Madrid

Sergio Ramos has held showdown transfer talks with Real Madrid and reportedly told the Spanish club to listen to offers for his services.

The Spain international still has two years to run on his current contract with Los Blancos but the defender is unhappy with the terms of the renewal that he has been offered to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Ramos' relationship with Madrid president Florentino Perez is also said to have broken down so it was the club's general director, Jose Angel Sanchez, who organised a meeting with the World Cup winner and his brother and agent Rene at Valdebebas on Wednesday.

During the sit-down, the versatile centre-half reportedly told Sanchez that while he does not want to leave, he would like the club to keep him informed of any offers for him.

Pedro Riesco, who works with Rene, now believes that Ramos is bound for the exit door, claiming that the 29-year-old feels that he has been the victim of a smear campaign by someone inside the club.

"With everything that has happened it will be very difficult for Sergio Ramos to stay at Madrid," Reisco told Radio Marca."Sergio is a symbol of this club. He has nothing to prove. But so many things are being said about him.

"There is so much manipulation to discredit his name via spokesmen who behave like puppets saying he is not respecting the club and that he is just a money-grabber."

Manchester United are interested in Ramos, whose buy-out clause stands at €200 million, and are hoping to make him a part of Madrid's move for Red Devils goalkeeper David de Gea.

In addition, Barcelona presidential candidate Jordi Majo has claimed that he has been offered Ramos.

Ramos has been a regular in the Real starting line-up since joining the capital outfit from Sevilla in 2005 and has won three Liga titles, two Copa del Rey trophies and one Champions League during his time at the Bernabeu.

 

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Drogba rules out Marseille return: They don't have a project

Didier Drogba has ruled out a return to Marseille because he does not expect the Ligue 1 side to be competing for trophies next season.

The Ivory Coast striker was released by Chelsea at the end of his contract after helping them claim a fourth Premier League title and win the League Cup.

Reports had suggested the 37-year-old could return to the Stade Velodrome to finish his career, but Drogba insists he will not be joining Marcelo Bielsa's side.

"It's not a question of money. I like to have a project. And Marseille, which I know well, does not have a project," Drogba told reporters in his native Ivory Coast.

"They have sold their best players, whom they let go till the end of their contracts. I'm talking about Andre Ayew, Andre-Pierre Gignac ... and they'll lose more.

"I don't want to go to Marseille to just play. If I go somewhere, it's to win, and I want to win. The question has been coming up for 10 years.

"There have been times when I could have returned, but the timing wasn't right. And each time my name comes up when it's time to renew season tickets. I don't want people to use me for financial purposes."

Drogba left Marseille to begin his first spell at Chelsea in July 2004.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

England U21s 1-3 Italy U21s: Wasteful Young Lions crash out

England crashed out of the European Under-21 Championship with a resounding 3-1 loss to Italy on Wednesday evening.

Gareth Southgate's men finished bottom of Group B having lost their opening clash to Portugal on Thursday and closing game against the Azzurri in Olomouc.

Sunday's victory against Sweden, secured via Jesse Lingard's late volley, is the only consolation as England head home early once more.

Their hopes of progressing to the semi-finals were dealt a critical blow within two first-half minutes when Andrea Belotti and Marco Benassi both struck, slightly against the run of play, for Luigi Di Biagio's side.

The Young Lions grew into the game after the break, with Jesse Lingard and Nathan Redmond carving open chances for themselves but wasteful with their finishes, before Benassi put the result beyond doubt late on.

Redmond saw England finish with a flourish after netting a fiercely hit consolation in stoppage time, but it was too little too late as Sweden and Portugal advanced from the group stage at their expense - after securing a mutually beneficial 1-1.

England started the night positively, with Danny Ings and Luke Garbutt immediately on the front foot to force two early corners, but Daniele Rugani was able to clear under pressure.

Ings should have opened the scoring shortly afterwards after being played through on goal with a fine pass from Harry Kane, but the new Liverpool striker sent the ball wide when one-on-one with Francesco Bardi.

Italy were patient, building from the back and using Davide Zappacosta as an outlet to break through a tight England defence, though Ben Gibson was alert early on to clear Alessio Romagnoli's goal-bound header.

Di Biagio's side did make the breakthrough midway through the first half, Belotti darting into the England penalty area to acrobatically poke Domenico Beradi's fine through-ball past Jake Butland.

And Benassi made it two just over a minute later with England stunned having afforded Lorenzo Crisetig far too much space in midfield to find the Torino man, who slotted home from the edge of the area via a Gibson deflection.

England continued to enjoy the majority of possession and Redmond managed to wriggle past the attentions of Romagnoli and Cristino Biraghi to bring a fine save from Bardi before Kane was thwarted from range.

The second half started in similarly positive fashion for England as the first, with Lingard carving open a fine chance inside two minutes but flashing his shot wide from a good position.

It was pedestrian at times from England, though, and they struggled with the superior intensity of their opponents who were equally happy to let Southgate's men huff and puff and make mistakes.

Di Biagio replaced striker Berardi with defender Stefano Sabelli in an attempt to close out the result, but Italy went on to further extend their lead through Benassi again.

It spelt the end of another disappointing showing at a major tournament for an England national side, with Redmond's late consolation just their second goal in three games as they failed to reach the semi-finals.

Despite their resounding victory Italy also crashed out, with group rivals Portugal and Sweden playing out their 1-1 draw with a long spell of aimless possession.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Portugal U21s 1-1 Sweden U21s: Late drama sends both sides through

Sweden Under-21s scored a dramatic equaliser minutes from time in a 1-1 draw with Portugal in a result that saw both sides qualify from Group B and deny Italy a place in the semi-finals.

Rui Jorge’s side would have secured qualification if they avoided defeat yet Sweden needed a victory or could rely on a draw and a subsequent England loss to guarantee their spot in the final four.

Goncalo Paciencia scored what looked to be the winner for Portugal with a shot from distance – sending Italy through in the process after victory over England - yet Simon Tibbling rescued the result late on.

Jorge, who defended his side’s goalscoring record of just one in two prior to this fixture, had reverted to the line-up that beat England with a return to the partnership of Ivan Cavaleiro and Ricardo up front.

Sweden looked to bounce back from their late defeat to the Three Lions and welcomed back defender Alexander Milosevic from suspension in one of two changes alongside winger Branimir Hrgota.

It was a game that displayed early promise as Portugal showed intent after six minutes, when William Carvalho broke free on goal yet dwelled on the ball to allow Patrick Carlgren to smother the chance.

Jorge’s side began to dominate the initial stages but could only add to their threat with two long-range strikes from Sergio Oliveira and Ricardo which whistled past the goal – although both were always rising.

Yet the first-half action died down as Sweden grew into the game and, with Italy’s lead on England meaning both sides remained in the top two, they may have been content with playing out a draw.

Sweden should have taken the lead, however, after the restart as John Guidetti found an unmarked Isaac Thelin at the back post, only for the striker to head his effort into the ground and over the bar.

Second-half substitutes Goncalo Paciencia and Iuri Medeiros combined late on and the latter forced Carlgren into a smart save down low when Paciencia dispossessed Joseph Baffo and set up a pass.

Medeiros repaid that favour moments later for what looked to be the winner when he found Paciencia on the edge of the box to turn Goran Milosevic and find the corner of the net from distance.

That goal looked set to send Sweden out of the competition and allow Italy the chance to qualify yet Tibbling showed skill and composure inside the box to maneuverer a deflected shot past the keeper.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Koke flattered by Barcelona, but not leaving Atletico - agent

Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke is "flattered" by interest from Barcelona but will not leave Diego Simeone's team this summer, according to his agent.The 23-year-old recently revealed that Barca wanted to sign him last summer, but he rejected their advances.

The Spain international has again been linked with a move to the Camp Nou side, but his agent, Inaki Espizua, insists he has made his intentions clear already.

"We are not surprised by Barca's interest, but flattered," he told Cadena Cope. "It's great to hear these things, especially from a club like Barca, but right now the player's position is very clear.

"He feels he is a key part of Atletico Madrid's plans for the future, so I have very little to add."Simeone has already stated that the player is not for sale and Espizua admits that the coach is a key reason he is still at the Vicente Calderon.

"We owe a lot to Simeone and his words are really touching," he added."If we look back at when Simeone arrived at the club, Koke looked to be on his way out.

"But he had blind faith in him and the player is repaying him for that trust. They are together in this project."Koke has been at Atleti since 2000 and is tied to the club until 2019.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Schneiderlin: I'll make a move in the coming days

Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin says negotiations over a summer transfer are continuing and he expects to complete a move “in the coming days”.

The France international has previously admitted he will only leave St Mary’s Stadium for a Champions League club, seemingly ruling out a move to previous suitors Tottenham.

Arsenal remain keen on the 25-year-old despite the emergence of Francis Coquelin, while Southampton remain adamant any club must pay €35 million for his services.

Manchester United have also been linked with a move for Schneiderlin and the midfielder says he is hopeful of concluding a deal before the start of pre-season training.

"The negotiations are ongoing and should be completed in the coming days, hopefully before the resumption of pre-season training next week," he told France Bleu Alsace radio station at a community event at his former club Strasbourg.

Southampton's players are due to report back for pre-season training on Monday 29th June as they begin their preparations for the 2015-16 season.

 

[danlix]

ela

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Schneiderlin godak durata Arsenal join wei​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ibrahimovic is different off camera - Hrgota

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is completely different in person to the man fans see on the field and on television, according to Sweden team-mate Branimir Hrgota.

The Paris Saint-Germain star has developed a reputation of being an arrogant, egotistical and somewhat difficult personality throughout his career.However, Sweden international Hrgota insists he is a "good guy" and feels the public's perception of him is wrong.

"He is a world star," the 22-year-old told Goal. "it is fun to play with him because he has great strength. As an opponent, it's difficult against him."You should not judge him before you get to know him. In person, he is not the same way he is on the pitch or in front of the camera.

"In my eyes he is a good guy. He doesn't make you feel that he is above you. He is very special. I can learn from, but I am not jealous of him."

The Borussia Monchengladbach striker says he is happy to see Josip Drmic join the Bundesliga club from Bayer Leverkusen, insisting he is not afraid of the competition.

"If you look at our squad, you could see we needed an attacker," he said. "The most important thing is: I know what I can do and i will show that."I'm not afraid of Drmic and I'm not afraid of being second choice."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ramsey: I want to be like Gerrard

Aaron Ramsey has outlined his aim to emulate the likes of Steven Gerrard and become an all-round midfielder.

The Arsenal man was deployed in a defensive-midfield position by Arsene Wenger last season to make room for the likes of Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain further forward.

Despite his deeper role, the 24-year-old has chipped in with 26 goals in all competitions over the past two seasons, outscoring all but Olivier Giroud in the Gunners squad over the same period.

Ramsey is happy with his defensive and attacking responsibilites in north London and for Wales and says he is taking tips from watching departing Liverpool captain Gerrard on how best to make his mark on the pitch.

"I think a top-class midfielder needs to be able to tackle, get up and down the pitch, pass, create opportunities and score goals," Ramsey told Bleacher Report.

"That's why I try to do everything, that’s what I judge my game on.

"If you look at someone like Steven Gerrard, he combines all of those elements. That’s what I want to emulate... so that’s what I base my game on."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chile 1-0 Uruguay: Isla strike sends hosts into semi-finals


Chile are through to the semi-finals of the Copa America after Mauricio Isla's 81st minute strike was enough to see off nine-man Uruguay at the Estadio Nacional.

The full-back drove his shot low into the corner to settle an ill-tempered encounter which saw both Edinson Cavani and Jorge Fucile dismissed in the second half.


Cavani received his marching orders for slapping Gonzalo Jara in the face, capping a turbulent week for the Paris Saint-Germain star after his father was allegedly involved in a car crash that led to a fatality in Uruguay on Monday.

Uruguay's centre-back pairing of Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez were an immovable force up until the 80th minute, when Isla controlled the ball on the edge of the penalty area and fired Chile - bidding to win Copa America for the first time - into the final four of South America's premier tournament.

The match was blighted by a late red card to Uruguay defender Jorge Fucile, who sparked an all-in melee and a delay in play, while coach Oscar Tabarez was sent to the stands as the 2011 champions lost their heads.

Chile, who will face the winner of Bolivia and Peru on Monday, made one change to the team that routed Bolivia 5-0 in their final group fixture last week, with Eugenio Mena replacing Jean Beausejour.

Godin returned to Uruguay's starting line-up at the expense of Sebastian Coates after missing the 1-1 draw with Paraguay, while Fucile and Cristian Rodriguez came in for Alvaro Pereira and Abel Hernandez, respectively.

The opening 45 minutes in the Chilean capital - brutal at times with numerous challenges - was a half of few chances, Uruguay happy to sit back and stifle Chile with players behind the ball.

It proved effective as Chile, who dominated proceedings, struggled to create anything clear-cut, with the hosts forced into strikes from distance.

Charles Aranguiz came close to breaking the deadlock in the 26th minute, though his shot was straight down the throat of Fernando Muslera, while the Uruguay goalkeeper also dealt with Arturo Vidal's stinging long-range effort 11 minutes later.

The second half followed a similar path, with Chile dictating play without reward.
However, Uruguay had an opportunity to take an unlikely lead from a set piece after the ball fell to the feet of forward Diego Rolan, who reacted quickest but was unable to generate enough power in his volley to trouble Claudio Bravo.

Cavani left Uruguay with a mountain to climb, when he was shown a second yellow card in the 63rd minute.Despite being down to 10 men, Uruguay engineered two good openings, while a Chile corner flashed across the six-yard box and eluded everyone.

Chile, however, finally made the most of their numerical advantage via Isla, who fired the ball into the bottom corner of the net with nine minutes left on the clock.
Uruguay's woes were compounded in the penultimate minute of regulation time, when Fucile saw red for a second bookable offence in a disappointing end for Tabarez's men.

 

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Copa America Quarter-Finals Fixtures 2015.06.25

Copa America Quarter-Finals Fixtures 2015.06.25

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Bolivia Vs Peru

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Official: Liverpool sign Roberto Firmino


Liverpool have completed the signing of Hoffenheim's Brazilian attacker Roberto Firmino for an undisclosed fee, subject to a medical.

Reds' chief executive Ian Ayre flew out to Chile - where Firmino currently is for the Copa America - to wrap up a deal worth €40 million, with €30m paid to the Bundesliga club up front and a potential €10m in add-ons.

The 23-year-old will complete a medical after the conclusion of the tournament and has penned terms on a long-term contract at Anfield.

Firmino has also attracted interest from Manchester United, having scored 10 goals and provided 12 assists in all competitions last season, but has now opted to join Brendan Rodgers' side.

The attacking midfielder, who can also play as a striker, has spent four years with Hoffenheim and made his international debut in November 2014 after impressing in the Bundesliga.

Liverpool's acquisition of Firmino may have been accelerated by Manchester City's interest in Raheem Sterling, with the Premier League giants looking to buy the 20-year-old this summer.

City are set to make a final €63m offer for Sterling - who has told Liverpool he wants to leave - in the coming days, and Firmino may indeed have been acquired as a replacement ahead of the England international's proposed departure.

liverpool lata patta sign ekak.Sterling ta wada hodai

 

[rcccc]

Chile 1-0 Uruguay: Isla strike sends hosts into semi-finals

Schneiderlin godak durata Arsenal join wei​

thama sure nae

 

[rcccc]

Meka hitha gannath amarui nehKalin kiyala thibbe Copa America iwara unata passe theeranayak gannawa kiyalaneanith 1ka kiwwa hatiyata mama hithuwe Manchester United gani kiyalaanthimata une wena deyak

Anyway hoda sign 1kak Liverpool lata!​

math hithuwe Manchester United join wei kiyala.aparade hoda player kenek

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Coutinho & Firmino makes Liverpool's midfield one of Europe's most exciting - Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho believes Philippe Coutinho and new signing Roberto Firmino give Liverpool "one of the most exciting midfields in Europe".

The Brazil international, who is currently at the Copa America with his new domestic team-mate, was confirmed as Brendan Rodgers's fifth summer signing for a deal worth up to £28 million (€41m) on Wednesday.

Firmino scored 10 goals and provided a further 12 assists for Hoffenheim last season, with Coutinho boasting nine and five respectively, and Ronaldinho feels the 23-year-old's arrival is a "sign of intent" by Liverpool.

"For Liverpool to have Coutinho and Firmino is a big achievement for them," Ronaldinho is quoted as saying by The Mirror. "It is going to give them one of the most exciting midfields in Europe.

"The creativity, intelligence and goals they have between them can change Liverpool as a team. It is a big sign of intent. Those two in midfield gives them a big chance to qualify for the Champions League next season.

"It is a dream for the Liverpool strikers to have that sort of service. If you can’t score goals in a team with Coutinho and Firmino in midfield then you won't score goals in any team. They will create so many chances."

Rodgers has wasted no time in strengthening his squad following last season's disappointing fifth-placed finish and Steven Gerrard's exit, also adding James Milner, Danny Ings, Adam Bogdan and Joe Gomez to his ranks.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Willian: I'll help Firmino to adapt to Liverpool

Chelsea star Willian has pledged to help new Liverpool signing Roberto Firmino to adapt to the Premier League.

The Reds confirmed on Wednesday their acquisition of the Hoffenheim forward for a fee beginning at £21.3 million (€31m) up front, which could rise to as much as £28m (€39m).

And though his fellow Brazil international will be playing on opposite sides when the top flight kicks off in August, the 26-year-old is ready to do what he can for his colleague, whom he expects to prove a fine signing for Brendan Rodgers's side.

"He's a great player. He knows how to score. He's strong," Willian told reporters of Firmino on Wednesday.

"Obviously, British football is played differently. It's very quick and aggressive and it is tough to adapt there but he has everything in order to make that change.

"As far as I'm concerned - and other players like Philippe Coutinho, who will also play with him - we will try to help him with his transition to Liverpool."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Firmino replacing Sterling a great deal for Liverpool, says Hamann

Dietmar Hamann is confident that Roberto Firmino will prove a success at Anfield and believes that Liverpool have made a "statement of intent" by capturing the Brazil international.

Firmino's arrival from Hoffenheim was confirmed by the Reds on Wednesday, with the forward set to undergo a medical following his participation in the ongoing Copa America.

And former Liverpool midfielder Hamann expects the 23-year-old to have no problems adapting to the Premier League.

The German told the Liverpool Echo: "I've seen a lot of Firmino and he's a player I like a lot. He's Brazilian but he has played in Germany for a number of years and I've been impressed by how he has developed.

"I've spoken to people who have worked with him and they say he won't be bullied. He has got more of a European than a Brazilian mentality. He is very skilful but he also has the strength and the mentality to survive in the Premier League.

"I watched him a number of times for Hoffenheim last season and I'm sure he will be able to handle playing in England. The Bundesliga is not a league where they don't tackle, the games are physical."

Goal understands that Liverpool have paid an initial fee of £21.3 million (€30m), which could rise to £28m (€39m), to sign Firmino but, with Manchester City's latest bid for Raheem Sterling set to come in at around £45m (€63m), Hamann has no problem with the outlay.

"I've not got a problem with the money Liverpool have paid for Firmino," he added. "This is a Brazilian international whose best years are well ahead of him, not behind him. He's one of the up-and-coming stars in Brazil and I think he's worth it.

"Look at what other clubs are spending. To attract the best, you have to pay big money.

"If Liverpool get £50m (€70m) for Sterling and invest half that money in Firmino, the club will have made their best business in a long time.

"To be honest, he's the type of player I thought Liverpool wouldn't be able to get without Champions League football. To get him is a real statement of intent and hopefully there will be two or three more big signings to come."

 

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'Brazil remain scarred by World Cup' - Taffarel

Brazil goalkeeping coach Claudio Taffarel believes the scars of their infamous exit from the 2014 World Cup remain with his side as they prepare for their Copa America quarter-final versus Paraguay.

The Selecao have won 12 of their 13 fixtures since finishing fourth at their hosting of the World Cup - which saw them ship 10 goals in two matches, including the 7-1 semi-final rout at the hands of Germany.

Despite Dunga's arrival at the coaching helm breathing life into the national side, Taffarel claims his players are still recovering from the embarrassing World Cup display as he had similarly tough times in his 104-cap career in the Brazil goal, claiming the 1994 World Cup triumph saw them rise above the criticism."For us, it was never easy either," Taffarel said ahead of their knockout tie with Paraguay on Saturday.

"Yeah, we won the fourth World Cup title, but before reaching that point, we experienced some difficult challenges. Where was it that the fans threw eggs at our head? In Bahia? You know, we were criticised at times. We experienced mistrust within the group, which wasn't so tight knit at times and we got past that. "This team [in 2015] is an excellent group, we have impressive players. For you guys who are just seeing what is happening on the field, you don't know what happens behind the scenes.

"But for those of us who are working with this team and who lived through the '94 World Cup, we see the same potential now. We see their will to work together and do their best.

"They've experienced many challenges. They lost the World Cup, they suffered that unforgettable loss, and they are still carrying all that weight.

"I believe that, step by step, they will rebuild that confidence in themselves and will bring a lot of joy to everyone."