..::Football II::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Albiol extends Real Madrid contract

Real Madrid defender Raul Albiol has ended speculation regarding his future by penning a new two-year contract with the club, keeping him at the Santiago Bernabeu until the end of the 2016-17 season.

The Spanish international had two years remaining on his current contract with the La Liga champions, however after a frustrating season which saw him make only a handful of league appearances, the defender was linked with a move away from the club.

Albiol has made 63 appearances for Madrid in his three campaigns in the Spanish capital and won his first Spanish league title under Jose Mourinho last season.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Joachim Low backed by German football federation

Germany coach Joachim Low has been given the backing of the country's football federation (DFB) ahead of the upcoming 2014 World Cup qualifiers.



Die Mannschaft were knocked out of Euro 2012 at the semifinal stage by Italy, and many, including Michael Ballack, criticized Low's tactics and selections following the tournament. But the president of the DFB, Wolfgang Niersbach, has publicly supported the 52-year-old and his backroom staff.

"We have heard a very convincing analysis of the Euros," said Niersbach after meeting his coach in Frankfurt. "We absolutely agree with the sporting staff and believe that the chosen path is the right one."

Germany, which is currently second in the FIFA world rankings, won all three of its group games in Poland and Ukraine before overcoming Greece in the quarterfinals. But despite its impressive performances, Ballack was among a number of high-profile figures to criticize the former Austria Vienna tactician's methods.

Niersbach, however, preferred to look ahead to the forthcoming qualifying campaign for Brazil 2014."Qualification for the World Cup will not be easy but we believe in the strong potential of our team and are sure that they will bring us even more success," he added.

Germany has been drawn alongside Sweden and Republic of Ireland among others in Group C, and begins its qualification bid with a home tie against the Faroe Islands.Prior to that, they face Argentina in a friendly a week on Wednesday, and Low is looking forward to meeting up with his players again.

"We will now focus on the preparations for the match against Argentina and we are looking forward to the meeting in Frankfurt," Low said.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Moratti slams 'illogical' Paris Saint-Germain as Inter pull out of Moura race

Inter is no longer interested in signing Lucas Moura from Sao Paulo, after reports emerged that Paris Saint-Germain had bid 45 million euros for his services.

The 19-year-old's protracted move to Europe from Brazil has been one of the most prominent transfer sagas of the summer, with Manchester United and Inter both appearing favorites to secure his signature in recent weeks.

However, the Milan-based club has now withdrawn its interest in the youngster, amid rumors of a big-money bid from PSG.

"We would never have gone up to that sum," the club's president, Massimo Moratti, told Sky Sport Italia.

"In any case, there are no regrets that we didn't finish off the move, as the cost was already pretty high a few days ago.

"The 45m euros that PSG offered is completely illogical and for us it would’ve been very out of key with our approach. PSG are starting a new era, so they are completely reconstructing the squad.

Moratti then joked: "At least I can relish the fact I’m saving money."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mario Gomez facing six weeks on sideline


Bayern Munich has been dealt a blow by the news that Mario Gomez will be unavailable for up to six weeks after it was confirmed that he would require surgery to rid himself of an ankle injury.

The Germany international aggravated an old knock shortly before halftime during Jupp Heynckes' side's LIGA Total! Cup match against Werder Bremen on Saturday, and it emerged after the game that he would need surgery to repair his anklehttp://www.goal.com/en-us/news/15/g...-surgery-after-sustaining?source=breakingnews.

The 27-year-old is now certain to miss the start of the Bundesliga season, with the recovery time for such an operation between four and six weeks.

"He faces four to six weeks of rest, of which three of those he will be on crutches for. The damaged cartilage must be smoothed," sports doctor Bernd Kabelka told Bild.

Gomez will join David Alaba (stress foot fracture), Rafinha (torn knee ligament) and Diego Contento (fractured foot) on the sidelines for Bayern, although the club was handed a boost by the news that Bastian Schweinsteiger's ligament strain is not as serious as first feared.

"He will need to rehabilitate for two days but then he will be able to exercise again," Heynckes confirmed.

Die Roten start their Bundesliga campaign away to Greuther Furth on Aug. 25, and face arch-rival Borussia Dortmund in the DFL Supercup on Aug. 12.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Juventus coach Cristian Stellini resigns amid Scommessopoli allegations

The on-going investigation into the Scommessopoli match-fixing scandal has led to Cristian Stellini resigning from his position as technical assistant coach of Juventus.

The future of its coach Antonio Conte, and his deputy, Angelo Alessio, remain uncertain, but the former Bari player, who had also been part of Conte’s coaching team while at Siena in 2010-11 when the alleged match-fixing occurred, has confirmed his exit.

The 38-year-old posted a statement on the club's official website, apologising for his role in the affair.

"The events of the last month have deeply affected me. In a short space of time I went from member of the technical staff of the champions of Italy to a cause of turmoil for those with whom I worked," Stellini wrote.

"Whatever the outcome of the legal situation I am in, I feel it is only right to show a professional attitude and release this weight from Juventus which fell on to the club’s shoulders due to my time elsewhere in my career.

"I think it is right to dedicate all my time and efforts to clearing my position in these matters, which are exclusively about me and not those I simply shared a locker room with.

"I therefore tend my irrevocable resignation as technical assistant at Juventus."

However, there was optimism elsewhere at the club on Monday as the lawyer of the Bianconeri defender Leonardo Bonucci stated that he was confident his client would be cleared of the charges of sporting fraud leveled against him.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Tello left out of Barcelona's first-team squad

Cristian Tello has not been given a first-team squad number by Barcelona just weeks before the Liga season starts.

The former Espanyol forward featured heavily towards the end of the last campaign for the Blaugrana, making 22 appearances for the club in all competitions between January and the end of the 2011-12 season in May.

Despite this increased involvement last season, the youngster is yet to be assigned a first-team squad number for the new season, and does not appear on the first-team squad profile on the club's official website.

Jordi Alba, the club's only purchase of the summer so far, has been given the No.18 shirt, the same jersey he wore while representing Spain at Euro 2012.

Both Alba and Tello were part of Luis Milla's Olympics squad that crashed out of the competition in the group stages last week following a surprise defeat to Honduras.

Barcelona's first Liga match is against Real Sociedad on August 19.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Demba Ba blasts 'stupid' chants after alleged racist abuse

Newcastle United striker Demba Ba has blasted the "stupid" section of supporters who are alleged to have sung racist chants during the Magpies' 0-0 draw against ADO Den Haag.

The Senegal international started the match alongside compatriot Papiss Cisse as well as Ivory Coast midfielder Cheick Tiote, who was visibly annoyed after the final whistle.

Ba claims that he did not hear the alleged abuse but asked those said to be responsible to "grow up".

"I did not hear it because I was focusing on the game," he told the Evening Chronicle. "If they do that they are really stupid dudes. They have to grow up."

The striker has taken part in Show Racism the Red Card events among other community work on Tyneside.

"People have to man up," he added. "There are many people on earth and you have to be responsible."

His appearance in the match came days after the expiry of a 7 million pound release clause in his contract on July 31.

Although the 27-year-old had insisted that he was happy at the club, the clause had previously contributed to speculation about a summer move.

Ba scored 16 league goals last season but bagged only one following a change of formation after Cisse was signed during the January transfer window.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

England boss Hodgson impressed by young Team GB trio

Roy Hodgson has identified Chelsea duo Daniel Sturridge and Ryan Bertrand, as well as Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley, as potential England stars after being impressed by their performances at the Olympic Games this summer.

Team GB was beaten on Saturday by South Korea at the quarterfinal stage on penalties, but coach Stuart Pearce wasted no time in declaring that Sturridge and Cleverley were ready to make the step up to senior international football.

Hodgson hopes that the Olympic experience has set the trio - who have only one England senior cap between them - on the right path to start making a regular spot in his squad their own.

"Most of them (the GB players) are pretty much ready anyway, but one or two of the younger players like Bertrand and Sturridge and players like Tom Cleverley, who is coming back from injury, may have not been quite so much a fixture in their teams," the manager told the English FA's website.

"Let's hope the Olympic experience with Team GB has given them a better chance of staking a claim for a regular spot."

Hodgson will name a squad for the friendly with Euro 2012 finalist Italy on Aug. 15, and has previously stated an intention to use some players who weren't integral parts of his European Championship squad.

"There will be players involved in that game who weren't part of the Euros and I'm sure Italy will make changes too, so it won't be two similar lineups from the quarterfinal but it will be quite interesting to play so soon after our elimination against them," he added.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Suarez returns to Liverpool training

Liverpool duo Luis Suarez and Sebastian Coates made their return to the club's Melwood training ground on Monday following their participation in Uruguay's Olympic football campaign.

Manager Brendan Rodgers is now close to having a full squad for the first time since his arrival, though Craig Bellamy has yet to join up with the Reds after Team GB's London 2012 exploits went on until Saturday.

Liverpool faces FC Gomel in the second leg of their Europa League qualifier on Thursday and currently holds a 1-0 aggregate advantage after victory in Belarus.

The recently appointed Northern Irishman expressed his excitement at working with the talented Uruguayan forward.

"It will be fantastic to have Luis coming back, and he is already fighting fit. He will have a couple of days off and join up with us after the weekend." Rodgers stated.

“He's been playing games, so he will already be up to a decent level of fitnesshttp://www.goal.com/en/news/9/engla...ers-suarez-needs-to-move-on-from-patrice-evra, maybe even higher really, because he's had more competitive games. I'm really looking forward to working with him.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester City demands 31.5m euros for Dzeko as negotiations with AC Milan continue to stall

Manchester City is demanding 31.5 million euros for Edin Dzeko after rejecting an approach from AC Milan to sign the striker on a season-long loan.

City has told the Italian club that it will not entertain any offer to take the Bosnian on a temporary basis with a view to a permanent switch next summer.

However, Roberto Mancini is willing to listen to offers for Dzeko as he looks to raise funds and create room in the squad to bid for Arsenal captain Robin van Persie.

Milan wanted to take Dzeko on loan and pay his 215,000 euros-a-week wages in full - but City rejected its approach, just as it did when the Italian giants made a similar bid for Carlos Tevez in January.

The Premier League champions are also well aware that Milan received 65m euros following the double sale of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva to Paris Saint-Germain last month.

Dzeko, who cost 34m euros and has three years remaining on his contract, has complained about a lack of first-team opportunities after finding himself out of the side for much of last season - but still managed to score 14 Premier League goals.

And he hinted at the possibility of a summer transfer at the weekend, speaking after City's 2-0 friendly win over Wolfsburg, saying: "I always follow the Italian league and one day I would like to play in it. I also know that Milan has sold two of its best players.

"For now I am a City player, but to be sure I will stay here I will have to wait until the end of the month. I'll see what happens, and if someone else comes in."

However, Mancini insisted on Sunday that he does not expect Dzeko to leave City this summer.

"It’s pretty unlikely he will leave,” the Italian told reporters.

"He is right to say it’s no fun being on the bench but when you join a big club then competition is normal."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Oscar to wear No.11 shirt at Chelsea after Drogba departure

Chelsea has confirmed that new signing Oscar will wear the No.11 shirt for the 2012-13 season following Didier Drogba's move to Shanghai Shenhua.The Brazil international, who is on Olympics duty with his country at London 2012, will take over from the Ivorian whose exploits as the club's former No.11 saw him become a legend at Stamford Bridge before leaving, after having clinched the Champions League, in the summer.

Oscar joined Roberto Di Matteo's side from Internacional last month for a fee believed to be in the region of 25 million pounds and will battle with likes of fellow new signing Eden Hazard, Juan Mata, Florent Malouda and Daniel Sturridge for a place in the Blues' starting XI.

The 20-year-old follows in the footsteps of the likes of Damien Duff and Boudewijn Zenden, who both wore the No.11 shirt prior to Drogba taking over in 2006.

Dennis Wise is another club legend to have had the No.11 on his back, having taken the shirt back in 1993 when squad numbers were first introduced in English football.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Thiago Silva: Barcelona will be able to live without me

Thiago Silva has declared that his move to Paris-Saint Germain will have no effect on Barcelona, which had previously been linked to the former AC Milan defender.

The 27-year-old is currently representing Brazil at the Olympic Games and was asked whether he thought that his decision to sign for the Ligue 1 club would make a negative impact on the Catalan outfit.

"Barcelona are a great team and they have lived without Thiago Silva until now, as I have lived without Barcelona. It will make no difference," Silva said at a press conference.

"I am only thinking about the Olympics. My contract is with Paris Saint-Germain and I hope to have success there, as I did with Milan."

The center back also admitted that he has had little contact with anyone at his new club due to his international commitments with the Selecao.

"I haven't been there yet, I only signed the contract in a hotel in Rio de Janeiro. I had no further contact with anyone at the club. I know Leonardo and [Carlo] Ancelotti."

Brazil faces South Korea in the semifinal of the Olympics on Tuesday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Real Madrid 2-1 Santos Laguna: Spanish champ trumps Mexico winner in the desert heat

LAS VEGAS – Real Madrid beat Santos Laguna by a 2-1 scoreline in the University of Nevada-Las Vegas' Sam Boyd Stadium on a scorching Sunday night.

Though kickoff was scheduled after nightfall, the desert heat kept temperatures in the triple digits. Additionally, Santos played a league match (2-2 draw with Pueblo) two days earlier. It led to a sluggish start.

Xabi Alonso exploited a lack of pressure at the top of the box for the opening goal. Alvaro Arbeloa passed back to his former Liverpool teammate and Alonso uncorked a swerving 30-yard drive that beat Oswaldo Sanchez to the bottom corner.

Ten minutes later the Mexican side equalized. Christian Suarez cracked the offside trap wide open, giving him ample time to collect his thoughts in the box and slide a left-footed shot past Iker Casillas at the near post.

Madrid made wholesale changes at the half. It didn't take long for the fresh XI to get chippy, with local product Herculez Gomez getting physical with the central defenders. Both Pepe and the American striker were booked for tough challenges.

Midway through the half the reigning Spanish champion took the lead again. Karim Benzema shuffled his feet quickly to volley a corner on goal. Sanzhez dove to punch clear, but only managed to ricochet the ball off Sami Khedira's face and into his own net.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Internacional braced for Leandro Damiao offers

Internacional is prepared to receive a number of offers for its star striker, Leandro Damiao,who is currently representing Brazil at the Olympic Games.

The 23-year-old has been in fantastic form for the Selecao in London, scoring four goals in as many games to help his nation reach the semifinal stage.

His coach at Inter, Fernandao, has admitted he believes the player's performances mean the club will face a huge increase in interest for the striker who has previously been linked with Paris Saint-Germain, Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus.

The trainer was also keen to point out the difference between any potential transfer of the striker and that of his former teammate Oscar, who recently joined Chelsea.

"There will be offers, I have no doubt. In the last four transfer windows there have been offers and the board have worked to keep Damiao," Fernandao said to Radio Gaucha. "Oscar only left as his release clause was met, we could do nothing about it."

His statement was echoed by the Porto Alegre club's vice president, Luciano Davi, who believes that every strike Damiao nets will bring about another bid.

"With each goal that he scores, there is a bit of horror. If a proposal comes, Inter will look at it," he said.

Damiao will be hopeful of retaining his starting berth as Brazil takes on South Korea in the semifinal of the Olympics on Tuesday, August 7.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

RVP joins Arsenal pre-season

Robin van Persie has flown out to Germany with Arsenal for the club's pre-season friendly against Cologne as speculation mounts that he will stay at Emirates Stadium.

Van Persie, 29, is wanted by Juventus and both Manchester clubs, but none of the trio have yet offered anything like the fee Arsenal are demanding before they would consider selling their striker.

Arsenal have made it clear they will keep the Dutchman for the final year of his current contract unless they are paid £25 million, but the interested clubs do not want to stump up a big fee on top of his reported wage demands of £190,000 a week, and there is a growing belief that he could now stay in North London.

Van Persie challenged Arsene Wenger and the club last month when he issued a statement explaining why he wanted to leave the Emirates, claiming Arsenal lacked ambition. Wenger has certainly tried to meet that challenge with a series of big-name signings including highly rated Spanish international forward Santi Cazorla, who is also reported to have flown to Germany as part of the Arsenal squad even though his £16.5 million transfer has yet to be officially completed.

Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud have also arrived and are part of the 24-man squad that travelled to Germany on Monday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bolt wants United trial

It may or may not have been said with his tongue firmly in his cheek but Olympic sprint superstar Usain Bolt has called on Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson to hand him a trial.

Bolt cemented his position as the fastest man on the planet when defending his Olympic 100m title on Sunday. The Jamaican has been musing about his next move, with a step up to 400m a possibility.

But he is not short of confidence and has often claimed he has the skill to make it as a footballer.He is a huge United fan, has met Ferguson and the players in the past, and has put out a call for a trial.

"People think I am joking, but if Alex Ferguson called me up and said, 'OK let's do this, come and have a trial', it would be impossible for me to say no," Bolt is quoted as saying in the Sun."I would not take up the challenge if I didn't think I was good enough. I am a very accomplished player and know I could make a difference."I would be the fastest player in the team - but I can play as well."

He added: "I am in Britain for a few more days. If Alex Ferguson wants to give me a call he knows where I am."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Cazorla joins Arsenal squad

Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla has passed a medical and joined up with Arsenal at their pre-season training camp in Germany ahead of completing a £15 million move from Malaga.

The Spanish club's financial problems have delayed the deal being finalised but Cazorla is expected to sign a long-term contract with the Gunners this week.

In the meantime, Malaga have given the 27-year-old special permission to train with his new team-mates and is on course to make his Arsenal debut in Sunday's friendly against Cologne.Cazorla joined Malaga just 12 months ago for €19 million, and the playmaker's performances in guiding the club to fourth spot in La Liga and a Champions League qualifying position should have increased his value even further.

However, last week Malaga released a statement via the club website claiming that a period of "internal financial restructuring" was required to meet UEFA's incoming Financial Fair Play regulations, meaning Cazorla is available at a cut-price.

Cazorla could soon be joined at the Emirates by another La Liga-based midfielder, with Real Madrid's Nuri Sahin seemingly set to arrive on loan for the 2012-13 season. Jose Mourinho has said the Turkey international is free to leave the Bernabeu.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Cazorla!

Niyama Player kenek

Dan Arsenal sqaud 1kath Strongehoda Deals set 1kak karagattha me Transfer window 1kediGiroud,Podolski & Cazorla!

 

[Wolverine GTR]

mun Barcelona walatath wada hodha team ekak hadhanna wage yanne .kohendha ban mechchara salli

Wadak naha Bro kathakaralaOkkoma hoda Playersla PSG giyama wadak thiyanawada ithin....ShikPudumai CR7 & Messi wa ganne nathuwa inna 1ka


Oil Power thamai Machan.........ithin apita kelawenawaHabai Teeranaya thiyenne Moura ge athe thamai

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Qatar salli thama...!