..::Football II::..

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Chelsea captain Terry among those asked to wear anti-racism armband by UEFA

Chelsea captain John Terry is among those being asked by UEFA to wear an anti-racism armband as he prepares for his side's Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday.

The move comes as part of a week of action by European anti-racism body Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE). A UEFA spokesman told reporters that "The captains will be asked to wear a 'Unite Against Racism' branded armband."

For Terry to do so would be notable after he recently accepted a four-match ban and 220,000 pound fine from the FA for racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand last year. The former England skipper is still eligible to play for his club in European matches, as the ban only applies domestically, meaning he would be among those expected to wear the FARE armband.

The FARE campaign will be promoted at 40 matches across the Champions League and Europa League between Oct. 16 and 31. UEFA will be hoping for a more united response than was seen from the domestic "Kick it Out" campaign across England on Saturday and Sunday, as 32 players – including Rio Ferdinand and Jason Roberts – refused to wear a T-shirt supporting the initiative.

 

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Giovani dos Santos hits out at Sevilla

On the eve a possible debut for Mallorca, Giovani Dos Santos lamented the failure to sign with Sevilla over the summer, saying he believed the Spanish club was set to make an offer that never came.

“I waited for Sevilla for a long time, and at the end, nothing. They were never very clear with me,” Dos Santos told Spanish press ahead of Mallorca’s visit to Sevilla on Monday night.

“[They said] don’t worry, we’ll arrange it. I waited until the last day of the transfer window. There were offers from other clubs, but I decided to bet on Sevilla. In the end, I ended up on the sideline.”

After an extended transfer saga as the Mexican star looked to exit Tottenham, Dos Santos finally managed to relocate to Mallorca on the last day of August.

Due to a lingering injury picked up during Mexico’s Olympic run, he has yet to debut for his new club, which currently stands eighth in the Spanish La Liga table. Ironically, Dos Santos’ first action of the season could come Monday in Sevilla.

“I think Sevilla was never willing to bet on me, and the best example is that now I’m in Mallorca,” said Dos Santos.

 

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Lennon: Celtic will enjoy ultimate challenge against Barcelona

Celtic manager Neil Lennon believes that his side's 3-2 victory over Spartak Moscow in their last UEFA Champions League encounter has prepared the Scottish club well for its upcoming fixture with Barcelona.

The Bhoys came from behind in Moscow with an injury-time winner from Georgios Samaras, which clinched their first away win in the competition in 19 attempts. The 41-year-old coach has claimed that the nature of the victory has set the stage for a strong showing at Camp Nou on Tuesday.

"The performance in Moscow was probably even beyond my expectations," Lennon told The Times. "We've got a lot of young players, and they played very well that night. Tactically, and in terms of the bravery and spirit they showed, they were excellent and that has given us a platform to go to Barcelona.

"I don't think we've got the mentality or the players just to sit in and defend, like Chelsea did against Barcelona. We have to try to create chances, like we did in Moscow. It won't be easy - it's the ultimate challenge for the players and for me, too - but we're going to enjoy it."

The former Leicester City player also stated that the relegation of Rangers from the Scottish top flight, intimating that the lack of Old Firm rivalry, has made his life easier.

"With Rangers not around, the stress levels have diminished a little bit," Lennon said. "But for the whole of Scottish football - for the glamor, the energy, the exposure - it would be better if it hadn't happened."

 

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Wilshere nears recovery after grabbing assist for Arsenal Under-21s

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere played 90 full minutes and grabbed an assist during the club's Under-21's 2-1 victory over Everton on Monday.

The 20-year-old has been out of action for 14 months after struggling to recover from ankle and knee injuries. However, his presence as an unused substitute for the Gunners' loss at Norwich City on Saturday coupled with his recent appearances for his club's youth side are signs that he is not far from making a return to first team action.

But, as Arsenal enters a period of six games in 17 days, Arsene Wenger insists that the England star must not be pushed too far too soon.

"We have to be conscious he has not played for 14 months. I would have brought him on if the game had allowed it on Saturday but it was too intense," he told the club's official website. "There are two aspects [to the recovery]. One is the apprehension to go into challenges when you have too many injuries. On that front he is at 100 percent.

"We even have to calm him down. He goes for every challenge and has no apprehension. Then you have the physical front. He is okay there. Then you have the match fitness, that is 80 percent. He needs one more game."

 

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Cech: Villas-Boas' involvement added spice to Chelsea's derby win over Tottenham

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech admits that that the presence of former manager Andre Villas-Boas at his side's London derby win over Tottenham on Saturday added a certain spice to the occasion.

It was the first time that the Spurs boss had met his former side since being sacked by Blues chairman Roman Abramovich last season.

But, when asked whether the players felt a sense of rivalry with their former coach, Cech insisted that, while the Portuguese's presence aided the atmosphere of the occasion, this was not the case.

"Us players did not take it in such a way," he told his official website. "Perhaps it was more special for the managers because Andre and Roberto Di Matteo worked together at Chelsea last season."

He added, "The presence of Andre surely made the atmosphere more spicy. Before and after the match he said hello to us, he shook hands with everyone and we exchanged a few words. It was nice to see him again."

The Czech Republic international also took time to explain his take on the crucial save which he made from a Kyle Walker shot whilst the Blues were fighting to hold onto a 3-2 lead.

"David Luiz put his leg there, missed the ball and I saw it at the last possible moment," Cech recalled.

"I had to react quickly. If Tottenham had made it 3-3, who knows what would have happened? Fortunately it was us who added a fourth goal from a counterattack."

 

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Gerrard: Sterling can go all the way to the top

Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard thinks Raheem Sterling can go "all the way to the top" after a fine start to his senior career.

The 17-year-old starlet scored his first goal for Liverpool at the weekend against Reading, making him the second-youngest goalscorer in Liverpool’s history.

"I think he has been a great surprise to everyone, not that he is doing so well at this level but I don't think anyone expected him to break through so early,” Gerrard told reporters. "I think we all knew he was going to be good enough to play for the first team but when they are young and small and that size, sometimes you need to take a little bit of extra care.

"They [young players] used to get a taste towards the end of the season but the manager has come in, seen what he has done in preseason and said he is ready now. He hasn't let anyone down and he's been sensational so far. If he can add assists and goals to his game the more he grows he can go all the way to the top."

The skipper also believes that Brendan Rodgers' faith in Sterling has been a key factor in his development but warns that the former QPR trainee still has a long way to go.

"First and foremost he has the trust of the manager," Gerrard added. "He is the one who picks the team and week in, week out he is getting a start. That is what you need when you break through. You need the manager to believe in you because sometimes it is hard to play well every game.

"When you don't play well, the manager keeps playing you and he's telling you that you are ready for this level, you're going to be around for a long time so get out and do your stuff and that is what he did against Reading."

 

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Amelia: AC Milan did not expect things to be this difficult

Marco Amelia has admitted that he did not expect AC Milan to have as many difficulties in the opening months of the 2012-13 campaign as the team is actually having.

The Rossoneri lost numerous first team regulars in the summer transfer window, and have won only two out of their opening eight Serie A games as head coach Massimiliano Allegri attempts to rebuild his team.

Amelia has stated that he realized Milan could be in for a difficult season, but never saw the current struggle coming.

"We are going through a very difficult moment. We knew that it would not be easy following the departure of so many players, but we never expected things to be this difficult," Amelia told Sky Sport Italia. "We have to roll up our sleeves, work hard, and try to climb up the table. Qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League is an absolute must, and we have to try and get as many points as possible in Serie A."

Milan sits joint 15th in the Serie A table following this weekend's results.

 

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Toni Kroos: Bayern Munich will have tailwind going into Lille match

Bayern Munich and Germany midfielder Toni Kroos is confident that his team will put on a good display in its next Champions League fixture, against Lille.

The 22-year-old has been in excellent form recently helping the Bavarians to a record-breaking Bundesliga start of eight consecutive wins.

Commenting on this achievement on the club's official website, the 34-cap international modestly noted that to him the record is "just an accessory" before turning his attentions to Europe's elite club competition.

"We will drive to Lille with a lot of confidence and tailwind. We are favorites in the group. Due to our defeat against BATE Borisov, of course we are under a lot of pressure, without a question," he stated.

When asked to go into detail about Bayern's 3-1 surprising stumble against the Belarusian underdogs, he indicated: "I do not want to think about the match [against BATE] anymore. At the moment we feel superb, and that's all that matters."

Kroos then went on to talk about the recent progression he has made as a footballer.

"Certainly, at 22 years of age, there is still a lot of room for improvement. I took the right conclusions out of last season and want to optimize a few things this year. So far that has worked well, but I have to stay consistent."

 

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Hulk: I'm feeling the pressure at Zenit at the moment

Record Zenit St Petersburg signing Hulk has revealed he has been feeling under pressure ever since his multi-million euro move to the Russian outfit.

The Brazil striker has scored once in five league appearances since his 55 million euro switch from Porto over the summer, and the powerful attacker has conceded he is suffering under the strain of living up to the price tag.


"I'm feeling pressured," the 26-year-old was quoted as saying by AS. "Today, I notice that I feel more pressure than when I arrived at Zenit, but I always try to keep my feet on the ground.

"Nevertheless, I am happy to be at this club."

There have been murmurings of discontent ever since Hulk's arrival at the big-spending Russian club, with the player himself admitting to struggling with the language barrier, while club captain Igor Denisov openly complained at the high wages being paid to the former Porto man and fellow summer arrival Axel Witsel.

Zenit takes on Anderlecht in the Champions League on Wednesday.

 

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Subotic: Cristiano Ronaldo always delivers for Real Madrid

Neven Subotic has taken the time to praise Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of Borussia Dortmund's Champions League match against Real Madrid this week.

The Serbia international believes Ronaldo always delivers when his team needs him, and sees the Portuguese attacker as Madrid's undisputed star performer.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is a superb player. He's Madrid's go-to-guy, as the Americans say," Subotic was quoted as saying by Kicker.

"When you need something, you approach him. If there's something happening, they are looking toward Cristiano. They all know that he's always ready."

Subotic then went on say that the Madrid defense will face a tough task to contain Marco Reus on Wednesday.

"Marco is a fantastic player," he explained. "I honestly think there's no defender - so no-one at Madrid either - who can shut him out for an entire game. It's impossible to completely eliminate him."

 

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Vertonghen frustrated by Tottenham inconsistency

Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen has expressed his frustration at his team's inconsistency at White Hart Lane after the 4-2 defeat against Chelsea.

Spurs fell behind to a Gary Cahill goal in the first half but raced out of the blocks after the break to take a 2-1 lead.

Two goals from Juan Mata and a late fourth from Daniel Sturridge sealed victory for the visitors, however, to leave Tottenham trailing the Blues by eight points.

The Belgium international believes that Spurs have shown their ability to compete with the best teams in the Premier League but recognized that they must maintain the pressure for more sustained periods.

"It's been almost the same every time, we have to think about how to put two strong halves together," Vertonghen told reporters. "At the start of the second half, we just totally gelled.

"We pressed their center backs, who had been playing much too easily, and had a few good chances. We must talk about how to give more pressure."

Tottenham was enjoying a four-match winning streak before Saturday's defeat but has kept only one clean sheet at home in the top flight this season.

 

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Lewandowski: I hope Pepe plays fair

Borussia Dortmund attacker Robert Lewandowski has insisted that he does not fear any of Real Madrid's defenders, and hopes that Pepe will play it fair in Wednesday's Champions League encounter.

The BVB star will have to deal with either the Portugal international, Sergio Ramos or Raphael Varane, but he's focused on the task in hand and does not let the reputation of his potential opponent distract him.

"I don't fear Madrid's defenders, I can guarantee you that. I know perfectly well what kind of defenders they are, and I'm not afraid. I just hope Pepe plays fair. I don't have any problems with him then," Lewandowski told AS.

The Poland international then went on to voice his admiration for Madrid, but added that Dortmund is focused on its own performance.

"It will be hard to say whether Madrid are a more difficult opponent than Manchester City. They are an absolute top team and it will not be an easy game," he said.

Lewandowski added, "They have some of the best players in the world, and they can all be dangerous. There's no reason to fear them, though. I hope that it will be a nice show, with us coming out on top."

 

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Buffon returns for Juventus as Lichtsteiner and Asamoah are rested

Gianluigi Buffon has been included in Juventus' 22-man squad for Tuesday's Champions League match away against Nordsjaelland.

The goalkeeper picked up a muscular problem while away on international duty with Italy and consequently missed this weekend's 2-0 Serie A win over Napoli.

However, the 34-year-old has now been given the green light again by the club's medical staff and is likely to start against the Danish champions.

Meanwhile, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Kwadwo Asamoah have both been left out of the team for Tuesday's Group E match.

The Ghanaian midfielder has been omitted as a precaution after taking a knock to his ankle during Saturday’s meeting with the Partenopei, whereas the Swiss full-back will be put through a specific regime to improve his condition.

Juventus has collected two points from as many games in its Champions League group, while Nordsjaelland lost its opening two matches.

 

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Holt: Norwich had a game plan to beat Arsenal

NORWICH, England -- Grant Holt is adamant that Norwich City’s surprise 1-0 win at home to Arsenal on Saturday was no fluke, with the Canaries working on a specific game plan for the Gunners.



The visitors took its opportunity with both hands as Holt bagged the opener in the first half after Vito Mannone spilled Alex Tettey’s strike.Last season, Paul Lambert’s Norwich went to the Emirates and picked up an unlikely point in a six-goal thriller, and Holt noted that the club drew inspiration from that performance, while it also worked with a similar plan.

Speaking to reporters after the match, Holt said: “We looked at a few things we did last year. We ruffled them up a bit, got crosses in and worked them.

“We knew we could that again today. Obviously they have [Per] Mertesacker and lads who can head the ball, but if you put it in the right areas they can’t get to it and I thought we were good for the win," Holt added. “We had a game plan, [and we] worked on it all week."“We took the same beliefs into today, worked with the manager about keeping our shape and filling in for people out of position and it worked.”

The win was manager Chris Hughton’s first in the Premier League since taking over in the summer, but Holt was quick to bat away suggestions that the Canaries had been suffering a hangover after the former Birmingham boss' introduction.“I don’t think so,” Holt affirmed. “The gaffer has come in, he has had us all summer, he has worked on some things. But it is different, preseason and warm up games.

“You can only implement so many things. No one can ever replicate the Premier League, you can’t replicate the games and the test you are getting week-in week-out, going to Stamford Bridge [for example].

One of the stars at the back for Norwich, Sebastien Bassong, was also understandably delighted with the result, hailing it as “perfect”, but he does not feel league positions should be worried about so early in the campaign.

“We aren’t looking too much at the table as it is still early in the season,” said the Cameroon international. “We have just got to concentrate on ourselves, keep working and if we are in a good position in the table that is a plus.

“If you would have said 0-0 to me before the match I would have taken it. So 1-0 against Arsenal is perfect."

Bassong moved to England in 2008 when he left Metz for Newcastle and by his account he settled fairly rapidly before becoming a regular start for the Magpies, but his opponent on Saturday – Olivier Giroud – has had a much tougher introduction. Bassong, however, is not worried for the France international.

“When I came to Newcastle I adapted myself quite quickly, so I was lucky. I think he [Giroud] will do well," Bassong said.

“He scored a good goal for France against Spain, and the week before he scored against West Ham, so I think he is on his way to performing and he is around such good players so I’m not worried for him.”

 

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Krul: Draw with Sunderland feels like a win

Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul says his team sees its 1-1 draw with rival Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby “as a win”.


The Magpies went down to 10 men after Cheikh Tiote’s first-half dismissal, with the home side eventually taking advantage of to secure a late equalizer.

However, despite the disappointment of conceding in the final stages, the Netherlands international was in no doubt that him and his teammates were delighted at the final result.


"I'm really proud of us, of the whole team. I think we see this as a win to be honest," the 24-year-old told the club’s official website. "Of course we're disappointed [to concede late into the game] because listen, if you're 1-0 up and you've played so well for 60 minutes with 10 men it's hard to take.

"But at the end of the day when everything's settled down we see this as a good result, especially with the lads working their socks off for each other again. I think that's what put us through last year, the spirit, and I've seen today that we've got the spirit back."

Krul was making his first appearance since suffering an elbow injury while on international duty last month and revealed that, although Newcastle was often on the back foot, he had thoroughly enjoyed his return to the first team."Of course I was desperate to be back," Krul added. "I'd hoped to make Man United a couple of weeks ago but that was too early for me so the next target was Sunderland and I was not going to miss this game.

"To be honest, even with 10 men - of course their delivery's great from free kicks and corners - but I didn't feel threatened today by them at all so I'm really pleased with the lads in front of me.”

 

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Roma will not sell De Rossi, says Baldini

Franco Baldini has dismissed suggestions Roma will sell Daniele De Rossi and says he expects the midfielder to be with the club "in the future".



Rumours during the summer transfer window linked Manchester City with a move for the 29-year-old, before the player himself released a statement pledging his loyalty to the club, with those sentiments echoed by the capital club's general manager.

“De Rossi will play with us in the future, we won’t sell him,” he told reporters at a press conference.

The 52-year-old then spoke highly of coach Zdenek Zeman, who has guided the club to fifth spot in Serie A after embarking on his second spell at the Stadio Olimpico back in June.“Zeman is our coach and his decisions are good for us, with regard to big players like De Rossi and [Pablo] Osvaldo as well," Baldini added.

“Zeman has the power to educate. We think that the squad is competitive enough to win soon.”

 

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Ancelotti: Paris Saint-Germain will not bid for Ribery

Paris Saint-Germain boss Carlo Ancelotti has rejected suggestions he is preparing to bid for Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery in January.



According to the media in Germany, les Parisiens are interested in acquiring Ribery’s services, but the Italian was quick to quash the rumors.

“It is not true that Ribery could come to PSG,” Ancelotti said. “He is a very good player but I cannot see where we could find a position for him in our team.“I have too many players in his position, and we are expecting someone."That imminent arrival is Sao Paulo forward Lucas Moura, with the Brazilian international set to join in January having agreed his move to the French capital over the summer.

Ribery has been at the Allianz Arena since 2007 and his contract with the Bavarian giants runs until 2015.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Van Persie: Rooney partnership keeps getting better

Robin van Persie has heaped praise on fellow Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney following a successful start to the season for the duo that has seen them score a combined 10 goals.



Van Persie has been the quicker off the mark, scoring eight goals so far this season in all competitions; however, the 29-year-old stressed that his relationship with Rooney has been critical in the early stages of the season and is only getting better.

"Things are going well and our understanding is getting better all the time," Van Persie told Manchester United TV. "Everyone could see from Day 1 that we were working well together. We like to play together and we help each other.

"Sometimes Wayne plays at the top, sometimes I do and then he drops in and then you have Danny [Welbeck] coming in from the left sometimes too. I might also go out there for a few minutes in a game or Wazza [Rooney] does. I think it's only the second or third time that we've played in this formation, but the main thing is we've had a good game and got three points."

Rooney scored his first club goals of the season on Saturday against Stoke City, where he made up for his early own goal by netting twice to add to strikes from Welbeck and Van Persie. The Dutchman is impressed with Manchester United's attack as a whole, insisting that they are creating chances from different positions.

"We can score from any angle," Van Persie said. "The first one against Stoke was from a cross from the left and a good header, the second was from a low cross, the third came from a cross again from the opposite side [to the first] and then the fourth goal came from a corner, so we've scored all sorts of different goals. In previous games as well we've shown we can score from every sort of angle which is a good sign and a good weapon for us."

 

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mewata num mala paninawa...! dzeko,balotelli,aguero,Tevez madida..!

ekanam aththa ochchra hodha players la indidi Radamel Falcao wath ganna hadhanawa

 

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Mepara Inter hodai