..::Football II::..

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Wolverine GTR

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    Gattuso set to retire from playing in summer

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    The 35-year-old midfielder says he is planning to call it a day on his playing career this summer and reveals his plans to begin coaching full-time Former AC Milan and Italy legend Gennaro Gattuso says he will retire from the game in the summer in order to focus on his coaching ambitions.

    The 35-year-old is currently at Swiss outfit FC Sion, but the veteran has said he will call time on an illustrious 18-year playing career in June.

    In February this year, the World Cup winner was appointed player/coach for the Swiss club following a series of poor results and, speaking to Tuttusport, Gattuso revealed the decision to quit is linked with an ambition to embark on a coaching career.

    "I think I will have another match but it will be my swan song. In June I will finally hang up my boots and dedicate myself to my new career," he said.

    And having played under some of the game's most decorated figures, Gattuso believes he is well-equipped to make a successful transition from life on the pitch to life in the dugout.

    "Let's just say that I feel I have the ambition and determination to succeed as a coach. I have been compared with Antonio Conte and it is an honor to be compared with him. I would love to enjoy the same success he has had as a coach," he added.

    "There are many similarities between us and we both had, among other things, [Marcello] Lippi and [Carlo] Ancelotti as coaches. They were my teachers."

    Meanwhile, Gattuso turned his attentions to former club Milan as it prepares to face Barcelona in the last-16 stage of the Champions League on Tuesday.

    Gattuso said: "I will sit in front of the TV and savor the big game alongside some of my former classmates. Prediction? I would take a 3-1 defeat."

    FC Sion, which currently sits fourth in the Swiss Super League, travels to the capital on Sunday for a clash with Young Boys.
     

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    Ambrosini: Milan-Barcelona tie '50-50' despite advantage from first leg

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    The 35-year-old says Tuesday's clash with the Blaugrana is far from over and claims to have learned the values of a first-leg victory following Arsenal's comeback last season.

    AC Milan midfielder Massimo Ambrosini believes Tuesday's UEFA Champions League clash with Barcelona could go either way, despite the Rossoneri bringing a two-goal advantage to Camp Nou.

    The veteran's guile and industry in midfield helped Milan secure a 2-0 advantage three weeks ago, but, with a place in the quarterfinals up for grabs, the 35-year-old says the tie is still very much open.

    "We have much to lose but a lot to gain. We are in a positive situation, though, in my opinion this tie is still rated at 50-50," Ambrosini told reporters at a press conference.

    Ambrosini also identified where the Italian giants pose most threat to Barcelona and insists the team have learned to appreciate the danger of a first-leg advantage after the scare they suffered against Arsenal last season.

    "Last year we beat Arsenal 4-0 and we were close to being knocked out in the second leg," Ambrosini said. "Barcelona will take hold of this game like Arsenal did, but our main weapon is the counterattack. We have the grit between our teeth and are ready for any situation."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Galliani: 'Messi is a monster who scores all the time'

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    The AC Milan CEO has told his men that their Champions League round-of-16 tie with Barcelona is far from over and hopes the Argentine "takes it easy" AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani has warned his side that Barcelona star Lionel Messi is a monster who will be able to hurt them at any time on Tuesday.

    The Rossoneri hold a 2-0 advantage going into the second leg of the two sides' Champions League round-of-16 clash at Camp Nou, and the 68-year-old feels the tie is by no means over.

    "We are going up against the strongest team in the world who have a monster like Messi who scores all the time," he was quoted as saying on the club's official website.

    "Let's hope he takes it easy on Tuesday. We can't go into the game thinking we'll be fine just because we've got a two-goal advantage.

    "One thing is certain - it will be another great challenge, an infinitely difficult challenge. It's always nice to play Barcelona but we will be going into an incredibly heated atmosphere."

    Milan and Barcelona kickoff at Camp Nou at 3:45 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    The door is always open for Cassano, insists Prandelli

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    The Italy coach has stressed that his focus is on developing the side around the young Azzurri talent, but maintains the experienced forward could still have a part to play.

    Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has insisted that Antonio Cassano's international career is not over.

    The Inter attacker has been criticized by the likes of Fabio Capello in recent weeks after he was involved in a row with club coach Andrea Stramaccioni. The 30-year-old was also left out of his national side's last outing, when it drew 1-1 with Netherlands in Amsterdam, but Prandelli has made it clear that the former AC Milan man could still have a part to play in the side.

    "The Azzurri story is not absolutely over for him," Prandelli told Guerin Sportivo. "But at the moment, I have to develop the team. If Cassano were there, I would never have discovered Stephan El Shaarawy.

    "Antonio is doing well at Inter and for him, just as for others, the door will always be open."

    Cassano was recently frozen out of the Inter side following the training ground bust-up with Stramaccioni, although he did feature as a substitute in the weekend defeat by Bologna.

    While the Nerazzurri have endured a torrid run of form of late, Prandelli feels Cassano and his teammates still have a strong chance of reaching the Champions League places come the end of the season, and has backed the under-fire Stramaccioni.

    "Inter had begun the season with the aim of the Champions League places, and I think that goal is still in full swing," Prandelli said. "[Stramaccioni] is very young, he has to find solutions to every game."
     

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    Bayern won't take Arsenal lightly, says Muller

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    Die Roten hold a 3-1 lead going into the return leg of their Champions League with the Gunners, but the German international says complacency will not be an issue.
    Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller is aware that his side could encounter problems should it approach its UEFA Champions League tie with Arsenal with the wrong attitude.

    The first-leg fixture at the Emirates Stadium in February resulted in a 3-1 success for Jupp Heynckes' men, and the Germany international is certain focus will be key going into the second leg on Wednesday.

    "I don't have any worries that we might take the match too lightly," the 23-year-old Muller told reporters at the pre-match press conference. "We will step on the gas. Even if something will go wrong in the match, we should be able to pick ourselves up."

    Muller scored and assisted on a goal in the 3-1 away victory that has the current Bundesliga leader in position to advance to the quarterfinals as long as it can take care of business at the Allianz Arena.
     

    unicornx

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    pEOPLE might say that i'm wrong...Don't you think this is the Year of CR7?
    cz he is playing with a purpose and to beat the RM record of scoring the highest amount of goals for his team.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    I turned down Manchester City and Chelsea, says Stoke signing Butland

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    The 20-year-old has GK revealed that he snubbed both teams to sign for Tony Pulis' side, as he didn't feel that he would get enough games with either of the Premier League giants.

    Stoke City and England goalkeeper Jack Butland says he turned down the chance to sign with both Chelsea and Manchester City as he did not think he would play enough for either of the Premier League giants.

    The 20-year-old signed for Tony Pulis' side in January before being loaned back to Birmingham for the rest of the season, and he says that at this stage in his career he is looking to develop his skills and did not feel he would get enough games to do that with Chelsea or the Premier League champions.

    "I had the chance to speak to Chelsea but I didn't feel like I needed to," Butland told The Times. "It's a fantastic club and it would be a great honor to play for them at some stage, but I've got a chance to join a club where I feel I can better develop my game and take it to the next level, which I didn't feel at some of the other clubs I rejected.

    "I turned Manchester City down about a year ago. Again, I was flattered, but Joe Hart is their undisputed No. 1 and he was a main factor."

    Birmingham sits 14th in the League Championship table and kept just six clean sheets in 37 games this season.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Reading sacks manager McDermott

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    Royals owner Anton Zingarevich has thanked the coach for his success at the club, but has relieved the 51-year-old of his duties in a bid to maintain Premier League football.

    Reading has sacked manager Brian McDermott with only two months remaining in the season as the club looks to secure its Premier League status.

    McDermott took over at the Madejski Stadium in late 2009 initially as caretaker manager following the departure of Brendan Rodgers.

    After guiding the club to promotion last season as winner of the Championship, McDermott was named the League Managers' Association Championship Manager of the Year.

    However, with the club sitting 19th in the Premier League and following a 2-1 loss at home to fellow relegation candidate Aston Villa, club owner Anton Zingarevich has decided to look elsewhere in a bid to ensure Premier League football for the club next season.

    A club statement reads: "Reading Football Club has announced today the departure of manager Brian McDermott. Owner Anton Zingarevich wishes to place on record his thanks to Brian who had achieved great success with the club since taking over as Manager in December 2009.

    "Brian gained promotion to the Barclays Premier League last year for only the second time in the club’s history thanks to a remarkable run at the end of last season. However, in our current situation, owner Anton Zingarevich felt that a change was necessary.

    "The search for a successor will start immediately and it is hoped that a new Manager will be in place as soon as possible to lead the fight against potential relegation."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Moratti: Inter deluded and angry over poor form

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    The Nerazzurri president has admitted that morale is low in Andrea Stramaccioni's squad and admitted his distaste at their 1-0 loss to Bologna.

    Inter president Massimo Moratti has admitted his displeasure over his side's poor run of form, saying the club needs to overcome the "delusion and anger" that has built up recently.

    The Nerazzurri have seen their pursuit of a top-three finish rocked by a 1-0 home defeat to Bologna on Saturday, while they stare Europa League elimination in the face after a 3-0 first-leg loss to Tottenham in the round of 16.

    "Yesterday was a real collapse, especially in the first half," the 67-year-old told reporters. "There is great delusion and anger, but we also need to be cool in evaluating things and searching to rebuild morale and rebuild physically."

    He added, "A question of psychology or preparation for the game? Maybe both those things; then everything adds up, but yesterday everything was thrown away at once and that is a serious thing."

    The president also refused to offer any guarantees over the long-term futures of coach Andrea Stramaccioni and sporting director Marco Branca.

    "Branca has said he and Stramaccioni will remain? He said that the president will decide, and I am of the same opinion," Moratti stated.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Barry expecting Manchester City departures

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    Following the appointments of Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain, the England international believes summer changes are on the cards after a disappointing campaign Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry insists that the club’s star players are fighting for their futures after chief executive Ferran Soriano and football director Txiki Begiristain were appointed.

    The Premier League champions progressed to the semi-finals of the FA Cup with a crushing 5-0 win against Championship side Barnsley on Saturday, with Carlos Tevez netting a hat trick and assisting another two.But England international Barry believes there could be a major clear-out following another Champions League failure this term and with the club looking likely to miss out on the Premier League title.

    "Obviously they are the sort of conversations the lads have now and again," Barry told reporters. "We’ve got the rest of this season and then one more year and there have been changes upstairs."

    Soriano and Begiristain look set to oversee a number of high-profile player departures, with the likes of Samir Nasri and Edin Dzeko linked with moves away from the Etihad Stadium in recent weeks.

    And Barry, whose contract expires at the end of next season, accepts that positive changes may have to be made to keep the squad competitive.

    "Everyone is pretty relaxed because [Soriano and Begiristain] will take time to have a look at things and the way they are going to go in the future," Barry explained. "The players are pretty comfortable with that, too, but it’s just important that we keep performing on the pitch. I want to finish my career still challenging for trophies and this is the perfect club at which to do that."

    He added, "I’m very settled here but at the same time I’ve got a lot of respect for the people who have come in. They’re going to have a good long look at the way they want to go and the players they want to go with, so as individuals we need to work hard when we get the chance."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Man City target Jovetic fully focused on Fiorentina

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    The Montenegrin has insisted that all of his attention is on matters at the Artemio Franchi as Vincenzo Montella's side chases a Champions League spot.Fiorentina star Stevan Jovetic has insisted that he is not interested in leaving the Florentine club, despite interest from Manchester City.

    The Viola were made to fend off a bid from Juventus for the Montenegrin over the summer.

    "My future? Currently, I do not want to think about it," the Montenegro international told Sky Sport 24. "I could still get in the Champions League with Fiorentina. Please do not ask me any questions about the future."

    Jovetic opened the scoring in a 2-0 victory against Lazio on Sunday, helping his side into fourth place, and went on to urge his side to play as it did against the Rome outfit in every match as it pursues a top-three finish.

    "I'm convinced that we are a strong team. We must always play like we did against Lazio, let's not only speak of Europe after a victory," Jovetic stated.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Ribery ruled out of Arsenal clash

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    The Bavarian powerhouse will be without the France winger in Wednesday's match as the club aims to book its place in the quarterfinals.

    Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes will have to do without the services of Franck Ribery for the second-leg of the club's last-16 Champions League clash with Arsenal.

    The France international featured for the full 90 minutes in Bayern's 3-2 Bundesliga win over Fortuna Dusseldorf at the weekend and even scored the equalizer to make it 2-2 in the 73rd minute.

    Nevertheless, he complained about pain in his left ankle after the match, and Bayern has now confirmed that he will not be match fit in time for Wednesday's clash with the Gunners.

    Ribery's injury is yet another blow for Heynckes, who will also be without Bastian Schweinsteiger and Jerome Boateng due to suspension.

    Bayern is defending a 3-1 lead from the first leg at the Emirates Stadium.
     
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