..::Football II::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Ranocchia aims for Juventus double

Inter thwarted the Bianconeri's attempts to go 50 games unbeaten in November, and the center back is hoping his side can slow down their title charge on Saturday
Inter defender Andrea Ranocchia is targeting a double success over rival Juventus in the second Derby d’Italia of the campaign this weekend.

Andrea Stramaccioni's men's form in recent times has been a cause for concern, although in their last outing before the international break they recorded a morale-boosting victory over Tottenham in the Europa League.

The win for Inter in November ended Juventus’ 49-game unbeaten run in Serie A, and the center back is hoping to spoil the party once again on Saturday.

“We hope to repeat the trick and win again," he told Sportmediaset."We can beat Juventus by working as a team, that’s the real method. We should take an example from our performance in the second leg against Tottenham, when we moved as one.”

Juventus is nine points clear at the top of Serie A while Inter is seven adrift of the final Champions League spot.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Totti goes down in history as Italy great - Buffon

The Azzurri captain has written to his compatriot to congratulate the Giallorossi star on completing two decades of Italian top-flight football Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has penned a personal note to friend and former Italy colleague Francesco Totti to recognize the 20th anniversary of his first Serie A appearance.

The creative attacker, known for his flair as well as a prolific goals tally, has spent his whole career at Roma, his hometown club.

Buffon's career has dovetailed with that of Totti's and the former Parma goalkeeper showed his respect for the marksman.

"Dear Francesco, you have made history in Italian football," began the letter published by ANSA. “Twenty years in Serie A, what an achievement … I still have the image of your first goal in my mind, it was a Roma-Foggia tie.

“We’re friends, you know how much I care about you. We started together with the Under-15 side, we had some splendid years together in the national team and we continue to meet as opponents in Serie A.

“You often score against me (10 times to be precise, that’s how many goals you have netted) like a champion who has forgotten our friendship...

“Then, at the final whistle, there are smiles between us again, like when I saved a penalty that I feared you would chip – it saddened me that was you.

"You not only wrote football history, you are writing its present and its near future."

The pair won the World Cup with Italy in 2006 and Totti retired from international football a year later. The 36-year-old is Roma's record goalscorer and the second most lethal in Italian football history.

"The two of us are lucky," added 35-year-old Buffon. "Once you get past 30, every season is worth seven."

Totti made his Serie A debut back in 1993 as a substitute against Brescia.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Di Maria: Argentina took another important step

The Real Madrid winger believes that his national side, showed great resilience to earn a draw away in Bolivia Angel Di Maria believes Argentina took "another important step" towards World Cup qualification after grinding out a 1-1 draw against Bolivia in testing conditions in La Paz.

Valencia midfielder Ever Banega cancelled out Marcelo Martins opener which keeps Argentina four points clear of second-placed Ecuador in the Conmebol standings.

Bolivia enjoys one of the great levelers in world football with playing their home qualifiers in a stadium which is 4,000 meters above sea level.

And Di Maria believes the result was an important one towards reaching World Cup 2014.

“We did all the things we could to win this game," he said to Ole. "The [qualifying] group is very close and things only keep adding to it. We took another important step [towards qualification]. We got the draw that we deserved.”

Argentina know full well the dangers of playing in Bolivia. Four years previously, it was dismantled 6-1 in a World Cup qualifier.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Schweinsteiger ready for Juventus battle

The Bayern Munich star has vowed to give his all as the Bavarians chase a first-leg lead over the Bianconeri in the Champions League Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger says his side is ready to face Juventus in the Champions League next week.

The Bavarians have a chance of winning the Bundesliga on Saturday against Hamburg, before locking horns with the Bianconeri, and the Germany star is looking forward to a crucial stage of the season.

"Of course I'm ready for Juventus. But before, we have to focus on Saturday's match against Hamburg and get a good result. Maybe we'll be able to win the league early, that would be superb," he told FCB News. "Juventus are a tough opponent. They have very experienced players among their ranks, which is especially important in the Champions League.

“We will give everything to secure a good result at home. However, I think it's gonna be a tight affair. At the end, I hope that we can prevail with our class and quality."

Bayern and Juve meet at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Muller keen to avoid Bayern collapse

The midfielder says the Bundesliga leader will remain humble despite its impressive season, insisting it needs to focus on finishing the job as it chases the treble
Thomas Muller says Bayern Munich will not fall into the trap of celebrating too early as it looks to wrap up the Bundesliga while continuing its assault on the Champions League and DFB Pokal.

The Germans surrendered a great chance of securing the European title at the Allianz Arena last year and their pain was felt elsewhere as rivals Borussia Dortmund pipped them to a league and cup double.

A 20-point lead over the same foes this time suggests Bayern will at least lift the league trophy this season, but Jupp Heynckes' side are taking nothing for granted, according to the Germany international.

"We cannot stand still and offer big talk now, we need to hold the trophies in our hands first," Muller told Bild. "We do not sound out a trumpet that we are the biggest, but just do our thing. The will is great."

While the desire to stay focused is clear, there are no sign of nerves in the camp either.

Bayern meets Serie A holder Juventus in the quarterfinals of the Champions League, a tough test but not one that has the Germans daunted.

He added: "We are keen on Juventus and are not afraid of them, not [Andrea] Pirlo nor any of their other players."

 

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Barcelona needed Vilanova return, admits Tello

The forward has conceded the team has missed the influential coach but is delighted at the 44-year-old's return to Camp Nou following cancer treatment in New York Cristian Tello says Barcelona "needed" Tito Vilanova back, with the Liga leaders' squad having been under the caretaker charge of assistant coach Jordi Roura for the last two months.

Barcelona travels to Celta Vigo on Saturday with Vilanova possibly making his return to the dugout for the first time since flying to New York on Jan. 22 for therapy to treat his throat cancer.

The Catalans have a seemingly unassailable 13-point lead at the top of La Liga but crashed out of the Copa del Rey to arch rivals Real Madrid during the manager's time in America.

"We are pleased by the return of Tito," Tello told reporters on Wednesday. "We all needed it. We have been told he'll be coming back gradually, but the important thing is that he is recovering well and is back with us."

Although Barcelona has a cushion at the top of La Liga, a tough test awaits it in the quarterfinals of the Champions League with the first leg of the clash with Paris Saint-Germain taking place in France next week.

The challenge awaiting the Blaugrana at the Parc des Princes has been made tougher after former Barca striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was cleared to play by UEFA having had his two-match ban for a red card against Valencia reduced to one.

"PSG are a complicated rival and even more so with the addition of Ibra," Tello said. "They are equipped in defenSe and attack, have very quick players, and with the addition of Ibra they will be strong and good in the air, too."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Van Wolfswinkel: Norwich is going places

The 24-year-old has spoken of the club’s ambition and has revealed that Chris Hughton aims to bring an attacking midfielder and two wide players to Carrow Road in the summer New Norwich signing Ricky van Wolfswinkel has revealed that the club's long-term prospects were integral in his decision to leave Sporting Lisbon.

Chris Hughton landed the coveted 24-year-old on a four-year contract for a reported fee of 9.4 million euros last week to break the club's transfer record.

And as the club, which is set to become debt free in the summer, inches ever closer to Premier League survival, Van Wolfswinkel believes Norwich has a level of ambition that matches his own.

"The club is in the middle of the table and very ambitious, this summer they will be debt free and will get on strong," Van Wolfswinkel told Voetbal International.

"That a club would spend so much money, in these times, shows their faith in me. I have been to Norwich to look around and spoken to the manager and chief executive over their plans for the future.

"I don't know much about Norwich, but the city and the club surprised me - the stadium has 25,000 [capacity, actually 27,200] and there are 5000 fans on a waiting list for [season] tickets on top of that which shows the status of the club."

The young striker has come under fire from some quarters in Holland for moving to a club so far down the Premier League table, but Van Wolfswinkel revealed that the future plans of Hughton and the club's board were central in bringing him aboard.

The forward added: "The plan is also to bring in an attacking midfielder and two wide players this summer. With that, Norwich can look to play in the top half of the table.

"I want to play as high as possible, but also in a team where there is a lot of perspective - that is what Norwich City has, and that is why I have signed there for four years."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

QPR midfielder Park: I’m not retiring

The former South Korea international insists he is happy to stay at Loftus Road for "a couple more years" despite losing the captain's armband QPR midfielder Park Ji-Sung has distanced himself from rumors that he plans to retire at the end of next season.

The 32-year-old has endured an injury-hampered first season at Loftus Road, and has failed to find the net since his summer switch from Manchester United.

However, Park insists he has no plans to hang up his boots just yet, insisting he intends to see out his current deal with Harry Redknapp's side.

"My contract runs until next season and I have tried my best. [I'll keep playing for] a couple more years. We will stay up and still be in the Premier League so don't worry about that!" he told QPR podcast 'Open All R's'.

"We still have eight games

and everyone knows we still have a chance. [The squad] have to be together until the end of the season to get out of this situation and we still believe we can do that."

Park also stated that he had no hard feelings over Redknapp's decision to replace him as captain after his three-month spell on the sidelines.

"It's not a big thing for me," he added. "It wasn't something I felt I had to do, I was happy to do it for the club. [Redknapp] explained he wanted to change the atmosphere, it was his decision and I accept that.

"He's motivated the players to work 100 percent on the pitch and given us the confidence to play and believe we can [win matches] in the future."​

 

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Luis Suarez punched in the face Gonzalo Jara of Chile

Suarez chater wada neh karanne
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[Wolverine GTR]

Balotelli's time is now, says Prandelli

The Azzurri coach believes that patience has paid off for the former Manchester City man, and revealed his desire to see an Italy-Argentina friendly to celebrate the new Pope AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli is entering the prime of his career, according to Italy boss Cesare Prandelli.

The forward netted three times in two games in the international break, and has scored seven in his six appearances for the Rossoneri since arriving from Manchester City on January's transfer deadline day.

Prandelli believes the mercurial attacker is beginning to realize his undoubted potential after spending too long in the headlines for the wrong reasons in recent seasons.

"When you are dealing with a talent like this, you just need patience," Prandelli told reporters on Wednesday.

"The moment eventually comes when the talent has to take on his share of the responsibility and stand on his own feet. This is the right moment for Balotelli.

"I have to compliment him on his relaxed approach, his belief and his quality."

Prandelli added his hope that a friendly match could be arranged with Argentina, to commemorate the inauguration of Pope Francis I.

"I would love to be able to organize an Italy-Argentina match. Not only would it be a challenge between great teams, but also a tribute to the Pope," the former Fiorentina head coach said.

"It would be wonderful for both teams to meet with the Pope and then go to the stadium in one big team bus, all together.

"I have faced all the big world teams and Lionel Messi’s men are the only ones I am missing so far."

 

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Taras Stepanenko Horror Karate Kick Ukranie vs Moldova

Wadinne hena Kick 1kak nehBella ithuru unada manda
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[Wolverine GTR]

Ferguson eager for Premier League points record

The Manchester United manager has challenged his team to beat Chelsea’s total of 95 points from the 2004-05 seaso.Sir Alex Ferguson has challenged his Manchester United side to beat Chelsea's points total of 95 points set in the 2004-05 Premier League season.

The Red Devils are currently 15 points clear of nearest challenger Manchester City in the league with only nine games left, and would require seven wins to equal Chelsea’s record, with a 101-point haul possible if the club was to win every game.

The Scot said if his team was to reach the record he "would be absolutely delighted", and such a points total would see United win its 20th league title.

"The record is 95 points by Chelsea," he told reporters. "If we get to 95 points I would be absolutely delighted. That would be a fantastic season. And if we do get to that position, we have probably won the league."

United missed out on the league title last year on goal difference following a dramatic final-day finish which saw Sergio Aguero score an injury-time winner against QPR to hand the title to Manchester City.

But having signed last season's top-scorer Robin van Persie from Arsenal for 24 million pounds in the summer, United now needs just four wins and a draw to seal the the 2012-13 league title.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Father: Cavani could join Real Madrid

Real Madrid have a "50% possibility" of signing Napoli striker Edinson Cavani, according to the player’s father.Cavani has long been linked with some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Chelsea, Manchester City and Madrid. As the summer transfer window nears, the 26-year-old’s future is once again under the microscope.

Speaking on Marca TV, Luis Cavani said there had been contact between the Spanish club and Napoli but it might take an offer of €60m to seal the deal.

"Napoli has rejected offers from many teams," Cavani told the Madrid station. "But I think that they’d sell him for an offer of €60m. There is a 50% possibility he will sign for Real Madrid, but the negotiation with Napoli is difficult."

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has previously admitted Cavani could be tempted by the lure of a move to La Liga, provided Madrid can afford to trigger a release clause in his contract.

 

[Kosalamail]

nice info.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

United eye Black Cats revenge

Manchester United players and staff are heading to Sunderland on Saturday with only one thing on their minds - revenge.
On a dramatic final day of the season last year, the Red Devils beat the Black Cats at the Stadium of Light to give themselves hope of clinching a 20th league title.But a late Sergio Aguero winner at Etihad Stadium against QPR handed the title to arch-rivals Manchester City.


And in scenes that have not lost their potency with time for United, the Sunderland fans celebrated City's victory as if it was their own."It was a horrible experience and what happened at Sunderland has motivated us all season," Chris Smalling told The Sun.


Striker Wayne Rooney added: "It was something myself and a lot of the players won't forget. When the final whistle went, we didn't really know what the score at City was.


"But then we heard the Sunderland fans cheering."They didn't have the best of seasons so for them to be cheering like that was sad."

For United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, it brought the painful memories back of 20 years past when the club faltered at Liverpool to hand the title to Leeds.


"The young players came out that day and the Liverpool fans were asking for their autographs, Beckham, Giggs, Scholes, Neville, and they were tearing them up, tearing their autographs up," Ferguson recalled.


"I said to Giggs and the boys 'remember this day'.


"Those Sunderland fans were cheering for City.


"We won't forget that, I'm telling you."

 

[මුගටියා]

Mancini: The title race is over

The 48-year-old believes his side stands little chance of overturning the 15-point deficit to rival Manchester United at the top of the table but has much to play for regardless.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has conceded that the club can't win the Premier League title this season, with rival Manchester United 15 points clear at the top.

Mancini refused to be downbeat about their season, though, instead backing his side to cement second place in the league and finish the term strongly with an FA Cup semifinal still to contest against the winner of a replay between United and Chelsea.

"It's over, but this doesn't change anything because we should do our best from now to the end," Mancini told reporters. "Every top team, when you can't win a title, you should try to play well, try to win all the games, and we have the FA cup semifinal.
"We have Chelsea four points behind, Tottenham five points behind and we play another nine games. For this reason it's important to keep working hard."

The Italian boss' future remains up in the air, amid reports that he, along with midfielder Yaya Toure, have been targeted by Ligue 2 leader Monaco, but Mancini laughed off suggestions he was interested in the role.

"Monaco is one of the best teams in the French Second Division and they have a good manager. I'll stay here for a long time, like Yaya," Mancini said.

 

[මුගටියා]

Mancini: The title race is over

The 48-year-old believes his side stands little chance of overturning the 15-point deficit to rival Manchester United at the top of the table but has much to play for regardless.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has conceded that the club can't win the Premier League title this season, with rival Manchester United 15 points clear at the top.

Mancini refused to be downbeat about their season, though, instead backing his side to cement second place in the league and finish the term strongly with an FA Cup semifinal still to contest against the winner of a replay between United and Chelsea.

"It's over, but this doesn't change anything because we should do our best from now to the end," Mancini told reporters. "Every top team, when you can't win a title, you should try to play well, try to win all the games, and we have the FA cup semifinal.
"We have Chelsea four points behind, Tottenham five points behind and we play another nine games. For this reason it's important to keep working hard."

The Italian boss' future remains up in the air, amid reports that he, along with midfielder Yaya Toure, have been targeted by Ligue 2 leader Monaco, but Mancini laughed off suggestions he was interested in the role.

"Monaco is one of the best teams in the French Second Division and they have a good manager. I'll stay here for a long time, like Yaya," Mancini said.

 

[මුගටියා]

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Cabaye: Manchester City does not play as a team

The Newcastle midfielder has claimed that Roberto Mancini's side's failure to retain the Premier League title is down to its inability to match Manchester United's cohesion Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye believes Manchester City's lack of cohesion has cost them the Premier League title.

Roberto Mancini's side have seen the defense of their crown all but ended already, with Manchester United boasting a 15-point lead at the summit.

And, ahead of the Magpies' meeting with City, the 27-year-old has claimed that it is because the Etihad Stadium side's "fantastic" players do not work well enough as unit.

"United are a machine. Sir Alex is doing a fantastic job for the club," he told The Sun. “Even when the players change, he knows which player is going to be good for his team. City have fantastic players but, unfortunately for them, they don’t think and play as a team — it’s not the same as United. So maybe that’s the difference. City are still a fantastic team, but they are a team of individuals."

Cabaye came up against Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets during the international break, as France suffered a 1-0 loss to Spain.And the Frenchman is keen to do battle with another impressive foe on Saturday in the form of Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure.

"Every time, it’s the best feeling for me when we play against the best players in the world. On Wednesday, it was Spain and on Saturday, it’s going to be Yaya Toure. He is the best in the Premier League," he said.

He added, “Toure is the best because he can defend, he can score, he can play up offensively and defensively. He’s the complete midfielder and he deserves to be where he is. Kun Aguero, David Silva, Carlos Tevez and many more are all fantastic players. I don’t want to say their stars are less good than Yaya Toure but when Yaya misses a game — like at Everton — they lost.
“It’s going to be totally different than the Spain midfield but it’s going to be tough as well, we will have a big, big job to do to stop City.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ajax director Overmars reveals Liverpool interest in Eriksen

The former Arsenal attacker has confirmed that the Merseyside club have been closely monitoring the midfielder, who he believes is good enough to play for the "very best" Ajax director of football Marc Overmars has confirmed that Liverpool has long been scouting highly-rated midfielder Christian Eriksen.

The 21-year-old has made over 100 appearances for the Amsterdam side since breaking onto the scene in 2010, subsequently attracting interest from a number of top European clubs.

And Overmars has named Liverpool as one of the sides hoping to lure the Danish playmaker away from the Eredivisie.

"We've seen the list of foreign scouts who visited our games and Liverpool was often present," the former Arsenal attacker told De Telegraaf.

He added, "We want him to stay here for at least two more years, but the day he leaves us, he will be ready to play for the very best. He’s a player even the biggest clubs in the world could do with having in their squad."

Eriksen has scored seven goals and provided nine assists in 26 league outings this season.