..::Football II::..

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rcccc

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Morgan Schneiderlin targetted by Arsenal summer deal

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:oo:
 

Wolverine GTR

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    Hummels praises 'unbelievable' Dortmund victory against Real Madrid

    The defender had nothing but acclaim for what his team achieved by reaching the Champions League final, a berth which Kevin Grosskreutz and Roman Weidenfeller think BVB deserved Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels has hailed his side’s “unbelievable” advance into the Champions League final after a 4-3 aggregate victory over Real Madrid in the semi-final.

    The Bundesliga side guarded its 4-1 first-leg advantage for the majority of Tuesday’s second encounter at the Bernabeu, but late goals from Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos nearly derailed its progress in devastating fashion.

    But Dortmund are no strangers to a last-minute spectacle after ousting Malaga in the previous round with two goals in injury time, and with another dramatic triumph under their belts, Hummels took time to savor the achievement.

    "I cannot believe it, this is unbelievable, it's what everyone in our team dreamed of as a child, and some of us are still children,” the German international told ITV. "They scored a goal, they were refreshed and the crowd got louder when they scored. The second half, we had the game under control, but with [Benzema’s] goal, the game changed as it did against Malaga.“It really is unbelievable what we've [achieved] this year, and now we're looking forward to [the final at] Wembley."

    Midfielder Kevin Grosskreutz, who was called into action early in the first half to replace the injured Mario Gotze was also in a celebratory mood, maintaining that his team was deserving of its place in the final.

    “They put a lot of pressure on us and scored two late goals. However we are a great club and deserved to go through,” explained the 24-year-old. "I haven’t thought about Wembley yet, let's celebrate now and think about the final tomorrow."Goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller also extended his tributes to his side’s performance, highlighting its resilience as key to the eventual triumph.

    “Real created enormous pressure in the beginning and at the end. They put all their eggs in one basket , but we stood up to it. Compliments to the whole team, we fought well and we deserved to progress,” said the Dortmund No.1.

    The showpiece event will take place at Wembley on May 25, and Dortmund may well be joined by Bundesliga rival Bayern Munich, which holds a 4-0 first-leg lead over Barcelona in the other semifinal tie.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Mata praises 'amazing' Bale following double PFA award success

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    The Chelsea star missed out to the Wales international - who was also named Young Player of the Year - for the main award, but is confident of bettering Spurs in the top-four race Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata has hailed the talents of Gareth Bale after missing out on the Professional Footballers Association Player of the Year award to the Tottenham star.

    Mata turned 25 on Sunday as the Blues registered a confident 2-0 win over Swansea at Stamford Bridge to reclaim third spot and pole position to secure Champions League football next season.

    And the Spaniard is positive about Chelsea's prospects come the end of the campaign, with a Europa League semifinal second leg also to come on Thursday.

    "Congratulations to Gareth Bale for being named player of the year and young player of the year," Mata wrote on his blog for Grada360.com. "He's a superb player with amazing skills and he's only 23 years old.

    "I couldn't have thought about a better way to celebrate [my birthday] than a victory and the company of my family and friends.

    "We managed to beat a competitive Swansea, a team with some friends of mine like Pablo [Hernandez] and Michu.

    "[They are] three key points in our aim to be in the next Champions League, even more after Arsenal and Tottenham's draws [against Manchester United and Wigan respectively]."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Javier Zanetti will be back, says Roberto Ayala

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    Suggestions that the Inter captain would retire as a result of his latest injury have been refuted by his fellow countryman.

    Roberto Ayala has assured fans Javier Zanetti will be back playing again after Zanetti suffered a rupture of his Achilles tendon in Sunday’s loss to Palermo.

    For any other 39-year-old, an injury of this magnitude would be likely to bring their career to an end, but Zanetti is unlike any ordinary player, according to Ayala.

    “We were texting. He told me not to worry,” Ayala told Goal.com. “I wished him a speedy recovery and he told me what he told the media. The injury will not affect anything.

    "The text message read: 'My career is not over. I’m going to be back at 40 with a full tank.'"

    Zanetti had successful surgery on the injury, but the recovery time is between six and seven months. Despite the setback, Ayala backed his friend’s desire to return to the pitch.

    “No doubt he will come back and will continue his career normally," Ayala continued. "This injury is not going to affect anything. The retirement of Javier still has no date. [His career] will continue until he wants it to end.”

    He added: “I never met a guy like 'Pupi'. You’ll never see him concerned about matters that are not of the most significance. He has a great heart. That is precisely what makes him great.”

    The most capped Argentina player was supported after his surgery by several of his former and present colleagues, including Roberto Baggio, Paolo Maldini and Giuseppe Bergomi.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Ronaldo: I'm not worried about Mourinho's future

    The Portuguese winger refused to be drawn in on the media circus surrounding his compatriot's fate next season but was adamant the Blancos could challenge again next season.

    Cristiano Ronaldo has insisted he is "not worried" about Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho in the wake of his side's Champions League semifinal elimination at the hands of Borussia Dortmund.

    Despite a pair of late goals, the Blancos still exited the competition on Tuesday, having felled 4-3 on aggregate in the tie, but their fate was overshadowed by their trainer's admission that he could be headed for England next season.

    Nonetheless, Ronaldo assured Madrid fans that talk of his compatriot possibly leaving Madrid at the end of the campaign is not playing on his mind and instead is only focused on the team's fortunes and his own future at the club.
    "I don't want to talk about [Mourinho's future]. I'm only worried about the team and myself, not [the speculation surrounding] the coach," the winger said after the match at the Santiago Bernabeu. "[Neither am I] concerned about my renewal. I have two more years on my contract. I want to win wherever I am. I feel very good here with the fans. I'm fine."

    Ronaldo then gave his assessment of both his own display and that of Madrid's, and though he conceded his own performance levels should have been higher on the night, he was confident the side could challenge for the Decima again.

    "I felt good and didn't encounter any problems. I could have done better and scored a goal but I will not explain why that wasn't the case. I always try to give my best in games," the 28-year-old added.

    "We could've been in the final. We showed we are a big team and that we will have more opportunities to win the Decima.

    "Next year we will fight for it. We're sad. We are left to rue the final step and that's difficult to take, but [Dortmund] should be congratulated because they scored more goals than us."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Ramos: Poor first leg cost us final place

    The Madrid center back was very disappointed after his side’s aggregate loss to Dortmund, but knows it only has itself to blame following the 4-1 loss at Signal Iduna Pak Sergio Ramos says Real Madrid’s third consecutive semifinal exit is a direct result of his side’s failure to perform in the first leg against Borussia Dortmund.

    A 2-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday was not enough for los Blancos, who succumbed to a 4-3 aggregate defeat to Dortmund.

    Ramos’ 88th-minute goal gave his side a lifeline, but the German outfit held on to book is place in the final in May.

    “It’s a shame. Sometimes you lose, that is football,” Ramos said to reporters after the game. “In Dortmund we should have played the way we did tonight.”

    Real Madrid had chances to take the lead in the first half, most notably through Cristiano Ronaldo, whose half volley was turned aside by Roman Weidenfeller, and Ramos lamented his side's missed opportunites.

    He added: “We feel for the fans. It’s a shame to have been so close but the missed chances in the first half were costly.”
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Klopp: We stood up to Madrid and we deserve to be in final

    The BVB boss admitted his team underperformed in the Champions League semifinal second leg against Madrid, but was full of praise for his players for achieving progression.Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp could barely contain his disbelief at having witnessed his side progress to the Champions League final with a 4-3 aggregate victory over Real Madrid, but was adamant the progression is deserved.

    The German side went into the match with a relatively comfortable 4-1 lead from the first leg, but Madrid rallied in the return encounter, scoring two late goals to set up a highly tense finale.

    And Klopp, who conceded his team was not at its best on Tuesday, ultimately believed the performance over both legs has warranted the trip to Wembley in May.

    “Unbelievable,” Klopp told reporters. ”I have to admit, we played too little football today. During the second half we played our attacks better. If we converted one of those chances, the match would have been killed.

    “The match had everything. Real Madrid can play great football and they showed that today. They had to deliver today and they did. We stood up to them. Those are the rules, we won 4-3 and we are deservedly in the final.“

    The German went on to discuss how luck plays a part in any team's run to a final and suggested that he had took inspiration and confidence from the 1997 Dortmund side which went on to lift the trophy that year.

    He added: “I talked to manager, Michael Zorc, and that team of 1997 and they were lucky getting to the final, too. You have to have luck to reach the final and we now had it twice.“

    Klopp also reserved praise for striker Robert Lewandowski after the match. Madrid coach Jose Mourinho had stated after the first leg the Pole had not come under enough rough treatment from his players in the wake of the four-goal tally for the striker.

    But the match at Santiago Bernabeu saw the former Lech Poznan striker singled out for some over-zealous attention from the Blancos' players and the Dortmund boss was proud his player kept a cool head.

    “I wished for 'Lewy' [Lewandowski] to get more protection," he continued. "The way he stayed calm after all those scenes, that is almost superhuman. But we are through so why would we complain.”

    The 45-year-old then looked forward to the Bundesliga clash against rival Bayern Munich on Saturday, but stressed that no matter the result, he and his team would be in celebration mode.

    “We have one day more off than Bayern and we will use that day.” said Klopp. "I myself will have a beer at the hotel but I won't go out. But I can't keep the boys in there, too.

    "And if we get hammered by Bayern, that will be the happiest defeat in the history of the Bundesliga.“
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Mourinho hints at Chelsea return

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    Jose Mourinho has given the clearest hint yet that he could return to Chelsea this summer following Real Madrid's exit from the Champions League. Madrid scored two late goals against Borussia Dortmund but went out 4-3 on aggregate to suffer a third successive semi-final defeat in the competition.

    In his post-match press conference, Mourinho criticised the Spanish media and suggested there was one particular club in England where he was loved.

    "I know in England I'm loved," he told reporters. "I'm loved by the fans, I'm loved by the media that treats me in a fair way, criticising me but giving me credit when I deserve it. I know I'm loved by some clubs, especially one."In Spain, the situation is a bit different because some people hate me. Many of you are in this room.

    "I didn't make a decision because I have a contract. But more than a contract, because in football contracts you break it when people want to break, is the respect I have for the club and the respect I have for the president.

    "That's why I want to play the [Copa Del Rey] final, I want to finish the season, I want to try to win the final, I want to try to finish second and at the end of the season I want to sit in front of Florentino Perez - my president, my friend - and decide the best for me."I like the club, I like the president, I need to be honest and fair and at the end of the season I speak.''

    Mourinho said he was "diasppointed'' with referee Howard Webb after he failed to send off Mats Hummels."In football you win or you lose,'' he told ITV. "I think we could [have won]. We had a couple of big chances but as a consequence of the way we were playing in the last part of the match where we risked absolutely everything.

    "I think today we were a team with character, a team with desire and we thought we could do it. I don't forget the first match and in the first match we were very, very bad and we have been punished because of the first leg."I am very sad with one of my favourite referees in the world, I am very disappointed. It is a red card for Mats Hummels, he saw it, everybody saw it but in that moment he was not a ref he was a human being. He thought 'if I give him a red card here, he misses the final'.''
     

    Banks PLK

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    :love:Sir Alex Ferguson says Manchester United will be competitive in transfer window


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    Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed he has plans in place to improve his Manchester United squad in the summer.

    The Scot claimed his 13th league title with United this season but has already started his preparations to defend that crown next term.He is convinced he has the players at the club to provide a solid foundation for the next five years but is still keen to add quality where possible.

    And despite not having the spending power enjoyed by the likes of Manchester City or Chelsea, Ferguson is confident that United can be competitive in the summer transfer window.

    "You have to look at the structure of the club at present, in terms of the number of first-team players we have at 23 or under," Ferguson said in his column for Inside United.

    "David De Gea, Rafael, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Alex Buttner, Nick Powell, Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck, Shinji Kagawa and Chicharito are 24. Jonny Evans is 25 and Wayne Rooney is hitting his peak at 27.

    "Older players like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand may be coming towards the end of their careers, but these younger players are the foundation for the next five or six years, irrespective of the players breaking through, like Adnan Januzaj, the Belgian boy, who's really looking very good."Hopefully the players we bring into the club in the next year or so will be of the quality we need. We're competitive in the market - we're not Chelsea or Manchester City in terms of money but we're competitive.

    "We've been doing a bit of work on that over the last three or four months, targeting who the players are that we feel could enhance us, make us better or help us maintain the level we're at."

    DONT TOUCH CAVANI PLS :P
     

    Banks PLK

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    Zabaleta: Manchester City must win the FA Cup

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    The Argentina international right back says that Roberto Mancini's men have to overcome Wigan at Wembley to salvage a disappointing season Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta believes that victory in the FA Cup final over Wigan can rescue his side's season.

    Roberto Mancini's side has surrendered its Premier League crown to Manchester United and failed to make it out of the group stages of the Champions League but the right back, voted into the PFA Team of the Year, reckons that a win against Roberto Martinez's Latics can help to make up for it.

    "Now the title has gone, we have an important game at Wembley," he told reporters. "We know how important it is for the club to win the FA Cup and for the fans. That competition is massive in England.It's important to keep winning trophies. It's important to keep going, try to do that and win the last four games in the Premier League.

    "We still have a lot of things to play for. We have the FA Cup final and we can't relax now for the Premier League either. We need to try and finish second and be assured for the Champions League next year, also because we need to keep the momentum, keep focused and concentrate on the FA Cup final."

    The 28-year-old is aware that players will inevitably come and go in the summer but is sure that his future lies at the Etihad Stadium.

    "It's normal when you are at a top team and a club that is looking to sign world-class players, you have to work more to keep your place in the team," he continued. "I'm working for this. I'm very happy with my job this season and I'm very positive to stay here."


    yeah d only trophy left for city.
    should give our best to clinch d FA
    anything can happen till 90th min

    Come on city
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Thiago Silva open to AC Milan return

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    The Brazil international is happy with his current club for the time being, but admits the Rossoneri will always have a place in his heart Paris Saint-Germain defender Thiago Silva has revealed he would be open to a return to AC Milan in the future.

    The Brazil international left the Rossoneri for les Parisiens last summer, but the rumor mill has again linked him with a move away from the French capital.

    And though he insists he is happy with the Ligue 1 leaders, Silva also admitted that he could pull on a Milan jersey again before he hangs up his boots.

    “In Paris I'm happy, although I'm sorry for the Milan fans. They always carry a place in my heart,” he told Simona Ventura TV.

    "Yes, there could be great opportunities to return to Milan one day. All the good things in my life I miss, among them Fluminense and Milan."

    Silva also recalled fondly his first visit to Milan before signing for the club in 2009.

    He added: "I still remember the first time I went to the San Siro. I was in the stands to watch AC Milan vs. Fiorentina. From then on I wanted to belong on that stage, and I did it for three years."

    Silva lifted the Serie A title during his time at the club, as well as the Italian Super Cup.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Piszczek delays surgery until after Champions League final

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    The full back admits he may need an operation on his hip but will put it off until after the May 25 European showpiece at Wembley, which BVB qualified for on Tuesday Borussia Dortmund full back Lukasz Piszczek has admitted that he may require surgery to resolve a hip injury, but that he will play on until after the Champions League final on May 25.

    Jurgen Klopp’s side was beaten 2-0 by Real Madrid in Tuesday’s semifinal second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu but will contest the May 25 final at Wembley after prevailing 4-3 on aggregate.

    The Poland international later said that he may need to go under the knife but will delay the action until after the showpiece final at Wembley."Now I hope that I will be fit enough to play in the final and at least remain [as fit] as I am currently. What then happens after the final, I really do not know, but it will probably be surgery," Piszczek told reporters.

    "In these games you have so much adrenaline in itself, that it is enough to numb the pain.

    "It is definitely hard to get out of bed the next day. But I feel good on the field and our physiotherapists have also done everything that they could to help me."BVB will meet the victors of Wednesday night’s second semifinal that pits Bayern Munich against Barcelona, with the Bavarians leading 4-0 from the first leg last week at the Allianz Arena.
     
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