..::Football II::..

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Bayern squad and history lured Guardiola

The Spaniard has explained his decision to make the move to the Allianz Arena side and is looking forward to a new challenge.Pep Guardiola has revealed that Bayern Munich's rich history and the quality of the current squad were the main reasons for him accepting the Bavarians' offer.

The 42-year-old signed a three-year deal with Bayern, replacing Jupp Heynckes at the helm starting this summer, and he's keen to replicate last season's results - which saw the club win a historic treble - in the years to come.

"I'm taking over a team that played extraordinarily. They won four titles, three plus the (German) Supercup against Borussia Dortmund," said Guardiola. "I'll try to reach the level set by my predecessor."

Guardiola had left Barcelona over a year ago after leading the Spanish club to Champions League titles in 2009 and 2011. To step away from the spotlight, he spent the last year in New York before joining the Bundesliga club "because of the players and rich history."

"I am ready to return to football," said Guardiola, who reached a deal with the club in January. "This is a new challenge for me. My time at Barcelona was wonderful, but I needed a new challenge. Bayern Munich have given me that opportunity."

Guardiola guided Barcelona to 14 titles over four seasons, and he is expected to build on Bayern's recent success. Much has been said about whether Guardiola will try to replicate Barcelona's style with the the Bundesliga giant, but he has made it clear that everything depends on the players at his disposal.

"Barcelona players have different qualities to those of Bayern. I need to adjust to the players, not the other way around," he explained. "Football belongs to the players, not to the coach. The fans come to the Allianz Arena to watch the players play rather than because of me."

The Spaniard noted that Heynckes has set the bar pretty high.

"I can only try to keep up the same high level the team had under Heynckes," he said of the club's former boss. "I have not been in touch with him yet, but I hope to do so shortly. His opinions means a lot to me."

Guardiola will make his Bundesliga debut when Bayern opens its season against Borussia Moenchengladbach on Aug. 9. He will face Barcelona in a friendly on July 27 in Munich.

"I don't know how I'll feel but it will be a special game for me," he said of going head-to-head against his former club. "I'm here because of what I did in Barcelona. I'm sure it'll be a good game, a good preparation for the Supercup three days later against Borussia Dortmund."

 

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Witsel reveals PSG aspirations

The Belgium international has been linked with a summer move to the French capital and would be open to a transfer to Ligue 1.Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Axel Witsel has admitted that it would be hard to turn down Paris Saint-Germain if the Ligue 1 champions were to make a move for him.

The Belgium international joined Zenit from Benfica in the summer of 2012, but has been struggling to really settle in with the Russian giant and has recently been linked with a move away from his current club only one year after his arrival.

PSG is supposedly closely monitoring the 24-year-old's situation at Zenit and he has now revealed that he would be open to a transfer to France.

"I am completely focused on Zenit at the moment, but PSG are one of the clubs that leave no player indifferent. It would be hard to turn them down," Witsel told La Derniere Heure.

"There's not a lot I can say about it, because I don't know much about their interest. Things can move pretty fast in football, though."

Witsel has a contract with Zenit until the summer of 2017.

 

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Adams: Rooney would be a risky signing for Arsenal

The former Gunners defender believes that the disgruntled Manchester United striker would struggle to adapt to life in London and questions the 27-year-old's temperament.Former Arsenal defender Tony Adams warns that the club would be taking a "massive risk" by signing Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.

Rooney is believed to be open to a move to the Emirates Stadium as long as Arsene Wenger's side are able to match his salary demands.

Arsenal's second-biggest shareholder, Alisher Usmanov, has also praised the 27-year-old and claimed that it would be a "great success" if the north London club signed the England international this summer.

But Adams, who spent 22 years at Arsenal, told talkSPORT: "I'm not sure Wayne Rooney could handle London, to be completely honest. That would be a massive risk, for me.

"I don't think it's a question of finances. I think it's his temperament and mentality. London is a different animal. I think it takes a different type of player [to handle it]. think Wayne is unquestionably a super player and I'd love to see him at the Arsenal. Technically he's a fantastic player but I'm not sure about him mentally, off the pitch and his professionalism.

"I know Sir Alex Ferguson has dealt with Wayne brilliantly over the last few years and I'm sure Arsene [Wenger] could handle him but I'm not sure. I wouldn't like to spend my money on Wayne."

 

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Napoli signs Dries Mertens from PSV

The 26-year-old winger, who has spent the past two seasons at the Eredivisie outfit, has agreed a five-year deal to become Rafa Benitez’s first signing of the summer Napoli has agreed a 9.5 million euro fee with PSV to complete the signing of winger Dries Mertens.

The Belgium international has been capped 19 times, and will become Rafael Benitez’s first signing since being appointed as the Partenopei boss.

The playmaker scored 16 goals and created a further 17 in the Eredivisie this season and is excited to take the next step in his career.

“Rafael Benitez wanted me really badly and that gives me a lot of confidence. And when people doubt me and say Serie A is different from the Eredivisie because I won’t play against any Dutch defenders, that is when I’ll be at my best,” he told De Telegraaf.

Mertens spent the past two seasons with PSV, scoring 37 goals in 62 appearances.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis confirmed the signing through his Twitter feed.

“I am happy to tell you that a few minutes ago I closed the deal with PSV for Dries Mertens," he tweeted.

“In the last few days Dries has been in Naples. He told me that he fell in love with our city, with its greatness. Welcome Dries!”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

The Pep show arrives in Munich

The excitement of the German media has been palpable since Monday's unveiling of incoming Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola, with the nation's press already predicting on-field success for the former Barcelona boss.

"The Pep show arrives in Munich" was a commonly used phrase in the German media, with kicker hailing "Die Pep Show' on their front page. It was the biggest media turmoil of this Bundesliga summer break, but more than 240 journalists from 12 countries came to welcome Guardiola. More than 30 cameras focused on the coach that will take over the treble-winning Bayern side.Sueddeutsche Zeitung suspects, that this media array will become normality in Munich. "Just normal madness", they explain.


Some journalists were more than happy to finally see the man they have been writing about for months without being able to speak to him: "Since 12:05 the phantom finally has a face" writes Die Welt.The German public was equally impressed with Guardiola's brave attempt to hold his first press conference as coach of a Bundesliga team completely in German. Germany's biggest tabloid Bild was maybe still a bit overwhelmed when they stated "Guardiola: His German is already perfect!"


That might be true if you compare Guardiola to former Bayern and now Ireland national coach Giovanni Trappatoni, who despite being an expert coach is mostly remembered in Germany for his futile attempts to get his point across in the difficult German language. Pep's German was understandable at all times but far from perfect. If he really wants to make German his language in the locker room, he still has some learning to do.But he might get the time to do that, as not only Tagesspiegel already foresees a long future for Guardiola in Munich. "Pep Guardiola - the start of an era?" the Berlin based newspaper asks.


And another paper from Berlin already sees the Bavarian in Pep coming through: The taz witnessed the "Start of the Seppification".On the other hand Munich based Sueddeutsche Zeitung saw a new spirit infused into the proud FC Bayern. The SZ saw the new coach and the club bosses "United in humbleness".


FAZ emphasized the joy of the Bayern bosses about the signing of the most wanted coach in world football: "Mia san proud" is a persiflage of the FCB club mantra "Mia san mia" (we are we) which is stitched onto the Bayern jerseys.There are some critical voices about the media hype surrounding the introduction of Guardiola in Munich. "And now everyone: Hyperventilate!" The TZ thinks that their colleagues shoud relax a little: "He speaks, he breathes, completely normal
just like most of us."


Magazine DWDL.de was not too impressed by Pep's performance either:"Guardiola fever in the media: He sits and talks". DWDL felt the need to emphasize that even Guardiola has no god-like qualities: "He can't walk on the water, which might come as a surprise to some observers [of the pressconference]."But spox.com thinks Guardiola was right in playing down his role and not making big announcements: "The government declaration can wait" His task for the day was not to make revolutionary statements. When you take over a club that has just won the treble a revolution is not necessary, because a lot must have gone right already.


Guardiola's best statement of the day might have been, when he spoke about former Bayern coach Jupp Heynkes with much respect. That was immediately recognized by the German media: "Star coach totally humble! Pep wants advice from Heynckes", Bild stated.With this humble approach, Pep Guardiola could actually be successful with his mission impossible to succeed a coach that has just won every major title there is in club football.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations & Good Luck Pep!​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chelsea agree Cavani deal

Napoli have reportedly accepted a €58million offer for striker Edinson Cavani to join Chelsea, Radio Marte revealed on Monday night.

Radio Marte, Napoli's official radio station, made a statement citing a "very reliable source" who confirmed a deal has been struck to send Cavani to Stamford Bridge for €8.5m a season.The statement read: "We have received news in the office from a very reliable source that Napoli have sealed a deal with Chelsea for Cavani's sale.

"Rafa Benitez also gave the all-clear, but before making the move official Napoli want to secure the striker who will replace Il Matador."Aurelio De Laurentiis' club will pick up around €58m, a slight discount on the buy-out clause, which is the same situation as Ezequiel Lavezzi to PSG last year. The player will earn €8.5m per season plus image rights."

Reports on Saturday suggested Real Madrid were the frontrunners for Cavani's signature after Manchester City refused to pay the release clause demanded by Napoli.But Chelsea could finalise the deal in the coming weeks, provided Benitez can find a suitable replacement for Cavani.

 

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Spain sets new world record of 28 competitive matches unbeaten

Aniwa bro godak durata Brazil Vs Spain final 1kak set wei

 

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Higuain wa ganna 1ka gana nam loku sure 1kak thiyanawa brohabai oya kiwwath wage thawa signs nam one

ow higuain wa nam ganyi wage

 

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[Wolverine GTR]

Ancelotti in at Real, Blanc at PSG

Real Madrid have announced Carlo Ancelotti as their new manager, with Laurent Blanc replacing the Italian at Paris Saint-Germain.Madrid have been seeking a new boss after Jose Mourinho's departure for his former club Chelsea last month, and Ancelotti had made it clear to PSG he was keen to join the Liga giants.

PSG were reluctant to lose the former Chelsea manager, yet were subsequently linked with a number of coaches, including Tottenham's Andre Villas-Boas and Russia's Fabio Capello.Recent reports strongly linked ex-France boss Blanc with the post, and on Tuesday, in tandem with Real's announcement, he was confirmed as Ancelotti's successor.

Blanc jetted into the French capital late on Monday evening, and after spending the night in a Parisian hotel along with his agent, Jean-Pierre Bernes, signed a two-year contract at the Parc des Princes, while Ancelotti has penned a three-year deal at Madrid and will be unveiled at a press conference on Wednesday.

A statement from Real read: "Carlo Michelangelo Ancelotti will coach Real Madrid next season. The Italian has experienced success in every country where he has managed and arrives in the Spanish capital after being named coach of the season in France."Ancelotti, who has previously managed the likes of Juventus and AC Milan, took over at PSG at the end of 2011 and he led the affluent side to the Ligue 1 title last season.

Ancelotti's first task after being presented will likely be to clarify the role to now be played at the club by his former playing charge Zinedine Zidane, who president Florentino Perez first suggested would have overall control of football matters in a director of football role, but has more recently said would have a more hands-on position as a coach on the training ground.The coming days could also see more comings and goings among the Madrid playing-staff, with Malaga attacker Isco and Napoli striker Edinson Cavani among those tipped to come in, and Gonzalo Higuain set to leave for either Arsenal or Juventus.

Blanc, meanwhile, has been out of work since leaving his job as manager of the French national team last summer after his contract came to an end, having previously impressed at Bordeaux as he won the league title."PSG are happy to announce the arrival of Laurent Blanc as coach for two years. He'll take charge of the team with his staff from the start of pre-season training on 1 July," a PSG statement read.

"The mission assigned by the PSG board to Laurent Blanc is to continue down the path started last year, and to steer the team towards the European summits."There has been no confirmation as to the make-up of Blanc's backroom staff, though his assistant at both Bordeaux and the French national team, Jean-Louis Gasset, 59, is widely expected to be named his No. 2.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations & Good Luck For Ancelotti & Blanc!

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[Wolverine GTR]

Cruyff: Barca should sell Messi

Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff believes the Catalan club should consider selling Lionel Messi following the recent singing or Neymar.Cruyff, who has previously played for, managed and held a director's role with the reigning La Liga champions, is concerned that the two mercurial attackers will struggle to co-exist in the same side - and wonders if it might be best to sell one of them to avoid disharmony within the squad.

The Dutchman says he would have not signed Neymar if he had been in charge of the decision-making process at the club but, as the Brazil international is now at the Camp Nou, it is Messi who he would make available for transfer."No, I wouldn't have signed Neymar," Cruyff told Marca. "With Neymar on board, I would have planned for the possibility of selling Messi - and some would agree with that, others not.

"You are talking about a team, its players, the things around it ... There are too many things at stake. That's why it's so difficult to manage such a top class squad."He added: "It's like the free kicks. Neymar is very good at taking them, and Messi has already shown he is. Who's going to take them?"Or the fact that Neymar and Barcelona are with Nike while Leo is with Adidas. These are situations that could cause problems."

Cruyff does not believe the Barcelona board share his opinion, and so does not expect Messi to be sold in the near future. But he is concerned that the addition of another superstar could upset the balance of the most successful team of recent times."We'll have to wait and see - it could turn out well or badly," he added. "It's a risk."

 

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Newly appointed Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has set his sights on AC Milan striker Stephan El Shaarawy and is hoping to tempt his former San Siro employers into accepting a player plus cash offer for the Italian international.

Gazzetta claim that the Bernabeu side are willing to use Brazilian Kaka in part exchange for El Shaarawy, who has been branded as ‘Sellable’ by vice president Adriano Galliani.

The 20 year old forward ably filled in for Zlatan Ibrahimovic after the Swede was sold to PSG, netting 19 goals in all competitions last term, and has been strongly linked with a great many prospective buyers with many of Europe’s ‘Elite’ believing that the Italian giants may once against opt to sell players this summer to balance the books.

The addition of Kaka into the bargain may well interest AC Milan and given that the attacking midfielder is still fondly remembered by the Rossoneri faithful following his six season spell at the San Siro.

 

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Cristiano Ronaldo backed to remain at Real Madrid

Florentino Perez is adamant that Cristiano Ronaldo is not for sale and has backed him to retire at Real Madrid.Speculation continues to suggest that the world's costliest player could be involved in another mega-money move this summer.

Manchester United are said to be keen on bringing a former Old Trafford favourite back to the Premier League, while ambitious French outfit Paris St Germain are also rumoured to be in the process of piecing together an enticing transfer package.
Real are understandably keen to play down the rumours, with Ronaldo having been a revelation during his four years at Santiago Bernabeu.He does have just two more years left to run on his contract in the Spanish capital, which has helped to keep the gossip flowing, but Perez is convinced that the Portugal international will eventually pen an extension and commit himself to Real for the remainder of his career.

He told 20minutos: "He's our most important asset, and we will build the future of Madrid around him.

"Soon we will clarify this issue. I have no doubt that Cristiano is going to retire at Real Madrid. I'm convinced that he'll renew. The renewals are done before the season starts."Perez has also been speaking about possible additions at the Bernabeu, with Real reported to be plotting summer raids for Tottenham Hotspur forward Gareth Bale, Napoli striker Edinson Cavani and Malaga playmaker Isco.

He added: "I try to make it that the best players in the world play for Madrid.
"Players are never expensive or cheap. It depends on the performances that they provide. (Luis) Figo, (Zinedine) Zidane, Ronaldo and (David) Beckham gave us a massive jump in income. If you invest in great players, you will have more income.
"That allows, firstly, the club to be independent and in the hands of the members, and, secondly, to attract other great players."We want great footballers who work hard and understand this club and its history. Those that know me, know I always want the best to come to Madrid."

 

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Schurrle completes Chelsea move

Chelsea have completed the signing of Andre Schurrle from Bayer Leverkusen on a five-year contract.

A deal was agreed for Schurrle, 22, on June 13 and the forward has now put pen to paper on personal terms with Jose Mourinho's side ahead of the 2013-14 season.The forward had long been linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge, only for the move to be delayed before Leverkusen clinched a replacement in the shape of South Korea international Heung-Min Son from Hamburg.

Schurrle has scored seven goals in 24 senior appearances for Germany, and hit 11 Bundesliga goals as Leverkusen finished third last season."I am so happy now I have signed and it is an honour for me to play for this club, with this team and for these great fans," Schurrle told the club's official website. "I am really looking forward to it."

 

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Congratulations Schurrle!

Patta deal 1kak

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Tabarez: Cavani firmly focused on Uruguay

The veteran manager is fully convinced the sought-after forward will put rumors regarding his future to the side ahead of Uruguay's the Confederations Cup semifinal against Brazil Uruguay boss Oscar Tabarez has dismissed fears that the uncertainty surrounding Edinson Cavani's future at club level could have an adverse effect on the striker's performance against Brazil on Wednesday.

The Napoli forward is understood to be nearing a move away from Stadio San Paolo this summer, with Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and Chelsea all showing interest; however, Tabarez says the talisman will put the speculation regarding his club future to one side in a bid to aid his country's passage to the Confederations Cup final at the expense of the host Selecao.

"This is about the private life of a professional footballer. There is no lack of concentration from Cavani," Tabarez said at his pre-match press conference.

Tabarez went on to reveal how he predicted the star would soon attract some of Europe's elite clubs, much to the annoyance of Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis.

"De Laurentiis got mad at me two years ago when I said it was a matter of time before Cavani would prove to be one of the world's best players - now he is top goalscorer in Italy," Tabarez said.

The veteran manager turned his attentions toward Brazil and believes the two sides could serve up a classic, while warning the Selecao of Uruguay's attacking options.

"Everybody is worried about Brazil and their attack, but they have not yet faced a team with an attack as powerful as ours," Tabarez said. "But we believe in what we've been working at for the past seven years and we hope this match will be remembered as one of the greats."

 

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I feel like a loser, admits Balotelli

The Milan star says he is devastated at not being able to face Spain in the Confederations Cup semifinal following a strained thigh muscle.Italy striker Mario Balotelli says he "feels like a loser" after injury has deprived him of the opportunity to gain "revenge" over Spain ahead of Thursday's Confederations Cup semifinal.

The Milan forward was sent home from Brazil on Monday after sustaining a muscle injury which is likely to sideline him for a number of weeks. And, speaking to Sky Sport Italia, the Rossoneri star expressed his disappointment having missed the chance to enact "revenge" over la Roja following last summer's 4-0 defeat in the final of the European Championship.

"I feel like a loser having to leave this way. I would have liked to have stayed on with my teammates, but we have the Champions League playoff round with Milan, so I need to recover for that."

His departure means Alberto Gilardino is likely to deputize, and Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio believes the introduction of the Bologna forward will compensate for the absence of the 22-year-old.

"We will miss Mario because he is a great champion," he told a press conference. "He has matured and it has shown in this Confederations Cup.

"Surely he wanted to play a part in this kind of revenge and we are sad that we will not have him, but we do have players like Gilardino who is very experienced so we are not worried."

Meanwhile, Marchisio, who has featured in all three of his country's games in the competition, believes the Azzurri will go into the clash hopeful of staging an upset after holding the world champion to a 1-1 draw in the Group C curtain-raiser of last summer's European Championship.

"We have to be as good as we were when we faced them in our first game of the European Championship," he added. "We made it difficult for the world champions so we will not take to the field thinking we have already been beaten on Thursday.

"Spain is the best and they has proved that by winning everything possible, but we happily matched them at times last year and we proved that."