..::Football II::..

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Ramires backs Mourinho to launch Chelsea title challenge

The Brazilian midfielder has praised the Portuguese manager's impact and thinks the Blues can repeat the European success of the 2011-12 season Ramires believes Chelsea can challenge for the Premier League title under Jose Mourinho and has suggested that European glory could once again be on the horizon.

The Blues won back-to-back titles in 2005 and 2006 under Mourinho and the Brazilian has plenty of positive things to say about the Portuguese's return with pre-season under way.

Ramires told Globo Esporte: "I might be wrong because we know how things are in football, but I think this season can be better than the 2011-12 one, when we won the Champions League.

"I see our team is ready, more interested and with the possibility of fighting for the Premier League title as well, which is something we haven't done in the last few years."Let's wait for the games to start and we will see what happens. The environment during the first training sessions has been very good.

"Everyone is very excited and willing. We can feel positive changes happening. Mourinho and the new signings have contributed a lot to that."

 

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Vermaelen to retain Arsenal captaincy

Arsene Wenger did, however, make no promises over his position in the starting XI, and the Belgium international will miss the start of the season with an ongoing back problem Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed Thomas Vermaelen will remain as club captain this season.

The Belgium international's future has come under scrutiny after he lost his place in the starting XI in 2012-13 due to the form of fellow centre-backs Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker.

Vermaelen is currently missing from Arsenal's pre-season tour of Asia with an injury that could keep him out of the start of the season, but Wenger insists the 27-year-old is still in his plans.

When asked if he would still be captain, the Frenchman said: "It depends. I cannot stick with him now because I think he will miss the start of the season.

"But certainly, he will still be club captain.

"He had a back problem. He came in with it and he couldn't practice until now. He's out for how long we don't know.

"There is nothing behind that at all (losing his starting place). There is no bad feeling because he didn't play at the end of the season. It's just an unfortunate injury."

 

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Klopp: Aubameyang gives us options


The Borussia Dortmund coach has been impressed by his summer acquisitions in pre-season, saying they give the team more ways to break sides down
Jurgen Klopp says new signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has added another dimension to Borussia Dortmund's attack.

The Bundesliga and Champions League runners-up defeated Turkish side Bursaspor 4-1 in a pre-season friendly on Saturday, with new signing Aubameyang among the goalscorers.And Klopp feels the Gabon international, who is quicker than Usain Bolt, and fellow new addition Henrikh Mkhitaryan - the Armenian playmaker recruited from Shakhtar Donetsk - make his side more flexible.

"Auba [Aubameyang] definitely gives us some good options regarding the finalising of moves, we've already noticed that, and Henrikh has quality from a creativity point of view," he told reporters."We also played with two holding midfielders [Nuri Sahin and Ilkay Gundogan] that's something we haven't tried that often.

"This solution has benefited us both at the back and going forward, and that was clear today."While the 46-year-old was pleased with their friendly victory, he feels Dortmund need to be more creative in their play as the new season approaches.

"We have tried to play little chip balls behind the defensive line a bit too often," he added."But when you are faced with such a tempo I'd say that's normal, we should certainly be trying to vary more.

"[But] why should one criticise it all? It was already very good and it showed us the potential we have for the future to improve."Dortmund have also recruited defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos from Werder Bremen, who completes a hat-trick of signings.

BVB's first Bundesliga match of the season is against Augsburg on August 10.

 

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Moyes reveals Manchester United have money to spend on 'the best players around'

The 50-year-old says he is only interested in bringing the world-class talent to Old Trafford this summer after the United board informed him that there are no budget constraints David Moyes has revealed Manchester United have transfer funds available to sign the "best players" around this summer.

The former Everton boss was named Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor in May and a host of big names have since been linked with moves to Old Trafford.

After seeing his first game at the United helm end in a 1-0 defeat to the Singha All-Stars in Thailand on Saturday, Moyes revealed he is looking to bring in some new faces.

"Isn't it great that the club says, 'There's no budget here, you go get who you want to get, just go and do it'," he told reporters.

"We are looking at the best players. I do think it's important that we show people we are carrying on the traditions and trying to take the club forward."
And when asked if those "best players" include Tottenham’s Gareth Bale and former Red Devils star Cristiano Ronaldo, Moyes was tight-lipped on his targets.

"I will not name anybody, but certainly we are always looking at the best players," he added. "I think we are trying to strengthen in a couple of areas. We are short in midfield.

"We are also a club which tends to invest in the youth side, so you can expect us to go for players in that age group.

"We are working hard to make sure the first signing is the right one. I have been left a really good team and I want to add to it sensibly."

The 50-year-old also admitted that while taking over the Old Trafford reins from Sir Alex is no easy task, he sees no reason why the club should alter their targets for the season.

"Our objectives for the season ahead are no different from what any Manchester United objectives would be - to win as many trophies as possible," the Scot continued.

"It's my first season as manager of Manchester United. I'm following probably the finest football manager that's ever lived. If I could even win a quarter of what he won I've done very well.

"The first thing I've got to do is settle in to the job, get to know everybody and find my own way around. Everyone at the club has been making that as easier as possible for me, the players especially have been terrific."

 

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De Boer opens door to Eriksen exit

The Dane has been heavily linked with a move to Borussia Dortmund and the Premier League and his coach says he will not keep him at Ajax against his wishes
Ajax coach Frank de Boer has admitted he would not prevent Christian Eriksen from leaving the club this summer.

The Danish playmaker, who has just one year left on his contract at the Amsterdam ArenA has been heavily linked with a move to Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool amongst others.

And De Boer says he would let the 21-year-old move to Anfield if he chose to do so.

"It is up to Christian what he wants," the Dutchman told reporters."If he feels good going to Liverpool, then it is up to him. I would want nothing more than having him with us for a few more years.

"But we realise the interest in this kind of player is huge. And I can also understand that he wants to make another step in his career. I can't stop him."
Eriksen first moved to Ajax as a teenager back in 2008.

 

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'Ibrahimovic won't play with Cavani'

Napoli's president has claimed the Sweden international is to depart Parc des Princes this summer due to his unhappiness over the arrival of another star striker
Zlatan Ibrahimovic will leave Paris Saint-Germain after refusing to play alongside Paris-bound Edinson Cavani, according to Aurelio De Laurentiis.

The 31-year-old only arrived at the club from AC Milan last summer, but with the Uruguay international believed to be close to joining PSG in a €60 million deal, the Napoli chief claims Ibrahimovic will seek pastures new after being angered by the prospect of sharing striking duties with another marquee name.

"Ibrahimovic will not play with Cavani, he has been promised a transfer," he told Tutto Napoli.

De Laurentiis then ruled out the prospect of the Sweden international, whose current deal with les Parisiens runs until 2015, moving to Naples, or Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski.

"Lewandowski will not come, he will go to Bayern or Monaco."

The Partenopei chief then took a swipe at Cavani, suggesting his decision to leave Stadio San Paolo was motivated purely by money.

He added: "Cavani is attached only to the money."

The 26-year-old has been linked with almost every major club in Europe during the summer transfer window, but les Parisiens' financial strength appears to have won the race for his signature.

Earlier in July, PSG boss Laurent Blanc revealed his interest in Cavani, but also insisted that he could play alongside Ibrahimovic.

 

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Manchester United hit by Young injury setback

The England winger was on track to make his return before the end of pre-season, but now looks likely to be absent until at least mid-August Manchester United have been dealt a blow with the news Ashley Young will miss the start of the season after suffering a setback in his recovery from an ankle injury.

The winger suffered further damage during training in midweek, before the rest of the squad flew to the Far East for their pre-season tour which began with a shock 1-0 defeat to Thailand All-Stars on Saturday.

Young damaged ankle ligaments in United's derby defeat to Manchester City at Old Trafford in April, but had been making good progress in his recovery before breaking down at Carrington.

David Moyes was immediately informed of the severity of the injury, which is also likely to see Young miss out on England's clash with Scotland at Wembley on August 14.

The new United manager has been confronted with a number of injuries to first-team stars since taking charge at Old Trafford, with captain Nemanja Vidic suffering from sciatica, Wayne Rooney having flown back to Manchester with hamstring trouble and Alexander Buttner limping off during the defeat in Thailand.

Moyes may be scratching his head over his mounting injury list, but he can have no complaints about his squad's commitment to their pre-season fitness regimes.

After returning to training following their respective summer breaks, it was discovered that the first-team squad amassed a weight gain of only 2lbs in total after tests at Carrington last week.

The players were put through their paces to test their fitness on returning to the club's newly named Aon Training Complex and will have no doubt impressed their new boss, with the likes of Rio Ferdinand having already been hitting the gym in preparation for pre-season.

 

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Get well soon Ashley Young!

 

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Ranieri reveals Monaco captain plan

The coach, who saw his side beaten 3-2 by Fortuna Dusseldorf on Sunday, wants to put one of his French charges as the club skipper for the upcoming season
Monaco coach Claudio Ranieri has revealed his plans to make one of his French players captain for the club's return to Ligue 1.

The principality club secured promotion in May to the top French tier and has boosted their ranks with the likes of Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez, Joao Moutinho and Ricardo Carvalho.

The Italian trainer has named three leading candidates to be Monaco skipper this season - new signings Jeremy Toulalan and Eric Abidal, and last season's leader Valere Germain, who came through the club's youth ranks.

"I’m considering between Germain, Toulalan or Abidal [to be our captain]," former Chelsea boss Ranieri told gathered media. "Abidal is coming from the Monaco academy.

"Toulalan is a midfielder, he can speak with everybody, the players, the referee, while Germain was our captain last season in Ligue 2."

Radamel Falcao and James Rodriguez scored their first goals for the club Sunday but were unable to help prevent Monaco from being defeated 3-2 by Fortuna Dusseldorf, though Ranieri is not concerned by the loss at this stage of pre-season.

"While I am not happy with the result, I am satisfied with the work done by the team," the Italian said on Sunday after full-time.

"The most important thing is our fitness and that we will leave without injuries. We are working hard right now and Dusseldorf are ahead in their preparation."

 

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Khedira: Madrid will hunt Bayern

The Germany international has fired a warning to the Champions League winners and revealed that Kaka has given a glowing review of new coach Carlo Ancelotti
Sami Khedira says Bayern Munich will be "hunted" this season by Real Madrid and other top European teams following their Champions League success last season.The Bavarians secured their European crown with a 2-1 win over Madrid's semi-final conquerors Borussia Dortmund.

And Khedira, who is chasing an historic 10th Champions League trophy with los Blancos, has fired a warning to die Roten, insisting Carlo Ancelotti's men will be targeting them this year.

"Bayern Munich have to know that their international rivals intend on bringing back the balance," he told Welt am Sonntag. "They are the hunted now."Germany international Khedira also believes the Liga outfit can look forward to progression under the tutelage of Carlo Ancelotti, who replaced Jose Mourinho as coach in June.

"It starts a new chapter for Madrid and at the same time in my career," he told AS. "A new coach is always associated with a new beginning. There are new ideas, a different playing philosophy. "I feel a great excitement, I am still very proud to play for Real Madrid.

"Whomever plays at this club, playing for titles, I'm sure that with the work of Carlo Ancelotti we will take another step forward."Although Khedira has never played under Ancelotti, he said Madrid playmaker Kaka has given the former AC Milan and Chelsea boss a glowing reference.

"I have heard a lot about Ancelotti," the 26-year-old continued. "Moreover, my team-mate Kaka has worked many years with him in Milan, everything he said was positive.

"His teams have always played well. Such as with Paris [Saint-Germain] last year."

 

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Llorente: Juventus have freed me

The Spain striker endured a frustrating last year at Athletic Bilbao after a falling-out with coach Marcelo Bielsa but says he feels "liberated" in Turin Fernando Llorente had admitted his move to Juventus has freed him from his nightmare final season at Athletic Bilbao.

The Spain striker, 28, completed his move to the Serie A champions following a pre-contract agreement with the club in January.

Llorente's nine-year association with Athletic turned sour towards the end after it became public he wanted to leave the club and was consequently dropped by former coach Marcelo Bielsa and lost his place in the national team.

"The move to Juventus was liberating for me," he told Tuttosport.

"The reception of the fans was something spectacular. Ever since I arrived, I've been happy to wear a jersey as prestigious as that of Juventus.

"I'm living the dream - growing as a player and I came to the best team to do so.

"The day of the presentation at the Juventus Stadium was very impressive. The stadium and especially the museum. I've never seen a football museum. It was great."

Llorente has signed a four-year deal with the Bianconeri and says he is already adapting well to life in Italy, having joined the club at the start of July.

"I have already made friends with everyone in the dressing room,” he told reporters. "For me it was very important to learn Italian before getting here.

“I'm glad I made the effort to learn – I already feel like a part of this group."

The forward joins striker Carlos Tevez and defender Angelo Ogbonna as recent recruits of Juventus.

 

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Manchester United 'not afraid' to run Rooney contract down

The 27-year-old has two years left on his current deal at Old Trafford but the champions have no plans to offer him a new deal, despite growing speculation over his future Manchester United’s new chief executive Ed Woodward has revealed the club have no plans to sit down with Wayne Rooney over a new contract.

Rooney was sent home from the club’s tour of Asia this week with a hamstring problem, leading to renewed speculation over his future with the Premier League champions.

The England international still has two years remaining on his current deal at Old Trafford and Woodward insists the club are in a position to let his deal near its end before offering a new one.

"Our number one priority right now is to try to develop our transfer plans in terms of players in – not those going out, or talking about new contracts," he said.

"I am not sitting down with any player on an extension and there is no trigger date in the diary.

"Would we be afraid to run a contract down? Of course not."

Rooney continues to be linked with summer moves to Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, but United and new boss David Moyes are adamant that the 27-year-old is not for sale.

"On Wayne Rooney it’s quite simple – he’s not for sale," Woodward added. "That won’t change even if anyone comes in for him because he has two years left on his contract.

"I’m not surprised it’s being reported that clubs like Chelsea and Arsenal want him because he’s a top player. But he’s not for sale and we won’t be selling him.

"He’s a brilliant player who is 52 goals away from being the club’s top goalscorer, beating one of the biggest legends in the game in Bobby Charlton."

 

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Moyes: Rooney will never be bigger than Man United

The new Red Devils boss has told the striker he won't be calling the shots at Old Trafford and that Robin van Persie remains the club's first choice striker David Moyes says Wayne Rooney will never be bigger than Manchester United and warned the press he will not allow speculation surrounding his future to become a media circus.

The England striker has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford ever since Sir Alex Ferguson revealed the striker asked to leave in May, and speculation over his future has intensified after he flew home from United's pre-season tour of Asia with a hamstring injury.

But, while Moyes remains adamant that Rooney will not be sold this summer, he insists the forward will never be allowed to call the shots at Old Trafford.

"Manchester United isn’t about Wayne Rooney. Manchester United is about the team, the club," Moyes said.

"We are talking about him now, and rightly so, but I won’t allow Wayne Rooney to become more important than the football club."

The Scot, who lost his first game in charge to a Thailand All-Stars side on Saturday, then suggested the England international will be second choice to Robin van Persie again next season.

"Overall, my thought on Wayne is that if for any reason we had an injury to Robin van Persie we are going to need him and I want as many options as possible," he added.

"Wayne’s got a major part to play because we need to try and get him as many goals as we possibly can.

"It’s going to be a time to see how I work with him. Wayne, in a way, fits that as well. We need to see how it works. Maybe in a year’s time we might have to look at something else."

 

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Bursaspor 1-4 Borussia Dortmund

Last season's Champions League finalists continued their preparations ahead of the new campaign with a comfortable friendly victory Goals from Robert Lewandowski, Marco Reus and new signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were enough for Borussia Dortmund to see off Bursapor 4-1 at the Bursa Ataturk Stadium.

Lewandowski scored the opener in ugly fashion, as Aubameyang's shot from the left was saved by the Turkish club's keeper - only for the ball to shoot straight up and fall for an easy tap in for the Pole at the back post.

Aubameyang then doubled the lead himself when he was put through by Lewandowski on the Gabonese attacker's more familiar right side, tucking a shot under the on-rushing keeper on the stroke of half-time for 2-0.Marco Reus added a third with a well-time shot from the edge of the area after the interval, before a defensive calamity saw the Turks concede an own goal.

Bursaspor scored a consolation from a corner late on, but Dortmund were always comfortable winners as the new season looms large on the horizon.

 

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Supersport United 2-0 Manchester City: Pellegrini suffers defeat in first game in charge

Manuel Pellegrini got off to the worst possible start in his first game in charge of Manchester City as his side were beaten 2-0 by Supersport United in Sunday's pre-season friendly.

Mame Niang and Kermit Erasmus were the heroes for Supersport, as two second-half goals past Costel Pantilimon were enough to see off the Premier League heavyweights.

The friendly encounter at the Loftus Versfeld stadium saw Fernandinho make his City bow, while the likes of skipper Vincent Kompany, Samir Nasri, Gareth Barry and Edin Dzeko all also started in Pretoria.

And the visitors started brightly, as Dzeko forced Ronwen Williams into a decent save just two minutes in after the Bosnia and Herzegovina international capitalised on a poor clearance from the Supersport United goalkeeper.

Joe Hart was then called into action as the England No.1 charged out to thwart Ramahlwe Mphahlele when the midfielder attempted to poke an effort goalwards.

Without looking particularly threatening going forward, City again came close to opening the scoring after 16 minutes as Alexsandar Kolarov, starting at left-back, broke and linked up well with Dzeko before stabbing a shot wide of Williams's left-hand post as he stumbled to the ground under challenge.

Dzeko then squandered another opportunity as he again failed to beat Williams before Supersport broke down the other end, with Sameehg Doutie rampaging down the right and pulling the ball across to force Micah Richards to head clear from in front of the goalline.

Pellegrini rang the changes at half-time, introducing an entirely different XI for the second half as the likes of Yaya Toure, Joleon Lescott, Scott Sinclair and James Milner all came on to get their first taste of pre-season action.

But it was Supersport who took the lead early in the second period as Niang climbed above Matija Nastasic to meet a delicious cross from the left and head past Hart's half-time replacement, Pantilimon.

Young midfielder Emyr Huws perhaps should have done better after 67 minutes as he dragged an effort wide before Supersport defender Danleigh Borman was in the right place at the right time to scramble Milner's shot off the line, despite a hint of handball.

Toure then got his first sight of goal but could only blaze over the top with a shot from distance as City struggled to trouble replacement goalkeeper Boalefa Pule in the Supersport goal.

Pellegrini's first game in charge went from bad to worse with just nine minutes remaining as Erasmus raced through past a static Dedryck Boyata and slotted home to make it 2-0 to the hosts.

 

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Indonesia 0-7 Arsenal: Giroud, Podolski & Walcott on target in emphatic friendly win

Theo Walcott, Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski all scored as Arsenal began their pre-season preparations with an emphatic 7-0 win over Indonesia.

Fine work from Alex Oxlade Chamberlain saw the England international open the scoring before Chuba Akpom, Giroud, Podolski, Kristoffer Olsson and Thomas Eisfeld underlined the Gunners' dominance in the second half.

Arsene Wenger opted for a mixture of experience and youth for his first team selection of the 2013-14 season, with the likes of Mikel Arteta and Walcott playing alongside Serge Gnabry and Akpom in midfield and attack, respectively.

In a typically slow start to proceedings for a pre-season friendly, the Premier League side looked the more threatening, with Akpom, Kieran Gibbs and Aaron Ramsey all going close early on but all failing to test goalkeeper Kurnia Meiga.

But it did not take long for Arsenal to break the deadlock, with Oxlade-Chamberlain pouncing on hesitation in the Indonesia defence to storm forward into the penalty area before sliding the ball into the path of the onrushing Walcott to calmly sidefoot past Meiga on the 15-minute mark.

The visitors nearly doubled their lead moments later when Ramsey and Akpom combined to force a corner, before the midfielder nearly fortuitously found the back of the net via Indonesia defender Ruben Sanadi only for the ball to flash past the post.

Again Akpom went close just past the half-hour mark when Carl Jenkinson made tracks down the right flank and whipped in a fine cross towards the six-yard box that evaded the striker before Gibbs should have perhaps down better when hitting the side netting from 18 yards.

As the first half drew to a close, a slight misunderstanding between Ignasi Miquel and Lukasz Fabianski nearly saw the hosts equalise but the goalkeeper recovered his composure in time to deny Boaz Solossa.

With Wenger making five changes at the break, the already-tame pace of the game slowed further. However, Gnabry continued to shine and a quick break down the left flank saw him skip past a weak challenge and whip a low cross into the path of Akpom to double Arsenal's advantage after 53 minutes.

Podolski and Giroud were brought on with 20 minutes remaining in an attempt to liven up proceedings and it worked. Within two minute of his introduction, the Frenchman was fed inside the area by fellow second-half substitute Bacary Sagna to beat Meiga with the outside of his boot.

A further two minutes later, the two combined again as Giroud took his time to control the ball and flash a shot high into the roof of the net.

The goals just kept on coming as Tomas Rosicky combined neatly with Podolski for the latter to drill home from the edge of the area before the Czech's fine, hanging cross towards the back post saw Meiga clutching air and allowed Olsson to simply poke the ball into the back of the net.

And, to put a flattering look on the scoreline, Eisfeld pounced on Giroud's header down to hammer the ball off the inside of the bar for Arsenal's seventh.

 

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Bayern announce Thiago transfer

Bayern Munich have confirmed the signing of Thiago Alcantara from Barcelona.Champions League and Bundesliga holders Bayern announced the news on their official Twitter account on Sunday evening.

hiago, 22, is set for a medical with Pep Guardiola's side ahead of penning a four-year contract at the Allianz Arena, having been targeted by Manchester United this summer.


Bayern outlined on their official website that they met a release clause of €25 million to reunite Thiago with former Barca coach Guardiola, who gave the midfielder his debut at Camp Nou in 2009.A statement read: "FC Barcelona and FC Bayern Munich have reached an agreement over the transfer of the player Thiago Alcantara to the German club for a total of €25 million.

Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge added: "Thiago Alcantara was the biggest wish of our new coach Pep Guardiola. We are pleased that we have succeeded in this great transfer.

"Thiago has only just been named the best player at the European Under-21 Championship. He is a fantastic player with great perspective, which will strengthen Bayern."

 

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Congratulations & Good Luck Thiyago!

Hoda future 1kak thiyana player kenek

 

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Thiyago th ahenam miss unaKawru ganna hanadanawa kiyala thamai therenne natthe

Bale & Ron ganath sure karanna baha keeyatawath​

 

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Wayne Rooney will not be offered an extension to his Manchester United deal

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