..::Football III::..

Status
Not open for further replies.

Wolverine GTR

Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Barcelona are one step from winning everything - Iniesta

    iniesta-cropped_13vly9lq7s7ll1xqk2ssq07qhv.jpg


    Andres Iniesta says Barcelona are "one step" away from winning everything as they close in on a domestic and continental treble.

    Barca eased into the Champions Leage final on Tuesday despite a 3-2 defeat at Bayern Munich, beating Pep Guardiola's men 5-3 on aggregate, and will meet the winner of the second semi-final between Real Madrid and Juventus in Berlin on June 6.

    Luis Enrique's men will be crowned La Liga champions on if they win their next game against Atletico Madrid, although a possible strike threatens to delay their confirmation, while they will also contest the final of the Copa del Rey against Athletic Bilbao at Camp Nou on May 30.

    With his team so close to such remarkable success, Iniesta is gearing up for a vital few weeks.

    He told TV3: "We are where we want to be every year, we are one step from everything and we'll try to take that step forward.

    "We are not content, though, the titles would be incredible for everyone. Every year is different, this year is good in every sense. We have overcome some very important rivals and we are going to give everything."

    Mehdi Benatia's early header gave Bayern hope of overcoming a 3-0 first-leg deficit, but two Neymar goals before half-time settled Barca nerves.

    Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller gave Pep Guardiola a win on the night against his former club but Barca were comfortable winners in the end.

    Iniesta added: "We knew they were going to push from the start but the two goals in the first half gave us peace. We are in another final and we must celebrate it."
     

    unicornx

    Well-known member
  • Aug 11, 2007
    7,825
    1,245
    113
    Mars
    Januzaj & Wilson play karana widiya patta:yes::cool:

    & Januzaj wa summer 1ke loan kaloth nam thanikarama aparadayak:(Januzaj thamai Manchester United future 1ka:love:

    Loan kaloth hodai bro. hama dama play karanna hambena chance ekak labunoth loan wei. penawane dan Morata :) Passe kaleka gattanan patta:)
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Loan kaloth hodai bro. hama dama play karanna hambena chance ekak labunoth loan wei. penawane dan Morata :) Passe kaleka gattanan patta:)
    Ow machan loan kaloth nam shape habai permanent deal 1kak karanne nathuwa:yes:

    Dakkane Pogba ta wechcha de:(SAF inna kale ayage athin wechcha lokuma mistake 1kak thamai Pogba sell karapu 1ka:sorry:

    Awage deyak Januzaj ta karanne nathuwa ona 1kak:yes:anith 1kath niyama talent 1kak:love:
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    De Bruyne refuses to commit future to Wolfsburg

    kevindebruyne-cropped_gxp5g0o3731c11fk7kb5cxfnm.jpg


    Kevin De Bruyne says he cannot guarantee his Wolfsburg future amid speculation of a move away from the Bundesliga club.

    The Belgium forward has enjoyed a superb season for Dieter Hecking's men, with his 15 goals in all competitions to help Wolfsburg secure qualification for the UEFA Champions League.

    Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain have all been linked with the 23-year-old, and his agent Patrick de Koster has since confirmed that he has had informal contact with those clubs."What will happen in the summer I don't know," De Bruyne told Eurosport.

    "As a player it is so stupid to say that I will stay here and then some big club is coming in and offer Wolfsburg a lot of money that they want and they say you can go or something like that."I'm very happy here and I think I will play here next season but I can't give you a 100 per cent guarantee."

    De Bruyne was also pressed on his January 2014 switch from Chelsea to Wolfsburg, which followed loan spells with Genk and Werder Bremen."[Chelsea manager Jose] Mourinho told me to come back and that's what I did," he added.

    "After six months of not playing a lot I told the club that I wanted to leave and I didn't want to go on loan anymore because if you come back you will be always in the same situation.

    "I think the decision that I made to come here was a great decision and at the end I think that I'm doing well right now so I'm very happy with all the decisions that I've made."
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Milan confirm Robinho departure

    robinho-cropped_15rox7mzui3rq1n2fn7ndchq7m.jpg


    Brazil international Robinho has been released from his contract at Milan one year early.

    The 31-year-old forward joined Santos on loan in August 2014 after falling out of favour under Milan head coach Filippo Inzaghi, and he is expected to sign permanently with his boyhood club now he is a free agent.

    Robinho's return to Brazil produced 12 goals in all competitions, inspiring them to the Pauilstao state championship, earning a place in Brazil's squad for the forthcoming Copa America.

    "Milan and Robinho have resolved consensually the contract between the Brazilian player to the Rossoneri club until 30 June 2016," the club confirmed on Wednesday.

    "The contract is terminated on June 30, 2015, and Robinho will be free from contractual obligations from 1 July 2015."AC Milan thanks Robinho. He has made a significant contribution, in terms of goals and performance.

    "Although the relationship between the club and the Brazilian are terminated one year prior to the natural expiration of the contract, Milan does not forget the contribution of quality given by Robinho."
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Juve have strong Dybala interest but foreign clubs also pressing - Palermo

    paulo-dybala-palermo_qhds3y5td63b1dtlgz5d6omfq.jpg


    Juventus still have a “strong interest” in signing Palermo striker Paulo Dybala, claims the Sicilian club’s vice-president Guglielmo Micicche.

    The 21-year-old is the Old Lady’s primary target to add to their forward line ahead of the 2015-16 season, but there has also been reported interest shown by Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.

    And while Micicche has admitted that no talks have taken place recently, he insists Juve are still very much on the Dybala trail.“There is no new news at the moment, but I can confirm a strong interest from Juventus,” Micicche told Tutto Juve.

    “Our president Maurizio Zamparini is abroad at the moment, so we will wait for him until we return for more talks.

    “It is not certain that discussions will close in the next week, although there will be telephone contact between Zamparini and Juventus’ Beppe Marotta at the weekend. We’re looking for a solution along with Dybala’s agent.”Micicche added that Juve are not the only interested party.

    “Juventus have a big chance, but there are also foreign clubs pressing. If there is more than one offer the same amount, it will be up to the player to decide which club he prefers.

    “Juve are the only Italian club who are making a move in the Champions League, which is a fundamental requirement for him and something Milan and Inter cannot offer.”
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Barcelona to face trial after Neymar transfer case approved

    sandro-rosell-presidente-del-barcelona_1p5dj9xk9x11a1bm7s0l3ifik0.jpg


    Barcelona are set to be summoned to court after Spanish judge Jose de la Mata approved the decision to put the club and a number of individuals on trial for tax irregularities over their transfer deal to sign Neymar.

    De la Mata has confirmed current club president Josep Maria Bartomeu and his predecessor, Sandro Rosell, will face a trial for alleged tax crimes suggesting they paid more for the player than they revealed to tax authorities.

    Brazil captain Neymar was the subject of the controversial switch from Santos in 2013 in a deal that ultimately saw then Barca president Rosell resign from his position.

    The charges stem from alleged unpaid taxes from a number of fees paid to third parties, including a €40 million fee paid to N&N, a company owned by the player’s father.

    The original fee quoted for the deal stood at around €57.1m, but Barca later confirmed in January 2014 that the total operation had in fact cost €86.2m and the alleged unpaid taxes could see the figure rise to well over €100m.

    Bartomeu said earlier this month that the controversy caused by the deal would not harm his aspirations for re-election, but the latest twist will do little for his campaign, particularly with former president Joan Laporta said to be ready to return.

    The prosecution have requested custodial sentences be issued, recommending Rosell receive seven years and six months and Bartomeu be handed two years and three months – adding the club should receive a fine of €11.4m
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Fifa ban Temarii for eight years over Bin Hammam bribe

    fifa-zurich_8ktwp2x04icu1oad7rc5cd0f7.jpg


    Fifa has banned Tahiti FA boss Reynald Temarii from all football activity for eight years after he was found to have accepted a €300,000 bribe from disgraced former AFC chief Mohamed bin Hammam.

    Temarii had previously been banned for one year in 2010 for taking bribes for World Cup votes in the bid process which resulted in South Africa hosting that year’s tournament, and as a result was prohibited from taking part in the 2018 and 2022 ballots.

    However, he has now received a further ban which rules him out of all forms of the game until May 13, 2023 after being found to have accepted €305,630 from Bin Hammam to cover the costs of his legal expenses as he appealed his original Fifa suspension.

    A Fifa statement explained:

    “The adjudicatory chamber of the independent Fifa Ethics Committee, chaired by Hans-Joachim Eckert, has decided to ban Reynald Temarii, General Director of the Tahiti Football Association, from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at national and international level for a period of eight years. The decision was taken following a hearing in the presence of the accused and the chairman of the investigatory chamber of the Fifa Ethics Committee, Dr Cornel Borbely.”

    It went on to reveal that Temarii received the money from Bin Hammamin in January 2011, two months after he had met with the former Fifa Executive Committee member in Kuala Lumpur.

    The world governing body’s Ethics Committee continues to investigate former US attorney Michael Garcia’s wide-ranging anti-corruption report looking into the conduct of a number of senior officials across the football world during the 2018 and 2022 bid processes.

    Temarii is the first major figure to have been punished as a result of the findings.
    The full extent of Garcia's report is set to be revealed in the near future after its original, edited version was criticised by the American himself for its inaccuracy.
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Final decision on La Liga strike due on Thursday

    camp-nou-stadium_1jg77x227plbx1hlpa9xw2mrlb.jpg


    A final decision on the court case concerning the proposed La Liga strike has been delayed until Thursday.

    The Spanish government announced a new television rights deal on April 30 that will see the introduction of a more collective system that will no longer allow the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona to negotiate their own contracts for the broadcasting of their league games.

    The new agreement was widely praised but the Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE), which believes it neglects to address some key issues, has called a strike for the last two weekends of the season, starting on May 16.

    Its decision was seconded by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) last week, and although talks took place between AFE and Spain's Professional Football League (LFP) in Madrid on Tuesday, no progress was made.

    The case has now gone to a Spanish high court but, after both sides of the argument were heard on Wednesday, no final decision will be taken until Thursday.
    "We reject the preventative controls of the strike," an AFE lawyer said.

    "We are getting dangerously close to judicial authorisation to exercise a strike, which is very serious."Meanwhile, the LFP has blasted the strike proposals, saying they are "artificial" and "abusive".

    "I hope it is not impossible to reach an agreement with the players," LFP president Javier Tebas.

    "If there is a strike, La Liga could finish."A number of high-profile players, including Real Madrid's Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos, have given their support to the AFE.

    "We are right so we are calm," added AFE chief Luis Rubiales."We have the support from all Spanish players and we have to thank them."
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Manchester United could regret not signing Falcao - Andy Cole

    radamel-falcao-manchester-united-premier-league-090315_mvhwq0erwc91y2ac2azk8v6g.jpg


    Manchester United could regret not signing Radamel Falcao this summer, according to Old Trafford legend Andy Cole.

    Falcao has scored just six goals in 28 matches in all competitions since arriving at United on a lucrative one-year loan from Monaco last summer and failed to establish himself as a regular starter under Louis van Gaal.

    The Colombian has not looked the same since suffering the serious knee injury that ruled him out of last summer's World Cup in Brazil and it appears highly unlikely that United will exercise their €61 million option to sign him permanently.

    But Cole, who scored 121 goals during a six-year spell with United, believes great goalscorers never lose their natural ability to find the net.

    "I don't know whether United will keep him. The powers that be are considering it," Cole told reporters. "If he doesn't stay here next year and he goes somewhere else, he will score goals.

    "You don't stop scoring goals because you have an injury or whatever. It might take a little bit longer to recover from the injury but once you get injured it doesn't mean you stop.

    "He will score goals wherever. If he doesn't stay here he will definitely do that."
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Bring on Real Madrid - Pique

    gerard-pique-cordoba-barcelona-liga-bbva-05022015_ewhuxm1y5oz81o20q6ymb2dj4.jpg


    Barcelona defender Gerard Pique is hoping his side face arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Champions League final for the first time in history.

    The Catalans reached the Berlin showpiece on Tuesday with a 5-3 aggregate win over Bayern Munich, while Carlo Ancelotti's side trail Juventus 2-1 ahead on Wednesday's second leg at the Bernabeu.

    Barca remain in the hunt for a second treble triumph but the former Manchester United man is taking nothing for granted as they hope to seal La Liga on Sunday, should their game against Atletico Madrid not be postponed due to the upcoming strike.

    "It would be very exciting to be the first to play a Champions League final against your closest rivals," he is quoted as saying by AS."It would be something historic. The treble would be the most beautiful. But we know that everything can change in a moment.

    "We'll see if we have to play this weekend against Atletico Madrid due to the strike. Everything looks very good but we need to finish well."We've done everything right but we must close out the titles."

    Should the Liga strike be called off, Barcelona will face Atletico at 19:00CET at the Vicente Calderon.
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Zidane was booed too – Buyo urges Casillas to win back Madrid fans

    ikercasillas-cropped_1oeiw79zwdupnzbfanurs9f9w.jpg


    Former Real Madrid star Francisco ‘Paco’ Buyo has urged Iker Casillas to win back the club’s fans after he reacted angrily to being booed at the weekend.

    Casillas has been constantly jeered by the Santiago Bernabeu crowd in recent months and appeared to direct an X-rated rant at supporters after he was whistled during Saturday’s 2-2 draw at home to Valencia.

    Ahead of the crucial Champions League semi-final, second-leg clash with Juventus in the Spanish capital, Bianconeri goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon labelled Madrid fans “ingrates” for their treatment of the Blancos legend.

    But former Madrid goalkeeping hero Buyo, who won six Liga titles in a glittering 11-year spell at the club, takes a different view.

    "The Santiago Bernabeu is a demanding stadium and the public demands a lot, but they are great supporters,” Buyo told Goal.

    “They are loyal and in the great moments they support the great players. They have sometimes whistled fantastic players. Iker is one of the symbols of Real Madrid and when the fans whistle him, it's up to Casillas to reverse the situation and improve.

    "The fans show their dissatisfaction by booing. Fortunately, it never happened to me. But it happened to Zinedine Zidane, Míchel, Bernd Schuster and Martin Vazquez - they were all great players and Real Madrid icons but they won the fans back. You need to work hard and show again that you're number one.

    "Casillas is still under contract with Real Madrid, he is 34 [next week] and he is not exactly at an age where a goalkeeper gives up and retires from football.”

    When Casillas lines up for Madrid against Juventus on Wednesday, he will make his 150th appearance in the Champions League – having first played in the competition back in 1999-2000.

    "Reaching 150 games in the Champions League is a mark that is available only to the greatest players,” noted Buyo, who played against Juve in the competition in 1986-87 and 1995-96 – winning the first knockout tie and losing the latter.

    “Iker is one of the greatest players in the history of Real Madrid. He has won many titles and he has an unblemished track record. On behalf of Goal, I want to congratulate him for reaching 150 games.

    "Casillas is very quick and agile, great in one-on-one situations and on his goal-line. He has magnificent qualities.

    "If I had to choose the best save from Casillas’ career, it would maybe be his famous block from Diego Perotti in the Sanchez Pizjuan [against Sevilla in 2009-10]. It was fantastic. It showed his reactions and faith to be able to stop that shot.”

    Casillas will be hoping to display similar reactions in the return clash against Juventus as Madrid aim to turn around their 2-1 deficit and join Barcelona in the Champions League final.
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Vidal: I won't stop until I win the Champions League

    arturo-vidal-juventus-serie-a-02052015_15qht8vrkcgto1f0qkabhb4gyr.jpg


    Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal has promised he will not rest until he has his hands on the Champions League trophy.

    The Bianconeri hold a slender 2-1 lead from the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie with Real Madrid heading into the Santiago Bernabeu return.
    The Chile international says reaching the last four was a dream come true but is now hoping his side can seal a place in the Berlin final next month.

    "It is a dream, because I have always dreamt of being in a Champions League semi-final," he told Uefa.com ahead of Wednesday's second leg."I watched it at home as a boy, and now I am really here, that is the thing I have been enjoying the most. And we will try to become champions.

    "I know it's very difficult, but I've made it here, and that is difficult too. So I hope to not stop until I lift the trophy."When you play against Madrid, you play against the best players in the world, and we know that. We'll try to give our utmost.

    "But we also have first-class players, and we hope we can show that over the two legs and reach the final."

    Vidal scored the only goal of the quarter-final meeting with Monaco to send his side through to the semi-finals and has now revealed the nerves he had before taking the ultimately decisive spot kick.

    "I was very emotional at first, because it was very hard to score in the Champions League. Last year I scored a lot, and the year before I scored as well, but this year it was a lot harder because of various problems.

    "But many beautiful things, and also bad [feelings] came together in that moment. I like to let my heart speak when I score and celebrate it to the maximum. And thankfully we qualified for the semi-final with that goal."

    Juventus lost two of their three opening group stage matches at the start of the season and Vidal has admitted he and his team-mates underestimated their opponents."That was a very ugly moment we went through with Juventus in those first games, as we never expected to lose.

    "And yes, we lost in a way that we didn't like. We thought it would be an easier group, but it got complicated and in the end we had to give everything to get through."
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Carlo Ancelotti suspended for remainder of Liga season

    carlo-ancelotti-real-madrid-valencia-liga-bbva-05092015_1smwusbvm2o1l1dg7tse2h8ups.jpg


    Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti will miss the remainder of the Liga season after being handed a two-match suspension by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

    The sanction was related to the ironic applause Ancelotti is alleged to have directed at officials during his side’s 2-2 draw with Valencia on Saturday.

    Ancelotti was found by the RFEF to have violated Article 117 of the Disciplinary Code, which states that those who "address referees, managers or officials in terms or attitudes of contempt or disregard … are punishable by suspension”.

    Referee Carlos Clos Gomez’s report read: “At the end of the match the local coach Don Carlo Ancelotti, from 30 metres, turned to me applauding, ostensibly in disapproval with the officials' performance.”

    The 55-year-old is now set to miss his side’s remaining Liga fixtures against Espanyol and Getafe, in which the reigning European champions will attempt to overhaul Barcelona’s four-point lead at the top of the table.

    Real Madrid host Juventus on Wednesday hoping to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit to book a place in the Champions League final against Barcelona in Berlin on June 6.
     
    Status
    Not open for further replies.