..::Football III::..

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Iniesta: We all know 'teacher' Xavi will come back to Barcelona

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta has paid tribute to team-mate Xavi ahead of his final game for the club - but has little doubt the Spain icon will return one day.
Xavi, who is set to join Qatari side Al Sadd, is preparing for his last appearance in a Barca shirt in the Champions League final against Juventus on Saturday.The former Spain international has spent all of his professional career at Camp Nou, winning eight Liga titles and the Champions League three times.

Barca will look to give Xavi the perfect send off in Berlin and Iniesta, speaking at a farewell event on Wednesday, said: "None of us can imagine the first day of training next season without you in the squad.

"You've always greeted the new players with a smile and some encouraging words, you've explained to them what it means to be here and wear this crest."The football world thanks you for what you've given it, which is a lot, we thank you for being an example for all of us.

"Thank you for always putting the team first, before you, thank you for conveying all of the values that you've learned in the 24 years you've been at this club.

"Thank you because all of your advice has always been incredible football and life lessons for us, thank you because you've always been the voice of experience in our dressing room, the player that has given us the historical memory necessary for us to value what we've achieved together.

"You've lived [through] criticism and praise, good and bad moments. Thank you, Xavi, because you've made us stronger.

"Personally, I would like to thank you for all these years, not just for the magical moments that have been many but for the day to day, for how much you've helped me and all of the talks that we've had about things that are not about football, for being able to play together or apart, for being my teacher and teaching me.

"It's been a privilege to have you by my side, you are great, thank you Xavi for all you've done for this club and all still have left to give, you'll always be with us my friend."

Iniesta added that his long-time team-mate will undoubtedly return to the club at some stage after his spell in Qatar."We all know you'll come back because you have Blaugrana blood," he said.

 

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Skrtel: Liverpool contract offer is unacceptable

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has branded the club’s most recent contract offer “unacceptable” and has hinted at a possible Anfield exit this summer.

Skrtel re-established himself as Liverpool’s first choice centre-back this season and only last month appeared to confirm he was planning on remaining with the Merseyside club amid reported interest from Napoli and Wolfsburg.

But the 30-year-old Slovakia international has reignited speculation surrounding his future by claiming the terms currently on offer have made him feel “uneasy”.

Speaking to Slovakian publication Aktualne, Skrtel was quoted as saying: “It's unacceptable for me. I think that such contracts are offered to players who are much older than me or players who have had some health problems.

“The contract, which was presented to me, makes me uneasy, so I did not sign it.

“There has been some speculation about the interest of other clubs for me, but they are currently being addressed.”

Skrtel’s issue creates a problem for Brendan Rodgers, who on Tuesday earned a reprieve following productive talks with chairman Tom Werner and Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon.

Liverpool missed out on Champions League qualification following a dismal end of season run which culminated in a final day 6-1 mauling at Stoke.

 

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Official: Liverpool to sign Milner from Manchester City

Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign James Milner from Manchester City.

The 29-year-old is out of contract with City this summer and will move to Anfield on July 1, subject to a medical.

Goal revealed back in January that Liverpool were in pole position to sign Milner if he decided to leave the Etihad Stadium and he has decided to make a move to Anfield in search of more regular first-team football.

Milner's decision will be a significant blow to beleaguered City boss Manuel Pellegrini, who in March went on record to express his admiration for the versatile 29-year-old. “Milner’s a phenomenon, a guy with big balls and a heart this big,” he told The Guardian.

“Intelligent, great mentality, one of those players that when you leave him out you’re left with this feeling of injustice; it hurts because he should always play but sometimes you need a technical player with other characteristics.

“I hope he stays. If he doesn’t it will be because there’s an important offer.“The club wants Milner to continue and he wants to stay but maybe he wants more games.

“I understand. I’m Milner’s No1 fan. Find me a more complete English player. There are players who’re better technically, yes. Quicker players, yes. Players who head better, yes. But show me one who does all the things Milner does well. There isn’t one.”

 

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Pogba can achieve whatever he wants, says Buffon

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon believes Paul Pogba can go as far as we wants in football.

The Frenchman is widely regarded as one of the most exciting players around in the game and has attracted attention from the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.

On Saturday, the 22-year-old can add to the Serie A titles and Coppa Italia he has already claimed in his career with the Champions League, if Juve beat Barca in the final.

And Buffon feels that it is just the start for the former Manchester United player, insisting that he will set his own limits."Pogba is an incredible talent," Buffon was quoted as saying on the official Uefa website.

"He can and will be able to achieve whatever he wants in life, in footballing terms. It just depends on him and his desire."The Italy international then went on to voice his admiration for Andrea Pirlo, before highlighting Carlos Tevez's importance to the Serie A side.

"Pirlo is one of the few footballing geniuses."Tevez is our power source in the sense that when he performs, the whole team performs. He's crucial."

The Italian champions face a tough task to keep Barcelona's attacking trident of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar quiet on Saturday, yet Buffon is confident Andrea Barzagli and the rest of the defence are up for the task."Barzagli is an exceptional defender. He's definitely one of the best three or four in the world.

"Chiellini is the strong one, he's our big, physical presence."I really consider Leonardo Bonucci on the same level as Barzagli and Giorgio. He's the best that you can have in defence."

 

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Mourinho is crazy about Traore, says Vitesse coach

Vitesse coach Peter Bosz claims Jose Mourinho is “crazy” about Bertrand Traore and believes the midfielder could be part of Chelsea’s first-team plans next season.

The 19-year-old impressed during his loan spell in the Eredivisie last season and enjoyed a strong end to the campaign with 10 goals in 18 appearances since the start of February.

Mourinho has admitted that only visa issues prevented Traore from staying at Chelsea last year and the Vitesse manager believes the midfielder, who has generally been played as a forward in Arnhem, will be given another chance to shine at Stamford Bridge.

“Jose Mourinho is crazy about him,” Bosz told De Telegraaf. “If the opportunity is there, they will prefer to take him back.”

Traore is already a regular in Burkina Faso’s national team and is pleased with the progress he has made during his loan spell with Vitesse.

“Chelsea are very happy with my development. But I will only hear what is next in the summer,” said Traore.

“I’m ready when the opportunity comes and I'm not afraid to show my ability at Chelsea.

“This has been the first time I have played a full season in professional football. I've taken a huge step forward physically.”

 

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Ancelotti would be successful at Bayern, says Kroos

Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos believes Carlo Ancelotti would be a good option for Bayern Munich if Pep Guardiola were to leave the club.

The Italian was sacked at Madrid last month after failing to guide the Santiago Bernabeu side to silverware in his second season in charge, finishing behind Barcelona in La Liga and losing to Juventus in the Champions League semi-finals.
Ancelotti has since turned down the chance to return to AC Milan and has said he wants to take some time away from the game.

Kroos feels a move to the German top flight would be an interesting scenario, stressing he has little doubt his former coach would succeed at Bayern, with Guardiola only tied to the club until 2016.

"Ancelotti would be an interesting option for Bundesliga clubs," Kroos told Sport Bild."Of course, there would only be one or two clubs in Germany that would be an option for a world-class coach like him.

"Ancelotti is internationally oriented and speaks English. Why would he not be successful with a club like Bayern? He would be a good fit for a Bundesliga side."
The 55-year-old has previously worked with Reggiana, Parma, Juventus, Milan, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Madrid.

 

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Belgium jump to second in Fifa ranking

Belgium have jumped above Argentina into second place in the latest edition of Fifa's world rankings - their highest-ever position.Marc Wilmots' side did not play during the most recent rankings window, but went second behind Germany due to the devaluation of past results.

Belgium visit France - who jumped two places to ninth - for a friendly on Sunday, before visiting Wales for an important Euro 2016 qualifier next Friday.

The two sides are currently tied on 11 points at the top of Group B, with Belgium edging ahead on goal difference.Colombia sit fourth in the ranking ahead of Brazil, with Netherlands, Portugal, Uruguay, France and Spain completing the top 10.

Italy have to settle for 13th spot, while England drop one place to 15th,
Madagascar are the biggest movers, up 37 to 113th, while Maldives suffered the biggest drop, falling 38 positions to 178th.

 

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Belgium patta​

 

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Hart: I hope Barcelona win the Champions League

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart hopes Barcelona win the Champions League, but he has no doubt Europe's best two teams have reached the final.

Barca and Juve meet at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Saturday, with both sides looking to complete a treble.

And Hart has revealed he will be rooting for the Liga champions, having been awed by the "magical" Lionel Messi when Barca eliminated the English side in the round of 16.

"I hope they win the Champions League, and a lot of it will be down to Messi," the England international told The Mirror.

"We got beat quite comfortably over the two legs, it is fair to say. We battled hard to get to through the group stage and we didn't really get to our full level.

"We did, maybe, in the second half of the first leg at the Etihad - if we did that for the other three-quarters of the tie, we would have given ourselves a chance but it is difficult at the top, top level.

"Juventus have done fantastically, these are the two top teams at the moment. We have got a long way to go but we are willing to work hard, we are a good club with great owners and the players want to do it in Europe as well."

Hart produced solid display in the second-leg against Barca, making numerous saves in his team's 1-0 loss - which led to a 3-1 aggregate defeat.

But he insists he enjoyed his diving save to deny Federico Fernandez in City's 4-2 Premier League win over Swansea in May more.

"It was a busy, busy night and from the perspective of a young guy who loves football - the Camp Nou, against the best players in the world, it was a really exciting," Hart said of the Barca clash.

"But I enjoyed the save at Swansea more because we got the victory.

"Messi was magical in both legs against us. Every time he touched the ball, something was going to happen.

"Watching him since Christmas, when Barca have kicked on, the only way to stop him, it seems, is with five or six players - and as he attracts those players, he sees a pass to someone else and they'll score."

 

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Pedro agrees Barcelona extension until 2019

Barcelona have reached an agreement with Pedro Rodriguez over a new contract that will run until 2019 and boast a release clause of €150 million.

The 27-year-old's previous deal was due to expire in June 2016 and he recently admitted that he was considering his options due to his lack of regular playing time.
However, Pedro has decided to commit his future to Barcelona after all and will ink a three-year extension in the coming days.

The Spain international came through the ranks of the Barca youth academy and has made over 300 appearances for the Catalans since making his first-team debut in 2008-09.

Pedro has won five Liga titles with Barcelona so far, while also lifting the Champions League and Club World Cup twice each, as well as emerging victorious in the Copa del Rey on three occasions.

The winger has netted 11 goals in 49 appearances in all competitions so far in 2014-15, but made it into Luis Enrique's starting XI only 22 games.

 

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Juventus defender Chiellini ruled out of Champions League final

Juventus have received a big blow ahead of Saturday's Champions League final against Barcelona after confirming that Giorgio Chiellini will miss the game due to injury.

The influential defender pulled up in training on Wednesday with a calf problem and underwent a scan on Thursday.

The results have revealed that Chiellini will not recover in time to play in Berlin.
“Giorgio Chiellini was subjected to tests following calf discomfort in yesterday’s session,” the club announced in a statement.

“The tests showed a first-degree lesion of the soleus muscle in his left leg, so the defender will not be available for the match against Barcelona.”The loss of Chiellini is a big setback for Juve, who are already without Martin Caceres and are struggling to get Andrea Barzagli fit for the showpiece.

Barzagli returned to training on Wednesday but is not 100 per cent fit and the Turin side will decide whether to play the 34-year-old in Chiellini's place, or instead opt for Angelo Ogbonna.

 

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Moyes: I was desperate to sign Bale for Manchester United

David Moyes admits he was “desperate” to make Gareth Bale his marquee signing during his time at Manchester United.

United were in the running to sign the 25-year-old from Tottenham before he opted to join Real Madrid for a world-record €100 million fee.

“Gareth Bale is an outstanding player,” Moyes told Sky Sports.

“I was desperate to take him to Manchester United from Tottenham, but couldn’t quite get him. He had his heart set on going to Real Madrid.

“He was very much on my radar as soon as I went to United.

"He can score goals, can make goals, he’s got speed, he’s physically capable, and I think next year he will be a big star in Madrid."

Bale has faced criticism over his performances this season, despite enjoying a fine debut campaign that saw him score in the Champions League and Copa del Rey finals.

The winger has been booed by his own fans and looked bereft of confidence as Madrid exited Europe at the hands of Juventus in the semi-finals, but Moyes has backed him to be a success.

“It is down to settling in. David de Gea took time to settle at Manchester United, it is not easy,” said the Scot, who is currently managing Real Sociedad.

“We have to give him time, Bale is no different to anyone else.

“As a British player playing abroad, you have to get involved, immerse yourself in the culture. You have to get used to the living times, the eating habits.

“He is at a great club that will give him opportunity to succeed and I think he will.

 

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Del Piero: Messi is number one

Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero says Barcelona star Lionel Messi is the game's "number one player" ahead of Saturday's Champions League final.

The forward has scored 58 goals in all competitions for Barcelona so far this term and Del Piero feels the 27-year-old is the best in the world.

"Messi is the number one. He has talent, instinct, passion and magic," Del Piero told the official Barcelona website."Messi is part of football heritage and we’re so lucky that he’s living in our time and that we can enjoy watching him."

The ex-Italy international was equally effusive in his praise of Andrea Pirlo and Xavi, hailing the intelligence of the veteran midfielders.

"We’re talking about the Olympus of football, on the greatest level of intelligence.
"They are two unique parts of football history, real phenomena. It has been a pleasure to play with and against them."Del Piero also had his say on Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri Barcelona's Luis Enrique, as the two coaches prepare their side for Saturday's final in Berlin.

"Allegri took over a winning team and improved it without shaking things up too much. He did it gradually, by inserting his principles without losing confidence in his team. Juve play serene, organised football now. They play good football, it’s very technical.

"As for Luis Enrique, he’s also done an extraordinary job. The team has found brilliance and unity, with the guarantee of three great players up front who have complete freedom of expression, yet they always work for the good of the team."

 

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Tevez the man to watch, says Mascherano

Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano has singled out Carlos Tevez as Juventus' main threat ahead of Saturday's Champions League final in Berlin.The 31-year-old has been the star of the club's campaign, with his goal helping to fire them to Serie A and Coppa Italia success.

Tevez and Mascherano played alongside one another at Corinthians and West Ham, as well as for Argentina, and the midfielder knows all too well the qualities of his former team-mate.

"Tevez is a top player, a magnificent centre-forward and, above all, a player who likes to win. He's made for these games," Mascherano told the official Uefa website."We have played against each other during Boca v River games, during Manchester United v Liverpool. We have played together as well.

"Our paths in the beginning were quite similar but then he went to Manchester and I went to Liverpool."The Argentina international added that the Juve's disciplined style of football could prove to be a difficult tactical web to overcome on Saturday.

"They have that Italian competitive edge," he added. "It is always difficult to overcome that because they are very, very competitive. They are very tactical. They understand football and on top of that they have a lot of talent.

"It is not a traditional Italian team. They play like Italians but they have a lot of talent, they know how to attack and they can play in different ways. They have lots of variety and that makes them very difficult to play against."Mascherano joined Barcelona from Liverpool in the summer of 2010 and admits he initially struggled to adapt to his new surroundings.

"It was difficult in the first few months but I've always believed that training with great players makes you a better player and that's what has happened to me.
"Obviously I am never going to have the quality of Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernández or Andrés Iniesta, but I can deal with situations that before I would have struggled with."

 

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Juve complete Dybala swoop

Juventus have completed the signing of Palermo forward Paulo Dybala for a fee that could rise to €40million.

The 21-year-old will cost an initial €32m, with a further €8m dependant on various performance related add-ons, with Dybala signing a five-year deal.

The striker had been linked with a switch to the Premier League, with the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal said to be interested, while Inter were also thought to be contemplating a move.Dybala has been the star of a Palermo side who finished 11th this season, scoring 13 times in 34 Serie A appearances.

He made the switch to Stadio Renzo Barbera ahead of the 2012-13 campaign and has scored 38 league goals during his three-years at the club.

 

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Congratulations Dybala

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Klopp will replace Guardiola at Bayern - Elber

Giovane Elber believes Jurgen Klopp will replace Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich next summer after leaving Borussia Dortmund.

The coach ended his seven-year stay at Signal Iduna Park after overseeing a disappointing season at the club, which culminated in a seventh-placed finish in the Bundesliga.Dortmund were also beaten in the DFB-Pokal final by Wolfsburg, which denied Klopp a fairytale ending to his time with BVB.

He has since revealed he will take a year off from the game, having been linked with multiple European clubs, but former Bayern striker Elber is convinced he will end up at the Allianz Arena.

"I think that Pep is gone after this season," he told Audi Star Talk. "If you have Jurgen Klopp available, what more do you want? I think Klopp takes a year off and then comes to us.

"He is a good coach and a perfect human."Klopp won the Bundesliga twice in 2011 and 2012 and reached the Champions League final in 2013, only to be beaten by Bayern.

His side's progress was also halted by the loss of two key players - Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski - both of whom decided to join the Bavarians.
Former Mainz boss Thomas Tuchel has since been installed as Klopp's replacement at Dortmund.

 

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Official: Advocaat makes U-turn to take Sunderland job

Dick Advocaat has reversed his decision to retire from management after being persuaded by Sunderland to return on a one-year deal.

The 67-year-old was appointed as replacement to the sacked Gus Poyet in March on a contract which ran until the end of the season and saved the club from relegation with one game remaining.

"After a lot of discussions with Ellis [Short, chairmain] and Lee [Congerton, sporting director], they convinced me that I am the right man for the club," he told the club's official website.

"It was a great feeling to be part of Sunderland in the last few months, the experience was something very special and after talking with Lee, Ellis and of course my family, we all agree it is the right decision."

Advocaat, who has nearly 20 managerial jobs in a coaching career spanning over 28 years, was visibly teary-eyed on the touchline as Sunderland confirmed their Premier League survival after a 0-0 draw at Arsenal.

Congerton added: "Dick was always our No.1 choice and we were determined we weren't going to take 'no' for an answer ... I'm absolutely delighted that he has agreed to return."