..::Football III::..

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Pogba's best choice is to stay at Juventus - Evra

Juventus veteran Patrice Evra believes Paul Pogba should stay at the club but understands the dilemma he faces over his future.

A host of top European teams have been linked with the midfielder, while the player's agent Mino Raiola has repeatedly spoken about interest in his client.The 22-year-old joined Juve on a free transfer after leaving Manchester United in 2012 and has since won three consecutive Serie A titles with the Bianconeri.

He also played a leading role as the club reached the Champions League final last season and Evra feels he should continue his development in Turin.

"I'm here to advise him to make the best choice but I told him the decision is his," Evra told Telefoot. "People forget that Paul is young, and if he wants to go to a very big European club at age 22, why not? But if he wants to stay I think it would be a good idea."I do not think that Juventus want to let him go."

Pogba still has four years remaining on his current deal, which runs until June 2019.

 

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Ozil: Arsenal team-mates ask me about Klopp

Arsenal star Mesut Ozil has revealed his team-mates have asked him about Jurgen Klopp as the former Borussia Dortmund coach considers his next move.

The 47-year-old ended a seven-year spell in charge of BVB this summer and has long been linked with a job in the Premier League, having won admirers with his success and charisma.

Though Klopp has indicated that he will take some time off before choosing his next job, Ozil says that he is a popular topic of discussion among players in England.

"He is a huge topic - in the newspapers and with the players as well," the midfielder told Bild of the ex-Mainz boss. "Some colleagues asked me about what Klopp is like.

"I never had him as a coach myself but his success speaks for itself. Klopp has a great personality. I like how he approaches everything very relaxed even though he is a great professional.

"What he achieved with BVB speaks for itself."

Klopp twice won the Bundesliga with Dortmund and reached the Champions League final in 2013.

 

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Italy suffer Buffon and De Rossi blow

Gianluigi Buffon and Daniele De Rossi have left the Italy squad through injury ahead of Tuesday's friendly against Portugal in Geneva.

Goalkeeper Buffon was forced off at half-time during Friday's 1-1 Euro 2016 qualifying draw in Croatia and required 10 stitches after sustaining a nasty cut to his knee.De Rossi, meanwhile, did not feature in Split and has now headed home after failing to shake off a knee problem.

The duo join Lorenzo De Silvestri in missing the meeting with Portugal, after the defender tore both the anterior cruciate ligament and the meniscus in his right knee.
The 27-year-old is expected to be sidelined for six to eight months.

 

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De Gea is not irreplaceable - Van der Sar

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar says David De Gea isn't irreplaceable and has backed the club to find a replacement if he departs.

Goal understands the Spaniard has told the Red Devils that he wishes to join Real Madrid after failing to agree a new contract with Louis van Gaal's side.

And Van der Sar, who spent six seasons with United before retiring in 2011, believes the former Atletico Madrid goalkeeper would have agreed a new deal by now if he wanted to stay with the 20-time English champions.

"He had some difficulties in his first year and in his second year he came on well and in the third and fourth he really progressed immensely," he told reporters.

"Of course, I don't know the candidates to replace him if he's going to leave the club. There's been a lot of talk lately, and if he wanted to stay, he probably would have signed a new contract by now.

"At the start of the season you start with 11 players. Some things work out and other things you get a different type, so nobody is irreplaceable, that's always the case.

"You always start the season with 11 players on the pitch and sometimes you need a little bit of adjustment or to take some time to see how the Premier League works and the different type of football.

"I'm sure United, if David is going to leave, they are going to find a good successor.

"David has immense reflexes and is also good at coming out for corners. He has improved a lot there.

"Louis also likes a goalkeeper who can play with his feet also and just behind the defence. Victor Valdes has also played like that at Barcelona for a while, or maybe they are looking for a different player."

One man tipped to replace De Gea should he leave the club is Ajax's Jasper Cillesen, who worked with Van Gaal during the veteran coach's time with the Netherlands.

And Van der Sar, who is now on the board of directors at the Amsterdam ArenA, feels the 26-year-old is of a similar quality to De Gea, though he is hopeful the Dutch side will be able to keep hold of him this summer.

"I hope United aren't getting him! Luckily I have some influence on that part, being on the board of Ajax.

"But of course, Jasper is a fantastic goalkeeper. In the winter break I went to Qatar for a week and I trained with the goalkeepers there, and had a session with them. He has improved immensely.

"He played great for the national team in the World Cup and is, like David here, a very reliable goalkeeper for us in Amsterdam. We would like to keep him for a while."

 

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Ozil: Hummels & Howedes would 'make a mark' in the Premier League

Arsenal star Mesut Ozil has backed Germany team-mates Mats Hummels and Benedikt Howedes to "make a mark" in the Premier League.

Hummels is a long-standing target for Manchester United, and while Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has insisted the defender will not be sold this summer, he is yet to commit his future to the club.

Goal understands United have also scouted Howedes and Ozil is confident both have the ability to improve any of the Premier League title contenders.

“I would recommend any player to come to England," Ozil told Bild am Sonntag. "The Premier League is the best league in the world. Here there are not only two teams fighting for the title but three or four and every team can beat any other team.

“The opponents never give up, even if they are 3-0 down. You are challenged all the time, as a player as well as physically.

"Mats and Benedikt have the qualities to make a mark at a big club here – if they want to, and that is obviously up to the individual to decide.”

 

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Khedira: I didn't leave Real Madrid for the money

New Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira has hit out at suggestions he decided to leave Real Madrid for a better financial deal.

The Germany star signed a four-year deal in Turin after his contract expired at the Santiago Bernabeu, where he played for five seasons and won seven trophies.

Khedira, who is currently on international duty and came on in the second half of his side’s 7-0 victory over Gibraltar on Saturday, insists he could have earned more money by signing a new deal with Madrid than he will pick up with Juve.

“It hurt me when people said that,” the 28-year-old told Welt am Sonntag. “Real Madrid offered me a huge contract - one in which I could have eventually earned more. My decision to leave was not about money.

“You cannot accuse me of acting in an unfair or improper way. At one point I told my agent, Jorg Neubauer, who couldn't be a bigger Real Madrid fan, that I wanted a change. I was tired, because in the end it was all extremely stressful.“However, I have to say they were five fantastic years.”

Khedira admitted the expectations of playing for Madrid were at times difficult to cope with but paid tribute to the club’s global appeal.“This obligation of having to win everything at all costs is something I have never experienced,” he said.

“Real Madrid has an image abroad that words cannot describe. The club is a magnet. No matter where you are there will be thousands of people who are with the club.

“I have experienced it myself. When I look for a holiday destination I always look for a place far away. But no matter how remote the place is, in any corner of the world, people always recognise me.”

 

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Slovenia 2-3 England: Two Wilshere stunners & Rooney’s late strike snatch victory

Two stunning strikes from Jack Wilshere and a late goal from Wayne Rooney snatched a 3-2 win for England over Slovenia in Ljubljana.

Roy Hodgson’s side dominated possession in the first half but fell behind eight minutes before the break as a defensive error between Gary Cahill and Chris Smalling allowed Milivoje Novakovic to run through and slot the ball past Joe Hart.

England remained on the front foot in the second half but needed Wilshere’s left-footed effort from the edge of the area to pull level.

The Arsenal midfielder then fired England into the lead with a another sublime left-footed strike, this time from 25 yards, which arrowed into the top corner.

England looked on course to secure victory but Nejc Pecnik’s header from close range pulled Slovenia level with six minutes remaining.

But England were not to be denied and sealed their sixth straight win in Group E as Rooney rounded off a swift counter to move one behind Sir Bobby Charlton’s record of 49 goals at international level.

Raheem Sterling was at the heart of England's positive early play and should have opened the scoring inside five minutes but he lifted his shot over after a superb pass from Rooney.

With Slovenia sitting deep, England were allowed plenty of possession, enabling Hodgson's men to control the game and fashion another chance for Sterling after 14 minutes.

Again it was Rooney with the assist, but this time the forward saw his low shot from the edge of the penalty area deflected wide.

Sterling nearly turned provider after 19 minutes with a teasing low cross that Rooney was unable to convert, but three minutes later England's captain brought the first save out of Samir Handanovic with a low shot.

Joe Hart had been a mere spectator for much of the half at the other end, but, after saving from Branko Ilic, he was beaten by Novakovic eight minutes from the interval.

Josip Ilicic's pass caught the England’s centre-back pairing flat-footed and allowed Novakovic to race clear and slot under the advancing Hart.

England's attempts to get back into the game soon after half-time produce little until three minutes before the hour when Wilshere rifled home from the edge of the area, the Arsenal man converting after substitute Lallana had been muscled off the ball.

Wilshere's goal gave England the lift they needed and Hodgson's side should have taken the lead shortly after, Rooney twice blazing over after excellent work from Sterling.

His blushes were spared, though, as Wilshere fired home emphatically after excellent build-up play involving Jordan Henderson and Lallana.

England were then aggrieved to see Slovenia captain Bostjan Cesar stay on the pitch as he appeared to lead with an arm on Rooney, the Chievo defender escaping any punishment for the challenge.

Slovenia looked to have salvaged a late point when Pecnik rose above Kieran Gibbs to nod his side level, but Rooney had other ideas - restoring England's lead with a cool finish from the edge of the box.

 

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Rooney: Wilshere can be among world's best

Wayne Rooney insists Jack Wilshere can become "a top player in world football" after the Arsenal star capped an impressive performance with two spectacular goals in England's 3-2 win over Slovenia on Sunday.

Milivoje Novakovic capitalised on confusion in the England defence to give Slovenia a half-time lead in Ljubljana but Wilshere twice found the net from long range to turn the Euro 2016 qualifier on its head before Nejc Pecnik and Rooney both scored in a breathless finale.

The result sees England stretch their lead at the top of Group E to nine points on the road to France next summer and also finish a season unbeaten for the first time in 24 years.

"He's been fantastic," Rooney told ITV when asked about Wilshere's performance.

"Jack and myself have formed a good understanding on the pitch when he's in that deeper role. He's still learning, he's a young player but it's a new role that he's taken in his stride.

"Hopefully he's injury free because he will be a top player in world football."

Wilshere's first goals for England provided the exclamation points on an all-action display at the base of midfield and boss Roy Hodgson also had words of praise for his overall performance.

"They weren’t exactly tap-ins!" he said of the goals. "Both strikes were fantastic and really summed up Jack’s game - in particular in the second half when he really took over the midfield.

"It’s good to see that’s he’s not only creating chances for us and doing his work defensively, he’s also chipping in with two very important goals which put us on the front foot after coming in on the back foot at half-time."

 

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England performance ada hodai​

 

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Belarus 0-1 Spain: Silva to the rescue for visitors

David Silva netted the only goal as Spain battled their way to a 1-0 victory against Belarus in their Euro 2016 qualifier in Borisov.

Spain had comfortably dispatched their opponents 3-0 in the reverse fixture back in November, but proceedings were not quite so straightforward in this Group C encounter.

The visitors dominated the first period, and took the lead in the final minute of the half when Silva smashed home following a free-kick from Cesc Fabregas.Belarus improved markedly after the interval, with both Sergei Kornilenko and Maksim Bordachev wasting excellent opportunities to equalise.

Double defending European champions Spain have now won five of their six qualifying matches, and remain well set to seal an automatic place in next year's France finals.

The result leaves Vicente del Bosque's side three points behind group leaders Slovakia - who maintained their 100 per cent record with a 2-1 victory over Macedonia - while Belarus are fourth, eight points adrift of Ukraine and seemingly out of the running.

Spain began the game on the front foot and home goalkeeper Andrei Gorbunov twice had to deny Pedro in the opening 12 minutes.The keeper was called into action again in the 19th minute, holding onto Sergio Ramos' free header from Fabregas' corner.

Spain continued to look the more threatening and could have had a penalty when Silva went down under Bordachev's challenge, before Jordi Alba lashed a volley narrowly over the crossbar.

Just when it seemed the visitors would be frustrated in their attempts to take a lead into half-time, a Belarus error handed them the breakthrough.Gorbunov dithered underneath Fabregas' free-kick from the left and Silva took one touch to control before thumping the ball past a posse of defenders on the line.

Having been on the back foot for the entire first half, Belarus had a golden opportunity to equalise four minutes after the resumption but Iker Casillas spread himself well to deny Kornilenko.The visitors were given another let-off in the 55th minute when they failed to deal with a corner and Bordachev sliced wildly off target from a good position.

Ivan Maevski stung the palms of Casillas with a rasping shot from range, before Santi Cazorla brought a smart stop out of Gorbunov with a low drive in the 73rd minute.

Silva blasted straight at Gorbunov when he ought to have doubled his tally six minutes from time, but it mattered little as his earlier contribution ultimately proved decisive.

 

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Congratulations Spain!

VAMOS ESPANA​

 

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Manchester United Legends Vs Bayern Munich Legends

Manchester United Legends 4 Vs 2 Bayern Munich Legends

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Match Pictures!

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Congratulations Manchester United Legends!​

 

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Real Madrid Legends 4 Vs 2 Liverpool Legends

Match Pictures

 

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Belarus 0-1 Spain: Silva to the rescue for visitors

 

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Colombia 0-1 Venezuela: Rondon stuns James, Falcao & Co.

Venezuela got their Copa America campaign under way with an unexpected but deserved 1-0 victory over dark horses Colombia at the Estadio El Teniente.

Following an impressive display at the World Cup - despite missing captain Radamel Falcao - Jose Pekerman's side have been tipped to threaten at the competition in Chile.And while the 2001 winners were able to pair Falcao with the in-form Carlos Bacca, it was Jose Salomon Rondon who settled the Group C affair on the hour.

It was no more than Venezuela deserved as Ronald Vargas and Alejandro Guerra went close to opening the scoring during a relatively forgettable first half.

Content to soak up minimal Colombian pressure and counter, Noel Sanvicente's men were given their reward 15 minutes into the second half as Rondon registered his first international goal since September 2013.

Colombia asked questions of their opponents in the final stages but continued to lack ideas and invention as Venezuela held firm to strike first blood in a pool also including Brazil and Peru.

Pekerman's men made the brighter start in Rancagua and saw James Rodriguez's effort deflected wide six minutes in before David Ospina was required to gather Vargas' dangerous cross from the right.

It was Venezuela's first meaningful foray forward as Colombia edged an opening 20-minute period lacking clear-cut chances.Vargas then forced Ospina into a smart stop following a clever ball from Juan Arango shortly before the half-hour mark.

As niggling fouls continued to break up play, both sides spurned opportunities to threaten from free-kicks prior to the break while Guerra saw an acrobatic effort tipped wide by Ospina.

Colombia looked an improved prospect after the interval - Rodriguez firing wide from the edge of the area - although Rondon offered a reminder of Venezuela's threat on the break when he hit the woodwork before play was pulled back for a foul in the build-up.

However, Colombia failed to heed the Zenit striker's warnings as the 25-year-old met Guerra's diving header from a deep cross to power it past Ospina.In a bid to salvage something from what appeared one of Colombia's more winnable games in the group, Bacca was replaced by Teofilo Gutierrez.

The River Plate man almost made an immediate impact but, in keeping with his team-mates' attacking efforts, hesitated when clean on goal before Rodriguez had a shot saved and Juan Cuadrado saw a close-range acrobatic effort drift wide.

It leaves Pekerman and his charges with work to do if they are to live up to their pre-tournament billing, ahead of their reunion with old foes Brazil while Venezuela look ahead to a clash with Peru with momentum firmly behind them.

 

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'Why wouldn't Benitez build Madrid around Bale?' - Coleman

Wales coach Chris Coleman believes Rafael Benitez would be right to build his Real Madrid team around Gareth Bale.

The new Madrid boss met with the attacker at the Wales training camp last week and is said to have told him that he will be a central part of his plans next season, despite an underwhelming second season at the Santiago Bernabeu.Bale made the difference for his country in Friday's 1-0 win over Belgium in their Euro 2016 qualifying match and Coleman believes the former Tottenham star will have impressed his new club boss.

"That was a good introduction for Bale to Rafa," he said. "I think Rafa’s been quoted as saying he will build his team around Bale and why wouldn’t he?
“He’s capable of anything but he also came off that pitch shattered because he worked so hard with and without the ball.

"He was exhausted at the end. He had nothing. He had cramp 20 minutes into the second half."

 

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Herrera: Everything will be against us in Chile clash

Miguel Herrera says his Mexico team will have everything against them when they take on Copa America hosts Chile on Monday.

El Tri drew their opening game with Bolivia, meaning victory against Jorge Sampaoli's men could be crucial as they look to boost their chances of progressing beyond the group stage.However, Herrera feels that everything from the fans to the officials could affect the game in Chile's favour, but insists his team will be "solid" heading into it.

"We talked about this before coming to the tournament. We're going to have everything against us like in the World Cup," Herrera told reporters. "They have their people, their fans and they started the tournament well. We talked about how the officiating could be difficult and we could suffer again.

"We should be solid against any adversity."While his side did not get off to a great start in the competition, the coach is confident that they can go all the way to the final this year.

"We want to get points against Chile to make the last group match the decisive game," Herrera added. "We continue with aspirations of reaching the semi-finals and then getting to the final. We have a bitter taste in our moth because we generated chances and went after the game."

Herrera also will be without captain Rafa Marquez, who will miss rest of the group stage with a leg injury. The Mexico boss usually gives his starting XI the day before the match but said he would have to try every option in Sunday evening's training session to cover for the skipper's absence.

Either Chivas center back Carlos Salcedo or Atlas defender Juan Carlos "Tope" Valenzuela is expected to slot in, though Herrera also suggested he could line up with a back four.

 

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Spain have taken a big step towards Euro 2016 - Del Bosque

Vicente del Bosque says Spain took a big "step towards qualification" for Euro 2016 after their 1-0 win over Belarus on Sunday.

David Silva's goal late in the first half was enough to give La Roja the win and keep them on the heels of Group C leaders Slovakia, who they trail by three points.

Second-placed Spain remain three points ahead of Ukraine and occupy the last automatic qualification slot, and the coach feels they are in a strong position to book a place in the competition in France next year.

"We took a step towards achieving qualification," he told reporters."We made a huge effort after finishing the season and coming into conditions that didn't stop us from reaching our goal.

"We were in control at all times in the game, except for a few minutes in the second half in which we were a bit wild and they took advantage."We were a bit lazy at the start of the second half. It's a fair result and we got the three points that allow us to be in a good position to qualify.

"We are one of three teams fighting for two places above the playoffs, losing points against the bottom would be a serious setback. We won though and we have taken a step towards qualifying."

 

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Spain have taken a big step towards Euro 2016 - Del Bosque

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