..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Lahm: Don't write off Ribery

Philipp Lahm is confident Bayern Munich team-mate Franck Ribery will overcome his injury worries and become a key figure for the Bundesliga champions once more.

The former France international has not featured for Bayern since picking up a back injury in their 7-0 Uefa Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk back in March and it remains unclear when he will return.

New signing Douglas Costa has impressed during Ribery's absence and some have questioned whether the 32-year-old still has a future at Bayern.Nevertheless, Lahm has laughed off suggestions that the French winger's time in Munich is nearing its end and has backed him to come back fighting.

"I am convinced that Franck will return to his best. Everybody who writes him off is making a big mistake," Lahm was quoted as saying by Bild."We are there for him as a team to support him and to build him up again after all his misfortune.

"And he is 100 per cent motivated. It is not like he has lost his desire to return. I am absolutely certain that he will get back to his best form."And we all saw last season that we need players like Franck if we want to achieve our goals."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

De Gea & Van Gaal set for crunch talks

David de Gea is set for crunch talks with Louis van Gaal on Wednesday with the Spaniard determined to win his place back in the Manchester United starting XI following the dramatic collapse of his move to Real Madrid.

The goalkeeper has yet to play for United this season as Madrid's continued interest led manager Van Gaal to exclude him from the first team, claiming the club's Player of the Year was not in the right place, mentally, to play.

"In spite of the fact that David de Gea wants to play, we think that it is better for him [not to]," Van Gaal explained when dropping De Gea.

"For me it’s not normal that [Sergio Romero] is playing but I think in circumstances as this, it is the best decision."

But after his much anticipated move to Madrid fell through on Spain's transfer deadline day, De Gea is now back in contention to start against Liverpool at Old Trafford on Saturday evening.

De Gea returns to Manchester on Wednesday after starting his first game of the season in Spain’s 1-0 away win against Macedonia on Tuesday, and the 24-year-old insisted he is ready to play for United once more.

“I felt good. I really liked playing again,” De Gea told reporters after the match in Skopje. “Now I have to keep working, and I hope to be lucky now with my club.

“All of the support I received is very important to me. I have great friends and I’m very grateful to all of them.

“I will do in the future exactly what I do now: to be calm, and to keep working and improving. Definitely, I’m enjoying football. I’m happy.”

Romero has started all six of United’s competitive fixtures this season in De Gea’s absence, but the Argentine came under fire for his part in the loss to Swansea City last time out.

And with De Gea’s future now resolved for the short term at least, Van Gaal could give the former Atletico Madrid man the nod to return to the starting line-up for Saturday’s high-profile fixture against Liverpool.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

“I felt good. I really liked playing again,” De Gea told reporters after the match in Skopje. “Now I have to keep working, and I hope to be lucky now with my club.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Costa frustrated with lack of goals

Diego Costa has acknowledged that he has been struggling to find his best form for Spain and is desperate to score more goals for the national team.

The 26-year-old has netted just once for the reigning European champions since making his debut in the 1-0 friendly win over Italy in March 2014 and has received considerable criticism for his lack of goals.

Costa once more failed to find the net in Spain's 1-0 Euro 2016 qualification win over Macedonia on Tuesday and he has now admitted he must do better.

"I’ve got a lot to improve and I’ve got to start scoring goals," the Chelsea star was quoted as saying by AS.

"There will be no lack of effort on my part. I'll keep working hard at my club to improve.

"I am always filled with ambition whenever I get called for the national team.

"On a personal level I am not happy because I didn't manage to score against Macedonia, although I'm happy with the victory. We’ve gained three points which are important for our qualification."

The striker picked up a yellow card in midweek which rules him out of the match against Luxembourg due to suspension, much to his own surprise.

"Am I suspended against Luxembourg? It’s the first I’ve heard about it...," he added

Costa's only goal for Spain came in the 4-0 win over Luxembourg in October 2014.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Balotelli has changed - Zapata

Cristian Zapata believes that Mario Balotelli has “changed his mentality” following his move to AC Milan from Liverpool.

The Italy striker, who originally spent a season at the club in 2013-14, returned to San Siro this summer, bringing an end to a tumultuous spell at Liverpool.

The controversial striker scored just one Premier League goal for the club following his £16 million move, but Zapata insists that the 25-year-old is now ready to prove his worth in Serie A.

“Balotelli has changed, these past few days I've seen a boy that wants to work, that wants to break his way into the team and let's hope that he continues this,” he told Goal.

The striker may feature for Milan in the derby clash with Inter on Sunday, and Zapata has vowed that the squad will do all they can to ensure they take all three points from the clash.

"We know that the Derby in Milano is a very beautiful match, we definitely need to do well, Mihajlovic is a good coach, he has his own type of character, he's always working, he's happy because he's changed the mentality of the players,” he added.

“My message to Milan fans? That we'll give everything we have to win the derby on Sunday."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Kane sets sights on Rooney's England record

Harry Kane has voiced his admiration for Wayne Rooney in the wake of the Manchester United attacker's record-breaking 50th England goal, but is hopeful he can dethrone his international team-mate as the country's all-time top goalscorer at some point in the future.

Rooney netted once in the 6-0 win over San Marino on Saturday to equal Bobby Charlton, only to then move one clear following his converted penalty against Switzerland on Tuesday, and Kane is determined to follow in his footsteps.

"The aim is to chase him down. Rooney has set the mark and will probably go on to score quite a few more hopefully for us. We'll see where he ends up and hopefully I'll be chasing him down," Kane told Sky Sports.

"It's a huge honour [to celebrate with him], I grew up watching him score goals for England, so to share that moment with him on the pitch, it's a special moment for me as well."I'm sure he's very proud of what he has achieved and I'm sure he can go on and get many more for England."

Kane has been struggling in the Premier League this season - he has failed to net for Tottenham following his breakthrough campaign in 2014-15 - but his goals against San Marino and Switzerland saw him move to three goals in four games for the senior national team."Any striker wants to be scoring goals, so it's great to come away and get a couple goals. I'll go back and focus on Spurs, but if I don't score at the weekend it's not the end of the world," the 22-year-old added.

"I've just got to stay focused and keep doing the right things and stay calm. I've just got to keep doing the right things. Confidence is high, it always has been. I'm a very self-confident striker, and when I get a chance I feel like I'm going to score.
"Hopefully I can get some chances for club now and starts scoring goals and really kick on this season."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United paid €9m for Schweinsteiger

Manchester United paid Bayern Munich €9 million (£6.5m) for Bastian Schweinsteiger, it has been revealed by the Germany international's first club.

TSV 1860 Rosenheim, who play in the regional fifth tier of German football, are set to receive €38,000 as part of the deal taking Schweinsteiger to Manchester, and their chief financial officer, Sandro Sacco, has indicated that the transfer fee was €9 million.

"The transfer fee for Bastian was nine million euros and we were credited for two years," Sacco said in a club statement.

It was originally thought that the Old Trafford club had paid more for the midfielder's services, and TSV 1860 Rosenheim, where Schweinsteiger spent two years in his youth, will now receive compensation from the deal.

"We will receive the payment in two instalments, and after deducting the advisor and legal costs, we will receive €19,000," Sacco said.

"We already received the first instalment in August."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Kovac sacked as Croatia coach

Niko Kovac has been sacked as Croatia coach in the aftermath of disappointing recent results that have seen their hopes of Euro 2016 qualification unravel.

Croatia topped Group H at the start of this month, but a goalless draw with Azerbaijan followed by a 2-0 defeat to Norway meant they dropped to third, with Kovac accusing his side of lacking heart in the matches.

Captain Luka Modric was one of those to refute suggestions of a lack of effort and Kovac ultimately paid the price for a turbulent spell following an executive board meeting of the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) on Wednesday.

HNS president Davor Suker said at a news conference: "Based on the unanimous decision of the board, we have decided to terminate the contract with Niko Kovac and with all members of the coaching staff<

"We spoke as two friends, and when he heard the news he accepted it like a gentleman."

Having replaced Igor Stimac in charge of the national side on a contract until the end of Euro 2016 qualification, Kovac guided Croatia to last year's World Cup in Brazil, via a play-off victory over Iceland, where they exited at the group stage with one win from three matches.

A positive start to qualification for Euro 2016 gradually went downhill, with Lokomotiv Zagreb coach Ante Cacic reported as a potential replacement for the former Croatia international. However, Cacic told Croatian media this week that, while he was "proud" to be mooted, nobody had contacted him regarding the role.

The HNS posted via Twitter: "Search for a new head coach will be led by president Davor Suker and technical director Romeo Jozak. New coach is expected by 21 September."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Son free to make Tottenham debut after receiving work permit

Heung-min Son could make his Tottenham debut against Sunderland on Sunday after receiving a work permit and gaining international clearance.

Son completed a £22 million move to White Hart Lane from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, and the South Korea international will now be free to play for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

The process of gaining a work permit for Son was something of a formality with the forward having earned 46 caps for his country, while he scored a brilliant hat-trick in his country’s 8-0 thrashing of lowly Laos last month.

Son, who was unveiled to fans prior to the club’s 0-0 draw with Everton, is expected to form part of an attacking triumvirate to support lone striker Harry Kane and has already expressed his determination to succeed in north London.

The 23-year-old scored 29 goals in 87 appearances for Leverkusen during his spell in Germany.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Injured Claudio Bravo to miss three weeks of action

Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo is set to miss around three weeks of action after suffering a strain in his left calf muscle, his agent Cristian Ogalde has revealed.
The 32-year-old Chile international was only initially expected to miss the crunch Liga clash with Atletico Madrid on Saturday, but now faces a longer period on the sidelines.

Bravo believes that he could be fit to play again within a week, but has been told to make sure he has fully recovered to avoid the risk of any further damage.

"Claudio is alright – he will be 100 percent in three weeks," Ogalde told Radio Cooperativa.

"I have spoken to him and he is relaxed. Claudio expects to feel fine within a week, but he needs to recover fully to make sure the injury doesn't recur in the coming months.

"He will miss a few La Liga matches, but he is better off making a good recovery so that he doesn't have a relapse and can be fit for the rest of the season. There is no need to rush the process only to be ruled out for six months with a new injury in the same area.

"The injury was something that everyone was worried about but we were more laid back because Claudio is fine. It is a muscle injury that can occur for no specific reason."

If the timeframe given by Ogalde is accurate, Bravo is set to miss league games against Levante, Celta Vigo and Las Palmas as well as the upcoming Atletico game. Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who is already first choice for the Champions League, will replace him.

Copa America winners Chile kick off their World Cup qualification campaign against Brazil on October 8 and Ogalde stated his confident in Bravo making the cut: "He should be fit to play, as he will have trained with Barcelona for at least a week by then."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

West Brom official: Tottenham's Berahino bid was 'way off the mark'

West Bromwich Albion's sporting and technical director Richard Garlick has labelled Tottenham's bid for Saido Berahino "not acceptable and "way off the mark".

The Baggies rejected a total of four offers from Spurs throughout the transfer window, with chairman Jeremy Peace repeatedly insisting that the striker was not for sale.

And Garlick, discussing the matter at an Albion Assembly fans group meeting, confirmed that none of Tottenham's offers were close to meeting the club's valuation.

"[Berahino] is an ambitious man who wants to push on," Garlick said. "There's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

"[In mid-August] there was an official offer from Tottenham which was not acceptable, was way off the mark, was just rejected out of hand. At the same time that that offer came in there was a transfer request put in by the player.

"There was then a further offer a week later which again was way way off the mark, not only in terms of the amount but also in terms of the payment structure.

"Then that was it, there was lots of too-ing and fro-ing conversations taking place and then it wasn't until deadline day that we received a third offer in the morning and then a final offer in the mid-afternoon, by which stage neither was the offer nor the structure acceptable and we were completely left without being able to get a replacement in for the player.

"That was it really as far as the club was concerned."

Berahino was thought to be disappointed that the move did not materialise, the 22-year-old taking to Twitter to voice his frustrations at Peace.

Garlick confirmed that Berahino had been given time off from the club in the aftermath of the incident for "things to settle down".

"At the end of the day Saido's got two years left. We all know that every player in the world has a price, but if you don't want to sell something you don't necessarily put a price on it.

"If you want to sell your house, you'd say what the price is because you want people to buy it.

"If you don't want to sell your house then someone's got to make you an offer that you think... 'Oh, I'm interested, but that didn't happen.'

"In a nutshell, that's it. Obviously then Saido tweeted what he tweeted and he was given an extended leave of absence just for things to settle down and for everybody to reflect where we are."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

EXCLUSIVE: Andreas Pereira on Manchester United future

Manchester United winger Andreas Pereira has spoken of his desire to demonstrate his quality as a player and feature in Louis van Gaal's starting XI this season.

Speaking exclusively to Goal, the 19-year-old stated that his aim was to build on the few appearances he has already made for the Red Devils, whose players he referred to as the best in the world.
"I want to have a few minutes of playing time this year to show everyone that I am a good player," Pereira told Goal.

"I think this is normal. We have the best players in the world so I just have to be patient. I would have my chance this year, I know. I spoke with the manager, so everything is going well for me at the moment."

The Belgium-born winger who has represented both Belgium and Brazil at youth level, rebuffed reported interest from Paris Saint-Germain, but suggested he did not want to talk about team-mate Memphis Depay.

"For me, Manchester United is the biggest club," he added.

"I came here to play with the first team and win trophies. With Manchester United I want to win. I therefore do not pay attention to what happens in other clubs, I'm totally focused on Manchester United. "

When asked about comparisons with Netherlands international Depay, who joined United from PSV Eindhoven this summer, Pereira was hesitant.

"I prefer not to talk about other players," the 19-year-old said.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Andreas Pereira ta first team chance 1ka dunnoth nam godak hodainiyama talent 1kak​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Odegaard: No regrets over Real Madrid move

Martin Odegaard remains confident that joining Real Madrid was the right call and has no regrets over his decision to snub the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool.

The 16-year-old left Stromsgodset for Real in January 2015 after visiting a number of clubs that were after his signature and – even though he has yet to become a first-team regular at the Santiago Bernabeu side – Odegaard is thoroughly enjoying life in the Spanish capital.

"I visited Liverpool, the two Manchester teams and they were all very nice but my choice was Real Madrid and I am very happy with that," Odegaard was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.

"Madrid is very good. It is the best place if you want to become a better footballer.

"I have been given the number 10 shirt at Castilla and it is a big responsibility having that number, but it is the one that I like and I am just going to enjoy it.

"I have spoken a little bit with Rafa Benitez, but not too much at the minute.

"My focus is to become a better footballer and develop every day."

Odegaard made his debut for Real the 7-3 win over Getafe back in May, but has mostly been playing for the reserve side.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ferdinand: Rooney stats on par with Messi and Ronaldo

Rio Ferdinand has voiced his admiration for Wayne Rooney after the Manchester United striker became England's all-time leading goalscorer on Tuesday.

Rooney's penalty in the 2-0 Euro 2016 qualification win over Switzerland was his 50th goal for his country and saw the 29-year-old break Sir Bobby Charlton's long-standing record.

And Ferdinand, who was quick to point out that his stats at international level are close to those of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, feels his former team-mate deserves credit for his achievements.

"Forget how many were penalties, forget who the opposition were, forget all the naysayers. A record that stood for 45 years... Respect the ratio of one goal in about every two games at international level," Ferdinand wrote on his official Facebook page.

"Now, compare that last stat with the two greatest players of our generation. Messi - 49 goals in 104 games. Cristiano Ronaldo - 55 goals in 122 games. Rooney - 50 goals in 107 games. Credit where credit is due please!

"The fella has 300 career goals. This hasn't come about by luck or because he was in a completely successful team and chances were there in large amounts. This has come about through sheer determination.

"Rooney has turned himself around from the street football player we all saw in his early years to someone who is seeking out record-breaking milestones.

"He wasn't a natural goalscorer, but wanted to be involved in everything from playing 30-yard diagonal passes to the rough and tumble chasing a player 40 yards to win the ball back. Scoring was an afterthought. After years of playing like this I think he saw that these records were achievable if he focused on getting goals more than he had been on scoring goals.

"You would notice the difference in his finishing, taking bits from other strikers. Shooting practice became more and more a part of his daily routine. He would talk about goalscoring more and more and who was at the top of the charts, how they were scoring and where he saw his goals coming in the coming games.

"He would have been looking at the England fixtures over the last couple of years calculating where and when he will break this record, playing it through his mind. To say he became obsessed would be far-fetched, but his mindset had changed to that of a goalscorer.

"Goalscorers are selfish. Wayne was known as an unselfish team player for many years. But goalscorers have to be selfish to be successful and Wayne became more like that. That is why he has broken such a long standing record and is on the cusp of breaking another one at Manchester United that Sir Bobby Charlton holds.

"Will Sir Bobby be happy for Wayne? Yes, he will but I'm almost certain somewhere inside he will be hugely disappointed because that selfishness of great goalscorers never dies.

"Congratulations. Respect."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Madrid: Ronaldo will cost PSG €1bn

Real Madrid have warned Paris Saint-Germain they would have to cough up €1 billion if they wanted to sign Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Ligue 1 champions have long been linked with a move for the Portugal international, who has won the Ballon d'Or for the past two years, and there has been speculation that they could make a move for the forward next summer.

However, Madrid president Florentino Perez says that that the French outfit, who are owned by Qatar Sports Investments, have no chance of signing the forward - unless they are willing to obliterate the transfer record.

"If PSG want Ronaldo, it's easy: they have to pay the release clause: €1 billion," the Blancos supremo told Cadena COPE.

"No-one is a prophet in football but we don't want to sell him in 2016. There are still three years left on his contract."

Meanwhile, Perez also had his say on the controversy surrounding Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, who was booed by some Spain fans during last weekend's Euro 2016 qualifier win over Slovakia in Oviedo.

Blancos defender Sergio Perez suggested that his international team-mate hasn't "helped" himself with his recent behaviour, with Pique, who supports Catalan independence, accused of expressing anti-Madrid sentiments, but Perez has a lot of sympathy for the centre-half.

"Sometimes you make a mistake but it does not seem right that someone gets booed in the stadium and certainly not one wearing a Spain shirt," he added. "I feel bad for him."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Van Gaal was ahead of his time, says Xavi

Former Barcelona midfielder Xavi believes Louis van Gaal was ahead of his time when he coached the Catalans and has backed the Dutchman to succeed at Manchester United.

The ex-Spain international worked with Van Gaal at Camp Nou between 1997 and 2000, as well as during his second spell in charge or Barcelona in 2002-03.

"People criticise Van Gaal on a human level because he is very direct and people think he is arrogant," the 35-year-old, who now plays for Al Sadd in Qatar, said.

"He was ahead of his time when he coached Barcelona. He worked to perfect the training sessions and improve the team technically and tactically.

"Twenty years ago he was a very complete coach.

"He will do a very good job at Manchester United in the long term. He will make them very strong in the Premier League and in the Champions League.

"I am convinced that he will do a great job."

Van Gaal guided United back into the top four in the Premier League in his first season in charge, helping them back to the Champions League after their seventh-placed finish in the preceding campaign.

The Old Trafford side currently sit fifth in the table with seven point from their first four games.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Real Madrid handed James fitness boost

Real Madrid have been handed a fitness boost after Colombia's doctor confirmed James Rodriguez escaped serious injury during their 1-1 draw with Peru on Tuesday.The forward was withdrawn on 59 minutes after hurting his knee in a collision with an opposition player, prompting fears he could be set for a lengthy absence.

However, further tests carried out after the game have confirmed James has suffered no lasting damage.

Colombia's doctor Carlos Ulloa said: "He took a big knock to his knee but he is in no danger. We will see how he feels today but he is fine."James scored twice in his last outing for Madrid as the club beat Real Betis 5-0 on August 29.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Schneiderlin: Matuidi is PSG's star man

Manchester United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin believes his France team-mate Blaise Matuidi is Paris Saint-Germain's key man this campaign irrespective of the presence of stars such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Angel Di Maria.

The holding midfielder has been in sublime form for PSG in the opening weeks of the 2015-16 season and Schneiderlin has nothing but praise for his compatriot.

"Matuidi is such a good player," Schneiderlin told L'Equipe. "He is maybe not the biggest name in the PSG team but, in my view, he is the most important player for them.

"I am not so much impressed or surprised by his performances, because I know him well and know what he is capable of.

"Having played against him in pre-season, I can tell you that when you come up against a midfielder like that, it is very difficult for the opposition.

"And he is now scoring goals as well, which completes his game."

Matuidi has netted two goals in four Ligue 1 appearances so far this term and recorded two assists.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Paris Saint-Germain announce €1 million refugee donation

Paris Saint-Germain have announced they will donate €1 million to help ease the Syrian refugee crisis.

Millions of people have fled war-torn Syria in recent weeks and sought refuge in Europe, prompting a response from a number of football clubs.PSG have joined Porto and Real Madrid in pledging financial help, while Uefa has confirmed €1 from every ticket sold for the Champions League and Europa League will go towards easing the troubles.

In a statement published by PSG, president of the charity Secours Populaire Julien Laupretre said: "We have already conducted projects with PSG for many years to help the most vulnerable children in France. "We are now pleased to extend this partnership to respond to the urgency of the refugee crisis. The support of the Paris Saint-Germain Foundation will be very useful for developing our projects.”

The UNHCR, the arm of the United Nations that deals with refugees, will also benefit from PSG's donation.