..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Southampton 2-1 Aston Villa: Yoshida and Pelle pile misery on managerless Villans

Maya Yoshida and Graziano Pelle fired Southampton to a 2-1 win over managerless Aston Villa and into the quarter-finals of the League Cup.

Villa, who parted company with former boss Tim Sherwood on Sunday, dominated proceedings in the opening 45 minutes at St Mary's Stadium on Wednesday, yet Rudy Gestede and Leandro Bacuna were both guilty of spurning chances.

And Premier League rivals Southampton made Villa pay for their profligacy six minutes after the break when Yoshida beat Brad Guzan with a low shot from the edge of the area.

To their credit, Villa kept pushing for an equaliser, but Pelle doubled the home team's advantage in the 77th minute with a sublime finish. Scott Sinclair converted a stoppage-time penalty, but Southampton were not to be denied their place in the last eight.

Villa made the brighter start of the two sides and threatened early on via Gestede. Ashley Westwood sent in a dangerous cross to the back post, only for the striker to head just wide.

Bacuna was next to try his luck with a header, yet his attempt after Carlos Sanchez's cross was straight at Maarten Stekelenburg.

Gestede saw another opportunity go begging in the 14th minute after a cross from Alan Hutton, but the Frenchman aimed a yard wide from close range.

The best chance of the first half fell to the visitors after 35 minutes. Bacuna played a good one-two with Westwood before firing in a right-footed shot, but Stekelenburg parried it behind for a corner.

Southampton failed to really worry Guzan until Gaston Ramirez's 41st-minute free-kick from 25 yards out, yet the creative forward aimed just too high.
The hosts significantly improved after the interval and Pelle was unfortunate to see his 49th-minute shot deflected wide for a corner.

Ronald Koeman's men did grab the lead shortly after, though. Yoshida charged forward from midfield, before playing a one-two with Ramirez and then beating Guzan with a low left-footed shot from the edge of the area.

Villa refused to give up after falling behind and Westwood could have levelled at the hour mark after being set up by Gestede, only to see Stekelenburg keep his shot out.

Gabriel Agbonlahor also went close, but the Dutch goalkeeper again showed his class with a fine save.

Pelle then put Southampton in firm control of the tie with a superb volley after a cross from Dusan Tadic that left Guzan no chance.

Sinclair tucked away his 94th-minute penalty after Virgil van Dijk had brought down Jordan Ayew inside the area, but it was too little, too late.

 

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Sassuolo 1-0 Juventus: Sansone strike sinks struggling champions

Nicola Sansone scored a superb first-half free-kick to earn Sassuolo their first victory over Juventus, who had Giorgio Chiellini sent off on another miserable night for the visitors.

A torrid night saw the Serie A champions slip to their fourth defeat of the season and their third away from home, as coach Massimiliano Allegri watched one of his former clubs outplay his stuttering side in the rain at Mapei Stadium.

Allegri’s men paid for their physical approach, as poor tackles led to the decisive free-kick from which Sansone scored, as well as the dismissal of experienced defender Chiellini.

Sassuolo's home form has been at the heart of their excellent start to the season, with Eusebio Di Francesco's side now unbeaten in eight home league matches – a run that stretches back to April.

Allegri, meanwhile, must address his side's away form; the champions have won only once on their travels in Serie A this season.

Juve started the night unbeaten in their previous five outings, and they enjoyed a spell of early pressure.

Paulo Dybala sent a free-kick bending towards goal that forced Gianluca Pegolo to make a punched clearance, with the damp conditions making life difficult for the Sassuolo goalkeeper.

The steady rain led to some heavy challenges, and Mario Lemina was booked for a clumsy tackle that gave Sassuolo a free-kick in a dangerous position after 20 minutes. Sansone stepped up and curled in an inch-perfect effort that evaded both the Juve wall and the reach of Gianluigi Buffon.

Juve looked to Paul Pogba for inspiration and the Frenchman responded, creating space for himself to launch a dipping shot at goal that drew a save from Pegolo at full stretch.

Just as the visitors seemed to be finding their feet, Chiellini clattered into Domenico Berardi and, having already booked him earlier in the half, referee Andrea Gervasoni had no hesitation in dismissing the veteran defender.

Despite their man disadvantage, the champions came out with intent after the break, and Dybala crossed for Mario Mandzukic, whose effort was blocked but he laid the ball off for Pogba to slam a shot narrowly wide.

Allegri sent on Alvaro Morata for the misfiring Mandzukic as Juve continued to press for an equaliser, with his introduction seeming to energise Dybala, who sent a fizzing shot just wide of Pegolo's goal.

Berardi had the ball in the net in the closing stages, but the linesman's flag denied him a goal and Sassuolo a more emphatic first win over the Bianconeri, whose title defence suffered a further blow.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester City 5-1 Crystal Palace: Pellegrini's side cruise to victory

Kevin De Bruyne produced another excellent performance and Pablo Zabaleta was taken off on a stretcher as Manchester City reached the quarter-finals of the League Cup with a 5-1 win over Crystal Palace.

De Bruyne has been in excellent form since joining City from Wolfsburg in a club-record deal in August, and scored one and set up another in a routine fourth-round victory on Wednesday.

But progression to the last eight may have come at a cost for Manuel Pellegrini's men, with full-back Zabaleta withdrawn in the 55th minute with a brace on his knee.

Zabaleta suffered a knee ligament injury in August and only made his first appearance of the season in the Champions League win at Borussia Monchengladbach late last month.

City took the lead in the 22nd minute at the Etihad Stadium through Wilfried Bony's header before De Bruyne made it 2-0 after 44 minutes with his sixth goal in nine games.

Kelechi Iheanacho, scorer of a last-gasp winner in City's 1-0 Premier League triumph at Palace in September, put the game beyond doubt and Yaya Toure got his name on the scoresheet with a 76th-minute penalty.

Damien Delaney gave Palace something to cheer in the final minutes before 17-year-old Manu Garcia completed the rout.

De Bruyne and Yannick Bolasie each went close in an entertaining opening to the game, the latter stopped from breaking the deadlock by a save from Willy Caballero - in as part of six changes made by Pellegrini from the 0-0 derby draw with Manchester United on Sunday.

Palace were left to rue Bolasie's profligacy as Bony opened the scoring with his third goal of the season, meeting Aleksandar Kolarov's corner with a header that proved too powerful for Wayne Hennessey to handle.

Hennessey then kept out a deflected Bony strike but the Palace goalkeeper could do nothing to stop De Bruyne putting City in control as teenager Iheanacho broke free on the right and unselfishly squared the ball for the Belgian to tap into an empty net.

Palace's Joe Ledley and Bony spurned gilt-edged chances either side of half-time before Martin Demichelis cleared off was forced to clear a Mile Jedinak header off the following shaky goalkeeping from Caballero at a free-kick.

Zabaleta was then carried off after a collision with Zaha, but there was soon more for the home fans to celebrate as De Bruyne returned the favour by setting up Iheanacho for City's third in the 59th minute.

The striker coolly converted De Bruyne's left-wing cross into the bottom-left corner and Toure added gloss to the scoreline from 12 yards after Eliaquim Mangala was fouled by Delaney, who headed in a Bolasie cross for some late consolation for Palace.

But there was still time for Garcia to net his first City goal by completing a quick City counter in the 94th minute.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United 0-0 Middlesbrough (1-3 pens): Van Gaal's side suffer embarrassing shoot-out defeat

Manchester United suffered another shock League Cup exit as they were beaten 3-1 on penalties by Middlesbrough following a 0-0 draw on Wednesday.

Louis van Gaal's much-changed side controlled the majority of the fourth-round tie, but it was Middlesbrough who created the best chances over 90 minutes, with Stewart Downing coming close and the recalled Daley Blind spared a remarkable own goal by the offside flag.

Jesse Lingard hit the woodwork for the home side and Sergio Romero twice saved superbly to deny Boro a dramatic late winner in normal time, after an earlier howler had come close to gifting them the lead.

Anthony Martial came agonisingly close with an extra-time header and Marouane Fellaini failed to convert with the goal at his mercy, but Aitor Karanka's superbly drilled defence held strong to force a penalty shootout under the Old Trafford lights.

David Nugent missed for the visitors, but Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick and Ashley Young also all failed to convert to hand Boro a quarter-final spot and condemn United to another exit to lower-league opposition following last season's 4-0 humbling against MK Dons in the same competition.

It was the visitors, fourth in the Championship, who carved out the first chance of the match, with Emilio Nsue's scuffed attempt at an overhead kick falling to George Friend just a couple of yards out, but he could only shoot straight at Romero.

Fellaini dragged a left-footed shot wide of the far post after turning well on the edge of the box, and the Belgium international teed up James Wilson for a tame effort hit straight at Tomas Mejias a few moments later.

Fellaini saw another effort blocked at the near post before Downing had Romero at full stretch with a fierce strike from 25 yards as the half finished evenly.

With Rooney brought on at the break, United stepped up the pace early in the second half. High pressing gave Memphis Depay the chance to shoot from 20 yards, with the ball spinning out of Mejias' grasp and almost crossing the line.

Boro thought they had snatched the lead just before the hour mark when Blind bizarrely fired the ball straight into his own net after Kike had hit the post, but the offside flag was raised against the striker's first effort.

Lingard's fine solo run brought another save from Mejias, but United had another lucky escape when Romero completely miscontrolled a backpass that bounced inches wide of the far post.

Romero atoned with a strong near-post stop to deny Ben Gibson as United, with Martial on for the disappointing Depay, began to set up camp in the Boro half in search of a late winner.

Lingard was denied by the post as he smashed Young's cross goalwards, but Romero saved the home side in the dying minutes, reacting well to deny Grant Leadbitter on the break before diving to his right to keep out Downing's low drive.

The game remained wide open as extra-time began. Leadbitter shot straight against Chris Smalling when unmarked in the area before Fellaini just failed to connect with Andreas Pereira's clipped cross to the far post.

Pereira himself fired inches wide from 20 yards in the closing minutes before Martial's diving header somehow spun just past the post, and Fellaini headed over when unmarked just yards from goal, meaning penalties were required.

Rooney's effort was tipped past the post and Nugent blazed over before Michael Carrick cleared the crossbar to hand Boro the advantage.

Gibson fired high into the net and Mejias saved Young's weak effort to his right to send the visiting fans into raptures.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Penalty shoot-out 1kanam gannama deyak nahain experience playersla penalties miss kalanam kamak naha.Roo,Carrick,Young wage playersla penalty take karapu widiya dakkamane epa wenne​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Tuchel hails Castro after Dortmund thrash Paderborn

Thomas Tuchel praised Gonzalo Castro after the 28-year-old scored twice in Borussia Dortmund's 7-1 DFB-Pokal win over Paderborn on Wednesday.

Castro has been struggling to live up to the high expectations since joining Dortmund from Bayer Leverkusen, and has started just three times in the Bundesliga so far this term.

The midfielder impressed against Paderborn, though, as he netted twice to help his side through to the round of 16.

"Castro put in a very good performance. I am very happy for him that he showed his class to all," Tuchel said at a news conference."He has given the team a lot of energy and got something in return now. This confirms we were right to be patient with him. Gonzalo has always remained calm."

Roman Burki was at fault for Paderborn's opening goal, but Tuchel was quick to absolve the goalkeeper following Dortmund's fine recovery."He will make a mistake like that only once a year. We don't need any video analysis there," he said.

"But I am very happy with the way the team reacted. We are delighted. We are proud that the fans can go home happy. The goal we conceded only spurred us on."

 

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Ibrahimovic may finish career at PSG - Mino Raiola

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is being chased by several clubs, but his agent insists the striker could finish his career at Paris Saint-Germain.

Ibrahimovic, 34, has been linked with a move away from the Ligue 1 giants, with Manchester United touted as among his possible destinations.

But the Sweden international's agent, Mino Raiola, said there were no guarantees Ibrahimovic would leave PSG.

"There are many clubs that are trying to recruit Ibrahimovic, certainly, but for now, we don't take care of it," he told RMC.

"He has a contract with Paris and we didn't agree with any other club."

Ibrahimovic, who is contracted until 2016, may yet finish his career at PSG, a club he joined three years ago.

The former AC Milan and Inter striker has scored seven league goals in as many games this season.

"There are clubs who want him, that's OK, because he is a great striker," Raiola said.

"But that doesn't mean that he will not stay at PSG. He will remain this season, and perhaps even more."

Raiola said Ibrahimovic's critics had been "unfair" after the striker's form was questioned earlier in the campaign.

He believes his client is better than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

"For me, he remains the strongest and most complete striker available in the world. All the clubs want him," Raiola said.

"Every transfer window I note that there are 30 clubs who want him. He is stronger than Ronaldo and Messi."

 

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Iheanacho will only get better - Pellegrini

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini expects Kelechi Iheanacho to go from strength to strength after his starring role in the 5-1 League Cup win over Crystal Palace.

The 19-year-old put in a fine performance as City eased into the last eight, his goal adding to strikes from Wilfried Bony, Kevin De Bruyne, Yaya Toure and Manuel Garcia.

Those efforts were enough to secure a comfortable win over Palace, for whom Damien Delaney grabbed an 89th-minute consolation.

And Pellegrini believes Iheanacho's display will prove a foundation for future improvement.

"It was very important for him," said the boss in quotes on the club's official Twitter account.

"He's not just a striker. I see how he works every day. He will continue to improve.

"He's not just a finisher. He always plays with his head up. He can play behind the striker."

City are the favourites to lift the trophy after Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United exited this week.

Yet Pellegrini is refusing to look too far ahead, adding: "We're not thinking about the final in February. We're thinking about Norwich on Saturday and then Sevilla."

One worry for Pellegrini was right-back Pablo Zabaleta being stretchered off just after half time with an apparent knee injury, although the manager was unable to provide any form of update on the Argentinian.

"We will see how he is tomorrow," Pellegrini said.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Koeman: Saints marching on into next round all that matters

Ronald Koeman thinks Southampton richly deserve their place in the last eight of the League Cup for the way they overcome a sluggish start to defeat managerless Aston Villa 2-1 at St Mary's Stadium on Wednesday.

Southampton struggled in the opening 45 minutes, but goals from Maya Yoshida and Graziano Pelle were enough for the Premier League club to reach the quarter-finals, with Scott Sinclair's late penalty nothing more than a consolation goal.

"We had a difficult start. The first half was not good. We were too slow on the ball at the back," Koeman told the official Southampton YouTube channel.

"We were more aggressive after the break. Our pressing in midfield was better and that made the difference. We totally dominated the second half.

"We scored a great first goal that opened up the game and the second goal was very good as well.

"It is a pity that we conceded a late goal, but the most important thing is that we are through to the next round."

Southampton will host Liverpool in the quarter-finals, with the match to take place during the week commencing November 30.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Van Gaal proud of Man Utd flops despite League Cup embarrassment

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says he is proud of his players despite the fact they were knocked out of the League Cup by Championship outfit Middlesbrough on Wednesday.

Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick and Ashley Young all missed from 12 yards as the Dutchman saw his side eliminated in the round-of-16 via a penalty shoot-out.

Aitor Karanka's men will now host Roberto Martinez's for a place in the semi-final.

"You can say it is unlucky [to have lost], as I said after the match against [Manchester] City also, but you have to force the luck," Van Gaal said.

"We didn't do that, because we didn't score — but my players have given everything.

"That's why I am also proud of them because they have done it until the end.”

However, with Chelsea and Arsenal exiting the competition on Tuesday, the United boss did admit he was upset to no longer be in the running for the trophy.

"I'm disappointed we are out, that we are so close and we are still out,” he continued.

“I thought we didn't play so well in the first half, but in the second half we had much more chances and you have to finish them.

“In extra-time we had more better chances, but when you are not finishing the chances, easy chances in front of the goalkeeper, it is difficult to win games.”

In the end, United were beaten by what Van Gaal referred to as the “casino” of penalties, with three men with England experience all letting them down.

The 64-year-old, though, felt that the game should perhaps not have made it that far, suggesting his side should have been awarded multiple spot kicks during the match.

“One in extra-time for hand ball? We had more than three penalty cases,” he added.

Next up for United is a trip to Crystal Palace — who were beaten 5-1 by Manchester City on Wednesday — in the Premier League.

Looking ahead to that game, Van Gaal backed his “top sportsmen” to pick themselves up in time as they attempt to keep pace with City and Arsenal at the top of the table.

 

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Van Gaal proud of Man Utd flops despite League Cup embarrassment

"We didn't do that, because we didn't score — but my players have given everything.

"That's why I am also proud of them because they have done it until the end.”

Monawa unath 1kanam attha thamaianthima wenakam fight 1ka dunna but Penalty shoot-out 1ka gana nam katha karala wadak naha

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[Wolverine GTR]

Klopp: Benteke could face Chelsea

Jurgen Klopp suggested Christian Benteke could feature in the weekend’s big Premier League fixture as Liverpool face off against Chelsea on Saturday.

The striker wasn’t involved in Wednesday night’s Capital One Cup victory over Bournemouth - the new manager’s first win in charge - due to feeling discomfort in his knee.

Benteke picked up the complaint in the closing minutes of the stalemate with Southampton on Sunday, after the Belgian’s monstrous header put Liverpool in front against Ronald Koeman’s men, and Klopp will be hoping he can count on the forward to fire at Stamford Bridge.

"Christian? I think he will be fit on Saturday," the Reds boss said. "He had little problems and with our ‘striker situation’ [Danny Ings and Daniel Sturridge also sidelined] we can’t take a risk. But I think Christian will be back.”

Klopp also provided an update on Kolo Toure, who had to be subbed off in the first-half against Bournemouth through injury, as well as Sturridge.

"Kolo, I think it was a hamstring, but I am not sure because I only saw him sitting and so we have to wait for the diagnosis,” he said. “With Daniel, we have to talk about him when he can train and then he will need, I don’t know, two, three, four, five, six or seven days' training. That is normal.

"Each footballer needs it and it’s not important how good you are unless you have enough strength to play in this really intensive league. There is no pressure from me – I can’t put pressure on him or the doctor or the physiotherapist, I have to wait. And when he is back, he has to train.”

Away from his injury headache, Klopp revelled in his first victory with the club.

"I feel much better than after a draw,” he said. “But I don’t think the other games were so much worse than today – of course, the result is the biggest difference and we did well tonight.

"We didn’t have too much time again between the games, not too much time for training, only one hour training with this new team and new system.

"I saw minute by minute we were better in the game, we closed the spaces better and the whole 90 minutes we played football and created our chances. We didn’t have any real experience together, so I’m really satisfied – the boys did really well.

"We made a fantastic goal; [Joao] Teixeira in the box and [Nathaniel] Clyne with him close enough, two boys from the left wing in the box because we had the space for it. That’s really good, that’s what we want. It’s the next step.

"I saw in the eyes of all the players that they wanted to win tonight. That’s very important.”

 

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Buffon: Juventus must stop blaming referees

Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon believes the Serie A holders must stop blaming referees and start to take responsibility following Wednesday's 1-0 defeat at Sassuolo.

Nicola Sansone scored a 20th-minute free-kick as Sassuolo triumphed 1-0 and condemned stuttering champions Juve to their fourth defeat of the season.

Juve had defender Giorgio Chiellini sent off for a second bookable offence six minutes prior to half-time, but Buffon refused to point the finger at referee Andrea Gervasoni after the visitors slumped to a third away loss of the campaign.

"Our first-half display was unacceptable. If we'd been a provincial side, I might have been satisfied with the way we played over 50 minutes with 10 men," the Italy international goalkeeper said via Juve's official website.

"But given our objectives here at Juventus, we return home extremely disappointed.

"Referees do not make mistakes on purpose and so I’m not accepting the red card as an excuse.

"It's very simple, if you don't win any of your 50-50s or aerial battles and you can't string together three passes, then that's no recipe for success."

Juventus languish in 12th position in the Serie A standings after 10 rounds, 11 points adrift of leaders Roma.

 

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Laporta: Messi will never leave Barca but Neymar might

Lionel Messi will never leave Barcelona, according to former president Joan Laporta, who believes Manchester United target Neymar might be sold.

Messi - sidelined with a knee injury - has been linked with a move to the Premier League after a tax case in Spain.

Team-mate Neymar has also been linked with a move to Old Trafford, and when asked about the pair's future, Laporta raised concern that the Brazilian may have to leave in order to balance the books.

"Messi will never leave Barca. It is part of our emblem and our heart," Laporta said.


"I received many proposals when I was president. Notably Inter, who wanted to pay his release clause but I always refused.

"For Neymar, it's different. The economic situation of the club is not good, but the current president, to balance the books must sell players or assets. And the best solution is to sell a great player.

"There is talk of a proposal for Man United. But all that, it is because of the mismanagement of the current leadership."

 

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Pogba could move to Barcelona, but he’ll cost €100m - Raiola

Paul Pogba’s agent sees no reason why the midfielder couldn’t join Barcelona next summer but admits Juventus would demand a huge fee.

Mino Raiola, who oversees the contract negotiations of the France international, reopened speculation that Pogba could be on his way to La Liga in the future but has ruled out a potential January transfer switch.

Speaking to Radio Montecarlo, the 47-year-old representative believes a move is being considered by Luis Enrique.

“Why not?”, he said, before ruling out a New Year move.

“The signings of the big players are not made in January. Juventus’ value of Pogba? He is priced at €100 million [around £72m] .”

Pogba would become Barcelona’s second-most expensive player in the club’s history - should the move go ahead - following Luis Suarez’s reported fee of £75m following his transfer from Liverpool in 2014.

 

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I wanted to stay at Real Madrid - Di Maria

Angel Di Maria has admitted he never wanted to leave Real Madrid for Manchester United, declaring his admiration and respect for his former club.

The Argentine winger, now at Paris Saint-Germain, joined United from the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer of 2014 for £59.7m but failed to settle in England, lasting just one season before a move to the French capital.

Di Maria will return to Madrid as a PSG player for their Champions League group game on November 3 and claimed he was forced out of the club.

"My intention was always to stay at Real Madrid," he told Marca.

"I didn't have much relationship with [club president] Florentino Perez."

The 27-year-old midfielder is optimistic about PSG’s chances in Europe this year, and says Real Madrid remain an important club to him despite an unwanted exit.

"PSG can win the Champions League. Players want the trophy and the club wants the trophy. We'll see a brave PSG at the Bernabeu.

"I will not forget the fans of Real Madrid. That ovation in my last game was special and will always be grateful to the fans of Real Madrid.

"If I score at Bernabeu I won't celebrate it. It's a matter of respect for those who were my fans and my partners."

 

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Adriano: I am happy at Barcelona

Barcelona full-back Adriano has denied he is seeking a move away from the club and insists he is happy to stay in Spain.

The former Sevilla defender was linked with a transfer away from the Spanish and European champions during the the summer after his agent admitted the 31-year-old could leave amid interest from Roma.

Adriano started just this third match in all competitions this season as Barca drew 0-0 at Villanovense in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday and, with two years remaining on his contract, he says plans to see it out.

"I am happy here, I want to play the minutes. I do not think about leaving but staying," he told reporters.


"What I feel today is that I have a contract for two more years [until 2017] with the club.

"I had offers in the summer but did not want to leave and the club did not want me to leave.

"I spoke to [technical director] Robert Fernandez and the coach and I said I wanted in the group and the president did not want to sell."

 

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'F***, I'm really good!' - Aubameyang

With 13 goals in the Bundesliga already this season, Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is fast becoming one of the most talked about strikers in world football and he is hopeful he can maintain his stellar form.

Since Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski left for rivals Bayern Munich, pressure had been on the Gabon striker to fill the attacking void. And now, level with the prolific Pole as the league's top scorer, it seems the 26-year-old's time has arrived.

“Sometimes I tell myself: 'F***, I'm really good,” Aubameyang joked in an interview with L'Equipe.

"I'm kidding, of course. It's a great pleasure. I tell myself: 'I'm on the right track.' It's great to see my hard work paying off, even if it's not finished.

"If a Ronaldo can score 50 goals a season, why can't I? I believe and, when I pray, I ask to become one of the best attackers on the planet.

"I need to continue like this, to repeat this form over several seasons like Messi and Ronaldo have done. For years I've said that one day I'd like to score 40 goals.

“I have progressed, I have worked a lot in front of goal, trying to keep a cool head, trying not to force things.

"It's my third year here and I feel good, at home. People talk about me and that's good, but a lot of it has been down to how my team-mates have supported me."

 

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Ronaldo wants to return to England – Semedo

Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo may be in line for a return to the Premier League, according to personal friend and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Jose Semedo.

The 30-year-old was interviewed in the wake of Wednesday's 3-0 thumping of Arsenal, and revealed that “deep down” he feels the former Manchester United man will be back before he retires.

"He is very happy at Real Madrid,” Semedo told talkSPORT. "But he loves English football, he loves English people and, deep down, I think he will come back to England.

"He doesn't want to finish his career without coming back. He said he wishes Real Madrid were based in England, but that's not possible so I believe he will end his career in England."

Ronaldo made 292 appearances in all competitions for Manchester United during his six-year stay in England, before moving to Spain for a then-record £80 million (€94 million) in June 2009.

 

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Villas-Boas rules out move for Chelsea loanee Falcao

Zenit St Petersburg are no longer interested in pursuing a move for Chelsea loanee Radamel Falcao, manager Andre Villas-Boas has insisted.

Villas-Boas admitted he attempted to sign the striker prior to his move to Stamford Bridge last summer but were thwarted by a change in league regulations by the Russian Football Union (RFU) in July.

Rules stipulate teams must field no more than six foreign players at any one time – one fewer than the previous year – and, as Zenit currently have eight foreign first-team players, a move is '"difficult".

"No I haven’t had a conversation with Jose, the player belongs to Chelsea, on loan from Monaco," he told the club's official website ahead of their league clash with Mordovia.

"It’s difficult to bring such a player to Russia with the rules and regulations we have.

"We tried to bring him here in the summer at the start of the season, but then the rules changed a week before the season started.

"We can’t bring him here because of the rules and we don’t have space.

Zenit signed Russia international Artyom Dzyuba during the summer with the striker scoring 11 goals since arriving from Spartak Moscow, including a brace in a 5-1 win over Anzhi Makhachkala on Saturday.

Villas-Boas feels a combination of Dzybua’s form and the fact that Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko is backing a €31,000-a-month player salary cap means a move for Falcao is now out of the question.

He said: "We have Dzyuba, he scored two goals, his form is great for the club and the national team and he deserves respect.

"Due to the limitations we can’t bring Falcao here, his salary is immense too and the financial rules in place prevent this, this is the rule chosen by Mr Mutko and the so this is impossible."