..::Football III::..

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Mourinho: I'd sign a 10-year deal at Chelsea

Jose Mourinho has claimed he would be happy to remain as Chelsea manager for the next decade.

The Blues have endured a difficult season after winning the Premier League title last term, and already find themselves 14 points adrift of the top four after 16 matches.
Mourinho has come under heavy pressure throughout Chelsea's dismal campaign, with recent reports linking him with a return to Real Madrid, the side he managed for three years between 2010 and 2013.

But the Portuguese insisted he remains committed to staying at Stamford Bridge for the long-term. "If Chelsea gives me a 10-year contract, I sign," he said. "I'm saying that the normal situation is when you have a contract, you wish to go to the end of the contract."

The Premier League champions travel to Leicester City on Monday night in 16th place in the table, just one point above the drop zone.

 

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Mahrez: Being compared with Messi is amazing

In-form Leicester City forward Riyad Mahrez says it is "amazing" to be compared to Barcelona star Lionel Messi.Mahrez has taken the Premier League by storm this season, scoring 10 goals including a hat-trick in last week's 3-0 win at Swansea.

Leicester face reigning Premier League champions Chelsea on Monday knowing they will return to the top with victory and Mahrez says he is still coming to terms with his remarkable rise in England.

"I feel like I've gone up another level this season. Last year was my first in a big league so it was all about experience and it toughened me up," he told the Telegraph.

"This year I've played more games and that has helped me. Maybe becoming a father has given me a lot of luck because I keep scoring. When I play at home I feel like I'm flying.

"When people mention me and Messi together it's amazing, because to me Messi is the best of the best. You can't say anything to him, he's the boss. I always watch Barcelona on TV at home because I like how they play."

Mahrez's exploits seen the 24-year-old linked with a move away from Leicester but the former Le Havre man is in no rush to leave King Power Stadium.

"Why would I want to go anywhere? It's not in my head to go now. I'll just finish the season and then we'll see," he added."I've got four years here on my contract until 2019. Life is good."

Mahrez, whose Leicester have only lost once in 15 Premier League matches, added: "What we're doing is very good for English football, you can see that even without big stars you can do something. Maybe soon we will be big stars but it's so strange when you look at the table and we are first, looking at the big clubs below us."It's unbelievable really, people are speaking about Leicester whereas last year they never said a word because we were last. Now everyone respects us.

"When our backs are against the wall we respond. Then you see the real man, the real warrior. We've only lost to Chelsea and Arsenal since April and who would have said that? Nobody."

 

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Walcott: Giroud a dream to play with

Arsenal forward Theo Walcott praised team-mate Olivier Giroud after Sunday's 2-0 Premier League win over Aston Villa.

The Frenchman scored at Villa Park to cap a fine week that also saw him net a hat-trick against Olympiacos to fire Arsenal through to the knockout stages of the Champions League on Wednesday.

Giroud has now scored 14 goals in 24 appearances in all competitions this campaign, and Walcott is thoroughly enjoying teaming up with the 29-year-old."It's not just his goals, it's his general play and everything about him," Walcott told the official Arsenal website.

"The way he holds the ball up, he blocks it and defends it, and he works hard for the team from defensive corners and everything. "He's in great form at the moment. He's a dream to play with and he makes our job a lot easier. As soon as I won the penalty, I just knew that he would score.

"Confidence is streaming through him and you want that in the busy Christmas period. You want players that are on form and he's definitely one of them."Giroud will be looking to add to his tally on December 21 when leaders Arsenal host second-placed Manchester City in the Premier League.

 

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Mata 'frustrated' after Manchester United defeat

Juan Mata has admitted he is still angry after Manchester United completed a nightmare week with a 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday.

Junior Stanislas scored direct from a corner-kick before Marouane Fellaini equalised for the visitors, but Joshua King struck the winner for the Cherries in the second half.

That defeat came after United were knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage following their 3-2 loss to Wolfsburg on Tuesday.

Mata was substituted during that game and put in another disappointing showing at the weekend, and he said he was far from happy with the last seven days.

Writing on his weekly blog, he said: "Writing is complicated when all I really want now is to have another game to play as soon as possible. But everything passes and this bad streak will pass.

"When we were coming back from Bournemouth all I could think about was the frustration of the defeat, the disappointment of those who came with us, those who watched the game on TV, those who were with us in Germany... and the only thing to turn that anger into happiness is through good results, not words.

"In these moments is when we have to stick together more than ever, I do believe it, because - luckily - football gives you another game every few days. We are aware that we have to get better and that's why, despite feeling so bad after a painful defeat, we have to stand up and keep working to prepare the next game.

"With the right attitude and each of us giving the maximum we will get out of this situation. This is a long season and there's still a long way to go. We will never give up, that's for sure. December is a difficult month and it's time to start winning again and get our confidence back."

 

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Arsenal-Barcelona, PSG-Chelsea & the Champions League last-16 draw in full

Arsenal have been drawn against Barcelona while PSG will face Chelsea in the Champions League last 16.

The Gunners have been knocked out at the last 16 stage in the last five consecutive seasons and will have to overcome the holders, whom they lost to back in 2011 having held a 2-1 first-leg lead, if they are to break that trend.

Chelsea's tie against runaway Ligue 1 leaders PSG is a repeat of the 2014-15 last 16 clash, with Laurent Blanc's side having come out on top over the two legs on away goals as they held the Blues to a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Rafael Benitez's Real Madrid, meanwhile, will meet Serie A side Roma, with Cristiano Ronaldo looking to add to the record-breaking 11 goals he scored in the group stage of the competition.

Last year's beaten finalists Juventus have been handed a tricky test against Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, who topped Group F with 15 points, and Manuel Pellegrini's Manchester City will take on Dynamo Kyiv.

Zenit, who boast the third highest scorer in the group phase in Artem Dzyuba, tackle Portuguese side Benfica, while Atletico Madrid have been drawn against PSV and Wolfsburg clash with Gent.

Chelsea's clash with PSG in the first leg takes place on Tuesday February 16 alongside Zenit's trip to Benfica, while Roma host Real Madrid and Gent face Wolfsburg the following day.

Arsenal's first leg meeting with Barca at the Emirates Stadium is scheduled for Tuesday February 23, as is Juventus vs Bayern, with PSV taking on Atletico and Manchester City facing a trip to Kyiv on Wednesday February 24.

The return legs take place during the period between March 8-16.
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[Wolverine GTR]

Roma v Real Madrid
PSG v Chalsea
Arsenal Vs Barcelona
Juventus Vs Bayern

Patta gemak yai

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Man Utd to face Midtjylland & the Europa League last-32 draw in full

Manchester United will face Midtjylland in the last 32 of the Europa League.

Louis van Gaal's side were dramatically dumped out of the Champions League after losing their final group-stage match against Wolfsburg and will now face the Danish side for the first time in their history.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have been drawn against Augsburg as Jurgen Klopp returns to Germany and Tottenham have been handed a tricky tie against Serie A side Fiorentina, who knocked them out at the same stage last season.

Elsewhere in the draw, Klopp's former side Dortmund meet Porto in arguably the tie of the round and Galatasaray, who finished third in Champions League Group C, will come up against Lazio.

Gary Neville's Valencia were the first team drawn in Nyon on Monday and they take on Rapid Vienna, with the former Manchester United defender having seen his side fail to register a win in his first two games in charge.

Bayer Leverkusen, who have in-form Javier Hernandez as part of their squad, have been drawn with Portuguese side Sporting CP and Villarreal, who beat Real Madrid on Sunday, are up against Serie A side Napoli.

La Liga side Athletic Bilbao, meanwhile, will face Marseille, with Aritz Aduriz looking to add to the six goals he scored in the group stages of the competition.

All first-leg matches for the last 32 of the Europa League will take place on February 18, with the return fixtures scheduled for February 25.​

 

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Midtjylland set wechcha nisa hodai.ath kiyanna baha mona weida kiyala meh yana widiyata​

 

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Neymar misses Barcelona training

Neymar missed Barcelona training on Monday as Luis Enrique's team stepped up their preparations for their Club World Cup semi-final against Guangzhou Evergrande.

The Spanish and European champions take on their Chinese and Asian counterparts in Yokohama on Thursday.

Brazil captain Neymar is expected to miss this match due to a groin problem but will hope to be available for Sunday's final should Barca progress.

The Ballon d'Or finalist has scored 16 goals in 18 matches in all competitions this season.

 

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Arsenal will cause problems for Barcelona - Soler

Barcelona will afford Arsenal "the utmost respect" in the Champions League last 16, club director Albert Soler has insisted.

The reigning European champions were drawn against Arsene Wenger's side in Monday's draw in Nyon and enjoy a strong record against the Gunners, having twice beaten them in the knockout phase since they triumphed in the final in 2006.
However, Soler has warned Barca's successes against Arsenal in recent years will have no bearing on this season's tie.

"Arsenal and Barca have a very similar system of play. I'm convinced the fans will enjoy the football," he said after the draw."The way we understand football is the same. They will be two great games. "As always, we have the utmost respect. I'm sure we'll have some problems playing against them, so let's wait and see.

"There will be 180 minutes of football, we have to play two games and we'll see where that takes us.

We hope to have all our players available to ensure the show is a good one."Barca are used to playing under pressure, we're the reigning champions and that gives you pressure and an advantage. "Given that I don't believe the past affects the future, we'll go game by game and result by.

 

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Carrick: Manchester United not looking for excuses

Michael Carrick insists Manchester United's injury problems are no excuse for their disappointing performances in recent weeks.

Louis van Gaal's men crashed out of the Champions League after a 3-2 defeat to Wolfsburg last week, before being beaten 2-1 by Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday.

And Carrick, who admitted that the Red Devils' recent form has not been good enough, is desperate to return to winning ways sooner rather than later."It's been a tough one to take, a very disappointing week. Going out of the Champions League was obviously tough to take and we were very disappointed," Carrick was quoted as saying by the Manchester Evening News.

"And then to come to Bournemouth, we wanted to bounce back and we tried to bounce back and to fall short like we have is doubly disappointing.

"I could say different reasons, I could talk a lot, but at the end of the day it's about the results. We need to get back, stick together and trust ourselves to do the right thing and bounce back next week. "I mean, we've had a few injuries. I'm not making any excuses, but if you look at the injuries... But I don't like making excuses.

"We've got the squad, we're the club that we are because we want to be fighting in the competitions. When you've got injuries you've got to deal with them so I'm not making excuses.

"We need to get back to winning games. We're focused on next week to get back to winning games. That's always important for us as players and that's all we can focus on. I think it would be wrong to focus on anything else."

 

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Muller looking forward to Mandzukic & Juventus test

Thomas Muller says Bayern Munich have fond memories of facing Juventus after they were drawn against the Serie A title-holders in the Champions League round of 16.

The Bundesliga heavyweights saw off Juve in the 2012-13 quarter-finals on their way to winning the European Cup, while they also faced the Turin side in the 2009-10 group stage, drawing 0-0 in Bavaria before thrashing the Italian club 4-1 away.

Now led by Pep Guardiola, Bayern must overcome last season's beaten finalists as they seek to add to their five European crowns."Juventus have a very clever team and Mario Mandzukic is obviously a great striker. We all know him from his time at Bayern," Muller told the club's official website.

"We have nothing but good memories of Juventus in the Champions League."I am really looking forward to playing at the Juventus Stadium. That will be a great experience."

Philipp Lahm, meanwhile, is eagerly anticipating the tie with Juve as well and believes Massimiliano Allegri's men will prove to be a tough opponent.

"It will be a great tie between two top teams, a European classic," Lahm stated."Juventus made it to the final last season and it will be a major challenge."But we want to make the quarter-finals and will give our all to make it."

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge feels Juve will be a difficult opponent and has warned his team they will need to be at their best in order to reach the quarter-finals.

"It is a difficult draw, but an attractive one as well," he said. "We will meet Mandzukic again."We will need to great performances to see off the Italian champions."

 

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Juventus 'one of the best teams in Europe' - Guardiola

Pep Guardiola labelled Juventus "one of the best teams in Europe" after Bayern Munich were drawn against the Serie A title-holders in the Champions League.

Bayern were handed one of the tougher ties in the round of 16, paired with last season's beaten finalists Juve during the draw in Nyon on Monday.

Guardiola is wary of the Bianconeri's quality, acknowledging they have a "great mentality"."Juve are one of the best teams in Europe," he told a media conference prior to Bayern's DFB-Pokal tie against Darmstadt on Tuesday.

"They were in the final last season and can play with a back four or back five.
"Alongside Paris Saint-Germain, it was probably the most difficult draw. It will be a thrilling tie.

"They have a great mentality and their attitude is to win, win, win.
"They did not start well in the league but they have found their feet."

As for which team are favourites ahead of the clash, the former Barcelona coach was non-committal: "If you want to say 50-50, then say 50-50. In February I will know better how our form is."The clash at the Allianz Arena will mark a return to Munich for striker Mario Mandzukic.

The Croatia international was sold by Bayern to Juve in the off-season, but Guardiola is not expecting any awkwardness when the former player, having been deemed surplus to requirements, is reunited with the staff and fans."I have no problem with Mandzukic and I will be delighted to see him again, the people received him with respect," he said.

 

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We have a chance against Man Utd - Midtjylland chairman

Midtjylland chairman Rasmus Ankersen hopes shrewd thinking can secure another Premier League scalp for the Danish champions when they take on Manchester United in the Europa League.

Monday's draw in Nyon handed Midtjylland a mouth-watering last-32 clash against Louis van Gaal's team, who drop down from the Champions League having lost out to Wolfsburg and PSV in Group B.

Midtjylland prevailed 2-1 on aggregate against Southampton during the preliminary stages of the Europa League this year and they took United's rivals Manchester City to a penalty shootout in 2008.Ankersen is well-versed in English football from his other role as co-director of football at Championship side Brentford and he is realistic about the gulf in resources that the tie throws up.

"We're a small club with a small budget," he told BT Sport.

"We can't win by outspending the competition so we have to out-think them and I think that's why we've been successful competing so far in the Europa League."There is not a huge chance for us to beat Manchester United but there is a chance and we'll take up the challenge.

"We beat an English team already this season in Southampton. Here's another big challenge for us and we're ready to take it on."

 

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Gary Neville reveals his biggest frustration since becoming Valencia boss

Gary Neville claims his biggest challenge at Valencia is to learn Spanish and admits he is frustrated by his words getting lost in translation during team talks.

The former Manchester United defender has taken over the Spanish club until the end of the season but suffered a 2-0 defeat to Lyon in his first match in charge before following it up with a 1-1 draw at Eibar on Sunday.

Neville admits his inability to speak fluent Spanish is a problem and has revealed that he is speaking to players in small groups, rather than as a full squad.

"It's obvious that I need to learn the language as quickly as possible - that is the biggest challenge,” Neville told Sky Sports.

“It's the only challenge because one of the big things about me is that I can communicate well in English about what I want but I can't do that in Spanish.
I’m relying upon some very bad, broken Spanish at this time and also translation, which loses its impact.

"That's what I found in my first team-talk; you're speaking then you're waiting, speaking then waiting.

“You want that impact to come with these big words and you don't even know if the translator is getting the impact across and the emphasis on words that you want.

“It's something that I'm conscious of, I'm trying to make it as simple as possible. I'm having meetings with three players at a time rather than 23; that's the way we work with England, anyway."

 

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Guardiola has decided to join Manchester City, claims former Bayern Munich boss

Former Bayern Munich boss Ottmar Hitzfeld suggests that Pep Guardiola is likely join Manchester City next summer.

Guardiola’s current deal with the German champions expires at the end of the season, while several reports have claimed that the 44-year-old has already agreed a deal to replace Manuel Pellegrini.

And Hitzfeld, who won five Bundesliga titles and the Champions League during his two spells at Bayern, believes the signs all point to Guardiola’s exit at the end of the current campaign.

“I suspect that Pep will leave Bayern, because Manchester City continue turning up with the money,” Hitzfeld told BLICK.

“There is no reason to wait until December for a decision, because no titles are awarded now."

 

[Alucard_SxE]

Roma v Real Madrid
PSG v Chalsea
Arsenal Vs Barcelona
Juventus Vs Bayern
Real Madrid vs Roma
Patta gemak yai

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Arsenal Vs Barcelona
Juventus Vs Bayern

Me deka thamai pattama. Arsenal vs Barca
Arsenal top form eke inne. group eke anthima idala 2nd walatama awane. Premier league dinai wage me para. Barca walata patta challenge ekak dei

 

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Leicester City 2-1 Chelsea: Vardy & Mahrez strike as Mourinho's misery continues

Leicester City returned to the top of the Premier League with a 2-1 victory over Chelsea on Monday, leaving the defending champions just one point clear of the relegation zone.

Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez did the damage for Claudio Ranieri's side, both finding the net to take their combined top-flight tally this term to 26 goals - eight more than the entire Chelsea squad have scored in the league.

The former Fleetwood Town forward made it 14 consecutive Premier League matches in which he has scored or assisted when he steered a volley past Thibaut Courtois shortly after the half-hour mark.

Nemanja Matic hit the crossbar for Chelsea but they fell two goals behind when Mahrez, who supplied the assist for Vardy's strike, produced a sublime effort early in the second half.

After Diego Costa and Branislav Ivanovic failed to get Jose Mourinho's team – unchanged after securing Champions League qualification with a win over Porto last week – back in it, Loic Remy pulled one back.

However, Chelsea could not find a second and Leicester extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to nine matches, moving ahead of Manchester City and Arsenal into pole position.

Ranieri kept faith with the same line-up from Leicester's 3-0 win over Swansea City last weekend and Mahrez – who scored all three goals at the Liberty Stadium – called Courtois into action inside two minutes with a 20-yard strike that proved comfortable for the Chelsea goalkeeper.

The hosts maintained their high-tempo start but suffered a blow when they lost Danny Drinkwater to injury in the 17th minute – Andy King coming on in his place.

Courtois looked nervy when coming to collect crosses, but his team showed more composure to control a greater share of possession.

Chelsea struggled to create any openings, however, and they too were forced into a change in the 31st minute when Eden Hazard limped off and was replaced by Pedro.

Three minutes later Mourinho's frustration increased as Vardy beat a static Kurt Zouma to Mahrez's cross and sent a first-time volley beyond Courtois, scoring for the sixth consecutive Premier League home match.

Chelsea came close to a rapid equaliser, but Matic's looping header clipped the crossbar on its way behind for a goal-kick.

Mourinho's side were unable to get a shot on target before the interval and three minutes after the restart Leicester doubled their advantage.

Mahrez controlled Albrighton's cross exquisitely before shimmying away from Cesar Azpilicueta and curling a fine finish into the opposite corner.

Chelsea's first shot on target finally came in the 62nd minute, but, after being released by Cesc Fabregas, Costa was denied by Kasper Schmeichel.

The Dane came close to undoing his good work seconds later when he failed to claim Willian's corner. However, Ivanovic did not react quickly enough to convert at the back post.

Mourinho then switched to a three-man defence and Remy headed home from a Pedro cross to halve the deficit with 13 minutes remaining, but they could not salvage a result and remain in 16th place.

 

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Diego Costa blasts Chelsea team-mates for 'sleeping' during Leicester City defeat

Diego Costa slammed his Chelsea's team-mates during Monday's 2-1 defeat to Leicester City and accused them of falling asleep in defence.

The Premier League champions slipped to their ninth loss of the campaign following goals in each half from Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez.

After Vardy's opener, television replays showed Costa berating his fellow players, with the striker mimicking that his team-mates had fallen asleep.

The former Atletico Madrid forward hasn't been doing much better up the other end of the pitch this season.

He's scored just three goals in the Premier League so far, while he's only found the net once in six Champions League appearances.

“There’s nothing worse than a player coming back and telling other people what they should be doing, considering he’s been sleeping all season,” said former Liverpool defender and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.

"He's done nothing really for Chelsea this season considering what he did last year."

 

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Vardy outshining Messi AND Ronaldo combined

Leicester City forward Jamie Vardy has scored as many league goals as both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo combined this season.

The 28-year-old’s strike in his side’s win over Chelsea on Monday was his 15th in England’s top-flight since August and helped Claudio Ranieri’s men move back above Arsenal at the top of the table.

That tally includes an 11-game scoring streak - a Premier League record - although that incredible run came to an end against Swansea City last weekend.

However, he was back on target against Chelsea, sneaking in between Kurt Zouma and John Terry to poke home the opening goal of a 2-1 win. Meanwhile, Messi and Ronaldo, who will compete with Neymar for the Ballon d’Or next month, have managed just 15 between them this season.

Ronaldo has 10 goals in La Liga but has struggled to come up with the goods in the big games - the latest example coming in Real Madrid’s 1-0 loss to Villarreal on Sunday.

Messi missed two months of the campaign with a knee injury, but has still appeared in 10 Primera Division games, scoring five times.

Vardy’s goals have come in just 16 appearances and have remarkably kept Leicester at the top of the table, despite the skepticism which surrounded their fast start.

If the England international can keep up this strike-rate, there’s little reason the Foxes can’t maintain their place in the upper echelons of the Premier League.