..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Ranieri reveals when he will contemplate Premier League title bid


Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri will only contemplate the Premier League title as a realistic option if his side are still top at the end of April and is now only interested in his Christmas turkey.

The Foxes are guaranteed to be top at Christmas and sit five points clear of nearest challengers Arsenal – who play Manchester City on Monday – after a dramatic 3-2 victory at Everton on Saturday made it eight wins from 10 games.

Ranieri, though, continues to insist 40 points remains his target – they already have 38 – and feels his side's current position is irrelevant, with top spot only beginning to matter once 36 games have been played.Asked what it means to be top at Christmas, he replied: "Nothing. It means we are on a good run and in good form.

"I am very very honest. If [our position] today is [the same] at the end of April and we stay there, I will think of the title.

"If there are two matches left to play we think of the title, now I enjoy my Christmas with turkeys – very good!"Football is crazy. But if it is crazy in this way then I am very happy."

Ranieri also delivered a boost to Leicester fans by revealing Jamie Vardy did not have a serious injury after he appeared to limp off holding his hamstring in the closing stages.The Italian added: "Yes he was [limping] a little. He was a little tired, but it was nothing serious.

"I changed and put [Leonardo] Ulloa on to keep possession and jump for the set-plays."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Neil: Survive 30 minutes and you can beat Manchester United

Norwich City manager Alex Neil says he believed his side could beat Manchester United if they survived the first 30 minutes of the match unscathed.

Cameron Jerome and Alex Tettey scored goals on the counter-attack either side of half-time as the Canaries triumphed 2-1 at Old Trafford to condemn Louis van Gaal's side to their third successive defeat.

Neil says he knew the under-pressure coach would demand a fast start from his team and hailed the effort shown by his players, who lost only narrowly away to Chelsea and Manchester City earlier this season.

"The one thing about Louis van Gaal teams is they start quick, they press high up the pitch and they get in your face and we needed to make sure we weren't going to overplay or risk conceding an early goal," he told reporters.

"We had to be in the game after 30 minutes and then we can hurt them on the counter. Our players's work ethic was incredible."Whatever game you go into you have a chance. I always believe that. Our performances so far this season against the bigger teams proves that.

"We drew 1-1 with Liverpool, we went to Chelsea and lost 1-0 off an error we made and the same at Manchester City. We have always been competitive.

"We felt if we limited the mistakes, because we have done that, we felt we would give ourselves a chance. It was about keeping ourselves in the game because we have enough quality to create chances.

"If you look at their starting line-up at Bournemouth last week and this one it was very different. They had all their big-hitters back in the side."Neil admitted he was relieved to finally see a good performance rewarded with three points after going four matches without a win.

"It is great for the club," he added. "I am delighted for the likes of [owner] Delia Smith and [chief executive] David McNally who put their faith and trust in me.
"For them, that will mean a lot and also the same for the fans so I am delighted about that.

"For me, it is just about trying to get as many points as I can for my team to get us safe. We can take plenty from that. We had been playing well, not getting our just rewards and that can be de-motivating."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Neil: Survive 30 minutes and you can beat Manchester United

Manchester United dan watila inna place 1ka thamai meh​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mahrez: Everton win our toughest trip so far

Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez feels the Premier League table-toppers won their toughest away match of the season to date when they defeated Everton on Saturday.

The Algeria international scored two penalties and Shinji Okazaki was also on target as Claudio Ranieri's men won 3-2 to guarantee top spot at Christmas.
And Mahrez says it is the hardest Leicester, who are unbeaten on the road this term, have had to work for a win away from home.

"It was a difficult game, I think the most difficult away game we have had this season," Mahrez told Sky Sports."We won 3-2, they didn't have a lot of chances, but they had the possession. I think we defended well and deserved this victory.

"It is always good to win, especially away. They said we hadn't won here for maybe 30 years, so it's very good for the club and the fans – I am very happy."

Five of the last six teams to sit top at Christmas day have gone on to win the title, but Mahrez is sticking to Ranieri's line that Leicester are waiting to have 40 points secured before discussing any goal greater than avoiding the drop.

The 24-year-old continued: "Three more points and then we will speak about something else maybe. Even in the dressing room we say we have to have the 40 points and after we achieve that we can speak.

"We are flying at the moment so everyone is very happy to play in this team. We need to keep going. We have 38 points and that is very very good. We didn't know we would be on this amount of points after 17 games so that is amazing for us."

Mahrez now has 13 Premier League goals and feels confidence has been key to his remarkable progress in 2015-16, while discussing his thought process for beating Tim Howard twice from the spot.

He added: "Personally when you keep scoring and make some assists to help the team to win it is normal to gain confidence, but also the team and manager give me a lot of confidence. So that is a good thing and that is why I am better than last year.

"For the penalties I was not nervous, maybe a little but it is okay – you choose one side and you just shoot. For the first one I watched him, the second one I just wanted to put it in the right side."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Guardiola: I'll reveal more about my future on Sunday

Pep Guardiola has promised to disclose his future plans on Sunday following Bayern Munich's 1-0 win at Hannover.

The victory over Michael Frontzeck's strugglers, sealed by Thomas Muller's 40th-minute penalty, was largely overshadowed by mounting speculation after the coach said a decision over his future will be revealed next week, while Goal understands he will leave the club next summer and be replaced by Carlo Ancelotti.

Borussia Dortmund's surprise 2-1 loss at Koln means Bayern go into the mid-season break with an eight-point lead at the top of the table, and the Spaniard has revealed that clarity regarding his next move will come on Sunday, adding that he intends to speak with chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge before the announcement.

When asked by a reporter when he will disclose more information, the former Barcelona coach simply replied: "Tomorrow, tomorrow.

"Rummenigge said that we will talk one day after the Hannover match. Now we drive to the airport with the bus and we will talk some more. We always talk when we see each other."

The coach was full of praise for his players for their efforts throughout 2015 - not least at the HDI Arena, where injury problems meant he was only able to name four substitutes before Holger Badstuber and Arturo Vidal limped out of the action after half-time.

"Big compliments to my players," he said. "You have made this year all round, in the Bundesiga, the Champions League and the DFB Pokal."We only had a few players over recent weeks but we wanted to control the game."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ada thamai ahenam dawasa​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barclays Premier League 2015.12.20 Fixtures

Barclays Premier League 2015.12.20 Fixtures

Watford Vs Liverpool

Swansea Vs West Ham

​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

LA Liga 2015.12.20 Fixtures

LA Liga 2015.12.20 Fixtures

Real Madrid Vs Rayo Vallecano

Athletic Bilbao Vs Levante

Granada Vs Celta Vigo

Real Sociedad Vs Villareal

Malaga Vs Atletico Madrid​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Serie A 2015.12.20 Fixtures

Serie A 2015.12.20 Fixtures

Carpi Vs Juventus

Roma Vs Genoa

Atalanta Vs Napoli

Fiorentina Vs Chievo

Hellas Verona Vs Sassuolo

Frosinone Vs AC Milan

Sampdoria Vs Palermo

Torino Vs Udinese

Inter Vs Lazio​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ow. Premier League eketh man asama team eka Manchester Utd. Eth godakma United issarahata awe hoda talented playersla hinda. Eth dan inna team eka gena ehema kiyanna be. Hoda world Class playersla ne. Rooneyth out of form. Da Gea th innawata innawa wage. Schweinsteiger thamai mage favourite CM eth eya build up karanna hoda unata echcharama aggressive yanne ne.
Manchester United need world class players.

Ow bro godak playersla out of form wela innekohoma unath Striker kenek nam aniwa gannama wenawa bro.January wala mokakhari karaganna puluwan unoth nam goda.ath ithin lesi wena 1kak naha playersla ganna January wala​

 

[Michael]

LvG must leave!! That man has ruined United!!

No one fears United now!! If you can't win a HOME game then WTF!!

 

[Wolverine GTR]

LvG must leave!! That man has ruined United!!

No one fears United now!! If you can't win a HOME game then WTF!!

LVG wa sack karanna thiyenne puluwan tharam ikmanata.LVG hari yanne naha apita.thawa hitiyeth thawath team 1ka kala dai

Guardiola thamai best ma option 1kaath CITY th attention 1ka inna nisa thamai sure natthe
​

 

[Alucard_SxE]

LVG wa sack karanna thiyenne puluwan tharam ikmanata.LVG hari yanne naha apita.thawa hitiyeth thawath team 1ka kala dai

Guardiola thamai best ma option 1kaath CITY th attention 1ka inna nisa thamai sure natthe
​

man dakka Guardiola City ekka join wenawa kiyala kathawak. Ancelloti Bayern Munich walata yanawa. Confirm karala iwaralu

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Iturbe says goodbye to Roma fans as Watford speculation grows

Juan Iturbe has paid tribute to Roma's supporters as speculation grows he is set to join Premier League club Watford in the January transfer window.

Widespread reports have suggested a deal has been agreed for the 22-year-old forward to join Quique Sanchez Flores' side on loan next month, with an option for them to buy him on a permanent basis.

Roma have included Iturbe in their squad to face Genoa on Sunday in what is almost certain to be his final appearance for the club prior to leaving and the player appeared to confirm his exit with a message on Instagram.

"Independently of any decisions I will take and that will be taken on my future, I wanted to take this opportunity to give an affectionate salute to the city of Rome and all the Roma fans," he wrote.

"Unfortunately things didn’t go the way I had hoped and I am the first to feel bad about that. Disappointment and defeat in life must be faced with the same dignity as success and victory.

"The only certainty is that I wore the Giallorossi jersey with pride and honour. I always gave 100 per cent, without ever holding back. I suffered for this shirt, I cried and I celebrated. But you must also have in life the courage and humility to get back on your feet and continue believing in yourself."Maybe this is only an arrivederci and not a goodbye. In that case, I will return stronger than ever. I will always hold these colours in my heart, as I honoured and respected them.

"I thank the club, the technical staff and especially Walter [Sabatini], who supported me in my most difficult moments. Above all I thank my team-mates and wish them every success."For always, Forza Roma."

Iturbe was signed from Verona in a big-money move to much fanfare ahead of the 2014-15 campaign, but he has scored just three Serie A goals since making his move to Roma and started only three times in the league this season.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger confirms new Welbeck injury blow

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed Danny Welbeck's extended injury lay-off is set to continue for the foreseeable future.

The Frenchman revealed the striker's bone bruising has worsened and will keep him out until February as a result, with the England international yet to make an appearance for the Premier League title contenders this term.

Welbeck's injury adds to Arsenal's existing injury woes as Alexis Sanchez, Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere also remain on the sidelines, leading Wenger to lament his inability to rotate the squad in the busy Christmas period.

"Unfortunately he was injured at the end of April and we are now at the end of December and he is still not available because of a bone bruising," Wenger said.
"That deteriorated and it is a big blow to us. Especially now we cannot rotate."

The injuries mean Wenger has limited options for Monday's Premier League clash with Manchester City as they scrap for second place and keep pace with Leicester City, who defeated Everton 3-2 on Saturday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mata: The players at Manchester United feel sorry for the fans

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has apologised to the fans after another poor team performance in their shock 2-1 defeat to Norwich City on Saturday.
Goals from Cameron Jerome and Alex Tettey inflicted on Louis van Gaal's side their first home defeat in the Premier League this season, and their third consecutive loss in all competitions.

Anthony Martial scored Manchester United's consolation but it meant little to the Old Trafford faithful who were irate after watching their team go winless in six matches.

Speaking to MUTV after a result that sees them fall nine points off the pace at the top of the Premier League, Mata could only apologise: "We feel deeply sorry for the fans.

"I think they’re incredible, so we have to do better for them. Of course we’re disappointed. It's another very difficult day for us, but the only thing we can do now is stick together and hope that we get the win in the next game because we need it.

"We need to win as soon as possible. It’s very frustrating not to win, especially at home. We should win at Old Trafford if we want to be successful, but we haven’t done it."

With four games in the next two weeks, Mata said United desperately need to fix their form."That’s football. You can’t enjoy it a lot even when you’re winning games because you have another one coming up straight away," the Spaniard continued.

"That’s how we have to think after losing also, we have to try to be positive. As always, I think everyone is trying their best, but things are not working."We obviously need to win soon, but especially now that we have a lot of games in a short period of time."

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Mata's team-mate Daley Blind revealed the players still felt the support of the fans, and insisted they are doing their utmost to reverse the team's fortunes.

"We’re working hard out on the training ground on every aspect of the game. We must stick together as a team and work hard to improve. I believe we’ll come good doing it this way," the Netherlands international said.

"It’s important for us that the fans are standing behind us. We feel that support out on the pitch and it’s important that we stick together. We have the best fans in the world."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mata: The players at Manchester United feel sorry for the fans

Sorry thamainext thiyenne Stoke City match 1ka.ekath mona karadganida manda​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Cech brings Arsenal big-game aura - Wenger

Petr Cech adds much-needed aura and charisma to Arsenal, according to manager Arsene Wenger.

The Czech Republic international joined Wenger's squad from Chelsea in the off-season, helping his new club sit second in the Premier League table.

Cech impressed at Rennes before his move to England in 2004, with Wenger lamenting the speed at which Arsenal moved for the shot-stopper back then.
But with the veteran now on board, Wenger said he added more than just his ability to Arsenal.

"He has brought his experience, his calmness and his leadership as well. He has been good and highly focused," he told reporters ahead of Monday's clash with Manchester City.

"I don't want to be detrimental to David Ospina because he was exceptional last year, but Petr Cech has done it all, so he is someone who gives you an aura, a charisma that is always important in the big games for the players.

"I met him before I signed him and we had a long discussion about the game and the job and his position, and I was deeply impressed by his knowledge, by his professionalism, by his detailed knowledge."So since [he signed] I have not been surprised, because I got the whole package in one go."

Wenger said he had the opportunity to bring Cech to Arsenal before the goalkeeper joined Chelsea.“My biggest regret is I did not sign him earlier – I had the chance when he was at Rennes," he continued.

"Sometimes that comes into my mind – it just makes me think that I missed him and how it could have changed for us if we had signed him in that period. We should maybe have been quicker on the day than Chelsea.
"We were maybe not sharp enough."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

OFFICIAL: Ancelotti to replace Guardiola at Bayern

Bayern Munich have announced that Carlo Ancelotti will take charge of the club next season and replace Pep Guardiola, who is to depart.

The Spanish coach has enjoyed remarkable success in Bavaria in his spell as manager, winning two Bundesliga titles, one DFB-Pokal, the Uefa Super Cup and the Fifa Club World Cup, but will leave after choosing not to renew his contract.

And Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has confirmed that Ancelotti, who has been out of work since being sacked by Real Madrid in May, will take over at Allianz Arena.

"We are very thankful for everything Pep Guardiola gave to this club since 2013. I am convinced that Pep and his team will now work even more intensively to achieve our big sporting goals because now it has become clear that Pep will leave FC Bayern," he said in a statement.

"Carlo Ancelotti was successful everywhere he coached. He won the Champions League three times. Carlo is a quiet, balanced expert who can cope with the stars and someone who favours a variety of systems in football. We were looking for that, we have found it. We are looking forward to work together."

Bayern are currently eight points clear of second-placed Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, and will face Juventus in the Round of 16 of the Champions League.

Goal understands that Manchester City have made Guardiola their top target to replace Manuel Pellegrini, with Manchester United also on alert amid increasing concerns over Louis van Gaal's management.

The German giants defeated Hannover 96 1-0 on Saturday and key attacker Thomas Muller claimed afterwards the players are paying little attention to their managerial situation.

"We don't care about that," he told Sky. "We want to win everything this season, no matter how long it takes with the coach's contract.

"I do not know whether he will renew in the end, but if he doesn't then it does not matter. Jupp Heynckes also did this in 2012-13 and we won the treble that year."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ancelotti ge future 1ka ahenam decide wela thiyenne.Dan Guardiola thamai​